Replies

1. 
   Jfrostjr | Feb 07, 2015 09:31am | #1

   Why is Knots so Infrequently Used?

   I remember those days. We were a wonderful, sharing group. But then, some software glitches arose - and in the minds of some - the repairs were too slow. So one, possibly more persons, proclaimed the superiority of another 'pay to join' website. Most members followed this Pied Piper and I assume they are still there.

   I stayed with Konots but did try the new site - 'Sawdust' or something. I didn't like it and never went back. But by then, I was out of the habit of every morning checkins with Knots. Today is my first visit here in 6-months.

   Frosty

2. 
   forrestb | Feb 07, 2015 11:04am | #2

   Why is Knots so infrequently used?

   As a long-time user, I recall that the first big issue was the admin's inability or unwillingness to stop the 'kitchen' spammers.  They were swamping out all of the folders and folks just got tired and left to other forums. Sawdust was one but I found there were waaaaay too many snarky replies to what I thought were legitimate answers and/or comments in it and other forums.  It was as though the object was to come up with a 'cool' comment rather than focus on the woodworking issues.

   Admin has made some errors in trying to solve the 'kitchen' spammers and a big one was a spam filter that was waaaaaaay too tight to the point where folks just could not post.  Again, folks got tired of the hastle and stopped posting.

   Things seem to be better now but the 'kitchen' spammers are coming back.  Admin had some method of designating 'trusted members' but I don't know if that is still around.

   Stay with us. I know that Asa Christiana is trying to improve the FWW website (hopefully, including Knots) but it's a big job to unravel old software that has probably been patched several times over the years.

   Forrest

1. 
   jacko9 | Feb 07, 2015 08:48pm | #3

   Hi guys, I tried to reply but I activated the spam filter and it rejected my response?  I think they have a much bigger problem than I thought.

   Jack

3. 
   mike4244 | May 16, 2015 10:45pm | #4

   frequency of using knots forum

   Years ago,maybe 10 or so the format was changed,for the worse.The new format was difficult for me to follow so I did not return until this day.I imagine others followed suit for similar reasons.

   mike

4. 
   nikkiwood | May 19, 2015 02:06am | #5

   Why is this forum a shadow of its former self?

   First, FWW changed the format of the forum, to the consternation of many users. This one is much harder to use than the old one (Delphi). 

   Second, the management of FWW tired of the exuberant, but sometimes raucus character of the forum. Politic issues were fiercely debated, and I always thought talented, serious woodworkers would come around for the debate, and stay long enough to answer questions or comment in the threads devoted to various woodworking topics. 

   The management hated the idea of the political stuff, fearing that readers would drop by the forum and be "shocked" that it wasn't straight woodworking. 

   But it also has to be said that there were some wonderful, articulate characters who would freqeunt the forum, probably led by a guy named Jon Arno, who was a world class expert on all types of wood, but an even better debater. Jon died, and the forum was never the same again...............

5. 
   nikkiwood | May 19, 2015 02:13am | #6

   To add to my last comment.............

   I just took a spin through some of the topics, and the amount of spam is rather schocking. Back in its heyday, the Knots moderator would delete anything like this faster than you could spit.