Is this a "help" forum?

Jimmy M.

Jimmy M.

Insomniac
Silver Member
I often read posts where one person is questioning another person's value to the forum. I don't know why this never dawned on me before, but I don't believe this was ever stated to be a "help forum". Personally, I'll often pass on answering a question that I most certainly could answer. Probably the most glaring reason that I do this is because every question that anyone asks is going to be answered over and over by numerous people. I never feel any sort of obligation to answer any questions unless specifically directed toward me, or unless I think I can offer some unique answer that hasn't been given yet. Mainly I just come here to read about pool, what's going on around the country (or world, in some cases) in pool, post here and there if the topic catches my eye and, basically, just kill some time now and then. I'm not sure why there seems to be a sense of who's more valuable to the forum and who's less valuable. As far as I know, this was never a "help forum" and if anyone decides to help, they are doing so because they feel like it, not because of some underlying need to increase their worthiness as a forum member. Maybe others see it differently.
 
That's my new out look on the forum Jimmy, no more involvement in the bs, if I piss someone off, so be it, and if I get asked a question about pool, I'll answer it. The old me was in the middle of everything, and that way sucks. I missed out on way too many naps before.:D Peace, John. U.T.B.K.A. Rude Dog
 
i don't sense that, jimmy. if you're being specific about a thread or post, it may have been an incidental post from people just passing time. some people like to keep all the posts relevent. i prefer it when posts start to wander and morph into something it wasn't intended for.

i think that's the life and "breadth" of forums.
 
Jimmy M. said:
I often read posts where one person is questioning another person's value to the forum. I don't know why this never dawned on me before, but I don't believe this was ever stated to be a "help forum". Personally, I'll often pass on answering a question that I most certainly could answer. Probably the most glaring reason that I do this is because every question that anyone asks is going to be answered over and over by numerous people. I never feel any sort of obligation to answer any questions unless specifically directed toward me, or unless I think I can offer some unique answer that hasn't been given yet. Mainly I just come here to read about pool, what's going on around the country (or world, in some cases) in pool, post here and there if the topic catches my eye and, basically, just kill some time now and then. I'm not sure why there seems to be a sense of who's more valuable to the forum and who's less valuable. As far as I know, this was never a "help forum" and if anyone decides to help, they are doing so because they feel like it, not because of some underlying need to increase their worthiness as a forum member. Maybe others see it differently.
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Hi Jimmy,

I don't think the purpose of the forum per se is to help. By virtue of posters offering up pool knowledge, they are indeed, helping out though. However, there are members who take it upon themselves to give a little extra hand when needed or asked, and ask when they need it. I call it sharing. I certainly think everyone is free to respond as much or as little as they want/have the time for/or their personalities warrant. And I don't think certain posters are valued over others; all viewpoints are valued, even if they are wrong. ROFL. :p (You know that I was just kidding and was not thinking about you when I uttered that word ;) )
 
i think this forum is like any other, its whatever you want it to be. Some people want to mostly lurk.....some want to debate.......some are looking for answers and some are looking to give them. I think this forum has a pretty good mix of all. I know i have gotten plenty of "help" here, everything from cues to technique to mechanics to gambling. Theres not many people where im at that like to talk "pool", so this is it for me.
 
rackmsuckr said:
Hi Jimmy,

I don't think the purpose of the forum per se is to help. By virtue of posters offering up pool knowledge, they are indeed, helping out though. However, there are members who take it upon themselves to give a little extra hand when needed or asked, and ask when they need it. I call it sharing.
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I have noticed as I have become a better player (Than most of my friends at any rate) that when play people who are worse than me in a casual environment they never ask me for advice. I have a personal policy of not volunteering advice in this circumstance for fear of insulting the other person, but it amazes me how few people realize you can actually get better by any process other than being born a "natural" player or by drinking a beer or 3.

People on this site are, for the most part, the small percentage of the population who actually want to improve and have figured out that they have to actually work to do that. The first stage in improving includes asking for advice. Of course the second stage is actually implementing that advice, and the third stage is being able to determine what advice is valid and/or useful to you and what it not.
 
