The hard way to go?

[shawl@torchlake.com (Jonathan Shawl)]

I'm starting to get a mental picture of this group, so I thought I would share it to see
where I stand.
It might be off a little but that hasn't stopped anyone from posting yet, since it seems
they any sub
related ideas are welcomed here no matter what the viewpoint. This might get me flamed, If
so I'll
just get in my sub and go diving were the flames can't reach me.
Out of about 90 some on the list ..(remember now, I didn't count them yet.)
About 50 are bystanders looking in, saying nothing for what ever reason.
About 40 some are getting involved to some extent at least once in a wile, out of them,
About 25 or so are regulars to the postings, of these;
    About 5 are "Know it all's" or think they do.
    About 5 Just want to argue everything that is said, because there is always another way,

       and a right way is a abstract idea to them, like there is no wrong ways just levels
of better.
    About 5 Seem to know their stuff enough to be able to pull off building a safe dry sub
someday.
    About 5 Have a sub they bought, and are fixing it up.
    About 5 That I know of so far, have safe working subs they built, and are sincere in
there efforts
            to help serious subbers achieve the same dream.
             Then there is the unknown number in the "Horsie club". Maybe I have joined this
elate group and
             don't even know it? :-)
Surely some fit in more than 1 category. Not to mention categories I missed. Fit me in where
ever you
would like and remember, I have a sub. I know I could be way off on some of the numbers.
Again these
are just my mental estimates of this group after being involved in it for about 2 months. My
point is I'm getting
a little frustrated. When I first found this site I thought it and the people in it would
contain more detailed
technical info on safe, affordable, Personal sub building techniques.  I thought there would
be more good
"how to" info presented in a organized way for the people that need it. I mean there some
very basic questions
being asked, and the people can't find the answers, or they get too many different ones,
something it lacking here.
Don't get me wrong, there is good info out there in the group, but to much time is spend on
philosophical ideas
and how to get around the time proven ways of  safe sub building for the sake of personal
expression or art or
something. Yes there are countless ways it could be done. Would it not be better for the new
comers to subs to
see info that has narrowed down the field of possibilities so he is more likely to be
successful in his efforts?
Not try to confuse him with even more countless possibilities than he had ever imagined.
Some of which won't work
or will surely kill you in the end. If we can't think logically and build only save subs,
then people will get hurt,
Big brother will steps in and regulates us because of a the few uninformed ones that are out
there getting killed.
The same thing happened to air craft, and wood stoves, why not subs?
If this happens and I have to get my sub retested and licensed and insured at a high cost to
me just to satisfy
Big Brothers new regulations, I won't be a happy subber.  I understand that in the early
days of any new technology
that some experimenting and risk taking is necessary to gain knowledge. I think we are past
that point in this day and
age in the field of subs. As private mini sub builders we only need to look up the info and
learn from others mistakes
and successes. Why risk your life just to reinvent the wheel. This does not mean you can't
try new things later, it just
means learn and understand what has already been done before going into uncharted waters. I
am all for personal
freedom and believe each one of us has the right to make whatever kind of sub they want, I
did. But on the other
hand that kind of freedom comes with a responsibility and needs to be used carefully so as
not to ruin it for everyone.
In other words just because a person has the freedom, the desire, and  ability and  to do
something doesn't mean he
should do it, or that it is a good idea to do so. I'm not sure if any one out there gets
what I'm trying to say.
I hope I'm not the only one that feels this way!
If you can identify with what I am trying to say drop me a note at, shawl@torchlake.com
That way I will know if I am wasting my time here or not.
Thanks for reading this far,
Jon Shawl

PS   The one design philosophy I liked best is the KISS principal, now go out and KISS you
sub design.
        Keep It Simple Stupid!
        I just thought some of you would agree with that one at least.    ;-)