Registered: 01/04/02
Posts: 405
Loc: San Diego, CA
What is the scoop behind the forum over at Practical Backpacking? You have to be a member to read a full posting, but they are not accepting new membership right now? WTF? Is it run by the Stonecutters or something? What possible philosophy could that abide by? How could this forum be soooooo different?
I heard that if you do apply for "membership" you have to give some person details about yourself. Anybody know what those are?
The PB forum is a bit over-moderated for my tastes. The forum management will append your post to the end of one that is similar if, in their mind, there is enough overlap. And, they don't have the courtesy to tell you about it. I also have had a few postings and responses just disappear with no comment or explanation. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
We're very flattered by all those other websites but we know where the action is <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />....You belong here....follow us into the Light <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!
The moderators will change your posts at times or delete portions of your post. They are very 'catholic school nun' over there. Your much better off here in my opinion. You can ask Sarbar - I think she is a moderator there.
Sarbar used to be a moderator with PB........
Once in a blue moon, I still check in with PB, but I rarely post any more. It's too frustrating to post something you've spent a a good deal of time on only to have it deleted because something didn't fit the format that the Administrator wanted. It's actually a very good site for specific information that always stays on-topic (because it gets deleted if it's off-topic).
But it's like the old saying goes: if you don't care for the policies of the administrator, then don't hang out there. I visit and occasionally find something of interest. But I don't post there too much any more. YMMV.
There's no comparison, TLB is far superior to PB in membership, knowledge, sharing ideas and every other way. Packlite runs a great ship here.
At PB, if you're willing to kneel at the administrators oracle and acknowledge that he is the font of all backpacking knowledge, that he has all encompassing knowledge and experience and that you are a mere peon who couldn't possibly know anything he doesn't know or have any experience he doesn't have, then you should get along just fine over there.
Definite control issues at PB. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />Over moderation is an understatement. I thought the idea of forum was a place of free exchange of ideas. You know, like here. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />Thank you Charles and mods.
_________________________
Deeds can't dream what dreams can do. e.e. cummings
I joined some time ago and I did watch the posts. Recently someone asked where they could meet local hikers and I replied that they should look at local yahoo groups. Shortly after that I received a link to a group to meet fellow backpackers so I went back to PB and posted a link to that site. The next day I went back to PB and both posts were deleted. I looked at eh FAQ and found out that links were not permitted. No links was bad enough but a general reference to yahoo groups was over the top IMO. I figured that they could run their little kingdom without me and I have not been back since that time. The site was not that good anyway.
I joined Practical Backpacker last year to be able read some of the forum posts. (I only posted my first message last week in the "New Member Welcome" forum so I wouldn't get purged for inactivity.) I also joined the forums at Backpacking. But what I find is that I have such limited time to read any forum, that I read TLB forums first. Then if I have time I'll go looking at other sites. I find good information here. And I get my questions answered here with amazing expertise! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Carol
HI BWD <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Yep the people here are a community and we are interested in each other. Maybe we wish we were out camping instead, but we sit at home with our computers and share our dreams. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Other groups people write in - a month later someone comments etc. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
Its the sense of humor and gentle digs here as well as acceptance and tolerance that makes this a community rather than a "board". <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
These are my own opinions based on wisdom earned through many wrong decisions. Your mileage may vary.
You know, the first time I saw a thread on people having issues with Practical Backpacking was over on BackpackingLight. There were TONS of folks complaining about how draconian the controls were on their posts. I'd had a few small concerns, but nothing too terrible.
A couple of months later, WhiteBlaze saw a thread pop up and folks there, as they are inclined to do, really unloaded. It was there that I also learned that even some of the staff/moderators with PB were becoming frustrated with some of the forum policies. I had recently had some very thorough posts (ones where I devoted about a half hour composing) deleted for no reason that I could determine and never had any notice of. This is when I mostly stopped posting.
Now, even here on TLB, I see concerns popping up. GeoKite, it isn't just you. I said it in an earlier post that PB has good information from knowledgeable folks, and while it tends to be well-organized and on point, it also tends to be fairly sterile. It seems the only personality allowed is that of the site administrator, which, again, is somewhat sterile. Here, we have manners and courtesy, combined with humor and fellowship, combined with solid knowledge and the willingness to share it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
With PB, I think you DO get some very knowledgeable posters and information, but personality tends to fly by the wayside. Maybe the site would be better run as a backpacking wikipedia......... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
BTW, this post would be edited without notice or entirely deleted (again without notice) on PB because it refers to other websites, apparently a mortal sin. It seems the site exists for those who only want information specifically from Practical Backpacking itself. And don't waste your time trying to place a link for a good post from PB here on TLB. The PB protocols are set to automatically redirect you back to the home page. Apparently you are not supposed to read anything on PB unless you are logged on with PB as a member. I suspect this has something to do with number of hits from members affecting advertising rates?
