Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: ynneb on January 19, 2006, 07:04:29 AM

Title: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: ynneb on January 19, 2006, 07:04:29 AM
Some of you may remember that in the test forum we had lots of different catagories. I think this failed because it was hard to keep current with all the threads because they were tucked away all over the place. The current layout is more linear and easier to view all the threads in one glance.

The downside is that all the topics are not sorted by theme. Sorting by theme is easier to find past threads for newomers.

Is it time to start a few new Catagories or should we leave it as is. Majority vote rules. Its up to you lot.

You can only view the results after voting.

If the vote does say more catagories, what should they be ?
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: spc_aux on January 19, 2006, 09:39:48 AM
I'd think dividing out sections for electrical and mechanical would make sense and not divide it too much.

Pete C.
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: Vmax on January 19, 2006, 10:13:44 AM
1 electrical
2 mechanical
3 computer/program

(:~)= Terry
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: r_grae on January 19, 2006, 04:35:38 PM
Hello All,

Newbie here - VERY newbie.  My first post, been reading for a couple weeks.  Been machining for over 30 years, been surfing the net with the computer for about 10 years, but never been exposed to CAD, CAM, CNC.  However I very much want to jump in.....

So, split into Categories?  For me and other newbies (blind people lost in a strange place, and almost alone)  I would very much like to see something like "Getting Started".

A place where all the basic info is placed/discussed.  For instance, what is G6 or G31.  You guys talk about it like the entire world knows what it means.  I don't and don't know where to go to find out.  What is a Break-out board used for?  The list goes on and on.

People like me need to be able to go to a certain place to find all the basic info that you learned years ago and now take for granted.  Trying to learn what something is by reading your discussions about it only makes learning about it very tedious and time consuming.  Reading what car drivers say about Transmissions, how and when to push the pedal and move the shift lever, doesn't really convey what one is.

But then, maybe there already is a place like this and I simply have not seen it.  Wouldn't be the first time I missed something......

Have A Good Day

Richard



Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: ynneb on January 20, 2006, 07:21:22 AM
Richard, You may like to view some of the videos in www.machsupport.com Just browse down the the video icon.
If these dont get you started, nothing will. :)

Benny
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: ynneb on January 20, 2006, 07:34:11 AM
The concern I have with dividing it up in 1 electrical 2 mechanical 3 computer/program, is that the forum is primarily to do with Mach and not CNC machines on the whole.
If we were to change to this, then the forum would become yet another CNC machine building site.
I am not saying no to this, just alerting you to what may happen. Personally I feel that CNCzone handles the whole machine aspect quite well.

What do you guys think ?
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: Vmax on January 20, 2006, 10:43:07 AM
Benny it just depends on what you want your site to be. From reading the various sites all the catagories seem to go hand in hand sometimes. Sometimes what seems to be a software problem turns out to be a hardware problem, verse/verse. I believe if you break it down into segments it will be much easier to veiw. I dislike the Yahoo forum because it is so hard to keep track of things or follow the conversations. The questions being posed seem to break down in several catagories, electrical,mechanincal, software/computor, software update issues. It would seem logical to group them as such..  (:~)= Terry

PS great job on the site.
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: Vmax on January 20, 2006, 10:55:15 AM
  Another item you might consider is a dictionary that gives an explaination for the terminoligy used for mach/CNC. When I first started I had no earthly Idea what you were talking about most of the time. It took a while with deligent searching and questions to finally get a grasp on the basic concepts. It was then that Mach started making sense. A dictionary of such would have been invaluable to me at that time (it still would be today)
  An example would be the term spindle index signal. What is it, what does it do and how does mach use it, how do you set it up etc. Spindle timming signal. What is it how is it used how do you set it up and how does Mach use it. Also what is the difference in use between the two. Index, timming.
  It is hard to get answers sometimes when you don't know how to ask the question.


(:~)= Terry
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: ynneb on January 20, 2006, 05:21:00 PM
Hey Terry I am sure that JohnP would be horrified to read your last post considering the effort he put in on the Jargon Buster page. :)
Go to www.machsupport.com and find the Jargon buster icon near the top.

I will look at putting lings on the frontpage of this site to the resources too, as an extra reminder.

As for your previous post, I am still thinking about it all.
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: Vmax on January 20, 2006, 09:35:04 PM
To be effective all the avalable info should be located in one spot not scattered all over the internet. It would be like trying to do a research paper and have to fly all over the world in different countries and different languages to find all your info. That may sound radical be that is what it was like. Each site has its own interpetation of what you need to know and stated in different terms also the formats that the info is layed out is different. Also a FAQ list would be helpfull. I noticed evertime a new group of MACHers come on board the same questions seem to pop up. Poor old Art's head must really be swimming somedays. I know I ran him in circles for a few days myself. Why can't we just pool all the info in one spot. Or is this more about KINGDOMS than helping people out and the advancement of MACH?  (:~)= Terry
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: ynneb on January 21, 2006, 12:31:39 AM
Vmax, Out of frustration I built the portal page so as to bring all the resources into at least one point.
For a long time I have been hassling and lobbying for just one group. Without success I came to the conclusion, that if you cant win every one over, then at least you can try and put them under the one unbrella, hence the portal page.

