New Criteria for XS Gurus??

[Cobia]

Hey folks,
How about if we have a little leeway for exalting some folks to the Guru status? How about if we go beyond the number of posts to grant that status?
For example, how about if we consider those members who selflessly help other xsessives try to get their rides going. Those members who travel to other folks locations and really give their all to help others fix their bikes and have a good time at it as well?
Is this a good idea? Do these folks deserve this? I think so. Do you?

[prometheus578]

But... I think all the people like that have already been promoted!

An interesting point, Cobia.
And I'll agree... that members such as that deserve praise.
Ahhh... but here's the rub...
We then would get into discussions concerning which prospective gurus are more worthy of guru-ship than others.

"Member #1 helped do a second gear fix..."
"Yeah, but Member #2 fixed three guy's carbs..."
"Well, I think Member #3 should be a guru because he changes his own oil."
"That Prometheus guy should have his Guruship rescinded... He isn't a big help and just made Guru by writing a lot of smart-ass replies."

So.. you see the trouble there, Cobia.
It would be an issue of fairness... who would vote, who casts the deciding vote, what are the criteria...?
Does the guy fix bikes for a living, or is he by trade, a shoe saleman? (One would be granted instant Guruship by exerting little effort on his part, while the other guy had to really reach down inside himself to get the job done.)
Way too many variables to have to figger in.
And what of the guy who has 700 posts and has "cyber helped" hundreds of people? Would he be penalized just because he doesn't live close enough to other members to be able to give an actual helping hand?

When someone attains Guru status, it's because they have reached 1,000 posts. It's figured that during their numerical rise, they have learned much mechanically and have passed that info along to others.
WildKat is rapidly picking up on all things mechanical and has even posted several very good answers to bike questions.
You'll note that her rank is "Special Gurette... as most of her posts, while not mechanical in nature, still tend to enlighten and help out others.
HobbyMan is a different issue.(Meathead Idiot Guru)

[HobbyMan]

I like the system we've got. Personally, I wouldn't consider myself a guru. I am just an extreme xs fanatic. I know just enough to be dangerous and help people out once in a great while. (Usually I am the one getting helped) That is why I think my title MeatHead Idiot "GURU" suits me well. Its really posts like these that got me to 1000 posts. Its hard these days helping people because there are many people with good solutions (and a few sketchy replies once in a while). Usually they reply first anyway. And then there is PRO.. There to give "insight and encouragement" in every post I enjoy shooting the sh** with everyone on this site because its a nice break from a long day. There is a common "thread" that brings us all here and maby we might just learn sumthin while we are here.

[Axel]

education

Its amazing what you can learn around here . Repitition teaches me things I have yet to try. When I signed on ,I was scared to turn a wrench (what if I break it) . Now I catch myself giving advise on stuff I know nothing about - but have heard here over again . Dont know if thats progress but now I want to help the new guy like I was last year . Sorry if sometimes I've had too much coffee
Thanks guys

P.S. a little misty there

[Cobia]

Point well taken

Hey Prom,
I can see the fairness of the 1K post criteria for induction to Guruness. I was just thinking of those who go beyond and above online advice and actually go to the aid of fellow members and really get them going. And I'm not talking of folks who do it for a living and would get paid for this service, I'm talking about guys/gals who have a sincere love of this world and get off on helping others keep their rides going. People who physically go visit fellow members and get them over whatever hump they're having trouble with.
Maybe something to consider later. Maybe a different measurement?
As for WildKat... I think her posts should count double based on her kindness and insightfullness, and basically her good nature in providing all of us with her unique perspective. Although not necessarily mechanical in nature most of the time... yet emotionally mechanical all of the time. She brings a kind of humor and softness which is a breath of fresh air most often. She deserves full status not just Special Gurette.
In so far as MeatHead is concerned..... well I don't think I can top his words....LOL!!

[fredintoon]

On the road to Persondalay - - -

Gurette?
fer chrissake, the term "Guru" is genderless. If Wildkat took up flying would she appreciate being called "Pilotess"?
Yeah, right.

[DiverRay]

Cobia,
That is the great part of this site. We ALL try and help where we can, how we can. As in anything there are the experts and the newbies. Here we try to level the field, so everyone can feel good for giving AND receiving help. As PROM has said, some people give the shirt off their back, and others can only give advice because of physical barriers. The thing to keep in mind is even those who have show to be great people in person, don't always make it online.

[prometheus578]

Cobia...

...yet emotionally mechanical all of the time.

That's a very nice line.
"Emotionally mechanical."
Very fitting.

Yes, Fred... but she's a diminutive guru.
(Note how cigar becomes cigarette)
I'll agree that I abhor the butchery of the language.
Media boobs now call females "actors', when it should still be "actress".
(Hhmmm... maybe it's the boobs that separate the actors from the actresses?)

[silverarrow1970]

If it's the boobs that separate the actors from the actresses, do we call the really fat actors that have man boobs actresses???

[egsols]

What' s a female passenger in a sidecar called,

a fredintoonette?

[fredintoon]

"... but she's a diminutive guru. - - - "

" (Note how cigar becomes cigarette) "
Hi Prom,
yeah, the noble compliment to the after dinner drink morphs into the revolting coffin-nail.
How close to Kat do you live and how is your death-wish coming along?

[CarolynS]

AAAAAhahahahaha!!!!

LMAO!!!

Good one egsols!

[prometheus578]

The Wild Kat can spit and hiss all she wants...

...her claws are still 2,000 miles away.

My death wish, ala Charles Bronson, is in fine form.... as recorded in the papers concerning the recent unsolved shootings of gang members in Tacoma.

[mro]

NOT FAIR...

Prom de Xtraordinare
just made Guru by writing a lot of smart-ass replies

My post numbers have dropped and it be ALL your fault Prom.
You've changed over the last year or two. Become more circumspect in your posts by not leaving yourself so open to the easy attacks of the past. Then again maybe I'm just not as witty (read smartA$$) as I thought I was. Then again 2...I don't drink as much as I used too as Hennessey be XSpensive


mro

[Wildkat]

and it would probably do me as much good...

as it does around my house... little to none...


My XS Special Gurette designation was by choice...
After being around these bikes for more than 15 years and having split a couple of them open (intentionally) and helped out on several more... I've learned quite a few things...

My perspective on the whole Guru thing is that pretty much every question there is about these bikes has been answered here at some point or another and I certainly couldn't put the answers as eloquently as the knowledge base here... So I'm happy with my comic relief/ Den Mother status and the friends I've made and will leave it at that...

Cobia, I think you had a great idea anyway... and after people have been around here for awhile... they learn who knows what and who's just posting to be posting...

Funny... some of the most knowledgeable XS11 people I know from this site... don't have more than 250 posts... some have less than 20...
(I didn't say all... I don't want to offend those here who do know a lot and post it)

Man! Thanks for all of the kind words!
it's going to be REALLY difficult to get my helmet to fit today...