"Topic Contests"

M

Matthew Schenker

Member
Joined
Jan 15, 2007
Messages
2,619
Dear Members,
We've seen many great discussions in this forum about creative uses of specific Festool tools, or Festool tools in general.  The nature of online forums is that great discussions get covered up by the passing of time before they are complete.  Sometimes, discussions get covered up so quickly that new members don't even see them.  There's no question that many previous discussions have value, and deserve to be viewed anew from time to time.  But the forum also must move forward.  How do we keep valuable previous discussions alive while maintaining healthy forward progress?

One idea -- Festool Owners Group Topic Contests

Here's my concept: members search back through the Festool Owners Group and locate excellent, memorable concepts posted on various subjects.  Members can locate posts in the new forum, or look in the old Yahoo forum.

While you're at it, members can feel free to post new responses to previous discussions...Or start a new discussion on the subject....Or just tell us which posts you like best!

I'll create new discussions in the next couple of days for the Topic Contests.  But here's a quick summary of some subjects I've come up with:
  • Top Five Most Creative Uses of an MFT
  • Top Five Most Creative Uses of Systainers
  • Top Five Most Creative Uses of a Domino
  • Top Five Most Creative Festool-Based Jigs
  • Top Five Most Creative All-Festool Projects
  • Top Three Member Shop Tours

Please feel free to offer your suggestions for additional Topic Contests!

Stay in touch,
Matthew
 
So...
What does everyone think of this idea?
Any additional subjects?
Are we ready to open up the specific contests?
Matthew
 
Tezzer,
Thanks for posting.  I'm about to create the specific topic contests, and announce something else exciting to go along with it...momentarily!
Matthew
 
Everyone,
The announcement of the "Topic Contests" caught the eye of some people at Festool headquarters.  They have made a very generous offer to the winners of the contests.

The winning entry in each of the six categories will receive a one of the following sanders:

Festool DS400 (Click Here for Descripton).

Festool RS400 (Click Here for Description).

Here's the way it will work:
I'll create a separate discussion for each topic contest.

Members write in naming their favorite posts on each topic.  Make it a discussion -- tell us why it's your favorite, ask more questions, create new dimensions to the discussion.  We especially want to hear from new forum members.  As this develops, we'll see whose topics are getting the most attention.

The contesta will start today (June 9, 2007).  The contests will end on July 10, 2007.  During the contest period, members can post new discussions on the same six topics.  If people write in that it's one of their favorites, you'll be automatically entered into the contest.

When the contest period ends, we'll have one winner in each topic.  That winner gets to choose a sander.

I'll create a "sticky" at the top of each topic contest to keep a running idea of who the leaders are.  This is not a strict "vote-counting" kind of situation, but more of a judgment call.  But these judgments will be open for public comment!

The contest is limited to members residing in the United States and Canada.  Of course, members in other countries can vote.

Remember, this is meant to be a fun way to get people involved in the forum, bring more visibility to members' great posts, and the ideas flowing!

Thank you very much to Festool USA for being so generous and supportive of this forum!

Before I launch the contests, I'll open it up tonight for comments, questions, and suggestions.

Stay in touch,
Matthew Schenker
 
I think it would be a great features for those new to Festool and/or the forum.  A bit less utility for those that have been on the forum and using Festool products for a while.  Anyway, that's my 2 cents worth.

Fred
 
"The contest is limited to members residing in the United States and Canada.  Of course, members in other countries can vote."

Matthew

This is discrimination of the most heinous sort. In protest I will start my own contest here in the Valley. It will be strictly limited to Irishmen living in Wales who are owned by a Rotweiller called Simou. I will be the judge and jury and will award the prize. But, knowing my luck, I will come second. :(

It is a great idea ( especially for residents of CONUS and Canada  :'( ) and I will certainly vote..... for the first FOGr to send me $20.

Good luck with the contest. Just do it.
 
I have a reeeally serious 240v-110v step down transformer, does this mean I can win the prize? Winners from Oz may be eligible for this transformer, or may be able to view it at my homepage.
 
Everyone,
Doesn't look like this idea is getting off the ground!  Is it a bad idea, are people having a hard time picking winners, or is it something else?
Matthew
 
Everyone,
In order to give more members an opportunity to have their posts considered, I am going to extend the contest.  Let's have this run until September 10, 2007.  That gives us the whole summer to see what people come up with.
Matthew
 
Everyone,
Due to lack of interest, I'm closing this competition.

It seemed like a good idea, and I'm rather surprised by the response.

In order to learn from this, and have more successful contests in the future, I would like to hear members' responses.

Thank you,
Matthew
 
Although there was no way I could have won (unless you shipped my prize to mom's house, and it's a longlife bag or a bunch of MFT clamps), I still would have posted had I known about the competitions. I have no idea how I missed them, seeing as how I spend most of my free time combing through the archives. I think you should have had only one contest running at a time, and made that one sticky on the home page, right up at the top, with a very limited entry period, say a month.
 
I must admit I never even saw the original posts for the contest(s). With limited time I tend to look at the what's new and the posts I have been contributing to. A pity I missed it.
SteveD
 
So the people that did participate and were voted on are just dust in the wind?  How disappointing!
 
Matthew Schenker said:
Everyone,
Due to lack of interest, I'm closing this competition.

It seemed like a good idea, and I'm rather surprised by the response.

In order to learn from this, and have more successful contests in the future, I would like to hear members' responses.

Thank you,
Matthew
Click to expand...

Im also very surprised ??? Fair dinkum, what a great offer was made and no one bothered. Shame it wasnt avail in Aus because there would have been the 7 or 8 of us breaking our neck to do something great for the sanders.

Good effort Matty, dont give up on em ;)
 
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