Newbies got questions? Keep up your chin...

[FIMCO-MEISTER]

When I started my biz in 1980 I got off with a roaring start. Back then you could get a fair if not great price for an install. Moved into a nice apt. bought a brand new two tone silverado. Showed off to my HS buddies then the Reagan recession hit and it all came crashing down. Had to move back into my old bedroom at my folks...sold my truck at a loss. Basically had to rethink my whole life. I can imagine many are going through that now.

Sometimes this place can sound like an echo chamber among a few heavy posters but don't be hesitant to weigh in. If you need to rethink things do a post and I suspect most will give some good advice or at least try to. Even 45 year olds screw up and go belly up.

[esnipe8]

Good thread.
Always ask questions. I love learning new things and hearing new ideas from those who have greater experience than I.
Its also much easier to learn from Others mistakes.

[mitchgo]

I tried to keep the last tip thread up.. no one else felt like following through...

Snipe "Its also much easier to learn from Others mistakes."

I couldn't disagree more... A "tip and advice" is wayyy different then someones mistake to learn from. I believe and would rather learn from my own mistake then take's someone elses " I made this mistake and now i'm telling you not to do it"

Peter, I think this is an awesome way to help others.
Some of the 'old timers' on this forum are very stubborn and I don't feel they actually comprehend why we are on this forum in the first place.

This is the only forum i'm on where I would say at least 50% of the people on here aren't really here to actually help others out for the other persons benefit.
I'm a technology guy, I'm constantly on many other computer forums where we are purely there to answer and help other people's questiosn/ problems

[Who is John Malt]

Mitch, I agree that there are a lot of times when we all BS and give each other a hard time but at the end of the day, I think we all respect one another. I consider this group a cross section of life. We're guys so we're gonna bust each others balls and let testosterone weigh in on our posts sometimes. But in the end, you know we'll defend one of our own!

I agree that technology forums are purely information but within that group, I doubt there is anything close to the camaraderie exhibited here.

Speaking of which, we're gonna have to get together one of these days! Beers and burgers at Red Hook, Pyramid, or Elysian?

-Russ

[DanaMac]

There is a difference in who most of us will help. When little 18 year old Johnny comes on here and says "How do I install a sprinkler system? I hear it's easy money and want in on it", then most of us will say take a hike and check the blinker fluid on your way out.

On the other hand, if little Johnny says "I'm new to irrigation, but want to install and service correctly. I have heard that I must be licensed, is this true and where do I get it? I also want to learn about the basic hydraulics of a system, so where do I go for that?", then I feel most of us will answer properly as it shows little Johnny has done some research on his own as to what should be done for a system.

Ask a direct question, and you might get a real answer. Ask me to hold your hand and show you 15+ years of experience for free, and I'll rip you a new one while you're checking the blinker fluid.

[mitchgo]

That is a very good way to put it

[DanaMac]

That is a very good way to put it

Thanks. I tried to put some thought and explanation into it so the newbs would understand. Rather than me going into a tirade about it.

[ARGOS]

Ask a direct question, and you might get a real answer. Ask me to hold your hand and show you 15+ years of experience for free, and I'll rip you a new one while you're checking the blinker fluid.

I thought you were in a good mood? Oh wait...this is a good mood.

[OKSooner]

There is a difference in who most of us will help. When little 18 year old Johnny comes on here and says "How do I install a sprinkler system? I hear it's easy money and want in on it", then most of us will say take a hike and check the blinker fluid on your way out.

On the other hand, if little Johnny says "I'm new to irrigation, but want to install and service correctly. I have heard that I must be licensed, is this true and where do I get it? I also want to learn about the basic hydraulics of a system, so where do I go for that?", then I feel most of us will answer properly as it shows little Johnny has done some research on his own as to what should be done for a system.

Ask a direct question, and you might get a real answer. Ask me to hold your hand and show you 15+ years of experience for free, and I'll rip you a new one while you're checking the blinker fluid.

Guys, please check out the thread I just posted:

http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?t=304579

I haven't posted an autobiography, but I am an adult and I'm serious about this. I recently left corporate life and am now out getting my boots went and my hands dirty. Went to school to learn horticulture. Unfortunately, the one irrigation class in the program was uh, "not sufficiently preparatory".

I've read up some, I've worked with experienced techs, and now I'm trying to do some planning. One thing that's been an obstacle to me is how I deploy my (one) truck to do irrigation work. Right now, I'm planning to go hit it hard this spring.

For four years I've been getting my boots wet, my hands dirty, my face sunburned and been generally happy about it. Just not making reasonable money at it, not YET anyway.

Any constructive input is appreciated.

[Mike Leary]

For four years I've been getting my boots wet, my hands dirty, my face sunburned and been generally happy about it. Just not making reasonable money at it, not YET anyway.

It takes some time, and four years is not very long to get known within the working community. Have you checked with designers and LAs?

[Stuttering Stan]

Newbies should feel free to ask questions on this forum. From basic to complex, we all had to learn the trade at some time and ask questions. What is unique about this forum is the wealth of info that is published, you just have to wade through all the BS. Also have tough skin, we all have to pay our dues first.

[Mike Leary]

we all have to pay our dues first.

Dues never end. :rolleyes:

[esnipe8]

I tried to keep the last tip thread up.. no one else felt like following through...

Snipe "Its also much easier to learn from Others mistakes."

I couldn't disagree more... A "tip and advice" is wayyy different then someones mistake to learn from. I believe and would rather learn from my own mistake then take's someone elses " I made this mistake and now i'm telling you not to do it"



When my Dad told me that X resulted in a bad experience for him, I learned from that and did not peruse X.
Thus learning from his mistake. Im not sure how that is a bad thing....