Pocket watch forums

[Jon Hanson]

The clock forums are increasing while the pocket forum remains stagnet?

Are any watch collectors interested in having some additional forums?

[Kent]

The clock forums are increasing while the pocket forum remains stagnet?
...

Is there a question here?




...
Are any watch collectors interested in having some additional forums?


The subject of new forums is discussed in the Message Board Problems/Comments Forum (http://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?t=44958)

[Steven Mercer]

The last time this was discussed for different Pocket Watch forums, the "European & Other Pocket Watches" was put into it's own forum.

Then Fred Hansen took the time to make stickies out of the "Hamilton", "Illinois" and "Past Pocket Watch" threads.

I think Jon has a good idea about making other pocket watch forums that are dedicated to either a particular company or more general could be RR watches.

Maybe Kent and one or two other RR experts could/would volunteer to moderate a RR forum?

[kirxklox]

Maybe Robert Smothers and Mike Chamelin could help out on some IDEAS?

[Jon Hanson]

Originally Posted by Jon Hanson http://mb.nawcc.org/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://mb.nawcc.org/showthread.php?p=336498#post336498)
The clock forums are increasing while the pocket forum remains stagnet?
...

"Is there a question here?"

Yes, a question.

I shall be happy to contribute on all early American watches.

[terofpa]

I was thinking a separate Pocket Watch Repair section would be nice rather than being lumped in with general Watch Repair. I'm not qualified to moderate it though.

ter

[Kent]

This is actually a GREAT IDEA. Where are the EXPERTS that would like to step forward to make some NEW FORUMS happen?

Kent: Do you have any NEW IDEAS about how to do this?

I don't see a need for additional pocket watch forums.

[Bryan Eyring]

I was thinking a separate Pocket Watch Repair section would be nice rather than being lumped in with general Watch Repair. I'm not qualified to moderate it though.

ter

Not a bad idea but I would suggest making this post in the "Watch Repair Forum." And don't count yourself short...you may do better than you think!

Regards,
Bryan

[Jon Hanson]

i don't see a need for additional pocket watch forums.

then why are there 3 stickys at the top of this forum?

[Bryan Eyring]

If we are to subdivide the American Pocket Watch forum into additional forums I think we need to address it by manufacturer. Creating forums for "RR Watches", "KW Watches", or any other overlapping descriptive term will result in multiple posts in multiple forums, and the need for increased housekeeping. I am in great favor of creating multiple forums but I think the route to go here is via sub-Forums. These would be similar to the stickies that we presently use but would look similar to the forum structure that is currently used on Chapter 149 and Global.

The key here is to keep things as simple as possible. We need to approach posting here from the newb's point of view. Creating multiple forums will undoubtedly result in posts placed in incorrect locations, and this needs to be mitigated by keeping the number of forums to a bare minimum. My thoughts at this point in time would be to create forums labeled along the lines of "Waltham", "Elgin", "Hamilton", and "Other American Manufacturers."

I will talk to Ray, Tom & Kirk and see if we can take this on this subdivision.

Meanwhile, any and all criticism/comments are encouraged....

Regards,
Bryan

[kirxklox]

There are THREE Requirements being placed on us.

1) It has to be Educational
2) NAWCC Members ONLY
3) Approved by the Executive Director, Steve Humphrey

We have to copy Public Content to Private and we can not move Private Content to Public!

[Kent]

Originally Posted by kent
"i don't see a need for additional pocket watch forums."

then why are there 3 stickys at the top of this forum?

For easy reference. Have you looked at that last time they had a response?

[Kent]

Jon: There is absolutely no need to argue with a Member that has a closed mind. He has assured you that he can not add any better information to this Educational Center and he will not participate any where else if we do.

Well, that may be your impression. But what I said was:
"I don't see a need for additional pocket watch forums.

Can you please take a moment to explain the value of splitting the American Pocket Watches forum into a series of forums based upon manufacturer, or some such category?

Will it be easier to search for posts or threads by keyword?

Will it be easier to find the latest, unread posts?

Will it be easier to browse through topics of conversaton?

Will it be any more informative or educational?

Will it encourage novices or one-watch owners (who perhaps just inherited a family watch) to register and ask questions any more than now when they can quickly see a range of basic questions being asked by others?

Surely, in my old-fashioned way of viewing the message board, I must be missing something.

[Jon Hanson]

yes

[kirxklox]

Kent: I have been assigned the TASK of researching means of providing more SOCIAL NETWORKING capabilities. vBulletin provides that capability, but it also is limited in some aspects.

I have also been assigned the task of making the NAWCC Internet more versatile for ALL Users. The short, succinct answer to your questions is YES. However, I would like to give you more background than that.

As the SE (Search Engines) have become better over the years, it is now easier for them to INDEX all sites to give the World a better view of each SUBJECT. This in turn gives us the capability to divide the Horological Studies into Subject Oriented Forums. As Pocket Watches is a very BROAD Topic many guests can therefore be directed to a Narrower Field of Discussion that they may only be interested in. As that interest is developed they can then branch out to other related fields. This also allows us to be able to develop more Content that is Educational in Nature.

