AlexThePalex
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- Nov 12, 2008
- Messages
- 7,808
Bert Vanderveen said:
It is incredibly irritating indeed. Luckily I could disable the script entirely through the AdBlock add-on for FireFox.
The Fog versus other Social Media
- Thread starter peter halle
- Start date
It is incredibly irritating indeed. Luckily I could disable the script entirely through the AdBlock add-on for FireFox.
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2011
- Messages
- 4,550
I do not participate in any other woodworking blog sites. I used the FOG as part of my research to determine whether to spend quite a lot of money on my first few Festool purchases. I have learnt a huge amount from the zillions of contributions from professionals and amateurs alike - thanks everyone.
When I first joined the FOG every topic was interesting and I wanted to read every single post and often add a comment or two. A few years later I have seen so many subjects and questions return again and again. So, when I read "what length guide rails do I need" or "how do I control a Rotex" I just wish people would do a search before they post. But when I think back to my own early days I remember asking similar questions.
The FOG statistics are not so good these days and I wonder whether that is a reflection of Festool as a brand or FOG management. Perhaps it is a sign of the times. I think that the effort of the guys running the FOG is outstanding. Festool is as innovative as ever and so perhaps there is some other influence that is not so obvious.
Anyway, thanks you FOG and FOGgers for everything that you have done for me.
Peter
When I first joined the FOG every topic was interesting and I wanted to read every single post and often add a comment or two. A few years later I have seen so many subjects and questions return again and again. So, when I read "what length guide rails do I need" or "how do I control a Rotex" I just wish people would do a search before they post. But when I think back to my own early days I remember asking similar questions.
The FOG statistics are not so good these days and I wonder whether that is a reflection of Festool as a brand or FOG management. Perhaps it is a sign of the times. I think that the effort of the guys running the FOG is outstanding. Festool is as innovative as ever and so perhaps there is some other influence that is not so obvious.
Anyway, thanks you FOG and FOGgers for everything that you have done for me.
Peter
Peter
Whilst I post infrequently, I log in on a daily basis. I do not use any other social media.
I typically scan the unread posts for topics of interest - largely construction / how to / new jigs etc topics or topics by specific posters. I wish there was an easier way of getting notifications when specific FOGGERS post without having to use the @ function in a post.
The reasons I enjoy the forum have been described by others; Festool focus but also include other power tools and hand tools, learning from other people's projects - in particular how people have resolved problems or mistakes, the generally pleasant banter etc.
I too regret the significantly lower interaction from North American Festool employees since Shane's departure. We are lucky to have Peter and Seth as moderators but think the suggestion of an International moderator is a good one, which would help to cover the other time zones.
Kev
Whilst I post infrequently, I log in on a daily basis. I do not use any other social media.
I typically scan the unread posts for topics of interest - largely construction / how to / new jigs etc topics or topics by specific posters. I wish there was an easier way of getting notifications when specific FOGGERS post without having to use the @ function in a post.
The reasons I enjoy the forum have been described by others; Festool focus but also include other power tools and hand tools, learning from other people's projects - in particular how people have resolved problems or mistakes, the generally pleasant banter etc.
I too regret the significantly lower interaction from North American Festool employees since Shane's departure. We are lucky to have Peter and Seth as moderators but think the suggestion of an International moderator is a good one, which would help to cover the other time zones.
Kev
To answere Peter's question, Yes I think the Fog provides a service to me that I don't find on any other social media platforms.
I don't participate in face book, twitter and the like. I leave all that to the rest of the family.
What the fog provides for me is a great resource and a wealth of experience that you won't find anywhere else in one place.
I especially like to read about the new tool releases coming out in Europe that will eventually drip down to us in Autralia, usually six months later. I also like reading about the real life experiences with these new tools from our European friends.
Down under we could also do with some Festool Aus participation on this Forum.
I did mention this to Shane a while back but it seems that Festool Aus don't see a need to participate in this forum and prefer Facebook as their reach out tool. I think they are missing out on a great resource.
I don't participate in face book, twitter and the like. I leave all that to the rest of the family.
What the fog provides for me is a great resource and a wealth of experience that you won't find anywhere else in one place.
I especially like to read about the new tool releases coming out in Europe that will eventually drip down to us in Autralia, usually six months later. I also like reading about the real life experiences with these new tools from our European friends.
