Full Version: Website Wish List (Sticky)
From: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#18]
23 Nov 2005
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1] 23 Nov 2005
Have you considered putting equipment manuals online?
I have a cutter grinder and a NH 300 manual that I have had several requests for copies of the manual. And not wanting to violate the copy right laws I decline.
Maybe the forum could get permission and put online copies for its members.
Steve
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#19]
23 Nov 2005
To: sroehlk (ELECTECH1) [#18] 24 Nov 2005
Steve,
I have said all along that I would like the Engraving Etc. website to become the reference center to the industry. Your thought fits right into that vision. Hold onto those manuals, we are heading in that direction.
I think that the forum and website can help lighten the load of tech support departments of many companies. For me, the forum has been an incredible help. Another great aspect is that we are open 24/7 and that we have business perspectives from all over the globe.
From: engravernick (NICK) [#20]
29 Nov 2005
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#4] 29 Nov 2005
From: engravernick (NICK) [#21]
29 Nov 2005
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#5] 29 Nov 2005
Ya know, I wonder, I've been in this biz about 32 years and I don't think I have ever really had a problem with a supplier that I couldn't work out. I have friends that have gotten mad at half a dozen guys and swore never to buy from them again. I gotta feel that's a little bit of an egotistical stand for an owner to take. Usually the problem was they waited til the last minute and it caused a problem. We are all human, If I can make $ or get an order done buying from a particular supplier why would I let some problem we have had stop that? If a guy is genuinely not good or not doing what you need, QUIT HIM! What way would you rate your top 10 customers other than who buys the MOST>Plus, even though I may want to hear who your top ten buyers are, I'm nosey about who spends how much with whom, sometimes it can be really surprising, but I don't want anybody else knowing how much I spend with YOU! THAT's unethical and nobody elses biz!
Thanks_
EngraverNick in Indiana
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#22]
29 Nov 2005
To: engravernick (NICK) [#21] 30 Nov 2005
I'm for finding another supplier if one doesn't work for you, but I think the mediation would be helpful in the instance where you are in the middle of an order and get hung out to dry by the supplier.
This happens often enough, for example, where deposits don't get refunded after the supplier drops the ball, to warrant some kind of action by our industry members.
When a supplier acts in an unethical manner, and it stays only between the supplier and retailer, the next guy to come along gets taken just like the previous one and the supplier keeps the money, laughing all the way to the bank. Or visa/versa.
IMHO we need to expose this type of practice so others can make informed decisions before purchasing.
Cindy M
From: engravernick (NICK) [#23]
30 Nov 2005
To: Cindy (CINDYM) [#22] 30 Nov 2005
You are absolutely right! I could imagine that happens frequently in this day and age. what a shame.
Nick
From: Cindy (CINDYM) [#24]
30 Nov 2005
To: engravernick (NICK) [#23] 30 Nov 2005
It is a shame. It used to be that your word or a handshake meant the deal was done and both parties would keep their word, but those days are gone for the most part as far as I can tell.
I don't know a whole lot of people who have quit suppliers only because of late shipments or because it was their fault for leaving their ordering to the last minute. That's a new one for me. What I hear the most of is frustration when a supplier just will not respond at all, or ignores the efforts to find a resolution so the retailer can keep ordering from them after the supplier has been the one to fail to perform.
But I'm sure you are right and there are those people who wait to order til the last minute because many of my clients are that type of person and the personality trait can't be reserved just for those who don't work in the awards industry:), although we'd all like to think so!
Cindy
From: Zonas [#25]
5 Jan 2006
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1] 5 Jan 2006
Added to the database, I would like to see available colors (Rowmark, IPI, Hermes, etc.), show thickness made, discontinued, etc. That way we can keep our swatch books updated.
Zona
From: Linda (LINDAG) [#26]
5 Feb 2006
To: ALL
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#27]
5 Feb 2006
To: Linda (LINDAG) [#26] 5 Feb 2006
Although it goes largely unnoticed, the "links" section, located at the top of this page, along with, Start, Messages, Search etc. contains some of that information.
We'll make that section more prominent and accessible from the our home page.
From: Linda (LINDAG) [#28]
5 Feb 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#27] 5 Feb 2006
From: logojohn [#29]
8 Feb 2006
To: ALL
There could be a section for retail shops that wants visitors and another for suppliers that have products on display all the time( or by appt.) or possibly provide a tour.
