IMPORTANT: We would ask that both experienced and inexperienced forum users read the first three posts of this thread fully before posting on BIABrewer.info
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Finding the Highest Quality Information[/center]
Now that you are familiar with the individual features of the three search tools, further benefits can be gained by understanding the hierarchy of information quality on the site.
Topics and posts on BIABrewer.info can be divided into seven categories. As a general rule, the higher the category in the list below, the more reliable the information. Much information though will only be available in the seventh category so this category should in no way be dismissed. The reader though should make attempts to corroborate information in these posts before acting upon them.
1. Articles published under the name of BIABrewer
Any topics or posts that are published with BIABrewer as the author name can be considered to be the highest quality information we have available at any time. Anything written under this name is reviewed by a panel before it is published on BIABrewer.info.
Use the, "Author," feature in the Advanced Search tool to quickly find if BIABrewer has published information on an area you are interested in.
2. Stickys
Stickys are topics that always appear at the top of a forum. They are denoted by the exclamation mark within a splash icon such as is seen beside every topic in
Important Notices. All BIABrewer posts are also stickys.
Stickys that are not authored by BIABrewer can still be considered of high quality. They are most likely topics that are going through the process of becoming, "BIABrewer," topics. Turning a sticky into such a topic can involve many hours of re-writing and review by a panel of brewers and it can therefore sometimes take many weeks, sometimes months, to complete the process.
3. The Best of BIABrewer.info
Any links in this thread could well contain high quality information. This is where members can suggest topics or posts that could become stickys. Some of these topics or posts may end up in one of the two categories above.
4. Topics in General Brewing Skills
As the
General Brewing Skills forum is one of the most formal on the site, it can be expected that concise and accurate information on quite specific questions can be found here.
Use the, "Search in forums," feature in the Advanced Search tool to limit your results to topics or posts that have been published in the
General Brewing Skills forum.
5. Topics that are ticked
If you have already read
The Best Way to Start & Manage a New Topic, you will see that topic authors are asked to edit their first post and, "tick," it once they have found a suitable answer to their question. Looking for posts that are ticked is a good way to find topics that may answer a question you have immediately.
6. BIABrewer.info Author Ranking
BIABrewer.info is considering creating a system where authors who consistently post quality information can be recognised in some manner. If this system is implemented, then replies by authors with such a ranking should be considered carefully as they would be likely to contain solid advice.
7. All other results
Lots of interesting information and discussions will be found in topics and posts that don't fall into one of the above categories. Much of this information will also be correct and most helpful. Some topics and posts in this section will also include answers that are required quickly to urgent problems or one off situations. Only the rarest topics and posts will be in one or more of the first six categories so posts in this category should not be dismissed.
As mentioned previously though, BIABrewer recommends you corroborate, as best you can, any information obtained from this category before you act upon it.
If you have any questions on any of these first three posts, please feel free to ask them here.
BIABrewer
IMPORTANT: We would ask that both experienced and inexperienced forum users read the first three posts of this thread fully before posting on BIABrewer.info