Down under we could also do with some Festool Aus participation on this Forum.
I did mention this to Shane a while back but it seems that Festool Aus don't see a need to participate in this forum and prefer Facebook as their reach out tool. I think they are missing out on a great resource.
Cheese
Member
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2015
- Messages
- 12,499
[member=1674]Peter Halle[/member]
I don't subscribe to the other social media platforms as I consider them to be mostly "last week's left over bad news". If I really want to know when my neighbor starts to prepare dinner for her husband, I guess I'll just walk over and ask her rather than reading about it 2 days later on facebook.
I think the FOG provides a great medium for exchanging information and as [member=5277]Alex[/member] stated: an arena where information is central rather than the person. This is important because I see people on the FOG, for the most part, earnestly trying to exchange/share information for the sake of education rather than trying to control an outcome.
The other aspect I enjoy is the conversational style that the FOG allows. It allows people to be themselves and doesn't cut them off when they get a bit off topic. It's a natural conversational style to say blah, blah, blah and then to interject and say, "but what about them Yankees? Ya it's a change of topic but that's what normal conversation is all about. An ebb and flow, that's how it works. When was the last time you talked to your doctor and when you brought up the current weather...he declared you off topic? Time for a new doctor. [eek]
I also really enjoy all of the varied topics that are brought up on a daily basis. Painting, tools, woodworking, rough framing, metal working, new ideas, polishing, drywall, crafting furniture, flooring, new tools, problems with tools, music, old techniques, photography, cars, crown molding, project builds, BBQ in Texas, Buss planers, battery powered yard tools, dogs, cutting carbon fibre, waxes and finishes, I could go on for days. All of which gets back around to the common sharing of information. I've learned so much.
And finally, I also really like the international flair of the forum. What's "normal" for me isn't necessarily normal for someone from another country. I've actually been considering putting my dimensions/tolerances in threads into both Imperial and metric units. I also get a kick out of the Brits and Aussies...truly brothers in arms.
I don't subscribe to the other social media platforms as I consider them to be mostly "last week's left over bad news". If I really want to know when my neighbor starts to prepare dinner for her husband, I guess I'll just walk over and ask her rather than reading about it 2 days later on facebook.
I think the FOG provides a great medium for exchanging information and as [member=5277]Alex[/member] stated: an arena where information is central rather than the person. This is important because I see people on the FOG, for the most part, earnestly trying to exchange/share information for the sake of education rather than trying to control an outcome.
The other aspect I enjoy is the conversational style that the FOG allows. It allows people to be themselves and doesn't cut them off when they get a bit off topic. It's a natural conversational style to say blah, blah, blah and then to interject and say, "but what about them Yankees? Ya it's a change of topic but that's what normal conversation is all about. An ebb and flow, that's how it works. When was the last time you talked to your doctor and when you brought up the current weather...he declared you off topic? Time for a new doctor. [eek]
I also really enjoy all of the varied topics that are brought up on a daily basis. Painting, tools, woodworking, rough framing, metal working, new ideas, polishing, drywall, crafting furniture, flooring, new tools, problems with tools, music, old techniques, photography, cars, crown molding, project builds, BBQ in Texas, Buss planers, battery powered yard tools, dogs, cutting carbon fibre, waxes and finishes, I could go on for days. All of which gets back around to the common sharing of information. I've learned so much.
And finally, I also really like the international flair of the forum. What's "normal" for me isn't necessarily normal for someone from another country. I've actually been considering putting my dimensions/tolerances in threads into both Imperial and metric units. I also get a kick out of the Brits and Aussies...truly brothers in arms.
S
six-point socket
Guest
Hi Peter,
I started to "use" the internet when I was about 12 years old, thats when we got our first computer that could go online. I'm 29 since last Saturday and that means I have been actively online for about 17 years now.
Back in the day I mostly used IRC-based chatrooms mainly to gain information on games I was playing. A little later I signed up for the first forum, and then many more. I participated very actively, became a moderator in at least one of them and spent a lot of time on the different forums. I always felt that it helped me understand and learn a lot about many different topics. Also I can say that I made real friends along the way in a lot of different countries, some of them I have visited and met personally during more recent years. And I'm very, very thankful for that.
