It might be nice to have a section on the Photo Page for Mug shots. I for one would like to know what the people look like that I have been e-mailing and talking to and just to put a face with the incredible work that you guys do. I might even be able to recognize some of you when I get to Charlotte.

It might also be nice to post a picture of the author of the articles in RodMaker Magazine. Most newspapers have a little photo of the writer at the start of each article.

What do you guys think?
Ron

Ron,

On the one hand, those are great ideas. On the other hand, I've never wanted this board to take on the atmosphere of a "club" or "clique" where new users would get the feeling that they're if they're not one of the "regulars" that they aren't really part of the "party."

I've watched many internet forums drop to this level and become a place where the same 5 or 6 people use the board as a sort of personal chat room, rarely dispensing any real information but instead using it to find out who was bringing the chips and beer to the next outing, or to kick their inside jokes back and forth. It may be fun for a few, but it's not healthy for any forum that wishes to serve as a good source of actual information. In fact, it's a death knell in most cases.

I know others may disagree, but there is a reason that this supposedly "cold" board receives ten times or more the traffic of any other rod building site. And one of those reasons is that newcomers feel good about asking questions and participating.

For the time being I'm going to nix the idea of having a personal photo section on the photo page. Sorry to rain on anyone's parade, but in the long run it would reduce the usefulness of this site. I've had many people tell me that this site seems cold and impersonal, but in fact, that's exactly one of the reasons for its great success.

We'll have name tags available for the social gathering in Charlotte. You should be able to find about anyone here who happens to be in town for the show. And you'll always have their personal email addresses (or phone numbers via the directory page) if you want to correspond on a personal level.

..............



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/26/2004 09:52AM by Tom Kirkman.

And besides that who would want to see mug shots of me and Bill Stevens on the same day.

Later,
Gerald Mc

I guess I never thought of it that way. As usual you have thought this through and I understand. I have never thought of this board as "Cold" however. Its one of the best things around. I have learned so much since the internet sites on rodbuilding have developed and grown over the past few years. I do look forward to meeting as many of the folks out there in rodbuilding land as I can.

Maybe the option of posting a photograph, not here at RodBuilding.Org (RBO), but instead at TackleWorks.Org (TWO), would be worth considering, for those who may wish to do so. -Cliff Hall, Gainesville, FL-

Just post a picture on the Photo Page, it doesn't need to have it's own section.
[www.fishingphotos.net]
[www.fishingphotos.net]

I caught a decent walleye this spring, had my friend snap a pic and posted it on the board. Billy & Mike B. sent me a photo of themselves; I'll be able to recognize them when we meet. I guess that I'll have to get the others from nametags.
I had three shirts embroidered with my name on them for Charlotte. Much better than a name tag!!

See you in Charlotte, Ron...

Putter

Hey Putter, Is your shirt a tie-died purple job, you wouldn't need to put your name on it, everyone would just know its you.

Myles

Just blue jeans and regular ole shirts for prairie boy...
Didja get lucky for Christmas; maybe a ticket to Charlotte or something on that order, Myles??

Not yet, but my very generous father in-law has been located in the distruction in Phuket, Thialand after the tidal wave, they are both safe so there is still some hope of getting a ticket over there for Charlotte.

Myles

That's good news; prayers answered-now keep your fingers crossed for the ticket!!!

Putter