Forum Participation

[Emiliano Achaval]

Link is just short for hyperlink which is the protocol (http) used by the world wide web. Breadcrumbs is standard forum nomenclature for going up higher levels from the current directory.

Stand corrected, lol. I do notice that I always see the same people active here, obviously the administrators and a few others... We got a very nice logo entry for our contest, the forum keeps serving me well. I hope more people would turn other logos in... Aloha from Maui

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

I'm here to stay! Just upset that we dont have more turners taking the advantage of this great resource.

I agree with you but we may be beating a dead horse as far as getting others interested. I can echo what Bill has stated and these are my facts to back it up.
Our club had 58 members last year
Of that number probably 15 are computer illiterate
In the remaining number probably 20 could handle computers to moderate or well category
Even on the club website , of which I am webmaster, there is little participation and I force register all members so we can contact them via website email
As far as I know there are only two of the club members using this forum. One the VP recently logged in and me.
We have brought this site up repeatedly in meetings, but just not that much interest.
Like you I like the site and the info available from members. I do like your FB idea for AAW to attract younger membership.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

I agree with you but we may be beating a dead horse as far as getting others interested. I can echo what Bill has stated and these are my facts to back it up.
Our club had 58 members last year
Of that number probably 15 are computer illiterate
In the remaining number probably 20 could handle computers to moderate or well category
Even on the club website , of which I am webmaster, there is little participation and I force register all members so we can contact them via website email
As far as I know there are only two of the club members using this forum. One the VP recently logged in and me.
We have brought this site up repeatedly in meetings, but just not that much interest.
Like you I like the site and the info available from members. I do like your FB idea for AAW to attract younger membership.

Mike Mahoney visited me today, by the time I remembered to call the AAW, they were closed. I believe we will get a lot of people to join a AAW open Facebook, but, wont be totally open, we have to be able to manage membership, only way to do that is with a closed group...

 

[RichColvin]

I wonder why this forum has such low % of AAW members participating. Should be one of the best and busiest forums. Definitely in my opinion is the one with more prestige, yet you post a picture and nobody even looks at it. Same picture on a Facebook woodturning group can get a 100 likes overnight, on instagram within a few hours also hundreds. What can we do to encourage more turners to participate? Maybe there are too many websites with forums, I know, I frequently troll about 4, plus 4 or 5 Facebook groups. I'm the administrator for one, we are about to reach 10.000 turners... The AAW has done a lot for me and our club, I like to keep supporting this forum, and would like to hear what can we do to bring more turners.

Emiliano,

I participate on a few fora, and this one seems to be one of the best for providing a good combination of both participation and information. I have found that my questions typically get quick and detailed responses.

Kind regards,
Rich

 

[Richard Coers]

I participate here a little. My biggest criticism is the small number of categories and the poor use of the newbie section. When you come to the Main Forum, you'll see a large number of newbie questions. Of course I choose to not read them if I don't have the time, but those with 30-40 years of experience aren't likely to be interested in "what kind of sandpaper should I use", "or what angle or what rpm questions". Same goes for the gallery. It's the same situation for the magazine, when you get the eternal, too simple, too artsy discussion.

 

[Odie]

I participate here a little. My biggest criticism is the small number of categories and the poor use of the newbie section. When you come to the Main Forum, you'll see a large number of newbie questions. Of course I choose to not read them if I don't have the time, but those with 30-40 years of experience aren't likely to be interested in "what kind of sandpaper should I use", "or what angle or what rpm questions". Same goes for the gallery. It's the same situation for the magazine, when you get the eternal, too simple, too artsy discussion.

