I’ve been a subscriber to Fine Woodworking.com for over two years and I’ve noticed the web-site isn’t being updated frequently and when it’s updated it’s with information that’s already been posted?? I enjoyed the “beginners serious” but haven’t seen that in a while?? Since this is a pay site I think the information should be fresh not repeated. We wood workers want to learn better techniques and tools. Not sure if anyone else agree but for the past few months I’ve been complexly disappointed with the site and considering cancelling my subscription.
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This site as in the "site" site where they publish videos and such and behind the scene blogs by the editors and such? or Knots? If the first, I would ask if you are intrigued by the last mag? If not then it may bore you.. If you found an article you liked you have ability to comment on anything about it that you don't understand and usually the author replies to you.
IF your issue is with Knots.. Knots has a core of very great woodworkers, from hobbyists like me to folks that make a living building stuff.. (dusty comes to mind) and Richard and um well alot come to mind.. It becomes repetitive at times due to new folks that can't learn how or where to use "search" to find out what is already is a dead horse topic usually.
Not a payed spokesperson but This place is OZ.. magical if you use it right.. or a house that falls on you if you dont.
My 2 in the fountain...
Rich
"Knots has a core of very great woodworkers"
Are you sure you didn't mean HAD?
Amen, it is dead, they killed it off for good...
If it's dead why did you
If it's dead why did you post?
On the other thread Ive seen folks that miss the "look and feel they were usto"...
In the "day" you could ask a question and in the reply you would get pictures... explaining stuff
If you click in the top right you will see a search box that you really need to check out.. I searched out a table to show my wife that was made over 3 years ago by a craftsman here on knots.. Unfortunately it was broken up into separate threads (it may have looked that way to the program that chopped it up) but we saw it originally in its own folder kinda or watching it unfold it just seemed to be that way.. in any case It was a running blog on how to make something and asking for advise and posting photos as it went along.. sometimes showing the advise in action and we groaned along with the author.. or cheered it went so well.
In any case. This is for many seems like jumping from DOS to Windows its seems. Or from windows to Mac. or what ever.
The SITE SAYS Beta.. I cant imagine how bad it started out as but I see the exact same functionality that was back then now and maybe a bit more.
Need to get the big dogs back here hunting.. they are wonders of tool collections and tidbits on their use.. This forum is like watching a master woodworkers art log evolve with so many gifted contributors.
OH.. I was asked on that thread or challenged to post a photo in a message.. so this is what I posted...
testing 1 2 3 ... Seems to work fine...
Now to figure out how to tell you to do it..
Its
Lessthan p Greaterthan lessthan img src=" URL to Source" greaterthan Lessthan /p greaterthan
No spaces between anything.. and it seems to work like a web page..
View Image
OH and that is a stack of ash, 3" thick its grain wet with
DNA to show how I aligned the cut out for a crochet.
Hope this helps your guys and gals..
Rich
I must say I agree. I've
I must say I agree. I've really been looking forward to the next "Video Project of the Month". I think the small tool cabinet first started at the end of November and now the new project is the Monster Workbench again. Updates have been few and far between since the beginning of December.
Part is paid and part is free. I would certainly ask for a refund until they get the site completely up.
IF they ever do. I am becoming more and more pessimistic about it, particularly with the type of communication we get from the Taunton people. The woman who keeps Knots updated is much more forthcoming with info than "ours" on Cooks Talk, but there has been zero happening for at least a month on any of the identified problems.
But, call customer service and ask for refund. They are usually very accomodating. It will depend, of course, how long you have had use of it--up to December, say.
I notice that this is your first post in almost two years. Nuff said.
I notice that this is your first post in almost two years. Nuff said.
Jerry
The guy makes a complaint about the paid portion of the website that has nothing to do with Knots and you give him a hard time about not posting? It's no wonder he doesnt post here much with comments like that!
Monte,
I'm sorry if my post
Monte,
I'm sorry if my post seemed inflammatory or denigrating. I guess I 'popped off' because I believe this site is for the exchange of ideas, problems and solutions. To 'get', I believe that you have to 'give'.
