Beware of maple sites that dumb down the answers for beginners

[maple flats]

I will not name the site out of respect for what they do, but I was invited to leave a maple site designed for beginners because I refused to dumb down my answers.
I made a promise to myself back when I first moved from total backyard amateur into a small time producer and I totally appreciated the fact that regardless of how big a producer was, they were sharing their knowledge with me so I could hopefully not make the mistakes they had gone thru. I still do my best to help all beginners, and a few not so new producers. If I ever talk over your head, don't be afraid to ask for better, easier explanations. I always have been told I am able to explain things in easy to understand ways, if I fail that, let me know. I am never trying to confuse an answer.
I like to think The Maple Trader is a perfect platform for producers of all skill levels, from first year beginners to those who are multi generational producers. We share ideas and issues freely regardless of each members experience, that is why I do this.
I also posted this in the backyarder section.

[highlandcattle]

Thanks Dave. Always love to read your in deprh comments. You do a great job

[Hkb82]

I started reading about maple syrup production a season before I started doing it and joined this site. Never been a member in any other group as I’ve not seen a need to. Everybody on trader from large scale producers to the backyarders seem pretty good to me. More info then I’ll ever need and questions answered super quickly. What more can ya want lol. I’m not sure I can think of why they wouldn’t want someone with a mass amount of knowledge but it’s their loss.

[BAP]

Dave, was this a Facebook group that you were on?

[TapTapTap]

For maple, I'm only on mapletrader. The only other forum I participate in is a fishing forum which can be somewhat more secretive (mostly about specific locations) but otherwise very helpful to all levels of users, particularly beginners.

What I find on both forums is that actively participating makes me better at both. I learn from the thought I put into my responses and then the feedback from others with a different perspective or situation. Or, maybe they'll point out that I'm not seeing something correctly and I can learn from that.

Thanks Dave since you participate in a lot of those discussions.

Ken

[highlandcattle]

Had to run to hardware store yesterday. An Ace hadware. They carry basic tapping supplies. A woman next to me had a couple buckets and spiles. I asked her if she wanted any advice. She was happy to listen. First time trying it. Her family has alot of land. All I said is don't boil in the house and go to Mapletrader.

[buckeye gold]

Maple Trader has been an absolute blessing to me from the beginning. I have actually told people on other type of forums how great the knowledge sharing is here. I would say this site moved me ahead 5 years in the beginning. I learned so much about everything from tapping, to filtering to equipment and more. I think I may have just gave up in frustration if not for this site in the early years. Even though I had experience as a kid, I didn't have real professional knowledge. You all are the kindest people I have ever encountered in a trade.

[maple flats]

Dave, was this a Facebook group that you were on?
Sorry, I will not divulge the site, no clues will be given. Even though they are misguiding back yarders, on many levels, they do still help some. We just need to hope many of their members find this forum.