Help

FAQ's'

What is Smog Story?

It's an online cigar smoker's journal. You can use it to keep track of the cigars you smoke, and to see the opinions of others on cigars.

Eventually we'll have enough information to make recommendations as to what cigars you might like.

Who is behind this?

Just me, Terrence Ryan. I'm a web developer from Philadelphia, who started this site to teach himself a new programming technique. (Model-Glue, for any geek/smoker combo out there.)

I started smoking cigars when in the summer of 1993 when I was 16. It was right before the cigar boom so I saw a few years of decent prices before I got disgusted by the prices.

If you are actually interested in finding out more about me, checkout my website: Aarrgghh!!

How much does it cost?

Free. We don't charge for an account on Smog Story.

Are you selling our information?

No. We will not ever sell personal data (names and email) to anyone.

Are you advertizing these cigars?

Short Answer: No. Long Answer: I would love to, but this site has to get popular first.

I don't have all of the statistics for the cigars I smoke. Can I leave them blank?

Absolutely, but don't be surprized if someone comes along and fills the information in.

I'd like to take a few notes from a hand held or mobile device. Can I do that?

SmogStory has been built with mobile devices in mind. Just point your mobile device's web browser to SmogStory.com.

Why do you focus so much on cigar "value"?

Cigars are marketed as a luxury item. But that doesn't mean that cigar smokers welcome being ripped off. I think a big part of the problem during the boom of the 90's was that demand rose so high that we as consumers didn't hold manufacturers to providing value. It didn't help that there were new consumers and fly by night manufacturers, but we could have been smarter.

Can I request a feature?

Sure, but keep in mind that this a labor of love. Depending on the comlexity of the request it may or may got done, but I will respond to any requests.

Just use our contact form to let me know.

Ratings

We ask you to rate your cigars on three criteria: construction, taste, and value. From these we calculate an "overall" rating.

Construction

This is an objective judgement of how well the cigar was put together. Indications of good constuction are an even burn, a good draw, not burning too hot, and not needing to be relit often.

Construction ratings range from 1(poorly constructed) to 10(perfectly constructed).

Taste

This is a subjective judgement of how much you enjoyed the taste of the cigar.

Taste ratings range from 1(awful tasting) to 10(the best thing you've ever tasted.)

Value

This is a subjective judgement of whether or not you got your money's worth. Did you feel ripped off by the cost? Or did you think it was a steal.

Value ratings range from 1(you were robbed) to 10(you did the robbing).

Overall

This is a calculated average of your other ratings.

Value ratings range from 1(reject this even it given as a gift) to 10(buy out your local cigar shop's supply).