Question: About names, nicknames and avatars

[FANCYGUN]

However, LATELY there are those that have been CONTINUALLY using the form to promote business for PERSONAL PROFIT, and instead of sharing pictures of work completed, techniques, etc., they are turning the forum into NEVER ENDING PERSONAL CLASSIFIED ads.

I find that FAR MORE objectionable than nicknames!


I noticed there does seem to be a lot of that lately.

Fancygun

 

[Sam]

I don't mind if people mention their new book, product, dvd, show, video, class, etc. My wish is that they keep these announcements to a reasonable level. So far I've not had to define what is reasonable and what isn't, and I hope I don't have to. Let's face it, the art is growing in leaps and bounds and there are new engraving products surfacing in all the time.

If it gets to be too much then I will have all commercial announcements moved to the Buy & Sell forum.

 

[ken dixon]

My feelings on the matter are even more than a real name I would like to see a location. Is the person 100 miles away or half way around the world?

Ken

 

[Jane]

I think the administrators do a fine job of running the forum. Isn't it you Arnaud that has made mention of simple common sense?
Simple common sense tells me that if you have an issue replying to someone that does not have their real name listed then don't respond and let the people who are not offended by this respond. Despite ones name you should be able to tell if the thread starter is someone who is serious about their question and need for help.
I have mentioned Facebook on here which I primarily use as a place to show my work or remain in contact which people I would generally not speak to on the phone. I have MANY MANY MANY issues with Facebook but common sense tells me to get over it and accept the rewards of it and ignore the rest.

Chris- your not missing much by not being apart of Facebook, but it has a few benefits.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[Arnaud Van Tilburgh]

Jane, yes it is me mentioning common sense. And indeed that implies also that one is free yes or no responding on a tread started by Mickey Mousse. And indeed if it is a serious question could make a difference to me.
And of course if one chooses to use a nickname for whatever reason, it should be so. But as we all are kind of Artists, at least using artistic skills, then I don't understand the reason why one shows his work that is signed by Mickey Mousse.
Not only won't it help one to be taken serious when selling, it also does not help having confidence.
So I don't care that much if one makes Art on his loft without showing it to the world, but one shows it to the world isn't it then a good idea to put your name on it?
I recently read in Roger Bleile reply, that one who was surprised not being in Roger's recent book, never published some of his work in any magazine, didn't have his work on the Internet, never went to shows. So if one is that anonymous while making art, at least you can say it is not that smart.

Okay, it may be his/here choice, I just wanted to point this out, as I think also starting a discussion like this helps making changes in a positive way.
I read here that some from now on will sign with their real name.

arnaud

 

[D.M.]

Arnaud! I hope I understand your concerns and position.
Here are my facts.
1. My name is hard to pronounce and 90% of the people distort it badly.
2. I dont' feel comfortable to put my full name in the same row with grands of trade.
3. I put my real initials in my nickname.
4. I'll try to find the best more English-friendly equivalent -translation of my name.
5. My face on the avatar... doest it have to be recent? The thing is, I am OK when people get to know me in person when we meet. Than I can talk to the person, see his face, his mimic, hear his intonations. That is "tradidional" way to get to know people. We may not like each other and that would be normal and real. When you look at the picture you IMAGINE the rest of the person behind it. That why I am very cautios. Different pictures may make very different impressions. I better let people see me and talk to me in person. However, I'll try to find some more or less neutral picture.

P.S. You know how a peacoc looks, right? Do you know how it sings?
P.P.S. My real name is Dmitry Malakhov (actually you can not spell it in English to sound correctly)

 

[mitch]

Peter E. wrote: "However, LATELY there are those that have been CONTINUALLY using the form to promote business for PERSONAL PROFIT, and instead of sharing pictures of work completed, techniques, etc., they are turning the forum into NEVER ENDING PERSONAL CLASSIFIED ads."

Yes, these threads are undeniably created by people- myself included- motivated by PERSONAL PROFIT shock, but judging by the fact that some of them get hundreds of page views it would seem that a great many others find them of interest. In other words, it's a two-sided, voluntary transaction where both parties benefit- a true win-win. There is a lot to know & learn about engraving, and that necessarily includes new tools, classes, etc., especially for those who are still on the steep section of the learning curve.

