Ideas for helping newbies assimilate into the jungle without permanent scars

[ronschae4]

From a newbie's perspective.

There are varying degrees of patience/impatience from the Gorilla's related to what amount to irritating threads posted by newbies -- they are irritating only in the fact that we are asking questions that have already been asked about 107,000 times already and solid, consistent answers are available. Had the newbie just used the Search feature, they would have been satisfied without having to re-ask the question. These repeat questions are the equivalent of mosquitos buzzing around your ears. Most of the time, the Gorilla's gently redirect them and things go on, UNTIL the irritation reaches a tipping point and the Gorilla draws blood on the unsuspecting newbie, accusing them of being here for the "wrong reasons", being an idiot, etc.

Personally, I'm not here on a drive-by info hunt. I really like CS and I'll be here as a regular. So my own lack of using "search" has been somewhat innocent in that I don't frequent other boards so the concept of searching threads wasn't on my radar screen. However, now that it's "on" my radar, I'm using the hell out of it

My suggestion is to revamp the FAQ section to include more of the "expectations" for group behavior here (i.e., the 3(4) simple rules of CS; searching; acronyms; what is a sticky thread?, etc.). Talking about RG and nanners is important, but since an FAQ *IS* where most brand-newbies will go for info, more should be there, IMHO.

Also, for a brand-newbie, the phrase "New Gorilla Forum" is easily un-noticed and overlooked. Perhaps that Forum should be at the top of the Discussion Forums list, rather than "All Cigar Lounge". I don't know about others, but I found CS in a search for something specific through Google, which took me directly to the thread page... NOT to the Home page, so I didn't even see the New Gorilla Forum until I'd already joined and had been joining in the fun for several days. Having a page-redirect when someone signs up that takes them to the New Gorilla Forum or an expanded FAQ or a "Must Read" section would also help.

Anyway, I'm sure there are other ideas out there, too. I just thought I'd get this thread started here and see if it goes anywhere. Thanks for reading!

[j6ppc]

Good thoughts. Thanks for taking the time to put that together.

[DriftyGypsy]

Good post and a good place for it... and the idea of moving the NGF to higher up so people can see it better.

[snkbyt]

sounds like a good idea to me. also might add not only "don't ask" when it comes to "cubans" but don't give advise on how to find/spot someone to ask, this no-no cost me RG within a few hours logging on the site.

[Twill413]

I think that getting knocked around a little bit by the FOG's and just regular gorillas who have been here a long time is part of the initiation procedure. It makes the noob aware of their place, and keeps noobs from coming in here and acting like they own the place. I, myself being a noob, still tread pretty lightly around here, and phrase posts which could be construed as controversial VERY carefully. The only opinion that I have is that the gorillas who have been around a long time be a little easier on noobs for screwing up little things. Yes, we ask questions that have been asked before, but in the scheme of things that's not that big a deal. If a noob comes in and starts asking about sources for habanos, or something that is REALLY out of line, by all means let them have it. Do you blame a baby for throwing up on you? No. You may not be thrilled about it, but in a way its kinda cute. This is all part of the raising of baby chimps into big silverbacks. Okay, kinda went off on a tangent there , but other than that, really pretty good suggestions.

[DriftyGypsy]

Originally Posted by snkbyt

sounds like a good idea to me. also might add not only "don't ask" when it comes to "cubans" but don't give advise on how to find/spot someone to ask, this no-no cost me RG within a few hours logging on the site.

Actually the 'don't ask' is one of the first things you should see...

3 Simple rules of Club Stogie...plus 1

[Da Klugs]

Originally Posted by snkbyt

sounds like a good idea to me. also might add not only "don't ask" when it comes to "cubans" but don't give advise on how to find/spot someone to ask, this no-no cost me RG within a few hours logging on the site.

Me to! It just took a month or so longer.

