Guys and gals in cyberworld,
I’ve been viewing and posting on Knots now for about 3 months. Great site. I really wish I could personally meet and talk shop with many of you. But this here computer contraption is what separates us older guys (and gals) from you younger woodworker/computer geeks. Yes, I know, there are quite a few of you who are older than I.
I am surprised at the number of questions posted which have to do with furniture construction plans, technique, finishing, etc. In most cases, my response, and the response of some others, has been to refer the questioner to a particular book.
OK, I don’t want to take anything away from the social aspects this forum offers. I love it and enjoy checking it at least once a day. But folks, I can read a question on here, get out of my chair, walk 5 feet and put my hands on at least one book that has the answer.
I have a proposal. Would it be useful if we could build a reference list on FWW? Everyone could list their favorite book(s), magazine articles, or other reference materials. Have categories like: Plans, broken down by style and piece, technique, finishing, etc. Then, anyone who has a need for information could first check this list then take a look at the real thing in a bookstore or library. Then buy it if so desired.
This way everyone would have the privilege of contributing something and having access to material recommended by their peers.
I realize that this would involve the site webmaster but would open a whole new dimension of knowledge we could all draw on. Anyone interested? Ken
Replies
Anything like that would be really helpful to people starting out as well as those with specific questions about various aspects of the craft. If you want to spend the time doing it I am sure it would be appreciated by many.
I was thinking more in terms of having FWW start a "Library" section where we could post reference materials (with descriptions, etc.) and could go for helpful info. Ken
Sounds like a great idea to me!
Not to set aside the cyber world completely however, a set of links to instructive non-commercial sites would also be nice. This one, for example, has always been one of my favorites, especially when I was starting out.
http://www.amgron.clara.net/index.html
Jeff
I absolutely agree. Any reference site should include links such as this!
I agree that this would be a great idea. Even though I do this everyday as a job, there are often times that I have a question about a technique or product or something. This would not only be beneficial to the newbie, but also to those of us that have a little more experience, but wish to broaden our spectrum of skills.
1. Have you aproached Tauton yet?
2. Where do I sign up?
Jim
Coventry Woodworking
OK, I was waiting to see whether or not the idea was liked or shot down. I just now contacted the Taunton Webmaster regarding my idea. Ken
I E-mailed the Tauton webmaster but so far no answer. If anyone else out there is interested in doing something like this let me know and maybe we can start our own string devoted to books and reference materials.
Seems to me it's already out there.
http://www.stobartdavies.com/system/index.html
http://www.cambiumbooks.com
https://www.finewoodworking.com
http://www.woodcentral.com already has a book review section
http://woodcentral.com/books/books.shtml
plus http://www.amazon.com somethimes has links to the first few pages of a book. I usually flip through the books at Barnes and Noble to see if it's any good plus you can always return books to most places if it's not what you expected. Basically you need to know who the informative authors are such as Frid, Kirby, Duginske, Jewitt, etc.
I must agree that each of these sites offers a great selection of reference material.
The object is to get these links to an "In your face" location for all to find. I'm a perfect example, the FWW site's "BOOKS & VIDEOS" link is the only one familiar to me. But it's limited. This info needs to be placed on the FWW page where it is available for all to use. I also thought it would be nice for Knots participants to contribute information about their favorite books and magazines.
A good example: In the April, 04 issue of FWW on page 81 there is a beautiful oxbow chest that was inspired by Albert Sack's Fine Points Of Furniture. I bought a copy of this book in 1973 and have referred to it extensively over the years. Another example is Antiques Magazine. The detailed pics alone provide insight into size, proportion, and color. We as a group should share this knowledge in a way that is readily accessible to all other Knots participants.
Am I going wrong here? Ken
I find it to be pretty much already "in your face!" so to speak. I find that teaching people how to research would be useful in accessing the information that is already there. I still use libraries, used bookstores and the old traditional avenues of research and learning. You know the old saying...give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach him how to fish and he eats for a lifetime. Search engines may seem simple but many colleges have semester long classes just on search engine techniques. Google is pretty good for most but there are subtle things to coax more and better searches. Knowing the proper nomenclature opens more doors than anything. Setting up a data-base isn't the easiest thing. Take for instance the online search index to back issues of FWW. It leaves a lot to be desired to look up articles for back issues, so I can forsee the problems of setting up a database based on posters inputs. I think it would be a monumetntal task to set up this database but there is no reason one can't still advance on one's own if you have the initiative and knowledge to do so.
Like you said before...many of the questions people ask have answers already published in books and articles. I think a lot of people don't know where to look. hence teaching how to search or some are just too lazy and are looking for the quick easy answer. I know it sounds harsh but I think it's very true. I'm reminded of the kid at the local library who was looking for a book on Anteaters or something for an essay. He literally expected the librarian to hand him all the proper books while he waited at the desk.
Edited 2/24/2004 11:47:56 AM ET by Rick at Arch. Timber and Millwork
Edited 2/24/2004 1:28:44 PM ET by Rick at Arch. Timber and Millwork
Rick,
"I think a lot of people don't know where to look. hence teaching how to serach or some are just too lazy and are looking for the quick easy answer. I know it sounds harsh but I think it's very true."
Thank You, I am hesitant to say it myself but you got right to the very heart of the matter. Ken
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