Brian's Sig/Cig File FAQ

Why do you need a FAQ for your sig file?
I have received a lot of e-mails from people asking the same questions about it, so I thought this would be simpler for everyone, myself included.

How do you make your sig file?
I have a meter that I downloaded that keeps track of the details after you input your quit information.  It runs in the background and is fairly unobtrusive.

Meter?  Where do I get it?
If you go to the main silkquit.com page, it has a link to the meter and other support resources for quitting smoking as well.

How do I program the meter?
Read the instructions.  It's pretty easy.

Once I have the meter programmed, what do I do to use it?
The meter runs in the background.  Hitting a few buttons ("Ctrl + =" is the default) will make it spit out the updated information in plain ASCII text.  You can also modify the format and suppress information you might not wish to include; all of the information is in the instructions included with the software.

What is the information in your meter?
My last cigarette was on April 8, 2000 at 10:00 PM.  I smoked two packs a day, and the price I decided on was $2.50 US per pack, a bit inexpensive now, but high for when I actually quit and not out of line even now for generic cigarettes by the carton, which is what a two-pack-a-day smoker who is not wealthy will be purchasing.

Have you really quit that long?
Yes.

How does it figure out the "life saved?"
No idea.  I was thinking of leaving it off for that very reason, but decided that I may as well include it.  It's not like anyone thinks this is time I'm guaranteed, and it is a good way to gauge the health benefits, even if it's not as accurate as the financial benefits.

How did you quit?
I used ZybanŽ, which is a pill your doctor must prescribe.  See the ZybanŽ Website and/or your doctor for more information.

I want to use that stuff, but I have seizures, and...
I am not a doctor and I cannot be expected to answer specific questions like that.  Please ask your physician.

Why do you use it as your sig file?
It is encouraging to me to see how much money I have saved and how much healthier I am since I quit.  In the rare cases when I feel an urge to light up, seeing those details give me a good reason not to.

The main reason, however, is that people have told me that my sig file has encouraged them to quit and/or help them stay smoke-free.  That's really cool.

Your sig rocks!  I quit myself/I am thinking of quitting...
I'm glad you like my sig file.  If it can be a motivational tool for you, it makes me even happier to continue using it.  Feel free to download it and use it yourself, for your sig or anything else, really.

Do you hate smokers?
My dad smokes.  Many of my friends smoke.  My occupation as a music critic puts me in contact with smokers several nights out of the week.  I am far from a "militant anti-smoker" in that I am still all for smokers rights and don't feel making the product illegal to be a very smart idea.  I let people smoke in my apartment and in my car.  If someone wants to smoke, they will smoke.  They know the risks.  I simply choose not to and find my sig as a way to keep myself smoke-free and to help those who want to quit, whether for financial or health reasons.

You could get hit by a bus!
Yes, I could.  What's your point?

I think you need a cigarette!
This is often used in "debate" as a way of saying I am wrong about one of my assertions.  My response to that is always, "Thought of that yourself?"  It also does not address whatever point I was making very well, making it a bit of an ad hominem, so not only is it not original and not funny, it means you conceded my points.

I don't like your sig file!  Will you stop using it?
No.  Due to legitimate complaints, I have modified it where it now fits into Usenet convention, and certainly, compared to most of the sigs on many web message boards I visit, my sig is positively restrained.  Ultimately, If you don't like my sig file, don't read it; most decent Usenet readers can suppress sig files and most message board applications seem to offer this capability as well.  Take advantage of this.

There's something wrong with the your FAQ/My question was not answered.
Feel free to email me.