So, Is anyone going to tell us about/explain this new forum?

[Cat Whisperer]

The title pretty much says it all.

[Omniscient]

Interesting.....

ETA: From the Forum List page:

For discussion of fixing up old houses, city life, the Brotherhood of the Right Way, and anything else inspired by Ed Zotti's book THE BARN HOUSE: Confessions of an Urban Rehabber

[Idle Thoughts]

Whoa...a new forum.

First The Game Room and now this one.... This is really new stuff for the SDMB. They rarely make new forums.

[Mtgman]

Originally Posted by featherlou

The title pretty much says it all.

I'm guessing it's "For discussion of fixing up old houses, city life, the Brotherhood of the Right Way, and anything else inspired by Ed Zotti's book THE BARN HOUSE: Confessions of an Urban Rehabber"

Enjoy,
Steven

[Jragon]

I guess it's for people who read this:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The.../9780451225573

But, fifth post in a new forum! It's good to be part of history...

[Omniscient]

I hope they move this Forum up to the top along with Comments about the Columns and Comments About Staff Reports where it belongs.

[Cunctator]

Will we all get our own forums to flog our merchandise?

[Baker]

With the board being so screwy right now, high traffic and all, and running so slowly, why do we need a new forum? Doesn't it just add to the load on the server.

I'd sure like to be able to have my own personal forum too!

[Sampiro]

So will everyone who writes a book get their own forum? Cool!

[Cat Whisperer]

We needed a forum for that? I was kinda hoping it would be the new free-for-all forum.

ETA: We have a forum list page? I have got to stop just bookmarking threads and look around here once in a while.

[Jragon]

Originally Posted by featherlou

We needed a forum for that? I was kinda hoping it would be the new free-for-all forum.

ETA: We have a forum list page? I have got to stop just bookmarking threads and look around here once in a while.

We're the first ones in the door, we could just christen it as such!

*Long profanity laced rant with several links to shock sites*

[Ed Zotti]

Originally Posted by Sampiro

So will everyone who writes a book get their own forum? Cool!

Everybody who writes a book who's on the Master's payroll. This makes for a more manageable number.

[Sampiro]

There is but one master. His name is Barack. ACCEPT HIM OR MAY EVERY STILL STANDING INNER CITY ITALIANATE VILLA WITH A SECOND EMPIRE FACE-LIFT AND TOWER BE TORN DOWN TO BUILD DOLLAR GENERALS AND ARBY'S FRANCHISES!

[Idle Thoughts]

Four pages in this forum already! It is a hit!

[Cisco]

Couldn't we just have a thread about this? We needed a whole new forum to plug Ed's book?

[Sleeps With Butterflies]

Thank you for the laugh, it's appreciated.

You can delete the forum now, joke's over!

[SkipMagic]

Just a quick reminder to everyone that regular board rules still apply in this new forum. Criticisms about the board and/or its staff belong in either ATMB (for less enflamed conversations) or the Pit (where you can really let your hair down).

[Alan Smithee]

Oh, come on guys. If the Master wants to let his favorite alter-ego flunky set up a forum for a new book, why the hell not? We finally got a massive upgrade and free posting. (HALLELUJAH!!) Ed deserves a little fun, too.

It would be neater, I'll admit, to have it in a separate, but linked, location, but it's probably easier to just set it up here. And it would probably end up on the same server anyway, since Ed works for the Reader.

Congrats on the book Ed! Let me know when it's out in paperback, and maybe I'll buy a copy!

[Sampiro]

Today it's a new forum.

The day after that- it's the whole board.

Day 3: Goodbye handguns, hello mandatory partial birth abortions.

I've seen it before. It always starts with a fnorum.

[devilsknew]

So, let me get this straight... instead of writing your great thoughts here on the straight dope, you like, compiled them on a computer and wrote a book to profit?

Damn, now I feel pompous.

[Kythereia]

I am so lost and confused.

Therefore, I am throwing a tea party. You're all welcome to join in.

[Jragon]

Originally Posted by Sampiro

I've seen it before. It always starts with a fnorum.

What's the difference between a fnorum and a forum? Does a fnorum have fangs? Is it part horse? Do small children think it's cute? I must know!

[Alan Smithee]

I believe it's a forum with ties to the Illuminati.

[bufftabby]

I'm allergic to fnorums.

[Sampiro]

Originally Posted by Jragon

What's the difference between a fnorum and a forum? Does a fnorum have fangs? Is it part horse? Do small children think it's cute? I must know!

Ah, you will. You will.

