Forum Restructure

[ERLover]

Technically, I think anything is fair game in "community" so long as it doesn't violate forum rules, including by inviting flame wars/fights among the members.

That said, there have been an increasing number of posts that appear to be little more than private messages between 2 or 3 folks who are carrying on what is essentially a private conversation on the community forum. It isn't prohibited by forum rules, but it clogs up the forum and makes it hard to find things that might be of more general interest and it makes the forum less enjoyable for some of us.

I would encourage members to think twice before posting in community and ask themselves whether it is a subject directed at the community at large or if it is really aimed at 2 or 3 friends -- in which case I would encourage folks to use the PM feature.

I have little expectation that anything will change, but one never knows!

Agale, I will admit, I am extremely guilty of that.

[algale]

Technically, I think anything is fair game in "community" so long as it doesn't violate forum rules, including by inviting flame wars/fights among the members.

That said, there have been an increasing number of posts that appear to be little more than private messages between 2 or 3 folks who are carrying on what is essentially a private conversation on the community forum. It isn't prohibited by forum rules, but it clogs up the forum and makes it hard to find things that might be of more general interest and it makes the forum less enjoyable for some of us.

I would encourage members to think twice before posting in community and ask themselves whether it is a subject directed at the community at large or if it is really aimed at 2 or 3 friends -- in which case I would encourage folks to use the PM feature.

I have little expectation that anything will change, but one never knows!

Agale, I will admit, I am extremely guilty of that.

Then I would encourage you to send PMs as may be appropriate!

[ERLover]

I'll look at adding subforums for a few topics.

Now if people would just use them.

Many (maybe most) of the members do use the forums and sub-forums correctly. But all of us tend to get side tracked by off-topic discussions within the forum discussion. It is those side trips that I believe cause the forum to be degraded.

It is fine if someone wants to take a side trip but start a thread to do so.

It is my position that topics like the 10/10E/10ER should be grouped in a forum of their own.

I personally would like to see forums or sub-forums for jointer, planer, power station, crafters station, etc.

Maybe the crafters station and some others belong in a group of the not so popular Shopsmith equipments (Mark II, etc).

No matter what is done to reorganize the forum, if the intent is not clearly stated and enforced the re-organization will be meaningless.

Community is a prime example. There is an endless list of discussions (mostly in Community) that simply do no have a place on a "wood working forum"; discussions that have no imaginable connection to "wood working" or wood working equipment.

Then Dusty, look at your last paragraph here, lets see what you have posted in Community the last 60 ish days. Banking issues, Pass Word issues, Credit Card issues, health reports, computer issues, ect, they seem to be non related to Wood Working.
Wood Working Forum? Then go to LumberJocks. They cover it all also. WW, Maintenance, Projects, Ect, and Coffee Loung, AKA Community here. They are just not sponsored by SS and not as specific to SS machinery for maintenance and what can be done with them.

[roy_okc]

Actually, I would like to see the Community section limited to "Shop Related Discussions". This would only loosely translate to "wood working".

Perhaps rather than this, that a new section "Shop Talk," or so, be created for such discussions. Maybe rename Community to "Off Topic" for all things completely unrelated to SS & woodworking so that the delineation is clear.

I, for one, feel like this is a bit of a loose family, like a bunch of 2nd cousins or something, on this forum and don't mind hearing about folks' recovering from health issues, new junior woodworkers and grand woodworkers in training, they are okay following storm/earthquake/fire/whatever catastrophe, etc.

[ERLover]

Actually, I would like to see the Community section limited to "Shop Related Discussions". This would only loosely translate to "wood working".

Perhaps rather than this, that a new section "Shop Talk," or so, be created for such discussions. Maybe rename Community to "Off Topic" for all things completely unrelated to SS & woodworking so that the delineation is clear.

I, for one, feel like this is a bit of a loose family, like a bunch of 2nd cousins or something, on this forum and don't mind hearing about folks' recovering from health issues, new junior woodworkers and grand woodworkers in training, they are okay following storm/earthquake/fire/whatever catastrophe, etc.

Roy, I do like the idea in maintenance for sub areas for E/ERs, old VIIs, SS RAS ect.
I agree, and I dont mind the stuff in Comminity, that seems to me what is about, reible/Ed posting his nature walk pics, some one venting about not being in the shop do to a medical procedure, the hot humid weather in there area and cant work much in the shop, recipes for us that like and can cook, a pic of the moon rise over there house at night.
It seems though to me, some are just unhappy with there situation, have more time on the forum then in the shop and are just venting there anger and frustrations of there own personal situation here, and yes I took it personal when I read the "mom", and "ER"" references. I knew it was directed at me. I let it run last night to see where it was all going to go till tonight. I get hit on my spelling, but just in this thread there were a dozen that missed spelled words, it happens, spell check does pick some up, and unless you proof read, and you might miss anyway. Who Freaken Cares, unless you just want to be a hater.
I do like the idea in maintenance for sub areas for E/ERs, old VIIs, SS RAS ect.

