Long Time Members Who Dont Post Much

[staggalee]

The UK brew forums are a good example of people keeping on topic and most of the posts are helpful and informative "where can I get good hops in the Norwich Area" sort of thing. They do strike me as being a bit geeky compared to our forum with nothing really equivalent to the banter that goes on in the Case swap threads or the "Chinese hops - what next?" thread. However I am also a member of an Australian forum (Digital TV) which has about six times the membership of AHB and the threads very quickly get to fifteen or twenty pages within a few days. I don't visit there often anymore as I find it's a soulless place nowadays.

This current thread has got me thinking that AHB forum seems to be about the right size and mix, but unfortunately attracts some trolls and shitfights and it would be great to see the Mods jump a bit more firmly on these. The 'pub' , the 'nothing' thread and others in the off topic area are a good idea for bored people who want to post pictures of dogs and watermelons and leave the brewing threads for on topic stuff.

(reformed Bribie B) )

stagga. :lol:

 

[ramu_gupta]

Hey, sum of us c**t heelp it iff wees canna tyype 2 good.... :lol:

 

[dannybzr]

Think this is a great forum. Any question I have had, stupid or otherwise has been answered super quick and without any issue. People seem to connect with the "starting out at HB" concept cause we have all been there at one stage or another..

 

[dago001]

Only recently joined, but suppose I am a lurker. Check the forum everyday. That said, I use the search function and get the answers that I am after. When I have been brewing for a bit longer, and can add a little knowledge to a topic, I guess then I will post more.
David.

 

[tipsy]

I just come here to occupy time between hands of online poker. It's hard to post between 'dings'
Have learnt a lot lurking though.

I do the same.

I post more often on smaller forums but because of the size I tend to use this one just to gather information

 

[Screwtop]

Verbatim to what Screwy said. Simple advice just don't cut it anymore so I only post to ****-stir.

Warren -

You Topic Tart :lol:

 

[schooey]

I lurked here for well over 12 months before I got up the gumption to post anything... I guess it's a little intimidating at first. I think I fell into the same trap as a lot of other joiners, you get a bit of AHB fever and start typing like a receptionist. Lucky for me at the time there were a lot of the old stagers about (some still are) that had seen it all too many times before, yet still gave the advice. It sure has led me a long way in my beer journey, as well as introduced me to a lot of fantastic, friendly and helpful people.

I still think this place is one of the best online brewing resources and communities, and although some of the veterans seem a little jaded with what it is today, I think it's ever evolving, but the wheat still dominates the chaff.

 

[HoppingMad]

There has been some mention about 'passing phases' and 'shitfights'.

I don't think that differences of opinion on aussiehomebrewer are a new phenomenon.
When I started on this forum there were **** fights and it kind of comes with the territory - Most memorable:

- Chill vs No Chill
- Telling newbies to do a f'n search vs helping them with detailed replies
- Paying out on anyone with an airlock not bubbling who bothered to ask for help.

The disagreements recently do seem more personal and less about brewing and using the site, and that is a worry - but I do believe this is an awesome place.
It's part of the reason why I tend to jump in and add a little 'light' with the 'shade' in terms of some of the negative threads here.

I'd also be one of the guilty ones in terms of trying to help out some brewers without knowing 100% all the answers and suggesting reading Palmer or other books, but if you do know the answer outright, or have a better solution - don't hold back. That's what this place is all about, sharing ideas and solving problems we all have.

Anyhow I'll get off this thread now as I shouldn't be using it as a vehicle to get my post count up.

Regards,

Hopper.

 

[Tim]

I'm a long time lurker. I was reading the forums for a good 18 months before I finally registered in early 2005. I was into posting for a while but the forum tone seemed to have gone away from basic brewing and into gadgetry and perpetuation of homebrew myths. The site seems to have become a big retail lovefest where threads that may detract from the site sponsers are quickly nipped in the bud.

I post now and then but I am usually told that I am wrong by a brewer who was doing K&K a few weeks previously. I guess 7 years of AG brewing and learning from mistakes doesn't count for much any more.

I guess I'm not the only one that feels that way as some of the original regulars such as Chiller and Doc have either disappeared or don't post anywhere nearly as frequently as they used to.

