Idea To Keep The Angst At A Minimum When It Comes To Hardware.

[misterbeetz]

In my computer forum under various categories we have stickies w/ 'NOOBS LOOK HERE BEFORE ASKING" and that seems to help a bit

Thats exactly what i was thinking of. Big forums use pinned threads (stickies) to link to in order to answer noob questions and probably many future ones in one shot. However these are not your normal thread. It would typically have one post in it that is continiously edited and expanded by a moderator or similar assigned person. They exist because they work. You will always get phunnel and scalli mod questions in the forum from brand new members, but at least this time around you will only be a link away from giving them the answer. People dont want to type the answer over and over again, therfore linking to pinned threads should be the best way to do it.

There are currently good places to link to but some of them need to be updated or expanded:

For phunnel questions:
http://hookahwiki.com/index.php?title=Tangiers_Inverted_Bowl
http://completehookah.com/equip/phunnel.shtml (no pictures)

For Scalli Mod questions:
(No hookah wiki entry for this one)
http://completehookah.com/equip/scalli.shtml (pictures should be updated because it shows the copper one which is a big toxic NoNo)


I think a wiki approach is the best way to go because everyone can edit and expand it. Others may not like that in which case the pinned thread method would be the way to go.

- misterbeetz Edited April 18, 2007 by misterbeetz

[ggb]

Being fairly new to the forum here's my 2¢...

I don't post questions because I half expect "use the search" as an answer. And I do search. It's great for procrastinating and insomnia. For example, searching for the scalli mod gave me lots of results, but I just wanted to figure out what the thing actually does. I got to read all about the pro's and con's of copper vs glass, how to pack a bowl, when MNhookah does or does not have them in stock, what they do or do not fit, etc. I did eventually figure it out and find all the useful posts, but searching for it also gave me a lot of posts that just went:

post: What's x, y, and z?

reply: use the search.

So maybe one thing we can all do is be a little more generous to new questions -- or instead of just saying "use the search" say something like "search for +scal* +mod"

[misterbeetz]

Being fairly new to the forum here's my 2¢...

I don't post questions because I half expect "use the search" as an answer. And I do search. It's great for procrastinating and insomnia. For example, searching for the scalli mod gave me lots of results, but I just wanted to figure out what the thing actually does. I got to read all about the pro's and con's of copper vs glass, how to pack a bowl, when MNhookah does or does not have them in stock, what they do or do not fit, etc. I did eventually figure it out and find all the useful posts, but searching for it also gave me a lot of posts that just went:

post: What's x, y, and z?

reply: use the search.

Yep. My thoughts exactly. I just went through this a couple days ago.

- misterbeetz

[ASUSEAN1]

We just need to sticky threads that have a lot of useful noob information

I think I will make one tonight on how to pack the perfect bowl every time using the funnel, regualr bowl and pics to go with it

[mushrat]

OK..here is what I'll do...I'll pin a "New people, check here for FAQ" and stickie it. You all provide the links and the answers, how about that? But I'll bet you guys we still get the same old questions. And the answer will change from "use the search" to "check out the sticky for new people."

[sabsz]

We just need to sticky threads that have a lot of useful noob information

I think I will make one tonight on how to pack the perfect bowl every time using the funnel, regualr bowl and pics to go with it

Lol more things for you to do tonight..

[ASUSEAN1]

OK..here is what I'll do...I'll pin a "New people, check here for FAQ" and stickie it. You all provide the links and the answers, how about that? But I'll bet you guys we still get the same old questions. And the answer will change from "use the search" to "check out the sticky for new people."

I am going to make a thread tonight and I am going to try and include some of my tips, highsocietys website, joe's website, hookahwiki and a few others. If anyoen that has made a hookah related site wants to send me the address to the website in a PM it would be greatly appreciated

sabsz I am already taking pictures Edited April 19, 2007 by ASUSEAN1

[mushrat]

put it in the sticky....

[sabsz]

that is damn fly.

[ASUSEAN1]

put it in the sticky....

yea that is what I am tryin to get at and people can add just useful tips and whatever they want but we'll see how it works out

if it sucks we can always get rid of it

[mushrat]

put it in the sticky....

yea that is what I am tryin to get at and people can add just useful tips and whatever they want but we'll see how it works out

if it sucks we can always get rid of it

Then why didn't you put it in the newbie sticky thread? I moved your post into it for you.
See...if the people who ASKED for it don't use it, why should we expect an actualy newbie to? Edited April 19, 2007 by mushrat

[ASUSEAN1]

i didnt know how to pin it! but thanks mush.. we will see how it works

[metalhead209]

at least a sticky could be more precise then the forum search... because a phunnel and scali mod are mentioned in EVERY topic itll be hard to actualy figure out what it does a sticky could just be a one stop shop if you will.

