Forum Participation

[Odie]

The conversation here typically strays from woodturning quite frequently.....but, usually only sporadically and briefly. That's OK in my opinion, as long as we basically intend to stay on topic. As far as religion and politics go, I have my own thoughts there, too......but, these two subjects seem to be THE big problem for disrupting a flow of input, and drive participants away. I come here because I want to discuss woodturning, but I understand there may be the occasional comment(s) that aren't strictly on topic.

ko

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

But harmonicas are safe? Gretch

A photo of you turning, while playing the harmonica its ok, lol. You have given me a funny idea for the rules, unless you are turning with it, please do not post the nice guitar you made at your Luthier course...

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

The conversation here typically strays from woodturning quite frequently.....but, usually only sporadically and briefly. That's OK in my opinion, as long as we basically intend to stay on topic. As far as religion and politics go, I have my own thoughts there, too......but, these two subjects seem to be THE big problem for disrupting a flow of input, and drive participants away. I come here because I want to discuss woodturning, but I understand there may be the occasional comment(s) that aren't strictly on topic.

ko

Sometimes a post makes you wonder if it is woodturning related... I tend to be lenient if its a harmless post that wont incite rebellion or fighting. Example, we have all seen the old picture of a giant fell Redwood by some old tree cutters, or the old trucks going thru town with some gigantic logs, I usually leave those, some humor is ok too, as long as they are within reason. I have sent a proposal and lots of info to the AAW to see if they would like a Facebook group... Have to wait and see now...

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

I might be mistaken, but when I was setting up my preferences, there was only one choice for language and that was British English. No American English or Australian English. I went back and couldn't find any information about the country, but I am beginning to think that my earlier assumption was wrong.

I was checking too, I see no indication that its based across the pond...

 

[Mike Johnson]

From this day forward everyone is assigned a daily quota of postings. 😉

 

[hockenbery]

From this day forward everyone is assigned a daily quota of postings. 😉

Is that a maximum allowed limit or a must be exceeded limit? 🙂

 

[Odie]

Sometimes a post makes you wonder if it is woodturning related... I tend to be lenient if its a harmless post that wont incite rebellion or fighting. Example, we have all seen the old picture of a giant fell Redwood by some old tree cutters, or the old trucks going thru town with some gigantic logs, I usually leave those, some humor is ok too, as long as they are within reason. I have sent a proposal and lots of info to the AAW to see if they would like a Facebook group... Have to wait and see now...

I enjoy the humor and occasional oddball stuff, too.....but there is a point where it's too much. Here on the AAW forums, that point is rarely reached. Like you, Emiliano, and most everyone else, we come here for woodturning and related topics.

Now......what makes a forum great, one might ask? My answer to that question, is simple participation. I suspect way too many woodturners come here to lurk, never to participate. Among those, are those who are not willing to ask the dumb questions......both, newbies and more experienced turners. The newbies don't want to wear the label, and the more experienced turners don't want to risk their "reputation". On top of all that, it appears as though a high percentage of the average new turners peak their interest for only a short period of time.....maybe a few months, or a couple years.......then they lose interest in turning altogether.

Then we have the forum "guru"......those who have an answer for everything, and except for how everyone else sees them, consider themselves to be the local expert. This type of participant thinks they are energizing the forum, while in reality, are doing the exact opposite.....and driving people away. I'm not sure what could be done to prevent this kind of activity, but the good news is they eventually realize they've been "tagged", or burn themselves out!

ko

 

[Bill Boehme]

Among those, are those who are not willing to ask the dumb questions......both, newbies and more experienced turners. The newbies don't want to wear the label, and the more experienced turners don't want to risk their "reputation"....

"Not willing to ask the dumb question" sounds like a conundrum. I think that a dumb question would be one that isn't asked. 😉

We don't assign user titles because we don't want to "brand" members based on post count, likes, trophy points, etc. It is a mistake to assume much based on post count. Being a newbie on the forum doesn't mean that the person is a new turner. It just means that they don't post often.

.... On top of all that, it appears as though a high percentage of the average new turners peak their interest for only a short period of time.....maybe a few months, or a couple years.......then they lose interest in turning altogether....

Whether or not that is true, it probably isn't any different from any other activity. One might make the same assumption about photography, tennis, skeet shooting, or knitting. We do what we do because we enjoy doing it.

....Then we have the forum "guru"........

We all know that the Internet is full of "experts" and trolls. Fortunately, they are rare around here. And like you said, they come for a while and then go somewhere else. Sometimes they get banned if really bad or sometimes encouraged by a moderator to dispense their expertise elsewhere. I consider you and many others here to be the good kind of guru that truly are interested in helping others.

Back to your complaint about off topic posts, I am sort of like Emiliano when it comes to enforcing forum rules. On very rare occasions I have to edit or delete a post, but I hate being a censor.

I promised Emiliano some stats about forum participation so I will post that.

