Bigdawg
Just Me
Cadmn, I would like to think that any MM advertising as a wholesale only shop would properly vet anyone that tried to place a wholesale order from them.
As far as what to do, I'm not sure how to keep the board exclusive to those in the industry.
I am going to say this... and I have a little bit of a unique viewpoint here since I was off the board - actually pretty well off the internet - for the better part of a year. When I checked in here I rarely bothered to log in since I was just passing through.
When I came back I can tell you that it was a much different place then the one I left. While the community was still there, the overwhelming friendliness was gone. Some of the people who were here when I left had gotten more jaded and cynical when dealing with newcomers. Suspicion reigned (reigns). It wasn't a very inviting place if you made any misstep - or heaven forbid - not post an newbie introduction first. I don't think I would have stayed if it had been like that when I first came.
I was a newcomer to the sign industry - with only graphic design and screenprinting experience behind me. AND I had a Master's cutter. Y'all would have ate me up and spit me out without blinking. But see, I came here to learn how to do it right. I asked stupid questions and I knew so little that I didn't even know how to ask for the information I needed sometimes. People here held my hand, shared their knowledge and allowed me to add signage to my business in a professional way instead of just being another fly-by-night vinyl jockey.
My point in all of this - and I speak purely for myself, not as admin or for anyone else - but signs101 is a learning place. Newbies - by the very fact that they want to learn - will come here. I'm not too in favor of making it harder for someone in the business to learn the right way to do things.
I would like to find a workable solution to the problem of those outside the business finding their way inside. Even innocently like the boat decal guy appeared to have. But there are limitations to what is practical. And relying on volunteers - however well-meaning they may be - has not worked in the past. So when the enthusiasm has died down and volunteers drop by the wayside, it will fall back to Fred to pick up the slack.
As far as what to do, I'm not sure how to keep the board exclusive to those in the industry.
I am going to say this... and I have a little bit of a unique viewpoint here since I was off the board - actually pretty well off the internet - for the better part of a year. When I checked in here I rarely bothered to log in since I was just passing through.
When I came back I can tell you that it was a much different place then the one I left. While the community was still there, the overwhelming friendliness was gone. Some of the people who were here when I left had gotten more jaded and cynical when dealing with newcomers. Suspicion reigned (reigns). It wasn't a very inviting place if you made any misstep - or heaven forbid - not post an newbie introduction first. I don't think I would have stayed if it had been like that when I first came.
I was a newcomer to the sign industry - with only graphic design and screenprinting experience behind me. AND I had a Master's cutter. Y'all would have ate me up and spit me out without blinking. But see, I came here to learn how to do it right. I asked stupid questions and I knew so little that I didn't even know how to ask for the information I needed sometimes. People here held my hand, shared their knowledge and allowed me to add signage to my business in a professional way instead of just being another fly-by-night vinyl jockey.
My point in all of this - and I speak purely for myself, not as admin or for anyone else - but signs101 is a learning place. Newbies - by the very fact that they want to learn - will come here. I'm not too in favor of making it harder for someone in the business to learn the right way to do things.
I would like to find a workable solution to the problem of those outside the business finding their way inside. Even innocently like the boat decal guy appeared to have. But there are limitations to what is practical. And relying on volunteers - however well-meaning they may be - has not worked in the past. So when the enthusiasm has died down and volunteers drop by the wayside, it will fall back to Fred to pick up the slack.
