Why Change What Works?

I don't mind the reorganisation, I just find it takes time to adapt to where things have moved to. I'm a creature of habit I guess! I did prefer the previous version, but that might just be because I knew where everything was.

Personally I think the move to "paid" classifieds was a mistake. I can understand the reasons why and I have no right to criticise, as I haven't donated to this site, but I think it's counterproductive for the limited amount of money it might bring in. Now the only other place that has a classifieds forum is PM and that's much more production oriented, although occasional HSM deals do come up if you're quick.
 
Nels said:
Thanks Mark.
I used to ask the members their opinions, so as to do things more democratically, but there were many differing opinions that were impossible to synthesize. So I just do research, and do what I think is right.
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We used to call this 'consensus management' in Silicon Valley during the heydays of the '90s. We quickly found out that it didn't work worth a damn.
 
Change is inevitable . Although I cannot provide input on the newer equipment being offered these days , the objectives remain the same . To make things , to restore old iron , to improve something . We all have these same interests . This site remains entertaining and informative to me which keeps me coming back and continues to be my site of choice along with the cub cadet site . For the members on here which have been to my home , they know what I do and enjoy doing . I've met some new friends on here as well . The staff and administration of Hobby do a great job keeping this place going . It's work , and I myself appreciate the effort put forth . Dave
 
mattthemuppet said:
Personally I think the move to "paid" classifieds was a mistake. I can understand the reasons why and I have no right to criticise, as I haven't donated to this site, but I think it's counterproductive for the limited amount of money it might bring in. Now the only other place that has a classifieds forum is PM and that's much more production oriented, although occasional HSM deals do come up if you're quick.
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The main purpose of paid classifieds was not revenue production. Sure, we do need revenue, and we rely upon donations. But the issue was that of strangers coming here, selling thousands of dollars of stuff, then leaving. That adds nothing to the forum in terms of information or revenue. Who knows who these people are. Are they reputable? Honest? Who knows. At that other forum, they have a moderator who measures how much participation you do and how much selling. If you sell more than you participate, he cuts you off. It seems a lot of work to me. Instead, we charge non-participating people more to sell. We charge active members less, though active members should contribute if they like the site, and we charge donors the least, just 1% of the selling price. That is just $1 on every $100. Does that really sound like too much?
 
Nels said:
The main purpose of paid classifieds was not revenue production. Sure, we do need revenue, and we rely upon donations. But the issue was that of strangers coming here, selling thousands of dollars of stuff, then leaving. That adds nothing to the forum in terms of information or revenue. Who knows who these people are. Are they reputable? Honest? Who knows. At that other forum, they have a moderator who measures how much participation you do and how much selling. If you sell more than you participate, he cuts you off. It seems a lot of work to me. Instead, we charge non-participating people more to sell. We charge active members less, though active members should contribute if they like the site, and we charge donors the least, just 1% of the selling price. That is just $1 on every $100. Does that really sound like too much?
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No. That's not too much for those who can support financially. I'm happy to be a donor, but most people contribute value to the site (much, much, more than I have donated) by posting really interesting projects. That's what I came here for! How do we keep those people??

Edited to correct meaning. I mistakenly included the word "not" and said "not many people donate more than I do" which is completely wrong, sounds arrogant, and is opposite from what I meant to say. I'm sorry for how that sounded. When I reread it just now I was horrified by how it sounded. The amount I have donated financially is very small.
 
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Steve Shannon said:
No. That's not too much for those who can support financially. I'm happy to be a donor, but most people contribute value to the site (much, much, more than I have donated) by posting really interesting projects. That's what I came here for! How do we keep those people??
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Great question Steve. The staff has discussed this many times.

I suggested paying for articles, a small honorarium, which was rejected. The staff felt that it would insult others who contributed for free.
Other suggestions were a HM t-shirt or cap or other gift.
I suggested another Project of the Month.

As always, I am open to ideas-tell me what you think would incentivize people to post good projects.
 
i would like to thank you, the moderators, and contributors to this friendly and informative site.
the birth and growth of a site such as this is an organic process... good people will attract more good people.
not everyone will be satisfied or interested to stick around, you need not worry about this as it is part of the process of growth-change.
good luck and good health to us all...
Dan
 
Hi Nels, thank your for responding to my post. I don't think you need to change a thing. There is volumes here and definitely something for every one. The casual non critical tone of the form is the thing that really makes it work. My issue with the volume of stuff is really my own problem, not the sits. The other form is really geared towards the pros, and being a wanna be pro I find it most helpful. The two sites are really not comparable, they both provide a well needed service. I think I may have made some dough dough post here and no one even seems to notice. A dough dough post there can lead to ..............probably enough said about that. I am not sure how much help you really get from the members here, I am not sure that I have contributed any thing to the site besides an occasional post, point being if your trying to manage this by yourself, I am in awe at what you've accomplished. Tim
 
Nels, First of all, I would like to thank everybody that makes this site possible and what it is. Many of us are new to machining and to HM.
It took me awhile after I joined to post a message because I wanted to get to know the people, the moderators, and kinda get a feeling of the flow.
I log on nearly every day. I love to see what other members are doing, talking about, showing their projects and just being part of the process.
Not all of us are yet confident enough to take on a complicated project and post it to the site, but we are in the background supporting everything you do...
I donated through PayPal a couple months after joining and according to them it showed a payment. I looked everywhere on HM (within my limited knowledge
of the site) to see if you guys received it and I could not find any info that you got it. Is there somewhere I missed?
Thank you for all you have accomplished and keep up the good work!!!!
A somewhat silent but very supportive member.
Bill
 
Nels said:
I created this place originally as an information base for when/if I ever get my act together and get my shop running.
(Looks like that will FINALLY be happening soon!)
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Nels, you came to the right place to help you get your shop running! ;) LOL.....in all seriousness, thank you for starting H-M and providing the spirit and attitude that guides it so well. It has to be a time consuming task keeping it running.
 
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