I'm guessing no need for one.
it's all right here and if there was a different gallery, then it wouldn't be as quick a 'lookup' as this is.
this is already my 'fix' for the day...I can come here as often as I want, by just two clicks away..
and I really don't even check my email as often as I check in here, to see what's new, with both comments and pictures

for me, I wouldn't like the idea.
it's already stained glass/mosaic forum.

if it ain't broken...don't fix it.
(that comment does NOT apply to a dish or this particular forum)...cuz for that, it's more like 'if it ain't broken...break it!"

next?

What did you have in mind? Something closed for only the invited or something closer to what we have now where newbies can find us?

I vote for the latter, but will go wherever
Maria

There is already a mosaic forum called "mosaicartistsorg"
I too am happy with what is already here.

Becky

I do certainly think that there are pitfalls to this place - the email system especially. But, we have some pluses here that you don't get at free bulletin boards. - there is no porn advertising and links to Brittney Spears nude pics posted every morning. Non of us have to be a moderator of such spam (every morning)

Of the boards that I am a member of, that migrated away from Ivilliage years ago, and one from a ford truck forum. They have dwindled to small handfuls of regular users with very few to no newbies signing in. Not only are they harder to find, they do end up looking like a private clique. and they get slow with few members and few posts... it's easy to break away from the habit of checking them. Sad to say. There are tons of mosaic sites to be found online, but I'll bet your bottom dollar we are recognized as the nicest and most welcoming/ helpful board around - that rep is forever linked to GW, not us personnally.

So with that I vote no. It looks like a good idea but hasn't really worked well in other instances.

yeah, the only other option is for a private, invitation only forum.
closed to the general public and eventually, that turns to be more about personal issues than the intended purpose.

if it's to be shared...it's here.
if one wants anonymity then, it's emailed individually.

like radio waves...there are no boundaries and what is put on here, is for all to see....but isn't that the intention?

sometimes I wonder about copyrights and that bundle of worms..but in reality, if one wants to duplicate...
it would do no real good to try and duplicate the work of an individual...you can emulate all you want but one can never actually precisely imitate a piece.
so, for that...it would take so long to cut, piece, arrange, do the actual labor of time and effort...
and then in the end...it still comes out as that person's own work anyway...

3D art is almost impossible to copy...but it's possible to copy a picture and that's not the same....
so, at the risk of repeating myself, I'm perfectly content right here. I can google other sites if needed, or not.
(saying the same thing, in different context)...lol

I consider this a mosaic forum and I *have to* check it at least twice a day no matter how busy I am. I'm happy with it and all the members so I will vote no.

I love this forum and check it several times a day.
I had joined 2 other forums, but the format is so awful it is hard to follow threads and galleries. I dont even go to them hardly at all.
This one is definetly the best all the way around.

I like this forum, and I agree it would be hard for lurkers and newbies to find us. So my vote is "naw".

What I would really like to have is a gallery area just for us. GW's gallery just isn't "all that." What would be ideal is something like Mad had created. Sure, we would still post our WIP's and finished projects in the forum, but the gallery would be a place where you could see every project in an instant. No more searcing through posts to try and find that certain mosaic that really "spoke" to you.

I think bama's right - having a gallery of just work from our various posters (and lurkers!) would be wonderful. Other than that, I don't see any advantages...this forum has it's flaws (what doesn't??), but the ease of newbies finding us is wonderful!

Pat

I'm voting with the majority here. Our site here is easy to navigate and works well (forget e-mails; they don't work), newbies can find us and we're somewhat protected from spam. BUT a private gallery would be great. I joined the Yahoo mosaic group a while ago but it is a NIGHTMARE to navigate so I don't even go there anymore.

Just thought of something. What I would like to see if someone is computer savvy enough is to create a "place" where we all can contribute source information. For instance: "millefiore at Dancing Mosaics" or "van gogh glass at Mosaics by Maria", "Morton cutting system at..." That way we can refer to the document anytime we're looking for supplies and we can refer newbies to it.

Well, I like it here, but I'm torn also. I'd like a private place for our pictures, swaps, etc and maybe as a refugee spot. I agree, this is easy to navigate and some ARE nightmares!!

Most of the better ones cost money to upkeep.

The other concern would be the influx of newbies. Most of these closed forums die a slow death. In the case of art, I think it is important to have new ideas.

HRSG maybe if you had one in mind we could look at it and decide before we all say no

Maria

We had one but we are missing our gal who made it! Mad Habits, Girl what has become of you!!!????

Let me try to answer the questions, and hopefully explain my reasons for asking the question.

from shrty411
What did you have in mind? Something closed for only the invited or something closer to what we have now where newbies can find us?
My idea was something more along the lines of this type of forum. Something with a forum broken into topics that make things easy to find, and a gallery.

The site would be easy enough to locate, because the domain would come up on searches under the mosaic heading.

All people would need to do is register to reap the benefits of the site.

The purpose of the gallery for images would be for each member to have their own gallery, and be able to post their pictures to the posts they make.

Everything would be on the one site, and would stay their as long as the site is there. We would not have to worry about things disappearing.

The pop-up advertising would be no more. That is something that bothers me personally.

As for posts of inappropriate material, I really see no issue with that with the idea I'm proposing. Usually that problem occurs on the larger sites for the most part.

Hope this better explains what I'm thinking. If not please ask any questions.

Lastly, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with GW, just there maybe a better way for the mosaic artists to come together to share our art, and any other stuff we may be doing.

That is a nice format sample...I believe it's just like
the johnbridge.com tile forums. They're very easy to navigate. But I believe you need sponsors to
support it (?)

I come to this forum occasionally and it is definitely the friendliest one I have found.

A gallery would be helpful to me because when I am searching I can't find or don't always get what I want. Instructions on certain mosaic techniques and supplies could also be posted in the gallery by taking a photo of the instructions and posting them there.

I can't get mosaicartists.org to come up in a search. I found it linked on Xinamaria site but it wouldn't come up from that site either?

Linlee
The link to the forum template is a free application. It has everything needed to get it setup, and is only one example of the free formats that are available.

The only thing that would cost me money would be the domain name, and hosting package. That is because I am willing to do this if there is a call for it.

If people wanted to be supporters or make donations that would be up to them, but would certainly not be a necessity or requirement.

springvillegardens
Having the tutorials and how to's would be so much easier and accessible. Great point that I forgot.

I'm happy here. SPRING, I've had trouble getting into their site lately too. All I get is a message "Bad Gateway". Since ROSIE is a member of that group I emailed her this morning asking her what was going on. She is having trouble also. She sent me the email address of the moderator, and I emailed her but haven't gotten a respons. Such a wonderful place for inspiration. I was starting the Holiday Exchange today and needed ideas - had to go w/my empty head instead.

I agree with staying here. I've been on a few private sites that degenerate into name calling and back biting and I just don't need that.

Poor Madhabitz's forum has filled up with porn since she opened it and let it run . . . no thanks to that either.

I wish iVillage would change their picture posting policy but I live with it and never post the actual picture here. As long as I post my flckr address, then anyone can see my photos and I don't lose my rights.

I sent them an e-mail asking about a possible photo gallery. Why don't y'all ask also? Then they'll know we're serious?

I sent them one the other day, so maybe if they get enough requests, we'll get one.

Hazie

Im happy with this forum~ you guys have all been an inspiration to me - and Im on the other side of the world! I'd be upset if I couldnt find you!