[kornkitten42]

Being fairly new to the forum here's my 2¢...

I don't post questions because I half expect "use the search" as an answer. And I do search. It's great for procrastinating and insomnia. For example, searching for the scalli mod gave me lots of results, but I just wanted to figure out what the thing actually does. I got to read all about the pro's and con's of copper vs glass, how to pack a bowl, when MNhookah does or does not have them in stock, what they do or do not fit, etc. I did eventually figure it out and find all the useful posts, but searching for it also gave me a lot of posts that just went:

post: What's x, y, and z?

reply: use the search.

So maybe one thing we can all do is be a little more generous to new questions -- or instead of just saying "use the search" say something like "search for +scal* +mod"

I did this a couple of days ago and still got flack for it
but yay to the new thread and hopefully people will be smart enough to actually look in it....

[ShishaFred]

Stickys only do so much. I have frequented a large number of forums and for every person who goes to the sticky and looks for the info he's looking for , 5 are just oing to put a post up. That's how lazy people are.

I'm not shooting your ideas down. I really think the wiki needs some work. I'll get on it if I can understand it.

[Shifty]

This is so not what I had in mind, but hey, as long as it helps someone.

[mushrat]

I'm with fred. But the stickie is as close as you all are going to get for a new section.

Been trying to get several sections and changes made but the admin. hasn't made them even after saying there were decent ideas and he'd consider them.
Besides, i don't think anyone can give me a clear and concise description of exactly what they are looking for in a new section, and i'll bet 3 of you can't agree on a standard format and method for organizing it. And people are still going to take the easy way out and just post their questions..believe me, I've seen 4 different versions of this forum come and go with different sections, areas, sub-topics and people will almost always just post their question, even if the answer is in a thread 3 places below their question.

[misterbeetz]

I'm with fred. But the stickie is as close as you all are going to get for a new section.

Been trying to get several sections and changes made but the admin. hasn't made them even after saying there were decent ideas and he'd consider them.
Besides, i don't think anyone can give me a clear and concise description of exactly what they are looking for in a new section, and i'll bet 3 of you can't agree on a standard format and method for organizing it. And people are still going to take the easy way out and just post their questions..believe me, I've seen 4 different versions of this forum come and go with different sections, areas, sub-topics and people will almost always just post their question, even if the answer is in a thread 3 places below their question.

The point that I am behind is that the starting point should be a one-stop sticky thread (with only one post, albeit a large one). Its purpose would be to serve as the one post to link to for the most common noob questions. No, it will not stop the questions that everyone hates. However, if you took the time to read their question and give a reply then it takes no additional effort to throw them the link to the sticky. If the answer can be found within one concise post then it would make no difference to the noob wether you sent him a link or typed the whole answer yourself.

Ragardless of what anyone thinks however, any step in this direction (wether they use my suggestion or not) is not going to hurt anyone. So why be pessimistic about it? If other people are willing to do the work, then there is no reason anyone should be against anything we come up with. It wont change the fundamental forum experience and in the least will provide a better system of getting people the answers they need.

I ask that you let us work on this for a little while. Give it a chance. I am working on the material we need for this as we speak but i need some more time as im currently in the process of taking exams. Also if possible, I would be grateful if you could provide me with the contact info of the admin as well.

- misterbeetz

[mushrat]

Look up man, there IS the newcomers FAQ stickied post, what are you going on about? I can make all the information a single thread, but since there is some redundant information, some contradictory information, and the like to make all that one thread would just be confusing as hell. And even with the sticky up, there are atkeast 2 new people asking questions that are probably answered in that stickie. So how is "search the FAQ" any better than "search the forum" for an answer? Note, not everyone sets their hookahs up the same way. I use screens others use foil, some fill the bowl, some partially fill it, some leave an air space, some don't. Smoking some brands, like Tangiers, EVERYONE has a different method for making it work right, MINE breaks all the commonly accepted methiods, but it still works. WHat we are going to end up with, and have running already, is everyones PERSONAL opinions and methods, which is supplying sometimes contradictory information, but you can't eliminate any of them because they are all legitimate and working methods.
You still are talking in generalities for a thread. I'm looking for specifics on what would be contained in your "ideal" newcomers FAQ. You can call for a general things all day, but a specific layout or guidline would be more convincing. And how would you deal with conflicting but still working information?
Not trying to be a prick but what's wrong with the stickied thread I put up there when you started talking about this? I don't see a contribution by you in there anyplace. May I suggest you quit complaining here and start adding there.