I thoroughly enjoyed the previous version; it was part of my daily routine; to read and offer comments. (As I do with the new version.) Often, when I saw a post with no respondents, I would post a reply just so the OP would not feel ignored.
That was the basis for my comment. Kind of like "if you didn't vote, don't complain about who is in office." Sorry again.
Jerry
Can I say I was not exactly impressed at first, and maybe even now, but things are getting better. Time heals all?
Can I say?
I LOVED the old Knots and my subscription for additional content. The new.. well, I am working on trying to live with it day by day. I, like most, hate change, but it seems to 'grow' on me a bit more as time passes.
My local radio station got rid of most of the people (oldtimers). I assume to get the 'young' to listen. I hate it and it is not getting any better. At least in here... I see some change to satisfy us OLD folks also.
I at first, wanted to just give it, up but I realize that I am just a stubborn old fart and then came back. Though, not as often, as I did in the past.
Also, now nobody sees mow many edits I made to get most of the words with SORT OF correct spelling!
Will,
"then came back. Though, not as often"
I confused. Does this mean that you don't fart as often or that you don't visit the site as often?
Please explain.
I confused. Does this mean that you don't fart as often or that you don't visit the site as often?
Please explain.
I think it should be.. I confused. Does this mean that you don't fart as often or that you don't visit the site as often?
I like I AM confused better!
Please explain.
Maybe both? Ya got me on that one!
I didn't re-read my post.
I didn't re-read my post. Sorry I missed the "AM".
I can see I started a nice debate. The part of the web-site I'm not satisfied with is the initial page. As I said before, they seem to be re-running projects and I I'd like to see new fresh ideas. I'm pretty new to woodworking and really enjoyed when they had the "beginners" serious. I fully understand there's a wide range of skills levels and I think that's great. I've learned a lot from reading the knots section of the site but if we are being charged (and I know that's my choice) then we should be provided with new ideas and articles.
What I would also like to see is one of the staff of FWW to comment - Hopefully one of the web folks..
Runner If you have a paid sub.. have you searched the main page looking for help on something you don't understand?
I use to do that all the time.
I get like 5 mags a month read them just to read something at times. When FFW comes I usually read the back of FWW and see what magic someone has done. Sometimes I go oh ahh, sometimes I go hummm interesting and others I know how its done.. after a while its your art. There are some wonderful "threads" here... Folks that posted an entire project from start to finish. '
Other posts are right about content. But the content is like the Mag. your gonna get (draw folks into WW) and your gonna get master classes... Since the more complecated Master classes take many many months to produce they are gems that you may only see 3-4 a year. This site gives you access to a lot of "stuff" its hard to navigate.. but you can turn up help for where your stuck that is always out there.
Rich
Knots is the best "Woodworker Forum Comment-Reply Exchange Web Site" that I have found anywhere. I wasn't around here before "the change" so I'm not sure what everybody is complaining about. Ignorance is bliss I guess because I like this site.
I'm very satisfied with
I'm very satisfied with Knots, it's http://www.fineworking.com is the section I have the problem with...
While I agree that it would be lovely to see a new, well-produced video every few days, I also recognize that these things cost a fair amount to produce. There's the woodworker's time and materials, the expense of sending out a video crew, and post-production and editing time, none of which are cheap. I'm confident that the online subscription income doesn't match the costs involved.
There is always something interesting being posted in either Knots Gallery or the Readers Gallery. Both of these features allow you to engage the initiator and have some discussions about design, technique, etc.
Probably two of the least valued areas of FWW - what are others doing.
Don
Dear Runner4102000,
Thank you for your feedback. Sorry to hear that you don’t feel like you’re getting as much bang for your buck these days.
I’ll give you the marketing spin at the end of this note but here’s how things look from my point of view as a Web producer. I can assure you that we’re working as hard as we always have been. As you say, it sounds like the real problem for you is the home page. I can try to prioritize those updates more but for me it’s a balancing act between updating it frequently for daily visitors but keeping certain content prominent for folks who only visit once or twice a month.
I frequently run into situations even here at Taunton where a new piece of content goes up and staffers here say they didn’t see it--even though we may have promoted it on the home page every day the week before.