I joined Facebook for the first time when it was basically for students only but didn't really "get" it. I re-signed up later and did in fact find friends from all those years gone by and also made new ones. Again I was very active - posting a lot, pictures, stories out of my life. I always felt that a lot of my friends enjoyed when they read something or saw a picture - I enjoyed to read their stories and see their pictures. It was cool, basically a look over ones shoulder without the "bulk" of keeping in touch with long, boring e-mails or letters - still you'd be in touch with the flick of a finger. I have a lot of great memories on spontaneous meetings half way round the world, just because of a status update.
I was very careful in terms of privacy, what information I gave out and of course to whom - I never had 1000 people "accidentally" showing up at a party *lol*
But in more recent years my friends-list became smaller, people started to use screen names to the point where I was sometimes thinking "who the heck is this?" and for the sake of privacy stopped sharing the interesting stuff. When I opened my newsfeed at any given day I would read political rants, loose comments that were made on articles that now had thousands of comments and I wouldn't find the one my actual friend made, and other stuff - oh, and of course a lot of advertising. I too became guilty of political rants and loose comments, knowing it wouldn't change a darn thing - I decided to stop. I deleted my FB and IG accounts, my personal website and had my profiles removed from all forums that I could remember my log-in details. That was in February this year and I'm feeling good about it, slowing down my life and concentrate on other stuff, occasional e-mails to friends.
However, with it came a lot of other choices that ultimately brought me here: I want to accomplish a major home improvement project, bought my first Festool and started to do my research/homework. And since there will be questions in future I guess it couldn't hurt to sign-up and introduce myself. Since I'm not a complete newbie to tools/power-tools and home improvement I'm willing to share what I can when a question I can answer comes up - or just add my 2cents if the topic allows. In this instance a forum like the FOG is invaluable.
To answer your initial question, yes the FOG and forums in general have a crucial benefit for their members over your typical FB/IG social media stuff: they are a spring of wisdom and expertise, searchable like a library and topic based discussion trumps Facebook/Instagram-style "commenting" any day. If you spent a little time in a forum you are also able to judge comments, tips/explanation and advice based on a little research and who gave them very soon. This is much easier and more helpful than if you have to wade through hundreds of merely anonymous comments on your typical social media site/group. It also helps to establish a personal ranking, which is very useful when you get shown more than one way to accomplish any given task and need to decide which way to go.
Still there are hobbies/interests and trades where broad/mass exposure and volatility are more important than preservation and accessibility, that's where forums, forum culture sooner or later will pass by.
Kind regards,
Oliver
I started to "use" the internet when I was about 12 years old, thats when we got our first computer that could go online. I'm 29 since last Saturday and that means I have been actively online for about 17 years now.
Back in the day I mostly used IRC-based chatrooms mainly to gain information on games I was playing. A little later I signed up for the first forum, and then many more. I participated very actively, became a moderator in at least one of them and spent a lot of time on the different forums. I always felt that it helped me understand and learn a lot about many different topics. Also I can say that I made real friends along the way in a lot of different countries, some of them I have visited and met personally during more recent years. And I'm very, very thankful for that.
I joined Facebook for the first time when it was basically for students only but didn't really "get" it. I re-signed up later and did in fact find friends from all those years gone by and also made new ones. Again I was very active - posting a lot, pictures, stories out of my life. I always felt that a lot of my friends enjoyed when they read something or saw a picture - I enjoyed to read their stories and see their pictures. It was cool, basically a look over ones shoulder without the "bulk" of keeping in touch with long, boring e-mails or letters - still you'd be in touch with the flick of a finger. I have a lot of great memories on spontaneous meetings half way round the world, just because of a status update.
I was very careful in terms of privacy, what information I gave out and of course to whom - I never had 1000 people "accidentally" showing up at a party *lol*
But in more recent years my friends-list became smaller, people started to use screen names to the point where I was sometimes thinking "who the heck is this?" and for the sake of privacy stopped sharing the interesting stuff. When I opened my newsfeed at any given day I would read political rants, loose comments that were made on articles that now had thousands of comments and I wouldn't find the one my actual friend made, and other stuff - oh, and of course a lot of advertising. I too became guilty of political rants and loose comments, knowing it wouldn't change a darn thing - I decided to stop. I deleted my FB and IG accounts, my personal website and had my profiles removed from all forums that I could remember my log-in details. That was in February this year and I'm feeling good about it, slowing down my life and concentrate on other stuff, occasional e-mails to friends.
