Changes to Forum Board Structure

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
This forum has been up and running for about seven months.  I've been watching the pattern of postings, and taking lots of member comments about the way the boards are structured.  I've decided some re-organization is in order.

As always, I'm trying to make the information easily accessible, while structuring the boards so certain ideas are grouped together.  The most significant change is that I want to remove the distinction between "general" and "specific" categories.

For the moment, I'm focusing on the first two forum boards.  Here's the way they are currently structured:

FESTOOL TOOLS & ACCESSORIES
General Discussions
Specific Tools & Accessories

FESTOOL TOOLS IN ACTION!
How To...
Tool Reviews
Jigs, Inventions, & Tool Enhancements
Member Projects
Member Web Sites & Shop Tours

Here's the new structure I propose:

FESTOOL TOOLS IN GENERAL
All Tools and Accessories
Jigs, Inventions, Tool Enhancements
Tool Reviews

FESTOOL TOOLS IN ACTION!
How To...
Member Projects
Member Web Sites & Shop Tours

The life and spirit of this forum comes directly from our members.  Therefore, any time I consider major changes, I call upon members for input.

What do you think of the new structure I'm proposing?  What would you add, subtract, or change?

Thanks,
Matthew

 

[Bill]

Since things eventually get buried on a more General board, I would suggest that such things as tool reviews or educational topics that have been exhausted be copied over to another board where they will be easier to find.

Bill

 

[ROb McGilp]

Hi Matthew,
Its great to see that the forum is dynamic and responsive to members suggestions. Also, the general "flavour" needs to be reviewed every so often, just as you are doing now.
I have a couple of thoughts for you.
1. Since most user projects involve some addition or modification to either a tool or means of use and also could (and should, I believe) give how to do it instructions, maybe these could be placed together?
2. It seems that most members have or are developing their own websites, so perhaps "specific tools and accessories" and "members shops and pages" could be placed together also. 
The biggest problem I see is keeping threads on topic. Not in a bad way, but people tend to remember or have an epiphany on one idea while reading about another., so you end up reading four or five reeeally lengthy threads to get the info you want. Not sure how you prevent that though.

Regards,

Rob

 

[Corwin]

Might be nice to show recent activity in the gallery on the FOG's front page.  This way we could readily see when new photos have been added.

Corwin

 

[Eli]

I've gone back and read or marked as read all the old stuff, so I click "show unread posts since last visit" and it only shows me new. Been able to keep up with it so far.

I like the idea of a few simple categories that everything fits into. Human beans love to yarn though, the longer the forum is around, the more unrelated chatter there is, like Rob said.

 

[The Dude]

Hey Matt, for the most part, I think there is enough instruction around here regarding "how to" work the forum software.  Do you think it's broke?  aka If it ain't broke don't fix it....(did I just say that to a bunch of woodworkers.)

At any rate, there is a course that needs to be run for every implementation of a new idea; and with that comes resistance.  How long have these categories been around?

Timmy C

 

[Matthew Schenker]

Everyone,
Thanks for the feedback so far.  I'm reading everything people are writing as I reconsider the board structure.  So keep the comments flowing.

Might be nice to show recent activity in the gallery on the FOG's front page.  This way we could readily see when new photos have been added.

You can view the most recent activity in the Gallery in two quick steps:
1. Go into the Gallery
2. Click "Last uploads"

Doing this brings up the latest photos, by any member, in chronological order.

It could be displayed as a direct link, as shown below:
Latest Additions to the Gallery

If I were to have this as a constant link, where do you think it would belong?

Matthew

 

[Pete Pedisich]

Here's the new structure I propose:

FESTOOL TOOLS IN GENERAL
All Tools and Accessories
Jigs, Inventions, Tool Enhancements
Tool Reviews

FESTOOL TOOLS IN ACTION!
How To...
Member Projects
Member Web Sites & Shop Tours

The life and spirit of this forum comes directly from our members.  Therefore, any time I consider major changes, I call upon members for input.

What do you think of the new structure I'm proposing?  What would you add, subtract, or change?

Thanks,
Matthew

Matt,

I think this would be a great improvement and much more logical, excellent work.

