New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

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Single Malt Yinzer
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New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

In light of us having multiple beginner pages I think it would be good to have a single Wiki page for beginners. Right now it's a hodgepodge of different pages with overlapping or inconsistent information.

- What are people's thoughts on this?
- What would we include?
- Should we remove some of the older pages/posts if we incorporate them into the page?
- Should it be a categorical list of links or have information on it?
Uncle Jesse
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Uncle Jesse »

I'm all for consolidation and simplification.

Got a list of candidate links?
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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

No. I should have some time this weekend to get a list together. :thumbup:
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by johnsparrow »

Crankys post for a start.........
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Chixter
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Chixter »

I see this hobby as growing. 25 years ago, I knew an old Italian guy who made his own wine. I knew no one else who made home anything. Today, home brewing and home wine making is very popular. Community colleges are offering courses. I believe that home distilling will eventually become as mainstream. This site has so much to offer seekers and seasoned alike.

A consolidated Beginners Page is a great idea. Included should be Legalities, Safety, Theory, and some progressions into the finer points of distilling AND THE DANG HD GOOGLE SEARCH FEATURE. I also would like to see beginners posting here that have an understanding of WHY things work the way they do....eg; Why cant I just put some cracked corn in a pot, fill it with water and heat it, stir it around and add yeast?

I see many newcomers asking questions that clearly illustrate they do not understand the basics. The big challenge is...you can make a consolidated page for newbies, but how can you make them read it? I as well as others here lurked for a long time reading, trying to get an understanding of what takes place when fermenting and distilling before I made my first post. But many apparently don't. As a result, guys who have been doing this for decades get frustrated and apathetic because as I will attest to, 'damn near everthin' bout stillin' is on this site!'. The challenge then...leading the horses to the water, and getting them to drink.

I think when the learning curve of a new distiller flattens out, and he/she becomes comfortable with their process and results, their own visits to the forum will be of a mainly "social" nature. This is a natural evolution. The magic as I see it, is getting the newbies and intermediates to participate in discussion, sharing ideas, etc. gaining more experience and adding to the value.

What efforts can be made without turning seekers off, to ensure that the basic prerequisites are at least not foreign to them?
When I was a boy, I prayed for a bicycle. I soon learned G~d doesn't work like this so I stole a bike and prayed for forgiveness.
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by johnsparrow »

There could perhaps be a test on the required reading that needs to be passed before you can start to comment?
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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

Thanks for the input everyone, I appreciate it. Fizzix, thanks for the list, it's a good start and good insight.
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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

Draft: http://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.php/index.php ... %27s_Guide" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

This is an quick outline. It's going to take a ton more work to get something decent. Start making suggestions NOW! :thumbup:
jb-texshine
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by jb-texshine »

Is there a way that the forum could be set up so that new members can only POST in certain areas but can access and read all others? Sure would be a good start. Say for the first 30 days or like 90 hrs and then as Johnsparrow said a short test on basics and then full access.
Anyway,let me know if I can help somehow.
Jbt
Last edited by jb-texshine on Wed Dec 06, 2017 10:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
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jb-texshine
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by jb-texshine »

Under reading list for beginners add in the link to a post telling how to turn tapaads off,please.
Spelling, change factions to fractions.
In understanding fractions and cuts link in kiwis guide to cuts.
Table of contents,add in #11 dilution and link to dilution calculator with better instructions on using it and also perhaps something on water used to dilute with.
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Deo Vendice

Never eat Mexican food north or east of Dallas tx!
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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

Thanks JB. I made those changes. I'll add in the dilution calc when I get more into the details.
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by jb-texshine »

Anything else I can do just let me know.
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Deo Vendice

Never eat Mexican food north or east of Dallas tx!
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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

ok - added some stuff. Check & suggest changes/additions etc. I hope to have this complete by New Year's.
jb-texshine
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by jb-texshine »

Looks great
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Deo Vendice

Never eat Mexican food north or east of Dallas tx!
Uncle Jesse
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Uncle Jesse »

I have been busy and sort of hit the wall editing the wiki after 7000+ edits. I'll take a look at this soon. I think New Year is a good goal.
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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

Ok. It's starting to come together. I need help with:
- Editing (I suck at spelling/grammer)
- Clarity: Is there something doesn't make sense or doesn't explain something well.
- Complexity: Is it too complex? Should it be simplified?
- Is it missing anything?

This *Should* be a big document. The more comprehensive the better. I consider what we're doing now to be the start. I can envision this in a year or two being 2-3 times the current size.
Uncle Jesse wrote:I have been busy and sort of hit the wall editing the wiki after 7000+ edits.
ha - I'm only 6500 or so behind you. I understand hitting the wall. You've done a great job reviving this. Thanks!

----
And thanks for the help from everyone so far!
jb-texshine
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by jb-texshine »

What type of equip do I need to make x
Under brandy add in"just need" where it reads " for brandy you'll fruit juice and yeast.
Remember not to blow yourself up,you only get to forget once!


Deo Vendice

Never eat Mexican food north or east of Dallas tx!
jb-texshine
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by jb-texshine »

I can do proofreading,editing and such if you want.
Aside from that All links do seem functional though.
Jb
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Deo Vendice

Never eat Mexican food north or east of Dallas tx!
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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

Thanks for the help JB. I made that change.
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fizzix
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by fizzix »

Found same link entered for these 2 subjects:
bbb.JPG
Edit: The dual link is here: http://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.php/index.php ... %27s_Guide
under The Home Distiller Forums & reading lists
Last edited by fizzix on Sat Dec 23, 2017 10:50 pm, edited 1 time in total.
jb-texshine
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by jb-texshine »

Under what are different spirits made with, vodka
Under heading "vodka in the United states"
Line 9, Change to read "Russian immigrant"
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Deo Vendice

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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

Made all those fixes, thanks guys. Keep them coming!
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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

ok - So I need input. Take a look now and tell me what you think. I want this to be thorough as possible. Looking at it I think it's ok but still a little weak.

- What do think is missing or I should add more onto?
- Are there any good links you can give me that can help out newbies?
- Are there any ideas or concepts that you think would be good bring up or to elaborate more on for beginners? Things that are hard to understand?
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fizzix
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by fizzix »

I've been referring new members to rgreen's How to Choose The Right Still.
Seems worthy to be in the great work you've done so far.
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

Thanks fizzix. I added the link.

Does anyone else have anything to add? I don't feel that it's ready for prime time quite yet. I'm not what else to add though.
jb-texshine
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by jb-texshine »

I've a couple suggestions but more for more advanced distillers: A strike water temp chart to help people stop denaturing malt or enzymes. Specifically one oriented towards distillers instead of beer. But that's a whole different project,lol.
Other than that , the beginners wiki looks awesome. All links are working, spelling and punctuation looks great. Not sure what else could be added.
:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:
Excellent job and glad I could help in a small way.
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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

Thanks JB. I only assembled the parts that already existed. I appreciate all the help you and other gave me.

The differences in conversions for whiskey and beer would be a good one. That would be good for a small entry on its own like you said.
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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

ok, I added the note on conversions.

I'm going to add a link to it in my Signature. Spread the news I guess. I don't consider this finished, this will be an ongoing project.

Thanks everyone for your help!
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Single Malt Yinzer
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Re: New Project: Consolidated Beginner's Page

Post by Single Malt Yinzer »

Can someone make this a sticky so it does not get lost? viewtopic.php?f=15&t=70923

Thanks!
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