 

[Mike Johnson]

I have known a few individuals that take an interest in a new hobby and jump into it
for several years and learn what they wanted or needed, they then see a new challenge
or interest and jump into the new interest with an intense desire to learn new skills. These
people have an intense desire to learn as much as they can. A jack of all trades and a master
of none works just fine for many people. Many times peoples lives change by circumstances
that they have no control over, many times there hobbies are the first to suffer the consequences.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Here are some weekly data since July of last year shortly after the new forum software went live through the present. The first chart shows the
Total Weekly Posts and Likes



The second chart shows
Total Weekly Threads and Conversations

 

[Emiliano Achaval]

Very impressive analytics... And very interesting... Thanks for posting that! Funny the mention about the Guru. There is a forum, where I know for a fact some club members felt they were not welcome, the local guru always has an answer, an opinion, his word is law. I honestly feel this forum should be the one with the highest participation. I will encourage club members to log in here ... I agree with Mike, I have seen people get a lathe, then, oops, is not as easy as it looks, or other things happen, within a few years, they want to sell the lathe, is just taking space in their garage....

 

[Mark Lindquist]

Interesting thread. There must be many who are just too busy to be able tp participate, or who have the idea that participating will interfere in some way with their workflow. Perhaps it does for some people.

Then there are those who can't remember their user name and password....

If threads are boring people just leave.

Too much "herd riding" drives people away.

All forums become a repository of information - the main saving grace.

When "regulars" dominate discussions, people walk away.

Forums all suffer from inability to recognize brilliant thinkers who present new ideas that may seem to fly in the face of convention.

Attitudes of right-way/only way standards keep people from participating.

Friendliness and hospitality encourage people to keep coming back.

Working to encourage people to participate is much harder than giving off a "go-away" vibe.

Acknowledging professionals helps to encorage them to participate. Attitude drives them away.

Sincere and open dialog goes a very long way toward establishing interest in a forum.

There were no internet forums back in the late seventies through early 80's, so we wrote letters and sent postcards. Bob Stocksdale's cards I remember were always terse. My good friend Ed Moulthrop's letters often contained drawings. James Prestini sent booklets outlining his accomplishments. Another great friend, Dale Nish sent books with lengthy messages written in the white-spaces of front pages. Dale would often send photos as well. Early on, David Ellsworth and I sent long letters about what was going on in our lives, back and forth and continue to this day.

Back in those days, there was a small community of folks who did the same thing - woodturning. We kept in touch by showing we cared about what everyone was doing.

Now, it seems it's so easy to make contact on forums, but very difficult to actually get to know people somehow. It is as though the very nature of forums (much more so Facebook) encourages agenda driven discussion as opposed to a relaxed friendly chatter which occassionally leads to important questions and answers.

Just some food for thought - thoughts from an occasional lurker and sometimes participant.

Cheers to you all!

Mark

 

[Dave Fritz]

I wonder if it's not a sign of our population not wanting to engage in any thoughtful dialogue and take a minute to do more than Hi, how are you. I know my grandchildren have a difficult time putting down their devices and actually talking to someone. Seems more and more adults are doing the same, skipping from one thing to the next. Certainly the thoughtful communication Mark described in his post seems to be rare.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Anymore it seems as if there are never enough hours in the day to complete all of
the projects I have on the list. Way too many distractions and responsibilities get in
the way of fun time these days. 🙂

 

[john lucas]

I quit facebook 5 years ago or more. Simply couldn't and didn't want to keep up with all the crap non related to wood turning. It was even difficult to follow close relatives because they tried to post trivial crap all day. I belong to 2 clubs with over 80 members total. We have a fair number who are members of the AAW but I know of only 2 who follow this forum and they never post on it. Don't know why. They are good turners and could contribute.

 

[Regis Galbach]

I can tell you, as a novice, that i very much appreciate this forum and those who are willing to share experience or expertise. Because of my level, I'm pretty much limited to asking questions. I belong to a club and am starting to know a couple guys. But, I can't just keep interrupting them wit calls (although John Lucas has been patient with my calls). One other guy who is not on the forum helps also. BUT, I can jump on my PC at anytime to ask a question. Then, without interrupting someone's work, I'll get an answer or 2.
Am I thankful , you bet I am.
LOTS of experience shared here.
Regis

 

[Ed Sandle]

Regis, I think most experienced turners in clubs, actually look forward to new turners calling, and asking for help and advice. I have been working with a beginning turner lately, and really look forward to hearing from him. Don't worry about calling too much, as I am sure they will give you suttle hints if they need a break for a bit.

 

[Brian McInturff]

And then there are the people like me who do a lot of lurking. I'm not home as much now as my job duties have changed and I rarely get shop time. Use to participate here a lot several years ago but now time is limited. I do use Facebook and allows me to keep up with family, mostly the younger ones. Are several excellent Facebook groups that are dedicated to Woodturning and they are great places to get new ideas and different perspectives. Facebook is a great place to get the younger crowd. Think about the age group of most everyone replying in this thread. The younger crowd is the future. I see new turners asking questions daily on Facebook and as such I know the hobby is growing. Same with woodworking. An active AAW Facebook group would be a good thing.

 

[Odie]

And then there are the people like me who do a lot of lurking. Use to participate here a lot several years ago but now time is limited.

