Splitting Up the Forum?

[D]

Well, since you have seen me on more lately, I get to looking around on how to improve the content of the site. I have a few ideas, but this one actually came with out side help. Landscapers tend to come to the Commercial Tree Forum and ask questions about how do I bid, or what should I buy. Since it is the "Commercial" tree section, many of them get blasted right off the bat. We could split the tree care forum up, with a "New to the Business" forum. This possibly could cut down on the remarks left by some. Why? If you know you are going to leave a nasty message, but you don't like newbie's ingnorance then you wouldn't have to read. It was like H/K in a not so demeaning manner. Many chose to stay out. This hopefully would work in the opposite manner. In some cases many are too shy or too worried they are going to get made fun of. So they don't post. This is not the purpose of the site. Gotta start somewhere.

 

[begleytree]

Personally, I'd rather see a buisness owners forum
-Ralph

 

[ROLLACOSTA]

Personally, I'd rather see a buisness owners forum
-Ralph

Same here

 

[ShoerFast]

Darin
Sort of new here, and really enjoying it!
Its so nice to see The Big Kahuna asking his members! But there isant a business owner here that wouldent go with whats best for there business.
As for the "remarks left by some" well, you'll have that, but its nice to hear you care!
Thanks for your good work!

 

[treeseer]

Yes splitting it up is a good idea. Call it Business Management or whatever. Flames burn everybody, and will not go away, but ctcac is too broad, so the concept of tree care is seldom dealt with here and more on the homeowners' forum.
Just drop the "Commercial' from this one, and create another called Business Decisions and Management.

 

[D]

Well, I know what I would do, but it's you the users that need to like what I do. As a business owner, you do what you want to do, but you need to ask questions to hear other viewpoints. You never know what you may get out of it. Once you feel like you know everything it's time to move on.

 

[Crofter]

So who is going to provide the information on the proposed newly titled forums. Wont it still be the same ones who do now and how will that cure the flaming. People flame because they want to or is it to be considered behaviour that is out their control. Perhaps some titles could be changed though to better represent to new users what the focus of the forum will be.

Frank

 

[DDM]

Personally, I'd rather see a buisness owners forum
-Ralph

Why not just add both? We still have plenty of room.

 

[Redbull]

I agree with DDM and think we need both here.

 

[Dadatwins]

Splitting up to add a business owner forum might help stop some of the flames, but until newbies learn how to use the search function and seek out info in old threads commercial tree care will continue to see the same 'I want to climb and what gear should I buy' questions over and over again. Same with the 'stihl vs. husky' nonsense in the chain saw forum. While we are making suggestions about splits may I suggest splitting the equipment forums to have a NEW tools, gear or equipment forum to discuss NEW products that have been purchased, used and tested. Might be helpful to all to hear about new stuff just on the market that has actually been used in the field. JMHO

 

[D]

I think if that bothers you, you won't want to read the Newbie forum. Then the blasts won't happen. I personally don't see them as I don't read all the posts, but I think you will visit what you enjoy. If you only enjoy the pro section you probably won't get involved in the this was asked last week ya moron response.

The guys who want to help will take care of those guys. Again, we don't read every response so we cannot police everything that happens.

 

[Tree Machine]

I think it's a great idea to have an entirely Newbie section. If I was remotely responsible or reliable I would offer to moderate it. But instead I will support and contribute regularly to a Newbie section.

How 'bout a cool name for the new section like Arborist 101.

 

[pbtree]

I agree with DDM and think we need both here.

I like that idea as well...

 

[Schultzz]

New Forum?