You know, Rich.......I participate in newbie discussion all the time, even though I'm pretty much set in my ways after three decades+ of turning. I find it a good way to explore fresh ideas and opinions......and, even see great input from complete newbies. (Maybe that's because they are not yet established in the ways of the "herd", and bring fresh thought into the discussion!) There are times, where this unfettered and un-programmed input is just what I've been needing to see without the blinders! 😀

ko

 

[Bill Boehme]

I participate here a little. My biggest criticism is the small number of categories and the poor use of the newbie section. When you come to the Main Forum, you'll see a large number of newbie questions. Of course I choose to not read them if I don't have the time, but those with 30-40 years of experience aren't likely to be interested in "what kind of sandpaper should I use", "or what angle or what rpm questions". Same goes for the gallery. It's the same situation for the magazine, when you get the eternal, too simple, too artsy discussion.

There aren't many woodturning-only forums. World of Woodturners and Wood Central are the only two besides this one that come to mind. The other two sites offer just one woodturning discussion category. There are a number of woodworking forums that have just one sub forum dedicated to woodturning.

I am open to any ideas for improving the AAW forum. If you have any suggestions please present your case. The newbie sub forum was created in 2009 after much discussion about the expected benefits. Personally, I am concerned that the newbie sub forum might be sending the wrong message to new turners. Segregating turners by skill level seems counter to the AAW mission which is oriented towards education and information sharing.

I disagree with one part of your assessment of the newbie sub forum where you stated that --

... those with 30-40 years of experience aren't likely to be interested in "what kind of sandpaper should I use", "or what angle or what rpm questions".....

Contrary to what you might think, the long time members on this forum are seriously interested in helping new turners in whatever way that we can. And, no I do not tire of answering any kind of question whether it has to do with sandpaper or any other thing. I know without a doubt that the same helpful attitude applies to the other experienced turners who hang out here. I know for certain that we would soon be bored if we were only here to talk to each other. Look at the replies to the threads on the newbie forum. I don't believe that any questions go unanswered.

As for newbie questions on the main forum, I think that's great. I already mentioned my concerns about having a "special place" for beginners. I want them to feel welcome everywhere on the forum. And, as you've heard many times, the only dumb question is the one that isn't asked.

As to the "what RPM" question, I'll be truthful and say I didn't know exactly and explain that there are factors which necessitate using a different RPM. A beginner needs to understand why things are done the way that they are ... and why using a certain speed isn't necessarily the best approach.

Looking at a photograph of a turning in the gallery puts the viewer at a significant disadvantage compared to seeing and handling a piece at a symposium or club meeting. Besides that very few of us are really qualified to give any more than an opinion of what we like. I would say that it is rare to see a discussion about an image in the gallery with comments about the piece being too simple or too artsy. I think that I might be hard pressed to say what either of those terms mean. I'm afraid I didn't understand your comment about the American Woodturner magazine.

 

[Charlie Knighton]

We appreciate yours and other regulars opinions and sharing, Bill

 

[hockenbery]

The forum Is much like a turning club in many respects.
People of all skill levels coming together to share and learn.
And like a club there are dynamics in the membership.
It is a good place to get exposed what is out there.

 

[Owen Lowe]

Contrary to what you might think, the long time members on this forum are seriously interested in helping new turners in whatever way that we can. And, no I do not tire of answering any kind of question whether it has to do with sandpaper or any other thing. I know without a doubt that the same helpful attitude applies to the other experienced turners who hang out here.

As a long-time turner (though not anywhere near 30 years, more like 15+ years), I oftentimes read sandpaper threads and the like because I’m open to different ideas or learning of new products.

 

[Bill Boehme]

As a long-time turner (though not anywhere near 30 years, more like 15+ years), I oftentimes read sandpaper threads and the like because I’m open to different ideas or learning of new products.

You quoted me and attributed it to Richard Coers.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Happy to report that Linda Ferber is interested in opening up the Facebook AAW page. I have witten sort of a manual/ proposal for her. I will need help, several administrators are needed to maintain order, accept members etc.

 

[Richard Coers]

I knew I would get some push back on my input, but the push back is from people that participate here. I thought we were asked why others don't participate?

 

[hockenbery]

I knew I would get some push back on my input, but the push back is from people that participate here. I thought we were asked why others don't participate?

