[TheForge] Help a sinking ship?

[magichammer]

Thanks for your concern, I wish to respond in a responsible manner
not with chest puffed out or pouting lower lip.
Unfortunate as it may be that we lost keenjunk, it was immediately replaced
with http://www.forgemagic.com/bsforum.php#last It runs almost the same way.
It has about 100 regular users. It seems to be a smooth replacement for the 
junkyard.
I have posted there several times and it is easy to use.

The repair and updating of the ABANA web site http://www.abana.org is a 
contractual
position that anyone can make a bid on if they wish. That contract comes up 
for renewal
this year. The site has an active forum with 6 different topics 
http://www.abana.org/resources/forums/index.shtml
The site basically addresses the business of ABANA. It has just about 
anything that one could want to know or
be linked to other than being a "teaching" tool. That is what The Hammer's 
Blow, Anvil's Ring and Conference are for.
It may not be the most exciting web site in town, but the little money spent 
on it is a good investment.
I don't know what you consider a "substantial economic investment" to be. To 
become a dynamite web site
would require a full-time webmaster. There is not funding for that.

As far as "accessibility of BS  knowledge..." there are many good web sites
with lots of good information and some with maybe not such good information.
Check out http://www.MetalSmithingHow-To.com for a new site loaded with
information and soliciting how-to content. It takes a long time and a major 
commitment to build a great site.

The Anvilfire site is huge. It gets lots of traffic. Jock works really hard 
to keep that site going.
I have personally always gotten along with Jock. We have worked together on 
several occasions without any animosity.
In the top 50 blacksmithing web sites Anvilfire is #1. The ABANA site is #3 
My own on-line newsletter is #5 or #6
consistently. http://lametalsmiths.org/news/  I don't get paid a dime. The 
hosting is donated by Buddy Holmes, the content is begged, borrowed, and 
shared. Of course there is no comparison between Anvilfire and any other 
site.

I don't know what you mean when you say " I think that ABANA should stop 
defending it's institutional territory "
I am sorry, I don't follow your meaning. The situation is not one of 
politics, rather economics. ABANA doesn't spend a lot
of money on it's own web site, I don't think that they would financially 
subsidize someone else's. But you could ask them.
All of the board member's e-mail and mailing addresses are on the site and 
easy to find.
Writing to TheForge is not the same thing as writing to the ABANA board. 
Most board members are not subscribed.
It is not a matter of ego involved. There is no competition between the 
sites. Anvilfire rules in my opinion.

I would ask if you have donated money, time or content to Anvilfire, ABANA 
or another website?

With Respect,
dave mudge
ABANA Member Services
Affiliate Liaison
Internet Committee Chairman


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Peter Fels And Phoebe Palmer" <artgawk at thegrid.net>


>
>
> Keenjunk has gone down recently with unfortunate consequences. It hurt the 
> blacksmithing community and narrowed the educational resources available.
> Abana's purpose to a great extent,is to support the  accessability of BS 
> knowledge...thus ABANA's purpose suffers the loss as well.
> Last time I visited, ABANA's website was near mortibund, despite a 
> substantial economic investment.
>
> Anvilfire is teetering on the edge of collapse.
> Anvilfire in it's present form is an invaluable resource for 
> blacksmithing, it's forums are active, it's Iforge "demonstrations" are 
> straightforward and extensive and the site has a great deal of other 
> material.
> It was built up over the years, primarily by the efforts of crusty old 
> Jock Dempsey. He has put his heart and a fair part of his life into it.
> He is towards the end of his economic resources, about to loose his shop 
> and Anvilfire isn't self supporting yet despite the huge # of hours he 
> puts in as editor, web master, programmer, Guru, photo editor and so on.
> He needs secretarial help and bookkeeping, i think,first, new puter 
> equiptment and enough time so he can swing a hammer and earn a few bucks.
> For the good of the art/craft, we need to set aside the egos involved and 
> make sure that Anvilfire survives...no, thrives.
> I think that ABANA should stop defending it's institutional territory and 
> contribute substantially to Anvilfire's support....quickly...
> Doing so would be an extremely cost effective way to effect ABANA's core 
> intent....and be the best thing for blacksmithing in general.
> In my mind I can see a bunch of chests puff out and lower lips pout out at 
> this proposal....Hey folks, time to go for a larger overview on this 
> one......Respectfully,   Pete Fels
> _______________________________________________
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