Batboard

My fault.

The topic with respect to this being off topic - wasn't moved, it was accidentaly deleted after I tried to post a reply, and then was trying to trouble shoot the posting permission issue.

I'm sorry.

I read everything - and i'll post my comments on the subject in a couple of minutes.

-Alex

hahaha thanks for letting us know..

[oh hell no mode de-activated] lol

Grem, Victor X-Ray, Rescue161, and I think one other person commented on this.

The disucssion was about off topic posts with respect to radio equipment being posted in this forum, and if we are going to go after kenwood stuff, or other brand stuff, we shouldn't allow, or modeate requests which don't have to do explicitly with Motorola Radios being installed in Vehicles.

My response to that was that the forum is a focused discussion for vehicle installs. Most of the topics that are posted here seem to have to do with installing radios, or other accessories (lighting, siren's, etc). Most of the stuff that most the people do on the board with respect to radio installs, also happen to put lights and other "stuff" in at the same time.

At this point in time, I don't see the strong need to police this as the other forums and "motorola disucssion."

I am watching the forum, and what gets posted here, and by whom, and will continue to think about how it all fits together in the grand scheme of things.

-Alex

ok, ill respect your decision.

thanks for atleast reviewing it.

marc

If that's your stance, then I think you need to change the forum description from

This forum is dedicated to helping people with questions about installing radio equipment in their vehicles.

to

This forum is dedicated to helping people with questions about installing radio and emergency equipment in their vehicles.

Which I think is still lame, since there are plenty of other message boards on the internet that are dedicated to emergency vehicle lighting and accessories - and they don't discuss Motorola radios - But whatever...

i like this forum. It's a good one to stay current in. I can't tell you how many times i've troubleshot a moto install in one of my units based on the information found here...but i'm just sick of reading "anyone have any pics of a vector on a Ram" and crap like that. If i want to find someone who has pics of a lightbar on a truck, i'll look for that. I mean, it's all fine and dandy that all these people are looking here for stuff, and that the information base we can draw from is great...but until moto starts producing lighbars, it's all junk.

I know that i have full control over what i read, and if i see flamebait written bysomeone i know is a flamer, i'm not gonna read it... but, well ... when i'm looking for lighting info and crap like that, or FedSig siren install information, i don't come to batlabs.
ymmv.

thebigphish wrote:but, well ... when i'm looking for lighting info and crap like that, or FedSig siren install information, i don't come to batlabs.

My thoughts EXACTLY. And I don't go to a Whelen site to get info on a Motorola radio install.

Alex,

Thanks for the reply, I was the one other person, but your thoughts pretty much mirrored mine, still I think others might be right in the revisit the description thought. This forum is a great resource, if we limited it to only moto equipment, I don't know that it would continue to be such a great resource, especially when you consider what Moto does not make, ie: lightbars, consoles, antennas, cable, mounts, switches, essentually, most of the things that go into an install besides the radio.

maybe it would be best to offer a link to another BBS when the topic is thought to be not appropriate for this forum.

Like this example:

Q:"I'm looking for a Vector monuted on a Dodge Ram"

A:"why dont you try this BBS: http://www.vectoronadodge.net?"

That may lessen the use of this forum for reply after reply...???

just guessing...

guys its related equipment. Discussing it can be relevant.

Motorola does sell console equipment for their laptop/MDC line(SDI brand), antenna mounts, antennas and other related install equipment.

apco: never said the didn't sell it, the just don't make it, essentually you are discussing someone elses product anyways...

yeah but its all analogous and relevent what we're doing here.

mikeh wrote:apco: never said the didn't sell it, the just don't make it, essentually you are discussing someone elses product anyways...

Hell, if that's the reasoning, then we should'nt discuss service monitors anymore since Mother /\/\ does'nt make those, and let's see, no speaker mics. since they get farmed out to another manufacturer now, etc., etc.

apco25 wrote:guys its related equipment. Discussing it can be relevant.

Uh, no, it's not. Explain how you could possibly think debates over which LED is the brightest, or how parts for a Whelen lightbar or wiring for a Code3 siren box have anything to do with the forum description "installing radio equipment"?

apco25 wrote:Motorola does sell console equipment for their laptop/MDC line(SDI brand), antenna mounts, antennas and other related install equipment.

