Where Did Courtesy Go?

Thanks for posting this, I totally agree with you.

A big Thank You is very rewarding in my book.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Thank you, Bill, for posting and mentioning this… Thank you for also responding to the person that requested info.

Perhaps, he will read this and eventually Thank you… It really doesn’t take that much time, etc. to do.

-- Have Fun! Joe Lyddon - Home: http://www.WoodworkStuff.net ... My Small Gallery: http://www.ncwoodworker.net/pp/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=1389"

Perhaps the persons computer blew up, or they went on vacation, or your email got blocked by their spam blocker…

-- I am always doing that which I can not do, in order that I may learn how to do it. - Pablo Picasso

Damian: Perhaps, although I did mention that one message was sent through the LJ message system so rule out spam blocker.
As an aside this incident was used as one example of discourteous actions that I have been experiencing recently. It just seems to be a trend we are moving toward.

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

you can’t let others actions determine whether you do what is right (helping others in this case). Just keep doing right yourself, and things will be sorted out in the end. Hopefully you are getting help from this website everyday without having to thank everyone that you are learning from.

Thanks Bill. Thanks for helping the fellow Jock, and thanks for perhaps suggesting to others that common courtesy is becoming uncommon.

-- Maplewood, MN

I’ve had two people request copies of plans. One responded with thanks and the other didn’t. Oh well…..

-- Carl Rast, Pelion, SC

Many folks view this forum and others merely as repository of tips, ideas, pictures, buyiing advice, and plans that they can browse through without obligation.

Many ask questions and recieve several detailed answers without any acknowledgement as if they were running a quiz show.

Many don’t contirbute and just use the place for their needs.

Result is that our gifted teachers and craftsmen/w cease posting as the benefits don’t match up with the effort expended.
None of this will change until there exists a system that rewards its members rather than it’s visitors.

As rule now I generally check the writers profile before I respond. You can learn a lot there in a few seconds.

Bob

-- A mind, like a home, is furnished by its owner

Steven,
Please accept my public apology and Thank You for the Plans. It just completely slipped my mind.

-- Berta in NC

Berta—- good of you to step up to the plate.

-- Betsy - GO BUCKS!

Thanks for the input everyone. I value all the information that is imparted on this web site. I will not hesitate in giving information to someone that asks for it. How else can I pay back for all the knowledge I have gained from being a member of this group.

Berta You are a standup person.

We just to be aware of what we have at LumberJocks and show our appreciation where it is warranted….

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

I agree, I have had one person ask for plans and when I declined to UPS them my huge plywood cutouts and plans (all at my expense, and then trust them to return them after copying them) they cursed me out and blew up at me.

It seemed like I was being a bad person because I wouldn’t give them something I didn’t feel right about giving. If they are free plans or something like that I have no problem, but if I paid a hefty sum for them or spent many hours developing them and don’t give them out for free to people who think they deserve my charity, then I am in the wrong. Not sure where this mentality comes from.

I work in an engineering field dealing with defense (military) where every new technique or new development is a closely guarded secret. I empathize with the people who spend hours drawing up detailed plans and directions and then want some return on their investment, not with this generation of gimme, gimme, gimme people.

-- Rich, WNY, www.nyrockingchairs.com

wow.. people actually use PLANS to build things? Maybe my projects would come out better if I started using plans. Na, I’d still be a wood chopper with mediocre skills. By the way fellow LJ’s. THANK YOU ALL for the inspiration and awe your projects give me. We all have to love this place.

-- Smile. Life can be FUN!

I believe he who never say thank you, would never ever say sorry too.

Thanks for sharing your experience with us.

-- Regards, Woodworm

I almost always draw some plans out, even if it is on a napkin. I find that if I don’t plan the project out, I get about an hour into it and go, now what was I doing? Or, what was I thinking when I cut this piece? Going back to my napkin helps me remember who I am and what I was doing…

-- Rich, WNY, www.nyrockingchairs.com

Plans are great, and I draw mine up if there is any thing that I have a hard time wrapping my brain around. Things do have a tendency to change, though, as the process continues.

I have found it helpful to:
1. Write down measurements if there is any variance from plan.
2. Maintain fence settings for as long as possible.
3. Mill up enough lumber to final specification to replace parts if something goes awry.
4. Test fit components/processes before milling up all of a long run of something.

I’m glad to see Steelmum’s reply. Very stand-up and neighborly behavior. Everyone that chooses to use this site as a community rather than just a repository of information should remember the Golden rule (No not the Golden Mean 1:1.618, although that’s good to remember). This site has a fragile and unique tradition of members helping members. I love seeing it continue and expand, and I hope we never descend into the flame wars so frequently seen on other sites.

-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.

