>Okay, folks, here we are in a whole new year, and it's time -- actually I'm a couple days late -- to unleash our first "Ides" survey of 2010. Since we're an internet-based publication, and, in light of the exploding popularity of "social networking" sites (Facebook, Twitter, etc.), I thought I'd kick off the new year with a question about these sites/services. Do you subscribe to one or more? Which ones? Do you use them on a regular basis? If so, why?
I have a Twitter account and am considering "tweeting" about new developments here at WoodCentral on a regular basis. I would like to get an idea of how many of you would be interested in something like that. Or, do you have any other suggestions as to how we can use available technology to bring you more news and information about woodworking, WoodCentral, or anything else.
>I am not sure how Twitter or Facebook would play into a wood working forum, since sharing ideas and posting our work and asking questions is what happens right here at Wood Central.
I use Facebook quite a bit... I have friends and relatives all over the U.S. and Facebook makes it real easy and convenient to keep up on what is going on, and adds a little fun into the mix like email doesn't do.
I think visiting this site when I can keeps me up to date on the goings on here... not real sure a Facebook post would get me the news any faster since I can only check these sites every so often...
>before there was twitter and facebook there was IM and beforethat I don't remember.
either way they come they go, forum boards and e-mail were here before them and still here today. if i need Info I can still search the archives on a forum board, to help find it, where would I find the info on twitter or facebook?
anyway, I don't use them and won't, but I do visit 6 boards daily for ideas and also to help when I can.
>I have enough trouble trying to figure out my cell phone. I don't have any need or desire to take a stab at twitter, facebook , or anything similar. I don't even care for blogs and got in a bit of trouble one time for suggesting they were egotistical.
>Have no Face Book, no My Space, no Twitter account. Gave my IPod Touch away - "keyboard" too tiny, display way too small to DO anything with. Have a $20 cell phone that's $15 every three months - using it more now that I seem to have become the school bus driver and chaeuffeur for neighborhood kids.
I want technology I can DO things with - draw, design, illustrate, calculate - make things. So in addition to a computer, with pen tablet, scanner and some graphics and CAD applications, I've a digital camera and am in the market for a digital video camera - to add movement to images.
With SketchUp being free - and relatively easy to learn, an easily searchable data base of woodworking virtual objects would be nice. A catalogue of virtual joinery - things that are difficult to convey with a few still photos or line drawings - could be helpful. Mortise and Tenons and Dovetails are just a few of the myriad of ways to hold two - or more - pieces of wood together - without glue. And since I'm interested in turned pieces that either have moving parts, or move, a place for sharing videos of dynamic pieces would be nice - with or without sound.
>This site, WoW, AAW and Nova Users. None of them ask for personal details and all of them provide generous turning resources. Count me out where Facebook and Twitter are concerned.
I am on Facebook and recently set-up a dedicated page for my woodturning activities (Link below); I still have a bunch of stuff to put on the page when I get the time. I use this page on Facebook mostly to make my friends and others aware of some of the artwork I produce. There is a growing number of woodturners on Facebook who are also on my friends list, some of which Woodcentral Turning messageboard denizens would know: Andi Wolfe, Cindy Drozda, Mike Mahoney, Keith Tompkins, Bill Abendroth, Katherine Kowalski, David Peebles, Kevin Wallace, Eduardo Sarmiento-Hall, Bill Grumbine, Carole Valentine, David Belser, Steve Kubien, David Nittman, Dennis Daudelin, Doug Thompson, John K. Jordan, John Lucas, Keith Zimmermann, Steve Worcester, and John Jaworowicz to name a few.
It is interesting to see what others are doing in both their woodturning pursuits as well as other parts of their lives as "real people". On my main Facebook page, I am able to keep up with various happenings of my friends, family, and students (past and present). In fact, I have re-connected with several "lost" friends from high school (30+ years ago) and college. I still prefer the WC messageboard here and the AAW Forum page for actual discussions about woodturning. I don't think Facebook will change that, at least for me.
I don't have time for Twitter (never tried it) and probably may never "tweet" in my life.
