FTT Library

[DGBAMA]

With so many threads started by a member posting a link to good tobacco info, we need a "library" section. Links posted would just need to be titled based on the subject of the linked material and the index for the "library" forum be sorted alphabetically by thread title instead of by date of last post. Gather all these great contributed materials in one place where they are easy to find. Many times I have used the search function over, over, and over trying to find a post I remembered with a particular link in it.

If it is not possible, no big deal, just a suggestion.

FM or Deluxe, let me know if I can help with a sticky for posting guidelines or whatever if it is possible.

 

[Knucklehead]

I think a Library is a great idea. There are links to books and pdf's all over the place. Having them in one place would be great.

I use the Archive button in the bottom right to find old posts. It is a text only version of the forum without pictures or avatars that take up so much space. Entire threads take up one page. It's the fastest way I've found to locate something you know is there somewhere.

 

[Brown Thumb]

Thanx Knucks, I never saw that down under. The search feature is like looking for a needle in the Haystack.

 

[deluxestogie]

One of the most common problems with links to books or academic articles is the lack of description: "check this out...it's killer!"

Categorization is useful in a reference list, but is problematic in its construction. An article on flue-cured tobacco may be about the class, or about the process, or about the industry. Maybe it's about air-curing a flue-cure variety for use in pipe blends. Books, of course, often cover numerous subjects. There are not very many books on tobacco.

Now to the real challenge: locating such links buried among tens of thousands of existing posts.

I would say that constructing such a list retrospectively is not practical at the onset of a growing season. Assembling a thorough bibliography is a huge amount of tedious work.

Perhaps more achievable would be a compilation of genera sources of reference materials. For example: www.archive.org search on "tobacco", etc.

Anyone who is willing to make an attempt at compiling a list of the links certainly has my blessing and admiration.

Bob

EDIT: On further thought, what might actually be the most useful list would be a short collection of clearly important material.

 

[FmGrowit]

Maybe an "add to library" option is in order. Once a thread or post is selected to be added, it can be dismissed or accepted, copied and renamed appropriately.

Whatcha think?

 

[deluxestogie]

The library entry would somehow have to be narrowed to just a link and description, rather than a thread or entire post.

Bob

 

[FmGrowit]

Sounds like the first thing we need to do is identify the content eligible for entry into the library and gather that information in one place.

 

[DGBAMA]

I like the "add to library" idea, like "nominate post". It would show there is interest in the material to people other than the original poster.

Would just require someone to take on reviewing library nominations and renaming them for the library.

 

[Knucklehead]

I nominate DGBAMA.

 

[RidgeRunner]

The other I just posted this in another thread, but it belongs here to.

"The Mods might also need to start editing titles to reflect the actual content. I just edited "What am I doing wrong". Obviously, this has nothing to do with anything, but the subject was on whole leaf blends. The title now reads "What am I doing wrong with whole leaf tobacco blends?

 

[deluxestogie]

I've found that many members are quite sensitive about having their threads renamed--some not so much. For several years, Don and I have made little tweaks to thread titles, especially for important misspellings and clueless titles. The "What am I doing wrong" title is clearly a candidate. More often, a thread is placed in the wrong forum, and is moved if I notice the problem.

Bob

 

[DGBAMA]

The idea is not to rename or move a thread, but rather to post the valuable link as a library entry with a descriptive title.

 

[FmGrowit]

The idea is not to rename or move a thread, but rather to post the valuable link as a library entry with a descriptive title.

Yes, but renaming threads as they are created to clarify their content would help in searches for that content. There is no single solution to the problem, but many little solutions create a larger solution.

 

[DGBAMA]

I see being able to leave the OP's thread alone. Add a "nominate for library" button which appears with each post; Like "nominate for special consideration" is now. If a reader finds that a link is useful they can click the "nominate for library" button. The nominated posts can be periodically reviewed and a "Library Thread/Entry" created with an apropriate and searchable title, and a single post containing the link and possibly a brief description of the contents, like a book preface.

The "library forum" would need to have its threads (links) appear in alphabetical order based on the thread title instead of by date of post.

I would be more than willing to take on the task of making the library entries based on the nominated links.

 

[FmGrowit]

I would be more than willing to take on the task of making the library entries based on the nominated links.

Honestly, a good place to test your theory would be to weed through the nominated posts, create new titles to describe the content and an index the threads.

 

[DGBAMA]

Honestly, a good place to test your theory would be to weed through the nominated posts, create new titles to describe the content and an index the threads.

The hard part there would be that often nominated posts are part of a context and if that post is singled out it is no longer beneficial, as a link to an external document would be. Let Me think on that.

 

[quo155]

I realize this was not the purpose of this thread, but I agree in that more thought should go into how we name/start a thread. There are some great points in this thread, both on thread naming and the Library altogether! Thanks!

 

[ArizonaDave]

I think a Library is a great idea. There are links to books and pdf's all over the place. Having them in one place would be great.

I use the Archive button in the bottom right to find old posts. It is a text only version of the forum without pictures or avatars that take up so much space. Entire threads take up one page. It's the fastest way I've found to locate something you know is there somewhere.

Yes, that would be a great idea! I have two on my desktop now.