[John Pavlik]

Sam,

You have vaild points as a message board developer.. Users have a different view..

Check Global Horolgy board sub headings and you will see not much current date usage in the majority of catagories.. ..

Keep in mind most posters, both new and heavy users, want and answer
quickly... Nothing is more of a turn off to me than seeing the last post was 4 weeks ago.. I do not expect an answer and will not use that section..While wading through a general pocket watch forvm topics, I have learned more by accident, along with subjects that I have an interest in..

In my experience what people say or think they want, and what they utimitley use are usually 2 different things..

[Kent]

Quoting the Acting IAC Chair's replies to my earlier post:

Will it be easier to search for posts or threads by keyword?
"As the SE (Search Engines) have become better over the years, it is now easier for them to INDEX all sites to give the World a better view of each SUBJECT."
I take this to mean that searching will be no easier if American pocket watches are broken up into additional forums.


Will it be easier to find the latest, unread posts?
No direct answer
If I understand correctly, and I may not, one can choose to view all unread posts globally, or by forum (it has already been a while since I set up how I view the new board - I don't remember). If one were to set up to see all new posts for all the American pocket watch forums (if this is possible) then there is no need (for the purpose of seeing new posts) for the American pocket watch forum to be split up. However, if one could only choose to see all new message board posts (globally), or only one forum's worth of new posts, than a person would have to move from forum to forum to catch all the new American pocket watch posts.


Will it be easier to browse through topics of conversaton?
"... many guests can therefore be directed to a Narrower Field of Discussion that they may only be interested in."
What about those of us who wish to keep up with discussion about American pocket watches in general? Will we then have to visit each forum to see what's being talked about?


Will it be any more informative or educational?
"This also allows us to be able to develop more Content that is Educational in Nature."
So if a thread is started on an educational topic within a smaller forum (a "Narrower Field of Discussion") how is more content developed than when somebody asks a question like, "How many variations are there in Waltham model 92 regulators?" and getting replies? In either instance, once current discussion ends, the thread sinks towards the bottom and people have to perform a keyword search to find the specific topic.


Again, where's the value?

[kirxklox]

Will it be easier to find the latest, unread posts?
No direct answer
If I understand correctly, and I may not, one can choose to view all unread posts globally, or by forum (it has already been a while since I set up how I view the new board - I don't remember). If one were to set up to see all new posts for all the American pocket watch forums (if this is possible) then there is no need (for the purpose of seeing new posts) for the American pocket watch forum to be split up. However, if one could only choose to see all new message board posts (globally), or only one forum's worth of new posts, than a person would have to move from forum to forum to catch all the new American pocket watch posts.

We have already made it easier to view New Posts by Forums and Globally.

Will it be easier to browse through topics of conversaton?
"... many guests can therefore be directed to a Narrower Field of Discussion that they may only be interested in."
What about those of us who wish to keep up with discussion about American pocket watches in general? Will we then have to visit each forum to see what's being talked about?

We are not going to change the present Forums, only adding NEW.

Will it be any more informative or educational?
"This also allows us to be able to develop more Content that is Educational in Nature."
So if a thread is started on an educational topic within a smaller forum (a "Narrower Field of Discussion") how is more content developed than when somebody asks a question like, "How many variations are there in Waltham model 92 regulators?" and getting replies? In either instance, once current discussion ends, the thread sinks towards the bottom and people have to perform a keyword search to find the specific topic.

This depends upon the type of content being added. All we can do is offer more oportunities to provide better Content.

[Kent]

John:

...

Historically, the NAWCC Educational Center (MB) has been used to answer Questions. However, it can be used to provide Content without questions.

I think that having information-only (no discussion) areas where people (both NAWCC members and visitors) can go to research a subject is a fine idea!

I guess that I mistakingly confused message board forums, about which I was talking, with information-only (no discussion) areas, which you were proposing. I suppose that I made the mistake of thinking that a forum was a place for open discussion.

[kirxklox]

Kent: Providing accurate, vetted content for NAWCC Members and the Public has always been my primary GOAL.

Would you like to help do something like this for the NAWCC Members?

[Jerry Treiman]

I am one member who prefers fewer forums. I find the message boards at Web Horology and Global Horology, where there are a great many sub-forums, to be a real pain to browse, especially when one gets a third level of sub-forums. It is evident that many of the sub-forums have very little traffic. I couldn't agree more with the sense that such an arrangement is less inviting to many regulars and especially the novices (as stated by both John Pavlik in post #18 and Kent in post #15). I enjoy seeing a variety of threads without having to dig for them and am excited when I find an entire screen of new threads to browse. If an interesting topic is not highlighted by having the last post I may well miss it if the current last post does not draw me into a sub-forum.

I noted Sam's comment (post #13) that there seems to be a requirement that certain forums be members-only. I think this needs more clarification. I am concerned that if all of the "good discussions" are hidden from the public they will lose interest. We should not appear to be elitist. I can see certain educational resources (not forums) being restricted, but we need to balance member benefits against our obligation to educate the public.

