I've only been a member of WB for about a week now, but already in that time I've seen about 80 posts by one person who has never even set foot on the AT by self-admission, a number of others by folks who talk tough about thier guns or knives, and several threads dealing with nothing but conjecture based on second-hand (or third, fourth, fifth-hand) information about people's behavior and a town's outlook on hikers.
As someone who is actually looking for decent advice on a far-flung range of topics that aren't all covered by guidebooks or travel brochures, how do those of you who have been here awhile actually sort through all the garbage that flies around here to get to the single kernel of worthwhile information without spending hours each day pouring over it?
Please enlighten me. Is there any way to ignore posters whom you've already singled out as being bad or worthless sources of information? Also, I'm not talking about banter back and forth between friends or jokes in appropriate areas, but more along the lines of someone asking a direct question only to be met with 2 decent replies followed by 6 pages of drivel that doesn't relate in ANY way to the topic at hand. I'm also not talking about anything directly related to me either, just an "in general" question.
If there is really no rhyme or reason to it, just come out and say so. I'm cool with that, if that is truly the case.