What does it take to get everyones attention?

[SoundWaves]

So what do you see in a thread? Every day 1000+ people surf through this forum, and rarely does a thread get more that a few hundred views. So what kind of threads do you like to read?

Just a reminder for you who play... The most prestigious event of the year in billiards is being held here right on AZ. I am told that all active posters (yes thats you) need to participate.

The BUD Tournament

Click here to check it out

http://forums.azbilliards.com/forumdisplay.php?f=59

 

[Gerry]

seems like the longer I've been here the more I like the threads about the older players, or the old days.

The amazing thing to me is the relative ease in this forum to search back subjects, but the SAME silly threads pop up daily. How many times can you see...


what cue should I buy?
how does this shaft play?
what is squirt?
what size table can I fit?
who's the best...?
which tip?

while these are all valid questions, and everyone likes to answer them or help people, they can all be answered in seconds with a simple search, and a few minutes reading.

Gerry

 

[Blackjack]

I am just like you Gerry, I could care less about all of those topics - they have been covered countless times and they always say the same exact thing.

IMO, it's no so much about whether you thread gets a lot of attention, it is whether the subject and content are worthwhile to the people that will read it.

If you look to the left of your screen - you will see that it gives a join date - which is when the poster joined Azbilliards and registered for this forum. That is a bit misleading, because in 2003, Mike switched over to the new forum software and a lot of us had re-register for the forum - and all of the archives prior to March 2003 were lost forever. I make this point because some of us have been here at this forum for a very long time and we have seen just about every topic imaginable more than once. Prior to posting at Azbilliards, I was at RSB and CCB for several years - so I have seen shaft deflection discussed ad nauseum by some of the same people for over 10 years. lol ... some of them are still typing about it as you are reading this.

Personally, I avoid "garbage topics" such as "what's your favorite chalk color" or Travis Trotter threads that are always intentionally stupid by design. I am attracted by topics that force me to think, or to pass along tidbits of advice or experience. I also enjoy threads that are started for good natured, harmless fun.

 

[worriedbeef]

a mixture of things get my attention. firstly, any topics about my favourite players, such as strickland, hall, sigel, hatch, busta, etc etc. i like discussion about players i like.

plus i'll be honest, as much as i consider myself an intellectual and someone who enjoys deep, stimulating topics, you only have to put jasmin ouschan or shanelle lorraine in the thread title to get me to click. although jasmin is a favourite player, she has a beautiful, true pool players stroke. and a great body.

i know i'm probably in the minority here as well but i skip a lot of the threads about action. not that i'm against it at all, but probably because being over here in england i'm not as 'involved' as you lot, what with seeing the players at different pool halls and hearing things on the grapevine, watching players match up. we don't have that culture in england, heck we don't have a pool culture at all in england!

and whilst i was always very understanding and patient with DCP's posts i just pay no attention to them now, they drive me mad.

 

[CreeDo]

things I tend to click on:

stuff that looks controversial, or new and exciting, stuff that's bound to have little spats and maybe a mspaint by corvette (I know, a bit like automatically scanning the tabloids at the supermarket... kinda trashy).
"Should such-and-such be banned?" "look what an asshole kevin trudeau is!" "look what an asshole earl is!" "such-and-such flipped out/fouled!" etc.

'how would you play this' threads

anything straight pool related

anything that seems kind of interesting and I haven't seen 1,000 times already, like 5-6-7-13-pack thread, oldest guy to run 100, etc.

noob questions that I might be able to help with

Things I avoid:
"there's some tournament somewhere far away, here are the details"
"here's the lineup for such and such event"
everything about cues
everything about tips
everything about cue ball or other balls
most stuff about deflection, jump-ability, unless it's in general and
not about a particular cue.
"look, I got a table!"
anything that only pertains to a particular region like "where do I play in Numbnuts, indiana" or "who's this kid shooting out of Schlongbusters in Oregon".

 

[corvette1340]

things I tend to click on:

stuff that looks controversial, or new and exciting, stuff that's bound to have little spats and maybe a mspaint by corvette (I know, a bit like automatically scanning the tabloids at the supermarket... kinda trashy).
"Should such-and-such be banned?" "look what an asshole kevin trudeau is!" "look what an asshole earl is!" "such-and-such flipped out/fouled!" etc.

'how would you play this' threads

anything straight pool related

anything that seems kind of interesting and I haven't seen 1,000 times already, like 5-6-7-13-pack thread, oldest guy to run 100, etc.

noob questions that I might be able to help with

Things I avoid:
"there's some tournament somewhere far away, here are the details"
"here's the lineup for such and such event"
everything about cues
everything about tips
everything about cue ball or other balls
most stuff about deflection, jump-ability, unless it's in general and
not about a particular cue.
"look, I got a table!"
anything that only pertains to a particular region like "where do I play in Numbnuts, indiana" or "who's this kid shooting out of Schlongbusters in Oregon".

I do what I can...

 

[BPG24]

Seems like the Main Forum has gotten kinda boring the last few days...

Hopefully someone will start something interesting soon

 

[Jack Flanagan]

flame wars get my attention. controversy is what drives the evening news and I'm addicted. so are a lot of others here; unfortunately the same people post numerous times in the same thread; post the same drivel, never changing their mantra......can never see any other side except their own.

a lot of the same fanatics always post statistics that favor their "point" & never consider that it's very easy to lie with numbers; just leave out a few facts and the stats favor your point of view. most of them have never even had a course in statistics, let alone attended any school above junior high.

just my point of view....and I've been on this earth longer than 75% of those who post on AZ, have spent a night in a Holiday Inn Express.

 

[bluekckid]

Top ten

AZ could have a section on these frequently asked questions,tips,cues,instruction,etc,etc,but then you lose the interaction of talking with others!