Aaaargh!! It's not about using the TMs! It's about finding a specific TM from a list on SS!!!
Cheers
Rory, You are a hard man. I was only commenting on DMETALMIKI's posting.
But you are right. Its about a better way to find the right manual. Its been a problem for me from the start. Not finding them, but the way we file them. I have posted more then a few TM to the SS forum. And I have never felt like we have it RIGHT. There should be a better way. Porky is right. Its a problem across the board. What we have is better then nothing. But can we make it better?
1. Maybe we should have a "standard" way to log the name, model numbers and TM titles, when we submit the thread in the TM forum. Perhaps a "Plug in the answers) form. That way you cant get it wrong.
2. Perhaps a searchable list of all Trucks, gen sets and what ever, as a sticky in each sub forum. I made something like that for generators. I listed all the generators by size, (KW) Model, (MEP-***) TM number, Power unit and Power Plant Model number. Then listed each and every TM applicable to that piece of equipment. And if I had to do it again, would include the NSN for the gen set. But the problem is, (I think) that you can't change a sticky after its posted. So any new TM, or change/update, MWO, Warning or additional info can not be added to the list. When I started up loading TM's, I asked a moderator if we could get rid of the "Old" TM's listed in the TM forum. I had all the newest, most improved TM's available and thought it might make it easier and simpler to find Gen set TM's without the old manuals also being in the Forum. I was told, (and agree 100% now) some folks liked to also have the old books available. It does make for more things to look at, but having the old books is also a good idea. Trucks would be no different, just take up even more space.
3. One of the biggest problems with trucks is that a lot of times, one thread, has one TM. Then something else is submitted, or 2-3 things. Then another one TM in one thread. Its spread out all over 40 acres. I tried hard to include all the TM's in one thread. Didn't get it right, Still makes me mad. Or something new comes out, and you cant add it to the thread. Once submitted, its locked up.
4. TOBASH mentioned putting the TM picture on the thread to help find the right TM. Great idea. And its supposed to, (I think) work that way. Some of my TM's come up with the cover, some don't. Why? I don't know. If I could fix that alone, it would help. A jet black outline is not telling anyone what TM is behind door number 3. You have to guess. The info is there, but some people don't see the TM cover, and think nothing is there.
5. Lots of TM's in the forum are linked to someplace else. Links die. Not good. Some of the linked TM's are so old they could belong in a museum. Out of date, missing changes. No good.
I would volunteer to help revamp the TM forum in a heartbeat. Its always been a pet thing I liked to do, because I always knew that if I did it, it got done right. What we need is a good idea on how to do it right, and then do it. But splitting HMMWV's from the other vehicles only fixes HMMWV's. Lets fix it all.
I need to remember to put something like a smile next to comments like mine to affirm that I am saying it with humour. I felt we were straying from, or missing, the point of the thread at that moment. Certainly, no smacking or insult was intended, and hopefully none taken. 