Critique the Forums anyone?

[Junkrunner]

First a bit about where I'm coming from: I consider myself quite savvy about computers/IT and the workings of the internet having taught computers and coding in a high school setting. I have designed and maintained my own websites (none of which are still up since I stopped teaching) and I ran an IT company for years on the side. I have also been a mechanic all of my life having done just about anything one can imagine on automobiles and trucks for myself, my family, and anyone who needed help. I use the forums on many different websites so I have a good knowledge base for comparison.

Now my critique: I run older vehicles. I bought into hptuners last May to tune my chevy gen 3 lq4. I immediately hit the forums in order to learn what I was doing and spent many frustrating hours digging. The biggest problem that I ran into is old/broken links. It seems that all of the info which was posted to the forums that pertain to the older vehicles contain links that are no longer there. It got to the point that I started checking posting dates and didn't bother to look at anything over 5 years old. Now I am trying to learn how to tune my 06 LBZ and I have successfully found many dead links. Even some of the stickies contain long dead links. I know that the forums advise notifying the webmaster of dead links but, some of the dead links already contain long outdated notifications as well.

Another thing that I found frustrating is the seeming lack of willingness to help on the part of many forum members. Often I see comments similar to this; "I know how to do that but I'm not willing to share that info." or "I know how to do that, just keep searching the forums and you'll find it." May I suggest that if you are unwilling to share your info that you just don't bother to reply? I understand the whole intellectual property thing but, this is a help site after all. And it's difficult to just steal a tune. Even if you borrow heavily from a tune to learn how certain changes affect your vehicle it still takes a lot of learning and work.

And, one last thing, re; the tune repository. I was so disappointed to learn that only stock tunes were allowed now. Someone on here referred to the repository as having been "castrated." Perfectly phrased.

My two cents worth. Feel free to call me names.

[omega_5]

A majority of the issues are around the EPA crack down. The Repo went down, links were purged, we lost functionality, etc, etc.

The unwillingness to help, well, that's the way the industry has turned. Every hobbyist out there learns a thing or two, sees dollar signs, and wants to capitalize on it. It hit the EFILive forums years ago, and I see it's hitting here now too.
I'm glad you mentioned the intellectual property thing. That whole argument is straight up BS. If guys are tuning properly, every tune should be dialed in for that particular vehicle, and unique. What is there to steal?
In reality, it's arrogance to think that they are doing something unique to them, and greed for trying to keep everyone else out of their market.
With that said, I don't want to take away from the people that are using XDFs / UDP to do develop a unique tune or offering. That is time and money invested, and I don't blame them for protecting that.

The best advice I can give you; find a dedicated forum for your platform. For the LQ4, try LS1Tech. For the LBZ, try one of the Duramax forums.
There are also a number of enthusiast forums out there that can help guide you along; many use freeware methods, but the basic principles are the same.

[Bill@HPTuners]

If you are seeing dead links in stickies please point me in the direction of the stickies in question and I'll see what I can do. Our forum has been around for 20 years so sometimes links change or go dead, sometimes there isn't anything we can do in these cases.

[Alvin]

Seems like there are plenty of people who help on here. I'm not sure where you are getting that from?

When someone says "I have this.. anyone have a tune for it?" Or "anyone got a tune for" etc.. that's not asking for help.. that's asking someone else to do your homework.

If you want to tune yourself and need help with a diag, a tip on what to read up about for the problem, or a gentle push in the right direction so you can move on.. I'm here to help.

If you want someone to build or make a tune for you... well there are several professionals you can pay for that.

[edcmat-l1]

If you want someone to build or make a tune for you... well there are several professionals you can pay for that.

As well as plenty of novices who are more than willing to practice on your vehicle.

[Junkrunner]

Completely agree with Omega_5. I do frequent LS1Tech and the Dmax forums. I especially like the folks at HP Academy. Those guys know their stuff and present it in a well-organized format. And I would never risk trying someone else's tune on my truck. I get nervous with all of the "just zero this whole table out, max this whole table out" approach. Maybe that's the way to go, I certainly don't know.

All of you senior tuners need not worry about me. I won't be stealing your secrets. I'm too old to start another career.