There are two admins, Adrock And Admin. Try PM'ing them or I think there is always admin@hookahforum.com. Good luck. Edited April 20, 2007 by mushrat

[misterbeetz]

Look up man, there IS the newcomers FAQ stickied post, what are you going on about? I can make all the information a single thread, but since there is some redundant information, some contradictory information, and the like to make all that one thread would just be confusing as hell. And even with the sticky up, there are atkeast 2 new people asking questions that are probably answered in that stickie. So how is "search the FAQ" any better than "search the forum" for an answer? Note, not everyone sets their hookahs up the same way. I use screens others use foil, some fill the bowl, some partially fill it, some leave an air space, some don't. Smoking some brands, like Tangiers, EVERYONE has a different method for making it work right, MINE breaks all the commonly accepted methiods, but it still works. WHat we are going to end up with, and have running already, is everyones PERSONAL opinions and methods, which is supplying sometimes contradictory information, but you can't eliminate any of them because they are all legitimate and working methods.
You still are talking in generalities for a thread. I'm looking for specifics on what would be contained in your "ideal" newcomers FAQ. You can call for a general things all day, but a specific layout or guidline would be more convincing. And how would you deal with conflicting but still working information?
Not trying to be a prick but what's wrong with the stickied thread I put up there when you started talking about this? I don't see a contribution by you in there anyplace. May I suggest you quit complaining here and start adding there.

There are two admins, Adrock And Admin. Try PM'ing them or I think there is always admin@hookahforum.com. Good luck.

Nothing is wrong with the stickied thread. I saw it the day you posted it and I sincerly thank you for that. Im simply trying to defend the idea since I still sense pessimism. I just don't want it taken down prematurely before it had a chance. Please forgive my paranoia. You are entitled to your opinions and do not wish to debate them. I do feel however that forming opinions so early at this point are meaningless in that they would simply be based on a premature assesment. I think this project needs about a month to properly show what it can achieve. I hope that you will soon see what I have in mind.

I will be honest in that the info currently contained in the thread is subjective but it is also not the type of material I had in mind hence this is why I need more time to discuss, help edit, and refine what we have. The material I am interested in including is of a less subjective nature. For example vendors have a tendency to list products for sale without a proper description of what they do. Easy examples for these are Funnel bowls and scalli mods. I intend to describe these in the best way I can. I will also describe caveats to their use such as making sure that people understand that the copper versions of the scalli should be avoided at all costs since repeated smoking out of copper implements has been known to cause deaths. Using google to search on info for the scalli mod brings up pictures of the copper version and therefore this is an issue (http://completehookah.com/equip/scalli.shtml). I also intend to cover the differences between various hookahs and their designations (i.e. Bohemian, Egyptian, small, large etc.) I also wish to discuss the differences between the tobaccos. Good flavor is a subjective matter whereas nicotine content is not and also many times an additional health concern. There are claims about safer tobaccos/alternatives and I intend to research them and report on them. I can continue giving examples if neccessary.

I can assure you that I have already contacted contributors in this matter. I havent posted anything yet because I want to make sure that the material I have is the best fruit of my efforts. Once my school obligations finish in a week or so then my best work can begin. All I need you to do at this point is to sit back and keep an open mind. I have no complaints here, just defense.

- misterbeetz Edited April 20, 2007 by misterbeetz

[mushrat]

Rest assured, it's not going anywhere...

I TRY not to let my personal feelings interfere with my job as a mod. As a Mod I think it's a fine idea and once we get some more info in it I may go in and clean it up a bit.

PERSONALLY, I think we're going to get about the same number of new comers posting the same number of questions whos answers are just a click away even if we put the FAQ up in flashing 120 pt. day glo green Font.

[Sariél]

Again, if anyone wants it, I reserved hookahforum.info to avoid another .net type fiasco. (besides, it was 3 bucks!). If y'all want to a FAQ/Wiki/info page there and want to host it, I'll give the mods access.

[mushrat]

Groovy...
I did the same with a few variations of ole dick's Emerates name just in case he wanted to continue to play hardball...