Changes!

[admin]

Hello.

As you may have noticed, there have been a few changes and additions to the Forum.

First change - our name. Since the Forum is not just for BHM readers, we've renamed it BHM's Homesteading & Self-Reliance Forum. The name change also heralds what we hope will be some other positive changes.

2. We've renamed a Category to Homesteading/Self-Reliance and created a new board within named Homesteading.

3. We've created a new Category named Freedom, Politics, & Related. We moved there the Freedom/Rights and Politics/Current Events boards. we also created a new category within named Conspiracy Theories/Speculation. As the description says, it's for anything real or imagined, so alien-invasion believers can post their serious stuff and others can have some fun with the category. Please -- no slander, mean-spirited attacks, or anything else uncivil. That'll just get you banned. And for those who like to visit those boards first but hate scrolling, after you log in, just hit "END" or "CTRL-END" on your keyboard to jump down to the bottom of the Forum.

4. We have a great core membership here, but any public Forum needs new blood to flourish and grow. We've noticed that too many new members join the Forum, post a few times, then leave because certain members have made them feel unwelcome. That is going to stop.

Everyone is welcome in this Forum, whether or not they agree with your particular politics, lifestyle, or anything else. The mods will be on the lookout for anyone who is anything but civil to any member, new or old. And I will suspend or ban anyone who cannot treat others in a civil manner, regardless of their beliefs.

That does not mean everyone has to agree on everything. It means only that if you disagree, do it with logic, reason, facts, courtesy and respect. And for those of you who think civility equates with Political Correctness, it does not. Look up the definitions, then get over it.

5. Starting soon, we'll be going through threads weeding out or editing snarky and nasty remarks, pointless posts, etc. If any of your old posts fall into those categories, feel free to go back and edit them back to civility.

6. More changes may be be coming. I'm reviewing some new and updated Forum software to solve some security issues. If we find it compatible with the current Forum, so we don't lose any posts, we may be switching to it sometime in the next month or two. We'll let you all know before it happens, if it happens.

Finally, thank you to all current members for sticking with us through good times and bad. And welcome to any new members reading this. If you have any difficulty or problem, please PM one of the Moderators, or PM or email me personally and we'll do our best to help.

If anyone has any comments or suggestions about the changes, feel free to post them here.

Thanks.


Oliver

[Mac_Muz]

What about the new "How To" as seen in general still?

and ouch as most of my stuff is long, irreleviant, long winded and rather tacky. I just don't work well on my knees... :-[

[DV8]

change is Allways good !!!

[Txanne]

What about the new "How To" as seen in general still?

and ouch as most of my stuff is long, irreleviant, long winded and rather tacky. I just don't work well on my knees... :-[



Mac me,too!! --my mudane worhtless encouraging post will be deleted.


Txanne

[Katrina-Sisu]

It sounds good to me!

Kat

[LeatherneckPA]

All good changes Oliver. Thank you.

Now about that "subscribe" feature.....

[admin]

What about the new "How To" as seen in general still?

and ouch as most of my stuff is long, irreleviant, long winded and rather tacky. I just don't work well on my knees... :-[

Thanks for reminding me, Mac.

We've also created a new "How-to" board in the Hands-on category. If we find members posting good stuff there, we may expand the idea to other categories.

Thanks again, Mac.

Oliver

[admin]

Mac me,too!! --my mudane worhtless encouraging post will be deleted.

Txanne

No, Annie. Encouraging posts are safe but snarky, borderline nasty, and other such posts that add nothing to the thread are fair game.

Oliver

[admin]

Now about that "subscribe" feature.....
Leatherneck,

I'm not sure what you mean. What "subscribe" feature?


Oliver

[LeatherneckPA]

Most of the other forums I belong to have a setting in the User Control Panel that allows one to select to "subscribe" to any thread to which they post. In this way a person can quickly check to see if there are any new replies to posts they have made. You can see what I mean if you visit Homesteading Today (http://www.homesteadingtoday.com)

Since I'm "getting on in years" I have difficulty remembering which threads I want to check for replies here.

[MadTripper]

Thanks for reminding me, Mac.

We've also created a new "How-to" board in the Hands-on category. *If we find members posting good stuff there, we may expand the idea to other categories.

Thanks again, Mac.

Oliver


Sounds great! Thanks for adding that Mac. I'm looking forward to adding some items and seeing what else there is.

[Southern_Gent]

We've also created a new "How-to" board in the Hands-on category. *If we find members posting good stuff there, we may expand the idea to other categories.


What will be the process for adding to the "How-to" category? Will we post to it just as we do with the other categories, or will you require a different kind of submittal process? I only ask as it would seem that area would hold a higher quality of posts, likely step-by-step instructions.

[Mac_Muz]

Most of the other forums I belong to have a setting in the User Control Panel that allows one to select to "subscribe" to any thread to which they post. *In this way a person can quickly check to see if there are any new replies to posts they have made. *You can see what I mean if you visit Homesteading Today (http://www.homesteadingtoday.com)

Since I'm "getting on in years" I have difficulty remembering which threads I want to check for replies here.

