Forum Research and Members Past

[Colt45]

I don't know if other members do the same, but I often search the forum for answers to questions I have, which I know have been discussed here in the past - it's an invaluable resource. Invariably, I end up lead on tangents, reading other threads / discussions - often having a great laugh. I always end up taken by the level of camaraderie displayed (still an FOH hallmark), and smile with fondness at names which pop up that I haven't seen for some time.

This is not to wax nostalgic, but a simple observation which struck me today - as I was doing a bit of forum research

[oliverdst]

I always do/think that too. Some with thousand+ posts.

Makes me wonder why they stopped posting.

[fabes]

Same here. Occasionally I'll go back to the oldest page of threads and start working my way back toward the present clicking on whatever threads look interesting. Camaraderie is a good way to put it. "Friends" of Habanos is an apt name. 

[PigFish]

I do once in a while. The other day I was looking up Chuck "Tampa" posts. I was looking at a box of SdC that I set aside at his passing and decided to look up some of his posts in remembrance.

Good topic Ross!

-R

[NSXCIGAR]

FOH as an encyclopedia of knowledge is, I think, sadly underappreciated and underutilized. The search function here is something I use pretty much daily, and something I try to encourage others to use, as I unfortunately frequently find information dispersed and not condensed, multiple threads about the same exact subject over long periods of time, etc. 

I know FOH has a very light-handed policy regarding re-posting and asking questions that have been addressed a dozen times, but I've always felt the site would ultimately benefit the members most by enforcing the "search-first policy", as just about every other forum I've ever participated in does strongly. Re-posters get a stern but polite slap back on most forums for failing to search before posting, or asking questions answered in the FAQ, hence memes such as these:

There are pros and cons to a not enforcing a "search-before-posting policy". The pros--lots of friendly small talk about the same old contrite topics, more threads, more posts, more participation, I suppose. But the cons of info and knowledge getting buried and decreasing the chances of anyone, particularly the uninitiated, finding great info on the topic they're interested in are significant. Many of the threads I see started could probably just be posted in the chatbox, to be honest. And since, IMO, forums are primarily about knowledge and spreading it, I'm not sure this lack of enforcement best serves the forum.

Just my opinion, however.

[Colt45]

39 minutes ago, NSXCIGAR said:

FOH as an encyclopedia of knowledge is, I think, sadly underappreciated and underutilized.

There are pros and cons to a not enforcing a "search-before-posting policy".

You bring up a number of great points.

I have my own personal view of FOH, which is unimportant. It might be viewed as a database. It might be viewed as discussions of all sorts. A combination of each. There is no doubt that at times, some things might be repetitive or a bit hard to find - but I guess I think the nuggets are worth digging for. A simple bulletin board, a gathering of friends.

 

So, for what it's worth my search earlier today was for shaving brushes

[luv2fly]

I do al the time.  I appreciate the posts from our veterans.   I read those posts for education.  You guys have a wealth of knowledge and I soak it in,  Thank you fellas andI look forward to future posts.  For those that have left us, I take the posts for what they are, educational.  Here is to many more great days on FOH.

Sorry to be so simppy but I am waxing the past.

[boopdeep]

I have a tab on my browser that's been open for months, and it's me reading through this forum backwards, to see all the older threads i missed or that have been buried. (yes, i spend too much time on here). 

I am certainly in support of people using the search function before posting, but at the same time, think that people often ignore small differences or unique perspectives in new posts on the same subject and simply complain that a search shouldve been done.  Plus, with all the new members constantly joining, new posts get new perspectives.  Each thread takes on its own life/theme and so new ones help bring fresh opinions, IMO. 

That being said, i think it's a duty to perform a simple search prior to posting. 

[planetary]

1 hour ago, boopdeep said:

I have a tab on my browser that's been open for months, and it's me reading through this forum backwards, to see all the older threads i missed or that have been buried. (yes, i spend too much time on here). 

I also do this.  It needs to be a topic I'm diving deep into, and there of course needs to be a thriving forum of great quality.   Have done it a handful of times in recent years: Fountain Pen Network, Head-Fi, Rennlist, and here.

[ElPuro]

Hey,

Running out of space. How do I go about building a coolerdor?

 

 

[foursite12]

One of the beautiful things about this hobby is that the same question may have a different answer 6 months down the pike.

[topdiesel]

This is not quite research, but I look at popular posts like "What's your latest purchase" to see who started them.  It always amazes me that someone can start a thread like that that lives on well past their interest in the forum.  Cool to see how the staples started, evolved, and the amazing sticks that have been purchased or smoked over the years.

14 hours ago, foursite12 said:

 

One of the beautiful things about this hobby is that the same question may have a different answer 6 months down the pike.

 

This is very true.  And just because one thread came to a certain conclusion 5 years ago doesn't mean that it is gospel.  There are always fresh faces entering the mix with new valuable perspectives. However, there are a lot of lazy folks.  Sometimes people just think that a forum is there for them or it is new because it is new to them.  I have watched hundreds if not thousands of folks come in strong asking about contacts or fakes or some other easy to find answer.  I love this forum because it is moderated well and most of the members point newbies in the right direction without being rude.  How the newbie takes the nudge is on them.