The Crispin Colloquy boot and shoemaking forum

[cgardel]

Interesting shoe discussion board...

Welcome to The Crispin Colloquy--a web based forum of boot and shoemaking topics. Here anything and everything pertaining to the Gentle Craft is open for discussion. Please feel free to express your opinions, explore techniques, share resources and reveal crans.

The Crispin Colloquy

 

[bengal-stripe]

Originally Posted by michellefanfan

could anyone tell me how to start a thread? i am a newbie

Deleted...... That new thread might be spamming.

 

[DWFII]

I am the creator, webmaster and Administrator at the Crispin Colloquy.

The first thing you have to know is that to post on that forum you must be a member. This is as simple as registering and giving a valid email address. Other than that it is free.

The second thing to know is that you cannot start a new thread. The forum is an adjunct of The Honourable Cordwainers' Company--a registered 501, C-3, tax-exempt educational Trade Guild who's mission is to "preserve and protect."

We discuss bespoke shoe and bootmaking techniques (and allied Trades) and encourage those who wish to ask questions or contribute to a discussion. But goal number one is to archive knowledge and goal number two is to educate. As a consequence threads do not disappear for lack of input or being out of date or out of sight. All threads are effectively "sticky." We feel that there is a thread for every pertinent subject that needs to be discussed and welcome contributions within those subtopics.

Once you've registered, you can reply or add comment to any thread or discussion that you can read.

Finally, and maybe most important in this (SF) context...and answering some criticism that has been expressed here...The Crispin Colloquy is not a "show and tell" or a platform for braggadocio or ostentatious display. We have beginners who are struggling and who post photos both because they are proud to have come that far and because they hope for constructive criticism or input.

And we have master shoemakers and journeyman shoemakers who, while not certifiably masters (no papers), are, nevertheless some of the very best and most knowledgeable makers in the world. All of whom...all who post regularly...do so out of a desire to help others learn and advance--they give their time out of generosity and nothing else. In fact, we do not allow or encourage self-promotion nor buying or selling for personal profit.

Some of the work posted in the Gallery is amazing...some not so much. It is all part of our mission--to educate...to "preserve and to protect."

As the "host," may I extend a heartfelt invitation to anyone interested in bespoke footwear--all who share our goals are welcome.

 

[srivats]

I think that member DWFII is the founder of Crispin Colloquy.

edit: you beat to me it, DW

 

[DWFII]

Originally Posted by srivats

I think that member DWFII is the founder of Crispin Colloquy. edit: you beat to me it, DW

Sri, Thanks for the recognition.

 

[CutandSew]

It's a very informative forum...very impassioned too. Definitely worth a look for anyone interested in shoemaking.

 

[Son Of Saphir]

Real shoe discussion there,
it advanced forum.

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Why not use vBulletin, PHPBB, IP.Board or something similar? That 'Discus' software seems very peculiar and awkward to use.

 

[DWFII]

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum

Why not use vBulletin, PHPBB, IP.Board or something similar? That 'Discus' software seems very peculiar and awkward to use.
Believe it or not this forum has been on the Internet for going on 12(?) years now. When I first created it some of that software was not available...or didn't have a free version, which Discus did. When we were making the transition from the free version to the paid, professional (ahem) version, I considered shifting to a PHP based board but the graphics, and the internal structure, and the old messages weren't easily translated to PHP. More importantly, with the PHP based forums, what happens typically is that threads are started and flourish for a while and then disappear into the basement or attics as people lose interest. Sometimes those threads get revived but more often someone just comes along and starts another thread about virtually the same subject. In my estimation, PHP based forums are not as well suited to archiving material or recovering material as the Discus format is. What's more, because new...perhaps repetitive...threads are constantly being started bandwidth and server space is exorbitant by comparison. Admittedly, Discus is old and a bit clunky. But it is not hard to use if you take the time to familiarize yourself with the formatting and conventions. Frankly, we don't miss people who can't or won't do that. And beyond that, we prefer a bit of a "dated"...even vintage...feel.

 

[Fishball]

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum

Why not use vBulletin, PHPBB, IP.Board or something similar? That 'Discus' software seems very peculiar and awkward to use.

