Just wondering about the liability involved with giving "advice" online. Being a surveyor and ABYC certified master tech, I see way too many "contributors" without a clue. Wouldn't be hard to go back in the event of a loss and prove who the contributor was. Is there a blanket disclaimer when you join these forums stating such? I just get tired of arguing with clueless idiots, and give up.
Unfortunately most people looking for advice do so because they are trying to save a buck, and the cheapest/easiest suggestions always seem to be taken.
For the most part, forum owners and moderators in the United States are protected by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which states that "no provider or user of an interactive computer service shall be treated as the publisher or speaker of any information provided by another information content provider."
Their immunity was upheld in several court cases especially when the TOS of the forum were very clear. TOS can be considered as a contract which has the force of law between the contracting parties and consequently produces effects.
Having said that, actually I'm surprised that a so called professional "surveyor and ABYC certified master tech" wish to call our honorable friends 'clueless idiots'. Our knowledge is mostly acquired through direct experience, we simply use whatever skills we have which we bring on the table, just exchanging views, practices, analyses, recommendations and interrogations with those of other on what sounds true or good to us. Because nobody and nothing is perfect, we have come here to learn and to share.
Well, we must be realistic enough to understand, as Peter B well said "it is still basically, buyer beware, and no guarantee offered" which is the principle of a forum. We often say "IMO" - implicitly or explicitly - in this cautious way that we will recommend thing and advice.
We often lack the necessary knowledge, we are ignorant (even if some people here don't like the word) in many topics, starting with me. Therefore if however a substantial mistake may be showed, since you are a professional, nothing prevents you to chime in and to give recommendations for corrective measures, you are very welcome to do this.
I always welcome guidance and advices, but I don't like people who simply act by giving lessons and pointing the finger. If you think that some of us are clueless idiots enough for you, you know what to do, we are not holding you prisoner here.