I think there's room for all on the board, Whatever their "title". I do think the titles are a little "tongue in cheek" and could be replaced with a number of posts/percentage of posts number. As DeltaDirt says, there's plenty of real life experts out there both on the board and off and there's also folks who learned a few lessons last week. Sometimes it's the one who learned a thing last week who answers a question or wants to put up pictures of their new toy, and sometimes it's the real life collector/owner/operator/mechanic/engineer who wants to answer a question. More often than not it's those with time to sit down at the computer who respond while others are too busy making a living or working on "stuff" to respond in a timely manner, and there's not any problem or solution to that. I can say from experience that it's frustrating when no one answers your question for a few days (or longer)and I have to say that that doesn't happen very often on either of these CAT boards:D

As for wrong information from some inexperienced/waco list member, Usually when I see something that I disagree with, I'm more likely to post a response so there's a difference of opinion in the replies so the original poster and anyone reading along the thread will at least know there's a possiblility of the original opinion being off base. When others chime in with their two bits it gets to the point where it should be obvious if there's a right answer in there anywhere.

My two bits

The little things on this BB arnt as important to me is a good archives with info on questions that are asked over and over can be found easly looked up, like torque specs ,year models and paid avdertising for ACMOC suporters to sell the Antique Cat related items (Hahn,Rankin,Lougean,Holt of Calif&others)these guys are allways donating thier products or srvices to our cause and deserve our supot also not those who get all the free ads here and dont give squat, along with so much other stuff that members need

well here it goes again..

First off, JB, you did an excellant job, as always, Yes there are some minor tune-ups required, as is usual when things are still a work in progress. BUT, evidently, you didnt do your admin thing to satisfaction. As witnessed by others, that you didnt do a complete and thorough background on each applicant to this new BB. It would seem, that unless you have the 'appropriate' credentials, ones' input would probably not be worth much of anything here.

I personally think it humerous that Willie is a junior member now. Especially since I know him, and his capacities. He's a great guy, willing to help when he can (and he has). The titles are basically for fun, and a level(or idea) of how many posts(hopefully helpful) that someone has done. Hopefully most people are smart enough to figure out whether the posts are BS or not. I, like DD, do not measure a person by his so-called legitimate title, but by their experiences and personal merit. I know legitimate DRs and Surgeons, that cant do a lowly EMTs job of saving someones' life at an accident scene, as they dont have the nurses and fancy equipment there, to re-start someones pulse and breathing. So, I dont really believe being an 'official' operating engineer really qualifies one to be the only expert in providing the 'official' advise on restoring equipment, that they have probably never even operated.

I, am just a lowly, learning, person interested in restoring cats and other equipment for a hobby. I am not a totally all-around qualified operating engineer, who knows everything. I do however, know how to completely tear apart an old D4(RD4) cat, and put her back together. Something I think most current qualified D11R operators and cat service techs dont know how to do. I also know where to get most parts for the old antique cats, that your qualified cat parts salesman can't and/or wont get for you. At least I will try.

I also, am not one to force my personal beliefs on someone else. If I dont like the way something is, I dont demand(!) everything changes for me. I either ignore what I dont like and use what I do, or find another place that better suits me. These attitudes of, if you don't do things my way, you're not good enough,, need to stop. It just fosters bad relations and tensions between all. It is what, I believe, has happened in the past on the previous version of this BB,, and I would hate to see it all start over on this version, when there are so many new chances for greater possibilities here. I, and I know others, went to the other board just because of the bickering, in-fighting, and self-serving attitudes of the past. We just didnt feel welcome anymore, and our info needed or appreciated. It would seem, that this is starting again already, and that's sad. I really hope this gets turned around soon, so that ACMOC membership might pick up.

But me; KidNV-junior member(and not bothered by it), cellular phone system tech, raised in a JD store from age 7 putting together tractors, machinery, equipment and re-building them, and raised around a farm, former frozen chicken delivery driver, former coal hauler, former truck driver coast-coast for 8 yrs hauling everything you could get on a truck, EMT/FF for 3yrs, now a volunteer FF, former computer tech, former electrician(couple yrs), former 2way radio tech, and person who has had many other odd jobs that have helped me to learn many ways to do things,, have rebuilt/restored a 1936 Cat RD4 from the ground up, as well as a 1933 Onan 3Kw generator... with no 'official' operating engineer or other type status.. am going back to the other(ACME) BB, where my posts (whether helpful info, or just in kinship) seem to be appreciated.

