Hello all,
Being spring and all, although around here in the northeast it hardly feels like spring, we thought it was a good time to do some “house” cleaning.
What we would like to see is that all users update your forum prefs, most importantly your email address. There is a couple of reasons for this. First, I am trying to clear out the database of unused or incorrect email addresses. Secondly we are going to start communicating, via email to forum users regarding activities on the forums. In the upcoming weeks will be turning email confirmation on and if your email address is incorrect you will receive a notification at the time of login. So please take a minute now and update your email address. This way you will be sure to receive any email communications we send out regarding the forums.
Thanks and as always if you have questions post here or send us an email: [email protected]
Best Regards,
Mark and the forum Moderators
SYSOP
[email protected]
Have you updated your forum profile lately? Please Do!
Replies
Mark, I updated my prefs as requested. I'm flattered that you guys are taking such a keen interest in my personal information. I'm really hopeful that the personal ad will produce fruit here, it's been a futile search elsewhere but as we know Knot's is the upper crust.
Why does it send people that click on "Visit Website" to Taunton's website? Are you guys trying to increase your traffic? I'm counting on my prefs page to make me famous.
Lee
"Secondly we are going to start communicating, via email to forum users regarding activities on the forums." This would be, like, occasional communcations right? Based on posts here, it seems some people list a fake email to avoid excessive communications. They might need some reassurance.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Yes that is correct. Infrequent communications is the key. If people choose to not provide a real email address it just means they might miss out on important communications from us. Although as I always do I will post a message on the forums as well. -MarkSYSOP[email protected]Have you updated your forum profile lately? Please Do!
Can you also assure everyone that the email will not be used either by Taunton or Prospero for marketing/sales purposes? That includes selling the addresses to anyone who would.********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
We do not sell our email addresses to anyone at anytime! Ever! Also Prospero Does Not use the email addresses for any reason other than communication that is triggered by me. They (Prospero) will also never use the email address for any marketing purposes.
I cannot say that Taunton will never use the email addresses for marketing purposes because I cant see into the future. But looking at past history we have never used the forum email addresses for marketing purposes and I can assure you 100% that this is not the reason I am asking users to update email addresses now. The change over of the cafe and Tavern brought to light how many users don't have legit email addresses and that coupled with the fact that I personally communicated with over 1400 users via individual emails made me realize there has got to be a better way. So asking users to update email addresses and profiles sounded like the best solution. I hope that answers your questions. If not please feel free to ask. -MarkSYSOP[email protected]Have you updated your forum profile lately? Please Do!
Jeez Mark, I'm feeling so,.., so,..., well, ignored.I'll rephrase my question. In my prefs I give my website address but..."Why does it send people that click on "Visit Website" (In the box that pops up when you click on my name) to Taunton's website? Are you guys trying to increase your traffic? I'm counting on my prefs page to make me famous."LeeMontanaFest
Lee,I opened your profile, clicked on "visit website," and the same thing happened to me (went to the Taunton site).********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
"Herb Caen (1916-1997)" Oh, good ol' Herb -- he was great fun. Brings back memories!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Re: Herb CaenI lived out there for five years, and his column was about the only reason that made the Chronicle worth buying.********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
Thanks, Nikkiwood, for the confirmation.LeeMontanaFest
Sorry Lee didnt mean to "pass you buy"... Have you entered your own website in the Prefs? If not that is why Taunton.com opens, it is the default. If you have entered your own and it still goes to Taunton well that would be a good trick dont ya think? Let me know. -M
PS making final plans for heading out your way in Aug... will be in touch.SYSOP[email protected]Have you updated your forum profile lately? Please Do!
Ummm Mark, yes, I entered my website. If Taunton needs more traffic we could work out a pay-per-click arrangement, say a nickel a pop or something. I've got a dating service for single sheep wanting the slot but since that's more of local interest I'll give you guys first shot at this web traffic boosting plan.Currently I'm committed to this clown, http://www.furniturecarver.com ,for the click through traffic in my profile.Let me know when I can add your name to the guest list, http://montanafest.com/MontanaFestguestlist.html . I'm finalizing meuns with the caterers now. The slots for workshops are filled except for a chain saw carver and Ruthie and I are really excited, this is going to be a great bash. LeeMontanaFest
Hey Mark, I just re-entered my website addy with the http stuff and it seems to be working now. I can't keep up with this stuff, sometimes www,etc is enough, sometimes not. I know just enough to be dangerous.Hey, does Taunton have any webcams laying around we could run during MontanaFest? I'm thinking one in the workshop and one outside. We could bump Norm and Sindy (and her friends) from the top of the webcam charts.At least I think her name is Sindy, she's a co-ed at some university that keeps sending me emails. Lee
Edited 5/26/2005 4:20 pm ET by Lee_Grindinger
Live webcam from the event that could be cool for sure! Unfortunately we don't have any cam but we do have still camera and can do some "live" reporting using them. We will definitely be bring the cameras. More TK on this. -MSYSOP[email protected]Have you updated your forum profile lately? Please Do!
