Woe the learning curve.

[k lady]

Whether it's a new job, gadgets like a cell phone or software that you know will make your life easier once you learn it, I find the process of learning something new such a drag; nature's joke that it doesn't get any easier the older you get. How come science hasn't yet invented the "mind meld?" Hey, Spock gave them the idea years ago.


I imagine the "veterans" on this site must be somewhat amused when reading the "newbie" posts as they can certainly relate and probably chuckle in commiseration. As much as they'd like to help, and often do, they must know vaping isn't something that can be taught. What they went through months ago, so must we all. All they can do is answer questions, share their experiences and perhaps steer us in the right direction based on our wants/needs. And while they can certainly sound the alarm on the more outrageous, if not potentially dangerous , suggestions, they now have to contend with the rapid growth of a movement that is sweeping the world. They are, after all, partly responsible!


The power of the internet has drawn people from many nations and every demographic to sites like this (best one I found, btw) that give of their collective knowledge at no involuntary cost to the public, resulting in new "vapers" every day. I suppose you could say SJ, or whoever, created a monster. Rumor has it he's working on how to more effectively deal with it, making it perhaps more user- or knowlege-friendly. Hang in there; it will be worth it.


As for me, I'll keep plugging away, literally, and nosing around in the 'Modification' section in search of a better "mousetrap." If I hadn't read about a way to modify the vexing little cartridges that come with stock filler to mete out the liquid nicotine, I may have given up on vaping altogether by now. For you vets out there who can empathize, I'm currently experiencing the angst of finding a happy medium between flooding my attomizers and dealing with the metalic or burnt taste of a too-dry atty. But when I hit the sweet spot......ahhhhhhh, it's just SO good.


Frankly, I'm amazed I completely quit smoking – after 37 years - the dreaded stinkies the same day I got my not-quite-perfect personal vaporizer in the mail. As long as I don't have to futz around too much with this alternate nicotine delivery system, I'm committed to it for the rest of my life. Or at least as long as I choose to continue to use nicotine.


As a service to my fellow man, I vow to faithfully spread the word about vaping without becoming one of those annoying non-smokers I'm so familiar with.


Many thanks to the person/people responsible for creating this website. Vape on!

[Karl the heretiK]

Frankly, I'm amazed I completely quit smoking – after 37 years - the dreaded stinkies the same day I got my not-quite-perfect personal vaporizer in the mail. As long as I don't have to futz around too much with this alternate nicotine delivery system, I'm committed to it for the rest of my life. Or at least as long as I choose to continue to use nicotine.

So what you're basically saying is... a crappy PV is better than a good ****stick... that's kinda what I'm hoping for...

And that whole futzing thing... that's what drove me toward the cartomizer units...

Good luck with staying quit... you should be proud of yourself...

[hecknaw]

i also was a long term ciggy user 43years,have not smoked 1 ciggy in 8 months.the 1st time i used an e cig. i said ya know!! this thing is doable! dont get me wrong there have been good vape'n day's and bad vape'n day's and the bad vape'n day's can be very bad!!!!!but ya know as of now i'm of a mindset that i'll never give this up.or at least untill it is of my choice!!

[frogbmth]

I do feel for people starting out, you do have to want to make vaping work for you as its still a very frustrating learning curve for many. Blown atomizers, flooding, bad flavours, cravings, anxiety, it wasn't much fun for me but I had determination to get it right.

I have gought many MANY devices, and the only thing that comes close to 'easy to use' is a two peice with cartomizer. It just works and from now on it is what I will recommend to anybody asking me what to start off with. It eliminates so many of the issues. No leaking, no constant topping up or dripping, no big load of stuff to carry when you go out.

Good luck and keep it up, never go back to holding that little bonfire between your fingers

Andy

[Caesarea]

Stick with it! As Frogbmth said keep the patience, common sense and intelligence to follow the learning curve undaunted by the occasional frustration and not so overboard that you are tempted to vape all the ingredients in the kitchen cupboard!

Best,

C.

[JustJulie]

All sage advice. I personally think that those who are most successful with vaping are those who are serious enough about reducing (or eliminating) their tobacco intake that they're willing to put up with a fair amount of frustration.

To be sure, there is a learning curve, but the biggest hurdle isn't necessarily learning how to vape, but learning to be patient with less than perfect technology. It's hard in the beginning trying to figure out whether your vapor has decreased because your battery is low, or because you have not enough/too much liquid in the atomizer, or because your atomizer is simply losing its effectiveness. After vaping for awhile, you hardly even think about it, but in the beginning it is soooooooooo frustrating.

Andy--I think you're right that a two-piece cartomizer system may be the best bet for many beginners. It may not be the most cost-effective choice out there unless you're willing to refill cartomizers, but the vape is certainly consistent, and you're not having to constantly refill cartridges/drip/flood atomizers, etc.

But for all those who are still stuck in the frustrating learning curve stage, all I can say is to stick with it. It does get easier, and the rewards are huge.

[Guineahill]

You have done wonderfully well so far!

I guess I'm lucky because I enjoy the challenge of learning and experimenting. Of course my desire to play has caused me to spend bunches more money on various toys... but I have found positives in all of them and I am still spending less than I was on cigarettes!

I hope you find the perfect setup for you!

[boxhead]

hey, can i sugest getting SD. hehehe.

no really for me, it was turning the process of vaping, from smoking, i mean the stuff i did to get to the point of this is the things i did to smoke, lighter, cigarettes, ashtray, (the biggie) getting to a place i can smoke, to the point of vaping, battry charged, atty dripped, cart topped off, and what flavor do i want now, i mostly vape till the cart is dryish, and drip new flavor and topp off, the OP said it: "" experiencing the angst of finding a happy medium between flooding my attomizers and dealing with the metalic or burnt taste of a too-dry atty. But when I hit the sweet spot......ahhhhhhh, it's just SO good.""
is right there with, dare i say it; shoot what can happen. i say its: 'like very good sex, at the climatic moment' hahaha

and it looks like k lady has gotten it, get some of nerfs connecters, and start with a easy mod like a wallwart passthru with a switch using a car cigplug as a body to hold the atty batt substute and switch. the .99 cent store has got car cigplug and some times some wallwart chargers, i found 1 5vdc 1amp and there is a reisitor and led in most of the car plugs. ya, i went thru a couple of switches and leds but i`m learning...
am i getting off topic? learnig curve? woe?

[k lady]

Many thanks to the vets who took the time to respond to my post. I was afraid it would get lost in the constant flood of "new thread" entries with reduntant questions/concerns that have been covered repeatedly in the various sub-forums.

I'm one among a few novices, if you will, that have suggested an "Ask the Vet" forum. The problem I can foresee is that most, if not all, the questions in the "New Members Forum" would end up there as wouldn't most people prefer to direct their questions to those they perceive to be more experienced? Although it would probably create a new admin burden, perhaps each new subscriber could advance to the designation of "Novice" after, say, 30 days - counting visits rather than calendar days. I would rather not see a post count minimum thrown in as subscribers like me who would rather read and learn than post would be penalized. Once in the "Novice" category, you'd have access to the "Ask a Vet" forum where the questions would likely be more germane and the vets more apt to answer them.

This could weed out those that pick up an e-cig at the mall, think it's the best thing since sliced bread, and leave posts for a couple of weeks until the novelty of their newfound toy wears off and they go back to the stinkies, never to be heard from again. If someone visits this site for 30 days, chances are they are committed to giving vaping their best shot.

[k lady]

My, Karl, you do have a way with words! But, yes, I guess that's what I'm saying.

Given the cartomizers have received a couple of thumbs up, I may try them next. Thanks for the input and encouragement!