[BobD]

Hi all,
As we begin the process of updating the Carving World Web site, I'd like to get your opinions on the FAQ portion. I've seen many other sites where FAQs, such as how to sharpen, etc. has its own section, so questions about general things doesn't clog up the message boards.

My question is this: What should we put into the FAQ? any suggestions?

My ideas include Sharpening, Carving Definitions (what's a caricacture, etc.), General Tools...

Any other ideas?

Bob

[AlArchie]

I don't know about others, Bob, but when I check a site with FAQ sections, that is one area I avoid, rather than pick through all the questions to see if someone has already answered it, only to find they have not. And I surely don't want to look through all the questions to see if I have an answer. I would think that the purpose of this board is to pose and answer questions. The other stuff is just superfelous conversation. Good conversation, though! And we all seem to enjoy the interplay. Just my 2 cents worth.

Al

[Colin_Partridge]

I agree whole heartedly with Al I also dont want to go through all those FAQ to find the answer or non answer. I think what makes this board unique is the people on it all have there own expertise so it isnt hard to get an answer to a question posed. Having said that it is nice to have someone from Admin active on the board something we havent had in the past. Nice to have you aboard I will introduce myself to you on Saturday at the International Carvers Conference in Kitchener.
Colin

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I think if you were going to have a FAQ sections, it should have a search block, so you don't have to go thru a hundred other Q&A's but I agree with Al, at least posting, you can banter back and forth, when I see a FAQ, 90% of the time I have questions that are not answered! :

[BobD]

That's why I asked what you all would like...This is really your message board. My goal is to (Hopefully) attract other people to this board to give us an even bigger resource (and waste even more of our time reading the board ).

What I was envisioning would be a section on the basics--a caricacture carving is ..., chip carving is ..., and perhaps a place we could refer people who post on the board to.

I know some boards are very strict that if question is answered in the FAQ, then people can't post questions on that topic, but I don't think that would happen with this board. We all like to gab a little too much

I see the point, though, about not wanting to 'stifle' the topics on the board, though. I guess I envisioned the FAQ as being sort of a place where someone (usually a magazine reader) could zip in, find an answer to their question, and zip out without waiting to get comments on the question.

In no way could a FAQ ever replace the wealth of information all of you contributers provide, but for some people, it could provid the information they need in a timely manner.

Two other things I'm kicking around--a general links page where we could collect all kinds of links related to woodworking (perhaps a link to the enormous Fox Chapel links page) or even just a list of links contributers use regularls (ie. picture trail links.

Another thing would be a regular chat here on the board. I'm checking to see if our software supports it, but I think if would be interesting to be able to chat with you all in real time, rather than just posting on a message board.

I'm sorry for rambling, but let me just thank you all again for your input.

Bob D.

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

there are basic questions that have been answered many times over and I suppose a FAQ on those would be a good way not to have to keep repeating for new comers...such as what kind of wood do you use, what tools to start with etc etc, there are a lot of questions that have basically the same answers all the time.....but to find the topics would keep you busy Bob! umm, oh well, you're getting paid for it! LOL

[Kenny_S]

Ditto with Ala and Colin. Mostly, I don't go to FAQs as the answers are generic. Maybe how to post or how to upload pictures, etc. A user friendly FAQ, eh?

[squbrigg]

Good topic BobD. IMHO FAQ's can't hurt, so long as they are pretty basic.

I don't think that FAQ's will ever stiffle discussion on the board, we all like to talk too much. One thing that even basic questions do is allow newcomers to use them as icebreakers for themselves. New carvers, like newcomers to any subject, are shy of jumping right in and telling the world how good they are, they like to test the waters, one toe at a time. Basic questions give them an excuse to do so.

s also give experienced carvers an opportunity to encourage and inspire new carvers. By showing their work online, they give others all kinds of ideas and it encourages them to try new things, and strive to improve their own work. Helps them set new standards for themselves, or 'raises the bar' on their work.

The old 'Geez, I wish I could do that?' kicks in and they try.

I had a good look around your new site. It looks pretty good, and your selection of books is amaizing.

Keep up the good work.

Regards,

Bob

[jamesfa]

why fix it if it ain't broke?
I belong to several other groups as well as others on this board,this is by far the busiest most active and most informative of them all.

Bob, I recently did an overhaul on my little site and found an excellent FAQ script. It's searchable and you can add as many categories as you like. It's written in PHP and uses a MYSQL database. I also have a nice little 'live chat' script running. It's lightweight and faster then most I've played around with.

If you want to take a look at them, click on the 'my site' link in my sig. The FAQ script is run from the 'How do I button.' Not much there right now only two items I think. Click on 'Knowledge base,' select a category and click 'Search' to list what's there (Carving in this case).

The nice thing about this script is Users can become Authors and contribute their knowledge to make the knowledge base extra-ordinary. Their articles are not published until approved by the administrator so not much of a chance of some 'Russian beauty' advertising for a husband

If you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'm pretty handy around computers and webspace, tools, guns, and food