[Chad Arnow]

Split from another topic

[Patrick Kelly]

As Chad has pointed out, we've tried from day one to increase our diversity. We welcome discussions and content submissions from just about any culture and era.

Our reviews and articles are eurocentric because that's what the people who generate that content are interested in. I won't write an article on the katana or the shamshir becuase I know very little about them. However, we certainly encourage and desire content and discussion in these other areas.

[Russ Ellis]

I understand you guys points about the articles, but do you see this site as being mostly article driven? For me it isn't certainly. I check the forums here multiple times a day, in comparison I spend a much smaller amount of time reading the articles.

[Patrick Kelly]

[Chad Arnow]

[Patrick Kelly]

[Nathan Robinson]

[Jonathon Janusz]

The content part of myArmoury (articles, reviews, etc.) is in particular why I started visiting this site as often as I do and eventually registered into the forums. When there is consistently new content offered and something fresh on the home page (at least in my opinion) more people start clicking around which leads to more discussion in the forums, which in turn through various means generates more content. . .

People generally like to hang out where there is something going on. This is in comparison to another fairly popular sword-related web site (for use as a clear example only and which shall remain nameless). The "site which shall remain nameless" has a very long-standing, large, and heavily frequented system of forums. What makes it little more to me than a place to browse for good deals is that I haven't seen any new content (the daily traffic of the forums excluded) for months (if not a year or more, my memory failing me). Further, although informative and well-written, the subject matter of the last "new" content was a bit of a niche attraction (and that's saying a lot considering this hobby), repetitive (the same subject was the focus of multiple articles as if one author did not realize the other had written/published an article. To clarify, it felt to me like the site's administrators didn't really have a sense of purpose, as if the articles weren't published together or in series as a focus topic but rather as "whatever happened to be written for us to publish at the time"), and I stress again the content hasn't changed since I started visiting THIS web site. No matter how much is happening in the forums, no matter what good discussions and information wait just beyond the front page of the site, to me the whole thing seems "dead" and that it is survived solely by the weight and longevity of the forums.

Now, please, don't anyone take the above statements the wrong way as slamming or insulting in any way the other site described. These are just my (I believe fairly critical) observations, opinions, and the examples used simply clarify and underscore my thoughts. To be perfectly honest, I would like very much to see the other site come as alive as this one - strong competition keeps everyone on their game and in the end, more good information and solid places to discuss and learn mean everyone wins.

I'd say this is my $.02, but I think you all got about a quarter

Edited to clarify who was being spoken about when

[William Goodwin]

Jonthan,

I can see some of the points you made to having some merit. Things have seemed a little lop sided as far as content of late. But, then with the amount of members this site has, I believe, it's should be an all-around, joint effort, on everyone's part to make this site stay fresh. I'll be the first to admit, that yeah, I could be doing more,but like everyone else, finding the time is a hard thing. That's where the part of everyone doing a little takes some of the burden off of the few.
On the same note, I must applaude the efforts of those that DO diligantly work hard to make this site what it is and what is has become for so many. This wonderful, addictive and sometimes insanely obsessive (words from me wife) hobby that we've been drawn into will only truly survive if others are stimulated not only by the shiny, sharp,pointy things that we so much admire and crave, but by ALL the aspects that encompass it as well.

So with that, guess I need to make the time to finish up some projects I've been try to do and hopefully add a little more color and texture to what is, by far, a grand web-site for the sword-a-holic,armour loving peoples of the world.

My 2 pence worth and I hope I didn't babble too badly, it's late for me......

Bill

[Patrick Kelly]

[William Goodwin]

OK Patrick,

Just with the poll the Russ recently finished up, there seems to be a greater interest / influx of Knightly based discussions and sword reviews as of late. Not to say EVERYTHING has been geared toward that particular interest. But again, this was just my humble observation, not made to ruffle feathers.

I think it is fantastic that alot of people come not for the forums but for the information / research aspect of myArmoury. In the presentations that I've done for schools, churches and other groups, I've tried to make a point in put interested parties in contact, rather directly or indirectly, with the fine resources here. The post card / promo thingys Nathan gave me at Atlanta last year have been a great calling card, so to speak. I've given these to a number of history teachers for quick access to here for more information about not only period weapons,but just general info. as well.


Bill

[Russ Ellis]

How interesting, I had no idea that the forums were such a small part of the traffic on the site! Shows my own personal proclivities I suppose. Please don't misunderstand I have no problem with the focus of this site being (by default if not by design) on things Western was just trying to get some ideas of some of the root causes. Upon reflection on what you guys have written I think perhaps it IS something of a catch-22 situation. We don't have a lot of Easter/Mideastern/Ethnographic content therefore those who are most knowledgeable about such things don't visit often or write articles which means that we don't have Easter/Mideastern/Ethnographic content which means that...

[Chad Arnow]

[William Goodwin]

Chad,
I whole heartly agree with what you have said. There are some things I've been trying to work on,but finding/making the time to do so has been a real booger lately. And, once again, my hat off to those that DO contribute their time/effort to write articles & reviews. It's not as easy as it may seem once you get into it. That should be a decent part of the passion of this hobby, not just the collecting, ooo-ing & ahh-ing of nice pieces, but the passing on of the knowledge & experiences that we collectively share.

In doing the recent sword presentations locally, just in that respect of being able to share, inform, and excite others is most rewarding, almost as getting a new addition to one's collection.

I'll shut up now and leave the topic to others.

Bill

[Patrick Kelly]

[Thomas Jason]

I used to run a site called Shinsakuto.org that was made specifically to chronical the works of modern Japanese swordsmiths. I had to close the site down because the software that was put together for me by a friend became corrupted and I was unable to do further updates.

I'm not a technical person, but I would love to be able to bring it back in some form. If folks are interested, and the myArmoury team is willing, I'd love to bring it back as a subsection of the site.

The skeleton of the site is here: http://www.lostdays.org/shinsakuto/articles.asp

[Daniel Parry]

I think that focus-issues aside (that's driven by the readership and is a natural weighting towards medieval stuff by the readers and contributors) the real issue as discussed above in many forms is how we, as the readership, contribute, whatever the area of our interest.

I think the recent call for articles was very correct. I responded with a tentative suggestion for a small-sword article, which in responding to this thread I guess I am now honour-bound to submit and will work on in July when current work glut is over.

The forums on this site are great in that there are so many people with diverse knowledge willing to answer questions and talk about a range of issues. But given the vast breadth of knowledge and historical interest shown on the forums, we could all (the readership that is) do better in terms of submitting articles. I don't mean just reviews of recent antique or recreation additions to collections, but articles about the history of the pieces. Why were made the way they were, who used them, and how and why. Given the range of knowledge that appears on forums, I think we all should have 1 or 2 articles in us. Everyone knows something someone else doesn't in this field. Look at the recent forums on jousting (camels as an option), and heraldry. There's a few good articles in there. I'd read them at any rate.

So, whatever our particular area of interest, we're not going for a Pullitzer Prize. But if we spend a few hours of reading and online research and museum visits into an area which interests us, we can add to the stock of articles and information on the site and make it even more deserving of access by educational institutions and 'lay-men' rather than just us 'sword-oholics.

My two shillings. Damn - I guess I just completely committed myself to submitting an article.

Daniel

[Steve Grisetti]

This particular remark from Jonathon caught my eye:

[Steve Grisetti]

[Patrick Kelly]