How should XMTS grow and improve?

[Derek]

Like Glen, I am an old timer here too, and since I joined in Feb 2004, XMTS has slowly transformed into what is is today ... and it will always continue to transform as the time and years go by. X Marks is certainly a true community and many of us have established close friendships and life long friends here. Many of us are lucky that we can meet up with others on a fairly regular basis. From that alone, XMTS is doing a fantastic job as it is also enriching peoples lives. Whilst we all have a common bond in wearing a Cilt/Kilt, we all come here for are own different reasons and equally important what we are looking from it. For me personally, I like to post pics of my adventures and enjoy reading and seeing pics of other peoples adventures, or whatever else they are up too. There is something here for everyone and I guess more things will be added over time, but one things for sure, we are a strong community and however XMarks evolves the community of friendship will remain.
Iechyd Da
Derek

[RedBeard]

I hope that we don't become just an information site. I really love to see the things that people have made or are making, as well as the things people post about what others have made/done, the delight they show in the things they make or buy, and the pride they take in all aspects of their Celtic heritage. I love the generosity with which people on the forum share their knowledge and give praise and "high-fives" for what people do. These kinds of posts are how I get to know people, and I really value that. If we just think of this site as a way to inform people, we'll lose that.

I'm all for more tutorials that are easier to find, even an FAQs section. But I hope we don't lose all the rest. We are a _community_ more than anything else. And friends who like to chat and see what each other is up to.

I agree with Barb complety . Anytime I have had a question on hear It has been answered well, and politely. I have seen some folk get a little snippy with people asking questions or showing something that they have made. I figure they aren't putting forth any effort to do something themselves if they are picking on someone that is.

They're are some very talented people on here, this is good place to show their wears. For feedback, good or bad but polite nonetheless.

I enjoy it here. There are plenty of spaces to fight religion, politics and life in general, on other sights (Oh, and boy do I) This is a nice little sybor Island of Kilted life, knowledge and info.
I would like to see a button on my profile for "your latest post " type thing. So, I could click and see exactly where my last post was and if I received any feedback. Anyway, Thanks to all that have helped me with questions,and great photos that people have taken in their travels in Kilts and progress of their projects.

RedBeard

[RockyR]

I would like to see a button on my profile for "your latest post " type thing. So, I could click and see exactly where my last post was and if I received any feedback.

Click on your name either in the members list or in any thread. When the bump out drops down, there's a link to 'find all posts by this member'. Click on that and it'll show you all that member's posts (including your own) in order from newest to oldest.

Hope this helps!

[RedBeard]

Click on your name either in the members list or in any thread. When the bump out drops down, there's a link to 'find all posts by this member'. Click on that and it'll show you all that member's posts (including your own) in order from newest to oldest.

Hope this helps!

Thanks Now I guess I'm happy all the way around.

[Barb T]

I've always felt that if you had the energy and yes, even the abiding interest, in fostering other people's interest in a subject that is near and dear to yourownself, then you would happily take the time to "stuff the fledglings beak."

I have to agree. I really _like_ answering people's questions, even if I've answered the same one before. As with DWFII, it may be because, as professor, that's what I do for a living, and maybe that's what I do for a living because I like helping people learn things. Who knows.

Anyway, I hope that we keep the aspect of welcoming any and all questions. If someone's tired of answering a particular question, there will always be someone on the forum who isn't.

[Geoff Withnell]

Hey, speaking asw a relative newcomer, you have bee doing GREAT! A klittle introspection, some "where have we been, where are we going?" is a good thing. My kilt wearing experience would have been far less successful and not nearly as much fun without you, Rocky, Riverkilt, and numerous others. Thank you all. Please keep this a happy family friendly place. There are some suggestions for how to deal with valid exceptions to rules and something like them should probably be adopted. But my overall vote on XMARKS is that it ain't broke, so please don't fix it! I have gone from one great kilt worn at renfair, to 5 tartan and 5 solid kilts in about 1 1/2 years. I wear them with confidence and pride, because as a habitue of this forum, I know what I'm doing, whether I am following the rules or not.
Again, thanks to all those that created and maintained this community so I could join it, and I plan to help maintain it myself in the future.

Geoff Withnell

My Dear Clan Members,

I am embarrassed to say that your comments have changed my feelings about my first post on this thread.

You see, when your business is making Kilts, when every day you spend a big part of the day explaining, teaching your customers about Kilts, about Tartans, about forms of dress.
And when you have come up against all the myths and the "you must do this" rules time and time again, you get sort of jaded after a while.

And while I do stop in here more that a couple times a day for a sanity break I had allowed myself to forget that we are far more than data. Far more than the lay-out of a computer program. We are a Clan, in the truest sense of the word.

Yes, I still think we need to update the tutorials section of this forum. Things like the fabric comparison chart.
I still think we should tap into the incredible knowledge base of this Clan.
I still think that articles or tutorials from our experts and our members will go a long way in helping our new members and guests with their quest.
I still believe that if you make that knowledge base available in an easy to find, accurate and up-to-date manner it will be a big plus for this site.

But no, I do not want to lose this sense of community, of Clan, that we have created for ourselves.

It just goes to show that if you want the mule to pull the cart, sometimes you have to smack him in the forehead with a 2X4, just to get his attention.

Thanks for the smack.
Sometimes I get so wrapped up in running a business I forget that the reason I got started in the first place was because this is fun.

[David Thornton]

Hmm, I'm not compelled to participate much any more, but this one has me thinking.

What I miss most about (at least according to my memory) the past is the discussion part of the forum. Today there are a lot more posts, but most seem disjointed, hurried. What we have in common is the kilt, but it is our other interests that help us develop connections. I'll not rewire society with a post, but I preferred the exchange of thoughts.

David

[Riverkilt]

I am amazed at the outpouring of wisdom on this thread in the past two days. Thank you Mods for not quashing it.

I do hope that Hank is reading it and digesting the wisdom offered here in good faith by intelligent aware adults.

It'll take some time to sift and resift, but it'll be well worth it in improving the site...even if that improvement isn't really needed....it'll be "gooder" as they say in these parts.

Ron

[Cherub]

I am amazed at the outpouring of wisdom on this thread in the past two days. Thank you Mods for not quashing it.

I do hope that Hank is reading it and digesting the wisdom offered here in good faith by intelligent aware adults.

It'll take some time to sift and resift, but it'll be well worth it in improving the site...even if that improvement isn't really needed....it'll be "gooder" as they say in these parts.

Ron

I hate to be the one to say this and it's only my opinion...But if it ain't broke don't fix it. Yes some of the informational areas like the tutorails and such could be made more accessable and noticeable but that is a relatively minor change. We do have areas for the modern and trad posting and the general works well as far as I can see. if you dilute the pool too much then you won't be able to find anything. As we have it think it's the right amount of topics.

just my .02 cents Canadian

[muirkirkca]

Have no problem with the forum the way it is as I have learned a great deal about the broad range of kilt wearing. Always like pictures of kilt wearing in various venues and styles - gatherings, hiking and whatever. Only annoyance is when a location is not shown by the forum member. sometimes adds a dimension to the post if given.