Tried to deal with the new format for the past two days. To me, it is very awkward. So awkward, I’d rather not deal with it at all. Perhaps those in charge would look for a different format, one that is user friendly to browse, read, and exchange information. Other boards have different formats that actually accomidate these actions better. I will miss the information exchange by the participants here, but its like trying to have a conversation in the stands of an NFL game, just too difficult and distracting. Good luck guys!
Stan Mijal
Replies
Yeah, guess I'll follow suit and go elsewhere. Such a shame after all these years. Will probably check in once in a while, but this is no longer "home" for me. See ya.
Jim
I think you guys aren't giving it a chance. Nothing is inherently "intuitive"; it becomes that way only with use. Each time I've been in a forum where the format changed, cries went up and we suffered, but within a week we were finding the new format "intuitive" again.
I'm with you Norm. Give it a chance.. We are woodworkers and that means we find solutions within our tools. This is one heck of a tool even if it doesn't feel all that comfortable at first. Learn to use it and you will soon enjoy the bounty it will bring forth.
Steve
I agree, the changes Fine Woodworking make are not the best. By chance have you found or can recommend any other web sites which have message boards and better yet chat rooms?
Thanks!
MSD
Dogger,
Check out this post:
http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=2407.9
Best,
Seth
In fact, I can. Try the following fishing board and their message boards.
http://www.walleyecentral.com
You know I asked where another board was while in here and having thought about it, I wish I hadn't.
Under normal circumstances I think that a reference like that is innocent in that it would not contribute to my (or anyone else's) leaving Knots for good, just to expanding my access to knowledge, community etc. But until the shake-out of this migration is complete I do not think that it is appropriate to pass out links to other forums or to solicite or encourage others to go to the other forums at the expense of Knots' membership. They have worked hard to provide the best that they can for us. They can't make everybody happy but they are still doing a good job and providing a valuable service. Undermining them is this way is really improper.
Will
Will,
I wouldn't beat yourself up (unless you're into that kind of thing).
I agree that we should stick by Taunton during this transition and continue to make this a great forum, but don't see any harm in sharing resources, including info about other forums. I can't speak for Taunton but I've never got the impression they have concerns about citing non-Taunton resources.
I find it's good business practice to never "hide" the competition. This forum can't be everything for everyone and I'm sure many members have used multiple forums over the years. This kind of "open" dialogue, IMO, is what makes a forum like this great.
I, personally, am not too worried about all the statements of departure. People are free to leave when they want and come back if they choose. I think it's more people jumping on the "bash change" bandwagon.
Keep the faith!
Best,
Seth
Seth, Usually I agree with all of the points that you just made but leading people to other forums this week (and until the dust settle a little more) seems like being a fair weather friend -- hitting someone when they are down. You don't if I mix a few metaphores do ya? :). That Taunton allows these references shows that they are a class act, that they haven't stopped or discouraged them during this period says a lot for them. Members of the forum can of course do as they please but I hope they won't promote other forums while in here for a while.
Will
I don't mine dropping in here once in a while. I think when anyone decides to change their format they shouldn't make an arbitrary decision they should go & look at what other forums are using for software & maybe question the person in charge or the owner of the forum & find out what is good about the software program they are using click on what they like or dislike about the software. I personally like to see the list of postings fill the whole page with no other distractions. I also like to be able to click on the post & have the post & answers all show up on another page, while leaving the full page of posts underneath. You can see what I mean at http://www.wwforum.com/cgi-bin/forum_main/ptools2.cgi?
I still go to all the other forums but this is my favorite forum software program.
Will,
Thanks for your note--I can tell you that passing around other forums is not a problem as far as we're concerned, as long as we don't lose you! I'm hoping that the people who were alienated by this change will eventually give us a try again. So don't sweat the comments about other forums.
Best,
Tim____________Tim SamsAssociate Editor, Fine WoodworkingKnots Moderator
Will,
I don't think anyone here is encouraging others to go to other web sites to replace the FWW site. My reply was to a FISHING web site. I was merely giving the link to others to see that there ARE other formats a board can use that do lend themselves to a more user-friendly place. This was an example of such a site. Perhaps alerting the persons in charge of other available software along with individual's discontent would seem a little more positive than just complaining. I'm personally hoping to see the board changed to a better format. I will drop in occasionally just to check and see if the change has taken place. However, I agree with Stan Fosters' comment that the present format just is also not enjoyable for me.
I harbor absolutely no intentions of doing anything to harm the board or its founders, I encourage no one to leave or go elsewhere. I am not trying to "prove a point" or protest anything. I am mearly exercising my choice to either be here or not, based on my own individual like and dislikes. I hope no one has taken me the wrong way. <end of rant mode>
Regards,
Stan Mijal
Stan, My post was not pointed at you or your post. I agree with your comments very much and would also like to see this forum be that best that there is.
Will
I think it's a shame that people are leaving because of a FORMAT CHANGE! The format of the old forum was great, but the main reason I come here is for the PEOPLE. There are going to be great people in any woodworking forum you find, but in my experience, many of the people here are more knowledgable.
I liked the old one because it was so fast. Pageload times were the fastest I've ever seen on the web, and that impresses me more than any other feature. This new site is not slow by any means, but it's just not as quick as it used to be.
IMO, that is offset by the navigation frame that is now available. The old forum HAD to be faster because you always had to go back to look around.
The other changes are trivial little features that most of probably won't use most of the time, but there's no harm in having them available. (except that they probably slow it down a little)
maybe there is tutor program here.
There is, courtesy of Joe Fusco:
http://www.josephfusco.com/TP_fourm.html
If the format change makes reading the screen unpleasant and following dialogue difficult, then I think we all have a choice put before us. Just as I personally would not buy a "bananna yellow" truck, I do have a choice there too! The format , or "feel" of any product is an important aspect of its acceptance into any audience. Like a cordless drill, if it doesn't feel right in my hands, regardless of what reviews and others opinions of it are, its not for me. Its not about protesting, boycotting, proving a point, or anything else. Its about what is worthwhile for an individual. For me, it is not a comfortable medium. As to the people making the board great , that is true. I also would not be able to enjoy myself in an amongst my friends if I had to wear shoes that were two sizes too small and uncomfortable. Perhaps that analogy will help place it in perspective. I like the people here, like the publishers putting forth the effort and resources to have this board, its just too uncomfortable and it detracts from its enjoyment.
I must be loosing my mind. I must be crazy. I have to say that this forum has undergone a %500 improvement.
In the past, I would only come to this sight sparingly. It took forever to navigate. The search engine was ungodly slow and was in general poor. I am impressed with the speed that I have experienced so far with the new system. Maybe the old was simple to understand, but I don't see how the new is any more difficult. It is just different, and its only taken me a couple of visits to figure it out.
I don't understand the complaints. FWW, please don't go back.
Todd
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