[Mr.R]

Cheers Bob,
Until just over 4 or 5 years ago I was a complete computer 'Ludite', (I couldn't even turn one on!) Mrs R introduced me to the wonders of the internet and piloted it for me for a couple of years before I dived in with 'gusto'.
Before that it was letter writing and staying up until silly O'clock in the wee small hours telephoning the 'Colonies', word of mouth through fellow enthusiasts, getting friends to translate text from Italian/French/German and an awfull lot of reading!
Attending Classicbike/Ducati Owners Club rallies and meeting lads who'd found the interweb before me opened my eyes and those lads were very helpfull...
It's a very long learning curve, that starts with the 1st step, after 30 years I'm still learning...
After that long (and ongoing) apprenticeship I do think that the forums are almost a cheat at times, but then if the info is out there it would be silly not to use it!
In my small way I try to help other enthusiasts, as others with an awful lot more knowledge freely help me.
Only this week I've been firing off e-mails to 'Experts' on the best performance preload setting for 4V Desmoquatro cranks, within a day I'd had replies from the USA and Australia.
It's frustrating at times but mostly good fun and at least we're not a bunch of hoodies terrorising old ladies in the streets!

Steve