Newbies, and "Zapping"...

[StereoDreamer]

I met with Schnoodle this afternoon in person, and we got her problems all worked out. She really is a new vaper, and has no real in-person support, and didn't know much about the local vaping community in the DC/Baltimore area. But I think that I set her on the right path, and her purchase at a local B&M today of a smaller, much simpler rig seems to fit her needs much better at this time.

I know her original thread was getting a little tedious with speculation, but locking a thread by a newbie who was asking for help is exactly the sort of thing that has given ECF the reputation as an elitist, snarky shark pit, and I'm a little non-plussed as to why it was shut down.

I know for a fact that Schnoodle was a little shocked that her thread was shut down, as was I. I was excited to report on our meeting, and let everyone know what a nice person she was, and how, like many new vapers, she was just overwhelmed and in a little over her head with all the technical stuff.

I was under the impression that one of the primary functions of ECF is to support new vapers, and to draw upon the expertise and helpfulness of experienced vapers to help them along. Perhaps I was wrong. I, for one, would like this to be clarified, because if my actions are wrong, or somehow going against the principals of ECF, I will do what I can to remedy that.

I'm not "criticizing" the mods--I'm just wondering why a thread that admittedly started out rather badly but ended up being VERY informative and helpful was closed. I guess, I'm just a little confused, and would like to know what the rules really are, and what we need to do to "stay within the lines" in future threads.

I enjoy helping new vapers. One of the joys of being a vaper with some experience and expertise is that you get to bring others into the fold, and help them along the way to more effective, enjoyable "harm reduction".

But if helping new vapers (rather than attacking them) and giving personal assistance (rather than sniping at someone because they might be in a little over their head with a VERY advanced PV that was generously dropped in their lap) is NOW viewed as somehow "out of line" or "beyond the pale", then maybe it's time that ECF re-evaluate the way things are done, and re-assess what this forum is supposedly here for...

 

[eratikmind]

StereoDreamer, unfortunately, I am unfamiliar with the thread, which you have referenced. Nonetheless, I agree with your comments and sentiment.

- Andy

 

[Tommy Aces]

While I wasn't a part of said thread, I do feel a little guilty for buying into the skepticism of some people of Schnoodle's issues. However, it occurs to me that we need to be very aware that we, as "upstanding" members of ECF and the Vaping Community, should treat all user issues, especially new users, as if we are dealing with a very serious situation....because no matter what, that's what it is.

If a new user is having a legitimate issue, it could very well be a life or death situation. The help, or lack of help they might receive from us here could very well determine their success quitting analogs. Let us not forget that we have all probably asked what now seem like strange questions.

What bothered me most reading the early (and some later) responses to Schnoodle's issue was that there seemed to be almost Ann assumption that it was a trolling or ANTZ post. My question is this; If it was, wouldnt it be the perfect time to show the best of what is this community before page 5 of the thread? And then, for some to swoop in and make it a pissing contest about "fanboys" and what device they like or don't like, was beyond absurd

However, the end result was that Schnoodle got real life help for her issue and hopefully not only a setup that'll work for her, but maybe some new friends as well. That there is the best of what our community is.

And as far as that thread being closed, it left me scratching my head as well. The only thing I can think of is that someone had an itchy trigger-finger the whole time. By the time it was closed, the nonsense had long died down and we were doing what we are supposed to around here....helping a new user.

 

[Harplayr]

I agree with what all you guys are saying.
If not for the patience and help I've gotten from day 1 on ECF there's no way I'd still be vaping and I would have been back to analogs. I would have been stuck with the ripoff artist at the mall selling $150 808 packages thinking that that was the only thing out there. We all need to remember that and either be patient with newbees, or move on to another topic. Being rude is not an option.

I do have one question. What did the problem turn out to be?
Knowing that may help if somebody else comes up with a similar situation.

Kudo's to StereoDreamer fot taking the time out to meet with the person. I sure wish I knew an experienced vaper when I started out.

 

[SirSteve]

I'm glad you got this poor soul on the right path, that thread started out as some of the worst behavior people could show a new person asking for help. You and some others did show up later to try and help, by then I was afraid this lady would have thrown her arms up in frustration and never pick up another vaping device in her life. I was hoping she would take you up on your offer for help, thank you for saving the day. I hope she stays around and keeps vaping, her experience down the road could help someone else.

StereoDreamer, you are a class act. As for the thread getting locked, I can only guess the pettiness of some members was the reason. I hope she kept the Provari, she may find it useful later.

I wish to Thank You again, people like you make this forum a great place for new vapors and even those of us with SOME experience.

 

[StereoDreamer]

I do have one question. What did the problem turn out to be?
Knowing that may help if somebody else comes up with a similar situation.

Well, she was having multiple issues with her Provari. First, was the "zapping" issue, which we figured out was actually hot juice being sputtered. We figured out that it was caused by an over-filled carto, and running too high a voltage setting.

In her attempt to use less power, she was NOW having an issue where there was no vapor coming from the carto. I though it might have popped from using too much power, but when I put her carto on my eVic, I got mad plumes from the first draw, so the carto was determined to be OK.

There was a fair amount of juice in the 510 connector of her Provari, so we cleaned it off, put the carto back on, and I ran the power up about 1.5 volts--MASSIVE plumes, but it was too rough for her now. After some more fiddling with the voltage, we found her "happy place", and all was good with the Provari

It's a regular Provari (not a Mini), with the additional extended cap, and three boxes of cartos, and extra batteries of both sizes. Her brother really was generous setting her up, but she was sort of over her head with this APV. And she also said it's just too big, heavy and cumbersome to be practical for her to lug around as a busy mom.

She had purchased a little eGo/CE4 kit at a local vendor, and she really liked it. It wasn't VV, but it was small, light, and had a pretty finish on the battery. She seemed pretty happy with it, but I suggested she not send the Provari back to her brother just yet, and keep it for "at home" vaping. I told her that it would grow on her, and eventually she would find that the features of the Provari (especially the adjustable power) would be something she would find REALLY useful.

Kudo's to StereoDreamer for taking the time out to meet with the person. I sure wish I knew an experienced vaper when I started out.

So do I, brother. And that's why I so gladly go out of my way to help local newbies--because when I started, there was NOBODY in the area that I knew of, and I felt I was ll on my own. I now know there is a HUGE vaping community in the DC/Baltimore area, regular vape-meets, and some pretty good B&M shops. So I try to get that info out, and I JUMP at the chance to get FTF time with local new vapers when I can.

And thanks for the "kudos", although I'll admit, it wasn't anything superhuman. I'm just a regular guy with an obsession for vaping, and a feeling of duty to PIF my knowledge and experience to other local vapers when the opportunity presents itself. I did what any decent person would do in a similar situation.

It's my way of "passing it forward". I don't have a lot of spare cash to spend on give-away kits to get people started, but I've got time and knowledge, and I'm pretty good at explaining technical things to non-technical people, so it all works out in the end...

I'm glad you got this poor soul on the right path, that thread started out as some of the worst behavior people could show a new person asking for help. You and some others did show up later to try and help, by then I was afraid this lady would have thrown her arms up in frustration and never pick up another vaping device in her life. I was hoping she would take you up on your offer for help, thank you for saving the day. I hope she stays around and keeps vaping, her experience down the road could help someone else.

Yeah, that was my thought. I hated to see her walk away from vaping in frustration, considering she seemed genuinely interested in "making the switch", and was lucky enough to have been given a top-shelf mod to start with. I mean, how many people get an opportunity like that when they are starting out vaping?

She probably won't use the Provari as a "daily driver"--it's too much mod for her current needs, AND it is (admittedly) a big, heavy mod to lug around. But I think she IS going to keep it, and use it at home, and hopefully learn to appreciate it for the great bit of kit that is is!

I wish to Thank You again, people like you make this forum a great place for new vapors and even those of us with SOME experience.

Thanks. There are those on this forum who would beg to differ with you, for their own inscrutable reasons, but I appreciate the opportunity to help a new vapor, to document the experience, and to keep this forum focused on what REALLY matters, which is getting new vapers started, helping folks to try new things, and helping each other as we progress through our vaping lifestyle at our own pace, and toward our own goals...

 

[classwife]

The thread was shut down.

Some people can not act civilized and have a helpful discussion.

I had thought you were capable enough to continue your conversation with her either via PM or a new thread without the disruptions.


Now as for this thread :

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ecf-forum-rules/51178-forum-rules.html

9. Flaming, trolling, other misconduct
a. These are not permitted -
Criticising or complaining about a Moderator, or how the site is run, except via PM (private message).