That's completely different equipment! Because that is all RADIO-related, I agree it should stay. But Motorola does NOT make strobes, LEDs, wig-wags, or lightbars. System9000 siren units are about the only on-topic piece of equipment outside of radios that should be discussed here.


Look, I could care less if the majority decision says to keep lightbar and LED discussions here. My beef is with the forum description - either change it or enforce it. Otherwise, it's blantant discrimination to allow non-RADIO posts to appear here while locking Non-Motorola radio posts elsewhere.

Oh for the love of... I swear to something mightier this is starting to piss me off about this board. These moderators are doing their best to keep the level of bullsh!t down and now we're nit picking about an advice board that has helped so many.

Quit frickin bickerin! It's what cost us the bat lounge and will shortly cost us more. I'm of the firm belief that we all stop acting like kindergartners we'll have our batlounge back and things can go back to normal.

And I think I've interpreted this forum just right, it relates to installing pretty much anything electronic into a vehicle. (After all Motorola still makes semiconductors that are in a lot of stuff). I even gave PJ a raz about remote car starters (they're radio controlled after all).`

To Alex:
Please don't change the format of this board, I find the level of expertise on this board to be far superior then that of the focused boards (Ie. elightbars). Other than that, keep up the great moderation.

To everybody else, if you don't like a particular topic... don't click on it!

(long midnight shift) </rant>

mavericknet wrote:And I think I've interpreted this forum just right, it relates to installing pretty much anything electronic into a vehicle.

so it would be ok for me to post on how to install my new Sony head unit and 10" subs?

where is the line drawn?

how about how to install my new Neon lights under the car?

yes im giving examples that are out there, but it COULD get that way...

let me make this clear AGAIN, this is a motorola RADIO board, my thoughts on this in all subjects is that if it relates to a MOTOROLA radio it is ok for it to be here.. and yes there will be grey area posts, but "do you think Whelen makes a better siren or brand X" is about as off topic to me as "Do you think MTX makes a better crossover or sony" or "XM is better than Sirius"

to say the forum should be used for "pretty much anything electronic in a car" is a huge stretch to say the least.

If it such an problem with the lighting install questions being put in this forum, why not just add an sub-folder for lighting installs. That way you could segregate the two types of topics.

Unfortunately both types of installs go hand in hand. Most radio dealers install emergency lighting when they install radios, so for those of us who would like to self perform our own work, we come here for advise. I don't install for an living, but it is by far cheaper for me to do the work myself.

While on this topic, even though it might be OT, I'd like to acknowledge stationhouseproducts/Chuck Pranski, for all his helpful tips.

apco25 wrote:guys its related equipment. Discussing it can be relevant.

Motorola does sell console equipment for their laptop/MDC line(SDI brand), antenna mounts, antennas and other related install equipment.

i believe that those products WOULD be in the spirit of the forum, im just talking about the way obvious off topic stuff... this includes "service monitors, radio related test equipment and even speaker mics".. lol

precoislen wrote:Most radio dealers <snip>

alot of other radio dealers also sell other brands of radio equipment, which is considered off topic here..

THATS my point

Agreed, if you wanna know a particular is this better than that shpeal go logon to one of the specific boards, they'll debate that stuff till their blue in the face.

I was referring to electronics installation, cause I'll be the first to say, if I wanted to mount a TFT screen, hooked to a DVD navigator program in my Havis Shields (that just happens to have my CDM1250 in it) I know I'm going to get the best advice here where the pros hang out.

mavericknet wrote:To everybody else, if you don't like a particular topic... don't click on it!

You totally missed my point. I don't click on them now, and I won't click on them in the future. I'm questioning Alex's forum descriptions and policies that the Moderators are enforcing everywhere but here. It's blantant discrimination and favoritism.

mavericknet wrote: if I wanted to mount a TFT screen,..... I know I'm going to get the best advice here where the pros hang out.

They also hang out at the new BatLounge. I'm certain you'll get the same great advice if you ask your questions there.

One thing I think we should look at is the quantity of traffic this board recieves. If you look back over the past week, or even months worth of postings, and removed all the ones that had nothing to do (or little with) Motorola products, a large portion of the traffic on this board would fall silent.

I concur with the others we really should crack down on the silly posts (Anyone seen a 1997 Dodge Caravan with a Mini-Vector? I really need some ideas...), but otherwise, personally, I'm content with the status quo.

