
Originally Posted by
DX grunt
Membership - people - is what makes up any on-line forum.
We are all people who come from all walks of life, varying in age, with different life's skills, knowledge and experiences.
As a Cert IV workplace trainer/assessor, I have found in my experience, the art of common sense has diminished, if not gone. People either know something or they don't
Having said that, there are many, many people who have not been exposed to lots of things, and they have not had the experience to learn from that exposure - including me.
Here's my story........ Before I left home at 17 to join the Navy, I lived just outside a small country town (population 100). We lived beside a river, and lots of hills. We had to make our own fun because technology had not caught up with us to enable us to sit infront of a computer screen all day.
I've been an office jock most of my life. I was in the Navy for over 8 years and mainly on seagoing ships. I missed out on so many basic life skills especially in technology and working 'hands on' from the ages of 17 - 25 because I was too busy bouncing around in the ocean. I don't have a trade and now I'm paying the price.
I guess where I'm going is about making choices in life. I am a member of and respect the other Patrol forums and will not bag any of them. We are all members of different forums for various reasons - I don't know why people prefer some forums over others - it's none of my business.
What I can say, is that I am more than happy being here. Nothing is too much trouble for anybody and experiences ranges from novice to guru whether it be technical or otherwise.
My 'home base forum' is the Western Patrol Club forum, but NissanPatrol.com.au is my preferred national forum. I don't know what goes on behind the scenes, but from what I've seen, we pretty well self regulate as well as having fun. The combination of both makes me feel part of a 'family' where I can sit back and relax and be in an 'adult learning environment have fun, learn, and contribute what knowledge. If my best isn't as good as your best, I'm sorry. The aussie way is to help 'mates' out, and that, to me, 'sticks out like a sore thumb', by members of this forum.
Other outcomes from this online forum has also been developed friendships, meetings, sharing of wisdom and knowledge, and equally important, a 2012 'national' gathering.
Thank you to all who have had their say. Thank you to all those that have thought about this thread, and for whatever reason, haven't put pen to paper. I have stayed quiet until now. I'm not going to say any more. Thanks for reading.
Take care out there.
Ross
DX grunt