Some thoughts about this forum...

[searock]

Hello all, I've been a member of this forum for only a short time but I've been a "guest" for a lot longer. This is the second pipe forum I've joined and want to comment about my experience with the other one. I don't think I should say what pipe forum it was. I joined the other forum and jumped in with both feet. As an old timer who has been a pipe smoker since 1963, a former pipe shop owner who was in the business for many years, I thought I might be able to help some new guys and maybe have some fun sharing ideas with the other old timers. Boy, was I wrong! It seems that on that forum "everyone" was an expert on everything. It didn't matter what I said about something there was someone who wanted to disagree. Ok, I can accept that, after all, sharing ideas and opinions is what a forum is all about. The problem was the "way" they did it. Nasty, abusive and argumentative. And I couldn't say hardly anything without an email from the "moderator" criticizing my post. I took a close look at what I had been posting and gave it all a good think. I tried to look at the posts with someone else's eye, but I just didn't get it. Saying that a Castello smokes better than a corncob. Am I wrong? After a couple of weeks I decided that this was no fun and bailed.
Now to this forum. I'm pleased to say that this forum is a whole different thing. The members are nice, not inclined to be nasty to each other and generally a bunch of fine people. I've had no emails from the moderators about my posts, even though I think a couple have gotten off the subject a little. No one has tried to start a fight with me and it's all been a pleasant experience. What I don't understand is how two forums, both with pipe smokers, can be so different.
A tip of the hat to pipemagazine.com and to the forum members for creating such a great web site.

 

[wallbright]

I think it comes from the roots of the forum. Since the beginning this has been a respectable mature forum and website with respectful people and it continues to do so. I have realized other forums have immature people from te beginning so the tone is immature. Not to say there aren't other good pipe forums out there. Just that the original members set the "tone" of the forums. We are fortunate to have a dedicated and professional owner of this site who sets a tone of maturity. Afterall, this is a website and forum specializing in pipes and Kevin and Bob work hard to maintain the site and it's integrity.

 

[bubbadreier]

Searock, everything you said is wrong....
okay fine, I just wanted to pick a fight I am glad you are enjoying your time on PM.com! This is a fine bunch of men we have here!

 

[lordnoble]

I think a lot has to do with the fact that this is a forum on an online magazine website not a forum for JUST the purpose of being a forum. Like wallbright said, though, Kevin sets the tone. This site is ALLL about information sharing, where many other forums are about tooting your own horn and showing off your knowledge (or lack thereof).
This said, now that we know you're a former pipe shop owner and have been in the hobby since the early 60's, I expect to get some great information and opinions from you. I also expect to see your collection of pipes and your stash of tobacco.
On a side note, I also would like an explanation for your slander of our beloved MM Corn Cobs! LOL! While I've never smoked a Castello, I'm sure it smokes as good as if not a little worse than a cob. (Actually, you may be right, I'm just razzin' ya!)
Welcome to the forums!
-Jason

 

[buck67]

I was in a concealed carry forum a year or so back and it was the same way. The moderator of that forum had a bad case of hemorroids daily and complained about most every post that might have repeated information or didn't agree with his opinions. The moderators here are super friendly and knowledgable and allow good conversation about something that we all are passionate about. I spend way too much time on here daily at work because I like the playful banter between everyone and the wealth of knowledge that can be found within. Welcome Searock and I hope to hear more from you.

 

[searock]

It's great to get such nice responses to my post. Thank you all. I'll address a couple of them. I'll see if I can post some of my pics soon. Question is where is the best place to post them? I'll give what advice I can, but we all have to keep in mind that everyone is different, with differnt tastes, likes and dislikes. There are few "facts" and lots of "opinions".
Wallbright is very insightful and I'm sure he must be correct about "the roots of the forum"... too bad though.
bubbadreier: I don't know why but you remind me of the old story about the sadist and the masocist who met on the street. The masocist said "Hit me!". The sadist said "I won't".
To lordnoble... I like your avatar! And as a side note, hanging on the wall right behind me is a large framed bus stop poster from NYC advertising the Brett Sherlock Holmes TV series. He autographed it when he was in NYC doing a play. I prize it greatly and was so sorry when he passed away. Others might disagree, but to me he was the finest Sherlock ever. I have the entire series on DVD and watch them frequently. I'm a big Sherlock fan. And. "If you've never smoked a Castello, you've never smoked a pipe." (I can razz too).
And buck67, thanks for the welcome!

 

[robs]

Searock your experiences matched mine to a tee, I would bet it was the same forum too. I got banned. Very easy to do, disagree with a moderator about something English. I actually am an Englishman and I also happen to live very near the place he was being very scholarly about. His "facts" were so far off as to be hilarious bordering on fantasy, I gently rebuked him and that, as they say, was that. Banned.
Not something I would consider a loss to myself and I am equally certain that they would all say the same.

