OWWM members

[Jesse Busenitz]

Just curious how many of you are members over there? I just joined a couple months ago and found it a great resource for info on old machinery. One thing I don't really care for is their super strict rules on NO asking for appraisals, and no sharing CL deals..... It happens all the time here and find it very beneficial... but it's their forum, and their rules.;)

[Myk Rian]

Because Keith doesn't want appraisals and CL/Ebay links. Makes sense to me. It is well spelled out as to why.

Oh. I'm a member there.

[Ken Fitzgerald]

There is reasons for not sharing CL...... once the item is sold, for all practical purposes....the thread is useless.....the links lead to a sale that doesn't exist anymore.....they are dead weight.......and someone has to clean up the clutter.....

.......and appraisals........here at SMC...it's often a sneaky way people try to circumvent becoming a financial Contributor and use the Classifieds Forum........

[Ed Labadie]

I've been a member there since 2008.

The wealth of knowledge there is incredible, as is the willingness of it's members to help others.

I've had the pleasure of meeting several owwm-ers, all good people.

Ed

[Mel Miller]

I joined there some time back, but found their restrictive rules and the attitude of the moderator not to my liking.
The only thing I look at over there is the photo index & the publication reprints.

[Jesse Busenitz]

There is reasons for not sharing CL...... once the item is sold, for all practical purposes....the thread is useless.....the links lead to a sale that doesn't exist anymore.....they are dead weight.......and someone has to clean up the clutter.....

.......and appraisals........here at SMC...it's often a sneaky way people try to circumvent becoming a financial Contributor and use the Classifieds Forum........


Makes sense on the worthless links..... and the dodging the classifieds. But like Mel said it just seems like it's two strikes and you're out.... but then again I've never managed a forum. All that aside OWWM and Vint Machinery can both be very useful

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Makes sense on the worthless links..... and the dodging the classifieds. But like Mel said it just seems like it's two strikes and you're out.... but then again I've never managed a forum. All that aside OWWM and Vint Machinery can both be very useful

Jesse, normally there are common sense reasons why forums have rules and enforce them. The trouble is there are a certain number of malcontents who for some reason enjoy challenging authority, believe the rules don't apply to them or that they have a circumstance that warrants an exception to the rules. Trouble arises IF you make an exception. There really is no fun in enforcing rules or the TOSs like we have here at SMC. Those of us who do it get attacked publicly here, at other websites or privately via PMs.

SMC TOSs says we can't link to OWWM or any other public or private forum........but I refer people to OWWM all the time....I just don't post a link......OWWM is a valuable resource of information for those with or considering older woodworking power tools.

BTW, I am not a member there.

[Chris Padilla]

That is why we created a special forum just for 'Deals and Discounts' so that it is all in one spot and it can be ignored by the search function.

[Mel Miller]

There is reasons for not sharing CL...... once the item is sold, for all practical purposes....the thread is useless.....the links lead to a sale that doesn't exist anymore.....they are dead weight.......and someone has to clean up the clutter.....

.......and appraisals........here at SMC...it's often a sneaky way people try to circumvent becoming a financial Contributor and use the Classifieds Forum........

I frequently read the Practical Machinist forums. They have a forum on Antique Machinery that has a large number of knowledgeable members. They also have a newer forum for woodworking.
PM allows links to CL and Ebay auctions which can be very helpful to the other members. When there are pictures or other historically important information in the CL or Ebay listings, someone will copy and post them so they are saved for future reference.
PM also allows posts asking for values on things. This can be a great help to someone selling a family members' things, etc.
OWWM is missing the boat on this with their restrictive rules.

[Myk Rian]

Why not take the criticism of OWWM to OWWM?

[Dan Hintz]

Why not take the criticism of OWWM to OWWM?

I have heard many tales of that (quickly) ending in ejection... and silence. YMMV...

[Mel Miller]

Why not take the criticism of OWWM to OWWM?
I tried discussing things with the mod and was told "he didn't give a hoot what I thought". That was good enough for me.
Please note my original post of the OWWM mods reply was accurate, but has been edited to a much softer version by the mods here.

[Doug Ladendorf]

I think there are lots here. I'm a member there and have benefited greatly from the wealth of knowledge and willingness to share. I try to contribute as well to give back and further document information about OWWM. Personally I think it is a very well managed forum. I left another forum because it was a bit too lawless and threads too often degraded into useless bickering. I don't have time for that, which is why I'm here, and OWWM. I've seen many new people run afoul of the rules at OWWM which are probably enforced more there than most places, but consistently. Most new members apologize, go read the rules and stick around. Some get completely bent out of shape, make a big stink and refuse to acknowledge they might have any culpability. What's the point of that? Any forum you join is entitled to it's own rules, which reflect the vision of it's founder(s). Take time to read them. If you disagree go elsewhere.

There are some extremely knowledgeable, experienced and opioninated folks that are former members, I guess due to clashes. Those I wish could be/have been worked out.

Doug

[Rich Riddle]

I belong there and have been there longer than here. Never have run afoul of the rules. They also don't discuss Asian tools. Just their rules.

