What Is With All the Links To Threads Instead Of Answers?

[alan73]

I will disagree with you, because it can be a bit of fun, especially with you. I am a relatively new pipe guy--2 yrs. but I obviously know more than you :wink:
When I was first getting into pipe smoking I googled EVERYTHING, from pipe buying, collecting, different tobaccos, repair and restoration, cellaring, etc. This site came up at the top of the search results every time. I have spent 1000's of hours in the last 2 years reading stuff. This forum used to have a more fun camaraderie between members, I don't see it as often. The quality of the old threads may or does surpass the quality of the new threads. I pay homage to that.
One of the primary reasons I finally joined was the banter between you and Peck, and additionally Nate8's commentary. Funny, informational, witty, seemed like a cool place to kill some time. The day I joined Nate was kicked off for some reason, and you and Peck took a break.
In my opinion, if someone isn't willing to spend 1 minute searching the internet for quick and easy answers, they are unlikely to remain pipesmokers in the long term. Pipesmoking is a commitment on many levels.
Commit I say. I'm all in.
Oh and every question does not deserve a response. Why won't the bay leaves I'm smoking stay lit? I think I burned out my pipe smoking bay leaves, what should I do?

 

[drbenway]

Good advice. I am going to have to buy a few more pipes now.

 

[jaytex1969]

I have always found that doing my own search leads to lots of interesting things I'd not have seen by just posting a question.
Of course, I enjoy web research more than some.
I appreciate links to quality info as well as real time interaction.
THIS has been a great resource for me.

 

[alan73]

jay that is one link I could of lived without...

 

[newbroom]

I caught heck for a sarcastic reply to one seemingly disingenuous question that was begging for it, back when I first started.

"oh, no, no, no, we're a fraternity of pipe smokers who are willing to help, especially the 'newbie'.
When someone demonstrates the inability to use a search function, or the patience to use it, it seems that they probably can't handle a pipe anyway.
And...these guys that always pop in with 'rare' inherited pipes, asking for value and looking to sell, obviously, on their first post or almost, make me tired.

 

[snowyowl]

We smoke our best pipes and our favorite blends -- all debatable -- sitting amonst the pipers who have come before...

Whether Tolkien or Einstein or Sablebrush.

Those who give links are giving you the keys to that reading room, the posh leather-chaired library of pipers who have come before you.

Okay, maybe a lawn chair or two out on a deck with pressure treated lumber.

But still, a wealth of knowledge. Use it. Click upon it.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Point made.
From the Etiquette Guidelines:

We enjoy a varied and lively group of members who range from brand-new pipe smokers to grizzled veterans, and the site is one of the most helpful for anyone with questions about pipe smoking. Questions are encouraged, and newcomers should always feel welcomed. That's the culture here: A helping, learning culture which not only promotes the hobby, but expands and enhances it in a collegial manner.
We will not tolerate discouraging any member from asking any question that pertains to the subject of the site. It doesn't matter if the question has been answered a million times before, it will still be treated as if we've never seen it. Replies with links to related information is encouraged.

 

[nevadablue]

I have raised the issue of the poor search engine before. If someone, an older member usually, remembers something about a thread, it is sometimes possible to find answers, but usually the search is worthless. Google isn't any better. So, I for one, appreciate the links.
Yes, PART of a forum is the interaction in a 'near real time' way. But one of the very important parts of a forum like this is the collected wisdom and information of those who go before. So, not having a good search engine on a forum is a bad thing.
Having members willing to answer questions, AND willing to look up things they remember, is a good, if not better thing.
Please, those of you who have been here a while, continue to post links.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

I'm just here for the free finger sandwiches and punch at the courtesy table. Maybe one day I will start smoking a pipe, but you guys need to get your act together or I will start hanging out at the wine tasting forum. They've got classier cheeses and hors d'oeuvres. ::

 

[prairiedruid]

I must resist the urge to link a thread for this......

 

[mso489]

I think it goes both ways. Questions asked and answers offered should reflect some experience with the subject, and if appropriate a little bit (or a lot) of research besides. Sometimes, I just sound off or jabber, but often I'll read a thread with interest but take myself firmly by the ear and say, you don't know a thing about it. Don't be sounding off. Sometimes silence is golden. On the other hand, when I see a worthy original post that's been sitting there for six hours or a day with no response, I'll answer or ask a question to bump it and give it a chance.

