I thought I was going nuts, every time clicking on Letterhead/Pinstriper Talk it looked like the Portfolio site came up because there were only a few posts. This is the first time it was so empty. Has it anything to do with Facebook? It appears to me that Facebook is getting out of hand. What do you think? Bill
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Bill ... I agree!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Well, I'm working. If you don't have anything to do, stop by the shop. I'll put ya to work.
.
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
I thought the same thing. Pretty dismal.
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
Face Book is way too public for my tastes. I get so many weird connections from people I have never known who seem to want to include me in their list of friends. I also made the mistake of writing something to an old friend and learned it was not exactly secure and all could read it. Embarrassing!
I have noticed quite a few less posts here on Letterville. Seems like the younger sign makers are not paying us old geasers much attention these days? Maybe we need to stir up some new topics for discussion?
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
I don't do it either, Bill.
I've heard too many stories of people having their identity stolen, and getting 'connected' to people they didn't want to, and on and on....
If I'm going to have my identity stolen, I'd rather it be from people I kinda know...like on here.
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
I thought I was the younger signmaker and you guys were the geezers!!!!!
Posted by jack wills (Member # 521) on :
Lot of people moving forward. Maybe we are stuck... I don't watch movies either. I stay busy making art that sells and working for tribal interests here in northern Oregon...(graphic Design).
[ October 10, 2011, 05:54 PM: Message edited by: jack wills ]
Posted by Kevin Gaffney (Member # 4240) on :
Noticed that too. Might be time for some,one to start one of the mac pc treads. Usually creates a stir
Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
Macs are over-rated Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I prefer a Red Delicious myself.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
I think a lot of the users here are burned out on several people who seem to dominate many of the posts.
and, Russ, MAC's are okay... they crash just like PC's!
Posted by Michael Gene Adkins (Member # 882) on :
I think Russ and Bruce are over-rated, while I, clearly, am underappreciated.
Red Delicious sucks. Granny Smith rules.
hahahahahahaahaaa
maybe I shall release a new font to youse guys this week, spice things up ............
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Red delicious got old... I like the honeycrisp. Excellent flavor and juiciness.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
quote:I think a lot of the users here are burned out on several people who seem to dominate many of the posts.
I don't know if that is true or not Bruce.
Personally, since I have been out of the business for a few years, I really have no questions to ask and also don't have up-to-date info on new products.
I just check in once in a while to see what is happening.
I, too, have noticed a recent lull but that is also the way it is in real life. Every once in a while there can be a suspensful quiet in a group converstion while everyone secretly wished they could come up with something witty or wise to say.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
I click in regularly here and it's boring lately. Maybe it's time to start calling out the lurkers. This thing called Letterville works best with max participation. The original concept is this is an online Letterhead meet - an exchange not only of sign techniques, but lasting friendships. I've shared joy and pain with a lot of people on this board and you've enriched my life more than you'll ever know. There aren't as many live meets as before, probably due to the economy, so we need to engage the folks that are stopping in but not posting. In case y'all didn't know, we can see your names in the IM link. So there - I'm calling you out - just jump in and say hello. This is an incredible network of people just like you, trying to make a living at something we love to do. It's not always easy, but it's a lot more fun when you have some encouragement......
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
I agree with Bruce. Michigan Honey Crisp! Chinese anyone?
Posted by PatRaap (Member # 4290) on :
Well said Sonny! I try to visit at most every night as I sit here. Oh, and I prefer and good Gala or Honey Crisp. But any Michigan apple will do.
[ October 10, 2011, 09:58 PM: Message edited by: PatRaap ]
Posted by Susan Banasky (Member # 1164) on :
Chiming in! I try to peak in here at least once a day....don't often have much to say, but love knowing other letterheads are out there....I think of many of you often, usually with a smile, I'm always interested in what everyone is doing and how your lives are going. I'll take a Fuji.
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
Sonny is right, It is getting boring. Most people haved moved on to 'social networks'. The era of web forums is played.
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Maybe Letterville should move to a Facebook page... couldn't you do that and still maintain membership for the administrators (Steve and Barb) and sponsors?
It couldn't hurt for people to commit to a membership either. Put $50 along with your new Mac and let's see your face.
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
Facebook isn't the big problem, why is the other sign site doing so well? Charging for membership won't drive people to this site.
Product content, interesting topics and general usefulness is needed.
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
I'm doing my "happy dance" around my computer. Is that social enough for ya??
Facebook is the 'hot thing' for now. I already have known folks who got on, and then got off, because it wasn't what they'd hoped for, in one way or other. It'll fade; maybe something else will come along to take its place; maybe not.
In the meantime,we need to keep this place jumping.......so to speak.
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
There have always been lulls from time to time, but I think the lack of actual Letterhead meets is another factor. The excitement level is always high before and after a meet, whether it's Walldogs or Letterheads. I think Sue had an interesting point as well - we're all still dropping by, but if you don't have any questions or answers to add, there's really no reason to post.
We may have lost some regulars to the other forums for different reasons (personality clashes, mostly) but our core group is strong and I consider this just a short break in the action. I, for one, seem to be able to find new ways to screw something up, so don't abandon me - I'm sure I'll have a problem real soon you can help me solve.......
