How valuable are internet opinions?

..gun boards and can't help wondering how we sort out what to believe.
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got some news for ya, its ALWAYS been that way. Just that before the Internet, we pretty much all had to be in the same room at the same time.
\:D
 
"Fast Car" topics....

My cousin advised me to avoid message boards & web forums. This was in the late 1990s. :D

I avoid what I call the "fast car" topics. By "fast car" I mean, a forum member who says; "what's a good fast car that I can get?"
You send a reply & say; "How about a Corvette? Or a Porsche 911 Turbo? Or a Shelby King Cobra Mustang?"
Then the forum topic poster says; no, I want a fast car!

:mad:
Some shooting sports enthusiasts & gun owners favor certain calibers or models over others & that's fine but if a forum member asks a direct question then they should get a + response with factual information.
Learning about guns or tactics isn't hard but just buying a Glock or SIG P226 or a 1911 model .45acp isn't going to make you a Navy SEAL or ACE/CAG commando. Just like watching CSI is going to turn you into a forensics expert.
Clyde
 
Take everyone's opinion with a grain of salt. If I listened to some people on these forums then my .380 is inadequate for shooting even field mice.

Like mentioned before there are certain members here that I have alot of respect for in their knowledge of firearms and firearms tactics.
 
I look at it the same way as bigjimp. I try to stick to a few forums. Basically this and a few more specialized forums when needed. I keep casually keep track of regulars answers to questions I know. There are people who's opinion I trust in certain areas, and there are others I don't at all. Posts from random people usually point me in a direction to do further research.
 
Quote

Sheepman,

My opinions are very very valuable.

They have outsanding value and I should charge for them.

So, how much can you send me for them?

Deaf

Will you take a check?? its off a African Bank :D
Sheepman,
 
... just one person's opinion? Typically doesn't carry much weight with me.

... if numerous people seem to have a common opinion (this vs. that etc.) I tend to take notice.
 
I can separate the wheat from the chaff, and learn whose opinions are worth the time it takes to read them, and whose are not.
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This is very true. If you've been around long enough, you know those who don't speak with much bias. Everyone does have their favrorites, for whatever reason, but usually state that up front. Others bash Gunmaker X because he had a lemon in 1978 and he'll still bash them to this day.

I've seen posters with over 13,000 posts who I don't "listen" to and there are some who have been members for 10 years and have less than 1,000 posts who seem to have a sound head on their shoulders. Like others have said, you get what you pay for but there are a few that I put a lot of faith in what they say. Still, you have to decide what works for you since everybody is built different and has different needs for Gun X.
 
As it applies to firearms I believe there is some value in internet opinions. I'll take it a step further and say there is a lot of value in internet opinions. For example, before I purchased my Remington 700 5R/.308, I visited a number of boards in search of feedback. I like what I read and purchased one. Same applies to reloading. Some of the bullet/powder combinations I use came from internet sources and are among my favorites. I'm passionate about bolt action rifles and reloading and I value the opinions and recommendations of those who have more experience than I do. Fortunately a number of them frequent this board and are happy to share with you.
 
before I purchased my Remington 700 5R/.308, I visited a number of boards in search of feedback.
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I'll use that as an example. If I asked the question and got this response:

LOL it is just a expensave Remmy 700 and real operaturs don t use .308
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I'd look for other responses. OTOH, if someone told me the 24" barrel balances a bit better, the stock's a little grippier, and gave specifics about how it grouped with certain ammo, I'd listen to that guy's opinions.

Spending as much time as I do in the Law & Civil Rights forum, I distinguish between someone who quotes specific law and asks interesting questions vs. the "what part of shall not infringed don't those jerkballs understand" guy.
 
From the TX Bar Gun Law CLE presentations:

Quoting Abraham Lincoln:
"The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot confirm their validity."
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Well known joke used by many.That's what one of our presenters said about the Internet opinions on gun usage and law.
 
The internet is a great resource on gun information. Opinions about guns are very worthwhile so long as the person offering the opinion actually owned (and shot) the gun in question. I read and value those opinions.

I don't need to know the person's name, SS#, address and high school transcripts to validate someone's opinion. I can tell from the way someone describes a gun whether they are speaking as someone who actually bought the gun, shot it and is giving their own personal experience with it.
 
There is also something interesting that happens on internet forums as well as in other venues. It's sort of a group think thing where slowly, over time, the "group" starts using the same set of answers for the same sort of questions because some where along the line certain opinions win out even though those opinions don't "prove out". This happens on gun forums just like it happens in other forums.
 
The real value of internet opinions is the ability to get them. With instant, nearly effortless contact with people from all over the nation and all over he world, odds are some of them are going to know what they are talking about.

Its up to you to separate them from the rest. The Internet is not just the information superhighway, its also the information swamp, a seemingly endless morass of false steps, where one has to test each time, how much weight to put on that foot, in order to find a path without sinking out of sight.

the "group" starts using the same set of answers for the same sort of questions because some where along the line certain opinions win out even though those opinions don't "prove out".
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I'd be interested in an example of this, as I cannot think of one.
 
I'd be interested in an example of this, as I cannot think of one.
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Taurus Bashing. Tanfoglio Bashing, Hi-Point hate, etc. Lots of people commenting on Taurus or Tanfoglio have never owned one - just going on what they've read or heard elsewhere. I've commented on all three. I've only owned two. However, on the one I didn't own, the only comments I've ever made are on aesthetics. Perhaps if everyone thought it was the most beautiful gun in the world, my opinion might be different?:eek:
 
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