More Food for Thought

[dusty]

That's right, Dusty! never has been related to the "Community Forum". Here's the link to getting to this fourm, - copied from the front page.

Community (24 Viewing)
This is a forum for general discussion not related to woodworking

charlese, if all the non-woodworking discussions were contained only in the Community Forum, it would be great but they are not.

Beginning Woodworking
Forum for people who are new to woodworking. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

General Woodworking
This is a forum for intermediate or advanced woodworkers. Show off your projects or share your ideas.

Woodworking and Tool Review
Create a review for a woodworking tool that you are familiar with (Shopsmith brand or Non-Shopsmith) or just post your opinion a specific tool. Head to head comparisons welcome too.

Maintenance and Repair
Forum for Maintenance and Repair topics. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

I wish there was a forum for the 10E and 10ER and one for the 500.

Actually, I wish there were several additional forums but this has been suggested before and it has not come to fruition. It is not likely to happen.

[Ed in Tampa]

charlese, if all the non-woodworking discussions were contained only in the Community Forum, it would be great but they are not.

And I agree that is the problem! The problem is not the subject matter on the community forums.

I believe Admin would be wise to stop off topic discussions before they get going. Perhaps that requires too much of his time. Which is understandable.

That said I still believe if someone takes a thread off topic those that respond to them are as much at fault as the person that did it.

When that happens to thread I'm interested in I too get frustrated but instead of letting it bother me enough to leave the forum I just stop reading the thread.

[letterk]

I admit that I haven't been here very much and yes, I have no interest in most of what is in the community forum. I had made posts in the past regarding the content in some community posts. Yes, what has gone on in this part of the community has kept me away.

I understand the first amendment argument and the argument that if it isn't your cup of tea, you shouldn't read it. That fine, but where do you draw the line? Is it bringing up what party you belong to? Is making fun of the political person by intentionally misspelling their name is some "you think it's funny way" crossing the line? Or perhaps, it's going on a 5000 word dissertation on what is wrong with the country or the opposite political party. Wherever the line is, you are likely to step over it for some group of people.

As I've said before, when you bring up these subjects, i.e. Religion or politics, you aren't changing anyone's mind. For every post that you get a response with someone agreeing with you, assume that there are two people who have lost some respect for you. Why would you choose to have people respect you less?

And yes, this goes for those who need to draw political analogies into their responses - I've seen it here and have a relative that does it. Yes, he has become the guy at family functions that sits in the corner of the room and is the butt of jokes. Life is too short, try to enjoy it.

[skou]

charlese, if all the non-woodworking discussions were contained only in the Community Forum, it would be great but they are not.

Beginning Woodworking
Forum for people who are new to woodworking. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

General Woodworking
This is a forum for intermediate or advanced woodworkers. Show off your projects or share your ideas.

Woodworking and Tool Review
Create a review for a woodworking tool that you are familiar with (Shopsmith brand or Non-Shopsmith) or just post your opinion a specific tool. Head to head comparisons welcome too.

Maintenance and Repair
Forum for Maintenance and Repair topics. Feel free to ask questions or contribute.

I wish there was a forum for the 10E and 10ER and one for the 500.

Actually, I wish there were several additional forums but this has been suggested before and it has not come to fruition. It is not likely to happen.

Dusty, I can agree with that. Maybe, we call the Series 10 group, the Senior group. Unless, until they stop using Series 10 machines to build you youngster's machines. (I'd better watch out, some of you "youngsters" have been around longer than I have) (You can't build a 10 series machine with a Mk 7 {either version} but you can build BOTH Mk7 or VIIs with a Series 10.)

We need a Mk5 500 group, as well as as (OLD MkVII) group.

Maybe, the Mark-X groups should be together, I don't know. Possibly, sub-groups.

BUT, I agree a well moderated political discussion section should be allowed, or COMPLETELY removed. Religious beliefs, (and they will interact with politics, look at Mitt Romney and Barack Obama) should fall into the same scrutiny. Mitt claims to be a Mormon, (and his father was born in the same Mormon Colony as was my father.) Barack, his religion is completely up to anyone's imagination. I will point out that his professed pastor's daughter is under some federal crime investigations. Mitt's father was Governor of Michigan, and marched with the Reverend Martin Luther King. (But not on Sunday.) He was chastised by the "officials" in Salt Lake City for that, too.