[ouryL]

It's easy. If you got wood, ask your questions here.

[FourPaws]

Why not just turn groups back on, and have a group for this, instead of a new forum?

[TubaDiva]

Originally Posted by Cunctator

Will we all get our own forums to flog our merchandise?

When you've been here 35 years like Ed has, sure.

If it wasn't for Ed none of this would be here. Geez, show a little respect already.

[Ed Zotti]

Originally Posted by Cisco

Couldn't we just have a thread about this? We needed a whole new forum to plug Ed's book?

Legitimate question. Let me explain the thinking here.

The original idea was that I'd set up a book forum in the message board for a new site we plan to launch. We think the new site is an exciting idea; you'll be hearing more about it in the next couple months. But it became clear the site wouldn't be ready in time for publication of the book. So opening the forum here instead was Plan B.

I think it's a good Plan B, though. If the book does well and people want to talk about it, they'll be directed here. (The last page of the book mentions www.edzotti.com, which is merely a landing page that tells people to come here.) That'll bring new blood into the SDMB. Our user base stopped growing after we went to pay-to-post. We want to boost growth now that we're going back to free posting. The new forum ideally will help us do that. (And yes, I have every confidence that we'll be able to accommodate growth once Jerry gets the board upgrade tweaked - Jerry was fine with launching the book forum now.)

Why not just direct people to a thread? Because I want people to understand that they can start threads and post their own great thoughts, not just respond to someone else's. I need a forum for that. I could have just started a blog; nowadays that's what most book authors do. Directing people into a message board is more complicated; frankly I'm not sure it's going to work. This is an experiment - I'm trying to get a conversation going, not give a lecture.

The whole thing could be a fiasco. The book may flop and no one will post here. If it becomes evident after a while that the forum just isn't working, we'll pull the plug. As it is we may move the book forum to the new site once we get that launched; we'll see what makes the most sense.

Anyway that's the thinking. Bottom line is I get to do it because I'm the site administrator, but this isn't just an exercise in ego gratification - it may do the SDMB some good.

[Brainiac4]

Originally Posted by Ed Zotti

Anyway that's the thinking. Bottom line is I get to do it because I'm the site administrator, but this isn't just an exercise in ego gratification - it may do the SDMB some good.

Not least because it may mean you post more often, and more posting in general is a good thing, and a very good thing in your specific case. Good luck with the book.

[buns3000]

Originally Posted by Ed Zotti

Legitimate question. Let me explain the thinking here.

The original idea was that I'd set up a book forum in the message board for a new site we plan to launch. We think the new site is an exciting idea; you'll be hearing more about it in the next couple months. But it became clear the site wouldn't be ready in time for publication of the book. So opening the forum here instead was Plan B.

I think it's a good Plan B, though. If the book does well and people want to talk about it, they'll be directed here. (The last page of the book mentions www.edzotti.com, which is merely a landing page that tells people to come here.) That'll bring new blood into the SDMB. Our user base stopped growing after we went to pay-to-post. We want to boost growth now that we're going back to free posting. The new forum ideally will help us do that. (And yes, I have every confidence that we'll be able to accommodate growth once Jerry gets the board upgrade tweaked - Jerry was fine with launching the book forum now.)

Why not just direct people to a thread? Because I want people to understand that they can start threads and post their own great thoughts, not just respond to someone else's. I need a forum for that. I could have just started a blog; nowadays that's what most book authors do. Directing people into a message board is more complicated; frankly I'm not sure it's going to work. This is an experiment - I'm trying to get a conversation going, not give a lecture.

The whole thing could be a fiasco. The book may flop and no one will post here. If it becomes evident after a while that the forum just isn't working, we'll pull the plug. As it is we may move the book forum to the new site once we get that launched; we'll see what makes the most sense.

Anyway that's the thinking. Bottom line is I get to do it because I'm the site administrator, but this isn't just an exercise in ego gratification - it may do the SDMB some good.

There is already a forum to discuss books. Its called The Cafe Society.

[Musicat]

Originally Posted by buns3000

There is already a forum to discuss books. Its called The Cafe Society.

Then maybe the only problem is one of organization? Maybe The Barn House and The Game Room should be a sub-forum under Cafe Society? Then that would make logical other sub-forums about other books...

You can tell I'm an Organization Man.

[lieu]

Well, I just hope that threads discussing fabric adhesives and wood glues are preceeded with a "Sticky:"

Good luck with the book, Ed. I'll certainly be looking forward to reading it and turning others on to it that share the passion.

[What Exit?]

Man you guys are tough.

