I don't get it--------????????

[Roger Chandler]

Gary - you bring up a very valid point! Why would we want to send our members to another site to see that site recognize a Creeker's work? Seems to me that we need to come up with something here on the Creek to honor our members and have the other sites come visit us!

Steve,

Your idea of something akin to a cover pic for SMC would be a great addition to this forum..........that being said.......since you are also an owner of WTA...........it seems like wanting to send our members to other sites is something that would also enhance that venture as well...........which I am all for................perhaps a cover pic for SMC and WTA...........the question then becomes ............

Who will make that decision.........for SMC would it be the mods, and on WTA would it be the owners? Seems like whatever is done, somebody will have to take the heat for whatever is chosen or not..........just thinking out loud.

[David DeCristoforo]

Don't even want to get i to why you should "get it". But I would like to cast another vote for some sort of "cover" here on SMC. It would add a nice element to an already great site.

[Steve Schlumpf]

Roger, first off, this is not my idea. Pete Jordan mentioned something about doing this quite a while back and while I thought it would be a good thing for the Creek, the timing or something was not right.

On the idea of sending folks to other sites... the ideal is to have people want to come visit your site - whichever site that is. WTA does not offer a turning of the day or week as far as recognition... so that site does not come into play at this time. The Creek - being the largest woodworking site there is - should be able to recognize those individuals whose efforts warrant being heralded. As far as who should select those members for that recognition... that is worth discussing. Just because I am a mod does not mean that I have the insight as to whose work deserves an honor. Seems to me that there could be a committee.. or a small group that were elected to such a post for a given period of time. I would put a limit on it as these things tend to wear folks out.

The major thing at this point is that Admin would not only have to approve of such a venture - they would have to wright something in the software to allow posting of a photo in the first place.

These are just thoughts at this point...

[Ron Radliff]

Pardon my ignorance, but what is WoW? I've Googled it but don't seem to get anywhere.

[Steve Schlumpf]

World of Woodturners. PM sent

[Joe Watson]

The major thing at this point is that Admin would not only have to approve of such a venture - they would have to wright something in the software to allow posting of a photo in the first place.

The software end of it would not be hard at all, but like you said, its a wood working site, not just turning - flat work would "have" to get in on this, instruments, hand carvers, etc...
Just a thought if it has not been suggested before...
Do the vote thing, committee, what ever... and when the choice is made, create a 'Sticky' in this forum section for the honored piece (then un-sticky it for the next piece and maybe have a sub-forum (if 'Keith' allows this) as a 'read only' archive of all chosen pieces) and if possible, see if the Admin will give the turning section of the site a 'content block' on the main page of the site (its a "123" thing to do) which will display it as well.
Just an idea if it has not been brought up before.

_

[Gary Max]

I am guessing that the vBulletin has the software already----- you would just reformat the cover page for the turners forum not the front page for SMC. Don't make it a daily thing but at the same time keep it moving as pics are posted.

[Bob Rotche]

I agree with much of what has already been said but wanted to add my 2 cents- SMC is an incredibly friendly and welcoming place which is one reason why it is so popular. That is, however, a strength but also a weakness. I truly believe in the value of constructive criticism. We all want to be very supportive of each other but a mutual admiration society doesn't do much to make us better turners. I would love to see a cover photo chosen for its excellent craftsmanship or artistic creativity with a brief analysis by whichever "expert" had the privilege of choosing. This can be very educational. I have suggested a feature over at WTA where people might voluntarily submit a piece for analysis first by the resident artists and then opened up to the general membership for comment. Unfortunately, the idea never gained any traction and that site is rapidly becoming fairly dormant which is a shame as the format has huge potential and they really had momentum after the beauty and the beast contest. The great thing about WoW is the caliber of work and assessment by some of the best turners in the world. I have had the honor of the cover once but I would only post there if I was particularly proud of a piece. Great place to view some incredible work but nothing close to the commoraderie found here. I guess there is a place for different sites with different "personalities". I would just love to see them all be the best that they can be.

[John Keeton]

As an update, Steve has posted a thread in the moderator forum for comment and input on this idea. There are many considerations as have been mentioned, and hopefully, we can develop a workable plan. The breadth of the SMC community does complicate the idea somewhat. The other two sites - WoW and WTA are both woodturning only. However, we remain hopeful a plan can be developed. Keep posting your ideas and suggestions here!! Thanks!

[Steve Vaughan]

The software end of it would not be hard at all, but like you said, its a wood working site, not just turning - flat work would "have" to get in on this, instruments, hand carvers, etc..._

Been reading through the posts. I'm here way more than WOW because of all the knowledge shared, but I do like the idea of having a cover picture here. If there were a question about the other forums on SMC getting in on it, seems like they could decide themselves. Wouldn't a cover picture be possible on each of the forums, and couldn't that be a decision those forums make for themselves? Heck, start a cover pic here and let them see if it 'works' here. They might want to do the same thing, which wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[John Keeton]

Steve, part of the considerations is that SMC has one Home Page. Each forum does not have a separate "Home Page" so a cover pic for each forum would need to share the same home page - at least at this point.

I am not a guru on software, and certainly not on VBulletin, but we have that expertise with Aaron so let's see what the possibilities are.

Ideas and suggestions on the logistics of how the "cover pic" would be chosen, etc. would be helpful, too.

[John Coloccia]

One thing about SMC I like is general lack of a caste system. I think if you start officially honoring members you will quickly change the atmosphere and create an SMC upper class. Seems like a big price to pay just so somebody doesn't have to skip over threads they don't want to read. As a general rule, I don't think SMC should be telling it's members who's work is to be admired. Leave that to the members, and let them stick it in a thread like they already do. Just my opinion.

[Derek Gilmer]

Steve, part of the considerations is that SMC has one Home Page. Each forum does not have a separate "Home Page" so a cover pic for each forum would need to share the same home page - at least at this point.

I am not a guru on software, and certainly not on VBulletin, but we have that expertise with Aaron so let's see what the possibilities are.

Ideas and suggestions on the logistics of how the "cover pic" would be chosen, etc. would be helpful, too.

Maybe one of the moderators could add the selected piece to a blog post? That way we can all know where to go look for the latest and past winners. Once a week go look at John's (for example) blog and see who won. Or maybe make up a new account that moderators can post to in blogs. Something like Tuner Award instead of John Keeton.

From a new turner point of view a short write up about what made the piece a winner would be great to. Since you guys have sooo much free time already

[Michelle Rich]

Having made Picture of the Day at WOW is a HONOR ..a huge one! Competing with the best in the world , it really says, one has arrived in the turning world. I have made it three times and it is a happy & wonderful thing to be honored with the best.

[Betty Fox]

I like this site just the way it is; laid back and relaxed.
*just my two quid*