Hello All,
In an effort to improve the usability of these forums we are putting together some Forum/Website FAQ’s, what topics would you like to see covered in these FAQ’s? Do you have specific questions that you feel should be included? Do you have a user tip or shortcut that you would like to share?
For instance some of the questions that we see frequently are how to post images? How to resize images for optimum viewing. What others do you have?
Post your questions here and we will include them in this new section that we are creating.
Thanks for your input.
-Mark
Edited 5/25/2006 9:48 am ET by SYSOP
Replies
Some suggestions:
1. How to post pictures (permitted sizes, etc.)
2. Cafe access.
3. Things that you can do that will get you kicked off the site.
4. To Grizzly or not to Grizzly...(see #3).
5. Things that will get you kicked off the site quickly.
6. How do do searches in the archives for previous threads (e.g. not posting another 8" jointer thread).
7. Other resources on the FWW site (free and otherwise).
8. Frequently used abbreviations (BLO??).
9. Advice for Newbies.
Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Edited 5/25/2006 11:27 am ET by Glaucon
Those all sound good, but you forgot one. How to get yourself banned forever from the site... ;)Another one that I was thinking of was a visual chart of all the icons used throughout the site and what they mean.
Revised list:1. How to post pictures (permitted sizes, etc.)2. Cafe access.3. Things that you can do that will get you kicked off the site.4. To Grizzly or not to Grizzly...(see #3).5. Things that will get you kicked off the site quickly.6. How do do searches in the archives for previous threads (e.g. not posting another 8" jointer thread).7. Other resources on the FWW site (free and otherwise).8. Frequently used abbreviations (BLO??).9. Advice for newbies.10. How to quickly get kicked off the site forever.11. How to run a thread posing and answering your own questions, without any help from the Knots community [this is an advanced topic and requires the use of multiple logins and identities- and multiple personalities].Glaucon
If you don't think too good, then don't think too much...
Can I format text when posting or replying -- color, weight, underscore etc.?
By you asking that question tells me something and that is that you don't see the html editor. This means that you must be using a browser that does not support this. Basically the only browser that fully supports this is Internet Explorer. There are ways by using html tags that you can style text but the simple method of using the html editor is only available to users of IE. I have requested from Prospero (our forums host) that they make this feature available to other browsers. HTML tags is one of the areas I plan to have examples of in the forum FAQ's, so that more of the user base can style text etc.If that doesn't answer your question then let me know.-Mark
M,
FAQs are good - if their content is good. I would ask for them to contain plenty of detail and avoid the "short and cryptic" style that seems to be favoured on a lot of websites, presumably to address the needs of the television generation with their 3 second attention span and 20 word vocabulary. (Excuse the arrogance of this old F*%t).
As photos now appear a lot, can I add to the permitted size suggestion another suggestion for a few pointers to basic digital photo-taking/editing technique? FWW does publish a few rules for photos submitted to its Reader's Work section, so a FAQ here would just add to and update that, mostly to reflect digital photography; but also to include the compositional advice.
A glossary of terms is a good one, especially if it contains cross-cultural differences (eg European planer = US jointer, etc.).
Would it be too much to include a wood directory - common woods and their characteristics, including photos of colour/grain?
How about furniture styles, as in a Graham Blackburn article in FWW some years ago, with line drawings typifying these styles.
Similarly, is there scope for stuff about basic design considerations, such as the golden mean, human dimensions for chairs/tables and so forth?
A joint-dictionary (including drawings and photos) a la Joyce?
No doubt more will come to mind, including "a definitive text describing everything to do with woodworking" :-)
Lataxe
Thanks for the suggestions. The FAQ's I am going to be working on will deal with specifics about all the Taunton forums, so including specific woodworking terminology etc probably does not really apply. With that said though, I know Matt Berger is working on a project for the website and the forums and the woodworking specific items would dovetail nicely into his project (sorry couldn't resist that one). I will make sure that he see's your message.Keep the suggestions coming!
-Mark
Edited 5/26/2006 10:54 am ET by SYSOP
Although woodworking terminology isn't likely to be useful on sister sites, a glossary of frequently used e-bbreviations could prove helpful - LOL.