Furthermore, LOTS of people around here have pecuniary (monetary, for those of you in Rio Linda) interests being furthered in this forum. Some are just less direct about it than others. When Sam promotes a newly modified handpiece from GRS, the Grand Masters Program, etc., that's good for his professional association with that company. It's a perfectly legitimate function of this type of forum, I DON'T consider it shameless shilling, and most importantly, it serves to inform the trade of things most of us want to know. But make no mistake, he most definitely does have a financial stake in furthering their mutual interests. I don't condemn him for it, quite the contrary, I applaud his ability to successfully exploit his talents in a trade that can be darn hard to earn a living in.

Even (many, most, all?) folks who magnanimously post photos of our work are motivated at least in some small part by self-promotion. Sure, we like to say we're just "giving something back" (I HATE that expression...), but for most there is undeniably a healthy chunk of "Hey, everybody! Look what I did!"- and hopefully some of the collectors who hang out here will take notice. It also helps sell classes being taught by these posters, increases name recognition, etc. And as Roger Bleile recently noted in another highly contentious thread, it helps get your work into publications.

Bottom line, a very large percentage of the folks here are trying to make a buck, pound, euro, or whatever off their work. So to the puritans out there in cyber-land: PLEASE SPARE US YOUR HAND-WRINGING OVER HOW THIS PRISTINE VENUE HAS BEEN CORRUPTED BY CRASS COMMERCIALISM.

(I wouldn't mind having a separate category on the forum for this type of info. If Sam could make room for "RSS Feeds' -whatever the heck that is- maybe there's room for a trade bulletin board.)

 

[silverchip]

I just can't help but to throw another log on the fire!!!(It's my nature!!)I am not apposed to what ever you want to call your self or tell someone else what you call yourself.That is your choice and as a member of the WWW I think you own that choice.I have used my SILVERCHIP handle for my web and avatar because it is unique and catchy.Most every one that I know or have met on the internet can find out my real name if they only look at my webpage or just ask.But it is definitely part of my Identity and I like it.
Arnaud,I think you make this an interesting place at times but you can also just make me Tired.I hope you take this with a grain of salt because I think you can be a great contributor to the art of engraving and I want you to continue doing THAT.
Dave

 

[Arnaud Van Tilburgh]

Yes Dave, no problem with your nickname.
Dave is more easy to spell than Silverchip I the first time misspelled like Silvership.
And sure I the main purpose here is to contribute to the art of engraving, and so I will. I also understand people sometimes get tired of me, but doesn't that count for all of us? :big grin:

arnaud

 

[Jane]

This phone app doesn't have a "quote" button or smiley faces but if it did I would have quoted Dave and put the dancing banana, thumbs up and beer chug following the quote.
Well put!

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

 

[Sam]

(I wouldn't mind having a separate category on the forum for this type of info. If Sam could make room for "RSS Feeds' -whatever the heck that is- maybe there's room for a trade bulletin board.)

That has been discussed in the past and Abigail and I were discussing it over our coffee this morning. An additional forum means additional administration and moderation and I hate loading more work on my crew. I will most likely add an another moderator which could make having another forum room easier to manage, should I choose to do that.

As stated in the Rules, it's ok to mention a new product, service, class, etc., but lately there have been a lot of announcements and many of you have complained to me privately about it. My goal is to find a healthy balance so please bear with me.

 

[mdengraver]

My Two Cents

I've been listening to this discussion play out. How a person choses to present themselves should be up to them. I don't think it's necessary to get all worked up about this. Actually I think the username/nickname thing is fun.
This thread is alot like the discussion we had about whether an engraver is an artist or a craftsman. We shouldn't get hung up on semantics. Let's just all enjoy the forum for what it is and represents for all of us, a great tool for discussion, sharing and learning.

