Well it's been pretty dead here. I am about ready to change my evening route and drop this stop. Been fun but no sense in visiting an empty house.
Not that bad look at the dates on replies there's still a bit of life in it yet.
May be we've just been to busy.. ..
I am still on here every morning about this time. I bring my laptop out into the little tent on my deck and have coffe and a smoke with the group. It's just hard to type in the dark.
We went camping for 3 nights. Sometimes its nice to go off line for a few days. I still check in almost every day but sometimes I just don't have anything to add. It seems like even the regulars are posting less and less but of all the groups I still like this one the best. More and more I find Facebook to be full of negativity and Zuckerburg has made it just about impossible to get my business page out to my customers. I guess I'll stick around here to the bitter end.
Sure would hate to see you go Paul. I have learned a lot from you.
Maybe I made it too difficult for new members to register. After the load of spam last autumn I made a captcha and three security questions. I'll remove one of those security questions and see if that helps. We haven't had many new members since then.
Quote from: Grebo on February 16, 2018, 03:50:29 am
May be we've just been to busy.. ..
I mentioned a couple of years ago that this forum was on life support. Back then everyone made the excuse of "Maybe we've just been too busy" ............That's not it.
Just about everyone (including me and Paul) have found plenty of daily activity on Facebook groups. It takes a nanosecond to upload a pic to FB. Here, you have to link your pic to a 3rd party site, which can be an ordeal at times.
In it's heyday, this was the best forum for discussing all things upholstery related. But like most people, I'm going to go where the action is.
If I had a comment or question, I could post it on one of the FB groups, and get 40-50 replies within the day. If I post it here, I'll get the same 3-4 replies that I've gotten before from the same 3-4 people. There just aren't any fresh perspectives here. A small handful of us have talked every possible subject right into the ground.
I'll keep checking in here from time to time. But frankly, I think the owner is wasting valuable bandwidth.
You couldn't have Inger, and thank you for being a great help.
At this time I still have not began a facebook account, in time possibly.
Just want to say thank you all!
And have a good Friday
Floyd
You've got some good points there, for me posting pictures is a right pita, as you said. FB makes it so easy.
I've never been that vocal here but did check in most days. No I haven't been around for quite some time but that's for personal reasons.
We've had a good run here, it sure was the best.
Probably is time to move on, c u around.
Suzi
Doc I always respect your forethought and master work experience, and to an extent sadly I agree the site is currently diminished. However in my opinion Mike and Inger are not wasting their time. I appreciate this site as many others here do and this is where the right answers are. 40 - 50 replies - come on; you can't believe you wouldn't rather (in no particular order) get a reply from Gene, Mike, Hammer, Rich, Doyle, Chris, Ian, Paul, Ed, Darren, Floyd, Bob etc just a few of the pros here (sorry if a name escapes me) you don't need those 50 motor mouths - you just need one of the aforementioned to get the right answer. I don't do FB and maybe to some it's the best thing since sliced bread - TBD
What I see here is a site that has potential to be greater than it is. I wonder if there is enough time put into the marketing end. The site has thousands and thousands of views over a decade - when I google the site it's on the first page. The ownership has to bring it home to make it profitable and popular - talking it down isn't the best road.
SA
For me FB is the pita. As SteveA said, motormouths.
And, most people I've talked to are over FB for a variety of reasons.
I don't do FB. Maybe the group thing is different, but the account I set up is overwhelmed with crap I don't care about from people I hardly know. If I wanted to know what somebodies niece dressed the cat up as for Halloween---I'd call them.
Yes our membership ( of active posters) isn't what it was ten years ago, but it's still nice to hang out here every morning knowing that if I'm in a pickle someone will bail me out and that if I have an opinion or some advise I'm respected and considered a friend.
Instead of throwing in the towel, maybe we should reach out to those who have quit checking in here. I have contact info for Virginia and John, maybe a couple of others.
Mike (canvas in florida) and Mike MJ furniture - always good contributors
SA
I thought this posting might spur some conversation. It isn't hard and at least there is something to read. Forums need to be used or they get lost in cyberspace by the search engines.