Posted by Joy Kjer (Member # 3026) on :
I wish more people would share their work projects.
Posted by Kevin Gaffney (Member # 4240) on :
Personally, I prefer quality rather than quantity. I find most discussions here interesting with contributors sharing experiences in the trade gained over many years. Another forum I look in on from time to time, while being "busier" has an abundance of what I would call petty posts. Novices basically wanting to know how to apply application tape and should you apply vinyl using the sticky side. Easy to fill a forum with trivia but who would want to read it?
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Yes we need more Photos of Peoples work, and it can be Paint, Vinyl, or Hand Craved or Computer Carved, it does'nt matter, good design and layout is whats important, such as Glenn's post on his own signage.
Posted by Joe Cieslowski (Member # 2429) on :
Maybe, just maybe,
The fears that a group of signmakers had in Denver Colorado over 30 years ago sre comming to pass.
Neil, can you tell me more about "Hand Craved"??
Just sayin......
Joe,
Makin Chip$ and Havin Fun!
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
I don't eat apples but I do have an electronic apple press while makes fresh juice and its strictly for apples.
Got a Mac G5 desktop computer and its never crashed in the 5 years I've had it.. unlike my PC laptop
Posted by Lori Wilcox (Member # 8042) on :
I'm addicted to this site and have noticed it is not as busy - it's part of my daily routine - wake up, make coffee, laptop time - check out Letterville, and other sites I am interested in ...and I'm wanting more - more Letterville activity to read and explore. Even if we have to rehash tips and tricks, shop layouts, tools, etc. they're new to the newbies and always of interest.
I've learned so much in my few years here, and I enjoy it - keep it up guys and gals!! Posted by Craig Sjoquist (Member # 4684) on :
Since I've met very few of ya'll, but have only seen the work, read posts, collected resource's, and try to do as well and creative. I really don't know how to gain more interest here, even some of the smallest posts are very informational to me and have gained alot over the few years I've been lurking. Thank you all for I know my work looks and is better, my goals are stronger.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Yes Joe your work is Craved not Carved..lol... My typing skills on my home laptop isn't great... as uyo nca ese!
Posted by Steve Luck (Member # 5292) on :
Gee Sonny, I've never felt so guilty for not posting anything for such a long time!
I've actually been busy and trying to get my CNC Shobot up and running. I bought it used from a great signmaker from Oklahoma, Doug Strickland. He made the 10 hour trip up to my shop in Illinois to help train me after I bought it. Then we burnt up the motor and I had to put in the spare! Still haven't had enough time on it to get comfortable yet. It looks like we are getting back to a more manageable pace so the Shopbot will be running full speed ahead soon.
That is why I haven't had much time to ask questions or even comment. I'm lucky to get on once a week! But I still love Letterville and many great folks that I've met here at the walldog meets.
Illinois and the midwest is where the activity has been lately and for that I am grateful! I would post photos of my work, but haven't learned how to do it!! I can never find the time to sit down and do it. I've been saying for the past year that I was going to learn. I'll just have to pay Joe Diaz to come down and teach me! Ha Ha!
I do have questions that I haven't asked yet. Maybe it's time.
Sign-cerely, Steve
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
My take - take it or leave it.
I've thought a lot about this, tried to post stuff to get people going, tried staying quiet so as not to bug those who wish I would go away. We are all personalities here, I've watched people being slammed for trying to share and people ridiculed for their efforts, I've also watched people praised and encouraged and embraced when things got tough. That's the nature of a forum. You can hide behind your keyboard and it's easy to say things both positive and negative that wouldn't be as comfortable face to face. There are a lot of personalities, those who are regular posters are usually fairly strong personalities in one way or another and because of that there are bound to be clashes. Still in order for a forum to survive, if you care, you need to do your part. I don't think those who are viewed as dominating are really posting any more, just there are less posts so it comprises a larger part of the whole. In any case as long as they are contributing in a positive way I think it's great. The cyber world has exploded, you can find how to's on almost everything on You Tube. Facebook is in everyone's faces thse days, it electronically decides what you should know and slaps it up there, in my opinion it is scary how manipulated we can be! The amount of knock off forums in any discipline have increased, so the involvement per forum has been diluted. Everyday life and demand seem to be on an ever increasing scale. Steve and Barb have devoted a huge chunk of their lives to "The Online Meet" and I think life and family have begun to take precidence as they should. It all plays a part, but I don't think pointing fingers or criticizing is constructive. If it's important to you, contribute to keeping it going.
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
The idea of somehow linking Letterville to Facebook in some way is not far fetched. The masses are already on there. But if a new Letterville alert showed up in my status bar, you'd bet I'd be clicking here more to see what's up.
As much as one may think that Facebook is a horrid place to hang, I find it quite the opposite. I use it to guide my readers back to my blog for new posts. I use it for easy communication for my followers because I can no longer respond to all the comments I receive. Facebook is a fabulous tool that isn't going away anytime soon, and if used right, can be a massive benefit to your business. If it can bring HGTV knocking on my door, how bad can it be? You really do have the power to make it what you want.