We have so much content on our site that I like to repromote videos (like the workbench series that I featured this weekend) to help people find them. We may have new online members or people who missed it when it originally came out last February.
But again, thanks for the feedback, we can try harder and reallocated resources. It’s something that other Knots members have reminded me of the past--you folks do a good job of keeping us on our toes.
Another thing that we’re doing is investing more in long-form videos like the Garrett Hack series on building a cabinet. We’re releasing another series next week with Phil Lowe. But maybe we need to focus more on increasing the numbers of short-form videos as well--I’ll see what I can do about that. I also want to release a survey so we can get input from you folks directly on what videos and such you want to see. More to come…
In addition, another thing we’re focusing more on is QUALITY, not quantity, since we got feedback from many viewers in the past that they wanted to see higher production values and less shaky camera work. This takes a little bit more time, but we think it’s worth it in the end to have more archival-quality videos on age-old construction techniques.
Okay… so that’s my personal $0.02…
Transparency with the online member page
To reiterate what we do offer for members, here’s the story. We recently launched a page just for Online Members (https://www.finewoodworking.com/member). It lets you know about special monthly offers (a free plan this month) and special giveaways for members. We also publish information with all our newly released videos and give promos and publish dates for videos that we’ll publish in the future. This is to improve transparency and let members know what’s new for you. Last month, we also invited some local online members to participate in our live event, a tenon shootout. That gave a collection of members the chance to watch the event, meet our editors, and tour our shop for free.
In addition, every month or so we also publish the latest issue of the magazine online and all the online extra content associated with it. Next week we’ll publish all the articles from 211. Stay tuned for that.
Finally online members get access to all our archives which includes more than 500 woodworking videos and an archive of articles from more than 200 past issues--as I mentioned this is constantly growing as we publish each new issue online.
In case you missed them… here’s a list of some of the videos we recently published on our site:
Cutting Dovetail Keys on a Router Table: https://www.finewoodworking.com/subscription/workshop/workshoparticle.aspx?id=33247
Build a Simple Miter Saw Stand: https://www.finewoodworking.com/subscription/workshop/workshoppdf.aspx?id=33190
Build a Shelf Pin Drilling Jig
https://www.finewoodworking.com/subscription/workshop/workshoppdf.aspx?id=33236
Fast Fix: Build a Hinged Stop Block https://www.finewoodworking.com/subscription/workshop/workshoparticle.aspx?id=33241
Turn a Shaker Leg https://www.finewoodworking.com/ProjectsAndDesign/ProjectsAndDesignarticle.aspx?id=33226
Tenon Shootout
https://www.finewoodworking.com/item/23288/video-replay-tenon-shootout-hand-vs-power-tools
And... here's a new concept for us a flash animation: The Ultimate Joinery Jig: https://www.finewoodworking.com/interactive/multi-prupose-tablesaw-jig.asp
Our editors and contributors have also been busy blogging away so you can always find fresh content here: https://www.finewoodworking.com/blogs
Anyway, thanks for the feedback. I really do value the support of online members like you and am definitely open to suggestions. We’re always looking for ways to grow and improve.
Gina
FineWoodworking.com
P.S. Good point on more Getting Started videos… we’ll see if we can get that going again soon.
P.P.S Sorry, I don’t have any new news on the forum bugs. I wish I did. You’ll be the first to learn when I do.
P.P.P.S. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to sign up for our weekly eLetters (https://www.finewoodworking.com/pages/fw_eLetterRegistration.asp) where you’ll get info each week about new, fresh content in your inbox. There’s a special version for online members too where we highlight new member-only content.
FWIW, Gina, I sometimes miss seeing an article or video before it cycles off the main page, too. That doesn't happen often, since I visit the site almost every day, but there's the occasional, "Wow, how did I miss that one?"
Would it be feasible to maintain a log of site updates in some simple format, with links to the items, and a link to the log on the main page, perhaps as part of the "Quick Links" menu?
Good suggestion. Maybe we need an index with links to all of our videos on one big old page... and we could list the newest ones at the top so people don't miss them.
gina,
thanks for all the information. your post felt like someone opened the window and let a little fresh air and sunshine in.
eef
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