This is a great site and although I don’t post much of my own stuff on here (I’m sometimes to embarassed), it seems like everytime I ask a question I get an answer or 3 or 5. When I was working on my grandson’s rocking horse I got stuck a couple times and posted questions and got answers so quickly it was like having someone standing next to me. It was great and I LOVE this site. I appreciate all the friendly humor and everyone (mostly) is courteous and helpful. I think it’s great you posted this, it got it off your chest and Steelmum stepped up and righted things. This is the kind of thing that makes Lumberjocks wonderful.

-- robbi

I will put out a blanket apology and and a big thank you for LJ’s help with my student’s project books. I asked them to be courteous in their notes when requesting project information. I guess I didn’t inform them they needed to thank the sender. I also would have figured that is part of being courteous.

i did have a student tell me one LJ asked for a personal address so he could send plans because he wouldn’t email them. I don’t know if this is the same situation that Rich is talking about or not. Other than an email address, I suggested strongly due to my students being minors, not to give their addresses out. The one that told me of that, we later discussed it again and could have had the plans sent to the school.

Most of my students are “my space” users and not really up to date on how this site is operated. Again, sorry if it was any of my students. I do plan on reading this to my students to get the point across.

Hope this clears some of this up.

Thanks for the apology. This can be a great learning experience for the students.

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

Nope, this person asked me to UPS my plans to them, they would copy and then return them. So just the opposite tooldad. Thanks for the info though, I was not even aware students were on here looking for info and help…

-- Rich, WNY, www.nyrockingchairs.com

I just wanted to say that I was one of those people. I have emailed about 2o to 30 people asking for plans and dimensions. I am a high school shop student and I was kind of in a hurry. There was a deadline on this project and I did email some of you back but I admit that I didn’t get back to all of you. I apologize for not getting back to you. I believe you sent me one or two projects, and I thank you.

I have joined LJ’s about two or three months ago and have got a lot of help. I do not wish to gt a reputation as the kid who only takes. I love this site and it is a great help to anyone who needs it.

Again I apologize and thank you for your time!

-- Your not a true woodworker until you blow your nose and saw dust comes out! (WoodWorker Rule)

I have begun the prototype of my project and will report to all of you who wish to see my progress. My project is a thank you to everyone who sent me project ideas and plans. Again Sorry for the lack of courtesy.

-- Your not a true woodworker until you blow your nose and saw dust comes out! (WoodWorker Rule)

Tooldads_apprentice’s : You are more than welcome. I hope your project turns out great, which I am sure it will. Do not hesitate to ask for or give assistance on this site. And do not hesitate to ask me for assistance from me. You are our future, wear it well.

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

Some members may not know how to find a comment they have posted.

They may not find you to thank you.

You just have to click on your own homepage, & click on activities.

You’ll see a list of all of the comments, or postings you’ve made.

-- -** You are never to old to set another goal or to dream a new dream ****************** Dick, & Barb Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Well bhack I just wanted to say that I was sorry for not saying thank you. After I read this I felt bad and I didn’t even remember if I had emailed you back or not. Your plans where a very big help. Thank you.

Like I said LJ’s is an awesome place. One of the finest resources for woodworkers of all ages and I don’t want to be a part of ruining that relationship of trust and courtesy we all share.

Again Thank you!

-- Your not a true woodworker until you blow your nose and saw dust comes out! (WoodWorker Rule)

You are a Standup Guy.

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

The title is “Where Did Courtesy Go?”..., I think we’ve done a lot to re-establish it with this thread. It raised my awareness! Thanks to all who have contributed, or even read this thread.

-- Maplewood, MN

I usually try to be but I guess time got away from me.

-- Your not a true woodworker until you blow your nose and saw dust comes out! (WoodWorker Rule)

Wow. I must say Bhack you have certainly touched a nerve with your post and for good reason. Although I have not emailed or contacted anyone on this site for plans, what I have done is marveled at the craftsmanship in the pictures posted, scoured through tool reviews before ever making a purchase, enjoyed blogs on every subject imaginable, etc… Ultimately, I have been getting an education in woodworking. Thank you!!! I hope to repay all of you who have inspired and educated me, by doing the same for someone else.

This site is made up of some high character people. Especially because it is very easy to disappear in cyberspace, yet they decided to come out and stand up. Well done Steelmum, Tooldad, and Tooldads_apprentice.

Sounds to me this post hit home to many. Sometimes we need a reminder. I have been on both sides and hope that I have not forgotten to thank someone so, If I have, THANK YOU!. I have been thanked by people that I have helped, but I try to remember that sometimes we do get busy and forget or loose the connection on the computer.
Well worth the post!!!

-- Bob K. East Northport, NY