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
It may be helpful to explain how selecting the "Headline" for a posting can effect subsequent searches.
Why it's helpful to use the "enter" key occasionally, instead of posting overlong multi-sentance paragraphs.
The availability of spell check.
In addition to explaining how to post attachments, explain how much memory is allotted to each poster, and how/when to delete old attachments.
How to retrieve old posts from the archives.
The importance of completing, at minimum, one's geographical location in the member profile (speaking of which, the kinds of blanks one is asked to fill in when completing the member profile are mostly just plain silly and irrelevant).
Hidden treasures, and how to access and use them, such as "the sandbox."
Basic tips, like right clicking on an attachment, can be amply supplied by Forestgirl.
Photo resizing (and perhaps links to free downloads like Irfanview).
Thanks,
-Jazzdogg-
"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive." Gil Bailie
Edited 5/26/2006 3:27 pm by jazzdogg
Thanks Jazzdog that is exactly the type of feedback I want to get. One thing I want to say since you mentioned it is that there is no personal user space even though it might indicate so. All images are stored forum wide and you are free to post as many as you want even if the pie graph says otherwise.This is one of the items I plan to cover.
-Mark
Some posts (Firefox user) have long address links to other websites showing a product, require using the slider on the bottom to read the text in the sentences of that post.
I'm guilty of putting up a few myself.
Some info on linking other than "copy & paste" would make reading easier.
Thanks.
So you mean something like this: this is a link!
"like this: this is a link!" I don't get it.....???? It's a link to the "old Will George thread"???forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Hello Forest Girl,
Actually that one is just a link to whatever the most current thread is.
So in your case when you clicked it the current thread was the Old Will george thread. -M
OK, I get it now. I think I just didn't understand QC's point the first time I read it.
For those who might wonder, and who are using Internet Explorer, there's an icon at the top of the composition box, which looks like a globe with a chain link superimposed. That's the "Link" icon. Highlight the words you want to be "clickable" and a pop-up box appears into which you can past any URL you please.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Yes. That's what I meant, because when something with an address that's long like this is posted the page is automatically widened to look at it, but the screen isn't. Hence the need to use the slider to read.
http://www.leevalley.com/home/currency.aspx?urlto=http%3a%2f%2fwww.leevalley.com%2fwood%2fpage.aspx%3fc%3d%26cat%3d1%2c240%26p%3d41067
Edited 5/30/2006 12:26 pm by QCInspector
QCinspector,
In order to do this using a non IE browser, you need to know some basic html. Here is the code, what you would need to do is 2 things: first replace everything between the first 2 quotes with your URL, then replace the "this is a link" text with whatever you want. The target='_blank' just means it will open in a new window. The last thing to make sure of is that you check the box next to: "Check here if HTML tags are in the message (not including signature). This will tell the system to pay attention to the code and not treat it as text.<a href="http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages" target='_blank'>this is a link!</a>This is on the list of items to have within the FAQ's. If you have questions or if this is not clear, please let me know.-Mark
Edited 5/30/2006 12:59 pm ET by SYSOP
QCinspector,
Here is what your link would look like. I couldn't include it in my other post becuase then the code would not have shown correctly.
website currencies
As probably one of the newest guys here, I have some thoughts.
When I first came to the forum, it seemed awkward to find my way around and that may be more of the forum not being what I'm used to than unuseful. That being said, I'd like more of my screen real estate taken up by what forums are available rather than which unread posts are in that forum. So I'd rather be able to quickly find a sub-forum I'm interested in and select it and see what's new in there. As it is now, I get a list of what I haven't read yet tucked into the left side of my screen.
I too found it a little hard to do a search. I searched for a while just searching for the search function.
I frequent another forum (not woodworking) and one of the things they have done is made what they call 'stickies' that help to address the same question over and over again. Rather than me describe it, here's a link to a forum that I frequent alot and I like the fact that no matter what sub-forum you go into, the first thing you will see are 'stickies' intended to answer your question before you ask.
Here's the link: http://www.angelowners.com/
If you page down to "low pressure platforms" and then select "speed 05" you'll see what I'm talking about.
