I dunno about any of you specifically but....
To me this place is very dead, hardly any posts going on. Lots of people have left or just lurk and read and do not post.....i guess because of all the flaming BS we all endured in recent years. It has been said that the rig welders/pipeliners and such got on here and just ruined it all for everyone. Well I reckon I see more then one side in all that. I guess because this is the AWS a certain amount of present ability must be maintained etc. Shame really as there were so many folks that were great resources of info about arcane things in this trade...plus regular postings about employment etc. were common. Now it seems we are all just clinging on to some dead horse with a little clic of folks here or there and not much community anymore. Too bad, too sad. This forum has actually had an impact and helped me with my career and gain a lot of knowledge + make some good friends. Those bright times seem to have faded out for good. Oh well I will hang around, and maybe one day things will pick back up.
Hope all of you are doing well and good luck to you.
Tommy
Tommy,
Just for the record, over 400 people log on, not just hit the site to read, every week. A little over 1200 every month and almost 5000 every year. I don't think that is such bad participation. Now, I need to look up a past post where I sited the stats back a couple months ago and see if it has dropped, but it sounds pretty much in line.
Granted, we are missing a few. Many I hope just because many of us are currently pretty busy. I know I am.
Hopefully we do not become just an us four and no more kind of clique. And yes, we need everyone to stick around. Even when we disagree hopefully it sparks research, learning, and good banter (without being destructive) conversation.
Have a Great Day, Brent
Stats aside Brent .....I am sure you see what I do. Just an us four....what a telling statement. Ehhh crap Brent...any differences or not...this site has been a wonderful place of exchange. I hope that it will carry on..and be a venue like it was. Certainly not trying to predict a death statement but certainly trying to avoid such. I have no idea how this site advertises itself beyond the AWS url but it will say openly that it is STAGNANT.....and it shall remain so without change. INMHO the only participators of this site are long time members and occasional strays that walk by......jeez a third of the new posts/new members are by folks seeking code advice from china.
Tommy.......My opinion is this type of website goes in cycles.......AWS is in a "down side" of one of these cycles.......Rigwelder is just starting back up after getting hacked...... And a few others out there are slow also....... (Rig welders is entertaining when somebody NEW comes on and asks for work contacts) LMAO........ Overall though the information that guys on here(AWS) have is amazing...... Al, Henry, Cactus, Larry ,Stan and others I've forgot make this site a valuable asset....... Hell, Just seeing what Shaun is doing now is worth checking in every day for.....
FC\China
Now there is a wide open arena just waiting for exploitation.
Tommy I totally agree. I stated as much a couple of time's over the past couple of years. I would like to think that it is 'cycle' however we have seen too many people chased from this site and I am afraid it has done it no good. Now we seem reliant on six or seven regular contributors! Maybe it needs a bit of promotion, I don't know! I really think that the clock is counting on this site but it has so much to offer!
It does seem a bit sluggish for the last few months, me with so many posts at the top?? I don't post that much do I? LoL!! Still have the trusted regulars here though. Maybe a bunch lurking in the shadows who don't want to post, who knows. I check in at least once a day, more if I'm laid up in a hotel room due to lovely northern weather, darn place!
Still enjoy coming here though. Lot's of knowledge to learn from, the occasional run in or disagreement but it's all good. Missed you again last night, think I fell asleep early (boredom). Back at it this morning, hopefully, before the rain/snow mix storm comes tomorrow.
Tommy...
This forum IS a clique. I'm insulted every time I'm here. When I insult back, a gang of middle aged professional masters simultaneously kick into high gear to make sure everyone on this forum seems so much higher than the lowly welder bums...like you and I.
It won't matter how many ultra high end homes and buildings your steel work is in. You're not part of the clique, and neither am I.
It's the internet, brother....smoke and mirrors.
It can seem like it, but as welders we are born with THICK skins! never give in!
46.00,
I believe that the fastest and most effective way to see what a man is worth, is to just go ahead and see.
The real men face the challenge.
The passive/aggressive pukes that cross dress on the weekends choose to wait and attack from ankle level.
It's the internet, man! Half these guys on here are on here because they are the "AWS", the other half are welders.
Well I used to weld, but I'll always be a welder, in fact I'm the best welder I know! Now where is my tutu?
In addition to what Hank and Brent put in the pot, I'll add that a lot of the common topics are easily found by searching. I log in, search, and then spend the next few hours sifting. And if I can't find the answer, chances are I'll know who to ask in a PM, based on what I know of some folks' specialties in here. Granted, I'm not here that often; that's partly because welding is only a part of what I'm responsible for. But I have to admit, sometimes the inflammatory comments by some people make me shut it off and look elsewhere. It is the internet, and some people just always have to be right, no matter what, and must make sure that everyone knows that they're right, repeatedly. If I want drama, I'll call my 20-something kiddo and listen to her for a while, thanks.
Hi Tommy. I quit posting cause so many call me with questions. However i do miss all here.
Hello Kay, I hope that all is well with you and your family. It is good to know that you are still "around/lurking". Best regards to you, Allan
University = unity with diversity. Therefore the University of Welding - unity in welding with diversity in welding. As so many times ~ "We ain't never done it that way before and therefore it ain't never ever going to be done that way". And; Please Do not confuse me with the facts; my mind is already made up.
It is great to test a theory or hypothesis to prove it can or can not be done a certain way (the way it has always been done). A good test is worth a thousand opinions.
Looking back through 50 - 70 year old welding books and comparing to publications of the last decade; not much has been changed. Some publications seem to be just new illustrations or photos with the reprinted text that was "copied/borrowed" from other previous works.
Therefore it is proposed that the AWS Forum continue as the University of Welding. No A's B's or F's only increasing knowledge and wisdom.
Okay, many of you guys have different 'school' contacts. Use them. I tell people at section meetings, on our section website, at schools, where ever I can about the AWS Website AND Forum. Both are great assets and full of information.
AWS could probably do some more promoting itself on the forum and bulletin boards. But, that is up to Ross, Roque, and others whose job it is. If they don't think it worth promoting, then, if we don't do it, it may become an us four and no more because it just fades away.
But, let's choose to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Spread the word, this is a great resource.
Have a Great Day, Brent
I liken the Forum to a corner bar. People come and go. Some people stick around because they like the company. Some of the people participate in the conversations, some sit in the corner and enjoy the antics, and some like to take jibs as long as the joke isn't on them. Then there is a few that take themselves too seriously or have thin skins. They tend not to like the heat and make a hasty exit. That's life in the Forum.
Al
I hardly get a chance to eat a decent dinner let alone participate here much anymore. Good and a bad thing I guess... Either too much work or not enough! I stop in and take a look from time to time but rarely post anymore. I'm hoping my situation will change soon and allow me to spend time where I really want to, at HOME! Being on the road all the time kinda sucks! But it pays the bills.