 

[nevadablue]

I will do it for you. It took the search engine about 20 seconds to find the word 'link'.
http://pipesmagazine.com/forums/topic/bueschers-corn-cob-pipe-still-in-original-bag#post-1156721

 

[admin]

Welcome back, Harris.
I don't think there's anything wrong with it as long as the info is still accurate. It's a common practice in many forums.
There are always going to be people that type out an answer as well, so your desire is covered anyway.
Ya big grouch. :wink:

 

[cigrmaster]

Kevin, thanks for the welcome back, I actually even missed you. :nana: I also have another pipe babe for you in a couple of years. My youngest daughter turns 16 in April. 2 more years and she can be a pipe babe like her older sister.

 

[cosmicfolklore]

Crap, the bossman caught me making a wank post, ha ha. ::

 

[hawky454]

Another relevant reason for the lack of activity here, at least within the time frame that I've been a member, is there have been excellent members that gave amazing contributions to the collective knowledge here that have been banned for one reason or another. I'm not passing judgement either way so please don't ban me for bringing it up but when you do ban people like that you also lose a whole bunch of others along with them and unfortunately it seems it pushes more to the Facebook and Reddit groups.

 

[nevadablue]

Lack of activity? LOL, go look at pipemaker's forum.

 

[deathmetal]

Answers are seldom simple or one dimensional. Often times, it takes the evolution of an entire thread to answer a question. Often times, the question at hand has already been answered far better in a previous thread than I can summarize in a single response. Sometimes, those threads contain photos, graphics or (G_d forbid) links that go further to the point.

Excellent answer.
Here's another, from someone with more experience at this than nearly any of you: linking is beautiful. It was a capacity we wanted years ago.
When someone asks a question, especially a common question, it makes sense to give them the full book. These are not random links, but a selection of relevant links.
This allows them to do their good faith and read through that.
In addition, it allows others searching and browsing these topics to find relevant material.
The true ideal would be a curated forum, at which point you would have a single topic with the best information in it. Those were the ancestors of wikis, which turned out to be a dud but are a good idea if you have a paid editorial team.
In the meantime, typing out the same answers time and again introduces our friend entropy, not just through errors, but through repetition. You wear people down with too much of the same stuff cycling through again and again, which may be one reason for the relatively high turnover at times on this forum.
The mod team here does good work at weeding out the obvious entropy, but the rest is up to the users. Forums are communities, sysops plus users plus interaction over time.

 

[huntertrw]

"What Is With All the Links To Threads Instead Of Answers?"
This was actually an elaborate plot devised by Peck to irritate you once you were paroled and

returned to the Forums. I was going to post a link to his thread detailing all of this, but refrained so as not to further grieve you.
P.S. Welcome back, Sir!

 

[anthonyrosenthal74]

I believe that when someone especially a newbie asks a question they deserve to have their question answered in real time.

Great post, Harris. It's great to have you back. And I agree 100%. I'm glad I found this site when I did when I first began smoking a pipe at the end of 2012 and beginning of 2013. At the time, I believe I was one of a number of newbies to both pipes and this site, and it's the members who were regulars at the time that really helped me learn a lot in a short amount of time. Actually answering someone's thread instead of a link makes it more personal to the one asking and shows that the members here are willing to take the time to read and answer their questions. It especially makes the newbies feel more welcome.
That being said, I think links to past threads is also ok if it's used as a follow up, or if very few are answering the question.

Example: Good question new person that doesn't know anything and is asking a million questions we've all answered before but are happy to do so anyway :mrgreen: Personally, I like to clean my pipes by boiling them in the blood of my enemies... oh, I mean I like to use 151 rum to clean my pipes. But be sure not to get the alcohol on the outside of the pipe as it will strip the finish. If you want to read up more on this subject you can also find many more answers here (insert link.) And welcome to the forums!
Whatever happened to Roth anyway?

Why won't the bay leaves I'm smoking stay lit? I think I burned out my pipe smoking bay leaves, what should I do?

:rofl: That was an actual topic! I remember!

Lack of activity? LOL, go look at pipemaker's forum.

Not to knock that forum but it's a good example of exactly what Harris is talking about. I joined that forum some time ago (two years... three... I think...? ), and quite a few times when I asked a question if I even got a response it was "use the search feature." I just didn't feel like many were interested in helping me learn. I guess I more or less gave up on that site a long time ago. I can learn more on Youtube.
Make the new members feel welcome and they will continue to post, and in time steer others to this site as well. There's a reason Pipesmagazine is the best pipe related forum out there, and this tactic or practice, in my opinion, is one of the reasons why. ::