🙂 The people that don't participate won't answer you here 🙂
It has been difficult to get AAW members to accept web based things like
voting
Membership directory

On the positive side Fundamentals has been popular and is only electronic.

 

[Owen Lowe]

You quoted me and attributed it to Richard Coers.

My apologies Bill. I originally had multiple quotes in my reply and then decided others weren’t needed but didn’t pay any attention to the quote tags.

 

[Bill Boehme]

I knew I would get some push back on my input, but the push back is from people that participate here. I thought we were asked why others don't participate?

What Al said. 🙂

Whether it's woodturning or anything else, only a very small percentage of people in the over 40 age group spend much time online other than occasionally checking email from friends and relatives. You can tell people about something, but that doesn't mean that they will make room in their busy lives for another activity. My speculation based on nothing scientific, but just participating in numerous forums of various interests is that more beginners participate in online forums than people who have been involved in their activity for many years. This seems to be a reasonable conclusion if newcomers to a particular activity are searching for help.

However, it seems to me that your post quoted below is really about a different issue from Emiliano's initial question where you stated that beginners are underutilizing the newbie forum and also expressed your dissatisfaction that they are posting their questions in the main forum.

I participate here a little. My biggest criticism is the small number of categories and the poor use of the newbie section. When you come to the Main Forum, you'll see a large number of newbie questions. Of course I choose to not read them if I don't have the time, but those with 30-40 years of experience aren't likely to be interested in "what kind of sandpaper should I use", "or what angle or what rpm questions". Same goes for the gallery. It's the same situation for the magazine, when you get the eternal, too simple, too artsy discussion.

I think that I addressed your issues even though that doesn't really address Emiliano's question. People who don't participate on forums aren't going to respond to this discussion.

It would be nice if more woodturners were involved on the forum, in club leadership activities, in mentoring, in the AAW, and on and on, ad infinitum. Maybe it's like leading a horse to water, but maybe the horse isn't thirsty. Maybe it's information overload. Maybe some people aren't obsessed with woodturning.

 

[Tom Albrecht]

I, for one, will not participate in a Facebook forum. In my mid 60's now, I consider myself fairly up to date with technology, but choose to stay away from huge public social media platforms for personal reasons. I don't think Facebook is what this forum needs.
I have been wood turning professionally in architectural work for 35 years, and recently on an amature level with bowls and such. With the exception of the unnecessary Newbie forum, I think this place is fine. I have learned a lot here, and I have contributed some as well. There seems to be a good mix of professional/ hobbyist/amature. I have read some threads when folks have asked really elementary questions and seen replies that have taught me things.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

TA

 

[Richard Coers]

🙂 The people that don't participate won't answer you here 🙂

I'm trying to say I didn't expect answers, I didn't ask a question. I was just making a suggestion.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

You know it is like the Army " never volunteer" at clubs . The answer in my opinion is if you want something done you ask someone to do it. Now that is physically "doing it". For web base most will feel 1. unqualified to participate at a higher level with the specially qualified.
2. lacking the computer skills to handle all the buttons
These are the behaviors we see at club level for most clubs in my opinion and that is a reflection of the watchers we see on many forums instead of participants.

 

[Bill Boehme]

A thread will get about 20 to 50 views for every reply. Many of these views are from non-members and many views are from bots. There are always more bots online than real people.

 

[hockenbery]

You know it is like the Army " never volunteer" at clubs . The answer in my opinion is if you want something done you ask someone to do it.

In my experience (similar to what you said )
1. Woodturner's rarely volunteer to do anything
2. Woodturner's almost never say "no" when you ask them to do something

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

I really see a generational issue here. We are trying to utilize Facebook to engage a different audience, perhaps the younger turners. Somebody here mentioned that the forum doesn't need Facebook, had a good chuckle with that one. I have asked club members to engage more in our Facebook page. Some of the answers make you realize that Facebook is not for everyone... Several don't even have a Facebook account, one told me big brother can monitor you thru there... All I know is there are a lot of people in Facebook, perhaps we can help gain some AAW members thru a well run group.

