Could forums hurt or help the learning curve?

[JasonS]

There are some things you can learn by reading and some things you learn by doing.

The internet is good for learning by reading. It is also good for making the connections so you can learn by doing.

The amount one can learn by listening to the judges at a koi show is great. One can also learn much from a sensei at a koi dealer. Some koi dealers are obviously much better than others at the koi appreciation side of things.

It is little things. This weekend I learned second hand a tell-tale sign that a fish has been Superverm'd in the previous 6 weeks (scalloping and slight scarring/cloudiness on the edges of the fins). The info originally came from Kevin Pham who mentioned it offhand to the hobbyist who mentioned it to me as something amazing that Kevin could spot right away.

The description doesn't do it justice. Gotta see it to learn it.

[luke frisbee]

even pig-headed people will learn faster with the 'net available...they will have to do it "their way" but will have a clue as to whether their way is the right way and will know what to watch for.....

personal experieinces

[luke frisbee]

however, the infancy of the hobby especially "over here' makes the zealous spot-light seeker an instant expert...which hurts some people.

[luke frisbee]

YIKES...not every expert is an over zealous spotlight seeker..before you all start jumpin on me

[Nancy M.]

Quote: Originally Posted by JasonS There are some things you can learn by reading and some things you learn by doing. The internet is good for learning by reading. It is also good for making the connections so you can learn by doing. The amount one can learn by listening to the judges at a koi show is great. One can also learn much from a sensei at a koi dealer. Some koi dealers are obviously much better than others at the koi appreciation side of things. It is little things. This weekend I learned second hand a tell-tale sign that a fish has been Superverm'd in the previous 6 weeks (scalloping and slight scarring/cloudiness on the edges of the fins). The info originally came from Kevin Pham who mentioned it offhand to the hobbyist who mentioned it to me as something amazing that Kevin could spot right away. The description doesn't do it justice. Gotta see it to learn it.

Excellent observation Jason, I know the fish you are referring too. We noticed it also. And Kevin confirmed it for us.

[luke frisbee]

Quote: Originally Posted by Steve W Hi all The more info the better i say. its hard to lie on a fourm. Steve W

not if you own the site

[aquitori]

Hear some of you on this and I also like to say I know alot more people are educated on the pond condition and weak at koi selection. I know this hobby people buy what they like, but for me the fact this is the living jewel hobby. For me I would like to mentor people in koi selection, but it is hard to teach if people cant appreciate what they are looking at.

[woodyaht]

We would like to enroll in the "Aquitori School of Fine Koi"? Might be better to wait till the new shipments come in? When will ASFK classes be starting?

Quote: Originally Posted by aquitori Hear some of you on this and I also like to say I know alot more people are educated on the pond condition and weak at koi selection. I know this hobby people buy what they like, but for me the fact this is the living jewel hobby. For me I would like to mentor people in koi selection, but it is hard to teach if people cant appreciate what they are looking at.

[dick benbow]

tHIS INFORMATION AGE AND ACCESS TO ASSITANCE (IMMEDIATE) IS AN INCREDIBLE BENEFIT.

AS ALWAYS LOTS OF THINGS ARE UNKNOWN. wHAT MAY WORK FOR SOMEONE
IN A DIFFERENT PART OF THE WORLD MAY NOT WORK FOR YOU BECAUSE OF WATER QUALITY, PH ETC. bUT IF YOU DON'T KNOW TO ASK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE YOU COULD GET HONEST OPINIONS THAT ARE DOING YOUR SITUATION NO GOOD.

[JPennington]

This day and age, information is readily available to anyone who wants it.

The internet is a gateway to a plethora of knowledge. There is a no difference between the quality of information on forums and the quality of information by word of mouth.

It is perceived that there is a lot more incorrect information online than in real life, but if you look at the ratio of correct versus incorrect information it is the same.

If you were at a koi show, you would probably take advice from Steve Childers, William Lim, or Roddy Conrad but you wouldn't listen to Billy Joe, Jane Doe, or myself.

This is the same on the internet, you have to choose who you listen to. Regular hobbyists post their own personal experiences, that can be great information. On the other hand, you wouldn't want to listen to thier theoretically "perfect" filtration system. You must distinguish between the guy from kansas without a pond that just thinks he knows how to build one and the hobbyist that has kept koi successfully for decades.

Just my opinion everyone!

-Justin Pennington