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I was on another forum and a lot of discussion about newbies and the "changing of the guard" of old guys/new guys and the whole "go search" concept.

One thing that always comes up, I want to throw out to you. I for one, and many of the older guys, tend to answer a lot of things with "have you searched". The reason for this is that many times, it's the same group of people answering the same questions.

Going forward, I'd like to propose some changes.

Let's help the newbies. If we can, give them an answer. If you think they need to do a search, you can actually do a search and then post the link to it (refine the search if possible).

Try to point them to actual links.

I think it's a lot of work, but I also think the new forum members (newbies is NOT a derogatory term as we use it) are asking for help, so let's help.

Also, I want the new members to speak up more and jump in. We tend to have the same group posting the most and we really need everyone to help. I sometimes thing the new members will post a better answer because they've in the learning curve or they just resolved the issue themselves.

Besides, everyone gets tired of Me and Tom doing the answers. I try NOT to answer and let everyone else answer first. I only like to jump in when clarification is needed or a point wasn't covered.

What say you forum?

New guys, jump in and ask

Lurkers, jump in and join the forum
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quote:
Originally posted by SmokinOkie:...I'd like to propose some changes. Let's help the newbies. If we can, give them an answer. If you think they need to do a search, you can actually do a search and then post the link to it (refine the search if possible).


Where I work 5 folks have bought CS in the last year. The main running joke about CS forum is that if you ask a question they will backhand you with "go search". To a newbie this is a little less than 'welcome'. I really do understand the "go search" reasoning but have always thought no response is more appropriate than "go search!".

Re: "Go Search": From a person that has searched this forum to the end and back(yes I know how to use advanced search Roll Eyes)... it is sometimes the hardest place to find particular answers to seemingly simple questions. The overlapping use of common terms used here requires you sift thru an eternity of non-specific info to find what otherwise someone might provide quickly in a post reply.
Doesn't cost a dime to answer a question with an answer. I know I've always gotten great advice here and have learned a lot. Seems the more you know about BBQ, the more there is to learn.

Sometimes FIND doesn't always get the job done. The other day I was asked to provide more info on 2 stage brisket cooking. I searched and came up empty.

Anyway, nice suggestion SO.
Good point Smokin.

Certainly, your idea comes across as more helpful and would encourage individuals to participate if they find a warm, friendly open environment, which it really is. I agree that sometimes the environment can be misunderstood by a newbie's initial reaction when their question is not answered, and they get directed elsewhere.

Besides, I think a lot of us would welcome even more conversation on barbecue.
Okay Guys, I'm still a Newbie and feel that if I ever asked a question, put in the thread Newbie or 1st time, I would recieve help and THANKFULLY I have recieved help.

I guess I was doing it wrong? My best knowledge gained was old theads of FAILURES and those that helped correct the problem that was made.

The search, should be 1st thing done,IMO.

It is nice to read posts of thoughts from everyone,but I do prefer the experienced responses, so lets not stop those.PLEASE!!!
Well, I am certainly a "newbie" with very little experience but LOTS of enthusiasm and I ABSOLUTELY love this approach! I have asked questions and I have received EXCELLENT answers which I really appreciate. I have also posted a few ideas/suggestions that result in no comments or responses and that makes me wonder if I made some type of mistake. I have been reluctant to "upset the apple cart" by posting anything further. As a mostly lurker, I can still learn and I do read the posts almost daily.

Please don't get the wrong idea from my post. I am in no way complaining. There are many, many experts here and, at my age, I don't have time to become one of them. Although we newbies love what we can learn from you, participating with the experts can be intimidating. Anything you can do to soften that will go a long ways towards accomplishing what Smokin is suggesting.

So, if I said anything wrong here. let me know - I can take it.
quote:
Originally posted by BBQTom:
...I have also posted a few ideas/suggestions that result in no comments or responses and that makes me wonder if I made some type of mistake...


Good points and that's one reason I posted.

One thing to remember is that not everyone has a response to every post, so sometimes the post may never get an answer. Sometimes, it's such a great question, it's impossible to answer. It's hard to say. Some days, our forums are VERY active, other days, nothing happens.

Same goes for me. Someone asked me a question and then gave me a hard time because I hadn't responded ASAP/within 24 hours. I'll do the best I can, but on an average day I get 30 to 50 emails about BBQ and I "try" to answer them all, but more often try to point them to an answer in the forum. So be kind to your moderator too if it doesn't answer immediately. I love email and I'll answer, but it may not be immediate.

I also posted this thread to let the new guys, lurkers and everyone know that it's important to come in and ask.

I like seeing new people post, but don't like it when they've been a lurker "for years" and haven't posted.

Come on in, the water is fine. I think I can say, without exception, we don't allow negative/flaming wars to happen. I PERSONALLY won't tolerate it (and CS backs me up).

It's about BBQ and I love this stuff, love teaching this stuff and want to help.

We're here, BBQ season is coming, we'll help.

Smokin'

p.s. If ANYONE has a fear of posting, concern, whatever, you can PM me. You can also find my email address in my profile (I don't post it in the forum directly because spammers find it).
Last edited by Former Member
I like Smokin' read some other forums,and this and maybe ChrisA at the VirtualBullet,are operated like most folks feel comfortable.

Some forums,especially during the winter,when cooks are snowed in,can turn into war zones-even among friends.

They sometimes request these same good things from their members.

I understand that sometimes ,as we grow,change servers,companies,work Smokin' to death,searches don't always yield immediate results.

Like Smokin',I like to see everyone else answer questions,or respond to problems.When Smokin' is gone,I may be a little more active.