My 2.01487 cents.

ESDA20 wrote:(Anyone seen a 1997 Dodge Caravan with a Mini-Vector? I really need some ideas...), but otherwise, personally, I'm content with the status quo.

(rant)
i agree...it's all fine and dandy to have REAL questions about that kind of thing on the board, but for chrissakes can we STOP with the "i'm unoriginal and uncreative and i can't use google to find pics of trucks" style? People that just spawn up new threads to get pictures of other installs just irks me. Be creative.
(/rant)

This is exactly what i mean
http://batboard.batlabs.com/viewtopic.php?t=40963
open a GALLS whacker bible and READ IT.

ok, you have helpful people offering suggestions to a posed question, but it's bordering on a "hold - my - hand" style post...just NOT neccessary.

i need to shut up now.

I personally have no problem vehicle equipment install, service, recommendations postings. This fourm has always catered to that.

I will however start to be more vigilant in locking down the "federal Q mounted on a unicycle picture request" posts. I will have no problem if people want to post their work/installs. We have all learned alot from it.

Some people have really started to nitpick over the fourm descriptions, and lets get real about it. They have been unchanged for a few years now...so bear with it for a bit. We are working on revamping everything...so please be paitent.

Pj wrote:I will however start to be more vigilant in locking down the "federal Q mounted on a unicycle picture request" posts.

hahah, knew they did funny stuff farther down Rt. 9, pj! ahahah, sorry.

Pj wrote:Some people have really started to nitpick over the fourm descriptions, and lets get real about it. They have been unchanged for a few years now...so bear with it for a bit.

If that comment is directed at me, I'm only "nitpicking" because you're doing the same thing in the General forum when you lock-down non-Motorola posts. Have YOU read the FAQ #14 which is every Mod's answer as to why a topic is locked?

<Off Topic Discussion> Great examples (of course including, but not limited to):
1) eBay links to auctions that aren't your own.
2) Jokes, News (unless related to the industry), movies, flash animations, games, etc.
3) Questions about other manufactures radios or equipment.

Equal enforcement Pj, that's all I'm asking for.

I still don't see how relevant emergency equipment installs, discussion, product reviews etc don't fit here.

Its complimentary to radio.

Obviously the stereo crowd isn't supposed to be here and as for the silly posts that's what moderators are here for, to PRUNE them.

I must be overly tollerate - I've never really worried, thought about or really considered some of the stupid posts that go on board wide.

Generally, I just ignore them and keep on going to what I do want to read or comment on.

The guy asking about dogde rams and vector lightbards didn't bother me in the least.

OK, great. Your all divided on the issue.

I will put it vey simply...

The forum stays as it is right now. GLARING off topic crap will be locked (the Q on the tricicle is a great example, so is Grem's "how do I install a sub woofer." question.

All i'm asking is for people to USE their heads. I know. It's asking a lot.

I'm trying to be reasonable and not draw completly BLACK lines in the sand.

So... play in the sand box. Enjoy what you have, and how it's run, and be THANKFULL that you have such a great site, with people who take the time to try and make things run smoothly.

If this is DRIVING YOU MAD - then you really... really... need to find something better to do.

-Alex

If anything its backlash from the lounge debacle.

To those who just can't seem to grasp the concept:

If you aren't interested in a thread helping someone make a vehicle equipment decision or trying to compare others experiences without having to spend a huge amount of $$.....don't point to it with your mouse and read it. This discussion just brings to mind every litigation I've been privy too where someone had to have an administrative decision because they were offended by something they didn't have to look at/listen to in the first place.

If you don't like the Mod's decision on the issue, boo-frickity-hoo.

Pj wrote: "federal Q mounted on a unicycle picture request"

I have to say, I would REALLY love to see that though!

Victor Xray wrote:

Maverick wrote:
if I wanted to mount a TFT screen,..... I know I'm going to get the best advice here where the pros hang out.

They also hang out at the new BatLounge. I'm certain you'll get the same great advice if you ask your questions there.

Believe it or not, not all of us frequent the new lounge as often as you think. To be honest, it's probably been a week and a half to 2 weeks since I've checked in.

precoislen wrote: While on this topic, even though it might be OT, I'd like to acknowledge stationhouseproducts/Chuck Pranski, for all his helpful tips.

Awww, shucks. Thanks for the compliment, but I'm just doing my share.