Quote Originally Posted by denmcdough View Post

Just remember that, on the internet, anyone can be a poser! As for Xmaks, well, there are people 'in the know' and others who just talk a good story. So, with only moderate amount of control on this forum, one can say whatever they want as far as credentials go. Just be careful out there.
Yes, it is always a good idea to take people with a grain of salt... people who come off authoritatively, but are lacking in real expertise, tend over time to reveal their blustering for what it is.

Quote Originally Posted by kiltedwolfman View Post
I would agree only slightly to this as having deep or long running traditions would IMO make one an expert only in their tradition and not the subject as a whole. My Great Grandfather came from a long line of Blacksmiths and was considered and expert smith by just about anyone around the province at the time. However his was only one style of smithing in many, so while he may have been an expert in his method he may very well have known only enough of anothers method to be considered a novice. Being top dog in your tradition only makes you an expert in your tradition and arguably not the entire subject.
That is true and I think this is why on Xmarks it is so important to post in the right sub-forum when they are looking to find an expert opinion. Someone might be an expert on THCD but have next to no knowledge on contemporary kilts or vice versa. Neither one of them might be an expert on historical kilts, while a re-enactor or history buff might only have a passing knowledge about bagpiper's uniforms. Etc. Etc. It would be pretty tough to be an expert on the entire subject of kilts, broadly considered