 

[Arnaud Van Tilburgh]

Sam, I wouldn't know what is best. But if these complains also are about my posts, tell me and I won't do that any more if that may help you.
I can imagine some people have problems seeing me posting designs that are for purchase as well on my website, even if I don't mention that in my tread.

just let me know, arnaud

 

[Marcus Hunt]

NOW MY GRIEVANCE...... I had THOUGHT "the spirit" of this forum was to share the love of engraving, to show and discuss work, and to share techniques. However, LATELY there are those that have been CONTINUALLY using the form to promote business for PERSONAL PROFIT, and instead of sharing pictures of work completed, techniques, etc., they are turning the forum into NEVER ENDING PERSONAL CLASSIFIED ads.

I find that FAR MORE objectionable than nicknames!

Well I for one disagree about that. If someone has taken the time to develop new tools that can help me achieve better results then I'd like to know about it. There's no obligation to read every thread so if it offends the eye don't read it. As far as I can see, the forum is about an exchange of information and this comes in several forms. It just so happens that some of the information is part of a business. Sam's info on the 901 hand piece for example, might not interest a Lindsay user but Chris' new HSS gravers could be of interest to anyone and if he doesn't mention them here where should he?

 

[katia]

OK, as it's avatar day, I'm putting one up.
PS I come in colours too.
PPS Except blue. I know the Avatar people are blue, but that would make me a Smurfette and really, people wouldn't take me seriously.

 

[FANCYGUN]

OK Katia

I put one up also.

 

[Robert Morales]

Well I for one disagree about that. If someone has taken the time to develop new tools that can help me achieve better results then I'd like to know about it. There's no obligation to read every thread so if it offends the eye don't read it. As far as I can see, the forum is about an exchange of information and this comes in several forms. It just so happens that some of the information is part of a business. Sam's info on the 901 hand piece for example, might not interest a Lindsay user but Chris' new HSS gravers could be of interest to anyone and if he doesn't mention them here where should he?

I agree!

Robert (AKA 6T7L71CPE)

 

[Peter E]

As far as I can see, the forum is about an exchange of information and this comes in several forms. It just so happens that some of the information is part of a business. Sam's info on the 901 hand piece for example, might not interest a Lindsay user but Chris' new HSS gravers could be of interest to anyone and if he doesn't mention them here where should he?

I FULLY agree Marcus:thumbs up:

AND since you chose those examples, I suggest that is comparing apples and oranges, as the cliche goes!

Sam is showing something that has NO direct financial gain for him, while Chris' HSS gravers MAY or may NOT be superior to those such as Glensteel HSS, for significantly more $$$, and the profit goes directly to him!

Additionally, when asked what makes his HSS different or better, there were no facts provided?

 

[Christopher Malouf]

Peter, it's good that you brought that up. Whether folks agree or disagree is moot.

As we all saw earlier, asking tough questions, disagreeing or offering a better solution in these "product announcements" is discouraged or the question is simply ignored. When that happens, these announcements are ultimately seen for what they are: advertising spam .... infomercials.

It's always good to be informed about stuff but maybe these threads should have a locking feature that can be set by the thread starter. Post the advertising spam and then lock the thread. It's ashame that there is no way block every response except for softball questions and accolades .... if that were the case, we'd also have a perfect solution to the unsolicited critique deal.

How about an "accolades only" prefix?? LOL!!

btw ... the Blade Forum has a way of eliminating advertisements when you upgrade your membership. Couldnt a setting in the user's CP be used in conjunction with an "advertisment" thread prefix to either display those threads or hide them????

At the very least, anyone advertising on a regular basis outta pay for the privileged.

 

[Doc Mark]

I, for one, agree with Marcus. I WANT to see info on new tools, books, courses etc. posted ON THIS, MY FAVORITE FORUM. I don't want to have to hunt in multiple forums or other websites to find out what's new in engraving. Hell, if the concept is really new, I wouldn't even know to look, would I?

So for those of you who are bothered by "commercial" (God forbid) posts, PLEASE don't buy anything you see here, but let the rest of us stay current!

p.s. By the way, I'm almost ready to release "Doc Mark's" patented "Engraver's Hand Lotion and Bear Repellent", which will give you a better grip on your tools and still make your hands "kissably" soft. Watch this space for more info on availability and pricing!