If anyone really needs my lowly, non-qualified help or info, then they are welcome to come over to the ACME BB and ask me, as I will be glad to do what I can. As for over here, well, I might look from time to time, but will no longer post here, or even join up. I dont need to be part of a club where some aren't good enough because their stinkin title doesnt say so. My username here can be deleted, if so deemed by the 'official' qualified operating engineer types here. My response seem a bit rash? Maybe, but look at the response to a man's simple question of what the funny labels meant..

GWH, good luck buddy, I have a feeling you'll need it..

KidNV nice words, I am still waiting to meet Willie in Person, and I am Still Waiting for Willie to Help Me . Being a Junior Member does feel nice, People tell me I anit getting any younger ( too much hard work).

I am Catman and Louis will always be Jnr CM LOL, my Father will always be Snr Catman LOL.

you gota remember the Ozdozer is the Master of all Knowledge on the ACME

The ACMOC BB needs a little Light Humour I think we need a BAR Area for those of us who can Chill Out :- or even an Area Called CHILL OUT

Cat Power - The Greatest :-

Cat Power - Lived in Bars :-

Just think, this all started with the question "What do these mean?" and look how it has developed into a full blown fire fight! Junior Member suits me just fine...whether I post 4 times or 4,000.

Joe, i for one here, and many others just appreciate what you have done so far. I can't believe this has turned into such a seemingly big issue over such a trivial thing.
Lighten up Northart, nobody is getting paid according to their number of posts Don

OK
OK
OK
OK

Eye confess

Eye no nuttin
Yep
The §wish nose nuttin

so call me any thing U like
but don't call me late for " T "
LOL

LightenUpGuyz
cya
§wishy
HasBeen

Hello, Tractor Don, GWH, JB, KidNV, and others that don't agree.

I know this is a Democracy, Free Speech ! People trying to smother me by castigation ?? So disagree so what !

Not a Mutual Admiration Society, till the bugs get worked out. Then Brag about it.

I just want to say the "Titles" are Redundant, A Sales Gimmick that want you to come back and post, over and over, to get to the next level. Baloney . We already have a track recording of posts,views and replies ! Which is more relevant.

Let the posters describe their background. Who cares what level they are on , at least they are intersted in Caterpillar Antiques and products.

If they are a novice (1st time ) or ardent Student so what ! This not an argument about who knows more ! But trying to IDentify the level of Interest and expertise, is !

What it does it help ACMOC reponders to answer their ? better. Less detail or more detail ?

I say let's eliminate the "titles" . Who needs ( wants) them ?

I can not understand what A FEW on this forum are complaining about. I look at both sites and it was not hard to register on this new board. It took about 12 hours to get approved. I'm glad they are trying to do something about protecting The forum along with our identity and e-mail.

What is the big deal about the Junior Member? Are people that insecure with them selves? Like little kids, my caterpillar is bigger than yours. I guess some people just have to complain? I think Joe Black should be THANKED instead of getting all the complaining. I don't see anyone else doing it, I know I do not want to create this new forum. I just what to take this time to thank Joe Black and everyone else that works so hard to keep this type of forum/board going. If it was not for them we would not even have a spot to talk about this. I have almost forty years operating and repair heavy equipment and learn something new everyday, Am I more experienced than someone with 30 years? How about someone with fifty years? I think everyone has something to contribute to this site no matter how much experience. If we rate people on how much experience, do we also rate people on how much equipment they own?, How big of equipment? Or how much money their company is worth? Who is going to rate everyone? and what are the qualifications? Can someone with a "Junior Membership" post a reply? No one knows everything, that is why we need everyone. Everyone on this forum has a chance to have a great new place to talk about Caterpillar Equipment and Other Heavy Equipment, nothing is perfect but this board is close so lets let them have a chance.

My Grandmother had a saying " someone who talks all the time never learns anything, because all they hear is what they are saying and they already know that".
Thank YOU Joe Black
Ron

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RKO,

Read my post , it's a redundant feature !

A title for posts, on the right hand side !

Here we are trying to boost the quality of pictures, & text for the readers, and we got this junk, gimmicks taking up bandwidth continually !

So we are supposed to cut the quality of pictures and text, to have this advertisment of the reader ??

Obviously we are looking at it from totally different reads.