Yes, believe it or not, it was Friday, October 23, 1998, that I and my editorial staff left Rodale Press and American Woodworker magazine. Later that day, Jim Cummins and I jumped feet first into the online forum arena, and WoodCentral said "Hello world." Seventeen years later, here we are, still sharing great information on woodworking and every other conceivable topic with like-minded folks from around the globe. I thank each and every one of you for your civility and your willingness to contribute your voice and your expertise to this amazing online community.
I'm looking forward to a bright future online for all of us.
Happy birthday! I wasn't aware of the history of WoodCentral's founding. (I must have been living in a cave.) Hope the transition has been good for you and your talented team. It has been for us!
Geez, Dave, where do I start? I think the things that are most gratifying to me in the rear-view mirror are the collaborative efforts that this community has gotten behind over the years. Like when Hurricane Katrina hit, and we staged a lot of auctions and fund-raisers for the Red Cross's relief programs -- I handed over a check for $5,600 on that occasion -- or when we learned that Michael Dresdner's daughter was suffering from Hodgkin's disease and people turned tops to cheer her up. Or our famous annual Christmas Secret Santa exchanges. Or the major picnics and get-togethers at woodworking shows and private venues like Sophie's picnics, Virgil Johnson's picnic, Ray Thompson's Indyfest, Grumbines' Five Barns parties and Lee Grindinger's Montanafest. It's such fun to put names with faces and enjoy the human dimension behind the online chatter.
I liked, and continue to like, the occasional pioneering journalism that originates here, most recently Bill Tindall's revelations about the Kato and Kawai studies on hand planes, and the interventions I was able to make on behalf of WoodCentral authors, including Stephen Shepherd, who contributed articles to several major magazines.
Looking even further back, five years before WoodCentral, when I ran the American Woodworker AOL site, I had the honor of chatting from my laptop in the shop of James Krenov -- his first online interaction. Then, several years ago, before he passed away, we orchestrated yet another chatroom soiree, using one of his students as typist and communicator, as Jim's eyesight was fading fast. Check out some of the other special guest chat logs if you want to see the long list of well-known woodworking personalities that we've entertained over the years.
There is also a great sense of satisfaction in having found a home on the internet where I could parlay and share my extensive list of resources and personalities from the woodworking world, in a format that isn't beholden to paper costs and production deadlines and word counts. A format that relies not on a single voice or opinion as the last word on how to do things, but on the thoughts and opinions of multiple personalities, from all sides of each issue, to bring well-rounded and plausibly more authoritative answers to many if not most of the topics and questions that have been raised here. I've said many times that the forum format is still the best way to get good answers fast, though user discretion is advised.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the many WoodCentral folks who have left their marks on this site and who've gone on to their great rewards -- Jim Cummins, Dan Donaldson and the rest of our departed friends and contributors. And Stephen Shepherd, our 18th-century woodworking expert and chat host, who last year suffered a debilitating stroke. I am thankful that he's mending well.
Clearly, I'm rattling off just the most obvious highs and lows; a thorough perusal of our thousands of articles, shop shots, gallery entries, contests and book reviews would take months. There's a lot I'd like to do, or to have done, with WoodCentral if my time and resources were unlimited, but alas. I'm enjoying feeling content with what we *have* accomplished and looking forward to the ongoing business at hand, of sharing good information and friendly interactions with this wonderful and diverse group of woodworking fans.
So, off we go into year 18 and the first day of the rest of our lives. Thanks again for coming along, and for making the ride so enjoyable.
"A format that relies not on a single voice or opinion as the last word on how to do things, but on the thoughts and opinions of multiple personalities, from all sides of each issue, to bring well-rounded and plausibly more authoritative answers to many if not most of the topics and questions that have been raised here."
Well said. Thankyou for an excellent resource & forum.
Lay out an extensive range of experience, knowledge and options - let the readers make their own informed judgement.
"There is also a great sense of satisfaction in having found a home on the internet where I could parlay and share my extensive list of resources and personalities from the woodworking world, in a format that isn't beholden to paper costs and production deadlines and word counts."
I have not worked in any print related projects. I can only guess at the frustrations of the word count. I have certainly lived through my share of deadlines though.
As a determined turner of the last 6 years, who started out in the 7th grade on an Oliver - with somewhere in the neighborhood of about a 55+ year hiatus - I am a novice at this thing. I thank you Ellis for this wonderful site, and to everyone who inhabits Wood Central for their experience in demonstrating what a turner is.
I dropped off the forum for a few years, too busy with the farm and building the shop. I had nearly forgotten how much I enjoyed the sharing of technique, problem solving, and inspiration in both flat and turning. Thanks for WoodCentral!
Congrats on 17, Ellis. Jim Cummings was an inspiration to me 35 or so years ago when he wrote the article in FWW on little detailed boxes. (not turned) Its what made me realize I could make really nice things and it got me to take wood seriously. I made a ton of those things and still have several around the house, and one I use every night on my bedside table-made of padauk (sp?) and curly maple. He was a very good writer, I know he is missed.
Wouldn't that be nice! Actually, I started Woodfinder® shortly after I launched WoodCentral because I knew I couldn't make a living running a woodworking forum site. Between the two sites, I get by, but if money-making were the object, I'd most certainly have gone into some other line of business.
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