I know the feeling about Facebook. For the past couple of days its been on my mind to stop going there or at least limit myself to a couple pages. Wich really isn't all that easy. I guess nothing is perfect ea?
Anyway lets keep this thing somewhat alive and post something as often as possible. Maybe even start a discussion page on tips and tricks or something. Maybe in short order we might get some new blood. Professional blood if that's possible to weed out.
Sorry I haven't been around here. Just finished two weeks of back to back shows.
I have never seen the FB groups but then never looked. I love FB for keeping in touch with family and friends. We have family scattered all over the world and it is a great place to keep up on their lives.
I do belong to a few groups on FB but not any upholstery groups. I have never searched them down. I do moderate one group on FB for Samick Guitar owners but that is it.
I have always liked this place and called it " home ". Probably because I like all the people here. Great, honest, down to earth, hardworking group of people.
Mojo
I'm glad people are talking .
Back when I first started I'd come here and just read to gather information. I saw some names then that I don't see now.
Yes if anyone can contact these people then try to bring them back.
I also realize that some very experienced upholsterers may not have many questions. But share! I would enjoy seeing what everyone is doing.
Admin,is there no way to make posting pics easier? As mentioned time and time again it is a major turnoff to the forum. I for one won't bother posting a pic and haven't for some time. Because it is just to much trouble. If this forum is to live we need it to work better and more friendly to the members.
Sorry, I haven't been on here as much lately, but it's not because I'm on FB or any other upholstery related site, I really have been busy. With business and personal things. Actually, I'm a Facebook dropout, like Darren said, if I want to know what someone cooked for supper, I'll call them (that's a lie, I won't do that either, I don't really care).
I hope this site continues to operate because it's civil and I know I've picked up a few things I've found useful.
Thanks,
Rich
Quote from: Darren Henry on February 18, 2018, 07:22:00 am
Instead of throwing in the towel, maybe we should reach out to those who have quit checking in here. I have contact info for Virginia and John, maybe a couple of others.
Couple of odd things here. Everybody remember June? She does mostly boats in South Florida. She was active for many years. She stopped responding about the same time I started my FB business page, around 3 years ago. Somehow she found my fb business page and would occasionally like and comment on it. One day I replied to her comment and told her we missed her at the forum. I never heard from her again.
About a year and a half ago I had to cut the strings to the forum to spend time rebuilding my website and to build my online presence. The website program alone took about 3 months to learn and I spent many hours looking up information on how to build a webpage. This took every spare minute of my time. One day I received a message in my e-mail from Gene asking where I've been. Now I notice Gene has been absent for several weeks.
Gene's e-mail prompted me to rejoin the group. Couldn't hurt to send a short message to some of the folks we haven't heard from in a while.
Paul, you are right. One of the most important tools on a forum like this one is to be able to post pictures to help explain what we are talking about. I use Google Photos, it gives a link to my pictures. But even this is to much trouble for most people surfing the net. It would be nice to post pictures here and now.
Well in my case life has gotten in my way, after Cancer surgery, a head on car accident, and gallbladder surgery i'm just not up to as much lately. Maybe it's time I dust off the old machine and get sewing.
John
Well glad to see your still with us John, in every sense. Life sure does give us a right kicking sometimes.
Suzi
It's nice to see participants back and chatter picking up :)
I don't know if this site is the problem with pictures or is the blame more on Photo-Bucket. I dislike photo bucket, because previously it was easier to post and now it's become more difficult. I'm still using Photo Bucket until there is an easier way.
What would it take to increase traffic here - yes old members back "GREAT" could we consider recommending a new category or two to My Community.
How many here have washed down the top of a grimy D/R Chair crest rail and sprayed burnt umber followed by black fly specs and clear satin. Or drilled out broken dowels, replaced wood rails, cut an inch off each of the four legs - retouched missing color from the tops of the arms on those pecan color French chairs ? Used a wood workers oscillating tool in a way not what it was designed for. Made furniture from scratch - have band saws and table saws - altered your services to take on chair regluing, sheet caning - light finishing ?