[benush26]

I've debated at length about posting
A while back one forum member had me to the point where I thought I was causing problems for other members who I considered friends, so I profusely apologized and took my leave.
Come to find out that that member got banned. I received an email from a friend on this forum about the banishment, so I came back.
Now I find myself seldom checking in. I do miss reading posts of people on this forum, but the quantity of posts that are irrelevant or uninteresting "to me" (to me being the operative designation) makes it not fun to cull through. I am here for FUN. I learn and absorb. But it has now become frustrating, not fun.
Frankly if I could flag in my preferences that all posts by a member would not be seen by me I would find it great. If that member did post something I would have found useful, it would be my loss, but I could live with that.
Some years back when I was playing a great deal of online poker, I could highlight a player and when ever that player had something to say, all I would see were a few asterisks. For me, a situation like that on this forum would be ideal. There are only two members I would select, but I believe I would get a great deal more enjoyment from this forum. Yes, it cuts both ways and I am certain there are more than a few members who would gladly "quiet" me.
However, I doubt that that option in this forum software is a possibility let alone a probability and I would not request Admin to ban anyone. Goes against my values.
My alternative, is to swoop in a few times a week (or month), read what seems to appeal to me and occasionally login and comment. Maybe that method saves others from shaking their heads when I post.
Soap box now put away and back to ccasional fly bys (without asking control for clearance! )
Back to sort of what the topic was intended (I think).... I like reading about jigs and how someone has adapted a tool or tools, I like seeing others handiwork. I enjoy seeing what others have found for new tools and accessories. But this is a Shopsmith forum, paid for and provided by a Shopsmith. I'll use it as best I can within the constraints I am given by Shopsmith and say "Thank You". For those who utilize its benefits more than me, I will bow to their collective influences.

Be well,
Ben

[roy_okc]

Frankly if I could flag in my preferences that all posts by a member would not be seen by me I would find it great. If that member did post something I would have found useful, it would be my loss, but I could live with that.
Some years back when I was playing a great deal of online poker, I could highlight a player and when ever that player had something to say, all I would see were a few asterisks. For me, a situation like that on this forum would be ideal. There are only two members I would select, but I believe I would get a great deal more enjoyment from this forum. Yes, it cuts both ways and I am certain there are more than a few members who would gladly "quiet" me.
However, I doubt that that option in this forum software is a possibility let alone a probability and I would not request Admin to ban anyone. Goes against my values.

Be well,
Ben

Ben,

You can hide posts by particular members. Click on the 'profile' button at the bottom of their posting, when you get there, click on 'Add Foe'. That should do it. You can also go through your User Control Panel settings.

[jsburger]

Now if people would just use them.

Many (maybe most) of the members do use the forums and sub-forums correctly. But all of us tend to get side tracked by off-topic discussions within the forum discussion. It is those side trips that I believe cause the forum to be degraded.

It is fine if someone wants to take a side trip but start a thread to do so.

It is my position that topics like the 10/10E/10ER should be grouped in a forum of their own.

I personally would like to see forums or sub-forums for jointer, planer, power station, crafters station, etc.

Maybe the crafters station and some others belong in a group of the not so popular Shopsmith equipments (Mark II, etc).

No matter what is done to reorganize the forum, if the intent is not clearly stated and enforced the re-organization will be meaningless.

Community is a prime example. There is an endless list of discussions (mostly in Community) that simply do no have a place on a "wood working forum"; discussions that have no imaginable connection to "wood working" or wood working equipment.

Then Dusty, look at your last paragraph here, lets see what you have posted in Community the last 60 ish days. Banking issues, Pass Word issues, Credit Card issues, health reports, computer issues, ect, they seem to be non related to Wood Working.
Wood Working Forum? Then go to LumberJocks. They cover it all also. WW, Maintenance, Projects, Ect, and Coffee Loung, AKA Community here. They are just not sponsored by SS and not as specific to SS machinery for maintenance and what can be done with them.

ER you are ABSOLUTELY correct.

I love ALL your posts Dusty but, don't throw stones when you are doing the same thing that you are complaining about.

If you look at the forum home page there is no definition of what the Community topic content should be. That is not like the other forum topics that are defined.

Obviously, people that are complaining about particular topics are reading them. Otherwise they wouldn't have a complaint. JUST DON'T READ THE TOPIC. DUH

[JPG]

Taqs and 'sub forums' make sense for 'new' posts, but it would be advantageous for the initiator of older posts to be able to 'add' the tags and assign to a sub forum. Work for the original poster but it would prevent older stuff from being lost in the shuffle.

[ERLover]

When this Tread started and saw some of the first few post and kinda got a drift of it, I went to Community to see if there were any guide lines/sub titles, for a lack or a better description, like the other 4 have, there is none, just "Community". Maybe a lack of fore site on the MS.