Me and BoB

[dshpipes]

I'm not sure how this thread got from page 1 to page 4 but I will say while I almost never write, I read everyday. I want to learn and you can learn more by listening then by wagging my jaw. I know that if everyone did this BOB would be awfully quite but while I have enjoyed the pipe for 32 years or so, I am no expert. You all are like friends and you guys don't know the fun you've brought by letting me listen on in so to speak. I particularly like it when you are busting each other.

I don't know another living soul that I see face to face that smokes the pipe so I really appreciate you all. Have a great day!

Like I said, all the guys are here. Even the quiet guy in the corner smoking his pipe and chiming in every once in a while.

 

[MisterE]

There's also a saying that he gave us a penis and a brain, but only enough blood to operate one at a time. Oops, think that was supposed to be for another forum.....

 

[Ol'Dawg]

Seems like I oughta post something here but not sure what to say other than I've met a lot of great guys on the board and in person at pipe shows, not to mention learning a great deal of information about pipes, tobaccos, supplies, sharing and techniques. The one thing that I loved the most about the Knox Board (and this one as well in the first few years) was the quality of information available. I learned more about pipes and tobaccos the first few years than I did in the previous 40+ years of pipe smoking. Now I can smoke drug store tobaccos with none of the problems I used to experience such as gurgling, frequent relights, over heating etc.

Try it..you'll like it...maybe. :lol:

Jim

 

[Anonymous]

The one thing that I loved the most about the Knox Board (and this one as well in the first few years) was the quality of information available.

In fairness, after posting the same information 15-20 times, it starts getting old.
It's "in here." You just have to dig for it.

:face:

 

[Vito]

The one thing that I loved the most about the Knox Board (and this one as well in the first few years) was the quality of information available.

In fairness, after posting the same information 15-20 times, it starts getting old.
It's "in here." You just have to dig for it.

Some of it's here, Yak, but not all of it. Ol'Dawg's right; there were some real voyages of discovery on the Knox board. I saved many of those threads. Some of them are terrific.

Actually, you're both right. There are some great posts here on BoB too — posts that happened in the early days, when the spirit of the KCC board was freshly transplanted, and was still alive and thriving here. There's a gold mine of information in those early posts, but the newer members don't know it's there. It's just easier for new members to ask the questions again. And again.

It's not their fault; there's not really any easy way for anyone to find the information that's already there. The reason is simple, and it's an old gripe; the Forumotion search function (even the so-called "Advanced Search") pretty much sucks. It searches only topics, not post contents. The inability to search by content makes it damn near impossible to find anything. Unless someone knows which members wrote the substantive and informative posts and goes back and reads their stuff, they don't even know the information already exists, right here on BoB.

So, in the absence of any effort to preserve it or facilitate better access to it, the structure of the board (specifically, its crummy search function) has marginalized that earlier, valuable content. Thus devalued, and dwindling in numbers, those who contributed it have increasingly headed for the Grey Havens. I suppose it eventually happens on every public board. It's a consequence of unlimited open membership. I guess it's a tribute to forums like the Knox board and BoB that it ever manages to settle into a genuine community at all.

Anyhow, I'm with pb — I miss the departed Knox brethren too, but life is change. The torch is passed. Might as well light your pipe off it as it goes by. :mrgreen:

 

[mark]

The inability to search by content makes it damn near impossible to find anything. Unless someone knows which members wrote the substantive and informative posts and goes back and reads their stuff,,,

Yeah, I've spent a lot of time trying to find a specific site mentioned or a bit of info lost in the sea of hijacked threads. But on the other hand it's not lost time, there's a lot of good memories.

 

[Vito]

Yeah, I've spent a lot of time trying to find a specific site mentioned or a bit of info lost in the sea of hijacked threads. But on the other hand it's not lost time, there's a lot of good memories.

Oh yes, absolutely. No question there, Mark. But then, if you're the kind of person who's actually willing to take the time to root around in those old posts, then my comments don't really apply to you. You already KNOW that there's some good stuff there. Besides, you've been around on BoB since July 2008, so you're not exactly a new member. You were there when some of it happened.

But I can easily imagine that it's all quite overwhelming for a new member, especially if he's a relative newcomer to pipe smoking into the bargain. He probably is already not too sure what to ask...or even whether to ask. (Not all pipe&weed forums are populated with the kind and helpful brethren one finds here at BoB...if you catch my drift.) If he tries a search for something specific—something that's not contained in the topic lines—he's likely to get "No topics or posts met your search criteria".

I guess it just depends on what's happening at the time someone comes aboard. There have been times in the past when I've logged in, looked around, and logged right out again. There was nothing even interesting going on, much less intellectually stimulating...times when BoB was little more than a glorified chat room. (I'm happy to say that some of the worst offenders are gone.)

Of course, that condition isn't unique to BoB. We certainly had our share of jerks on the Knox board too. But that sort of thing does tend to work itself out, especially if there are enough quality dudes who don't get so disgusted they split...or even if most folks just have enough sense not to feed the trolls.

:joker:

 

[sam a]

just wanted to say... i absolutely concur that there is a wealth of incredible info in the old threads here. i love digging around starting from the oldest posts and just learning. anyhow just wanted to say... these guys aren't just talking 'bout the good ol' days... there are some real gems worth digging up if you are so inclined. i only wish i could do the same with these legenary threads from the knox board i keep hearing about.

 

[Ol'Dawg]

Yak,

I was referring to quality, not quantity.

In fairness, after posting the same information 15-20 times, it starts getting old.
It's "in here." You just have to dig for it.

:face:

 

[Kyle Weiss]

But I can easily imagine that it's all quite overwhelming for a new member, especially if he's a relative newcomer to pipe smoking into the bargain. He probably is already not too sure what to ask...or even whether to ask. (Not all pipe&weed forums are populated with the kind and helpful brethren one finds here at BoB...if you catch my drift.) If he tries a search for something specific—something that's not contained in the topic lines—he's likely to get "No topics or posts met your search criteria".

I kind of talked about this in another thread, but also determined that it's a two-way street, the Brothers are good, but can't always keep rattling off the same information, and the newbies gotta learn. Many of us don't have grandparents anymore, or they aren't pipe smokers, maybe there isn't a B&M nearby, or generally someone isn't there to personally guide us just starting out. For that, there's BoB, and I'm happy to be a part of it. 8)

 

[Rob_In_MO]

For that, there's BoB, and I'm happy to be a part of it. 8)

Kyle - let's just say that things wouldn't be the same without you.

 

[Kyle Weiss]

For that, there's BoB, and I'm happy to be a part of it. 8)

Kyle - let's just say that things wouldn't be the same without you.

Back at ya--and the rest of you goons. 8)