I lurked a little and thought a lot about why I might want to participate on the cove. After all, I'm no expert and I've still got a lot to learn.

Timing brought me here more than anything. I had just passed CQE and I was feeling that I had proved to myself that I have the knowledge to understand the questions and the obligation to participate within the quality community.

Even so, the amount of my participation and the amount of learning has suprised me. Best of all, the discussion here complements the 'book learning'- going from a philosophical discussion on management to the real life gritty details of SPC brings the life out of what the 'great books' of quality are telling us.

I think the preparation to contribute and thoughtfully study the situations expressed in the cove, Is where the great results of participation come from. Sometimes the right thing it to express a personal viewpoint and see what others say. thats an important communication, that's missing in books - sparse in training seminars, and even unwise in your employment.

I sometimes feel like here, as I participate I 'exercise' my knowledge, In a way I can't do in my job. So many decisions in my job are politically made- with no appreciateion on whether they are based on valid theory.

I Invite you all, to step up and express your own viewpoint on the value of participation. Espacially the value for a Newby to participate. Its easy to lurk when you see here people with 20ish years of quality that exude confidence. Its easy to question whether anking question of giving opinions could have any value, when your painfully aware how much you don't know. BUT If your willing to think and read, and track down some wise reference material (The library system can be a suprisingly good useful reference-and with the inter-library sharing you'd be suprised what you can borrow). the conversation will enhance your value of what many smart people have said about quality/process improvement. When this forum is at its best what's the magic that urges to respond to a post or post a new thread...

PS. Lastly a simple note to marc. You are one the reasons this forum works so well with me. :agree1: You don't let things get too stale, you contribute to the conversation in a knowledgeable way that sets the example, for others. Unlike some other moderators- you are there, often and willing to listen and explain.

On the ASQ discussion forum, we have a thread going now, where we are trying to question the value of keeping it restricted to ASQ members. No comment from staff- the issue was repeated very vocally by several long-standing and respected ASQ members. silence. The technology over their is better. but the problem is the same. Thanks a lot-- If I could I'd shower you with money. I hope the visibility has helped you career enough to at least partially compensate for how successful you make this forum for us.

One of the most valuable things here is the diversity of opinion. I often find others who might either disagree with me on a particular point, or else have a slightly different take on a subject. Through dialog, we can articulate our positions and sometimes we find we saying things differently, but seeing things basically the same way. Other times, we end up not being convinced the other is correct, or we might discover an unseen flaw in our logic.

In any case, we are forced to analyze and think. We are exposed to other viewpoints and factors we might not have considered, had we not participated. We learn, as we teach and help others.

And that is the real value! (IMNSHO)

The technology over their is better.
I appreciate the comments, but I do have a question. :topic: In what way is the technology 'better'?
Unlike some other moderators- you are there, often and willing to listen and explain.
Well, I used to more than now. Now, actually, the moderators and the 'regulars' do a lot more answering of questions than I do. They deserve the kudos.

I appreciate the comments, but I do have a question. :topic: In what way is the technology 'better'?

Well, I used to more than now. Now, actually, the moderators and the 'regulars' do a lot more answering of questions than I do. They deserve the kudos.

umm. I mean the technology at ASQ discussion better then what it use to be. I love your technology! and many of its just light years ahead of ASQ.

ITS the forum itself (the participation,etc) that either makes or breaks the experience. and right now I am really appreciating the cove

Just wondering - I understand. I used to visit their forums a while back but they were so slow I stopped going there at all. The forum software they're using now is super fast - but it should be. It's relatively basic.

I'm fairly new here. In response to the question, I have found it invaluable to be able to post a question, and have people who have been in that same scenario answer that question and/or make comments based upon their own experience. I was told once that there are 2 ways of learning in life. You learn through your own mistakes or the mistakes of others. I want to be able to communicate to people who have already made the mistakes, learned from them and are willing to pass that learned knowledge along....in other words, be a mentor.

That's why I'm here at the Cove!

Jonell

I appreciate the comments, but I do have a question. :topic: In what way is the technology 'better'?



Well, they do have a spiel checker.
:biglaugh:

I know, I know, been there before, but I had to drag it out!!!

I'm fairly new here. In response to the question, I have found it invaluable to be able to post a question, and have people who have been in that same scenario answer that question and/or make comments based upon their own experience. I was told once that there are 2 ways of learning in life. You learn through your own mistakes or the mistakes of others. I want to be able to communicate to people who have already made the mistakes, learned from them and are willing to pass that learned knowledge along....in other words, be a mentor.

