Blogs vs. Forums

I agree with you. It’s no big deal, but people do seem to be using blogs for things that seem to be more appropriate for a forum topic. I guess there really are no slear cut boundaries as to which is which, though.
Another idea is to have blogs move to the top of the page as they are commented on, just like forum topics.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

I think this should have been posted as a blog…

jk… I totally agree with you. seems like every once in a while there is a post under the wrong umbrella.

Maybe some guidelines for posting that are more visible, and readily available to educate people the difference and purpose of each type of post.

just my 2 cents, if anyone that has a say in this is reading.

-- My Drinking Club has a Woodworking Problem...

I agree. I also think the project page should only be used for finished projects.

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

You had me for a second PurpLev. I was thinking “Great, I posted to explain the differences and I don’t even understand what the difference is myself” lol.

Charlie, I thought about your comment on the blogs moving back to the top. I can see pros and cons to that. While it would keep the most viewed blogs at the top, it would also cut out the opportunity for someone like me to have his 15 minutes of fame. I know that sounds selfish, but I do think it is nice that everyone’s documented experiences can be learned from.

Trifern, I couldn’t agree more. IT is getting bad when the “roll the dice” option is bringing up a set of table legs or a chest with all the drawers missing. I can understand posting if it isn’t “finished” (stain, poly, shellac, varnish, etc.), but incomplete is no good.

You’re right, Hokie (and Trifern). So you guys throw another monkey wrench into the discussion. We are really talking now about all three things:

What is a project?
What is a blog?
What is a forum topic?

My 2 cents is that instead of posting something incomplete as a projectt, folks should hold those thoughts and photos, and post the whole thing as a blog when they are done (or in installments as they go along). (If they also want to post the finished project as a project, that would be fine too.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

First of all, I love this site.

I agree with all of the above.

Charlie—Your 2 cents are right on the mark.

Please don’t let our rambling discourage woodworkers from posting projects, thoughts, questions, ets.. It is my main source for learning the craft.

Who gets all the ‘2 cents’? Do they go into a kitty for end of the year party?

-- Bill - If I knew GRANDKIDS were so much fun I would have had them first.

Ohhh…what the heck. I don’t mind being the devil’s advocate.

Blogs have given everyone access to a big potential audience that they may well, or may well not deserve.
Ego- showcases, if I may be so blunt. Consider if you really have the necessary talent to command the attention of others. Would anyone be necessarily interested in the minute details of your project or daily thoughts?

When I first started frequenting woodworking forums blogs were rare or nonexistant. I came to these forums as a source of information/learning from those who’d been doing it a while. That’s still what I look for. Participate, ask questions, and observe. Learn from those who have something to offer. It takes some time to discover them, but I’ve seldom thought I could learn much from someone whose experience level only matches mine.

My opinion only.

I see a blog as a place to show progress and document your work. A finished project should be shown in a project forum. I know that other people’s blogs have helped me visualize the work and processes that went into some major projects. I am glad that both blogs and other formats exist on this site since they are different ways of showing and expressing.

-- making sawdust....

I agree with the gentleman known as MottHunter (though I have no idea what a Mott is or why it should be hunted). I’ve always looked at blogs as a way to document individual/personal thoughts and progress. The projects are the place to say, “Look what I did” and get some feedback. The forums are the community where there’s lots of interaction; questions/answers, tutorials, ideas and just plain talk. Each aspect provides us with the tools we need to be a complete community, and not simply a library.

(sarcasm on) And since my way of thinking is typical of all rational individuals, that’s the way things should be (sarcasm off)

;-)

-- When you give someone a chance it may well be their last.

Russel has spoken! (-:

(good-natured ribbing on) Russell, I wouldn’t call that sarcasm. I’d call it self-delusion. (good-natured ribbing off)

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Russel – Haven’t you ever heard of Mott the Hoople? They should be hunted for some of their songs.

They did have some good ones though. One of the only R&R bands that sang with an English accent.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

I’m glad this was posted. I’m learning my way around, this helps tho.

Also, Russel, this might clear things up:

(facetiousness ON)

Mott can refer to:

The Mott problem of quantum mechanics.
Mott (live oak) (or motte), a term used in Texas for a copse or small grove of trees.
Mott (album), a 1973 album by the British band Mott the Hoople.
Mott the Hoople, a 1970s English glam rock band.
mott: a stake used as a target in the game of quoits.
a corporation or organization:

Mott’s, a food company that produces apple-based and other food products.
Mott, Hay and Anderson, merged to form Mott MacDonald, civil engineering consultants.
Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan.
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Ruth Mott Foundation
Stewart R. Mott Charitable Trust
a location:

Mott, North Dakota, a city in the United States.
Long Mott, Texas, a community in the United States.
Elm Mott, Texas, a community in the United States.
Mott Haven, Bronx, a neighborhood in New York City.
Fort Mott (New Jersey), a military fort built on the Delaware River following the American Civil War.
Fort Mott (Vermont), a picket fort used during the American Revolutionary War.
a person with the name of Mott:

Basil Mott
Charles Stewart Mott
Edward John Mott, British soldier
James Mott
John Raleigh Mott
Lewis Freeman Mott
Lucretia Mott (also known as Lydia Mott)
Luiz Mott
Nevill Francis Mott, British physicist
Stephen Charles Mott
Stewart Rawlings Mott
Valentine Mott

(facetiousness OFF)

:-)

-- As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)

We should probably call Steve “The Mottster”

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

He sure provided a mottfull of information. Thanks…I think?

-- Depend on the rabbit's foot if you will, but remember it didn't work for the rabbit.

Everything you wanted to know about Mott, but were too afraid to ask!

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

there was a similar concern about 6 months ago regarding posting too many projects at one time. The concern seemed to be with new LJ’s coming on…getting all excited about what a great place—-so then they post everything all at once…and those who have worked month and months on that antique replica of (???) then get bumped off the front projects page so fast…

If I remember correctly the feeling was people did support a one to three project posting limit…although this forum is different the same concern…putting entries in appropriate places is important…

I notice there were some “rules” whenI went to post a blog this morning…and to be honest I did not really look at them…(i have not posted a blog in a while so maybe they have been there for a long time..)...but I think there could be an easy fix in the computer magic—-

something like…when you are about to post another project—-a note that pops up “Out of respect to other LJ’s please limit your project postings each day.”

Or for blogs: “Please reflect on whether you entry would be best as a forum or a blog…if you are not sure…click on this link…”

Just a box that pops up when you hit “post”...

ok…good topic…

-- Matt, Napa, CA...142 days to sanity...

Napaman,
I really like those suggestions. As for the comment about posting multiple projects, I was thinking about that as I wrote the original post. The funny thing about it is that by posting several projects at once (particularly if they are similar) you get a lot less feedback from viewers.

I have to admit, I really like the pop-up idea.

I have added “Read Before Posting” text to New Project, Blog entry etc. screens this week. Plus I just changed the title background’s color to red to make it even more prominent. The text is supposed to answer “How do you decide where your post belongs?” question and provide the guidelines before posting.

Hopefully it will help down the road… feel free to review it ;)

-- Martin, http://lumberjocks.com | My Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Martin_Sojka/1357216976

Great job as always, Martin!

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

Cool,
Thanks!

OK. My $.03
I normally use the Pulse. When someone spends some time looking at 17 to 30 profiles it sends everyone else way down the list.

Lee

-- No piece is cut too short. It was meant for a smaller project.

Very interesting I have learned a lot reading this forum.

-- Kip Northern Illinois ( If you don't know where your goin any road will take you there) George Harrison