[Brian W Smith]

I hang over there a bit,fantastic resource.It's their playground,their rules.

Only a cpl problems and they're mine......not savvy enough with computers to figure out how to post pics.Which is sort of their loss because of how much or how often we do surgical repairs on old equipment.The other is,even though it isn't completely spelled out in the rules.....at least to where my pea brain can understand it....is the discussion of sheet metal.More specifcally gauge metal.Just conjecture,but their hate for Asian equipment translates this twds gauge metal?Again,it's all on me......their rules.It seems half my posts run afoul,which isn't the intent WHATSOEVER....so,am very restrictive on my posts so as to not upset them.

But I've been zapped here quite a few times for several things that made NO sense......I take the responsibility and limit posting so as to not makes folks angry.

[Keith Outten]

For the most part the rules and regulations that an online community enforces are based on the guidelines that the majority of its Members prefer. In order to grow and increase activity the rules must fit the community, it never works in the opposite direction. I don't think I have ever seen a community that enforces rules that are meant to be restrictive without reason, consequently I have never seen an online community that didn't have a small group that constantly complained about having to comply with the rules.

FWIW SawMill Creek adopted our Terms of Service from Badger Pond. Along the way we have had to make minor adjustments to the rules here but I am hesitant to make major changes without a considerable amount of feedback from this Community. I don't mind stating that I don't like some of the rules here but its not my call in most cases. Many feel that as the owner I can do anything I want, this is far from the truth, I have learned that my job is to concentrate on what the majority of our Members feel is best for this Community.

If you haven't noticed we don't even allow our Sponsors to advertise in any of our Woodworking Forums. It has always been our intent to focus on woodworking here without the constant distraction and bombardment of commercial or private advertising. SawMill Creek would be a ghost town if you could not find a woodworking discussion here or if you had to wade through a mountain of trash to find one.
.

[Todd Burch]

I'm a member there - I joined recently as I started to need parts and advice on old machine restorations.

The restrictions on adding a photo over there don't make sense to me. In some forums, you can attach photos, others you can't. In order to be able to post photos, I had to find a photo-hoster web site, learn their interface, play by their rules, and then link all my photos, publicly, so anyone can see them. Not my preferred MO. One day, I'll stop hosting my photos, and then, what could have been archived, is gone.

If I had to distill my thoughts on OWWM, I would say it's tough love. If you need technical help on machines, you gotta ask for it (obviously), and you'll get it, but aside from that, there doesn't seem to be the same level of support and encouragement I find here. Maybe it's because I'm still new, but generally speaking (because I don't follow every thread…, new folks here seem to be treated the same as us old timers treat each other (which, generally speaking, is respectful!).

[Dave Cav]

I'm a member at OWWM and probably spend more time there than here. In fact the only reason I found this thread is that for some reason OWWM is down this morning and I thought there might be some news about it here.

Given that it's an all volunteer effort and doesn't accept any advertising or solicit for contributions, I think the rules are completely reasonable.

[Myk Rian]

One thing is for sure. At OWWM, a thread such as this one would never get more than 3 posts before being deleted.
I'm really surprised this one has been allowed to continue. Makes me rethink being a contributor.

[Mel Miller]

One thing is for sure. At OWWM, a thread such as this one would never get more than 3 posts before being deleted.
I'm really surprised this one has been allowed to continue. Makes me rethink being a contributor.

What is wrong with this thread? Folks calmly stating their opinion/experience without yelling or name calling? Most of the posts support OWMM to at least some degree.
Your comment about this discussion not being allowed on OWWM itself just reinforces some of the criticism of them.

[Doug Ladendorf]

What is wrong with this thread? Folks calmly stating their opinion/experience without yelling or name calling? Most of the posts support OWMM to at least some degree. Your comment about this discussion not being allowed on OWWM itself just reinforces some of the criticism of them.

He also commented that it shouldn't be allowed here. So, add a grain of salt. I don't think this thread has run afoul of this forum or the OWWM terms.

[Kent A Bathurst]

One thing is for sure. At OWWM, a thread such as this one would never get more than 3 posts before being deleted.
I'm really surprised this one has been allowed to continue. Makes me rethink being a contributor.

Myk -

A little more grumpy than usual today, my friend. Wrong side of the bed type of day? We all have those............ ;)

Have you considered not looking into the posts in this thread? :D That's what I learned to do [or, to not do] on certain threads where it was all going bonkers - let the feral dog packs fight it out without me.

Just sayin'.

Be well........

[Dave Cav]

The restrictions on adding a photo over there don't make sense to me. In some forums, you can attach photos, others you can't. In order to be able to post photos, I had to find a photo-hoster web site, learn their interface, play by their rules, and then link all my photos, publicly, so anyone can see them. Not my preferred MO. One day, I'll stop hosting my photos, and then, what could have been archived, is gone.

I think the photo thing has more to do with the volunteer nature of the site than anything else. I haven't ever run a forum or will even pretend to know how the guts of one works, but I think the site needed a fair amount of changing just to get to the point where members could add photos directly to the limited number of forums. That's the main reason why I don't post more of my work over there.