Requiring some bio info from Forum users.

John McAlister

Well-known member
What do Forum users think of requiring some biographical info from forum users. All that's really required now is name and e-maill address.
I think it would be helpful if we knew, at least: name, location, occupation, experience level,(furniture making)  and perhaps special interests. When  corresponding with someone, giving tips or advice, etc, etc it would be most helpful to me to know a little something about the person.
Are they pattern makers, street car drivers, ladies fashion designers, professional furniture makers or whatever?  Do they live right down the street or across the country?  Are they old & retired (like me) or are they yuppies (young and up coming) looking for a hobby?
I'd think it'd would good for all concerned.  I'll look forward to some comment.
John McAlister
 
MR. JOHN MCALISTER,

THIS FREDDY ROMAN PASS GRADUATE OF THE FURNITURE INSISTUTE OF MASS. (RUN BY PHILIP C. LOWE), AND I MUST AGREE WITH YOUR LAST BLOG.  I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW SOME MORE INFO ON INDIVIDUALS COMMENTING AND RESPONDING TO THE FORUM.  GREAT FAN OF YOUR WORK.  WELL HERE IS SOME INFO ON ME.

FREDDY ROMAN
LOCATION: MASS. BEVERLY/SALEM
OCCUPATION: APPRENTICE IF DEALING WITH OLD TRADITIONAL STANDARDS
GRADUATE OF THE F.I.M.
AGE: 25
STRIVING TO BE THE NEXT PHIL LOWE, WILL NEPTUNE, LANCE PATTERSON, STEVE BROWN, & DAN FAIA. 
JUST TRYING TO SOAK UP AS MUCH INFO AS POSSIBLE AND PASS IT ON TO THE NEXT PERSON WHO WANT TO LEARN MORE.
 
I think it is a great idea.  We had this info available to us on the old forum.

Dennis Bork
Antiquity Period Designs, Ltd.
 
We should encourage people to fill out their bios. The form is there. Or do you wish to make it mandatory? I will put more info. on mine as an example to others!
Mike
 
Mike, I believe the basic info should be mandatory for new users coming in. Current users could be given a time limit to update theirs, or maybe some would want to be grandfathered in; though I think it should be required from all.  Does anybody have any real objection to making this info known? If so why?

Most come to the forum for help and the help could be more specific if the writer knew a little something about who he/she was helping!


I would think that we could asterisk certain questions as required (like when you're charging something to a credit card) and if they were not answered you wouldn't be allowed to use the forum.

John McAlister
 
Getting to know people and share knowledge was the main reason I joined the SAPFM in the first place after years of hesitation. I would love to find out who is within a reasonable driving distance just to check out their shops, providing they want visitors. That said I would love to see a directory of some sort where I could track down members with specific skills or within a certain distance from my zip.(Gee...I'm not asking for much am I!) I just wish I would've been watching more closely so I didn't miss the deadline for this summer at Thaddeus Stevens which is less than an hour away from me! Since I'm less than 15 miles from Olde Mill I'm sure there are members near me but don't know them...YET!
 
Mark,

I bet it wouldn't take much arm twisting to get in to the Mid-Year Conference if you are truly interested. Give it a shot. Contact Tom Turriff: [email protected] to see if it's really too late.

Craig
 
John,

I think your idea is great.  We used to have some of this information on the old forum.  As  the leader of the Lone Star Chapter, I can tell you that the information from the old forum was essential to forming the new chapter a few years ago.  There were peolpe living very close to me who were SAPFM members and I had no knowledge of them.  It would be very helpful to know when new members join SAPFM, where they are from.  Not all of the new members are aware of the local chapters. I'm all for it!
 
Hey John McAlister,

I followed your lead and tried to post my profile. I got the stuff that shows up under your name to show up but how did you get the extra stuff at the bottom of your post to show up?

thanks,

George Madok

ps, are you going to the mid year? If so I'll see you there.
 
George, I believe Margaret Arnold told me how to put that stuff under signature at the bottom of my Summary.  I'm hazy on it.
Perhaps she will post some directions.
Thanks to all who are updating theirs.
John McA.
 
John et al

We encourage all users of this forum to make available information about themselves to the extent that they are comfortable. This forum is open to anyone who wishes to register to use it. Not all members of SAPFM use this forum and not all users are members of SAPFM. Users can choose to participate in a manner that they see appropriate-- however, we cannot require everyone to complete a personal profile form, however cursory it may seem.

Mike is correct--the form is already there. Encourage your neighbor to fill out their profile but let's respect the privacy of those who choose not to.

Mark
 
To create your bio/signature follow these steps:

1. Log-in
2. Click on Profile at the top of the page.
3. Under 'Modify Profile' select 'Forum profile Information'
4. Fill in the appropriate boxes. Your 'Signature' will appear at the bottom of any posts you make. 'Personal Text' will appear under your name. If you have a web site, fill in the two boxes at the bottom.
5. Save the changes (bottom right)

Contact [email protected] for further assistance.
 
Mark et al

I have given John's suggestion considerable thought since John posted it.  I certainly have mixed feelings on this issue.  On one hand, I think it would be very helpful to know about an individual's experience as it relates to or bears upon a subject to which that individual has submitted a Forum post.
On the other hand, good ideas can come from anywhere. We also need to continue to attract new members and I believe doing so is assisted by maintaining as open a Forum as possible.  Finally, our 501(c) (3) status might somewhat limit our ability to require the suggested information from Forum participants.  On the last point I believe we would need the advice of our tax experts.

I know that there is/was an idea about having an SAPFM members only section of the Forum at some time in the future. If that is done, would it be possible to incorporate John's experience/biography idea at that time?

Kent Ryan
 
I fail to see how filling out the requested info provides much info at all, beyond email and location. What does that tell you?

Pam
 
Pampine; Look under my summary. That tells you right much more than just location and e-mail. (Probably more than you want to know).  Help everybody who would like to learn something from you, know something about you.  You're female, from Austin Texas, and have e-mail. That's not much to go on!
 
I took up John's request and put some info in my profile.  I don't see any harm in doing so, with one exception:  while I realize your birthdate isn't readily visible to other forum members or the public at large, I'd recommend putting in your birth year, but 01/01 for the month and year. 

Birthdates, while theoretically public information (i.e., birth certificates are in the public record), should be treated with only slightly less care than social security numbers.
 
John, " Period furniture maker as hobby, 40 yrs." is supposed to tell me something? Like what? I've been doing woodworking for almost 50 years off and on. So what?

Pam
 
Pampine, That you've ---"been doing woodworking for almost 50 years off and on. So what?"---- So it tells me a whole lot more than your summary tells me. It tells me you probably know a lot about woodworking. Which is more than I knew about you before today.
If you don't want to give out any info that's certainly your priviledge and if you don't care to know anything about the people you're corresponding with that's certainly OK too.  But  some of us feel differently.
Believe me I'm not trying to invade your privacy!  Heaven forbid!
John McA
 
John,

I've come to the conclusion that in most cases you really don't need a detailed biography on anyone. All you need to do is read through a few previous posts to realize who and what you're dealing with. Just an observation from someone who always wants to learn more but is usually afraid to ask (or offer any advice for that matter).

Craig
 
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