Poll : Newbie Shop Talk sub-forum

[Jason Magruder]

The #Bladeforums.com IRC channel used to be home to some really big makers but they have all drifted away over the years and all that's left are us average guys.

Really though, the bladeforums chat has always been about half knifemakers and even now you might see some names you recognize.

Anyone is welcome to join and ask anything you want of anyone there. For free!

Not just on Wednesdays either. There are usually a couple of people there on any given night and lately twenty or so on Wednesdays.

 

[BryFry]

...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 .

...The Count is very good at posting the Standard Reply to New Knife

... 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. .

^ That's a good point^ There is a lot of complaining about how newbs should "just use seach" but not all of us know how to get it to work well.

I realize that the same questions get asked over and over, but I suspect that is how it has always been and likely always will be. Personally I am no computer wiz. My search-foo is weak. I've never had much luck getting the search feature to come up with what I'm looking for, sometimes I'm baffled by how it will pull up a bunch of stuff that has nothing to do with what I typed into the search thingy.

Quoted above: "google specific searches to this forum" ....I don't even know what that means? There is something related to google that will help search out topics on this forum? ...That's new to me, how does that work? How do I find info on how to seach, without first knowing how to correctly use the search features?

Some of us just need a little help.

 

[duffy99]

use google - put "site:bladeforums.com" in with your search and you will only get results from bladeforums.com.

 

[fast14riot]

I don't think it will work. On other sites with newb arena's they tend to be just an introduction page that's gets only the same few people regularly stopping by. If you have only 6 people giving advice, many methods or topics will never get discussed due to the stagnant nature. I may be in the minority here, but I spent months reading the stickies and searching here before I even joined. It didn't stop me from occasionally asking repetitive questions, but it was only because I couldn't figure out the best way to search for it.

I think an illustrated FAQ could be helpful in finding information or just figuring out what exactly you should be searching for. We have members from all over the world and not everyone calls everything by the same name.

-Xander

 

[Mitchell Knives]

I don't think a separate forum is necessary. You're more likely to get a response with only one forum.

Most questions have already been answered, so an additional forum seems unnecessary.

Another forum would simply be a target for the local trolls.

 

[BryFry]

use google - put "site:bladeforums.com" in with your search and you will only get results from bladeforums.com.

Thanks! See I think I learn something new here every day. Never had much luck with the search feature before, I hope that works a little better.

I do always try to search and read as much as I can, but the biggest problem for me seems to be lack of time. I honestly don't know how people can even find the time to say, read a book, or spend hours/days/weeks sifting through old posts on the net.

Between working 60 hrs a week, managing my household, making time for my wife and 2 infant kids, I only have a few minutes of freetime spread throughout the day. It's impossible for me to even pursue half of my interests as it is, so I can totally understand why some people take the "lazy" approach of just asking what they need to know. I don't get why that pisses some people off, and makes them feel the need to be so condescending to those who are only trying to learn.

....I just used up my whole luch break to type this one stupid post. *sigh*

 

[Mark Behnke]

use google - put "site:bladeforums.com" in with your search and you will only get results from bladeforums.com.

This might be helpful as a sticky? I have limited luck with the forum search function, but then again another sticky that never gets read.

 

[NickWheeler]

I voted NO.

I like how BF Shop-talk is everything shop related, globbed together. It keeps things moving fast and interesting. Most forums that are all divided up move along VERY VERY VERY slow. I could do without SOME of the BS that's been going on lately... but in all honesty I get a kick out of quite a bit of it. I mean, if you got a few guys like Rick, James, and me in a shop, how much serious, non silly teenage boy type of nonsense, would be going on? Not much!!! It would be funny, dopey, silly crap, with some actual useful tips and ideas thrown in for good measure. :thumbup:

The problem I see with a "newbie" section, is 90% of the guys that would be able to give A REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE answer probably won't go in there... and 90% of the guys that should be posting in there would unwittingly post all their questions in Shoptalk anyway. And the 68.93875% of the population that just repeats stuff they've read or heard somewhere but don't actually know HOW TO DO, would think they're too advanced to be posting in a "lowly newbie" forum.