Good luck with the book Ed. Will you be selling it through the Dope Merchandise page eventually or will the Dope add some Amazon partnership like Bosda keeps suggesting.

Jim

[Labrador Deceiver]

Originally Posted by buns3000

There is already a forum to discuss books. Its called The Cafe Society.

How helpful of you. I'm sure that Ed appreciates you bringing this to his attention.

[Risha]

Geez guys - this is their message board, they can have a forum to talk about how much they dislike Doper hairstyles if they want to. You don't have to come in here ever again if you don't want to. I think most of us already have forums that we skip.

[ivan astikov]

So, it's a D.I.Y. forum? Or am I missing something?

[fisha]

Oh, no.

The Straightdope was my refuge from work!

As to this forum, it might work, look at the popularity of home remodeling or home shows. On the other hand it typically helps having someone with a ton of knowledge to answer questions, advise, etc.

On this board I have noticed less than ten posters who do this kind of work for a living. I don't think we have the resources necessary to make this a viable forum.

If people just want to relate tips or horror stories, there is MPSIMS or usually more fitting, the Pit.

[UncleRojelio]

I don't like it. We don't need a whole forum just for one book.

[Zebra]

But it does have the new forum smell.


snniiiiiiiiifffffff

[Labrador Deceiver]

Originally Posted by UncleRojelio

I don't like it. We don't need a whole forum just for one book.

I like it. Yes we do.

[RyJae]

Originally Posted by UncleRojelio

I don't like it. We don't need a whole forum just for one book.

It's not just one book, as he explained it I think it will end up a DIY forum. As a relatively poor person I DIY a lot. And help and advice giving and taking will come in handy.

[UncleRojelio]

Originally Posted by Labrador Deceiver

Yes we do.

No we don't.

[Labrador Deceiver]

Originally Posted by UncleRojelio

No we don't.

Glad to see you got the point.

[TubaDiva]

Originally Posted by UncleRojelio

No we don't.

If you don't like it then don't come here, there's all sorts of other forum areas for your viewing pleasure.

To state our policy: This forum is for discussion of Ed Zotti's book "The Barn House" and also for discussion about other similar Do-It-Yourself type rehab projects of any kind. This is not the place for you to register complaint or criticism about this forum or the topics in it. If you have such complaint or criticism you are invited to make your posting in ATMB or The Pit as appropriate.

[Chefguy]

Originally Posted by TubaDiva

If you don't like it then don't come here, there's all sorts of other forum areas for your viewing pleasure.

To state our policy: This forum is for discussion of Ed Zotti's book "The Barn House" and also for discussion about other similar Do-It-Yourself type rehab projects of any kind. This is not the place for you to register complaint or criticism about this forum or the topics in it. If you have such complaint or criticism you are invited to make your posting in ATMB or The Pit as appropriate.

Cue Jaws theme music. . .

[GargoyleWB]

Why, just this morning I D.I.Y.'d my kitchen, and I'd like to share the tips I've learned.

You see, for years my stove has had a utensil rack hanging above it, ladel, big spoon, spaghetti twaddler, you know. On the top of my stove, above the dials, are where my spices live. Well, a few months ago I got a lemon-pepper mill, and unfortunately it stands about 10 inches high and is constantly getting knocked over by the spoons and ladels hanging above. Every time I touch a stove dial or take down the twaddler, crash, the pepper mill falls over.

So last night while making chili, I turned a dial from warm to medium, and crash! The excessively phallic lemon-pepper mill fell right in my chili pot. I threw the bastard in the garbage.

I hope your kitchen renovation can benefit from what I've shared, so every "Do It Yourself" becomes a "Love It Yourself". Until next week, happy renovating!

[Chefguy]

One of the drawbacks to this condo is the small kitchen, and one of the biggest aggravations is storage. Digging for pots and pans enrages me beyond all reason. The first thing I did in this kitchen was to lag a nice-looking piece of finished 2x4 to the only empty wall, up near the ceiling, and screw seven large pothooks to it. I bought hooks that are big enough to hold two pots each, or a multitude of strainers, mandolines, etc. Saves me aggravation, back strain, and pinched fingers. Not to mention saving the cat a good kicking.

Since that time, we (via a contractor) did a complete kitchen renovation and installed oversized cabinets that go all the way to the ceiling. This increased storage area and eliminated that dead space that collects dust and grease. I still use the pothooks, however.

[Randy Seltzer]

Originally Posted by Ed Zotti

If it becomes evident after a while that the forum just isn't working, we'll pull the plug.

Hilarious pun intended?