I think it was because it main goal was not for "discussion", it goals are "goal number one is to archive knowledge and goal number two is to educate."

Yet the forum is not too "user friendly", but as a member for 3-4years, I learn a lot from it. The most important thing is all the members are very friendly and helpful!!!!

Good job, DWFII!

 

[DWFII]

Originally Posted by Fishball

I think it was because it main goal was not for "discussion", it goals are "goal number one is to archive knowledge and goal number two is to educate." Yet the forum is not too "user friendly", but as a member for 3-4years, I learn a lot from it. The most important thing is all the members are very friendly and helpful!!!! Good job, DWFII!

Fishball, Thank you. Spot on. Hope to "see" more of you on the CC.

 

[DWFII]

Originally Posted by bengal-stripe

Deleted...... That new thread might be spamming.
Bengal, Thank you for the thought...however, what with the fact that every registrant has to have a valid email address; new threads are not allowed; and every registrant has to have their membership approved by me personally...we don't have much trouble with spam. (knock on wood) To some extent, the Discus format as well as the internal structure of the board mitigates against spam. Spammers who do offer a valid email address quickly get banned and their email addresses sent to websites that create blacklists. Then too, I suspect that the "clunkiness" of the interface works against spammers as well. I'm sure some clever person could circumvent all that but I wouldn't know why they would even want to try. We have a very small, albeit dedicated, membership who would be more inclined to dismiss a spammer just because it was spam than take any interest in the contents of such posts.

 

[RIDER]

Originally Posted by DWFII

Bengal,

Thank you for the thought...however, what with the fact that every registrant has to have a valid email address; new threads are not allowed; and every registrant has to have their membership approved by me personally...we don't have much trouble with spam. (knock on wood)

To some extent, the Discus format as well as the internal structure of the board mitigates against spam. Spammers who do offer a valid email address quickly get banned and their email addresses sent to websites that create blacklists.

Then too, I suspect that the "clunkiness" of the interface works against spammers as well.

I'm sure some clever person could circumvent all that but I wouldn't know why they would even want to try. We have a very small, albeit dedicated, membership who would be more inclined to dismiss a spammer just because it was spam than take any interest in the contents of such posts.

Hey DW - still kicking around these parts? Didn't figure you would have the patience with some of the way things go here.....good for you.

BTW, the guy whose posts you really want to pay attention to on DW's site is (sorry forgot the name) the guy who is at Williamsburg doing repros. I live here in Richmond and have never gone down to see that....gotta go and see it, for sure.

 

[DWFII]

Originally Posted by RIDER

Hey DW - still kicking around these parts? Didn't figure you would have the patience with some of the way things go here.....good for you. BTW, the guy whose posts you really want to pay attention to on DW's site is (sorry forgot the name) the guy who is at Williamsburg doing repros. I live here in Richmond and have never gone down to see that....gotta go and see it, for sure.
No patience necessary...just stubborness and a certain dedication--if you talk the talk, you need to walk the walk. True dat...My particular friend Al Saguto is the head of the shoemaking department at Colonial Williamsburg and the head shoemaker in the shoemakers shop. He is also the foremost authority on historical footwear in the US if not one of the respected and preeminent in the world. He doesn't post much on the CC...ostensibly because the historical and archeological stuff isn't there often enough to spark a continuing presence (as well as the fact that he is a bit of a closet Luddite when it comes to computers) but when he does post, he is worth paying attention to.

 

[RIDER]

Originally Posted by DWFII

No patience necessary...just stubborness and a certain dedication--if you talk the talk, you need to walk the walk.

True dat...My particular friend Al Saguto is the head of the shoemaking department at Colonial Williamsburg and the head shoemaker in the shoemakers shop. He is also the foremost authority on historical footwear in the US if not one of the respected and preeminent in the world. He doesn't post much on the CC..ostensibly because the historical and archeological stuff isn't there often enough to spark a continuing presence (as well as the fact that he is a bit of a closet Luddite when it comes to computers) but when he does post, he is worth paying attention to.

Right on, he's fantastic to read. At least 10 years ago or so. Haven't been around for awhile, really.

You have to send me some pics of the work you did for our common friend! Haven't heard anything since you started last year I guess.

Anyway, keep 'em straight.