"Hi, I was wondering if anyone knew exactly where the brake light switch is on {my car} and is it hard to change on my own without buying the mechanic a new house?"
..is a sure fire way to alienate those who might contribute to solving your problem, as evidenced by the string of replies in the thread of a recent post.
Of course the writer didnt realize there would be several pro technicians on the newsgroup. He, no doubt, assumes anyone reading his request for help would be a civilian, like himself.
Well, some of us are civilians.. who might even have started on here for the same reasons that the writer makes that statement. I know I did.
But it wasnt long before I ran across the obvious... Some of these guys on here are in the trade and they DO CARE about imparting their wisdom to help folks out.
And guess, what! Those guys who are looking to rip you off probably ARENT on here...{not if we can get to their ISP's, anyway ;) } so dont try to make your point about rip-artists here.
So a big HATS-OFF to those who have done, and continue to, contribute to our Shade-tree knowledge.