OK, off my soapbox!

The "discussion" section is just that. Discussions. If you want to discuss, discuss. If you don't want to talk about non Shopsmith stuff, don't go here.

If we keep it as discussions, and not name calling, we should be OK.

I've seen some posts by people that do not agree with me, politically, but would LOVE to invite them over for an adult beverage or 7. Maybe even a boat-drink or 2. (Yes, that was directed at a fellow Parrothead.) Guy has some Series 10 stuff, do he can't be that bad.

Guys, you ever disagree with a friend, about something? You still friends?
Perhaps we can agree to disagree about stuff, and STILL be friends!

steve

[dusty]

And I agree that is the problem! The problem is not the subject matter on the community forums.

I believe Admin would be wise to stop off topic discussions before they get going. Perhaps that requires too much of his time. Which is understandable.

That said I still believe if someone takes a thread off topic those that respond to them are as much at fault as the person that did it.

When that happens to thread I'm interested in I too get frustrated but instead of letting it bother me enough to leave the forum I just stop reading the thread.

I believe that the membership should be able to police itself.

[JPG]

I believe that the membership should be able to police itself.

And I believe this thread is an attempt to do so.

[Ed in Tampa]

I believe that the membership should be able to police itself.

They can by just not responding to off track posts. It is that easy.
The minute someone says I disagree or this isn't a subject for this thread you can be sure the thread will be lost. Just ignore the offending post and keep on trucking. It is that easy.

I learned a new word "trolling about a week ago. It is defined as an attempt by some to post something just to get a reaction. I had seen it in the past and didn't realize it was a recognized occurrence. I'm probably even guilty of it from time to time, much to my shame. I do repent and ask for patience and forgiveness.

In the past I have seen things posts that it believed it was easier to ignore than try to respond to. I think if we all did this all the time there would not be a problem.

My humble opinion.

[JPG]

They can by just not responding to off track posts. It is that easy.
The minute someone says I disagree or this isn't a subject for this thread you can be sure the thread will be lost. Just ignore the offending post and keep on trucking. It is that easy.

I learned a new word "trolling about a week ago. It is defined as an attempt by some to post something just to get a reaction. I had seen it in the past and didn't realize it was a recognized occurrence. I'm probably even guilty of it from time to time, much to my shame. I do repent and ask for patience and forgiveness.

In the past I have seen things posts that it believed it was easier to ignore than try to respond to. I think if we all did this all the time there would not be a problem.

My humble opinion.

Trolling? Is that a new term for baiting?:rolleyes:

[benush26]

Much has been written regarding a wish list of more areas on this forum.

With that in mind...

What would be the forums thoughts regarding a pay to play situation?

I have no clue to the compensation given the Admin to keep this site rocking and rolling and don't think it is any of my business. However, if say 50 of us (or more if possible) agreed to contribute $10 a year *I'm just throwing out numbers here!!* , could or would that entice the Administrator to create a few more sub forums? Would any members be on board with payment idea? Enough to make it financially feasible?

I am NOT suggesting that EVERYONE has to pay to be here!! The compensation pot would be strictly voluntary though having a few members pledge would be a nice safety net.

Some of the "flaming" prone sub forums could be left to their own devices and the Admin could ignore any spam cram trolling and strolling that occurred in those. The existing sub forums (minus Community) would still be kept pretty much patrolled by the rank and file and a sub section (Machines??) with subs for finds on CL, Es, ERs, 500s, 510s, etc. Maybe even move Reviews and Maintenance into that section. I DON'T KNOW??? I'm just spit balling here!!:o

Anyway........... Does anyone want to carry on with this slippery slope and
1. Find out of the Admin (who probably is reading this ) has ANY desire to expand this forum?
2. If yes to the above, what compensation is requested or required?
3. How we as a group can provide that compensation?

Dusty, I am sort of apologizing for stealing your thread, but I had considered a poll in a different thread, but this one seems to have some attention and traction (where the ones I start usually don't)

I know I'm not the one to broach the subject with the Admin, Shopsmith, etal. since I'm a relative nubbie as far as time spent on this forum. Does someone want to grab the torch?

Let the sliding begin!!

Be well,
Ben

[JPG]

I do not think RLF Tools Inc. will go long with that.