That's why I'm here at the Cove!

Jonell

Well said, I know I have made a multitude of mistakes and when I come here I get "the rest of the story" as Paul Harvey would say. We all learn throughout our careers and fresh thought process (from new people) is a great method for some of us "old dogs" to keep our minds in order and at times chage our opinions.

Great post:applause:

Al...

Oliphant & Jonell,

I agree with both of you.

I know I've said this before, but: Personally, I cannot even begin to describe how useful the Cove has been to me. I have recieved bags of good hints as well as advice. Much of it has been put to good use. To top it all, I have also made good friends here.

I try to give as good as I get by helping and inspiring others to the best of my ability... And you know what? I learn a lot that way too.

Keep posting. :agree1:

/Claes

I've found that my learning has been accelerated through my interactions with the folks here at the Cove. There is a great deal to be gained just by reading through the many threads here. I do believe, however, that folks would learn quicker by becoming more involved by putting their theories out there for others to challenge or support. Fear of being wrong should be tossed aside. Easier said than done, but in the end, I think that the gains are worth the price of a little humility.

Regards,

Kevin

Hi All,

The cove is my sounding board and I have posted many of my presentations, WI and forms here before I have used them at work. The feedback is always honest and constructive. I in turn try and help people as the cove is very much a two way street. There are some very learned people here although some of them do not give themselves (or allow others to) the credit the deserve. This place is full of ready made and free consultants...but the are better because they do not try and sell their product to you :lol: .
IMHO the cove is arguably the best resource site I have come across on ANY topic.

Greg B

I lurked a little and thought a lot about why I might want to participate on the cove. After all, I'm no expert and I've still got a lot to learn.

Timing brought me here more than anything. I had just passed CQE and I was feeling that I had proved to myself that I have the knowledge to understand the questions and the obligation to participate within the quality community.

Even so, the amount of my participation and the amount of learning has suprised me. Best of all, the discussion here complements the 'book learning'- going from a philosophical discussion on management to the real life gritty details of SPC brings the life out of what the 'great books' of quality are telling us.

I think the preparation to contribute and thoughtfully study the situations expressed in the cove, Is where the great results of participation come from. Sometimes the right thing it to express a personal viewpoint and see what others say. thats an important communication, that's missing in books - sparse in training seminars, and even unwise in your employment.

I sometimes feel like here, as I participate I 'exercise' my knowledge, In a way I can't do in my job. So many decisions in my job are politically made- with no appreciateion on whether they are based on valid theory.



When I was enjoying the priviledge of editing the CMI exam last year (what a great experience that was) one of our team was rather a newbie and confessed she had asked her boss, "I'm not really an expert. How can I possibly be of value?" We all assured her that her not being a guru was precisely a point of her value. The tests are not being written for gurus.

Likewise, kind souls have encouraged me to speak up in this forum, even though I frankly consider myself to be a journeyman, not a master.

I have seen moments where, as they predicted, I had specific things to contribute after all--in my case, mostly with training and human resources measurements, since I'm not very strong in process control and statistics. My experience has been, shall we say, more rustic than much of what I read in here. It's like a surreal other world out there somewhere, where Cpk, ANOVA and House of Quality is really being used.

So while there's no need to blurt out unless you feel inspired, let me pass on the encouragement to not feel needlessly shy. It's a welcome group and a variety of views are the blessing here.

Be well!

Oliphant & Jonell,
Quality is one field where you never stop learning unless you stop trying. There is always a new spin, a new view or a rehash on something. The subject may be the same but the application is different. And so on and so on.
One of the items I enjoy the most about the cove is that you can throw out ideas or views and get real value from the feedback.

BTW, Kevin it's good to hear from you my friend.

I've found that my learning has been accelerated through my interactions with the folks here at the Cove. There is a great deal to be gained just by reading through the many threads here. I do believe, however, that folks would learn quicker by becoming more involved by putting their theories out there for others to challenge or support. Fear of being wrong should be tossed aside. Easier said than done, but in the end, I think that the gains are worth the price of a little humility.

Regards,

KevinWelcome back, Kevin! New duties must have you pressed for time. It's good to see you haven't lost your touch.

I find the cove to be a center of "human" emotions ranging from embarasment to rage. It is full of support with accurate reponses from knowledgeable people all over the world. People that I have never met but somehow make me feel like I have friend when I need someone to talk to.
In my humblest way I try to reciprocate. Great thread! :cool: