The Posting Conundrum

thebtls · July 2010

A couple of observations about posting; my two cents?

First, I belong to the forum for several reasons.

I want to share my recipes and cooking experiences, second I want to receive the same information in return from the forum, including other advice about things I might post. I am especially interested in observing and linking and sharing individual blogs and websites, a issue I still wish was some kind of reference list on this forum (someday maybe)...where we can see JUST cooking and recipes, etc. outside the forum format.

Now, the conundrum (actually that might be a stretch). Heck I'm not even sure where this was supposed to go frankly so I posted twice.

co·nun·drum/kəˈnəndrəm/Noun
1. A confusing and difficult problem or question.
2. A question asked for amusement, typically one with a pun in its answer; a

Today I posted "It's all gross and yucky" and in the first couple of hours has over almost 700 hits...Now, had I posted, "how do I clean my knife block" I would get maybe 35 hits by midnight tomorrow;

Thus the conundrum...if that is the correct use of the noun; how to post.

WMK and others occasionally post comments urging us all to post relevant titles to the posts so they are search-able...I would agree, but you just don't get the hits we all desire. So the game becomes how to get people to click on your post.

So, tonight I have to decide if I post my new recipe for tuna steaks as "Tuna Steak" or "It looks and smells like tuna"...or "the other pink meat" you all know what one would get 1000 hits and which one would cost me more time to post pictures and copies of the recipe than the total combined efforts off all reviewers.

I'm just sayin'.

Now, there are those that will get 600 plus hits regardless of what they name their posts, and most are elders, many of which have earned the respect and acknowledgment of their experience by just posting period. No problem.

For the rest of us, if the title doesn't say "Ribs" or "low and slow" it seems like you are left with a creative writing challenge...

Finally, I am MOST amused by the practice of those that post an item on the OT forum and then go to the main site and post a OT reference to their post on the OT forum...rendering the purpose of the OT forum TOTALLY useless...then today, I find myself posting on both sites seeking that recognition for the post in BOTH locations...practicing exactly what I advocate against.

In closing I LOVE ALL OF YOU and ENJOY EVERYTING ON THIS FORUM with the exception of the occasional sniping that goes on...KEEP ON EGGIN'

Tony

PS
My SECOND WISH for the forum (besides a set of blog links) is auto spell check, yes we can all do google spell check, but you have to remember that step...and the spelling on this forum....well enuff said.

Unknown · July 2010

You are mixing quality hit vs quantity hits.

By using a misleading subject line you are somewhat manipulating people to click on your post when really they wouldn't.

I think doing that, however, is a relatively small sin in comparison to other things going on. For example, this should really be in the OT section. har har. Just kidding. Mostly.

thebtls · July 2010

and thus the whole conendrum; how to post to get quality feedback.

Unknown · July 2010

I think if you want *quality* feedback, you should post with clear subject lines and clearly define the feedback you are looking for.

I don't think you'll be left short. On this forum, opinions are like BGE's, everybody's got them....

Wise One · July 2010

I'm just a sucker for anything that uses the word "conundrum". By the way, what WAS your recipe for tuna?

thebtls · July 2010

I'm posting picks of my cook and a veggie dish I've never done before tonight after I cook, but out of respect for your request, here is the recipe for the tuna, sans pictures. Tony

Citrus-Ginger Tuna Steak
Tuna steak on the Big Green Egg immersed in a Citrus-Ginger marinade for 4 hours prior to cooking sets you up for a change of pace in cooking tuna steaks. Unlike your basic rubs and sprinkled seasoning mixes this marinade locks itself into the tuna and when cooked adds a special flavor to every bite. Serves 2 but is easily scalable.

Marinade
½ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
¼ Cup White Wine Vinegar
2 Tbls. Low Sodium Soy Sauce
1 Tbls. Lemon Juice
1 Tbls. Lime Juice
3 Large fresh Garlic Cloves, minced
1 Tbls. Fresh Ginger Root, grated/minced
2 each 7-8 oz.Tuna steaks

Preparation and cooking
1.In a small mixing bowl combine ingredients, whisk and pour over tuna steaks in a 1 gallon zip lock bag. Rotate bag to coat and set bag in bowl to keep tuna soaking well. Refrigerate for 4 hours.
2.Fire up Egg to high heat with grid (pre –oil the grid) raised 6” above fire bowl (fire ring and 2” adapter ring or other device)
3.Remove tuna from bag and discard marinade.
4.Grill tuna, uncovered rotating once until fish flakes easily with a fork (5-12 minutes depending on how ‘done’ you prefer your tuna. Serves 2.

"Sparky" · July 2010

So,where's the conundrum?Or am I the only person who posts,just to share,and not care about how many "hits" it gets?Honestly,I don't care.I know that I don't have the time to respond to everyone,but I just like to share pics.I guess that's just me though.BTW:Am I the only one who thinks it's funny that you posted this on the OT forum first?

:laugh: Happy eggin Tony

thebtls · July 2010

I have a BGE blog to post my cooks where I do not expect feedback so I post on the forum for the express purpose of receiving feedback, developing resources in the form of receiving recipes, links to others blogs or websites and advice. As for the double post, that's already covered in the posts themselves; as part of the conundrum in and of itself. Keep On Eggin'

"Sparky" · July 2010

If you're lookin for feedback,ask a specific question.Don't expect it,ask for it.Just say'in

I understood the whole double post thing,I was just havin fun.Now I'm gonna go cook some grub,later Tony

WooDoggies · July 2010

Where is Unconundrum? One of the most amazing and knowledgeable cooks to post to this forum.

Here's Unconundrum and max turning in Warren's fantastic coffee cake at Wildwood 2009.

I miss him.... and what I wouldn't do for a slice of that cake!

john

.... sorry (well, not really :~) for hijacking this thread but most folks post here for the fun of interaction and cooking. Looking for hits, I think, is kinda missing the point...

thebtls · July 2010

The point. Lots of work goes into posting pics and recipes and in my two years, Limited Hits = Little to no Feedback. "Nice cook" makes me feel good but a link to a competiting recipe is even better. I'm looking to grow as a cook, The more hits you get the more competing recipes, links to previous posts, et al hit your post.

Until someone highjacks the thread that is...Ha.

Chubby · July 2010

I (IN NO WAY SPEAK FOR THE FORUM)...JMO...LOL!!!

I think your post was interesting...and enlightening.

Interesting, (as to why the # of hits to your post matters), and enlightening, ( as to how you as a relative newcomer "see" this forum).

A couple of the things you said I thought were paticulairly telling...

"I am especially interested in observing and linking and sharing individual blogs and websites, a issue I still wish was some kind of reference list on this forum
(someday maybe)...where we can see JUST cooking and recipes, etc. outside the forum format".

Second...

"I would agree, but you just don't get the hits we all desire. So the game becomes how to get people to click on your post".

Part of your frustration, (thus your conundrum) I think springs from a basic misunderstanding of this forum's history, it's value to those that have supported it since it's inception, and the prevailing reason the "elders" as you say get so many hits no matter what they post!

This forum, (while certianly a resource for some and a place to get quick BGE tips/info for others)...is really a virtual campfire of sorts.

That is the biggest reason, (with a few nods to allowing differing "views" of the classic forum) that they've kept it as is...so it is purpously conversational!
The elders as you call them generally, (though clearly not all the time) give and get respect in return. Most of them have posted here for many years, know each other thru repeated meetings at Fests ect...or have over a period of time developed relationships with each other that are infinitly more important to them than their post count or the mumber of replies their posts get!

While I don't speak for anyone but myself...I have to confess I've never really given it a thought at all how many hits a post of mine got.., or kept score of my post to reply ratios!
Your concern as to how to get "quality posts"...(whatever that is) is amusing...as if what you really need is a better marketing strategy...based on how to trigger only the prefered posters to reply?

Honestly...seeing the side exchange between you and Tweeve is laughable...(when contrasted with your desire to get better responses)!

This isn't a BGE ATM location...where you hit the withdrawl button, take away whatever you want, direct folks to your award winning blog...and move on!
It's a community, plain and simple, and honestly...the folks who's feedback you desire most...resent it when the're treated like they're here for your conveinence.

Face it, we can all get feedback,recipes,blogs, links..twitts,tweets...ect at the touch of our keyboard!
I'm not here to drive folks to my blog, or link mine with theirs...or gain recognition or visibility as an aside of my participating here.

I'm here, (as you say) for many reasons, but centraly... because I've made friends here, who have become an important part of my everyday life.

Thus...the difference between a Community, and a Library!!

I knew that when I started this, that it would probably end up sounding like...
"Well buddy...Too bad!! You're just not part of the "incrowd, the clique"!

That is absolutely not what I'm trying to say!

In my mind you're entitled to wanting all the information/ recipes/links/ archived posts/and replies you desire at your fingertips, whenever you want them!

Additionally...the statement you made in your first line of this post about why you belonged to this forum...legitimate reasons, every one of them!!

Trouble is...it's just not what this place is about! IMO...it wasn't when I wandered in here 10 years ago, and as far as I know...never has been!

Evans

Glad yopu're here...appreciate your posts...and as you say,
"Keep On Eggin"!

WessB · July 2010

Very very well said there Chubby...glad someone else said it, I would have been hung for saying it...plus I really wouldn't have typed that much...LOL...seriously...you raised some extremely valid points, hopefully they get perceived as they were intended...

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker · July 2010

sometimes (not very often) i check flat view to see if peeps be followin' my shizznit. and i won't lie, i get jacked if i see a thousand hits.

you know, you spend the time to take pics, crop, write up a frikkin story....

but i gotta tellya... i'd rather if the "only" three hundred who checked it say "man, that was kinda cool" than the maybe "alright!" thousand say "why did i bother..."

when you drop dead, it isn't about how many folks you suckered into your little game, it's about how many are glad they got to play it with you.

Chubby · July 2010

Thanks Well...lol!!!

1) i started typing it about 3:30...lmao!!

2) I'm too fat to lynch!

Thanks for the "quality" reply Wess!!

(just kidding THEBTLS!!)

WooDoggies · July 2010

Good luck with your blog. It looks well crafted with nice eye candy and I respect what your trying to achieve but speaking for myself and how I perceive this board, it's simply not the reason people come here.

I think one thing you have in common with everyone here is that we're all looking to grow as cooks.... kick back and enjoy.

john

WooDoggies · July 2010

Jeff, I'm so naive. Being in classic view from day one, I don't know the trick to check for # of hits.
Switch to flat view and where do I check the number of hits?

john

Mike in Abita · July 2010

Stike wrote "when you drop dead, it isn't about how many folks you suckered into your little game, it's about how many are glad they got to play it with you."

Very profound, thanks, gave me a lot to think about. I come to a BBQ forum and come away with life lessons.

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker · July 2010

ah. i am bummed. whenever i see a "woodoggies" response, i know it is a big deal. and that little spiritual line i tossed out, well... when i saw yer name i was thinkin. .. "well, i must have said something profound, because that great Buddha, woodoggies, has responded".

...and then it';s just you asking how to find the number of hits on yer post so that you can be as shallow and self-centered and petty as the rest of us... :laugh:

(in flat view it should show the number of hits in one of the columns.)

now, go read the "Razor's Edge" as penance for falling into our (the rest of us, i mean) petty way of thinking....

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker · July 2010

every. single. day. is a life lesson, my friend.

thebtls · July 2010

I am not offended by anything anyone has said in this entire thread and I hope no one was by my comments as well.

Chubby; Your post = feedback!

Thanks for taking time to comment to all and lets Keep On Eggin' everyone!

Chubby · July 2010

None here to be sure!!

Evans

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker · July 2010

MAG.

Niff.

I-Cent.

Mike in Abita · July 2010

Truer words were never spoken. Thanks

FlaPoolman · July 2010

Dang Chubby, well said. You go back to school or something? And here I thought you were all fluff :laugh: :laugh:

Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker · July 2010

keep in mind that i have (usually) no idea what i'm talking about. i would be a bad one to turn to for advice. whether it be when to flip a burger, or something profound. :silly:

Chubby · July 2010

You know...just sooo's you know!

When I spend all afternoon pounding one complete run-on sentence that tales up 5 paragraphs...if you don't respond with the "Stike Stamp of Approval"?

I'm gettin' pissed!!

But now...I'm alllll better!

Chubby · July 2010

Thanks!!

School...?

Actually...I go back as a 7'th Grader this year!!

Evans

Mike in Abita · July 2010

But you have the gift of planting the seed. You may not know what it will grow into, but you have the ability. Thank you for your gift.

61chev · July 2010

HUH?

WooDoggies · July 2010

Seems I've been bumming out more than a few lately.... and on top of that, can't follow instructions as I don't see number of hits.
I'll take it as a sign because flat view really bites and who needs the added complexity? The only complexity I need this time of day is my first beer...and there's none in the house... so I'm off for some fizz.
Thanks for your help anyways... next time I'll disguise my shallowness behind concocted profundity. :~)

john

The Posting Conundrum

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