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Posted by Paul Cook in Kempner, Texas [71.51.110.92] on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 14:03:42 :
In Reply to: Re: Message for Joe--Map of Power Wagon Owners? posted by Joe Cimoch [160.79.139.10] on Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 08:01:42 :
My participation in several Power Wagon forums is done with the intention of helping my fellow Power Wagon enthusiasts. To that end, I pay a monthly fee to maintain my Kempner Power Wagon Museum web site. All of us with web sites pay.
Many times, the help I can offer depends on our respective locations.
For example, when someone has title/registration questions, I can only provide an answer based on my knowledge of the Texas Transportation Code and my experiences with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Unless the person who asked the question is from Texas, any response from me is just using up band width that Joe pays for. The only competent answer I can give is to direct them to their own state’s registration agency web site. Neither I, nor anyone else can help someone in California with the way they do this in New Jersey - except for New Jersey folks who have learned the right way to get this done. And it is no help to hear about the problems or failures someone in New Jersey experienced. Only tell us what worked. Don’t go into an uninformed vent.
There are many posts where a person has a question or a problem and their location is not given. Someone is looking for trucks and/or parts, or need help with some restoration problem. There may be someone nearby who could help - if they knew where the person with the problem was located. There are no better folks than Power Wagon folks when it comes to helping others. If we don’t know where the help is needed, how can we help?
I have had a lot of folks come to the Museum for help. Sometimes it is as simple as looking at a service or parts manual. Other times it was climbing on or under a truck to see how the framzitt was mounted to the widgitt.
Many times we help each other. I traded an excellent frame to a young man that lived within 30 miles in exchange for helping me completely part out a truck.
I am all for having the map. I have no reason to conceal my identity or location. I have no vindictive ex-wives, outstanding civil or criminal warrants, or unpaid debts to gangsters. To the best of my knowledge I have not lied or otherwise misrepresented myself. I identify myself and give my location, telephone number, and e-mail address.
I address the computer security issues using correct software and procedures. I stay off certain types of web sites. I never download incoming e-mail until I have taken the first look. I have a SPAM filter and delete anything that is suspicious. I did experience a “rootkit” three years ago, but I had an online technical support that resolved it. There’s a little risk in everything. Everyone should do continuing risk assessment followed by risk management and elimination.
On the other hand, it seems a lot of folks want to keep their location a secret. Many explain that they are afraid of computer issues. Others don’t want to be bothered. Whatever their reasons, I wonder how many would not want to post their locations on a map.
Joe, you do so much for us. I would understand any decision you make about how much time, money, and effort to expend on the map question.
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