what do you think?

[Alistair Durie]

for the last couple of days i've put a lot of work into this old forum, upgrading, tweaking and playing around with sections.
i really think there is room for another coffee forum in the world, but the only people that can answer that are the users. so how about it? is this going to be of use to coffee lovers, or does it look terrible and I should just go do something else?

please... let me know.

alistair

[malachi]

I, personally, feel like there needs to be a place for pro baristas to exchange information, etc.
Coffeegeek has too much noise and is targetted at a home audience.
The BGA board has some issues.
This could be the answer.
Next? Get the word out.

[Alistair Durie]

Next? Get the word out.

well you're pretty good at that

[Jimmy Oneschuk]

How would users feel about a mission statement or constitution for the page? The nature of discussion seems to be following a positive direction thus far - but a set of guidelines dictated by our better [professional] senses, would be prudent.

[Mark Prince]

Too much noise.....

Boo

Mark, a Non Pro Barista!

[cheapdialogue]

I think and 'off topic' area would be good. It probably won't happen too much, but when someone needs to vent, preen or tell a funny story it would be helpful to have one and not bog down the other forums.

[Peter Van de Reep]

Well Alistair, I'm liking what I'm seeing so far! I feel slightly intimidated when I actually think about who I am talking with on these boards and my comparative experience, but other than that, I think this what people like me are looking for to make up for the shortcomings of CG and the BGA... not to mention alt.coffee or any other forums!
Cheers,
Peter

[Jimmy Oneschuk]

Peter, you have all the passion and drive that 90% of baristi lack. You've chosen to work at a place that is subpar with the intent of changing it from the inside. That sacrifice is huge.

Dude, you are a Barista.

[Kyle Larson]

I love this site. Finally, a forum about coffee. Hopefully those sick of all the crap on the BGA boards will find their way here.

[xristrettox]

It will probably get a bit busier around here when they lock down the forums over at the BGA. It might get a little bit interesting.
BGA members
Non-BGA members
I wonder if we'll resort to gang signs?

[malachi]

I'm working on some good gang sign illustrations right now.

[jmc]

Hi folks. I just found you....I like the feel of this forum and agree with Chris about the alternatives.

[nick]

I'd hope that this forum would be of more value than to just be an alternative to the BGA forum. I know for a fact that Alistair certainly didn't intend for it to be that.

The fact is, there is no online forum for passionate coffee professionals right now. Period. The Roasters Guild and BGA forums are self-selective... they're for roasters and baristas respectively.

CoffeeGeek is geared toward consumers. Alt.coffee is geared toward... alties.

Actually, when I registered the domain name "portafilter.net," my first thought was to create a forum just like coffeed.com, seeing that there was a void that needed to be filled. I chose to go another route, which is what you see now at portafilter.net.

That being said, I'm absolutely thrilled that Alistair has launched coffeed.com.

Mad props to my low-talking shop owner brother in the north.

[jmc]

Agreed. But it's kind of sad that you don't think the BGA or the RG boards are for passionate coffee professionals.

How about a tasting notes section here?

[nick]

Agreed. But it's kind of sad that you don't think the BGA or the RG boards are for passionate coffee professionals.

Jay,
They most certainly are, but they're intended for a particular segment of coffee professionals... baristas and roasters respectively (is this deja vu?).

[Alistair Durie]

How about a tasting notes section here?

Ok! How do you suggest we could structure that?

I have renamed the third forum to cupping and tasting, post your notes in there.

in fact if roasters have a current 'menu' of offerings with descriptions, or highlights they would like to post about, go for it, do not consider this a shill.

a.

[geir oglend]

Alistair, thanks for the lovely coffee you made me today. I enjoyed the visit very much and the chat w/ your friend.
Hope you will come to the Island and visit us, the coffee is on me.

geir.

[phaelon56]

I'm grateful for the existence of this forum and very pleased that Alistair invited me here. I'm one of those odd birds (there are so many of us) that straddles several fences.

I have a passion for all things coffee and espresso related and work in the "biz" but

a) I'm a part-timer
b) My employer is a bit stuck in a rut and not open to change
c) Their intransigence on the issue of change has resulted in cash flow problems and a fall-off in business. Their SCAA membership has lapsed, they're not going to renew it in the foreseaable future, and I'm ineligible to join any private forums that have SCAA membership as a prerequisite.

What I've seen in my short time here is very encouraging - lots of savvy and passionate industry folks and some others who have a shared interest in information exchange without too much peripheral fluff or clubby off-topic chatter.

And the presence of a forum for off-topic discussion is so helpful - it gives people a place to vent and ramble without mucking up the more specific discussion areas.


Good work Alistair - I hope this forum continues to grow and thrive and I'll make my best effort to be a constructive part of it.

[nick]

...and I'm ineligible to join any private forums that have SCAA membership as a prerequisite.

AFAIK, there's only one such forum: the Roaster's Guild Members Forum. No?

Don't worry... the best part of the RG Members Forum is already active over here: Trish.