 

[Odie]

I really see a generational issue here. We are trying to utilize Facebook to engage a different audience, perhaps the younger turners. Somebody here mentioned that the forum doesn't need Facebook, had a good chuckle with that one. I have asked club members to engage more in our Facebook page. Some of the answers make you realize that Facebook is not for everyone... Several don't even have a Facebook account, one told me big brother can monitor you thru there... All I know is there are a lot of people in Facebook, perhaps we can help gain some AAW members thru a well run group.

Well, I suppose it's worth a try, Emiliano........and good luck with it. 😀

I'm one of those who used to have a facebook account, but ended up deleting it. In order to participate in your new group, I guess I'd have to set up a new FB account. I'm being urged to start up my FB account by friends and family members. They seem to think I might be able to drive some prospective buyers to my online Etsy shop......and, increase my sales.

Other than an outreach for younger turners, what advantage do you see over this forum?

 

[Odie]

One thing I do see in this forum, is participants come and go regularly. Wouldn't that aspect be the same for a FB group?

I can only speculate why participants come and go so frequently. I think some new turners lose interest quickly, when they discover turning isn't as simple as they thought.......and takes time, patience, and practice to get beyond simple turning and lots of sanding.

It would be interesting to hear other thoughts about why so many turners are only here briefly, then are gone. If half of those could be encouraged to participate on a continuing basis......this forum would be extremely active.

 

[Gerald Lawrence]

One thing I do see in this forum, is participants come and go regularly. Wouldn't that aspect be the same for a FB group?

I can only speculate why participants come and go so frequently. I think some new turners lose interest quickly, when they discover turning isn't as simple as they thought.......and takes time, patience, and practice to get beyond simple turning and lots of sanding.

It would be interesting to hear other thoughts about why so many turners are only here briefly, then are gone. If half of those could be encouraged to participate on a continuing basis......this forum would be extremely active.

Odie I think many are what is called "internet cruisers" and are just looking for either an answer or just scouting around.

 

[hockenbery]

Odie I think many are what is called "internet cruisers" and are just looking for either an answer or just scouting around.

Also it may be some of the same phenomena we see in local chapter and AAW membership.
a local chapter I was associated with grew from 30 to 80 members in 10 years by getting 10 new members every year an loosing 5
For many years AAW grew by about 5% a year by gaining 20% and loosing 15%.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Our club gets a large number of new members each year and most of them are gone in a year or two after they barely get beyond the scraping and sanding stage. Not everybody gets excited about woodturning.

 

[John Torchick]

Also it may be some of the same phenomena we see in local chapter and AAW membership.
a local chapter I was associated with grew from 30 to 80 members in 10 years by getting 10 new members every year an loosing 5
For many years AAW grew by about 5% a year by gaining 20% and loosing 15%.

Sounds like some churches I have been around. Win a few and lose a few.
I guess as long as we are gaining more than we lose, we are OK. OK?
I have been on other forums where you see people for a few months or a few years, then they disappear.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Sounds like some churches I have been around. Win a few and lose a few.
I guess as long as we are gaining more than we lose, we are OK. OK?
I have been on other forums where you see people for a few months or a few years, then they disappear.

I probably won't be hanging around this forum forty years from now. 😀

 

[Tom Albrecht]

I really see a generational issue here. We are trying to utilize Facebook to engage a different audience, perhaps the younger turners. Somebody here mentioned that the forum doesn't need Facebook, had a good chuckle with that one. I have asked club members to engage more in our Facebook page. Some of the answers make you realize that Facebook is not for everyone... Several don't even have a Facebook account, one told me big brother can monitor you thru there... All I know is there are a lot of people in Facebook, perhaps we can help gain some AAW members thru a well run group.