Certainly a reasonable point has been made by Jimmy in the initial post of this thread. Each person participates in a different way, and that's a system that works.

I'm one of those inclined to participate in the "please help" threads, and there are really three main reasons:

1) I sometimes begin threads in which I ask for help and feel that, if I expect others to help out, I should stand prepared to assist them when I can.
2) I recognize that pool lessons are expensive and that some cannot afford them. Some players, however, look for assistance with their games through the forum. There are many who have claimed to have improved as players as a result of paying attention to advice they were given in fourm threads.
3) When I was a young player, older and more experienced players (inlcuding a couple of BCA Hall of Famers) often helped me for free. It's something I never forgot, and from that time on, I've always felt a responsbility to emulate them by being free and easy with information that might help others to improve at pool and to enjoy the game more.

Still, I would not suggest that anybody should necessarily feel the way I do about all this. Each of us finds a different way to participate in and enjoy the forum, and that's what makes this forum such a pleasant place to be.

Jimmy's basically right, those who participate in "help" threads do so because they feel like it. Now you know why I feel like it.
 
Jimmy M. said:
I often read posts where one person is questioning another person's value to the forum.
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Jimmy,
You are a smart guy and u figured out the group dynamics.I know u smelled the rat.spit it out Jimmy.:cool:
 
sjm said:
Certainly a reasonable point has been made by Jimmy in the initial post of this thread. Each person participates in a different way, and that's a system that works.

I'm one of those inclined to participate in the "please help" threads, and there are really three main reasons:

1) I sometimes begin threads in which I ask for help and feel that, if I expect others to help out, I should stand prepared to assist them when I can.
2) I recognize that pool lessons are expensive and that some cannot afford them. Some players, however, look for assistance with their games through the forum. There are many who have claimed to have improved as players as a result of paying attention to advice they were given in fourm threads.
3) When I was a young player, older and more experienced players (inlcuding a couple of BCA Hall of Famers) often helped me for free. It's something I never forgot, and from that time on, I've always felt a responsbility to emulate them by being free and easy with information that might help others to improve at pool and to enjoy the game more.

Still, I would not suggest that anybody should necessarily feel the way I do about all this. Each of us finds a different way to participate in and enjoy the forum, and that's what makes this forum such a pleasant place to be.

Jimmy's basically right, those who participate in "help" threads do so because they feel like it. Now you know why I feel like it.
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Similar thinking here sjm.
I looked high and low for information over the years and I'm very grateful to have found so much on websites and to have learned so much from message board posters.

So when I get a chance to give a link or share an insight that took me years to develop, I'm happy to give an enthusiast my ideas. I imagine myself in their shoes...back when I was a newbie, and consider it's a small cost to me for the potential value to them. A good deal.

Of course I don't always have the time and their are many areas where I'm not the best to give advice. Also, somedays we just wanna talk and other days we're preoccupied with other concerns.
 
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JohnMorton said:
U.T.B.K.A.
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I think I've been "on the Internet", or however you want to phrase that, for a while now. Since '94'ish, I think - somewhere around there. You completely lost me with that acronym. I quit. You guys can have this forum. I tried. Oh, wait, I don't mean I quit like that. Nevermind. See you tomorrow.

:D
 
Jimmy M. said:
I think I've been "on the Internet", or however you want to phrase that, for a while now. Since '94'ish, I think - somewhere around there. You completely lost me with that acronym. I quit. You guys can have this forum. I tried. Oh, wait, I don't mean I quit like that. Nevermind. See you tomorrow.

:D
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U.T.B.K.A.
Must be...Used To Be Known As...Rude Dog
A bit like T.A.F.K.A. = The Artist Formerly Known As
 
Jimmy M. said:
... You completely lost me with that acronym. I quit. You guys can have this forum. I tried. Oh, wait, I don't mean I quit like that. Nevermind. See you tomorrow.

