Len
Forum GOD!
Lather shots!!!
What makes a shaving forum unique?
- Thread starter Darkbulb
- Start date
Len
Forum GOD!
In all seriousness, it is the atmosphere more than anything. Friendly, welcoming, and informed membership. Good banter, can take a good shot as well as give one, where you never feel you have to walk on eggshells from the site owner to the greenest n00b. Good debate, good discussion, and good laughs without holding grudges after disagreements.
Beyond this, you want members like Darkbulb who are always up to date on the latest hardware or software, who will give membership the skinny first, and you want collectors like Billy that have a wealth of information on vintage stuff (and shimming, etc.), guys who restore old straits... all that, and pass arounds and PIF's that share their thoughts and are always thoughtful of the next guy.
Moderation should be blind to their friends and enemies when making any decision in this capacity, always choosing what is right, not who is right. And they should have a very light touch, with potential warnings and explanations in private. Mods, I feel, should also be rotated among senior membership for a set amount of time, then passed on to another so there is never any entrenchment. The site owner/admin is best left to stay out of all moderation duties, and only decide when there is a disagreement among mods.
Never, never charge for shaving related artisans or vendor participation or advertising on the site! This only eventually leads to a protected status among paying vendors, and then they have a say that is disproportional to non-paying competition, and even regular membership. Welcome them aboard as shave enthusiasts just like us, with the warning that they cannot spam their product, but are welcome to answer questions where other members are interested. While they have other problems, the DFS forum has the perfect model for vendor participation, and we should emulate that model. More artisans post on DFS than on any other forum, and they do so as regular guys, without spamming, but their accounts are clearly labeled as vendor/artisans.
I'm sure there is more, but these are the main points.
Beyond this, you want members like Darkbulb who are always up to date on the latest hardware or software, who will give membership the skinny first, and you want collectors like Billy that have a wealth of information on vintage stuff (and shimming, etc.), guys who restore old straits... all that, and pass arounds and PIF's that share their thoughts and are always thoughtful of the next guy.
Moderation should be blind to their friends and enemies when making any decision in this capacity, always choosing what is right, not who is right. And they should have a very light touch, with potential warnings and explanations in private. Mods, I feel, should also be rotated among senior membership for a set amount of time, then passed on to another so there is never any entrenchment. The site owner/admin is best left to stay out of all moderation duties, and only decide when there is a disagreement among mods.
Never, never charge for shaving related artisans or vendor participation or advertising on the site! This only eventually leads to a protected status among paying vendors, and then they have a say that is disproportional to non-paying competition, and even regular membership. Welcome them aboard as shave enthusiasts just like us, with the warning that they cannot spam their product, but are welcome to answer questions where other members are interested. While they have other problems, the DFS forum has the perfect model for vendor participation, and we should emulate that model. More artisans post on DFS than on any other forum, and they do so as regular guys, without spamming, but their accounts are clearly labeled as vendor/artisans.
I'm sure there is more, but these are the main points.
Last edited:
Purbeck
Forum GOD!
My thoughts on what makes a shaving forum unique, well, let’s be honest, shaving is secondary. We all scrape hair off our faces with various implements of torture, be it obscenely sharp straights or blunt spoons, what makes it unique is our appreciation of the finer things in life. It’s very unlikely that you will find someone with a can of asda foam and a smart price disposable on these pages. The majority of folks that are into wet shaving are gentlemen. If you look at the other threads on the forum – expensive stationary, top end cameras, ways of obtaining the perfect coffee etc. it’s clear that as a community it’s appreciation of anything that is either unique or high end/rare or traditional. It’s the online equivalent of a cigar club.
What distinguishes one shaving forum from another… that is down to the style and the members. It’s subtle differences in the way one member communicates with another and the unspoken respect for each other.Also critically it’s a chance to interact with the guys producing the products that you use. I can’t think of another medium where you can directly chat with owners and influence the end product. Vendor support and input is vital for the long term growth and survival of a forum.
What distinguishes one shaving forum from another… that is down to the style and the members. It’s subtle differences in the way one member communicates with another and the unspoken respect for each other.Also critically it’s a chance to interact with the guys producing the products that you use. I can’t think of another medium where you can directly chat with owners and influence the end product. Vendor support and input is vital for the long term growth and survival of a forum.
Wayne
Forum Sod
What makes a good forum? I look for experienced members who know what they are talking about and can offer advise when needed and are warm and welcoming. I can't abide foul language for the sake of it. I do not think it belongs in any posts. If you cannot get your point across without using bad language then how can you hope to win an argument?
The other thing a good forum needs to offer is stimulating posts. After a while we all get sick of the 'Which soap/blade/razor posts' We have to respect the fact that these questions are all new to someone though.
Finally a sense of community and belonging and cameraderie that goes with being with people that 'get you'
The other thing a good forum needs to offer is stimulating posts. After a while we all get sick of the 'Which soap/blade/razor posts' We have to respect the fact that these questions are all new to someone though.
Finally a sense of community and belonging and cameraderie that goes with being with people that 'get you'
Redd
A Right Member
I think that one problem with forums and I am speaking generally here, not just about shaving orientated ones, is that they inevitably become victims of their own success.
Whether they are new new or whether they are splintered off (I am thinking of a car one here btw), the new forum is all shiny and nice and pleasant - full of good intentions. However, once the initial settling in period is over, changes occur as membership grows and the site starts bloating through success and heavy-handedness as control is attempted. This can lead to apathy setting in and before you know it, you are on a downward spiral.
The good news is that there is always another new forum kicking up.
It's only a personal observation and is certainly not an indictment of any F*rd other board.
Whether they are new new or whether they are splintered off (I am thinking of a car one here btw), the new forum is all shiny and nice and pleasant - full of good intentions. However, once the initial settling in period is over, changes occur as membership grows and the site starts bloating through success and heavy-handedness as control is attempted. This can lead to apathy setting in and before you know it, you are on a downward spiral.
The good news is that there is always another new forum kicking up.
It's only a personal observation and is certainly not an indictment of any F*rd other board.