Howdy Brian.....

If you've got the time to lurk, how come you don't have the time to post now and then? 🙂

I remember when you spent some time posting on these forums, and you would certainly be welcome to add input again. I recall that you and I had some "lively" discussion because we disagreed on a few things. It may be my fault that you haven't been back, and I apologize, if that's so. Like most of us, I'm an evolving personality online, and I'm learning how to disagree without being disagreeable a little better.

There are things I believe wholeheartedly in, and many of those beliefs will stay intact forever.......and, sometimes my opinions can change, or be altered as a result of input expressed on these forums. I try to leave the door open to "adjustment' of my opinions and beliefs, but they are certainly not malleable in every single case. I understand this about others, and I'd hope that understanding is reciprocal.......but, I have no delusions they universally are.

-----odie-----

 

[Brian McInturff]

Lol! Odie, I don't take things personally so it had nothing to do with you. Mainly work has gotten in the way. 2015 my wife had several surgeries and I was less active. 2016 I spent the bulk of the entire year on Adak island(for work) and had limited access to internet(and pretty much anything else). Got home in October 2016 to hurricane Matthew dropping a 150ft pine tree in my house and limbs going through the roof of my shop. So been dealing with all that while working out of town at the same time.
Lurking has allowed me to follow along without needing to check back. If I reply then I feel obligated to try and check back. I may go a few days or a week or more without checking. As my life starts to get back to normal then I'll have more time. Dealing with insurance company and firing 2 different contractors has been a nightmare. Our house is "almost" back together and hopefully around July 4th I can have decided on my new shop. Either a built 20x30 or a portable type they bring in that is 12x36.

 

[Jon Minerich]

OK, I confess that I am a lurker. Like other newbies I read and learn and ask questions-if I won't be too embarrassed by my own naivety-on display. I found that this forum is one of the most open and sharing that I have visited. Please don't kid yourselves. When we newbies look at pics of your work, see the depth of your knowledge in your posts, and get lost in some of your technical discussions, we are intimidated. Having said all that, I try to learn from every exchange and sneak out to my little shop to test what I think I have learned. Many times the results surprise me; some times good, sometimes not so much. Please be patient with us newbie lurkers. As we continue to learn and gain more confidence, we will begin sharing our experiences.

 

[john lucas]

Wow Brian. I guess we all should be thankful that our "big" problems are really just little issues compared to what your going through. Wish you luck in getting it all back together.

 

[Dennis J Gooding]

Here are some weekly data since July of last year shortly after the new forum software went live through the present. The first chart shows the
Total Weekly Posts and Likes

View attachment 22373

The second chart shows
Total Weekly Threads and Conversations

View attachment 22374

Bill, I somehow missed this post until now. Interesting data. Do you have any data on how many different visitors the site gets? I noticed that this thead has over 3000 view so far. I realize that these include multiple views by the same persons as the thread evolves, but it suggests that a very large percentage are lurkers. We just need to make them welcome and get them involved.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Bill, I somehow missed this post until now. Interesting data. Do you have any data on how many different visitors the site gets? I noticed that this thead has over 3000 view so far. I realize that these include multiple views by the same persons as the thread evolves, but it suggests that a very large percentage are lurkers. We just need to make them welcome and get them involved.

For a snapshot view at any given moment you can go here:
http://www.aawforum.org/community/index.php?online/

When I checked a few minutes ago there were thirty online visitors equally divided between members, guests, and bots. Overall, I would estimate that roughly two thirds of the page views are from bots. We haven't had much success in recruiting the bots to join the forum. 😀 Hardly a day goes by that there aren't at least one new member, but I suppose that most people just drop in to see what's happening.

In the old forum software I could see a list of names of who has viewed a thread, but I haven't uncovered a tool yet that saves that data using XenForo. But, maybe it will be available when Xenforo 2.0 is released.

 

[Steve Brisco]

Very interesting discussion. I'm with many others on this one; the site is not user friendly when it comes to finding the forum. It is hidden and hard to find There needs to be a button on the main screen that says "Forum". Make it easier for members and non-members to find and you may get some more participation.

 

[Bill Boehme]

Here is a graph showing the number of new member registrations per week for the past 12 months.

New Member Registrations




And here is a graph that shows the number of users active per week for the last 12 months.

Active Users

 

[Charlie Knighton]

Symposium week the forum is usually slow........but particularly interesting and informative last week

 

[Gretch Flo]

bots.

"BOTS"-ok Bill, I missed that -what is the exact translation/.??? Horse fly larva???? Gretch

 

[Bill Boehme]

"BOTS"-ok Bill, I missed that -what is the exact translation/.??? Horse fly larva???? Gretch

Gretch, you need to hire a teenager to get you up to speed on all the computer jargon. 😀

Bot is short for robot. Basically, they're automated software tools used by Internet search engines to look at everything on the web and create an index of where words are found. If you look at the list of robots sifting through the forum, you will find robots named Google, Yahoo, Bing, Baidu, etc. It's sort of like the index at the back of a reference book except that it's more thorough ... leaving no tome unspurned.