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Info on 2 groups: WoW and Wood Turning Center

Truffuls

Truffuls

Joined
Dec 30, 2007
Messages
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Location
Long Island & Ashe County, NC
Can anyone enlighten me about WoW (World of Woodturners? group/site or whatever it is?:confused:

Is it worth trying to figure out how to get in? The link (http://www.thewows.com) takes me to some strange site called MyFamily.com. According to their terms, if I post my work on their site, I'm giving them limited license to it?!? And why is a woodturning site on an ancestry site?

I have my own site and I post pictures here, so that isn't a big draw for me, especially if some commercial site is going to latch on to it.

I've seen several nonchalant references to WoW and am just curious as to what is to fabulous about it and if it is really worth all the time trying to get more info on it or if it is an "elitist" group.

I already do the newsgroup, here and two yahoo groups so it ain't like I'm hurtin for content;)

The other group is the WoodTurning Center (http://www.woodturningcenter.org) in Philadelphia. I signed up a month ago and I have gotten nothing and my site still isn't listed on the links page. It seems like there is a LOT of dead links and outdated/stale info on the site. Several emails have gone unanswered and I'm wondering if I've been ripped off and I need to contact my credit card company.

Thanks for any input you can provide.
 
For WoW, you only need an invitation from another woodturner/WoW member to sign up, but anonymous usernames are not allowed. Herm DeVries started the group back in 2001? I think, announcing it on rec.crafts.woodturning as a place for turners to congregate online without undesirables, trolls, etc.
You can open your own Gallery album just as you can here. People tend to add comments to photos more on WoW than here, it seems.
It is not an "elitist" place, anyone is welcome as long as they follow the basic rules to keep the site a pleasant place to visit.
PM or email me your first and last name, and email address, and I'll sign you up.
 
kengrunke said:
For WoW, you only need an invitation from another woodturner/WoW member to sign up, but anonymous usernames are not allowed. Herm DeVries started the group back in 2001? I think, announcing it on rec.crafts.woodturning as a place for turners to congregate online without undesirables, trolls, etc.
You can open your own Gallery album just as you can here. People tend to add comments to photos more on WoW than here, it seems.
It is not an "elitist" place, anyone is welcome as long as they follow the basic rules to keep the site a pleasant place to visit.
PM or email me your first and last name, and email address, and I'll sign you up.
Click to expand...
I was skeptical at first myself, I thought the invitation thing WAS kind of elitist, but I have been a member for a while now and have had nothing but good experiences.
My ONLY caveat is don't ask for a critique if you don't want one. The input that I have gotten has been kind but honest and very helpful.
 
Melissa

WoW is certainly worth joining. I have learnt a lot from comments on my and other members pieces. It is a daily visited site by me before breakfast and is the source of much inspiration. Many 'names' are members and they are all willing to share their knowledge freely. The advantage of the invite system is that I have never suffered Spam through the site.
 
Thanks for all the input

Based on input I got here and a few other places I requested a refund from the Woodturning Center because of their lack of commitment to their paying members and lack of support of their resources.

I got a letter (and my refund) from the "director" who blamed the lack of attention on governmental demands and lack of staff. Not so much of an apology as just a statement of "business as usual". Almost like he was expecting it... not a wise business plan, if you ask me.

I will be joining WoW, but will, perhaps, point people here or to my own site to see my work, as the hosting site's terms claim they will control partial license to any content posted. I'm not about to give up my legal rights to my art or allow them to use my work for their profit. And I'm still quite leery about what a commercial ancestry site has to do with woodturning. I've been on the net since its infancy and tend to be very suspicious of sites that promote a confusing front.

IRL (in real life) I am a programmer/analyst (web application specialist) for a gov't agency. Part of my job is keeping NooB's safe from Internet scams.:eek:
 
About WOW,

I am not a legal eagle but I am sure the meaning of the warning is they have the right to delete and reject any content they wish. They cannot own it unless you give a written release.

As for the "commercial ancestry site", it is just the software that is used to run the interface. Herman, the gentleman that started WOW, used the My Family site for the purpose it was intended for, family stuff. Wanting to get away from the group woodturning forums he started WOW. He is not a programmer and not a software person. It was something that worked for him which served his intent. People that join and interact find that it is one big happy family.

Should you have any question's send them off to Herman.
 
If Richard Raffan and other National and world known turners feel comfortable posting their work on the WOW site I think the rest of us are safe Truffuls. To get the full benefit of the site and the people who post there, it is a good idea to post your work there rather than ask them to go to another site.:)
 
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Martin Kircher said:
So what is the process for getting the invite from WoW? Who can assist me?
Click to expand...

Any current member can invite others. You merely need to provide a valid email address and your real first and last names (gender too - if there could be confusion with your first name).

As was mentioned above, (Barbara, I think), the myfamily site was one of the few options for a controllable hosting site at the time. It is intended for families to share photos and private news with each other and that's why the invitation is needed. That's also the reason the ancestry ad comes up - it's intended for families, not woodturners. It's not an elitist thing at all - merely a way for controlling who has access to the content. Fair warning: if you don't play in a civilized way, you can be booted and lose your access. The moderators will not allow behavior that breaks the rules (i.e.-play nicely).

You will be blown away at the volume of content - there are 1000s of members from around the world (many top names in turning) - and many tens of thousands of photos, articles, and conversations.

Martin, I've sent you a private message here on the forum.
 
