This is W&SS not "The Post Anything I Want Because I Only Read This Forum" Forum

[Ken C.]

^ this

I posted a thread wanting to compare folk's experience w/ two different saws (in a wilderness setting)- initially I got some very good feedback (while it was in W&SS) then none, once moved

I should have titled my thread "Comparo of Wilderness Saws" to avoid the move

A title change wouldn't have saved it from getting moved. The title of thread is not what determines what stays in W&SS. It's the content included in the thread. And comparing saws is not a skill.

 

[Watchful]

The issue that some people can have is that a tool designed primarily for Wilderness & Survival is going to get much better analysis here than in G&G. By far. G&G is, through nobody's fault (or everybody's fault), a catch-all for home theater questions, what watch to buy, and what brand of electric razor to get.

It's putting something with narrow signal into an environment of high noise.

There are effectively three solutions:

1. We need to get more W&SS folks reading and answering G&G. Most W&SS folks are like the folks in a couple of other subforums: they don't read anything other than their pet forum. That's their fault; there's a lot of good stuff all over BFC.

2. We need a subforum inside W&SS that caters to saws, compasses, firestarters, and other related items. Some folks like that idea, I see. The problem of course is that this will wind up being a dumping ground for everything everybody can think of. And instead of having one place for this, we'll now have two.

3. We stop posting questions here about wilderness tools and survival gear, and focus only on more technical skills than specific applications. It's unfortunate, but that seems to be a likely outcome. I think it's already started.

The issue for mtwarden is I believe more common than is perceived. G&G is the wrong place for specific gear-related questions: it's where W&SS topics go to die. Here, they thrive. But I don't want to overstate the case.

I agree with the premise of the policy: for quite a while, we had ridiculous questions and topics posted here that had little to do with W&SS. Some topics were better suited for Axe, Tomahawk, and Hatchet; others had nothing to do with anything...and probably didn't even need to be on BFC at all.

But there is a baby/bathwater argument here. I prefer not to see any conversations about firearms, compasses, GPS applications, saws, firestarters, tents, etc., moved into G&G where an untrained audience will see them. And not answer, or provide an inffective reponse. I think everyone here would agree this isn't the intent or the outcome of the policy.

And, clearly, the application of many gadgets and gear are impossible to separate from the skills themselves. Where do we draw a line? Take a look at the "Astronaut Survival Saw" thread. I think that illustrates what Ken C., et al., are looking for in a "gadget" thread within W&SS.

 

[JCavSD]

Well stated Watchful.

In many cases when we refer to "skill" we're talking about skill in relation to a particular piece of gear...whether it's a knife, a tarp, two pieces of wood and a string, or whatever. I certainly know that my riding skills have a strong relation to what I'm driving. Throw me on a street bike and they're decent, throw me on a dirt bike and they're poor. To apply my riding skills appropriately it's important to compare bikes and evaluate their performance in relation to my needs. Decoupling the skill from the gear leaves a gap in comprehension.

I'd prefer if we kept the same name and just accept that posts about gear that relates to wilderness and survival skills are directly relevant and valuable. A distant second choice for me would be a gear sub-forum under W&SS.

 

[Ken C.]

I've already proposed a solution to Spark. So be patient. All of these explanations of what should go where will be resolved. Deal with it until it is put in place.

I guess you missed post #67.

 

[Guyon]

The issue that some people can have is that a tool designed primarily for Wilderness & Survival is going to get much better analysis here than in G&G.

I just want to add that I agree.
For instance, I asked some Maxpedition questions in a G&G thread and got minimal responses.
However, in a long running W&SS thread on a slightly different tack, I asked the same questions at the tail end of the thread and received an enormous amount of help, enough to help me make a purchase decision.
Fact is, some folks only check in at W&SS, and sometimes, those are the brains I want to pick.

Ken, I'm glad to see that you recognize the discrepancy in the two forums and that you're working on a resolution.

ETA... Response to post #67: I think that a "Great Outdoors" forum with gear and skills subdivisions is a very good idea.

 

[Watchful]

Fact is, some folks only check in at W&SS, and sometimes, those are the brains I want to pick.

But that's good and bad. Good, in that you can rely on the advice you get back, but bad because it tempts us to ignore established locations for specific topics.

I will admit that W&SS is not as bad as some.

Ken, I'm glad to see that you recognize the discrepancy in the two forums and that you're working on a resolution.

I agree! I hope my post didn't appear critical; Ken clearly gets both points of view.

 

[Ken C.]

Thanks for your patience and understanding in all this. As well as revamping the W&SS forum I have requested that Rick Marchand be made a mod of that forum as well. I look forward to working with him. He seems like a great guy and is very knowledgeable when it comes to outdoorsy things.

 

[Joezilla]

great news!

 

[LMT66]

Well stated Watchful.

In many cases when we refer to "skill" we're talking about skill in relation to a particular piece of gear...whether it's a knife, a tarp, two pieces of wood and a string, or whatever. I certainly know that my riding skills have a strong relation to what I'm driving. Throw me on a street bike and they're decent, throw me on a dirt bike and they're poor. To apply my riding skills appropriately it's important to compare bikes and evaluate their performance in relation to my needs. Decoupling the skill from the gear leaves a gap in comprehension.

I'd prefer if we kept the same name and just accept that posts about gear that relates to wilderness and survival skills are directly relevant and valuable. A distant second choice for me would be a gear sub-forum under W&SS.

This is how it is currently.

It's all in how you post your post. A little thought can keep it in W&SS.

Example's:

The wrong way,

Title-Maxpedition Versipack

Content-Anyone use these?

The right way,

Title-Maxpedition Versipack as a wilderness possible bag.

Content-
Has anyone had much luck using these as a possibles bag while out woods bumming? Can you fit a firekit, blade, FAK...




Or another example of how to get your post moved,



Title - XYZ Blade

Content- Pretty picture of knife stuck in tree, maker info and specs listed but nothing else.

To keep it in W&SS just show it in use splitting kindling, striking a firesteel, carving something along with your thoughts on it for wilderness/woods use.

 

[LMT66]

BFC is very diverse in it's subforums. W&SS is one of those forums where the subject matter varies from recommendations of bushcraft knives, hiking pics, discussing the skills needed to survive in the wild, and how certain gear aids one in a wilderness and survival situation. It is not however, a place where you can post anything you want. This is a specialty forum and as such discussions should be kept to the forum title.....WILDERNESS & SURVIVAL SKILLS.

Threads that discuss gear that is not directly related to W&SS will be moved to Gadgets & Gear or any other appropriate forum. Another Super Mod is on board with this as well as a W&SS Mod.

This forum is getting clogged up with non-W&SS discussion that is better suited for one of the many other subforums on BFC and it is straying from the true nature of the W&SS Forum.

So please help get this forum back on track with its intended purpose.

Just showing the current readers how to survive and thrive in W&SS.

 

[dartanyon]

Ok now this is a thread clogging up the forum.
Sticky threads that have serverd their day and should be bumped off to a never never forum ... or there's just going to be a MONSTER page of sticky.