Woodworking can be a solitary and isolating pursuit, and one of the big changes the Internet has brought us is the ability to form connections with other woodworkers from across the country and around the world. One way to do this is through online forums such as WoodCentral, SawMill Creek or WoodNet. You can ask questions about tools or techniques, show off your work or gloat about a fantastic deal you got. As with anything else, online forums grow and change and there have been some recent changes you should know about.
Martin Sojka started LumberJocks five years ago. It has now grown to more than 20,000 members. While growth in a community is generally good, it can also bring with it administrative chores and time-consuming maintenance. A few days ago, Martin announced that LumberJocks, along with two other community sites he owns, had joined Escalate Media. Martin will be staying with the site, and the move will allow him to focus on the creative side. You can read his announcement of the changes here.
There is also a new forum called the Burl, thats worth a visit, started by a woodworking neighbor of ours, Michael Flaim. Frustrated by software changes that made another forum slow and difficult to use, Michael started the Burl using a more user-friendly platform, looking to continue the sense of community that had developed from the other site. It took a while to get rolling but this new forum has grown in the last few months, and many familiar folks from the other forum are appearing.
This group is full of talented and experienced woodworkers. We wish the Burl well. Forums can take on a personality and life of their own. Its become a regular stop for me as I surf the net when I probably should be working. If youre looking for a place to discuss all things woodworking, its worth a visit.
Visit the Burl at:
