There appears to be some interest in a separate forum for young makers- I'd bet Eric Elson would be a perfect moderator!

Don ...

That's a good observation. Seems to have been building up steam for a while, in fact. Do you think the time is now?

I also agree that Eric would be perfect for the job. He's a great young man, has the credentials and is due for a promotion ... have you talked to him? Any interest?

Alex

I've been tossing this one around in my mind too. Seems like a good idea if the interest is there.

We'd need to make them understand that creating a young folks forum was not to segregate them from the rest of the group, but just to show them that we care enough about them to give them their own "hangout". They could still hangout with the "old" folks whenever they wanted to.

Eric, are you out there? We need your input!

I think it is a great idea and I talked to my son Kevin about it. Kevin asked me a couple of questions and I could not really answer him.

How many kids would visit it?

Will the grown-ups go there and make sure we are doing things right?

And the big one:

Will you get off the computer long enough for me to "Hang out" there?

Kevin will usually sit with me for a while when I get into the forums. But it does not take to long and the remote control car, the dogs, and the rocks that are begging to be thrown at something, start calling. He has already shown some frustration in me having to log off so he can log in to write a message. He also said if he has any questions, he could just ask me. He said "ALL" kids wanting to make knives can ask their dads for help. He does not want to read the "how to" stuff since he can get that from me when he needs it. I asked him what would a kid do if his dad did not make knives. He said it doesn't matter since his dad probably won't let him make them either because it is dangerous.

I think from where I sit the "Kids Korner" may not get much action. As an adult, I think it is a great idea. Thinking about it as a forum, maybe not.

I also gave a lot of thought about Eric being a moderator. I think he would do an excellent job and if this happens, I hope he will accept the role. One good thing about such a forum and it having a young modorator is that it may get the younger ones more excited about knife making since they can see that you don't have to be 40 to make a good knife. I do think that Eric needs to consider the moderator thing carefully before accepting the role. I noticed he has not posted a lot lately and hope he knows that he CAN say NO without disappointing anyone if there are other things that he needs to focus on.

Personally, I would like to see it and will try hard to get Kevin interested enough to overcome the "Callings" of other things long enough to read and post a few messages.

Eric, what is your opinion?

Bob,

Sounds like it's about time to get that young man a computer and net connection!

You're cramping his space, dude! :lol:

Alex

We did.

They (Kevin and his 16yr old brother) got it for X-mas and it's better than mine (Brats). I just have to run the phone cord. I probably am cramping his space a little but it is by design.

My biggest problem is the porno stuff and still want to be with him when he is online. You know how it is, you type in a word in a search engine and all of a sudden you get zapped with popups from a million porno sites. I let him get in here at the CKD, but like making knives and getting distracted, the kid sites starts "calling" and he is off searching for stuff on the web. Getting into the CKD can be quite an interesting learning experience for someone that is not here all the time. Have you tried www.ckd.com? This is definately not a site for kids (or me) but when trying to find the CKD and not remembering the URL or having it bookmarked, some people (Including kids) would try that URL. They even get those popups once in a while at school because their filters don'tknow about every site and sometimes a kid tries the wrong search and "POP" here comes the education.

Sometimes it is better to cramp their style than to let them learn a style from the wrong places.

Take a look at "NetNanny".

Alex

I think a forum dedicated and directed to young people is a great idea.

When I first came Online looking for information on knives and in my case knifemaking it was really hard to find a place where I felt comfortable expressing my age (or lack there of :) ) The CKD was the first place i felt "at home" so to speak. I was never talked down to or treated like a kid, even though I might have been one.

If there ever will be a time and a place for a forum dedicated to the future of this industry.(which youngsters are) I say that that time might as well be now and the Place SHOULD be the CKD!!

I am thrilled that you guys would suggest me for moderator of such a forum, and i must say that it would be a pleasure do so!
I do have many things on the go right now like College,knives,work etc. but this is an important enough project for me that I would FIND the time needed.

I may need some advice from you old guys ;) to help me be a good Moderator like all of you have been.


Eric

Eric,

Consider it done! Thank you so much!

Alex

Good show, Eric!

Glad to see it Eric, My son Kevin will be in there as soon as it starts.

Good deal Eric. You'll be great at it.

I've been admiring this forum from afar, and have to say it's a wonderful idea. Eric is perfect for the job, and the whole idea should do well. So far it has.

I have one comment, though. I work with youth in my church (as an advisor) and also as a coach, and one thing they want, is to NOT be identified as 'kids'. That's why we use the term Youth in both these organizations. I dislike the well-meaning term, 'Young 'uns' as a Forum name. It sounds so 'adult', and even condescending. An 11-year old may not care, but teens certainly do.

I know the ball is already rolling, but my choice would have been something like 'Youth Makers Forum' or 'Young Knifemakers', or whatnot.

I couldn't let this pass without comment, but my hat's off to the powers that be for initiating this great idea!

Coop

Now that you mention it you have a good point.
what do you guys think of either of thses Forum names?

"Young Knifemaker and Collector Forum"
"Young Knife Enthusiast Forum"

Not that I dislike the name as it stands, Jim does seem to have a good point.

let me know what you all think

Eric

Point well taken ... I agree!

Alex

Eric,

I like either of these.

I believe in Yoth empowerment. That being said I would poll your own Forum.

Now I've done it!!!

Coop