Puff Cigar Discussion Forums

ChronoB · 10-09-2008, 11:14 PM

I occasionally peruse the cigar forums, but I spend most of my time here in pipes. As a result, I didn't even know that clubstogie.com has been purchased and big changes are in store until today. If you haven't read up on it then check out the appropriate threads in the General Cigar Discussion area.

For those that have read about it, what do you think? Personally, I don't think it bodes well. The new owner seem nice enough, and he's saying some of the right things. But my impression is that he is more interested in turning things into a big business, rather than maintaining a community of cigar/pipe smokers. Even the logo they've come up with for the new site (puff.com) looks awfully commercial.

I really enjoy the pipe forum here, and I'd hate to see it break down or for a mass exodus to happen. I'm hoping for the best, but if we don't like the new site/format where can we go? What do you guys think?

Hermit · 10-09-2008, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChronoB

I occasionally peruse the cigar forums, but I spend most of my time here in pipes. As a result, I didn't even know that clubstogie.com has been purchased and big changes are in store until today. If you haven't read up on it then check out the appropriate threads in the General Cigar Discussion area.

For those that have read about it, what do you think? Personally, I don't think it bodes well. The new owner seem nice enough, and he's saying some of the right things. But my impression is that he is more interested in turning things into a big business, rather than maintaining a community of cigar/pipe smokers. Even the logo they've come up with for the new site (puff.com) looks awfully commercial.

I really enjoy the pipe forum here, and I'd hate to see it break down or for a mass exodus to happen. I'm hoping for the best, but if we don't like the new site/format where can we go? What do you guys think?

He said the Pipe Forum will stay.

I don't think I've heard anyone say they're happy about this,
but it ain't the end of the world.

uncballzer · 10-09-2008, 11:22 PM

So far I've remained silent on this topic. So far, my mind tells me to wait and see, but my heart isn't liking it. For the most part, we've got a couple choices, stay or go. Jon said there will still be a pipe forum here and on the main board. My fear is of the threads getting lost in the tangle, and all this information that we have worked for getting lost in the mix.

So, until things change enough that you become disgusted enough to turn your head and run, let's see how things go. They're not going to change for the next couple of months or so. We're pipe smokers right? Aren't we supposed to be patience, thorough in our examination, and them make a decision when we have all the facts? Lets do that. If need be, there's always other pipe forums out there, although none will ever be like our home here.

yellowgoat · 10-09-2008, 11:51 PM

I agree

I love this place and don't want to see CS raped!
In the meantime enjoy what we have right now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uncballzer

So far I've remained silent on this topic. So far, my mind tells me to wait and see, but my heart isn't liking it. For the most part, we've got a couple choices, stay or go. Jon said there will still be a pipe forum here and on the main board. My fear is of the threads getting lost in the tangle, and all this information that we have worked for getting lost in the mix.

So, until things change enough that you become disgusted enough to turn your head and run, let's see how things go. They're not going to change for the next couple of months or so. We're pipe smokers right? Aren't we supposed to be patience, thorough in our examination, and them make a decision when we have all the facts? Lets do that. If need be, there's always other pipe forums out there, although none will ever be like our home here.

Senator · 10-10-2008, 12:05 AM

One word..."Diversify". I belong to 3 different pipe smoker forums....one of which had been approached to sell but declined.

As much as I like this site...there are others should things go down the wrong path here.

I'll remain here as long as the good stuff stays.

IHT · 10-10-2008, 12:09 AM

as even the current mods have stated, if it changes not to their liking, they will go someplace else.
but, since you're free to do as you please, you can leave whenever you want. there are a # of other pipe forums, and even pipe sections of cigar boards.
if you want, you can PM me and i can guide you to a couple that i prefer and a couple that i'll go back to once the election is over - or you can check the sticky topic called "pipe websites" or links or whatever.
if you've noticed, a lot of the regular pipe posters don't post much here since the "psuedo-elitist" :bs went down back in May, i believe. they've all moved on for the most part, which is too bad. i can only imagine how large this section would've been with all the influx of new members and the older ones (of course, i was told that "I" was the reason most ppl didn't want to post down here, like an animated gif is scary... but that's another story).
bottom line is: there are other places that are fairly active right now, and others that are way too active and nothing helpful is said (one is all politics, the other is way overmoderated).

i'm blabbing. beer does that to me.

Senator · 10-10-2008, 12:19 AM

I was not aware that there were issues here back in May...took a little break from the boards back then. However, I did notice the absence of the regular posters and wondered why.

jquirit · 10-10-2008, 12:22 AM

As an aside, I miss having you as a mod here IHT. You did a great job of keeping this subforum focused and moving. You might had to have cracked a few heads, but it just showed what sort of vision you had for this area and where you wanted it to go. Nothing wrong with that, and sometimes that is somewhat lacking when seeing other boards and their moderation.

As for this whole situation with CS, people will go where people will go. Let it be remaining here or to another forums, that's just the way life is.

Keep piping, folks!

IHT · 10-10-2008, 12:31 AM

thx. i just attempted to keep it the way it was when i joined at the end of '03.

btw, i'm headed to oregon on tuesday until the 27th. fly into Portland, staying in Astoria... some National Guard exercise up there with the 41st BCT.

dogsplayinpoker · 10-10-2008, 07:10 AM

I haven't said a whole lot about this situation either. Truth be told, I think puff.com and the puffer fish are an incredibly stupid name and logo. I also don't buy this story about buying CS(and 4 other sites) because of a "passion" for cigars. I might just be a dumb redneck but it doesn't stop me from recognizing a cold, calculated business acquisition strictly for the purpose of making a lot of money. Don't get me wrong. I love money. I work my considerable a$$ off for the "green". However, once you begin placing a price tag and revenue expectations on something as intangible as camraderie and brotherhood....well.... it just never works, imho.

DonCarlos · 10-10-2008, 08:14 AM

This does not sound good at all

DSturg369 · 10-10-2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senator

One word..."Diversify". I belong to 3 different pipe smoker forums....one of which had been approached to sell but declined.

As much as I like this site...there are others should things go down the wrong path here.

I'll remain here as long as the good stuff stays.

Ditto here!!

With the board grabbing taking place in such a short time, and with no real explanation of changes to come given I forsee this ending in a bad way. I developed my "gut feeling" at a young age and it has served me very well throughout my life. I get a bad "gut feeling" about all this. I do not plan to jump ship unless things play out badly and I hope I am wrong in feeling the way I do.