But enough free advertising for the site. If you can get on, go and check it out. It's not bad. It's just different...............
With PB, I think you DO get some very knowledgeable posters and information, but personality tends to fly by the wayside. Maybe the site would be better run as a backpacking wikipedia......... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />
WOW, good insight. Nothing to add, just giving everyone another opportunity to read what you wrote. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
There's no comparison, TLB is far superior to PB in membership, knowledge, sharing ideas and every other way. Packlite runs a great ship here.
At PB, if you're willing to kneel at the administrators oracle and acknowledge that he is the font of all backpacking knowledge, that he has all encompassing knowledge and experience and that you are a mere peon who couldn't possibly know anything he doesn't know or have any experience he doesn't have, then you should get along just fine over there.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> There's a 'Little Kingdom' out there somewhere that I have'nt caused a controversy <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />, say it ain't so! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
I must go drink from the well, and partake of thee waters; lest' my 35 years of backpacking knowledge dwindle to nether <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
Sounds as if it's run by Ray Jard*** , careful now, I don't want to get my post deleted <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
We probably have twice as many lurkers here as they do members <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Ok, all you lurkers start a Thread 'For Lurkers only' <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />
As long as folks continue to remember to shop through our own Portal here, this site will continue to be Thee Holy Grail of Normal backpacking without all the stresses of the other sites <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!
I haven't been back to PBF since August. I have no idea if he has taken me down as a mod. Hope so. I just found I could not agree with his idea of rules - I felt that too much was being taken down for no good reasons (well, except for his). Also, as a mod I had little power - and let me put it frankly: the mods do LITTLE moderating. He is there 24/7 and by the time you go to check on something it is already done <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> So why have mods if you don't let them do anything????
Anyhoo, I don't have an issue with PBF besides that it isn't for me, I like more laid back forums and not having to worry if my uses of emoticons will get my post pulled (yes, the mods even got posts removed!). I also got busy with life in the past 6 months and like being able to buzz in and say hi, doa read and get back to work <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> (Like here!)
There are other things about my decision as well, but those are not things I publicly talk about. I prefer to not spend my time with things that offend my core beliefs. And someone is guilty of this. I know I told Bearpaw about what bugged me.
_________________________
Freezer Bag Cooking, Trail Cooking, Recipes, Gear and Beyond: www.trailcooking.com
Sarbar....I should be 'purged' any day now. Will I feel anything when it happens??? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Yeah, Normal once again <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Whew! That was a close one....almost lost another to that crazy cult over there <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />
_________________________
PEPPER SPRAY AIN'T BRAINS IN A CAN!
I had a negative experience at PB in regards to a post that really turned me off to the site. I had joined in on a topic regarding DIY down quilts. I had just completed my own quilt and was sharing info on my success. I was asked by a poster to share some photos. I attempted to post them but was already at my 3 photo capacity for the day or something like it. Since I already had them posted on the Hammock forum (primary use was intended as hammock underquilt), I found it easier to just link to the already posted photos. I also thought that the purpose was exchanging ideas and that maybe there were some people that had not heard of the hammock site that might benefit from it. Man, was that a NO-NO.
The moderator deleted the post. When I asked why, I was given a speal about linking to "other" sites. But what I felt was very ironic was the fact that the moderator had a link that appeared in his signature on every post. The link was to his own personal web page complete with his wedding photos, yet I was not allowed to link to a hiking/backpacking related site to show requested photos. When I brought this up, I was told signature links were allowed. I felt he was missing the point.
What I came away with was the idea that links to the moderators wedding photos were okay but a link to a hammock forum with benificial hiking/backpacking info was taboo. I was baffled. I just don't spend anymore time there.
The other thing that was funny was that the moderator was also sewing his own quilt at the time and was involved in the thread complete with his own photos. I think I was stealing his thunder.
I think that is the worst sin for those posting on PB.
I had a similar experience when I posted on my experience with the IMUSA aluminum mug. I had been using one for nearly two years and mentioned that in a post. I also included a photo of my weather-beaten modified mug. I suspect that since my experiences with the mug pre-dated that of the OP (the moderator and purported discoverer), my post was made to disappear after about 2 hours of residence on the forum. I have not posted on PB since and seldom visit the site; TLB is both more congenial and more informative.
Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:
Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!