>No twitting facebooking or any other sites that type. Call me oldfashioned, but I do not want to be totally exposed and risk all kinds of invasions from these sites.
>I am from the era of dinosaurs and don't have a Twitter account. In fact I have never even sent a text message. I don't even have that option with my cell phone account.
I don't have any idea how to begin to start Tweeting....
>I'm glad I'm not alone. I don't text, heck I can't remember how to do most of the things my phone will do. I simply don't understand why you would even want to use twitter.
I got a facebook account but it simply doesn't seem user friendly to me. I don't understand how to find anyone or what to do with it. I'm nervous about having all that info out there for everyone to see. I can get all the info I want on this board, AAW, WOW, Woodmagazine, and one of the metal forum's.
I really need to spend more time in the shop making money rather than spending it on electronics. If times get tougher that's what may happen.
>Social networking has no draw for me. My request when getting a new cell phone was one with no camera, no email, no internet--just a basic phone with voice mail capability and a speed dial directory.
>Ellis, I had a Facebook account then canceled it because it all seemed a terrible waste of time and I didn't like their policies. Then I reopened an account a month or so ago so I could help my clients who did want to use it. I restrict my list almost exclusively to woodturners, and refuse invites to all games and other such silliness. I don't use Twitter...hate it. In fact "twitter" seems to me a very appropriate name for the thing (and not a complimentary one.) It would be interesting to see a comparison of the demographics of the "average" social networking user compared to the average WC user - I suspect there is a huge difference.
>I use Facebook regularly, mostly to keep up with family and old friends. But like here, I'm mostly a lurker.
I have a Twitter account but don't use it. Seems a total waste and I predict it will go by the wayside. (You heard it here first!)
Am on two other messageboard which are small and strictly social where I have met most of the participants. We get together for lunches and fishing trips.
>Twitter is geared at people who communicate in 10 words or less (i.e. no depth). It is shallow and basically a feature on some of the other social networking sites. Why anyone would want to tweet is beyond my comprehension.
Facebook (member) is a lot more valuable because it allows users to share different types of content with a variety of "selected" audiences. I can upload a picture of a turning or my vacation and it is only available to the people I allow into my "circle" (more or less).
I also use Linked In extensively. It is a professional contact system and based upon six degress of separation. If I need to find someone at a company, I can look them up, and then see if we know anyone in common that can introduce us. Not to many woodworking applications for this functionality though.
I don't use MySpace.
There are dozens of these out there. FB seems to be the leader. If I was going to do anything, I'd create a WoodCentral Fan Page on FB...
I'm a troglodyte and damn proud of it! My idea of social networking is face to face meetings and in depth conversations, letter writing (though I have taken the leap from snail mail to email), and yes, even phone calls ... they still make phones with cords, and push buttons, and hand held receivers you know. So, no Twitter, no MySpace, but my wife does have a face book page in my name so I can maximize my contacts with local galleries.
That being said, I could see how something like Facebook could be a way to let non-turners (collectors, interior decorators, gift stores, etc.) know about new turned works, especially if you could include images from WC.
>Ellis - I use twitter and Facebook as well as keep several blogs on different topics. Social media is such a useful way to stay in touch and to communicate.
http://AndiWolfe.blogspot.com for the blog
http://www.facebook.com/Andi.Wolfe.Woodturning for my FB wood turning page
@AndiWolfe on twitter
I also maintaint a woodturning list on twitter. If anyone here is on twitter, send me your address and I'll add it to my WT list.
>At least on facebook the message would not scroll off the page after a few hours like they do on the message boards. For those who don't make it here everyday there are things that get missed. There may some things you could do for the inline advertisers whose messages scroll off before everyone get to see them.
>I joined Facebook about six weeks ago and have a few Woodturning Friends but did it mostly to see my grandkids, niece's & nephew's kids as they don't send photos anymore in emails. Have a link to my Picturetrail photo site on my Wall. Prefer forum format for discussion. FB or Tweeter might be good to draw attention to something for non regulars and bring them to the forum. For me, I am here every day anyway.