 

[pb unleaded]

I still have one more urn for sale

:icon_cheers:

 

[JasonY]

Can't but help agree with a lot of the sentiment but things change with size I guess, makes it hard to spot the good threads amongst the noise. I still pop in every couple of days to see what I can find.

I'm finding it hard to brew living in the US with beer relatively cheap and such a crazy selection (available in my supermarket too).

Perhaps I will be more active when I come back next year ... I will have to brew on Sundays since Perth is still closed, *sigh*

 

[lespaul]

Im just curious if those people who dont post regularly are generally social people or more introverted? could be a reason you dont post much

 

[Jerry]

Definitely a lurker here.

I only get the chance to get on here a couple of times a week so I tend to spend most of the time reading the threads that Ive missed.

AHB has been an invaluable resource to me over the last 4 years.

When I joined I was extract brewing and had no intention of doing AG; didnt have the time.
Twelve months later I still didnt have the time but due to the information, and inspiration from this site my first AG was done.

Like others have said AHB has certainly changed over the years.

The misinformation currently being given to new brewers, the posting for the sake of posting and the derailing of useful / interesting threads into off topic garbage has become increasingly frustrating over the last 12 months or so.

To the likes of people like Screwtop, Tony, Barry, Thirstyboy, wes smith, jayse, Ross, TDA, warren and others, rest assured your posts are always read and noted with interest. :beer:

Im sure Im not the only one here who values your experience and advice.

Cheers

Scott

 

[benno1973]

I read the forum every day, but rarely post. Most of the time I'm holding a baby or entertaining my 3-year-old so typing with one hand is pretty slow. And there's people out there who give good info and type faster than I do, so I only tend to post if I have more to add, or if something really pisses me off. I lurked for a long time before joining, and I can't see that the site is any worse than the 'good old days'. I remember bun fights back then, and personal vendettas between members. It still happens and it's always going to happen on a forum of this size. And there's members who post frequently and with little to say, but again, it's a public forum so there's always going to be some of that. The power users who post a lot with valuable info (off the top of my head - Chappo, bum, Fourstar, DrSmurto, cm2, etc.) far outweigh the idiots and there's still a wealth of info that gets posted up. I've been brewing for 8 years and most days I still learn new things...

 

[manticle]

There has been some mention about 'passing phases' and 'shitfights'.

I don't think that differences of opinion on aussiehomebrewer are a new phenomenon.
When I started on this forum there were **** fights and it kind of comes with the territory - Most memorable:

- Chill vs No Chill
- Telling newbies to do a f'n search vs helping them with detailed replies
- Paying out on anyone with an airlock not bubbling who bothered to ask for help.

The disagreements recently do seem more personal and less about brewing and using the site, and that is a worry - but I do believe this is an awesome place.
It's part of the reason why I tend to jump in and add a little 'light' with the 'shade' in terms of some of the negative threads here.

I'd also be one of the guilty ones in terms of trying to help out some brewers without knowing 100% all the answers and suggesting reading Palmer or other books, but if you do know the answer outright, or have a better solution - don't hold back. That's what this place is all about, sharing ideas and solving problems we all have.

Anyhow I'll get off this thread now as I shouldn't be using it as a vehicle to get my post count up.

Regards,

Hopper.

I've only been a member for just over a year and I'm guilty of some of the things that some of you complain about. I post a lot (although I try not to make it frivolous - 90% is beer related), I have given some advice that is incorrect (although I'm usually pretty careful to either have a clue what I'm talking about or phrase it in a way that suggests it's not the be all and end all but I'm only human), use online references and books (usually I've tried the techniques I'm linking to or at least suggest they may be helpful rather than gospel) and very ocassional double posting (usually after edit time has expired). I'm not sure that using references to back you up should be considered bad though. Experiential/anecdotal evidence for something is great but just because you did something and it didn't stuff up doesn't make it gospel either.

The thing is, I came here to ask a question (a very stupid question) and got stuck reading a lot of other material I had no clue about. This site is almost solely responsible for me brewing All Grain beers for the last few months, having gone from kits to kits n' bits to extracts to extracts/specialty to partials to building my own half arsed AG system. Basically this site (and many of the more knowledgeable users) gave me the bug to want to brew better beer and to help others who want the same. If that means answering 50 questions about airlocks then I'll do it. It's a show of appreciation for others being patient with me. I probably read more threads than I post in.