Blogs are also doing big business these days. It's really like having your own private forum on any given topic at any time. Being a part of the blogger format in particular is like one big link that connects everyone together. It's built to be a community, not a separate division. You can't help but find one blog after another that connects all the stuff you love.
I just checked facebook to see if letterville was there. They are but it isn't an active page so not sure if it was a grab by someone to hold it or if it just hasn't been developed.
Times change and so has the way we do our networking. But no matter where my interests continue to grow these days, Letterville will always be home for me because that's where all you guys are. Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
Posting photos to Facebook is SO EASY!! So VERY easy. And, I'm 'friends' with Steve on Facebook, but I have yet to notice him posting anything there.
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
I'm still here, lurking in the shadows...
I read a lot, and learn a LOT, but when I have an answer to a question, someone else has already given it, and I type to slow to repeat what has already been said.
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
Hey, I posted an actual sign related question last night and so far I only have 2 responses. I thought the spirit and purpose of Letterville was about sharing techniques and sign making experience? I was hoping to get some feedback which would help me make a better sign?
Hoping I could learn from what others have done with the modern substrates....I guess I'll flip through the Sign Craft collection to see what's in there.....maybe that's where everyone is?
And it doesn't matter what kind of computer I use....I can make signs without one!
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
I find it easiest to post photos here after I have them online elsewhere first... direct link. I've long forgotten my uploading password. Chalk it to my age if you must ... Posted by Nikki Goral (Member # 7844) on :
I just have been so busy that I don't get on every day (like at lunch)since I haven't been eating lunch for about 2 weeks! I have had some responses to other's questions and my own.
I like that this forum is "technical".
I like Facebook for trivial things and keeping in touch with my family who are spread throughout the country. I only accept requests from family and close friends and block the heck out of everyone else. I don't think I would join a FB Letterhead group though...then again, on some people's posts, I would like a "like" button!
Posted by Marty Happy (Member # 302) on :
I still check in here at least once daily but rarely post... I guess I have nothing particularly useful to contribute nor of note to show-off compared to some of the 'superheroes' here.
I rarely visit the 'other forum' some speak of.... I like it here despite a downturn in traffic and hope to see many former regulars return. This is the first forum of this kind I found and I remain loyal.
I have to say that I do like the ease of posting photos on Facebook and I would likely do it more often here if it wasn't an ordeal that Barb often had to fix for me.
Posted by Michael Berry (Member # 2604) on :
I still visit, don't post much. But, I think this is by far the best sign related board on the net!
Posted by Dennis Kiernan (Member # 12202) on :
Alright, I've heard all the evidence and am ready to render judgment. Letterville is fine just the way it is. I'm not a geek like most of you are -- i do practicallyeverything by hand, using the old techniques and materials -- and I cant make Facebook work at all, whereas I have no trouble with Letterville. I'm surprised at the remarks about some people here getting in others' faces, etc. I hadnt noticed anything but a few disagreements like you'd find in any group. And I hope Letterville doesnt turn into the sort of thing you get on a lot of Facebook groups where everyone is supposed to be nothing but very warm and loving and supportive all the time, sending each other "hugs" and "Awesome"s. I know I'm not one of the old-timers here or a pro in the sign painting business, but I think Letterville shd be like a bar you drop in regularly and hang out with a bunch of other sign painters. Best thing about Letterville is that it pays no attention to the no smoking laws.
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Busy!
Work: The shop has completely taken off. April set my record monthly sales for the 10 years I've been doing this. September blew past that number. If the weather & my supplier cooperate, I'll beat that new number next week.
Fire: Put in 276 hours of classes & 10-11 hours of certification testing so far this year. If I wouldn't have fallen off the ladder, I'd say I was done for the year but now I have to re-do part of my practical evaluation.
Life: I got one! Divorce was the best thing I ever did. Really started enjoying my life earlier this year, then met a great guy who makes me enjoy it even more.
I still pop in here once in a while, but I don't post like I used to.
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
I still creep on you guys too sometimes!!! My years in the sign business seem like a distant memory but I'll never forget the the people I've met, the friends I've made here and ALL of the help I recieved from this forum for 10 years. My questions went from, "where do I start? what kind of board to I use? How do I seal the edges? to flying out to meets and to California to learn about my brand new digital printer...no wonder the 10 years flew by so fast!! For those of you interested, the girl that bought my business (almost 5 years ago!!) Is still going strong! She has about 5 employees I think and is backlogged just like I was!! I have a totally different job now and got rid of about 85% stress from being self employed. I love my life, my family, and I love all you Letterhead friends!! Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
I check in several times a day. At the shop, I'm too busy to post. Away from the shop, I'm surfing on the iphone, which doesn't lend well to posting. At home, I rarely turn on the laptop or desktop. I'm spending a lot of time reading and surfing on my ipad. It isn't ideal for posting, especially pics. I love this place and the people here. Before Internet, I spent a lot of time on BBSs with the old 1440 dial up. It was fantastic at the time, but that's ancient history.
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