This is an Upholstery Forum but woodworking and finish restoration is a big part of it. Would a category including the other types of craftsmanship done on a daily basis possibly draw some finish and wood restoration folks ?
There are companies here who have transitioned from wood working and are adding upholstery to their services and I'm sure the other way around.
SA
What Steve says!!!!!!
I have all the wood equipment mentioned and do use it. There are occasions I wish to have more
knowledge of finishes, because there certainly is a lot needing it. One aspect of this is, a spray booth is needed. Aerosol canned products often help out for small amount of spraying.
Steve is right, wood and wood finishing are two closely related activities to furniture upholstery.
Furniture wood working on the Asian made items is different. I touch-up on smaller items when
it looks practical. But never see much info even about their wood types or finishes. Being limited
on their products, there is reluctance to jump more in that direction (i.e. dining room and larger chest,
that is).
Another case of changes in technology!
Good post Steve,
Doyle
Good point Steve about encouraging more woodworking involvement. I'm not sure we need to have another page for it though considering the volume of posts lately.
I have always just taken it for granted that wood working and refinishing were part and parcel of the business. Where I apprenticed we made our own frames, touched up any show wood ( after seeing some of Steve's work I wouldn't call it refinishing),etc.. I know that isn't one's experience. I work with a guy who had 5 years experience back in Jamaica who only recovered chairs. His sewing needed improvement, his woodworking has come along way and he now will take on things like snowmobile and tractor seats. But that has taken almost 2 years LOL
Good to hear from you again John, Glad you're still with us Gerbo.
I don't know if any one else saw this post in the "How To Use This Forum" page.
dischafer wrote, "I started to write a post and needed to take an interruption. How do you "save draft" for later to finish post? This is the most different forum site I've ever been on....too early but so far I find it very user un-friendly & clumbsy. However, I have only spent a few minutes with it so far."
At first I was offended by his statement but then I read it again and wondered if this may be another reason people don't hang around.
I'd like to ask Mojo or anyone else who belong to other forums, are they also dying since Facebook became most popular. Do other forums allow posted pictures and are they easier to use. Do they have an assortment of user friendly options.
I know Mojo once mentioned better available formats for forums. I wonder if this would help build this thing back up.
I once suggested to the administrator to ask the members how he could make the forum better. I'm not sure if he ever reads these posts but it seems that suggestion fell on deaf ears.
I understand that posting pictures direct can take up a lot of space.
I use google photos (drive) which I think is really invaluable as a way to document your work, for your own purposes.
What I then do is re-size the image to about 1/4 of original and make a permanent link with google. You have to check the box that allows others to view by sharing.
It is a bit cumbersome but at the end of the day the owner is providing a free way for us to collaborate, which I really am thankful for.
---
As far as the woodworking this is a great idea. I follow some workrooms on instagram in which they show custom-built pieces, like banquettes, that are then upholstered. They are absolutely beautiful. I think that is may be a rapidly expanding area for custom furniture upholsterers.
Myself I don't have the tools but that doesn't mean it's not valuable to me. Perhaps some of us could collaborate with furniture makers in our area.
65,
As I see this forum. It is an extension of a business and the forum should be a draw for business for whomever owns Upholsterer.com. They either rent or own a server that this is hosted on and space should not be all that big of a deal. Most hosting services give enough space that most sites, even with pictures uploadable, will never use. I think the picture issue is with the forum software Simple Machines. I'm not sure but I kinda think it is. And changing the software would be a very large project.
In looking at the docs for Simple Machines it seems capable of doing this. Maybe the admin has it turned off or is doesn't really work. It is open source software.
I'm just glad this forum is here...
I think most forums that have photo upload nowadays have a Kb limit. I have found this to be generally 125 and in very few I have heard 180 though Im only familar with the 125. And most know that they would need to resize their selected photo on their computer so when mousing over or selecting the resized copy it is infact 125 kb.