 

[searock]

robs: "they" would be wrong.

 

[classicgeek]

It's pretty difficult to be full of yourself on this forum when you've got some real heavy-hitting blenders who are posting members. Paging Mr. Pease and Mr. Ouellette, please pick up the white courtesy phone...
And when someone's got something that they've really mastered, Kevin puts him to work. See Fred and his meerschaums. If you're all that, Kevin will call you.
But I think the real kicker is that Kevin and his anointed moderators all have their heads on straight. Be welcome. Be respectful of others and everyone here will welcome you as a brother.
Simon

 

[unclearthur]

As has already been said, this is a nice friendly place to hangout and communicate with other pipe smokers. I agree that the reason is that Kevin and the moderation team are superb! ( OK Kevin where's my five bucks now ) LOL!!

 

[searock]

Member lordnoble asked if I would post some pics. So, trying to be a good guy I created an album and posted 2. Now I have a problem. I don't see how someone accesses another member's album. And this is my fault; it posted the pics in the reverse order I wanted... I should have anticipated that, so the description is on the second pic. I had the description all in neat rows so it would be easy to read but I'm afraid it ran it all together. Could use some advice on this. Thanks.

 

[lordnoble]

Searock,

I'm sooooooo jealous! I would've LOVED to have met Mr. Brett. I've been a huge fan of his Holmes since I was 11. I haven't seen ALL of the different versions of Sherlock, but I wholeheartedly agree that Brett IS Holmes. Not that others didn't do a good job, but Brett had it down... Speaking of Holmes, if you get the chance, check out the most recent incarnation: Sherlock. It's set in modern times, but don't let that put you off. I wanted to dislike it, being a SH snob, but I couldn't. It had ALL of the hallmarks that make Holmes who he is AND kept the essence of the stories. If you're in the US, it'll be showing on your local PBS station in November, I think. Otherwise in the UK it's already out on DVD and Blu-Ray.
-Jason
P.S.- I don't believe you about the Castello. Why don't you send me one so I can see if you're right. LMAO! (Razzin' back!)

 

[lordnoble]

I got there through the member menu at the top of the screen. I clicked on your screen name and then clicked on your album. Nice collection!
-Jason

 

[cortezattic]

Searock, the reason you find the people here so affable is that they are all fictitious characters manufactured by Kevin and myself. You, Kevin and I are the only three people online here, and Kevin and I take turns logging on under aliases. We're bending over backwards to make you feel comfortable, but it can only go on so long as you support all the site sponsors -- heavily. Otherwise, we'll be forced to "moderate" you.

 

[krgulick]

I couldn't have said it better about the moderators here, they are very good, knowledgeable and fair.
I also think Brett was the quitessential Holmes. I remember part of an interview he gave about the role:
Interviewer: Why do you play Holmes as being such a pompous ass?
JB: Read the books, my dear boy. Because Holmes was one.

 

[chuckw]

Welcome to the forum and magazine Searock.

I want to make some snide remark about comparing your Castello's to my Peterson's but can't come up with anything.

Seriously, I look forward to your insights.

 

[lordnoble]

Holmes wasn't a pompous ass, he was a high-functioning sociopath.
-Jason

 

[igloo]

Other than being a self proclaimed cob snob .I just try to alienate everyone the same with out prejudice or long term ill effects . And no one makes fun of me .Even with my poor grasp of english writing skills . There is a fine group of people here and I think we all have fun . We agree, disagree and learn new things everyday .

 

[pstlpkr]

Searock, thanks for the kind words.... snif.... I don't know what to say...

As for knowledgeable... Bob and Kevin, are the pros, I just try to help out, and I like the members, they are truly a great bunch of guys and gals, from all walks of life.

And this is my fault; it posted the pics in the reverse order I wanted.

I'll try to help with the Album... just delete the pictures you don't like, or have faux pas, and repost them. I think I deleted and reposted 3 or 4 times before I was satisfied. Now I just add my latest PAD's to it when I can.

As for posting pictures in the forum strings, I have had a lot of difficulty getting the order correct. I use Photobucket, it's reliable and free. When I have a series of pics I want to post; I will generate the codes for them and then paste them into a word document and arrange them in the order I want. I have noticed that the uploads to Photobucket don't always appear in the order I tried to place them. Thus the MS Word solution. Just paste the corrected order of pic. codes into the Post: box.
Once again, thank you for the kind words. And, don't believe Cortez.... I really am a person... Of course I could be a figment of my imagination.

 

[dd951]

As A newbie pipe smoker This site is the best thing that has happened to be, great bunch of guys, I have never ask A question that all of them didn't jump in with their ideas, and all were sage advice. I look forward to you helping me to,LOL welcome aboard