One last thing, I've noticed that the forums that pop up on the left side when I come to this forum aren't always in the same order (I guess it's because they pop up in order of most recent posts?). I'd prefer they be consistent.
thanks for asking.
Edited 5/30/2006 2:19 pm ET by ramblinwreck
I'm new so here goes- The frustrating part of this new experience for me is when people get so far off the main idea of the thread that you get lost before you begin. example- your original post was- How can I improve the usability of the forum- It takes only a few replies before we are talking about the in's and out's of Explorer and web browsers.
If people could stay on topic- the site would be much more enjoyable and a far better tool for finding info.
There is sure to be a place for a bunch of folks just chatting away about a favorite brand of tool etc.
Keep the topics managed- delete replies off topic- send people to chat rooms who want to debate non- thread items.
It will be a better site
Dave Traversi (member for a month- frustrated every day)
If people could stay on topic-
Thats all well and swell but just like in the real world it doesnt/wont work.
People have other things on their minds and cosequently we/they share. Kind of a "human element" thing.
I understand what you mean but usually you get the answer and often times you get a little humor with it, cant beat that!
Doug
Did the FAQ ever happen? Maybe I'm just missing it. If it could reduce the incidence of the following 7 Deadly Questions, even a little, it would be a great improvement:
1. What's the difference between right tilt and left tilt?
(oh, about 25 posts, unless a flame war breaks out in which case there's no limit)
2. What kind of circuit/breaker do I need for this machine?
(this question is a magnet for bad and dangerous advice, so consider hiring an electrician. Also, you really oughtta buy a starter with overload protection rather than trying to use the circuit breaker like your import manual recommends)
3. What band saw should I buy?
(most recommend the machine they bought; at the end of the day features and construction count most)
4. What kind of wood is this?
(if you must ask, at least post clear pictures including end grain)
5. Should I run my motor on 120 or 240?
(This isn't complicated in real life but it attracts almost as much bogus advice as #2. The FAQ should include the relationship between volts, amps, and horsepower to reduce people's compulsion to express their best guess)
6. I just bought a straightedge and discovered that my machine that works perfectly has a dip in the table of .0031245 inches. Should I get it reground?
(No. Step away from the straightedge and get back to work.)
7. I have a question about Dust Collection.
(Whatever it is, it's been asked 4 billion times already and lots of people are certain they know the answer. Google for "dust collection" and you'll get advice every bit as valuable as what you'll get by asking it here)
;-)
Pete
Edited 11/21/2006 11:23 pm ET by PeteBradley
I like your list a lot. I think a FAQ feature would be very useful around here. The question is whether or not Prospero's software could accomodate it.In an ideal world, each question would be followed by the various threads that pertain from the last couple of years. Here, the question is, who will go through the archives to find the relevant threads? I don't think anybody at Taunton has the time for that kind of thing. Besides, the search function with Prospero gives new meaning to the word "useless." So the task would be time consuming and difficult. Finally, it would be interesting to see what would happen if these thread topics were removed from the usual list of stuff that's brought up. A lot of traffic is generated by these questions, which keep coming up -- again, and again, and again..............********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
I'm sure ForestGirl has already bookmarked all interesting threads relevant to each of these questions ;-).To the man with a hammer, all the world is a nail.
Perhaps it would be better if an "expert" posted an answer and invited us to pose the question. For illustration only, becos mufti is a hammorture:-
Well, provided it is dry and stable and coaks have been used the practice suggested by "queriest" should not give rise to any problems.
Suggested questions please!
I would like to know how to block posts that contain specific words or phrases such as : "Festool" or "EZ Smart".
I'll second that motion!
Bob
"Festool or EZ Smart" Oh! Oh! you just said the words. Watch for the repercussion.
How about the American system of measurement (inch and fractions) versus the comunist system (metric)?
LOL, this is bound to be a fun thread. Seriously though, it is odd that this site dosen't have a FAQ page. I agree that it should contain information pertinant to the use of the site, not contriversial topics. A lot of people post on this site that are not computer savy in general, so the abreviation list (including RAS, TS, SCMS and BS) is a great idea. As is posting pics, spell check, and common problems with these features like anti virus software.
MikePardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
I'll jump in here. As a new user here, I found /find it hard to figure out how to navigate this foroum.I am an Mac user and am not very computer literate, so that may make it more diffucult, but some general directions as to posting methods would be helpful, perhaps a small Help section?
As a numerically challenged person, I have had trouble all my life with fractions and all that entails.When I started working on my house, I had constant trouble with cutting it twice and it's still to short stuff. Then I started using metric, and problems started falling away. There are no fractions in metric! that is such a boon to me ! You don't have to subtract 15/16 from 4'11/32". You can subtract 28mm from 112mm, or what ever. I grew up with inches and feet, and still do long measurements in inches and feet, but any thing under 2 meters i always use metric. If any one else has trouble with fractions, try it.
All questions regaurding the fractional system of measurement's superiority over metric (comunist) measurements are to be refered to the new FAQ section.
Pardon my spelling,
Mike
Make sure that your next project is beyond your skill and requires tools you don't have. You won't regret it.
How about "what's the best burfl?"This always seems a broad question. What do you want it to do, how much do you have to spend, how often are you going to use it, where and how will it be used, what is the skill of the operator, etc.
I don't know what FAQ stands for but what you mention would really be a boon for someone like me. Not sure whether it is called - computer illiterate sounds good but might be more like brain dead. Anyway SYSOP gave the directions for sending pictures. Before I could write them down it was gone and I still don't know how to navigate of send pictures.
Edited 11/24/2006 10:00 pm ET by tinkerer2
If we have a FAQ, how about making it a wiki that anyone registered on knots can edit, like http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page? Wikis get a lot of stick, but I think that they're a good way of developing a consensus statement, even though the various contributors disagree. A wiki on metric vs imperial would be a sight to see!
OK, I have to add another to the list of Deadly Questions:
8. What's the difference between Festool and EZ Smart?
One is infinitely superior to the other. Which is which depends who you ask. However, the other guy is a moron. The one I like has doohickeys that the other one doesn't. You'd be foolish to buy the other one. In my 35 years of woodworking I've learned...Hey!! Are you listening to me? I'm talking to you! Come back here! I have more I want to say!
Pete
Having just returned from an English woodworking show, I have been struck by the large number of power tools that seem to have been designed to be all singing, all dancing and are demonstrated to show they can cut deeper, tilt further and botch faster than the competition. One is left with the impression that it is design for it's own sake, and hang the user's requirements.
I would have use for a saw that tracked a blade on rails like a RAS, but not adjustable for height or angle, set over a table like a thicknesser table which could be raised and lowered with precision, giving each aspect the chance of doing one thing very well. That table having clamping facilities to allow for cuts at other than 90 degrees.
Why do we not say what we would like to see for sale instead of arguing over the compromises available to us?
How to make sure any discussion favoring a tool you don't like (or a discussion criticizing a tool you do like) is removed from the record by turning it into a personal battle, which will cause SYSOP to delete the entire thing.
Edited 11/27/2006 8:20 pm ET by MatthewSchenker
Ya sure!! You really are showing your ignorance!! My 80 years of experience as a professional woodworker, licensed electrician, machinery repairman, and know-it-all makes my opinion infinitely more authoritative than yours, even if the information I posted is blatantly wrong. I SHOULD PROBABLY INSULT YOU IN CAPS TOO!! I'm a real tough guy, at least on the web. Don't you wish you were as superior as me, since you clearly arent. I can't spell either. blah blah blah...PeteWishing there was a mechanism to permanently shut down people who post like the above, but settling for the "Ignore" button.
Some do know how to get under your skin, don't they?********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Actually they're sorta pathetic. However, they do waste time and degrade the overall quality of the forum, especially if you get two in the same thread.
Pete
My favorite was, paraphrasing, "It's not up to me to determine the validity of my posts, that's your job. I just put it out there." <flush>
That's classic. I'm sure that wasn't in the original post though. It was probably in a reply after their post had been completely refuted.Pete
;-) PeteBradley. You are a perceptive guy.
Edited 11/28/2006 9:17 pm ET by byhammerandhand
If you let them get under your skin, they'll keep digging.
Jack
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