Thanks,

Pete

 

[semenza]

Hi, Matthew

      I like the idea of combining the categories as you are suggesting. I read the Specific and General boards as if they are the same anyway. In fact I usually have to look at the heading to know which one I am on. When you consider the purpose of this forum is to talk about not just tools, but a specific brand of tools, then about 90% of the posts are automatically about a specific tool.  In anycase it wouldn't bother me to have it left the same but I think combining them would be better. For example there are two a Systainer discussions going on right now. One is posted under the General and one under the Specific. From reading both it is clear that the original poster for one of them is / was missing out on some info pertaining to the topic because of not realising that the other discussion was also going on. Had they been on the same page it would have been hard to miss. While it is true that someone could pull up all new posts. Why go through that step.

Seth
   

 

[semenza]

More thoughts-

                  I think for the Specific catagory to really be specific instad of Festool in general then it would need to be broken down to sub catagories for each tool or type of tool (sanders, saws, routers,etc). This seems like overkill. As long as the correct Festool teminology and spelling is used then the search feature works very well to find everything new and old on a particular tool.

Seth

 

[Tinker]

I like the setup (almost) exactly as is.  That does not mean I am not ready to go along with change.  There is another WW forum i have been hanging out with for several years.  They recently made some "great" changes.  As a result, I found i could no longer communicate.  I have tried every trick I know (and there ain't really that many for me), to no avail.  Finally, another member indicated he was having the same problems as I.  His computer is Mac.  So is mine.  The reply he received (on line no less) was that he would just have to switch to a PC.  I am so mad I am thinking of dropping my subscription to their magazine.  I would be most unhappy should any changes create the same problem here.

I do have an ocassional problem in that I sometimes cannot make any replies to certain threads.  I have signed off and come back later with same results.  Once I find it impossible to reply to a certain thread, the problem seems to be forever.  Does anybody have any ideas on that problem?
Tinker

 

[greg mann]

  The reply he received (on line no less) was that he would just have to switch to a PC.  I am so mad I am thinking of dropping my subscription to their magazine.  I would be most unhappy should any changes create the same problem here.
Tinker

Tinker,

Take heart. As many Mac users as there are in this forum (probably soon to include Matt) I don't think that can happen.

 

[Gary Nichols]

Tinker,

Do you have Cookies enabled? Even when I'm signed in and can see the attachment photos, I still can't reply until I allow cookies. It just says: "Your session timed out while posting. Please try to re-submit your message." Except for replying on FOG, I only enable Cookies for banking or shopping on eBay. Amazon doesn't seem to require them. I assume you use Safari as your browser? When I allow cookies, I leave the "Preferences" window open to remind me to go back to "Refuse" mode before visiting any websites that may give anyone the idea that I need/want an on-line college diploma, free iPod, cheap medications, eCard, discount software or anything that would make "that certain part of the male anatomy" larger.... Hell, I haven't seen my belt buckle in years... How could I tell if anything's really "larger"?   When your email addres starts with FlyTyerDude, you seem to get on all kinds of strange lists... Started getting spam email after joining 7 different Yahoo banjo groups that weren't moderated very well, and always had posts for things like dating services for seniors.. Anyway, try checking your browser and set it to accept cookies... at least long enough to "Reply"

Gary

 

[Gary Nichols]

Matthew,

Right now, the only change I would like to see is in the "Recent Posts" section. Right now, it only shows the last 30 posts.... If there were more than 30 posts in a 24 hour day, I can miss some of them unless I check all the catagories one at a time....

Gary

 

[Tinker]

Tinker,

Do you have Cookies enabled? Even when I'm signed in and can see the attachment photos, I still can't reply until I allow cookies. It just says: "Your session timed out while posting. Please try to re-submit your message." Except for replying on FOG, I only enable Cookies for banking or shopping on eBay. Amazon doesn't seem to require them. I assume you use Safari as your browser? When I allow cookies, I leave the "Preferences" window open to remind me to go back to "Refuse" mode before visiting any websites that may give anyone the idea that I need/want an on-line college diploma, free iPod, cheap medications, eCard, discount software or anything that would make "that certain part of the male anatomy" larger.... Hell, I haven't seen my belt buckle in years... How could I tell if anything's really "larger"?  When your email addres starts with FlyTyerDude, you seem to get on all kinds of strange lists... Started getting spam email after joining 7 different Yahoo banjo groups that weren't moderated very well, and always had posts for things like dating services for seniors.. Anyway, try checking your browser and set it to accept cookies... at least long enough to "Reply"