[kirxklox]

I would suggest looking at this: http://www.kirxklox.com/project/editorial_cms.php?id=2

It is a great means at providing a small group the ability to write up a Project that will endure for future reference. As it is an Electronic Book it can be updated whenever there is new information found or errors.

Tom: Your IDEAS are just as valid in that it provides a better resource for existing information.

Jerry: We have to provide a balance of Public and Member only capabilities. That is not elitist, but good Business practice. It is the Members that pay the BILLS and They are the ones that will be the Future of the NAWCC.

The FUTURE of the NAWCC depends upon how well we present ourselves on the Internet and how we GROW the SERVICES we provide.

[Jon Hanson]

Oh, this is so wonderful, let's all stay stagnant and not develope new ideas. :rolleyes:

Web Horology is usually a highly traveled venue FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION, and not necessarily a chat and canned board of repeated material, over and over and over AD NAUSEAM........................:|

[kirxklox]

Jon: "Web Horology", "Global Horology", and "Watches and Clocks" all exist because the NAWCC did not desire to expand their Internet presence. Each of these sites have developed their own Expertise and capabilities. Web Horology is a CLOSED MB that VETS every post that is displayed for PUBLIC Use. My single requirement for New Members on Web Horology is that they are interested in providing Public Education, not for CHITCHAT.

The NAWCC Board of Directors recognized the NEED for the NAWCC to grow its Web Presence and Capabilities. This Educational Center (MB) is just one of the AREAS that I am working with as Chair of the IAC to look into increasing its capabilities. Right now the Directives I have received is to be able to Advise the ED on Forums that would be for MEMBERS only. I feel that I should bring that discussion here to the Educational Center and offer it to the MEMBERS for their review.

[lak611]

I would like to see more subforums. Many people are interested in certain brands. It is currently difficult to search through all the threads if one wants to find Waltham, Elgin, etc.

I also think having 2 watch repair forums, one for pocket watches and one for wristwatches, would be a good idea.

I also would like to see educational forums with information given by our experts that would not be part of a discussion, just there for people to read and learn.

I really can't contribute anything to the new forums yet, since I am new.
But I would appreciate if there were new forums, because it would help me to learn more by reading them.

[lak611]

Jerry: We have to provide a balance of Public and Member only capabilities. That is not elitist, but good Business practice. It is the Members that pay the BILLS and They are the ones that will be the Future of the NAWCC.

The FUTURE of the NAWCC depends upon how well we present ourselves on the Internet and how we GROW the SERVICES we provide.I agree. I don't think having a Member only forum is any more elitist than offering Members a discount on merchandise purchased from the NAWCC.

[Tom McIntyre]

I moved some posts to the private IAC forum at the request of the admin.

[Jon Hanson]

Kent: Providing accurate, vetted content for NAWCC Members and the Public has always been my primary GOAL.

Would you like to help do something like this for the NAWCC Members?

Sam, has anyone yet stepped up to the plate?

[Kent]

Sam/Jon:

Actually, I do this, albeit not as often as I would like to. When Ed and I get our act together, it either appears in the Bulletin or as presentations at chapter meetings, or regional or national conventions.

[kirxklox]

Kent: I was hoping you would step forward with Ed to do a RailRoad Corner Forum. We could set it up that all questions/discussions would be sent to your Visitor Messages as a Group Discussion. Your choice, Yea or Nay!

[kirxklox]

Jo: How about you stepping forward with John Cote and Fred Hansen to do an Early American Watches Forum. We could set it up that all questions/discussions would be sent to your Visitor Messages as a Group Discussion. Your choice, Yea or Nay!

[Kent]

Kent: I was hoping you would step forward with Ed to do a RailRoad Corner Forum. We could set it up that all questions/discussions would be sent to your Visitor Messages as a Group Discussion. Your choice, Yea or Nay!

Ed may feel differently, but I'm content to respond to questions right here in the American Pocket Watches forum. If I understand correctly, and I may not, the new forum would be for members only. As I mentioned previously, I don't see the value in splitting up into different forums, especially isolating the discussion of railroad time service and standard watches off into a separate forum, where it would not be open to visitors.

When the Bulletin content becomes available online, to members only, that would be fine. And, it would seem to address the previously stated need for "content without questions."

Were I to create more "internet articles" or as you put it "content without questions," I'd probably be more inclined to have it hosted on the Chapter 174 Pocket Horology Chapter Website (http://www.pockethorology.org/).

[Jon Hanson]

Or, folks could use the "special projects" forums for their favorite topics...................:Party:

[kirxklox]

Jon: That is not a bad idea, because as I get permision by the Authors I will be moving the "Special Project" area to the NAWCC "Educational Center!"

[Jon Hanson]

The "special projects" program is a great place to publish, to move topics to assoc venues is good, but only if it survives.

[Jon Hanson]

Sam,

Are you speaking for a private forum? Public? Great idea! OK.