If I tell someone something that is incorrect (or even open for debate), I'd prefer to be pulled up by someone more experienced because that helps me learn and whoever I gave the advie to and whoever reads the thread. Maybe the forum isn't like it used to be in the olden, golden days but it's a hell of a lot less bitchy and off topic than many others I've seen. I'm the first one who can recognise when he's wrong and I have no drama deferring to others more knowledgeable than me. You're not much use if you don't type it out though. Generally I keep my advice to kits and beginner AG sections as I've been there and have some experience to fall back on. AG section is where I ask my often noobish questions.

Things evolve and change. A lot of people get a lot out of this site and I think there's a lot more positives than there are negatives.

Sorry for long post.

 

[cubbie]

I do not post much, more so when I am planning, but I am here every day a few times a day. My post would be somewhat higher had I not moved overseas for a couple of years. Nice to see some old names in this thread. If I ever see a post from an old name I like to have a look and see what advice is on offer. The forum has certainly evolved over time with an increase in numbers and a number of other factors. The same questions that were asked 8, 4, 2 years ago are being asked now and you can search to find the answer. To fill the void a large number of less technical or experienced based threads are being asked and these often flood the boards.

One thing that I enjoyed was noting how people who joined around the same time as myself grew in their brewing knowledge, skill and equipment.

Cubbie

 

[Batz]

Hello old things!

Post 8,000

Sad really hey?

Batz

 

[brettprevans]

congrats batzy. 8k strong.

 

[flattop]

Wish i was a lurker, or even a Troll, i just don't have much free time, i used to have more time but the missus got a job and the house got more holes in it and i got more busy at work,i bought a motorbike and started riding in the evenings and now these days i don't have time to scratch my ass. I barely have time to brew lately.
I've still got 2 pots of honey waiting for making mead! I bought 5k of crushed grain and had it sitting in a plastic bag for 5 weeks as i didn't find time to mash.

I would like to spend more time here as i learn more about how to make better beer and it's a community not just a forum, you gotta take the good with the bad the trolls are just like any other forum.....

 

[domonsura]

Hello old things!

Post 8,000

Sad really hey?

Batz

Now that's something of note! If only you had a dollar eh?

 

[The Scientist]

Porn and AHB, that sums up my only uses for the net :icon_chickcheers:

I like to watch :lol: bit of a lurker on both types of site.

 

[danbeer]

Wish i was a lurker, or even a Troll, i just don't have much free time, i used to have more time but the missus got a job and the house got more holes in it and i got more busy at work,i bought a motorbike and started riding in the evenings and now these days i don't have time to scratch my ass. I barely have time to brew lately.
I've still got 2 pots of honey waiting for making mead! I bought 5k of crushed grain and had it sitting in a plastic bag for 5 weeks as i didn't find time to mash.

I would like to spend more time here as i learn more about how to make better beer and it's a community not just a forum, you gotta take the good with the bad the trolls are just like any other forum.....

Sounds similar to me... Too damned busy to brew or post much.

 

[nifty]

Hello old things!

Post 8,000

Sad really hey?

Batz

Nah mate, not sad at all. I enjoy your comments and photos.


I check in every day but don't post much, mostly in the xmas case swap threads. By the time I get to read the new posts they've been answered, usually with differing opinions.

It's funny seeing how the forum has changed over the years, and how the crowd has changed as well.

When I first joined there was a sense of exploration and adventure, I know it sounds a bit wanky, but it was all new ground for a lot of people. I was lucky enough to benefit from the really early members experiences and mistakes.

There's been some up's and downs over the years, for example there was a stage, a little while ago, where it seemed that a real vigilante mentality ruled. Some poor bugger would find the forum and try and sell some homebrew gear and get shot down for only posting to sell his gear and not contributing to the forum etc etc. It seemed to happen a lot at the time, not just someone selling some gear, it could have been anyone with a different opinion at the time, the mob would gang up on them and bully them down.

Then there is the usual subjects, my favourite being the commercial beer tasting like cats piss thread and then every man and his dog has an evangelical moment and has to explain how bad the beer tastes, how good their beer is and how they'd never touch another commercial beer again. 20 pages later and they're still saying the same thing.
I went through that stage early on, but I've woken up to myself. I'll go to a club or pub and have a schooner of Resches or Old and enjoy it.