The issue we see is pretty much the same, a to small photo and many times blury at a zoomed size. Or my older ones were dang hard to see.
I do like the old days when random uploading photos was a norm. Although if I was a bit sharper early 2000's I would have respectfully resized so many others on dial-up or just their data line speed for loading/veiwing could be more timely for their interest.
Some sites I have really liked have had crashes and this unfortunetly lost a lot and some all photos. This is a tough one if you understand. I think most of you might.
When many members set out to post a series of photos as or a build or whatever, this is great information.
Many others value these post for sure and as many learn from aspects in the series or just a photo post.
This is a main reason I decided on a seperate photo hosting site. I dont to much photo posting now days but the thoughts of lost information I took the effort to share sure bothers me when a pc crash happens.
So back to the art or whatever words to easily link photos. I will try.
Im curious how most here would prefer to see photos in post. I mean as a link or thumbnail or other embeded size into the post and or member view only.
Have a good day
Floyd
Floyd,
I for one would go with a member view only. I like the fact that this tries to be a trades only forum. Not that I have anything against the general public, they do pay the bills. But having a professional only place is nice.
It should as simple as "post a pic button" and have it show wherever the cursor happens to be.
I would go member view as well. I like thumbnails that can be clicked for a larger image. Don't know if that helps the space issue.
Thank you Floyd,
Ian
A thumbnail view would actually take up more space. A thumbnail is just a small version of the pic with a link to the full size one so it would be 2 images stored.
I'd like to know from the Admin if this is the reason or if it something else.
I agree, and that if a member veiwing were implemented it would require a login. Though not! being a webmaster in the slightest. This counting of heads logged on or not may not matter in the lookie see count.
Then again it may promote as we would like and calmly encourage new interested memberships. This as mentioned also can help the sale of items in the banner, Home section.
I have noticed other places while, not logged on some photos are viewable. In most other times its required to view pdf's and any photos. This is above my pay grade as to describe how these parameters are setup.
Good day
Floyd
Those parameters are generally setup as tick boxes in a setup page on the forum software.
Okay, so we just had a brand new member "Boyde" who couldn't figure out how to post pictures. Photo Bucket was a disaster. Google Photos was better but by that time I'm sure he was pretty frustrated. I hope he sticks around.
Yes I agree Kody, If the forum owner and admin doesn't keep up with the times it is all but a lost cause. In today's electronic age it has to be easy to do what you want to do on-line or you go somewhere where it is. I hope this all gets through to the owner and they decide to either make pics, and emojis work or move to another package that works.
Forum software can sometimes be expensive. Most forum software also takes a great deal of time administering behind the scenes. There are a few free forum software packages out there but I believe you have to live with advertising.
The software being used here is very outdated. The new software packages make things extremely easy to post pictures as well as other stuff.
Mojo
What really sucks for someone new is.......
There's a wealth of information in all the old archived posts. But most of the pics in those posts were linked to Photobucket, and now they don't work.
Nothing beats self control. Having control on the server and not relying on third parties to host pics.
I guess the owner would have to weigh the cost of new software against any potential revenue he might generate from it. I know that many customers that visit the other pages on this site end up buying products, and may or may not stumble up on this forum.
Does this forum actually help sell products? I don't know. I guess it's possible that some of the people that come here for advice or guidance may end up purchasing something. And as Ingrid pointed out recently, it would certainly help if we made more of an effort to promote the items sold elsewhere on this site.
26 guests, 1 user. I betting most of those guest are do-it-yourselfers looking for advice and looking for a good place to buy supplies. Sure would be cool if we could interact with the owner. Isn't he an upholsterer?
Hi Fella's :-) . I haven't been here for a while, I have looked in on occasion but not had anything to add. Glad your still here, just in case I need to ask advice cause i know it's fair dinkum.
I was part of a facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/582682581756217/ upholsterers friendly forum. Bit of the blind leading the blind, run by someone who did a 2 week course and "upcycles' furniture. There are a lot of upholsterers from all over the world on the page and some really good ones, but they don't hang around as they get a bit sick of being told the right way to do it by someone who has done a weekend course, taught by someone who did the 2 week course.:-)), it was base in England but had quite a few Americans in it also.
