Let's see how long this thread lasts...

[mrwho]

... before being erased by Manuals4You.

Of course, I'm cutting in on his business of selling manuals because - oh, no! - I just give them for free! And he, as a honest and truth-abiding moderator, just goes and erases my posts!

Now let me just take a screenshot of this thread before it goes away!

[Guest]

I'd be interested to see how long too, considering the way a lot of people who use these forums love to get on their high horse when it comes to sharing "inside information" to end users and foreigners. What's the over/under?

[mrwho]

I understand - and share - the concern about giving technical info to end users when they shouldn't have it - either because of business or safety concerns.

What irks me is the fact that said person scolds forum users for giving away such information - but sees no trouble whatsoever about selling it.

So, if an end user pays to get the technical manual, it is alright, isn't it?

[KopyKat]

Place your bets...

I'll put $20 on it being gone by tomorrow morning.

I do not agree with erasing posts that are helpful to the members of this forum....especially when it is done for the profit of a moderator with an e-commerce site.

Was this site not founded as a community of technicians freely sharing our knowledge and information to help our fellow technicians?

[Guest]

I'll put $20 on it being gone by tomorrow morning.

I do not agree with erasing posts that are helpful to the members of this forum....especially when it is done for the profit of a moderator with an e-commerce site.

Was this site not founded as a community of technicians freely sharing our knowledge and information to help our fellow technicians?

Amen, reverend...

[iMind]

Sometimes he sounds like the Boss, hehehe

[kyoceradude]

Was this site not founded as a community of technicians freely sharing our knowledge and information to help our fellow technicians?

The trouble with that statement is that this site is not just for technicians. If it were only technicians looking at this site there would not be an issue. Hey, I'm all for saving a buck and trying to fix things on my own. If it would cost me a few bucks to get a manual that has accurate information to help me solve a problem, I don't have a problem spending it. Plus I have the information for future use. Some of you guys don't realize that all manuals are not in electronic format and someone has to take the time to scan them in and create a searchable PDF with indexes. If you were to do that, is your time free? I Don't think so. The manuals you have as a dealer were not free either. I would think that the owner of your dealership would be pretty pissed if they knew you were sharring your manuals for free, seeing it cost them thousands of dollars to have that dealership. It's the people who consistantly expect a free ride that bugs the s%$t out of me. Nothing is free. Aren't you going to charge your customer for the repair or are you doing that for free? Didn't think you were doing if for free right? Yes, if you really spend the time looking for free manuals you will find them. Are they accurate and updated and what value do you put on the time you waste searching? Do you do it on the clock? Does your employer think wasting a few hours searching for a free manual, is a good business decision as opposed to paying a few bucks to get one right away? Huh? I donm't see why this issue constantly come up, but it seems to me some people have a lot of time on their hands to constantly bitch about not being able to get free manuals and just can't seem to appreciate a person who made a time consuming business out of selling them. I wish I had the time and thought of it myself.

[mrwho]

I have no problem with manuals4you selling manuals - provided he doesn't stop people from doing the same - for free or otherwise.

What really irks me is that he's stopping me (and others) from telling people where they can get the manuals for free so that he can make his profit.

I know that I like to get what I need for free - and, failing that, I'll look for a paid alternative. So I guess everyone else thinks like me. But M4Y is hiding the fact that people can get some manuals for free, so they go to him and pay for them.

Afraid of a little competition, I guess...

[KopyKat]

The trouble with that statement is that this site is not just for technicians.

Really?? I was talking about why this forum was founded. Read the Site Logo below...I don't see End User in there.



I know there are end users here and always will be...can't keep 'em out.

You took my statement out of context. If you read the whole post you would have taken note that I was referring to a moderator erasing posts that cut into his personal business which has no affiliation with this site.

[kyoceradude]

The trouble with that statement is that this site is not just for technicians. If it were only technicians looking at this site there would not be an issue.

Did you read mine?

Maybe I should have said "The trouble with that statement is that this site is not just being used by technicians." My bad. As far as the Moderator deleting posts, is he not one of the founders of the website? Just asking, because I don't know. There are other boards that will delete any post that includes any sensitive tech codes or spam crap.

Maybe if they charged an annual subscription fee to allow you to post questions and answers and you need to contribute with answers to continue your subscription and maybe get it for free, and then have free reading for the lookie lou's? That way you will weed out all the B.S. Including the spam crap.

[time2fly]

Wow this is fun. I agree with mrwho I don't think it's right for any moderator to erase post's for there benefit only, if it is out of line then it should be considered. I don't have a problem with someone trying to make a buck and I think that anyone else agrees and I also think that if someone wants to help out another tech in a time of need then in both parties will benefit. I'm sure that the people that sell service manuals have probably gotten them for free at one time or from a previous employer. Go ahead and sell the manuals that's fine but don't erase the courtesies that we as tech's are trying to give. I have posted many service manuals on here for you all to download and I hope that you would do the same for me when I may need one.....Tim

[mikadonovan]

Personally, I"m glad he has them available. I have a lot less resources than I used to due to downsizing and changes in the company I work. The manuals are inexpensive and sometimes I can't wait for somebody to be nice and just give them to me because as previously mentioned not everybody has them in electronic format. Free is good, but if I need one quickly I know where to go. Don't get me wrong, though. I have and will use the information in those manuals to help out my fellow technicians on this site whenever I can. My work effeciency would be severly reduced without this forum, and I like to give back, too.

[countrytech]

Personally, I"m glad he has them available. I have a lot less resources than I used to due to downsizing and changes in the company I work. The manuals are inexpensive and sometimes I can't wait for somebody to be nice and just give them to me because as previously mentioned not everybody has them in electronic format. Free is good, but if I need one quickly I know where to go. Don't get me wrong, though. I have and will use the information in those manuals to help out my fellow technicians on this site whenever I can. My work effeciency would be severly reduced without this forum, and I like to give back, too.

I agree with this,and if we, as technicians work together to share info, the end users would be only to visible by their lack of professional technical knowledge, and get the appropriate response. We don't need 'heros' to jump in and feel a need to show everyone how much ( or little ) they know to make themselves feel elevated.

[pacman]

I'm still waiting back to hear from him on one. I'd be more than happy to purchase it for $12.00 if it was on his site.