I think a Newbie forum separate from the mainstream is a good idea. I wouldn't mind helping a newcomer on this forum. I agree that some of the old timers are quick to flame. We all have to start somewhere. Opinions are like chainsaws... everybody has one! Well you know what I'm getting at. Unfortunately most opinions aren't geared to newcomers and usually flame their a$$ and drive them away. Do you have a mission statement? If you do and it includes encouraging guests to contribute, then wouldn't it make sense to have a place where we can show a little patience and professionalism and thereby encourage them to join? Good idea. Regards, Schultzz

 

[lxt]

if theres a sincere interest in new tree care personnel great!!! start a split section, however this is an arborist`s site, not being ignorant but landscapers/grass cutters really shouldnt be askin about how to bid a tree job what they need is to put some time in the saddle learn the trade & then worry about bidding work. this honestly is a big problem in western PA everyone in landscape/grass cutting wants to do tree work cause they think theres big $$ in it, they get in over their head & then the home owner has to call a true tree co.to finish the job., this type of practice is givin tree care a black eye, maybe thats why some bust on them in such a way.
LXT...............................

 

[skwerl]

if theres a sincere interest in new tree care personnel great!!! start a split section, however this is an arborist`s site, not being ignorant but landscapers/grass cutters really shouldnt be askin about how to bid a tree job what they need is to put some time in the saddle learn the trade & then worry about bidding work. this honestly is a big problem in western PA everyone in landscape/grass cutting wants to do tree work cause they think theres big $$ in it, they get in over their head & then the home owner has to call a true tree co.to finish the job., this type of practice is givin tree care a black eye, maybe thats why some bust on them in such a way.
LXT...............................

Your experiences in western PA are not unique. This exact problem exists everywhere, including on this forum. The whole idea of a 'newbie' forum is to create a place to let them post without cluttering up the pro's forum. We deal with those types all day long at work, it's nice to have a forum for pros to talk with pros and escape from the homeowners/ landscrapers/ wannabe's for a little while.

If I'm in the middle of a technical discussion with other pros, the last thing we want is to have some homeowner stick his nose in and ask "Why not just lean a ladder against it and go up and whack it off?" All of a sudden the conversation becomes a bunch of posts warning the homeowner against doing something stupid and the technical discussion is lost. With a separate newbie forum the moderators can simply move or delete the n00bie's post and the pros can discuss pro topics uninterrupted.

I'm not always anti-n00bie. I've spent an incredible amount of time and money helping teach others about climbing, rigging and arboriculture over the years. But dammit, sometimes I want a place to step out of the 'mentor' uniform and converse with other pros. It's difficult to discuss technical stuff if every thread ends up reverting back to basics for the newcomer.

 

[lxt]

i agree skwerl, if newbies are interested like i said create a new section as far as creating such for landscapers/grass cutters I dont think that would be wise. LXT....................

 

[treeseer]

Please explain the move of Homeowners forum below the little-used Rec Climbing. Homeowners now have to scroll down to find this option. This forum generates a lot more arborist discussion, and does a lot more to promote understanding.

Rec climbing may seem to promote the sale of more climbing gear, but it does not help move any arboricultural equipment. How does this move meet the mission of Arboristsite?

 

[PTS]

I think it is great that newbies come to ArboristSite and feel that it is a good place to get answers. This site is full of professionals with a vast knowledge. I would have to agree that it is difficult for a newbie to search for old topics, and I think for a lot of reasons. Names of products or systems, abbreviations, are things that may not be known. So in searching for something, what they may call one thing others or all may call something else, however having it laid out in front of them where they just keep reading would make it easier. I guess what I am getting at is that if there was a forum for gear...technique...how to...newbie stuff, it would be nice if it was filtered by a moderator and left as a question answer forum. For example:

I want to buy some climbing gear because I want to start climbing.....

followed by suggested gear.

The moderator may change this to..

Suggested gear to have when getting started in climbing.
Followed by answers

Then the next topic. As information is posted it could be put under the appropriate question. All responses may not stay on the forum based on there substance and the moderator could summarize the response to eliminate the flames, and the stuff that is really not that important.

 

[D]

Please explain the move of Homeowners forum below the little-used Rec Climbing. Homeowners now have to scroll down to find this option. This forum generates a lot more arborist discussion, and does a lot more to promote understanding.

Rec climbing may seem to promote the sale of more climbing gear, but it does not help move any arboricultural equipment. How does this move meet the mission of Arboristsite?

I do see what you are saying. I changed it.
Thanks,