I will post a bit more, but I need to get on the sewing machine for now. I go to the trouble of trying to post some pics cause I am in the process of building a new workshop or shed as we like to call it over here. Nothing much more exciting as a new shed is there?
Quote from: scottymc on March 04, 2018, 07:31:32 pm
I was part of a facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/groups/582682581756217/ upholsterers friendly forum. Bit of the blind leading the blind, run by someone who did a 2 week course and "upcycles' furniture. There are a lot of upholsterers from all over the world on the page and some really good ones, but they don't hang around as they get a bit sick of being told the right way to do it by someone who has done a weekend course, taught by someone who did the 2 week course.:-)), it was base in England but had quite a few Americans in it also.
Good to hear from you again.
I belong to that forum, as well as a few others. The problem I see with the Upholsterer's Friendly Forum, is that countries like the UK, and Australia are jam packed with traditional method upholsterers that can sometimes be resentful of newbies that just watched a video on Youtube, or just polished off a 2-week course somewhere. Things do get "less than friendly" at times.
I have grown much older.
It has come to my attention in a few other parts of the world certain trades have requirements. I respectfully agree with some of these, example apprenticeship.
What Maybe unseen or unknown is this might just be strictly required " before " providing certain trade task.
I hope this post reads as Experience Matters to me very much. My career was through a time when here in the U.S. these respectfull requirements were the seriously dropped requirement. This may sound hasrsh but tough its the fact!
This change was strongly promoting college ( 4 year ) and not enough trades. With this comment I stress many 2 year associate degrees are great. Here is the stump speach; this basic gathered knowledge from a typical two year associate is what should be the begining apprenticeship program.
This requirement is an advantage not accessible to enough. This rating option dam well should be available in another form. Example certain testing off site and then an agreement for the employer to sign off under a set of guidelines list.
I post this because the carrot that is used oh so Dam much in both circumstances to workers needs reassessed. Experience matters first in job evaluation.
Good day
Floyd
ps: there is on this site a guild type insignia, I say to the most experienced here these insignias are older.
Hi doc, There you go two opposite perspectives, I can see your view point, I found the English upholsterer's quite snobby and at the risk of sounding sexist it was mainly women who when you followed their media trail were doing courses and the going home and teaching courses, they had a shopfront and sprucing that they made heaps more money than in there corporate job or whatever they had, you know they are full of BS then. :-) These people have more media savvy than most of us fossils and being women relate to the client more, it's like them getting an interior designer and upholsterer rolled into one, good luck to them but it's not my cup of tea. I see there are a lot of people like that springing up in the larger town/cities in America.
I feel for American's as youtube seems to be your upholstering teaching network, I see there is some lady on that facebook page with an upholstery coarse I think in Los Angeles charging some pretty big dollars to fly out an english upholsterer to teach short courses, Like an American isn't good enough!
It's sort of funny how facebook is taking over from forums, on a forum i can ask a question and will get referred to a post where the subject has been discussed till the cows come home and then I can ask for more info, can't really do that on facebook can you? Information just gets lost!
Quote from: scottymc on March 05, 2018, 11:10:24 am
on a forum i can ask a question and will get referred to a post where the subject has been discussed till the cows come home and then I can ask for more info, can't really do that on facebook can you? Information just gets lost!
FB does have a search feature. But you just have to guess at the right keywords to find an old thread. It's easier to pull up an archived thread on forums like this one. Once a thread has been covered up on FB, it's hard to find it again. That's why the same questions get re-cycled about once a month.
Scotty:
Lets face it mate. The Aussies and Pom's have rarely seen eye to eye.
When I want to get my sheila's knickers in a bind I tell her " Aussies, Pom's, Kiwi's, South Africans. They are all the same ". :)
Pretty amazing she hasn't gob smacked me huh ? :)
Glad to see you back on here mate. Hope your doing well.
Mojo