:D
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That's because he made it up to challenge us to figure it out. Used To Be Known As ....
 
Jimmy M. said:
...Maybe others see it differently.
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I'm probably in the minority here, but my take on AzBilliards Discussion Forum is that it is a great way to network with others and keep up to date on the pool happenings around the world. The forum for me has provided insights on an international scale as opposed to just here in the States, which have been very informative and enlightening.

One thing I have discovered about pool, the more I learn, the more I do realize how much I do not know. I am totally impressed with the caliber of posters that exist on AzBilliards Discussion Forum. The bottom line is that the posting experience should be enjoyable. Every now and then, there are a few rotten apples who seem to bring on controversy and/or flaming wars. It happens on all pool-related forums, NGs, and chat boards, not just AzBilliards.

Bottom line, if you don't want to read it, just click the "X" in the upper right-hand corner and move on. I value this forum and have seen an amazing growth spurt in its membership over the last year or two. This is a good thing. The more, the merrier, I say! The benefits are endless. JMHO, FWIW! :)

JAM
 
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JimmyM,
I think it is obvious that people use the forum for many different purposes. I am personally in agreement with JimmyM - I do not use the forum for "Help" purposes. I'm here for "Information and Entertainment." The world of true pool fanatics and students of the game is a SMALL one. I met more true pool fans in 3 hours in the AZB room than I did in 3 years hanging out around the local pool halls. I would never criticize someone based on their "contributions to the forum." Everyone has a different agenda, more power to them.

I would, however, also agree with SJM that those willing to share are to be commended (and if I knew anything at all - which I don't - I also would be happy to share). The great players of the past did a grave disservice to the game by not sharing their knowledge - let us all learn by their example - those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it (yes, I just made that up).
 
Williebetmore said:
JimmyM,
I think it is obvious that people use the forum for many different purposes. I am personally in agreement with JimmyM - I do not use the forum for "Help" purposes. I'm here for "Information and Entertainment." The world of true pool fanatics and students of the game is a SMALL one. I met more true pool fans in 3 hours in the AZB room than I did in 3 years hanging out around the local pool halls. I would never criticize someone based on their "contributions to the forum." Everyone has a different agenda, more power to them.

I would, however, also agree with SJM that those willing to share are to be commended (and if I knew anything at all - which I don't - I also would be happy to share). The great players of the past did a grave disservice to the game by not sharing their knowledge - let us all learn by their example - those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it (yes, I just made that up).
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I agree with Williebetmore. I have been playing pool, running the roads, gambling, and playing tournaments for 30 years. I feel that I am competent enough to give an opinion on many of the questions asked here.

But I rarely input on "help" type questions. I would rather leave that to other competent members of the board who enjoy getting involved in those types of discussions. Fred A, Colin, Jude, SJM, and many others here do a great job conveying internet advice and instruction.

The networking with people of common interests, tournament reminders and reports, action reports, and for sale info is plenty for me.

Mike
 
Mike Templeton said:
The networking with people of common interests, tournament reminders and reports, action reports, and for sale info is plenty for me.

Mike
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MT,
Very true, but perhaps we can also agree that there is a recent, mildly disturbing lack of entertaining flamewars and full frontal nudity.
 
I duno know, I just come here and read some posts and look at Icons:D . If one intrests me enough (post that is) I add to the conversation, if not I move on. As mentioned there are more than enough replies to help questions. Usually I'll only add if I feel something has been overlooked. Wei table posts interest me some, I like the little colored pointers.:D I don't like the blue one though.

Rod
 
Rod said:
I duno know, I just come here and read some posts and look at Icons:D . If one intrests me enough (post that is) I add to the conversation, if not I move on. As mentioned there are more than enough replies to help questions. Usually I'll only add if I feel something has been overlooked. Wei table posts interest me some, I like the little colored pointers.:D I don't like the blue one though.

Rod
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"I duno know..."

Rod if you need 'help' with that stutter, I suggest greasing up your keyboard.

I'm just here to help....................and be a smart a$$!:D
 
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