Big Brother (and cameras in our microwaves) aside Emiliano, you can chuckle all you want, but you are right-- Facebook is not for everyone. I was on Facebook for awhile, no longer. The fact remains that there are a lot of sane minded , non-paranoid folks, across many age groups and professions, who will not have a facebook account for their own reasons. I, and many of my sane minded, non-paranoid friends and relatives, do not chuckle to hear that you use Facebook. And, who is going to manage the "well run" Facebook group of woodturners?

 

[Mike Johnson]

As long as Zuckerberg is running Facebook I will not be using it.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Well, I suppose it's worth a try, Emiliano........and good luck with it. 😀

I'm one of those who used to have a facebook account, but ended up deleting it. In order to participate in your new group, I guess I'd have to set up a new FB account. I'm being urged to start up my FB account by friends and family members. They seem to think I might be able to drive some prospective buyers to my online Etsy shop......and, increase my sales.

Other than an outreach for younger turners, what advantage do you see over this forum?

As an example, I have a friend that wanted to see the entry cut on a natural edge bowl. A friend came over, I had him video me doing just that, I instantly uploaded to our Spanish Woodturning Group, all done with my iPhone, simple, fast. Within an hour the video had 650 views, and counting. I also did 3 other short different videos, all with hundreds of views, lots of comments. As an administrator I can get notifications when someone reports something that needs to be checked... I belong to 15 Facebook woodturning related groups. I have them organized in the Groups App by preference. Since I prefer to turn rather than get notifications all the time, I have only the group that I run sent me notifications for flagged posts, maybe once a week someone sneaks past and tries to offer loans... I check my Facebook a few times during the day, I can see at a glance whats going on, all goes thru my feed.
Have you ever tried to reply to a post on this forum on an iPhone or Android? Not the easiest thing. With Facebook, instant, easy, simple. The groups have polls, run very easily. So you can ask what do you guys want as the monthly challenge A, B or C... Facebook and Instagram have definitely helped my sales. No doubt. I have over 500 people following me on Instagram, instant marketing...
I only started Facebook to see friends and family, in Argentina... Not worried about Big Brother at all, I welcomed them to check my emails lol.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

One thing I do see in this forum, is participants come and go regularly. Wouldn't that aspect be the same for a FB group?

I can only speculate why participants come and go so frequently. I think some new turners lose interest quickly, when they discover turning isn't as simple as they thought.......and takes time, patience, and practice to get beyond simple turning and lots of sanding.

It would be interesting to hear other thoughts about why so many turners are only here briefly, then are gone. If half of those could be encouraged to participate on a continuing basis......this forum would be extremely active.

Yes, I believe Facebook and the Forum have that in common, people comes and goes... But, overall, I see more people engaged in Facebook than all the Forums combined. The nice thing about Facebook groups is that I have all of them in my Facebook Feed, the other forums, I have to go to each one individually...
My wife says my Stubby S750 is my other wife, lol. Not every turner I know turns 7 days a week... I agree with people starting to turn and then quit, not as easy as it sounds.

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

One thing I do see in this forum, is participants come and go regularly. Wouldn't that aspect be the same for a FB group?

I can only speculate why participants come and go so frequently. I think some new turners lose interest quickly, when they discover turning isn't as simple as they thought.......and takes time, patience, and practice to get beyond simple turning and lots of sanding.

It would be interesting to hear other thoughts about why so many turners are only here briefly, then are gone. If half of those could be encouraged to participate on a continuing basis......this forum would be extremely active.

Its easier to follow groups, you dont have to check in to see whats going on, it shows up on your feed... So there is more participation, easier to jump in when something catches your eye...

 

[Doug Rasmussen]

Strictly my opinion here, but I don't Facebook. A couple months ago I signed up for FB using only my cell number which I don't publicize any more than necessary. The reason for signing up was to see some specific project pictures of interest to me that I couldn't see without logging in.

When I logged in first and only time there was something about 2 people I haven't seen or thought about for 10 years wanting to be "friends" or similar connection. Plus, there were more current friends and relatives wanting connection and a number of names I didn't recognize. I logged out immediately.