Mark (and Lee) -- aren't web cams super-cheap? I don't have one, but I thought they ran around $30 or somethin' like that? Maybe I'm wrong.... Ohmigod, can't be!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
So heres an idea, you buy one and bring it to the fest personally:) That would be cool! -MSYSOP[email protected]Have you updated your forum profile lately? Please Do!
"That would be cool!" No kidding. I'll buy the camera if you'll pay for the gas, ROFL!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
See, the thing is I don't want to own a webcam, or two. My computer is about 75 feet from the workshop and the outdoor cam would be about that too. I'm just fishing for someone who already has one or two and enough cable to reach my computer.Forestgirl, c'mon, shut your site down for the weekend so we can use your webcams.Heh, heh, he...LeeMontanaFest
Hey, Lee! Norm has a web cam, maybe he'll help out! ROFL!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I did my Spring cleaning and I SAVED all my old wood!
Mark,
Firstly, I am a relatively recent active subscriber to your forums and I don't live in the USA. My association with woodwork goes back 45 years to when I first helped my Dad in his then occupation of coffin-builder. I qualified as a tradesman cabinetmaker in 1970 but changed direction to accountancy only to return as a hobbyist in the early 80's. Since Jan of this year WWing for my own satisfaction has become my principle occupation and joy.
Secondly, I have two lesser hobby interests which I follow closely via print media and websites, most of which (despite being pay-sites and bought magazines) don't seem to last more than two years. Certainly not the web-sites.
Thirdly, I live in a city with 2 million inhabitants, 3 major DIY stores and 6 speciality tool stores, have done so for 17 years. And in that time I've never met another serious WWer. They must be here, somewhere, otherwise why are the stores still in business? There are the arts-and-crafts guys and their guilds, and no offence meant to them, but bowl after bowl is for me like watching cricket.
Fourthly, and following from the above; I have learned more about my favourite subject in the last 4 months following the Knots and Tool Talk forums than I did in the previous 20 years! The volume of experience built in your files is invaluable.
Hopefully my comments will cause readers to check out my profile, and then be prompted to provide their own. This is my only problem with this site; the large majority of subscribers don't provide any personal information, making it difficult to respond with respect to their seniority and experience and in a suitable context.
Keep up the good work and you just use my address any way you like.
Sorry Lee, meant to reply to Sysop
Edited 5/27/2005 4:49 pm ET by sean
Edited 5/27/2005 4:58 pm ET by sean
<<<"This is my only problem with this site; the large majority of subscribers don't provide any personal information, making it difficult to respond with respect to their seniority and experience and in a suitable context.">>>One of the things I most like about Knots is that (for the most part) contributions are indeed anonymous -- not only by name, but also by background. That is, each post must stand on its own merits, and only over time, do you begin to get a sense for who consistently offers reliable information and useful insights. Training, credentials, affiliations, and experience are generally not known, so you are left to evaluate the post based solely on its content. And I like that, mainly I suppose, because there is something egalitarian about it, but also because it is interesting to ponder just how much a given poster knows about the subject at hand. I am here to learn, but the anonymity also brings this rather interesting, additional dimension to the "Knots experience."********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
Nikkiwood,
That comment sounds familar :-)Mark
Measure it with a micrometer, mark it with chalk, cut it with an ax.
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nikkiwood,
I never gave it thought before but now that you mention it I have to agree 100%.
DR
making it difficult to respond
I hear what you say, and agree to an extent, but I would very much like to know a bit more about my correspondents and at least their whereabouts than simply what I can deduce from a username. Example; in my country, Nikki (in that spelling), is a girl's name. So my image of nikkiwood, in the absence of a Knots profile, is of a buxom pigtailed maiden shoving logs through a water driven saw.
Seriously, though; I don't think the standard Knot's profile in any way conflicts with your stance and it gives me at least a perspective of where my correspondent is located.
Regards
Spring Cleaning...???