It seems like we may have a more active group of "newer folks" stepping up with answers/approaches.Many of them are good and come from a great perspective to a less experienced cook.I also learn from the great responses we have from all over the world.

I, personally,appreciate a post like redoak's that opens with "I have searched,but not found".

I may remember a couple threads that might give him the several approaches to solve the problem,and how they were made.No,I can't give him the one "perfect" part to a 30 part puzzle,but hopefully steer him to several pieces that he recognizes as HIS missing piece.

Cal had good thoughts that folks that opened with" I searched and I COOKED something and these were my problems/results" how do I fix them?

Cookshack's ,as they add more features, can become more expensive than a boxstore cooker and requires more of a decision to make the commitment.

I might now see a change in the requests from"newbies" that they spent "big bucks" and CS/the forum owes it to them that the cookers must follow the specifics of brain surgery equipment and that it makes the "considerable ART" of a strange part of the cooking world as simple as warming a fully cooked weiner,place on bun and add yellow mustard. Roll Eyes

i.e. posts like,"I've never cooked anything in my life,much less thought about bbq".
"I've just ordered my cooker and supplies for about $1800,to arrive Thursday.I've already bought the poultry,brisket,ribs,picnic shoulders,and some sausages.

I've invited my two bosses[so this must be perfect] and twenty to thirty families from the neighborhood to eat on Sat.
What temp should I cook at,and how long should it take.
I'd appreciate any"secret rubs/sauces/fuel "to make this the best bbq in my area.BTW some of the folks have strange tastes and others have dietary restrictions. Confused

I need the answers in the next few hours.Thanks.

Smokin's requests won't always be easy/simple,but one bit of info/guidance from a couple hundred lurkers is a whole lot of good knowledge.

Plus,it might prevent us from wearing Smokin' out as soon. Big Grin

Now,I'll get off before someone accuses me of making a Smokin'Okie post. Wink
I usually try to FIND the answer to my questions in old posts and sometimes I do and sometimes I don't. The main problem is that, sometimes some answers are many years old. I want to know how they are doing it today. If people are being directed all the time to look up old post then, a lot if new ideas will never be posted. A lot of the basics can be found and stand true, but I have seen plenty of topics revitalized by current information and lots of trial and error. Hey, I think we all can agree that, time can change the answer to a lot of questions. Wether you have been doing this for 20 years or 20 days, I always love to read peoples ideas. Someone with no experience can mention something that, can be a great idea or spark and even greater idea.
Personally I think it can be an adventure sometimes, diving into all these comments. The fact that, this is being talked about, shows what a great forum this is. One Idea to help out these old post that are very valuable, is to set up some kind of email notification like in Facebook. So if you made a Post/comment and someone added to it, you would get an email to let you know. Just an Idea.
quote:
Originally posted by Crazy Smokin Larry:
... So if you made a Post/comment and someone added to it, you would get an email to let you know. Just an Idea.


It's already there, at least what you describe above (hows that for a fast change) Big Grin I'll have to look, it might only be for when you start a new thread, not when you post a reply to another thread.

At the bottom of a post, just below the text entry window, is a little flag (under a line that says "add attachment?")

Click on the box that looks like a flag and it will set notifications to "ON" You can then manage your notifications (in case you set too many) in your Personal preferences.
Last edited by Former Member
I too try to look up items in the find before I bring the forum into play with a question or problem. Also have found that find can be difficult at times, but have always gotten help from somebody within a short time if I need it. I try to look at the forum often through out the day and night. Good bunch of guys sharing there insight on the art of Q, hopefully I have also helped here or there and will try to continue to work through the process.
I'm a member of several other forums, a couple of which have what I call an "elitist" approach to new members who ask questions that might have been asked, and answered, many times before. They smack 'em upside the head, kick 'em in the butt, and tell 'em to use the search feature before bothering the "experts" with their ridiculous questions. I'm glad to see we practice a kinder, gentler approach here on the CS forum. Smiler Cool The only butt we kick is pork butt, in the up direction by the liberal application of rubs and sauces. And the only thing we smack is our lips when we eat the great food that we smoke. Big Grin
quote:
Originally posted by SmokinOkie:
quote:
Originally posted by Crazy Smokin Larry:
... So if you made a Post/comment and someone added to it, you would get an email to let you know. Just an Idea.


It's already there, at least what you describe above (hows that for a fast change) Big Grin I'll have to look, it might only be for when you start a new thread, not when you post a reply to another thread.

At the bottom of a post, just below the text entry window, is a little flag (under a line that says "add attachment?")

Click on the box that looks like a flag and it will set notifications to "ON" You can then manage your notifications (in case you set too many) in your Personal preferences.



Smokin,
I see what your talking about. I never used it before. Nice. Thanks. I also see the one at the top of the post as well. How long will that last? I mean if someone made a post 5 years ago and still has the same email will they get it? The other thing that might be nice is, if you could set it and forget it, at least with post comments.

I forgot to click on it when I first posted this, I guess I will go to the top one and click on that. Thanks again.
quote:
Originally posted by Bododio:
... and tell 'em to use the search feature before bothering the "experts" with their ridiculous questions.


We're trying to be better Big Grin

Keep in mind, that approach (certainly not our old practice) was elitist, it was out of necessity. Imagine being an original member of the forum and seeing the same question posted hundreds of times. It gets hard to bring up a fresh answer every time.

But no matter, we're trying to be better, so glad you joined in and told us.

We're also pretty hard on negative/flame posts, those don't work here.

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