This months F&C - better?

[ondablade]

Must say i thought it was a bit better, in that there were several articles i found interesting and with a bit of meat. Time will tell.....

ian

 

[kenf]

Does dumbing down really attract the newcomers in the hobby?

When I first decided to progress from normal DIY activities into more serious woodworking I read as many books as I could find. I was only attracted to the magazines that showed me what I could aspire to.

Magazines are for latest developments in products and designs, and general inspiration; they are not what you (or at least I) turn to for learning basic skills.

I only subscribe to BW, but have picked up back copies of F&C at Yandles shows and found them reasonably interesting (at a £1 a throw).

 

[dj3d]

Well that's all rather interesting chaps. Rob did give me a nudge earlier so thought I'd drop in and see what all the fuss was about. First of all it's great to hear that a few more of you are enjoying what we're doing at F&C but in equal measure I'm concerned that some of you feel we are not doing enough to please more of you - complete the old saying yourselves.

The magazine is written for the most part by professionals with professionals in mind and doesn't discriminate against those folk starting out or doing it for their own amusement. For me it's about attitude and not ability. If we're serious about promoting our craft we need to provide the support necessary to enable folk to reach a level where they can contribute. And I've got to say there are more willing contributors than there are able ones, and that has nothing to do with ability by the way.

The next few months of F&C are especially interesting as we are starting a couple of new series with input from industry professionals that you will not have heard from before on subjects that are new to F&C. It was only a few months ago that I was on your side of the bench and having spent the best part of 30 years there I'm not about to abandon ship any time soon. I will however take your comments seriously and make them part of the decision process for the future.

I'm sure you will appreciate that I have another forum to keep my eyes on, and I'll resist the temptation to plug it right now, but if you have any ideas or suggestions that's the best place to reach me. Failing that let Rob know. Cheers Robjavascript:emoticon(':lol:')

Derek Jones
Editor F&C


:lol:

 

[PAC1]

Derek

I like the sound of what you posted so I look forward to seeing how it develops. I wish you good luck with your aims.

I for one was very close to cancelling my subscription then you were appointed so I decided to see how it goes. the last edition was certainly heading in the right direction and I intend to read several articles rather than flicking through it over a tea break before filing it.

As for the other place I can see why it is there from the publisher's point of view, but you can have too many forii.

Best wishes

 

[wizer]

That all sounds promising Derek. I look forward to your improvements.

Oh and take note that you are always welcome here, please don't harbour to a 'them and us' situation. Your presence here is very beneficial to both us and your magazine.

 

[woodbloke]

That all sounds promising Derek. I look forward to your improvements.

Oh and take note that you are always welcome here, please don't harbour to a 'them and us' situation. Your presence here is very beneficial to both us and your magazine.

Me too Derek, good to see you hereabouts - Rob

 

[Mr T]

Derek said that F&C was "written for the most part by professionals with professionals in mind " that still begs the question as to why so much of it focuses on topics of no interest to professionals. What does "with professionals in mind" mean.

I also wonder how much power the editor in fact has. My impression from talking with previous editors is that the marketting man has the upper hand nowadays.

Chris

 

[woodbloke]

Derek said that F&C was "written for the most part by professionals with professionals in mind " that still begs the question as to why so much of it focuses on topics of no interest to professionals. What does "with professionals in mind" mean.

I also wonder how much power the editor in fact has. My impression from talking with previous editors is that the marketting man has the upper hand nowadays.

Chris

My feeling is though Chris that Derek may have come to the post with a definite set of proposals or agenda that might have persuaded the suits that it was worth a punt.
Fwiw, I think it's worth giving the new ed a fair chance before calling the jury back in...maybe in 12 months we'll see which way the wind is blowing - Rob

 

[Ironballs]

I do think it's getting better, like I said in the original post this months edition was an improvement and I like what Derek has laid out above. As the others have said Derek, you're welcome in here anytime

 

[paulm]

I do think it's getting better, like I said in the original post this months edition was an improvement and I like what Derek has laid out above. As the others have said Derek, you're welcome in here anytime

Indeed, despite my current concerns would like nothing better than to see it pick up some more and welcome to UKWorkshop in any event Derek, thanks for making the effort to drop by.

Cheers, Paul

 

[dj3d]

Guys.

Thanks for the warm welcome it's much appreciated. Will certainly keep in touch over here. All the best for now.

Derek

 

[mark w]

I`ve just returned from a holiday and have just read this thread and would like to add a few comments.
Iron balls; I think your right Krenovs cabinets did look similar, but then so does the furniture of Robert Ingham they are just at different ends of the spectrum. The way Krenov worked was very natural and free where as Inghams work is very engineered, I wonder if he has ever planed a curve freehand without a perspex template, I wonder if he has ever cut a mortice and tenon without the use of a milling machine. Both have very distinctive styles and both could be accused of repetition.
Paulm; I could not agree more about the screws article, very basic, very boring.
Bradnaylor; I to am fed up with basic joint articles, but I don`t think all profesional cabinet makers use Dominoes, I think your the type of woodworker F&C is dumbing down to.
Frugal; To join the Guild of Master Craftsmen all you have to do is pay a subscription, they don`t want to see your work or check your qualifications. "From a cabinet maker to a window cleaner you could join the GMC," this was part of an old advert they ran. I hope F&C does not try to appeal to such a broad cliental. Are window cleaners master craftsmen?
Wizer; I agree with all of your comments.
Derek Jones; I still don`t think your quite getting the point, what most of us want is a specialist magazine, we don`t want a something for everyone type mag. If you go down that road you become what the GMC has become to true craftsmen, meaningless.

Well I feel better now I`ve got that off my chest.
Mark w

 

[woodbloke]

what most of us want is a specialist magazine, we don`t want a something for everyone type mag.

I'm sorry, you miss the point entirely. The monthly turnover for F&C means it can't, with the best will in the world, be a 'specialist' magazine...it simply isn't big enough and it would go out of circulation in a couple of months.
There are compromises that must be made to ensure that it caters for the 'top end' spectrum but also has enough in it to be a 'good read' and appeal to the hobbyist market as well. It's a very difficult juggling act - Rob

 

[mark w]

Sorry Rob I don`t think I`ve missed the point at all, if you read all the posts on this thread you will notice that some people are not renewing their subscriptions, for every new subscriber they are probably losing an old one, specialist magazines do exist on many topics.

regards, Mark w