Gary

Gary, All I know about "cookies" is that I had better have enough in the house to keep my old (16yr old) dog happy and quiet.  Beyond that, i know nothing.  I had to take my computer in to Apple last week.  They looked it over and told me my "logic is gone."  "Ain't nothin wrong with my logic," I told them.  "When I punch the keys and the screen ges black, I screem for help."  And that's about how much I know about computers when there is a problem.  So far, it is no more than maybe one thread in a couple of dozen that I find I can make no reply.  i can live with that.  As far as beng a Mac user, that is not going to change.  My wife has a PC and that darned thing is down more than it is working.  If you are a mac user, ain't it great to have a toy that just keeps going and going and going>>>>>>  ;D
Tinker

 

[DaveM]

Matthew,

Right now, the only change I would like to see is in the "Recent Posts" section. Right now, it only shows the last 30 posts.... If there were more than 30 posts in a 24 hour day, I can miss some of them unless I check all the catagories one at a time....

Gary

I agree!  My usual tactic when I stop by FOG is to review the recent post list--much faster than going through each of the forums.  How about this idea: there could be a couple of clickable buttons placed on the Recent Post header giving option to show recent posts in last 24 hr or last 48 hr? 

DaveM

 

[Gary Nichols]

Tinker,

I don't even know how to do Windows... Had Macs all my life.... But I also lost my logic a few years back... Festool Rep did an open house at our local tool supply on a Thursday afternoon, I went in looking for a planer, left with a C-12, took home an ATF 55 the next day (instead of the planer), RO 150 & CT Mini on Saturday and DS 400EQ on Monday.... the logic was that I would get mail-in rebates on them and ATF was on closeout, C-12 had intro price, so one tool almost was free...pretty logical, right?.. 5 items, but only got 4 rebate checks.... I guess the CT Mini doesn't count when bought as a package..... Another loss of logic: buy the complete Domino outfit (2 systainers) first week it's out, to take advantage of the $40-off intro price.... with a Visa card that's already costing me $80 interest per month.... No sense in waiting for that card to ever be paid off, as long as there are still Festools I don't have yet.... Festool Fever... what a way to go.

Gary

 

[Gary Nichols]

DaveM,

yes.... a scroll bar... that goes back ... maybe even seven days or so.....

Tinker,

Maybe that's the Logic Board they're talking about... can get pricey.... do you have an iBook? Apple had so much trouble with certain models that they have/had an extended replacement policy.... but call Apple direct with the model#... the local store may give you the run around. Apple/PC store here tried talking me into switching to PC once..... I don't go there anymore...

Gary

 

[Dave Ronyak]

Matthew,

The number of posts on FOG has grown to be quite large, and is likely to continue to grow much larger.  Although I try to read all the posts, I find myself falling further and further behind.  This means I now focus on topics that appear to best fit my current interests or needs.  I am satisfied with the current structure.  But, if you think a change would be better, I favor primary organization along the lines of the various tools and/or their functions, as is done in the Festool catalogues, e.g, drilling, sawing, sanding, joining, etc., or a topical index.  If you convert FOG to "All tools and accessories", then a sub-index of these tools (and their associated accessories) would be helpful to enalble a reader to zero in on posts of interest to him/her.  Simply lumping together posts about any and all tools and acessories will make it more difficult and time consuming for a reader to find items of interest or for help to a particular problem, situation or decision that reader is facing.

Dave R.

 

[Tinker]

DaveM,

yes.... a scroll bar... that goes back ... maybe even seven days or so.....

Tinker,

Maybe that's the Logic Board they're talking about... can get pricey.... do you have an iBook? Apple had so much trouble with certain models that they have/had an extended replacement policy.... but call Apple direct with the model#... the local store may give you the run around. Apple/PC store here tried talking me into switching to PC once..... I don't go there anymore...

Gary

I did know the guy was talking about smething in the computer.  I was just being a smart a--, but did get a laugh out of him.  My computer was out of warrantee, but since there had been a call back on a range of serial #'s, mine not included in the group, but same model, or something, the work was done for free.  I have a real great guy who does all my computer work/problems.  He told me he could fix it, but he thought Apple would be kinder to me.  He knew about the call back. 

Anyhow, I guess we have gone off track for Festool discussion here. 

When someone previously had mentioned about others getting off subject, I did not have to look far to find a culprit.
Tinker