Big Changes in Online Documentation

[dusty]

I don't know how long this has been there but I just discovered some major changes in the online documentation. You'll have to check it out for yourself to determine the good-bad-and ugly.

http://www.shopsmith.com/service/index.htm

[wa2crk]

Dusty
I have seen that page before but what specifically are you referring to. Maybe it is too early in the AM for me to see clearly.
Bill V

[dusty]

Maybe it has been there for a long time and I just never noticed but by way of this link I can reach the illustrated parts breakdowns and exploded views of each item. The changes are not so much "on this page" but on the pages to which you can link.

No matter - I think the changes are a great improvement. However, it will take some time to become proficient at navigating. I am a slow learner with a very short memory.

Example: http://www.shopsmith.com/service/mark/index.htm

[JPG]

Maybe it has been there for a long time and I just never noticed but by way of this link I can reach the illustrated parts breakdowns and exploded views of each item. The changes are not so much "on this page" but on the pages to which you can link.

No matter - I think the changes are a great improvement. However, it will take some time to become proficient at navigating. I am a slow learner with a very short memory.

Example: http://www.shopsmith.com/service/mark/index.htm

I seem to recall you commenting on the parts diagrams and parts lists previously as an improvement.

Are you now commenting on how to get to them?

Yes some of the older ways are now secluded, but I believe still there and functional.

[dusty]

Oh Well. Consider it redundant. I did not mean to be a nuisance. Sorry to have inconvenienced you. I thought I found something that did not exist before.

[JPG]

Oh Well. Consider it redundant. I did not mean to be a nuisance. Sorry to have inconvenienced you. I thought I found something that did not exist before.

It was NOT redundant. You were NOT a nuisance. I was NOT inconvienced.

Now as for the last, I think I understand the cause. Age has a way of creating that!

[charlese]

I think I understand the cause. Age has a way of creating that!

YES IT DOES

[everettdavis]

I spoke with Shopsmith folks just the other day about improving their parts listings and especially the Mark 7 headstock, which is sorely missing entirely. They said they would talk to the Webmaster, which if I am not mistaken, is the Admin here.

I know they try really hard with the resources they have.

Some time back, I asked if we could approach someone there about having some forum members with time and computer skills to help them develop more documentation and get the best of the best out there to support their products.

Some here said it was not likely, but with proper controls where Shopsmith folks reviewed and approved our work product, I think it could help them help us all, without increasing their overhead, which is something they try to tightly control.

Does anyone else think there is a way forward for such a project, and have any time to offer to help make it happen?

[dusty]

Good Luck! What you suggest has a great deal of merit but I don't think it will fly.

[JPG]

Neat idea, but we not being employed by RLF, there are liability issues.

Also being resource(man hours) poor, they cannot do the 'checking'. Add to that, 'we' go back in time and have far greater knowledge and understanding than the 'checkers' who would be 'told' what to look for. I know that sounds narcissistic, but that has been demonstrated on occasion. There is no substitute for actual hands on experience. Nor is there a substitute for first hand knowledge.

No one at RLF goes back further than the seventies(AFAIK). Several of us have owned longer than that and possess even older units.

Also we being an adventurous bunch tend to routinely do things that the folks at RLF shudder at(like installing the quill return spring into the housing etc.) and installing new bearings(in the motor no less) and GASP converting motors to be reversible and dual voltage.