Changing Times

[Kevin McConville]

Some excellent observations here. Particularly around what we say we would like to see on the FOG versus what gets our attention and input.

Like most things in life those behaviors that get attention flourish and those that don't get attention die off.  I for one have gotten sucked into arguments where people seemed to not want to resolve things but instead wanted to argue. I've tried to back off those but I haven't completed the circle and engaged in the threads that interest me in a positive way. I was kind of jaded by the negative and simply didn't want to put myself out there for the potential of more confrontation.

If we all ignore the baiting attempts they will die off and move to more fruitful grounds for filling their need to stir things up. 

Thank you for this thread - it has inspired me, and hopefully others to engage more in the positive threads.

 

[Brice Burrell]

I miss Shane's leadership of the FOG, I'd guess I'm not alone.  That's not meant as a knock on Tyler.  As to why we are seeing the recent trend.  It could be the price increase has people's blood pressure going up.  It makes you wonder if Festool is on the downhill side of the Laffer curve of the "Festool tax", and people are making some noise as they start making their way to the exist.  Who knows. 

I'd like nothing more than the old FOG to make its way back.  I suppose we all need to start making a small, but concerted effort to brings things back around.   

 

[chrisrosenb]

I miss Shane's leadership of the FOG, I'd guess I'm not alone.  That's not meant as a knock on Tyler.  As to why we are seeing the recent trend.  It could be the price increase has people's blood pressure going up.  It makes you wonder if Festool is on the downhill side of the Laffer curve of the "Festool tax", and people are making some noise as they start making their way to the exist.  Who knows. 

I'd like nothing more than the old FOG to make its way back.  I suppose we all need to start making a small, but concerted effort to brings things back around. 

I agree.

 

[tiralie]

Which begs the question:  Why are many, many more rushing to the inject their responses into the combative threads as opposed to contributing more to the project threads that they claim to crave to see on here. 

It takes more effort to write up a project thread and post it than to make a negative comment.
There are several project threads that I would like to write up or update, but I just don't seem to have the time lately.
This of course is completely all Festool's fault. The tools have increased the quality of my work so there is more demand... [wink]
I do think the promotions that were run here previously where members could create video or projects and win tools etc. was a good idea. Like most media, the internet is a vacuum. It loves a negative story, the promotions helped fill the media vacuum with some good energy.
Tim

 

[deepcreek]

I miss Shane's leadership of the FOG, I'd guess I'm not alone.

I agree.  Shane left some very big shoes to fill.

I rarely post in Member Projects but did a few months ago after winning two awards in a statewide furniture competition.  I didn't get a single response and in the old days Shane would have led the pack.http://festoolownersgroup.com/member-projects/texas-furniture-makers-show/msg430967/#msg430967

I'd like to see the FOG of old return but times change and people move on.  The negative tone of some of these posts just makes me shake my head in dismay.  At least my work didn't get slammed.

 

[Dane]

I think one of the issues is structural to the site.  I've been around here since it was a Yahoo site, check in multiple times a day, and offer my thoughts when the topic is something I know about- but I find that I miss a lot of things because of how the site works.  For instance, I didn't even seen the awesome postings about those tables that won the Texas competition.  Probably because there was some topic, like Kapex reliability, that got a crush of comments and shuffled the more interesting posts off of the front page- which tends to be the only place I look when I check in.  What would be really nice is if each registered user could turn off certain threads or topic areas so that the things that are interesting to them could remain on the front page a while longer.  I could care less about the Kapex debate, but I am sure I missed some interesting other topics while it flooded the page.

 

[GarryMartin]

I'd like nothing more than the old FOG to make its way back.  I suppose we all need to start making a small, but concerted effort to brings things back around. 

Completely agree.

Let's all try to do just that.

I've already personally chosen not to engage in some threads, and instead I'm actively seeking out the ones where I can add some value, be of some help, or engage with others to be educated and to improve my skills.

It's not that I don't read them, I just choose not to get dragged into the melee.

 

[joiner1970]

I'd like nothing more than the old FOG to make its way back.  I suppose we all need to start making a small, but concerted effort to brings things back around. 

Completely agree.

Let's all try to do just that.

I've already personally chosen not to engage in some threads, and instead I'm actively seeking out the ones where I can add some value, be of some help, or engage with others to be educated and to improve my skills.

It's not that I don't read them, I just choose not to get dragged into the melee.

Me too

 

[Mort]

I've been on a lot of forums over the years, and the one constant seems to be that they all "used to be better."

Probably just a perfect storm. Kapexes melting, prices going up. Plus the extra day in February. This too shall pass.

I think Tyler is doing a good job considering what he has to work with. With a premium product the customers can be a little high maintenance. Like I've told the dispatchers at work, no one ever calls in to tell you what a great job you're doing.

 

[Nippychippy]

I am the same as most people on here can't deal with Agro life is hard with out all this bitching.

I do feel we are missing a lot of members that used to post a lot are not her anymore and think that is affecting the fog.  [crying]

 

[Phil Beckley]

Hi
  Has the forum changed - yes, but everything evolves through time any way. A community like this is dependent on the input of those who are members at the time and this is of course reflected in the 'feel' of the forum - if a little hostile then those who may have posted more trade related projects or questions could be deterred from doing so.
  The forum has had a few 'hot' threads over the past few months and some which have been very negative towards other members and Peter and Seth do an excellent job to keep the peace - this on occasions is a tough role.
  Maybe more focus should be given to what we are all working on and how the machines we use - Festool or others help us do so.
The forum is here to stay so it is either used to benefit the community in a positive way or it can become a place for bravado and smart comments........I know what I would prefer!
A lot of the input here is done on a voluntary basis as well from both sides of the Atlantic so time is also limited.
rg
Phil