.
From: Da Big Fish (JOHNFISH) [#30]
11 Feb 2006
To: logojohn [#29] 11 Feb 2006
We'll have a searchable database that will include this info. Because it is time consuming to put this together well, and maintain it, I doubt it will be accomplished before going subscription.
I'm just getting over some pretty extreme lung problems, so I've been slowed down quite a bit.
I'm almost back up to par now, so hopefully we'll accomplish quite a bit by the end of the month.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#31]
27 Feb 2006
To: logojohn [#29] 27 Feb 2006
THAT is an excellent idea!!!!!
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#32]
10 May 2006
To: ALL
Just to bring this thread back into view.
We now have lists of member's suggestions, as well as our own concepts.
Please add what you would like to see. This thread had some good ideas, but how about some more?
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#33]
11 May 2006
To: ALL
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#34]
12 May 2006
To: ALL
I'd like to see a LOT of reference material in databases. Such as:
- laser engraving and cutting speeds for different materials vs different power/brands of laser. Sections for woods, plastics, metals, etc... and then each section divided into specifics, such as dozens of species of wood. Plus speeds for different uses, such as one speed to mark cherry wood, another for engraving deep enough to paint fill.
- A tips & tricks section divided into general subjects (rotary engrave, laser engrave, product design, product assembly, general business) and then within those divided into other categories. Some tips/tricks might be one liners. Others might be tutorials (or a one paragraph summary and a link to the tutorial section for a full tutorial). This could also be the spawning ground for tutorials. A detailed tip/trick is first written and then at a future date is turned into a detailed tutorial with photos or video.
- A database that is constantly growing out of the questions asked in the "Where can I find" folder. If something is asked for and there is a reply, add that to the database, with the ability to have multiple sources for each item. Then we could look through there first before asking, and searching that database would be simpler than searching the folder since the results could be sumarized on a single page rather than having to go read several threads that matched a search. Plus this database could include raw materials and long lists of suppliers for them (such as places to buy thin sheets of alder, etc... could include dozens of possible sources)
- A hardware/software knowledgebase for common problems with different hardware & software. Sort of a FAQ, but in many cases they might not be "frequently asked", just specific problems and a series of suggestions to try to solve them. (ie: "how do I do xxx in CorelDraw?", In CD9 and below do this..., in CD10 do this or this, in CD11 and up do this...) New answers to the same question should be able to be added. For example, a question about jagged letters in a lasered item might have 3 things to check initially, but a couple more might be added later as people discover them.
- The ability in some of these databases for members to submit info, but not have it go live until approved by a moderator. That way the databases don't rely purely on moderators adding new info. But moderators still have the ability to prevent info being added that is unrelated, spiteful, or otherwise not appropriate.
- cleaning, repair (simple), and preventive maintenance instructions for as many different types of hardware as possible.
- tools database ranging from hand tools to full blown CNC engravers, blasters, etc... Each with manufacturer name/link, list of suppliers/dealers, approximate street price range (with a date when price last updated), and capabilities & materials it relates to. Searchable by materials, keywords, and price range
- A wood identification database, with photos, so people that don't know the difference between how birch and ash (for example) could see several examples of each.
- list of distributors that sell wholesale engravable blanks, searchable by general or specific products.
The key to a lot of this database stuff is how you can search it and how you can filter the results. You need boolean searches (this and this, but not this) and filtering that is specific to the type of database (ie: one that contains prices could be sorted by price or filter prices outside a given range, while one that contains types of materials should be filterable by material type, both general type (wood, plastic, etc...) as well as specific type (maple, walnut, etc...) Plus on ones like that you should be able to select multiple matches from a dropbox (shift-click/ ctrl-click/command-click) so you don't have to type in names of wood to mach, you can select seeral from the list. There should be simple and advanced searching and then filtering/searching of results.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#35]
12 May 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#34] 12 May 2006
What I call PicTutorials, will become a regular feature. Step-by-step instructions with accompanying photos.
From: cindy (ROBERTM) [#36]
12 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#35] 12 May 2006
I love pictures. I can read thru something and then see a picture and it helps it all click for me.
Cindy
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#37]
12 May 2006
To: cindy (ROBERTM) [#36] 12 May 2006
If you like pictures, you'll love the videotaped procedures.
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