[Old_Gord]

Guess I can throw my 2 cents in hopefully I won't ruffle anyones feathers since I don't see the point of doing something like the comprehensive web site suggested as an example.
One, they have 62,000 members, Two they have 1200 members on line at a time, Three, if I were a newbie entering that site for the first time I wouldn't have a clue where to start since they have so many forums or areas to check out. The amount of work the site owners or moderators must have done and most likely still have to do to maintain that site is something this board's administration and current crop of moderators will have to agree to do if a switch is made to resemble the suggested example board structure. My question is do "you" want to spend this tme and effort? Will it be worth while?
I think it's providing easy access to info for newbies that most concerns are about in the comments I'm reading here.
Problem is most of the questions by newbies I see have already been covered to some degree in older posts, so how do they access them?
One way would be for a moderator to step in and point out where previously discussed topics have covered their question.
The other way would be to respond to each question that has been previously discussed with instructions on how to do a "search" on this board for the topic they are asking about.
Frankly I think the board is okay the way it is now, if newbies don't want to read some of the past posts or search the previously posted questions for an answer before they post their question, I don't think changing this board to resemble the suggested example board will improve this board in anyway. Finding info needs a search of some kind , if people aren't willing to do that then making lots of work for the administration and moderators will only be a make work project as far as I see it..
.

OG

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I really don't want to see a big over encumbered site either..you can look thru the available threads in just a few seconds and see if you have missed any...the only thing that I miss is when I am gone for a few days, a new post is put on and then another on top of it, so the first one is buried in the main body, so unless you go thru each thread thoroughly, you miss posts.....and I have been known to do that! lol

[rales]

Susan,
I think the Hall of Fame is a good idea... but maybe not at this time? In perusing our categories - we have very few "stickys" at the moment. 1) Might I suggest we start there? At least that will direct people to the right categories to start with. 2) Moderators should have the right to scrub the posts that really don't have anything to do with the subject - or at least condense them - this is the mark of a great moderator! 3) Leave them open! and moderate them continually... nothing more frustrating than a sticky you can't respond to - or having them fill up with junk again. I know this will step on toes sometimes but it is neccesary. 4) If you want to call it a "Hall of Fame" (note the caps and italics!) - then leave it that way. Don't change the name - whatever you call it! That was the most frustrating part of finding Susan's Wet Canvas link...it wasn't prominent anymore!
5) All of us! Don't be afraid to respond to old threads if you have something new to add. That is what keeps them new!
BTW - I love the "Similar Threads" feature in this forum... it will always steer you in the right direction!

rales

[MelNM]

Just a thought, but maybe WCI could publish a book with some these ideas. I'm sure there's enough good information in a lot of these threads to do it.

[Lightningbolt]

Originally Posted by MelNM

Just a thought, but maybe WCI could publish a book with some these ideas. I'm sure there's enough good information in a lot of these threads to do it.

That's a great idea and I'd sure take a hard look at purchasing such a wealth of information organized into an easy to digest printed form, however....

and correct me if I'm wrong, but that probably will never happen if I read the posting agreement that everyone agrees to when signing up as a member of the forum. I believe that agreement says (and should if it doesn't) that each of us are posting text & pictures in the spirit of sharing among other carvers and in doing so we (the posters) agree to allow WCI to display such posts' here on the forum only.

If that is true (and it should be) then for anyone, including WCI, to directly profit from this "spirit of sharing" by publishing in book or magazine form would be in violation of the agreement. On the same hand and in that same spirt of sharing I am also reasonable and understand that it costs WCI some BIG bucks to offer this great forum for our benefit and enjoyment and a forum that allows its members to post pictures is rare in the world of cyber connections so huge storage costs is another added expense that WCI absorbs as the forum grows.

On a "third" hand I would imagine that such a forum benefits WCI as much as it does the members and is worth that expense because where could there be a better barometer about what "we" as carvers would like to see in their publications and I greatly value my carving library. "Here" they can see exactly what is on our minds and that kind of first hand information is valuable in the publishing world. Just a few months ago Bob said that they would have an article on cane making in an upcoming issue of WCI since they saw that it was such a hot topic of discussion here on the forum and that is a wonderful benefit to everyone.

First and foremost I appreciate WCI offering us the many benefits of this forum and hopefully those benefits are a mutual thing for everyone.

[BobD]

We do have the "Rate this post" function...if people like a post, mark it! We could then choose the top-rated posts for the Hall of Fame.

Bob

[wade clark]

Bob,
Great idea!
Wade