If you say so, but I'ld swear you just have CRS.
.................................................. ......................................

Mad Tripper I just love that handle, but that ain't why I am postin this sub- mischief, err sub missive..

Way back over thar' in that general I posted.... finally my pics link.

Some of those like dealing with rust, one so-called un fixable shock mount, and motor bike paintings might be worthy of some examinations, as well as the silver workings, which are all in a finished state, but with a little work I could, under sheet metal make the How To for that.

One o' these days I want to fix a brass cage lanthorn, and perhaps rig up a tri corner rig and maybe if I get lucky sell some at events.

Tis' lookin like my bike jacket is gonna hang on a peg fer winta', so perhaps my tacky BS will simmer til Spring. But I have my doubts I can go that long. Even if I could it is likely some nice terrorist will just force me to make lip!~

Ain't that right Annie?

[Suzy]

Thank you for sticking by US all these years! As a member who began back when the forum was first begun, I think in 1997 or 1998, I've seen a lot of changes, a lot of people come and go, and a lot of useful trivial fighting and disagreements that drove a lot of folks away...

This forum is where I've met my lifelong friend who I've never met in person but who I consider one of the closest friend I've ever had (Aunt Jenny) and "met" so many others of you as I've traveled on my homesteading journey...

I appreciate all of you but I appreciate the "administrator" here as well as Dave for letting us have this useful and wonderful board!!!

If you don't subscribe to BWH, please do so!!!! And if you don't have the anthologies, ORDER THEM! Anyone serious about the homesteading type life will find them invaluable!!!

[admin]

What will be the process for adding to the "How-to" category? Will we post to it just as we do with the other categories, or will you require a different kind of submittal process? I only ask as it would seem that area would hold a higher quality of posts, likely step-by-step instructions.
Just post, as you do elsewhere. But only post actual how-to, with step-by-step, detailed instructions, pix, etc.

We'd like this to be a place where those who know how-to can teach those who want to learn.

Oliver

[Txanne]

Thank you for sticking by US all these years! *As a member who began back when the forum was first begun, I think in 1997 or 1998, I've seen a lot of changes, a lot of people come and go, and a lot of useful trivial fighting and disagreements that drove a lot of folks away...

This forum is where I've met my lifelong friend who I've never met in person but who I consider one of the closest friend I've ever had (Aunt Jenny) and "met" so many others of you as I've traveled on my homesteading journey...

I appreciate all of you but I appreciate the "administrator" here as well as Dave for letting us have this useful and wonderful board!!!

If you don't subscribe to BWH, please do so!!!! *And if you don't have the anthologies, ORDER THEM! *Anyone serious about the homesteading type life will find them invaluable!!!



Suzy---I started subscribing to BWH in 1993---I have all the anthos except 13--Now thats a pile of books to lug around.

I am still kicking myself because I didnt burn a cd of the ferro-cement thread--block house building--how to.

Good to see an Ole Timer--- ;D


Txanne aka annie

[Txanne]

No, Annie. Encouraging posts are safe but snarky, borderline nasty, and other such posts that add nothing to the thread are fair game.

Oliver


Okey dokey---I gotya---

But remember--someone may sound snarky--but thats how they Speak---not meaning to be ugly towards anyone.


Txanne

[admin]

Most of the other forums I belong to have a setting in the User Control Panel that allows one to select to "subscribe" to any thread to which they post. In this way a person can quickly check to see if there are any new replies to posts they have made. You can see what I mean if you visit Homesteading Today (http://www.homesteadingtoday.com)

Since I'm "getting on in years" I have difficulty remembering which threads I want to check for replies here.
That's a good feature to have. We're considering upgrading the software for the Forum, a process that will take some time, but I'll make a point of looking for that feature.

Thanks!!

Oliver

[MadTripper]

Have you looked at phpBB? That is a pretty solid forum platform. I'm not sure how the rollover would be but worth looking into!

Tripper

[ArmySGT.]

How about reposting threads to the appropriate board? Moderators isn't this a sub task for you?

[ArmySGT.]

Which ones are you talking about? Send a note to a mod if you think there is something that needs to be moved.
http://tinyurl.com/2owvp3

http://tinyurl.com/35e3gc

http://tinyurl.com/36a9cd

http://tinyurl.com/2wf5yu


Seems Folks will not accept that there is a Politics board. They seem to thrive on the drama caused by Political discussion with little relevance to a self reliant lifestyle. So lets clean house moderators, tidy things up, and move the dirty laundry down to where the folks that thrive on it and enjoy it , can discuss. This is how the whole flaming mess got started in the first place, multiple posting of inflammatory political or religious views that dominated the General board. We have boards for most everything, lets see that they are used. Thank you.

[12vman]

Thanks ArmySGT. I'm guilty myself. I tend to browse the self reliant subjects more than anything..

Member input is good in my opinion but it's hard to please everyone..

Thanks, Deb..

[ArmySGT.]

I tend to read the general board because that is where the Newbies go first. So in the interest of not turning them off and steering to what they wanted I drop in. Now it must be intimidating and we must lose several contributing members by leaving that festering mess right there on the first page.

Thank you for your support.