The best advice is to be friendly. Friendly makes up for many sins. Answering questions and helping folks get started is actually a pleasant experience for many here. The "search Nazis" are in the minority, vocal as they may be. Sure it's there for you to find as many questions have been asked a few times before. But nothing replaces the live interaction of posting. Searching does not help you get to know folks here.

Reading the stickys in each of the forums shows you are at least trying. Referencing that you have read them and then asking a clarifying question seems pretty reasonable.

Have fun and don't take things too seriously here even when others here may. On any given day someones dog peed on the carpet.

[Blaylock]

Hello,

I am also a newbie here.

From my perspective, I joined in April and didn't received my 100th post until this month. I took the time to get aquainted with the forum by reading and listening to others. I got involved in trades and talked some fine people. This helped me learn the "ways" of this forum.

There are many "elders" that have been here for quite some time and they deserve the respect that they've been earned.

An analogy would be watching documentaries of people observing the behavior of gorillas in the wild. They first observe from a distance, record the behaviors of the group members, move in slowly and eventually... they are accepted.

This is what has worked for me. Just my

[snkbyt]

Originally Posted by Da Klugs

Me to! It just took a month or so longer.

The best advice is to be friendly. Friendly makes up for many sins. Answering questions and helping folks get started is actually a pleasant experience for many here. The "search Nazis" are in the minority, vocal as they may be. Sure it's there for you to find as many questions have been asked a few times before. But nothing replaces the live interaction of posting. Searching does not help you get to know folks here.

Reading the stickys in each of the forums shows you are at least trying. Referencing that you have read them and then asking a clarifying question seems pretty reasonable.

Have fun and don't take things too seriously here even when others here may. On any given day someones dog peed on the carpet.

I know the "don't ask sticky' was there, but I was giving a short story answer to another new BOTL who was asking a question and all I said was how I found my source just by keeping your eyes open and ask the smoker where he gets his stash.

[smokinpoke]

[SIZE="5"] WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WE'RE NOT A BUNCH OF ANGRY PRIMATES [/SIZE]

[trogdor]

An explination of the search function other than the basic search info from the FAQ would be helpful. Corona Gigante had a good post today on it in the Problems, Suggestions, and Housekeeping forum, and mmblz suggested using Google.
This is great because as far as I know there is no way to use "and" for your search terms in the search here... the less words in your search here the better.
Ex: The other day I searched the (Non Habanos) Reviews forum to see if there were any reviews already posted for the H. Upmann Cameroon before I went and started a new thread.
A search for Upmann gets 26 results, but a search for Upmann Cameroon or Upmann and Cameroon returns 199. Unfortunately I don't think there's a way to search a specific thread using Google, but searching google with upmann cameroon review site:www.clubstogie.com works pretty well for turning up any relevant info that might be there.

--Marc

Corona's thread:
http://www.clubstogie.com/vb/showthr...ghlight=search

[Old Sailor]

Originally Posted by smokinpoke

[SIZE="5"] WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT WE'RE NOT A BUNCH OF ANGRY PRIMATES [/SIZE]

[Baric]

Very good advice from all here. this forums so friendly that a polite word, doing your research and just showing due respect will get you a hell of a long way and earn you equal respect and friendliness.

[RGD]

Originally Posted by DriftyGypsy

Good post and a good place for it... and the idea of moving the NGF to higher up so people can see it better.

This I think is one of the best suggestions that I have seen - stick it right up at the top.


Ron

[RGD]

Originally Posted by trogdor

. . . .
A search for Upmann gets 26 results, but a search for Upmann Cameroon or Upmann and Cameroon returns 199. Unfortunately I don't think there's a way to search a specific thread using Google, but searching google with upmann cameroon review site:www.clubstogie.com works pretty well for turning up any relevant info that might be there.

--Marc

When searching for reviews on smokes - it's not always known to the new guys that Top25Cigar (parent site) is normally the best bet for finding information. There is a link on the very top bar of the forums.


Ron