Could forums hurt or help the learning curve?

[aquitori]

Could forums hurt or help the learning curve? I was just curious if anybody feels that the "newbie" hobbyist of today is relying more on the internet for info than getting hands-on experience. I remember when the internet wasn't that big with koi info and I had to do my research the hardway without joining a club...HAHAHAHA...I just wanted to get other people's opinion on this.

[Tim C]

I think it really depends on where you are located and how big the hobby is in that area. You and many on the West coast are fortunate to have many who have been in the hobby for decades close by, plus many of the best dealers to also learn from.

This is not the case when you head toward the center of the country IMHO. While we are growing, the local knowledge and appreciation is far from what you and your friends enjoy. Therefore, it depends on your geographical location as to whether the internet would hurt or help ones learning curve.

[KoiChik]

I have avoided many mistakes and taken several steps in the right direction through the information I have obtained by reading various forums. There is no club in my area.

[Akinosan]

I think by reading most of the posts, a person new in the hobby might recognize that someone else is having the same or similar problem that he or she might be having, and learn about treating his fish by following the thread. There is a wealth of knowledge on this forum for anyone wanting to learn.

[junglegeorge12]

Having had it both ways, like you aquitori, I would say the internet offers the majority a way to learn much faster, much quicker than before. The new guys do not realize what a tremendous edge they are getting. In the past the top filtration methods were often 'secrets' passed only amongst breeders and a few other fortunate ones. Now the masses can learn about showers, trickle towers, protien skimmers, etc etc. What was quiet for decades and hard to find out about even when you wanted to, these guys are getting offered up to them after 24 hours in the hobby.

The biggest drawback is that often people can be rude, insulting bullies, selfish, domineering, and even intimidating with their behaviour online. You also get newbies that want to talk about things they aren't ready to yet, which is good from the perspective of them learning, but bad from the perspective of the possiblity of misleading folks and being misled by folks with business agendas they are experts at hiding. Lots of folks on here giving advice based on things they are involved with not on the retail end. Some of them are honest about it (ie tewa, maurice, etc), others try to hide it. When new folks do not know that, they can sucked into someone elses games and vortex of public manipulations and pr games and long standing corporate wars and not even know it.

That was why in one of my posts I said I appreciated Brian very much. He does not hide his financial goals, but is honest, up front, and straightforward about them. Makes it hard to get jerked around by him when you always know where he is really coming from.

Other folks I know have been involved deeply with manufacturers and other things are passionately trying to deceive the public into believing they are non profit. It might take two days, but they can even spin around the blatantly obvious into looking like a generosity on their part rather than what it really is. The new guys do not know who they are, so they buy it. The old guys know better. Then they employ some guy to change the public's correct perceptions of them so they can pereptuate misperceptions.

Let me give you a hint, guys who are moderating their own site, like brian, markg, koivet, etc. say what their business position really is and work from there. Other guys can afford to hire folks full time to moderate and do other things, but pretend they are getting no money out of the hobby. In other words, the hidden agendas really affect the board and it's true quality. That is why folks who hold certain filtration positions, even when the filters are proven, get banned and attacked by moderators, while verbal abusers who agree with their spin due to being newbies stay on. So in short, an information chat site needs to have ways to make money and should be honest about it.

It reminds me of the surfing industry. Everyone claims to a soul surfer, but the ones most adimate about projecting that image do so for commercial agendas, and will knock you over to get in front of the camera man if one from a magazine or tv shows up.

Then you have guys who really are soul surfers, and really are in this for the hobby, and they should put info and chat sites to help folks learn.

[woodyaht]

I've picked up good pointers off the forums, but in the end the hands on experience is far greater than what I have learned from the boards.

I just need to spend more time at the weekly "unit" class to hone my fish selection skills.

Some of the rest I need to learn is mostly time dependant, to see what variety thrives best in my pond and to see what does what, when conditioning a fish.

[dubtaco]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tim C I think it really depends on where you are located and how big the hobby is in that area. You and many on the West coast are fortunate to have many who have been in the hobby for decades close by, plus many of the best dealers to also learn from. This is not the case when you head toward the center of the country IMHO. While we are growing, the local knowledge and appreciation is far from what you and your friends enjoy. Therefore, it depends on your geographical location as to whether the internet would hurt or help ones learning curve.

I agree with you Tim, try living in Utah and talking to people about koi. Reminds me of a time when I tried to find a replacement bulb locally for my UV, I called a place in the phone book that advertised "Koi" and "Ponds" not only did they not have it, but they didn't sell UV's period.

[dcny]

Forums certainly help the learning curve. There is a wealth of information that I've learned from this and other good forums that I wish I knew earlier on.

The only problem is that sometime people come to a forum with a specific problem. They may get the remedy to the problem but they may not have a real understanding of it, the causes or how to avoid it in the future. There's a tendancy to want a quick fix or get instant gratification but knowledge takes time and experience is always the best teacher. I'll put away the fortune cookie now.

-Dan

[koifishgirl]

I have learned more from koi fourms and I have been into fish since I was ten years old. I have only been in the koi forum for a little over a year and it is llike being a member of a koi club, you meet tons of people who are willing to teach you all you need to know about the hobby, and you meet them all over the world. Now I have downloaded Skype and talking to friends all over the world, just like I am talking on the phone with them, very good thing. I think internet is the tops when it comes to learning.

[Steve W]

Hi all

The more info the better i say.
its hard to lie on a fourm.

Steve W