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The Boehme family used to have a site on My Family. It was a way for all of the cousins to stay in contact and share pictures. After a few years participation dropped as people got busier so we finally just decided to use more conventional means of communication like actually visiting.

A number of years ago a woodturning friend invited me to join WoW, but for some reason my efforts to get to that site kept directing my browser to the Boehme family site instead so I finally gave up. Meanwhile, my friend, Richard Baker, passed away at a much too young age.
 
George Guadiane said:
I was skeptical at first myself, I thought the invitation thing WAS kind of elitist, but I have been a member for a while now and have had nothing but good experiences.
My ONLY caveat is don't ask for a critique if you don't want one. The input that I have gotten has been kind but honest and very helpful.
Click to expand...

The invitation is just a filter to keep trolls out and to sort of verify people are using their own names.

Al
 
I would be very interested in joining

I would be very interesting in joining WoW. Years ago I was seriously into outdoor photography. There was a wonderful family type site where people posted pictures and everyone said nice things about photo's even if it took a little imagination to say something nice. It was a very nice place to be but I learned almost nothing there. There are several sites that encourage blunt and honest critiques. They are far more valuable to learn from, both from critiques of your own work and that of others. To be honest I have nothing to critique yet but hopefully soon. Meantime I would like to read and learn all I can.

If anyone is willing to risk inviting a beginning woodturner and newcomer to this site it would be appreciated. I am a very long term member of some other sites and could get references from a few mod's or owners I suspect. :)

Thanks for any assistance,
Hu Lowery
 
I'm Interested too

I don't really know anyone personally on the AAW forum site. I have been a member for a little over a year. I have been turning since Nov 2010. I am currently the secretary of Atlanta Woodturners Guild in Atlanta, GA and I am also a board member for GAW (Georgia Association of Woodturners). I think I have only posted a few replies / questions on this site. I do log on regularly to check for any new additions to the forums such as Odie's Gadgets thread. Anyway, I am interested if anyone wants to send an invite!

Thanks,
Kevin
 
john lucas said:
Well next time I'm in Atlanta we'll have to meet. Then you can say you know someone on this forum.
Click to expand...

Sounds great! The clubs that i am in (AWG and GAW), meet on the third Wed. and third Thursday of the month. If you know in advance when you might be down this way, let me know and maybe we can line up some demo's if you are interested. There is a third club down here, South Metro that may interested as well. A lot of times if the meetings line up the same week, the demonstrators will make the round to all three clubs.

Atlanta Woodturners Guild (AWG) meets at Woodcraft in Roswell, GA on the third Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. Georgia Association of Woodturners (GAW) meets at Georgia Tech on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 pm, and I believe South Metro meets on the third Tuesday but now sure of the location/time.
 
WoW

I too would be interested in becoming a member of Wow. I live in beautiful British Columbia and have been turning in ernest for about 4 years now although I started turning in the 50's. I do not belong to any clubs but am a fairly long time member and contributor to several wood turning forums.
If any one is willing to take a chance I would appreciate an invitation.
I currently have a web site and a blog on Wordpress. Both can be found if googled "woodbowelsandthings".

Thanks, Pete Blair
 
Kevin Frank Bowers took my card and mentioned the same thing so maybe a demo in Atlanta is in my future. My parents live down there so lodging is free. :)
 
I am a bit busy so need someone on this thread to take the lead and help invite folks that want invited.
Wow is like family. But when you first get on wow read "The House Rules" on the scrolling banner. 3 basic rules. Pay attention to the size of the photo you post. Size is detailed in the house rules. Do not clik on Make Cover button. There is a team of seven folks who choose among the big amount of photos posted a piece to grace the opening page each day. But since the site is made for families to share anyone can do it. So please dont. 3rd, be kind. There are about 1500 turners from all over the world on Wow. You if you choose can become part of great conversations concerning work posted related to form, function you name it. And also topics concerning the creative process. If you give wow a chance you will gladly call yourself a Wowie.
As a Wow member only you and admin have control of your content. No other member can change anything you post except admin. You also can create your own photo album. As has been said there are world class folks that can help you refine both form and photos. And any question about woodturning will get a responce. And as George said. If you dont want a work critiqued you should say no critique. If you want honest opinions you also need to ask.
I am proud to say I am a member of the Wow family.
 
The WoW site has helped my turning immensely. Whether you're a beginner or a pro, if you're polite and follow the rules, you'll be excepted with open arms. The honest critiques (should you ask for them) and ideas from expert turners are meant to help you improve your form, finish, design, whatever. Trust me, these guys know their stuff and even if you don't post your photos, a LOT can be learned just from reading the comments associated with the photos. Once you get comfortable with the site, join in and post some pieces. You'll be glad you did!

Don L.
 
john lucas said:
Kevin Frank Bowers took my card and mentioned the same thing so maybe a demo in Atlanta is in my future. My parents live down there so lodging is free. :)
Click to expand...

Cool. Frank would be the person to handle the program responsiblilities. Of course we are all busy so definitely contact Frank prior to you being in the area so a demo can hopefully be lined up. If for some reason you can't get ahold of Frank, give me a shout (through PM) to let me know and I will pass on the info during our board meetings. Hopefully, you will teach us a thing or two in the future!
 
I've been on WoW for a couple of years now. Just being able to visit the site and read what others are saying about a turning, mine or someone elses, has improved my turning 100%. Please, if you do get an invite to join, do read the scroll on the opening page, and watch the size of pictures posted. If you do post one oversized, you'll be asked to adjust it to the proper size, those that don't get their names posted on a black list:eek:.
 
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