Where have you gained most of your Koi Knowledge?

[111whalen]

Geez Luke-nothing from books or mags? I have to disagree. There are many sources of info; by the way it is called KOI USA-in my opinion a good magazine. Ask Steve-he has an opinion.

[luke frisbee]

the thread is "most of your Koi Knowledge" not ALL.
yes I've learned stuff from the mags and books, and I'll support AKCA and continue to get their mag.
And the choices for topics in this last issue were incredible.
But it is not a source of "current events" as the Internet is. and its only advantage over the net is that it comes from the major vehicle for advancing the koi hobby.
magazines are archaic and extremely limited, however old people have an ingrained reverence for the printed word. And the hobby ain't full of young whippersnappers.
The koi mags will disappear sooner than most of you think.
This hobby inparticular is going to abandon magazines sooner than many due to the affluency of its hobbyists.

[MikeM]

All of the above... but I can't say which has been "the source". Books have been a mixed bag. Some directed me backwards to the '80s-type thinking. But Koi Kichi pulled together lots of things in a way that allowed me to understand internet conversations in a less superficial manner. Amano's Living Jewels from 40 years ago is terribly outdated, but it is now a favorite I return to, because I can now read it in a more discerning context. I get more out of it now than I did when I knew less... make sense? 30 years of Rinkos (Thanks, DB), old Nichirins (so much better than the current ones)and even a few years of the original BKKS mag from the early '80s.... I can't begin to say all I've gotten out of them. The internet is crucial, because of the conversations on NI and K-B that have been cutting-edge, and draw together so very many fields of science and art like nowhere else. But none of it would be worth much if it were not for koi shows, visiting ponds and otherwise seeing lots of koi in person. Someday I've gotta spend time in Japan. Maybe then I could put together some of the pieces.

[Eugeneg]

[quote=luke frisbee;109542]books are rubbish, and mags are right there too.

I designed and built my own house . This was only possible by studying books on each aspect as well as all the building codes pertaining to each aspect . So building ponds was one of the easiest things I have done . There was no information avaiable at that time in Canada on koi keeping in fact the first book of any value was Koi Kichi but at that time my pond was finished . So this led to features adapted from the building trades such as a circulating heating system in the cemment floor , correct application of insulation to minimize heat loss even now years later it is still an up to date pond . I did pick up some British magazines but their ponds are not suitable for Canadian climate . I did however pick up some valueble information such as bottom drains . So books and magazines are still one of the best sources of information to me although now I will when reading a book often go on line for more detailed information or if I do not understand a segment I am intrested in .
To maks a statment like you did Luke unfortunatelly to me does not give the impression that you are either knowledgeble or credible .
Regards
Eugene

[Birdman]

From my mentor, Dick Bembow.

[Seefdro Tvneik]

The internet is a beast of knowledge. It's capabilties are growing stronger every day.

Prior to 01 most of my knowledge came from books and magazines. Although I must admit I was never a book nerd regarding koi knowledge. I think I have 6 or 7 books on koi and I have not opened one of them for over a year..

But the strongest connection for knowledge has been my "real experiences". Outside of "real experience" the internet has offered me so much knowledge regarding koi that it's impossible to read it all.

Clubs are great social experiences and can be learning tools but I think the meat is on the web bone for 2008 and beyond.

The internet is still a baby and it's wild to think about the future knowledge it will offer. In fact if someone wanted to it will be possible to put ALL the information ever written about koi on a little chip. Maybe even for FREE .

[luke frisbee]

Good enough Eugene,
you are an old man and as such books were vital in your time, your "way" is outdated.
For instance there is much better information on the internet for all aspects of the koi hobby than in even the best book...

here is the proof that books are rubbish...
You stated:
"So books and magazines are still one of the best sources of information to me although now I will when reading a book often go on line for more detailed information or if I do not understand a segment I am intrested in "
The koi pond you built could not have been as good if you did not go to the 'net. However you could have built just as good a pond WITHOUT any of the books...all the info in the books is available on the 'net. Any info in those books is discussed in greater detail with unlimited photos and usually with interactive experts HERE right HERE on the net.

I will however reserve judgement on you as a whole and not chose to form more of an opinion on such little information than you are old...and like to attack people instead of the facts.

[JasPR]

well Luke, as a famous man once said - " the profit of books is according to the sensibility of the reader"

Books provide perspective. And in mass, they tell the 'whole story'. Personal experience is limited and untested and word of mouth and the Internet is heresay.

- JR

[gspotmc]

I have learned from Jo Co, Frank & Nancy, a couple of people from NorCal. Through KB a lot of info is From JR and STEVE C. which will be very applicable when I build my new pond. Rob of Majestic KOI for water quality, Shawn and Bill and Lastly Eastern.

[RookieKoiGuy]

What little I seem to know comes from my mistakes and my friends mistakes
Trial and error school of hard knocks

Plus way to many of the koi kichi's to name........