I saw the Pictures of the 'SHOP' posted.. Took about 1/2 hour.. I think...
Welcome Durban! Huggers to another woodworker.....
And in that time I've never met another serious WWer...
Me either but I know they are out there....
I pass up a 'GOOD Stick' at my local hardwood supplier.. I come back when I got the money.. It's GONE!.. Dang...
the large majority of subscribers don't provide any personal information, making it difficult to respond with respect to their seniority and experience and in a suitable context....
Hell, I BS a lot in here but still tells the TRUTH as I know it! I still could be wrong though!
my email address has been "good" for a long time.never got ads from tauntonif you're concerned get a free enail address from someone like mail.com and use that. just remembeer to check it once a month at least. some places will delete your account if you don't evr log in.
bobl Volo, non valeo
Baloney detecter
Nikki, I'll echo bobl's post: I've had my addy listed with Taunton for years now, and never, ever had a problem!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
I know that's the case now. I have a web-based email account I only use for Taunton, and nothing has ever come in except forum stuff -- not even any promotionals from Taunton. I suppose it doesn't matter that much, but my cynicism switch goes on when they launch a concerted effort to get everybody's email address updated/corrected. Even my local public radio station is now taking what amount to ads, so I wonder how long Taunton (or Prospero) can resist the temptation to sell the list to anyone interested in serious woodworkers/builders (Breaktime).********************************************************
"I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
-- Herb Caen (1916-1997)
I don't have any fears that Taunton will ever sell our emails. They're way the heck smarter than that -- whatever short-term gain they might have would be far, far outweighed by the resultant loss of participation. Near as I can tell, all of the forums and catalog web sites hold the same privacy standard. I have registered at probably 8 or 9 forums, and countless catalog sites (to ask for paper catalogs). I get absolutely zero WWing-related spam. The companies that stoop to selling emails addy's are low-lifes who don't care about their reputation, IMHO.
FYI, there's an opt-in place for Taunton "Do you want to receive customized e-mail newsletters from us?" under Your Preferences. I even have this checked Yes, and receive only occasional emails from them.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
"The companies that stoop to selling emails addy's are low-lifes who don't care about their reputation, IMHO." Count Porter-Cable in that category, I guess. I registered on their site so I could look at some plans, using a special e-mail alias not used on other sites ('cause I'm a suspicious person). Ever since, I have been getting a wide variety of spam to that address. Worse, some spammer has spoofed my address, so I occasionally get "Undeliverable mail" messages about spam with my addy as the sender! (Same thing happens with the addy I have on my website; spambots apprently harvest it, then spoof it, so people all over the world are cursing that "[email protected]" guy.)"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler." A. Einstein
http://www.albionworks.net
Ooooo, that's a major bummer. How does their privacy statement read? That's the kinda thing that would lead me to raise some hell with PC. Wonder if there's anyway this could have happend without their consent?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>)
Tim,
I'll be out your way soon - I expect I'll arrive around mid-June. Rented a place between Mendo and Little River for the summer.
I signed up for a couple of the CofR summer classes, so sometimes I'll be busy - but I'm planning to stay till around 11/1, so this summer we'll definitely get together.
Yours,
Clay (eager to get away from another Miami summer)
house" cleaning... I have doen THAT many times! My wife (loved her) made me BUT I still had to re-wash all the China on Holydays???
"Secondly we are going to start communicating, via email to forum users regarding activities on the forums."
Mark,
You statement of intent is about as vague as can be. What kinds of things, pray tell, do you anticipate addressing in your upcoming emails?
If my response seems a little cynical, please forgive me, but your missive has aroused my curiosity.
-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
Jazz Dog,
On occasion there has been a need for me to communicate to the masses. The way I had done it in the past is to post a message, I have found that method reaches about 50% - 60% of the user base, even though it is presented to everyone. Users either ignore it or don't realize that it is a communication from us so they don't read it. So I figure if I can hit the audience with both a message and an email then I should be able to get the majority of the user base.
That was the "why" the "what" I would communicate to the user base is; things like anticipated downtime, system changes, functionality improvements, system upgrades enhancements etc.
I wasn't trying to be vague it just came across that way in my original message. If you have any further questions let me know. -MarkSYSOP[email protected]Have you updated your forum profile lately? Please Do!
I thought you'd just post in the "Feedback on FWW" section, similar to the Breaktime forum, when you needed to make an announcement. No/Yes?
Thank you, kind sir.-Jazzdogg-
Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.
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