However, with it came a lot of other choices that ultimately brought me here: I want to accomplish a major home improvement project, bought my first Festool and started to do my research/homework. And since there will be questions in future I guess it couldn't hurt to sign-up and introduce myself. Since I'm not a complete newbie to tools/power-tools and home improvement I'm willing to share what I can when a question I can answer comes up - or just add my 2cents if the topic allows. In this instance a forum like the FOG is invaluable.
To answer your initial question, yes the FOG and forums in general have a crucial benefit for their members over your typical FB/IG social media stuff: they are a spring of wisdom and expertise, searchable like a library and topic based discussion trumps Facebook/Instagram-style "commenting" any day. If you spent a little time in a forum you are also able to judge comments, tips/explanation and advice based on a little research and who gave them very soon. This is much easier and more helpful than if you have to wade through hundreds of merely anonymous comments on your typical social media site/group. It also helps to establish a personal ranking, which is very useful when you get shown more than one way to accomplish any given task and need to decide which way to go.
Still there are hobbies/interests and trades where broad/mass exposure and volatility are more important than preservation and accessibility, that's where forums, forum culture sooner or later will pass by.
Kind regards,
Oliver
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2007
- Messages
- 13,125
I would like to thank every single one of you who has taken the care and time to post here about this. We need this sort of input.
(PS. In case any of you are thinking that something out of the ordinary is up, NO. I just have lived the forum now for so many hours over the last 6 years that I can sense when something is "off". Just like a parent can sense when their kid is beginning to get a cold.)
Peter
(PS. In case any of you are thinking that something out of the ordinary is up, NO. I just have lived the forum now for so many hours over the last 6 years that I can sense when something is "off". Just like a parent can sense when their kid is beginning to get a cold.)
Peter
Sparktrician
Member
- Joined
- Dec 4, 2009
- Messages
- 4,606
Untidy Shop said:
Hear, hear!!!
Phil Beckley
Member
- Joined
- Oct 24, 2014
- Messages
- 1,518
Hi
I have followed this thread closely since Peter posted the question....
Does the FOG provide a benefit that you believe you can't find on the other social net-working sites? Why?
In a word yes.
The reason is that a common theme exists from all who look, participate, dive in, discuss, debate and sign up. All have an interest in a fantastic material that can be shaped, cut, moulded, polished and gives a huge amount of pleasure to use.
The Owners group has members far and wide from many different cultures and each area has a slightly different way of working and this is one of the most valuable resources to learning from this forum because we all adapt to find an easier way to work and achieve more than we thought we could.
The group will continue to ebb and flow, some are missed [sad] but others also join [big grin] and push the common theme forward - those who join must be welcomed into this resource for information as we all learn from each other.
For information on Festool this is the NUMBER 1 place to visit and Peter and Seth do a great job on the moderation and keeping the house in some form of order.
I worked with Festool products before I worked for the company..............I also lurked close to the forum to pick up information but never joined and I would say that the lurkers are many who look, learn and go away richer in information and this is down to a community who have a common theme.
rg
Phil
I have followed this thread closely since Peter posted the question....
Does the FOG provide a benefit that you believe you can't find on the other social net-working sites? Why?
In a word yes.
The reason is that a common theme exists from all who look, participate, dive in, discuss, debate and sign up. All have an interest in a fantastic material that can be shaped, cut, moulded, polished and gives a huge amount of pleasure to use.
The Owners group has members far and wide from many different cultures and each area has a slightly different way of working and this is one of the most valuable resources to learning from this forum because we all adapt to find an easier way to work and achieve more than we thought we could.
The group will continue to ebb and flow, some are missed [sad] but others also join [big grin] and push the common theme forward - those who join must be welcomed into this resource for information as we all learn from each other.
For information on Festool this is the NUMBER 1 place to visit and Peter and Seth do a great job on the moderation and keeping the house in some form of order.
I worked with Festool products before I worked for the company..............I also lurked close to the forum to pick up information but never joined and I would say that the lurkers are many who look, learn and go away richer in information and this is down to a community who have a common theme.
rg
Phil
I have read every post before me in this thead. When Peter first asked the question, i had all sorts of ideas, all of which others have already mentioned. I have been a member since 2007 it says on my ID page. I was on the FOG for a while before it took on its present format, or its present origin. Whatever.
