 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-04-26 23:31
Mark, is this possible--that is, is it within the capability of "Sneezy" without being too labor intensive for the web-master?
I have noticed that we get repeat topics, concerning "reeds", "barrels", "Mouthpieces", "R-13's", "Should I buy a ....." etc. Is there anyway that the SECOND post could be an automatic recap ( an automatic search that was not done by the poster) of all data in the archives? That would give all an automatic reference file that could be printed out and used for follow-on searches/decisions.
Or should I just go away and forget it???
Bob A
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-04-27 02:53
Not really. Some of those lists are hundreds if not thousands of entries.
One of the things about a bboard is the repeat questions - I'd guess about 98% of the general questions are brought up within the 1st years. The questions get "old" after a while, but there's not much anyone can do about it. An "old" question to us is a brand new one to someone else.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-04-27 04:45
Bob, I always welcome new ideas - you have a good idea, I just have to figure out a reasonable implementation ...
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Author: Karel Vahala
Date: 2001-04-27 05:19
It is quite easy to avoid questions on the BB which are not of interest. However, with time new people join the group, and may contribute new, valuable information. The fact that we can skip topics by choice is enough, is it not?
Karel.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-04-27 14:32
We should all try to remember two primary rules: 1) Topics or questions that are unimportant or "dumb" should never be asked or presented. 2) There are no unimportant or dumb topics or questions! Every day, the clarinet becomes a wonderful new discovery for someone, somewhere, and they should have the opportunity to draw upon the expertise of the many teachers and players who make this website a vital forem for exchange of information and ideas--however controversial (or repetative) as they sometimes may be. My vote is to keep it that way, but new ideas shoud always be considered. In spite of what I often think, I really do not know it all......yet! Good clarineting!!!!!!!
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Author: Shelly
Date: 2001-04-27 17:17
The problem with searching the archives....... Whenever you search the archives on a particular subject you get HUNDREDS of hits. It is very overwhelming and hard to sort through. Many of the hits are duplicates (20 responses to a single question etc) It is much easier to just ask the question on the board and get 5 or 6 answers to read. I save the searches through the archives for something that I am doinf intensive research on.
shelly
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-04-27 17:27
Shelly - that's a pretty lame excuse - all you're doing is adding to the proliferation of those hundreds of messages. Did you ever stop to think that you might learn <b>more</b> than what you were specifically looking for by reading through the responses? Did you add some more search terms to the query to see if you could limit the number of hits?
I think that it is contingent on people looking for answers to first check resources, even if that means spending a couple of hours, than to make a number of us spend those hours typing in responses that are already here.
There's so much material that <b>hasn't</b> been covered before that's just begging to be asked.
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Author: Blake
Date: 2001-04-27 17:30
A couple of thoughts/suggestions - I usually do my own reserach here and on the web before I ask questions because I think I get better responses if i can be more specific. There do appear to be several areas in addition to the ones we already have <such as serial numbers etc> that we might consider separate sections... The FAQ format is useful on other sites i frequent such as..
1) Ive just decided I want to play the clarinet <or my child has just started> What are good brands and what can I expect to pay for them? the answer could include postings, hot links to retailers and manufacturers etc. all info thats already here on the board but maybe not as easily accessible to less web literate folks or those that dont know a buffet R-13 from a bundy.
2) Ive got an old clarinet that needs new pads. What kind should i get? This of course would lead to a description of the various types, uses, cost etc.. maybe even as a matrix with links to retailers, repairers etc.
3) any of the other questions that we see over and over again.
BTW.. it can never be said enough... I LOVE this web site and appreciate all the info Ive learned and sincerely appreciate all of Mark's efforts to keep this site up and running and usuable. We are the envy of other instruments that dont have anything anywhere close to this.
Blake (who nervously has a concert sat. night and several solos...)
Arlington, VA
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Author: Shelly
Date: 2001-04-27 19:18
I agree that a FAQ page would be helpful to address the most common questions
shelly
P.S. Gee Mark , I wasn't expecting the wrath I received from you! Whew! I am glad I don't get offended easily
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2001-04-27 21:04
Hey! Don't get so hot Shelly over constructive comments. Gee, I'm sorry I even started this thread.
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Author: Shelly
Date: 2001-04-27 22:12
Actually, I wasn't upset at all, that's why I made a joke about it. However, I will take Mark's comment seriously and be a little more careful about the questions I post
shelly
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-04-28 02:16
Blake - most of that information is already on Sneezy - Sneezy started as a FAQ that grew too large to be a FAQ anymore!
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-04-28 11:01
I love searching the Archives, especially the Klarinet listserver stuff.
Some of today's "Big dogs" were frequent posters.
Loads of the pithy material comes out of these old text files.
As to the 'old guard' being putoff by the repetitive nature of newbie questions, these are the most pertinent (often universal) problems faced by us beginners.
Most of the playing and injury-related questions are the ones where we may do the most to help a beginning player avoid the inevitable pitfalls.
(I certainly understand the tiresome nature of "How much is my Grampa's Gazingus-flex Ophiclede in C# minor worth?" line of questioning, and have asked some of these myself. Go search eBay, fer kryssakes.)
I think the most valuable offering we can make to the youngest, and parents of the youngest, players is a little (but not too much) tolerance. Repeating the mantra, "Go search the Archives!" may put off the Big Dogs of tomorrow.
anji - $.02
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-04-28 14:04
If we become too critical of people's questions we discourage their asking them. Then the avenue for making new friends and finding out things that would help us grow in our skills as musicians would be shut to people who might ask repetitive questions and might grow up (or grow into) the next Greg Smith or Ricardo Morales. And, even if they don't do anything "important" in the music world, where else can they go to ask questions about the art of playing the clarinet?
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-04-28 15:50
I'm proud of all the comments above [as a frequent "answerer"], as they pretty well describe my approach. In particular, I like to try to answer those which dont get much "mileage" [also in the chat sessions] to encourage our "newbies", provide a semblance of answer, and suggest where more technical and expert opinion-discussion may be obtained. Mark C has done [and is doing] a remarkable job of non-profit web-mastering the best of such sites I've ever seen, and many of us go out of our way to help. Keep it up, "M C" [in both senses of the initials!!] Don
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