I am not sure what your KINGDOMS comment means, But I have set up this forum not as competition to either CNCzone or the Yahoo forum, but as primarily a site dedicated to Mach and not CNC. While there is two other forums dedicated to Mach, one been CNCzone and the other been Yahoo. Both have disadvantages. Yahoo is owned by a comercial company and you are at thier mercy about what features they implement, and CNCzone while been a great place to be, You do not have the same control over the forum as having your own.
This forum is owned by Art, and while he has let it be managed by others, he ultimately can steer it as he likes, if need be. Without advertising on it for other competitive software too. Art has full control over what, if any, advertising happens on his pages. Also there is just one main focas on this forum, instead of 100s of topics competeing for your attention.

The advancement of Mach as you mentioned is also my goal, but my main focas is to help all members by providing the best interface as possible, by pulling all resources together in the portal page.
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: Vmax on January 21, 2006, 10:25:09 AM
Benny the Kindom comment was not a negative comment for you but for a lot of the other people that think they personally own all of the content of a wed site. I consider this site to be the premeir site for Mach developement. You have layed out a very easy to use format and I THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Hold tight to your concept and they will slowly come over. As the mainstream members migrate over, the holdouts will have no choice if they want to stay active in the group.
 (:~)= Terry
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: techmation on January 22, 2006, 11:28:50 AM
Benny, as a newbie to the forum... you are on the right track!!! Keep this site dedicated to the development of the MACH software and equipment that it is used on or intended for. Don't dilute it to much...
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: RGB Specialties on January 26, 2006, 11:00:00 PM
Catagories I would think handy are

 Mach Setup/configuration/problemsfor Mach Mill
 Mach Setup/configuration/problems, Mach Turning
 General ideas, Hints, tricks and usage, sharing knowledge
 New screens, Wizards, Posts
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: ynneb on February 01, 2006, 05:03:20 PM
I have noticed that since I seperated out Newfangled into its own section that it has dropped right down in activity.
I noticed in the old forum that too many catagories was a bad thing. It was too much effort for users to search all the catagories ( Me included)

The one vote for "lets wait a while " longer was mine"

Even though I said majority rules, I am now VERY hesitant to start any new catagories, untill I see either Newfangled pick up, or a lot more posters in the forum.

I will add more catagories as things change, but I will hold off for a while longer.

 Sorry if any feel that the election was rigged. :)  ( You may call me Saddam)
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: Bloy on February 01, 2006, 05:17:20 PM
Hi Benny,
  It may have been said above......
This might require more maintenance, but after a thread slows considerably with minimal posts, then it could be passed to an appropriate catagory.
The subject would have been covered, and then it could be "put" where it could always be reviewed.
..just my thought(a quick one at that)

Bloy (John)
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: ynneb on February 01, 2006, 06:38:50 PM
Yes John that would be a good comprimise.
Good suggestion, I will do that
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: Chevy427z on February 02, 2006, 05:20:28 PM
Hey all.

Brand new here, and I would first like to say *thank you very much* for making this forum possible. I have been having a heck of a time on the yahoo group. (lost posts, bad searching, crashing windows, etc.) I have recently been turned onto Mach and I absolutely love it.

I am in the process of gathering information for a milling machine upgrade. I've read the differing opinions about seperate catagories, and I'm too new here to have an opinion yet, but please, please, please, consider keeping it open to actual hardware questions, too. I have been having a devil of a time finding one place to get my inoformation from. My head's about to explode from information overload.

I have downloaded Mach3 (demo mode but will be buying) and just love it. I've also downloaded the manual and read it cover to cover.

Is it ok to ask questions about break out boards, servo drivers, existing hardware, etc., etc., etc. ?

Like I said, brand new to Mach, but 15 years in machine work as a tool maker/designer/engineer with a full CNC shop in my garage. I hope to be able to contribute as well as learn a lot.

Thanks again for a wonderful product and the forum to support it!

Mark
Title: Re: Should we start a few new catagories ?
Post by: johnatl on February 02, 2006, 07:38:25 PM
How about adding some sort of keyword capability? That way, if you don't know what to call what you're looking for, you can just start at message x and work your way back. If you know it is related to x, then you can search for that. I believe this would solve the problem of messages that don't fit in one particular category as well. For instance, "What is the best way to use the charge pump?" Clearly, this is a hardware / electrical / software / interface / motor driver question. With keywords, it could be all 5 at once. To prevent typos, a multiple choice list could be created.

Regards,
  JJ