Nowadays there are a lot more people with a lot of differing opinons which makes for interesting reading, sometimes the banter gets a bit annoying but I just skip over that if I can't be bothered reading it. The way a thread can get derailed by off topic crap spoils it sometimes.

All in all the site is still growing and I'm still learning. I've just started brewing wits and with the increase of belgian beers in the last few xmas case swaps, I've been searching and reading everything I can about them.

cheers

 

[Tony]

When I started on this forum there were **** fights and it kind of comes with the territory - Most memorable:

- Chill vs No Chill
- Telling newbies to do a f'n search vs helping them with detailed replies
- Paying out on anyone with an airlock not bubbling who bothered to ask for help.

Ahhhh you missed the good old days of Pete from wagga and the Jovial Monk free Chat room that you needed a special password to get into

And then there was the Old Grumpys forum before that............ we used to stay up till 2am to get post No. 100 or 200 in a thread. Remember Stagga........ when i piped you for 400 i think in the 2can thread.

Ahhhhhh thems were the days.

Hello old things!

Post 8,000

Sad really hey?

Batz

Congratz Batz :lol: Im a poet and didnt knoet

Ahb is still a great place to come learn about brewing.

I will say this to any lurking newbies or oldies.................

Dont be afraid to have a chat. Yes there are some negative aspects floating around on here but its a public forum with 12000 members........... your going to get conflicts and people wanting to cause problems.
But IMO......... as much as they bug me to death............ they are a very VERY small part of the big piucture that could be so much better if more of the good folks joined in.

hook in folks.

cheers

 

[Moray]

Hmmm. long term lurker.

I read here most days, and have joined several bulk buys.

I currently BIAB and No Chill.
and I'm planning on moving to three vessel AG soon.
I need to build my stand first.
I have bought the steel, a cheap welder and a cutoff saw.

I'm sure I'll have a few Q's when I get around to it.

 

[Daniel.lear]

Definatly a Lurker here...

One of the good things about a forum such as this, is the amount of time it has been going. Since it has been going for so long, just about every question i have to ask, has been asked and answered many times before.

Seach is your friend.

Still, every so often i'll put in my two cents where appropriate IMO.

Cheers

Leary

 

[Darren]

Well seeing how Batz and Toneeeeee posted why not,

I remember when you could buy a single sack of malt from the maltster for 75c a kilo but now we are forced to buy for more than $2.00 if you buy a tonne or more.

World markets prices for malt have not risen, but HB "dealership" prices have significantly.

cheers

Darren

 

[Jazman]

Its all about the beer and good beer

 

[Steve]

And then there was the Old Grumpys forum before that............ we used to stay up till 2am to get post No. 100 or 200 in a thread. Remember Stagga........ when i piped you for 400 i think in the 2can thread.

Grumpys was a great forum. I think I only chucked a butters07 once, remember kiwidrunk (domonsura)?....something about you telling people to search instead of asking? Didnt take me long to come back. Used to love seeing the photos of their Stamstiches with Voosher, tdh (Grumpy Thomas) etc holding up a card saying "ya mongrels". Then after a bit of searching through Grumpys old threads realised that the long time members on AHB used to be on the Grumpys forum. Tony (before I knew him from AHB) always had a helpful encouraging answer, as well as Ross, TDA etc. Ross taught me a lot. Always happy to help. At that stage I didnt know what the hell he was talking about...something to do with mashing grain n stuff. Will never forget telling Grumpys they should give away some freebies for the 1000th order. Guess who got it? Me! Wont forget the day someone told stagga how to post pics either! Love ya stagga!
Cheers
Steve

 

[Tony]

Will never forget telling Grumpys they should give away some freebies for the 1000th order. Guess who got it? Me!

i was you

BASTARD!

Pumpy, Ducatiboystu, Ross and I got together one weekend in tamworth at my joint for a brew weekend before we found AHB........ christ....... that would be 2003.

I remember them watching the grain go through my newly developed motorised mill ........ that GT wanted me to mass produce and market, and Ross saying........... well that takes the fun out of it! I munches 5 KG in about 60 seconds.

I'd like a dollar for every fun moment that AHB has brought to brewers around the country!

love it