I open the forum nearly every morning, first thing. There has seldom been a visit where i did not learn something of value. I do not have as much experience as most who offer their great advice and expertise. Once in a while, I do have something to offer and right or wrong, nobody has complained that I was way off base. Off topic, MAYBE now and then. But it has been a lot of fun along with the education I have received.
I stay way from Face book. Twitter and others of the same ilk. I have more fun watching real guys like Peter Parfit, Erock, RMW, Brice, Half Inch Shy and others who share their wisdom with us who are far less experienced. As a benefit others have mentioned, I have had the great good fortune to have met, and enjoyed face to face company of several FOG'gers. I have had discussions thru PM's and E-mails with new found friends from all over the world. This has been of great benefit, all due to the FOG. I have never met Shane, but those other two guys who try their best to keep us all on the straight and narrow, Peter and Seth, I have met them both and enjoyed such meetings. They sometimes have a tough job, but really, they are alright guys [wink]
I had several visits, all enjoyable and educational, with our late John Lucas. Bob Swenson was a long time pen pal. Most recent FOG friend to have left us was wow. Many of us have been richer for having known him. Some one said in an earlier posting something about the FOG is not about personalities (not a direct quote, but close enough for folk music). For me, a whole lot of it has been about personalities, and far more real as there is a common thread running thru all of our lives beyond only a forum. One of a very common and basic interest.
BTW: Some of you guys even laugh at some of my stories. Even the ones that might get just a tad off topic. :
Now, that is worth something.
Tinker
I open the forum nearly every morning, first thing. There has seldom been a visit where i did not learn something of value. I do not have as much experience as most who offer their great advice and expertise. Once in a while, I do have something to offer and right or wrong, nobody has complained that I was way off base. Off topic, MAYBE now and then. But it has been a lot of fun along with the education I have received.
I stay way from Face book. Twitter and others of the same ilk. I have more fun watching real guys like Peter Parfit, Erock, RMW, Brice, Half Inch Shy and others who share their wisdom with us who are far less experienced. As a benefit others have mentioned, I have had the great good fortune to have met, and enjoyed face to face company of several FOG'gers. I have had discussions thru PM's and E-mails with new found friends from all over the world. This has been of great benefit, all due to the FOG. I have never met Shane, but those other two guys who try their best to keep us all on the straight and narrow, Peter and Seth, I have met them both and enjoyed such meetings. They sometimes have a tough job, but really, they are alright guys [wink]
I had several visits, all enjoyable and educational, with our late John Lucas. Bob Swenson was a long time pen pal. Most recent FOG friend to have left us was wow. Many of us have been richer for having known him. Some one said in an earlier posting something about the FOG is not about personalities (not a direct quote, but close enough for folk music). For me, a whole lot of it has been about personalities, and far more real as there is a common thread running thru all of our lives beyond only a forum. One of a very common and basic interest.
BTW: Some of you guys even laugh at some of my stories. Even the ones that might get just a tad off topic. :
Now, that is worth something.Tinker
RVHernandez said:
You definitely have nothing to fear. I'm only a mere lower-up, but I can guarantee that there are zero plans for that. We're expanding what we're doing on social media, but it won't replace the FOG.
Many of you said that you're not on Facebook. For those who are, would you be interested in a FOG Facebook Group (not the same as the public Festool page) to have some of these similar conversations on Facebook? We aren't working on this, but this conversation made me curious about the possibility. (Based on the conversation so far, it looks like the answer is no.)
charley1968
Member
- Joined
- Sep 20, 2013
- Messages
- 491
@ Tyler: I like the idea for the reason that there are certain members i'd like to be chewing the fat with.. i'd join.
sancho57
Member
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2011
- Messages
- 7,089
It's quite pleasant here really, compared to other social media types message boards in particular. Everyone stays focused on tools with a little banter mixed in. There is the occasional rude post but that's quickly shot down by the members here, there is also the occasional troll who comes out of the blue no pious post and start bagging on Festool for one reason or another but the members handle that to for the most part.
Plus I get good info on the tools I enjoy using
Plus I get good info on the tools I enjoy using
Slartibartfass
Member
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2014
- Messages
- 1,086
I disconnected myself from FB due to the total disregard for privacy.... No way for me to go back to that....