Poll : Newbie Shop Talk sub-forum

Should a Newbie Sub-Forum of Shop Talk be made

  • Yes make a Newbie Sub-Forum

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • No keep Shop Talk the way it is

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Maybe but more thought must be put into what it will be

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • I don't care either way

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Total voters
    0
  • Poll closed .
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duffy99

duffy99

Joined
Apr 2, 2011
Messages
425
Question should there be a Newbie sub-forum of shop talk yes or no ?

I think it would help new members and new knife makers and also benefit older members and experienced/ skilled makers by freeing up the clutter and repetitive questions asked over and over again in this sub-forum . It would allow newbie's to ask freely without fear of scorn or perception of not doing due diligence to find answers which many new members do( not search that is ) . In my opinion it would be up to those more experienced and knowledgeable if they want to answer questions and an area for other new makers to share things they have learned , read , etc. Thoughts , suggestions ? What do you think of the idea , if there is enough interest I think it could be made with a faq's and stickies etc directed to brand new knife makers .
 
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We have alot of knowledgeable makers on this forum and I believe that most would be willing to help in a newbie forum just as they help now in the shop talk area. The problem I think would arise is that the same questions will be asked over and over because these new makers are not using the search function or looking at the stickies. I spent several days reading and re-reading the stickies when I started and searched my questions before asking because most have already been asked. I personally feel it could go either way.
 
Might be a good idea. I think there is another knife forum with a newbies section. Some questions:
If people wanted it, would the forum owners allow it and make the change?
Who would moderate it?
IMO, there are probably enough "newbies" that have been around and at this long enough to answer tough questions correctly, but would some of the more experienced makers come check out the forum and help out answering the more difficult or out of the ordinary questions?
I might think of a few more..
Rob
 
How likely are experienced makers to frequent the newbie forum? I think it's a bad idea.
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Agreed. This is a the main reason that I follow this forum over others. I like to find all of the shop talk topics (tongue twister) all under one catagory.
 
As a member, I think it would not work. I also think Spark would not be interested in investing the extra bandwidth expense.

Shop Talk works fine as is.

I probably would not visit it, and don't think many experienced makers would. That would leave you with advise from two groups. Those who don't know the answer ( but will post one anyway)...and those who have some info (but little experience to give details about when and why the answer is correct).....with no one to point out which is which.

Also, how will people decide when to move from one to the other. If the newbies stay on Shop talk, as well as the Newbies Forum, will they be posting their questions on both? ( I would bet the answer is YES).

There are many other logistical issues to be considered. Before you get too involved in taking poles and making plans, you might want to talk this idea over with Spark....after all it will be his decision.
 
The first question Spark will ask is how many people will be interested in using this new forum. The answer is, very few. Most newbies may start out not knowing where to look or what to ask, but they either learn or leave. In Shop Talk, they get pointed in the right direction pretty quickly. The new newbies who haven't arrived yet, won't be here to vote. :)
 
The only problem i have seen with "newbie" sections on other places is that many to most of the more wrinkled smiths just dont go there..I dont know if its the fact that they answer the same questions over and over or if its the lack of talk on their level of exp....Its a great idea, but hard to get to work well...
 
I don't think it's necessary. We have stickies for that and no one reads those either.

The Count has anything a newbie forum would need in a nutshell. :thumbup:
 
As a "newbie" myself I would love an area that I could post in separately because I'm sure some of my posts have already been covered and I hate to crowd up the shop talk forum. Now on the other hand as already mentioned close to nobody experienced enough would even browse the beginner forum.

All in all I think one solid category is best though I wish there was something to prevent the repetitive posts crowding things up by people such as myself.
 
I think it's a terrible idea. The thing that makes shop talk work as well as it does is the mix of old and new makers together in one place. It's kind of the whole point of shoptalk.

The way I see it the new makers get the benefit of experience from the old guys and the experienced makers get to see things from a new and fresh perspective once in a while from the noobs.
 
I brainstormed the idea, but I have to say that I think encouraging the search function among new makers (and old) is a better idea.
 
I made this poll as a hypothetical , I've been told by members who have been here for years that what is happening now in Shop Talk isn't new . Perhaps it's worse now then before and has alienated talented experienced makers to contributing to the forum . I'm in no way telling Spark how to run HIS site .

I am simply curious to ways of fixing or finding a solution to a problem. I have stated that I'm probably part of that problem , but a simple " use the search feature" doesn't always work. Perhaps a FAQ's for new members to read before having posting privileges explaining the guidelines , including stickies, updated newbie knife making info and how to use the search feature effectively would be much simpler . I'm just trying to look at this at a different angle to find a happy medium to which has been set out of balance . I have only been active on this site for 6 months and in that time I have learned more then I have reading 10 books on knife making .The Count is very good at posting the Standard Reply to New Knife makers but maybe there is something more that can be done to appease long time members and also not scare off new members interesting in making knives. Maybe having to read a faq's and info on how to use google specific searches to this forum and a better explanation on the use of advanced searches would help. Or possibly people would ignore the faq's reading and just post the same thing over and over again still but it might help , I would benefit from such a thing. Maybe this should be in the Tech Forum . But since this is where the members are I thought it would be appropriate here . I'm sure with all the knowledge and generally positive attitude to Shop Talk there is a way to improve things to make everyone happy or at least help a little. If I've offended anyone I'm sorry and I'm not trying to step on peoples feet or over step my boundaries , discussion is good and I'm just genuinely looking to improve this sub-forum for newbies and old dogs alike .
 
I just had a thought duffy99 how about a newbie night, you could ask Mr Wheeler to donate the wed night chat post, and make that wed new maker shop talk with.........................guest established makers to get tips from, ask questions, etc.?
 
Some of the most repetitive stuff comes not just from new folks asking the same questions other have asked, but from folks who have been here a while with semi-dubious habits of bantering at each other. They often become as, or more, predictable than the newbies. There are constellations of folks, philosophies (for lack of a better word) and communication methodologies that are as habitual as a nervous tic or hiccups. I believe that has tied up more band with than anything. At least a newbie doesn't remain that way forever. Can't necessarily say the same for some of the rest of us though as far as cyber ethics and plain old fashion good manners go. Please excuse me now while I go pull my foot out of my mouth. :foot:
 
GTH11 said:
I just had a thought duffy99 how about a newbie night, you could ask Mr Wheeler to donate the wed night chat post, and make that wed new maker shop talk with.........................guest established makers to get tips from, ask questions, etc.?
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I would be willing to pay for whatever cost for a Chat Night , with talented makers as guests for free and as participants, Maybe even possibly get some top range makers to be guests. I would for see this being much more structured with a set question list that members can provide input into and also general knife making discussion.
 
GTH11 said:
I just had a thought duffy99 how about a newbie night, you could ask Mr Wheeler to donate the wed night chat post, and make that wed new maker shop talk with.........................guest established makers to get tips from, ask questions, etc.?
Click to expand...

I think this would be useful. I don't think it's going to stop us newbies from asking and hoping we don't get yelled at though. I know I'm pretty lazy when it comes to reading through stickies.
 
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