That freaked me so much I haven't been back since. One of these days I'll log back in and cancel membership. I know "they" know more about me than I care to have known, but I don't intend to make it any easier for them.

 

[john lucas]

When I do demos I always tell people about this forum, and woodcentral forum and how much you can learn and how much fun you can have. I doubt I have much unput but I try. Many people just aren't into forums, or even subscribe to many of the magazines.

Another issue is many people really don't turn much. They say turning is their hobby and may go and play in the shop but I find that in most clubs you only have a few who really actively turn. And very few turn as much as most of us do which may be why we find these forums fun.

 

[William Rogers]

Hmm! This is my first post which I didn't think it would be on this. I am only providing my opinion that may be a different from many. I am a woodturners and belong to a woodturning club. I am somewhat active on a couple other forums. I joined the AAW and this fourm earlier this month. I thought the "Newbie" was a place to introduce yourself. I soon discovered it was the fourm trying to separate skill level using a subgroup. I am not trying to be critical, but constructive. The message this sends to me is the main fourm is only for experienced turners to post it. Anyone not an experienced turner (whatever experienced is) should only post in the Newbie subgroup. I realize this is your forum and can have what groups you want. I guess for me I don't understand why a Newbie subgroup is needed. My, can't someone see the title of the post and determine if he wants to open it? It's not like there are 50 post a day to separate. I'm not sure why the Newbie forum was created, but is it still valid today? I am just offering my reason for not participating in this forum. I understand that this may be the way you want things and that is ok.

 

[Mike Johnson]

William,

A novice wood turner does not know the difference between a skew and roughing gouge. Many topics covered by experienced wood turners are splitting hairs between angles ground on tools and tool approach used on different types of wood blanks. Depending on the question and the person reading the post, you will have one person lost in the question or another wanting to cancel their subscription. Many wood turners have thousands of hours working on a lathe, these people are dedicated to honing their skills over the years. There are too many novice turners that ask pointless questions when the answers are only a click away. Part of the problem with many forums are people wanting to be spoon fed knowledge by people who have invested the time and resources to attain the level of skills and knowledge they retain. Most people do not have a lot of spare time on their hands if they are professional wood turners, people that have full time jobs and turn wood as a hobby have little spare time to enjoy the craft each week. There are a number of wood turners on the internet who produce video's to help the novice wood turner. Some wood turners post video's on YouTube which will help the novice wood turner answer many of the basic questions. Each time you watch a video on YouTube you are monetizing the hard work these people put in to creating these educational video's. A wood turning club is another great place for the novice wood turner to get up to speed.

 

[hockenbery]

Hmm! This is my first post which I didn't think it would be on this. I am only providing my opinion that may be a different from many.
I understand that this may be the way you want things and that is ok.

Appreciate your perspective.

It is my understanding "newbie" was created as a place to invite newer turners to post.
Newer turners do tend to post more basic questions and some may be reluctant to post in the main forum.
However there has never been a restriction on posting basic questions in the main forum.
A quick scan of topics in the main forum
Basket illusion - advanced
Throwing out sanding discs- basic
Raising grain - basic - 2nd week of HS shop class
Cracked bowl- basic problem we have all had

The question is what subforums do we want?
What purpose should they serve?

One goal for sub-fora was to provide research sections
The tips and techniques being one where you find ideas and how tos.
Descriptions are often accompanied with videos and sometimes with an article in the AAW journal or the WOODTURNING FUNDAMENTALS.

Hope you stay with us a bit longer.

 

[John Torchick]

IMHO, this forum is useful for both beginners, novices, experienced, and professional turners. No matter what your interest, job, profession, you are always learning. The person who says they can't learn any more is severely limiting themselves. I look at four forums on woodworking, routing, woodturning, and penmaking. I have learned a lot from them. The only thing lacking is how to get more $$$$ to buy more stuff! 🙁