[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

I am computer challenged so really don't know whats possible, apparently about anything for those in the "know" ....what if you use the topics we have......we could be buried in "topics" if we add one for every little thing, and then it takes forever to go thru in the mornings or whenever to see what you missed.....what would be a help I think is if you can have a topic within a topic....i.e. sharpening for beginners heading within the sharpening topic. That way everyone knows it is in the sharpening topic, but is not what pops up first when you go there....the topic would act as it does now with the most currect post/thread on top, but a sub topic would be in there for those that need it.....I know this is a bit redundant because you can go to search.....but as I said, I am computer challenged lol, so don't have a lot of luck with search unless I spend what seems a long time searching! just an idea!

[Ron D]

your like me hi ho i had a hard time finding the on button when my wife brought this thing home.now i no were the on button is but that about it.sometimes i feel like this thing i cant find have the stuff i put on it

ron

[Mitchell]

Susan, I actually think it's a plausable and worthy idea. I would also just try to be cautious as there may be other ways to recognize very good threads.

[wade clark]

Ash,
You mentioned mentoring. Maybe there could be a link to lists of Folks looking for a tutor or willing to tutor, or just willing to get together with Folks near them and carve. Maybe there is already and I haven't found it!!!
Wade

[Lightningbolt]

Susan: Please don't retract your idea! Everything needs to be on the table as we suggest, digest, and process how we'd like to see the forum evolve! Hopefully the Administrator will not make any rash or quick changes without first puttin a lot of thought into such changes so let's everyone keep the flow of ideas coming.

This has really been a valuable thread in the sense of helping us process just how we'd like to see the forum organized (if at all) as it continues to grow and that in itself is unique since it is very evident that the Administration here actually listens to it's member with real ears. Like Paul Guraedy mentioned I too participate in other forums of interest but somehow over time it has been this one that seems to keep drawing most of my attention. That's pretty special since number 1, I've never met anyone here personally, and number 2 I have an enormously busy "other life" so I'm very picky about how and where that I spend my time... and I just can't seem to stay outta here!

Now that we all know that this is a special place and most of us care about how it evolves then I'll jump on the stage again. (God help me! ) Mitchell made some good points in that too many main topic lines can begin to be confusing and conflicts among topics can begin to overlap. For example, someone could post a WIP on thier newest caricature in the WIP forum and it wouldn't even make it to the "Caricature" forum. While appearing to look better organized on the surface it could make subjects of discussion applicable in more than one "obvious" home base. After hearing some of the ideas here perhaps it might be best to post WIP's in their related subject area.

I too don't know exactly what the solution is but I'll offer another idea to ponder upon. There has been some talk about subfolders so if this is possible in the realm of administrator cyber gulok then perhaps each of the main categories listed on the board could have their very own "Hall of Fame" subfolder where the best of the best in that specific category could be copied and stored for easier reference and especially for newcomers. Hopefully these "exceptional" discussions could still be included within the normal flow of posts but it could also be copied and easily found by newcomers under the "Hall of Fame" subfolder.

Hopefully the board doesn't organize itself to death thus compounding the problem by what on the surface might sound like a good solution. There is truth to the saying that sometimes, "Less is more".

Thanks to Susan for initiating this discussion as it too has most certainly developed a life of its own!

Solutions or ideas anyone?

[Irish]

OK ... here's the link to the art forum site, Wet Canvas. http://www.wetcanvas.com/

And here is the link to the individual forum that I sometimes post, Colored Pencils.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/chan...&channel_id=35

Click on the colored pencil forum link. In their left hand nav bar look for the Colored Pencil Forum Library ... they have changed the name recently from the Hall of Fame.

On the next page that loads look at the listing of threads. You want the one at the top with the sticky, Colored Pencils Library Index of Threads.

On the next page that loads you can see how they have organized the past threads that they want to keep handy for easy reference reading.

See if it works for you or not.....

Susan

[kaiserb]

Following Susans idea one could make a link that will bring up all sharpening related posts.... or all Basswood Related posts or what have you...


Link for Sharpening Articles:

http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...searchid=55944

Link for Ashley Iles Tools:

http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.co...searchid=55948

Etc.

Unfortunately the amount of topical entropy this board has suffered from will cause some issues.

This need for a Hall of Fame is also something that can be a teaching tool for those of us that use the forum. Many times when you go to search for something on the board you find a variety of items, and threads that started as a WIP thread that turn into a sharpening thread, then turn into a discussion about carving shows and ebay announcements.

A lot of this comes from one or two off topic posts coupled with the number of people who read the board using the "New s" feature. When you click new posts you navagate directly to a series of posts rather than click the category, then thread, then post list. In this series of new posts you may find 4 messages in a thread regarding punch cards, and respond regarding punch cards instead of the WIP topic the thread started as. This causes a thread that has to be split and recategorized.

The threads on this board have a lot of topical entropy. This is common on all forums. That is the purpose of having moderators. The more topic changes in a single thread cause more work for the moderators. The average forum user can do a few things to keep the board running well:

1. Stay on Topic: If the thread subject is "Carving wood selection" Please post items related to Carving wood selection. Not posts regarding the 2x4's in your house, or the fact that you were a lumberjack in 1950.

2. Check the date of the thread: There are a lot of threads with a question asked 2 years ago that have ran their course. Then someone posts a new post to that thread giving an answer or a statement of some sort. If the thread is old and ran its course, don't post new info to it. This new post only causes confusion and restarts an old thread.


I know this has been more than $0.02 worth...

[Ron Davidson]

Susan-I went to the site you listed and didn't have any trouble finding my way around to the sticky's. I don't know how everyone else will navigate it and like it. I am not a computer wizard either.

[Lightningbolt]

I also went to the site mentioned by Susan and it seems to be a good idea for organizing a lot of good information for easy navigation. If I read it correctly the "Hall of Fame" is organized into the categories covered in the main forum which even include the best of the WIP's. The links take you directly to where the discussion is posted in the forum so there is no double posting which is nice. I believe that it's simply a very organized links page which directs you to already existing and exceptional discussions within the whole forum so it wouldn't exactly be like starting up another posting category since it's only a "portal" to those selected discussions... so if that's the case then it would seem to be a nice addition.

As their moderator said this is a continuing work in progress and seems to be worth more consideration for this forum if the administration here and perhaps Susan can colaberate on the fine details. Now that I understand it better I believe that I'm for it, but as always, me and my dog reserve the right to withdraw at a moments notice :-)

[squbrigg]

Great site Susan. Very well organized and designed. Easy to navagate, and some great information there. Bookmarked that one for sure. Thank you.

Bob