One of the questions that needs to be asked in order to maximize the value of the database is, how are people going to use the loom database? Defining the uses allows the group to see if the needed information is included in the database and in user access to the database.
Beyond being able to quickly enter your personal loom, how do you see people using this information? For example:
Enter your own looms
Find other users with your loom for discussion or troubleshooting.
Find other users with a loom you might find interesting, for discussion and/or potential visit
Find projects done on a particular loom model, or type of loom (eg: Voyageur, or 8S Table Loom, or computerized floor looms, or counterbalance looms, or taka dai). It's interesting to explore how the equipment affects the type of designing and projects done and to see how different equipment can be used to create the same type of work.
To look at the differences in construction or operation of various looms (rigid heddle vs various tapestry looms vs frame vs backstrap, etc.).
To gather information when looking from scratch for a new loom (do I want rigid heddle or table loom? Is 4S enough or do I want more?)
What do you see as possible uses?
Laurie
Such a database will only be useful if it is somehow content scanned by seasoned weavers.
Far too many people buy used looms - some homebuilt - others not knowing what they have and the information winds up being entered in such a way that it is either incoherent or misrepresents the equipment.
Pull down menus for entry should contain VALID terms that make sense and try to head off errors if at all possible.
Beyond that, there should be some persons (multiple because there are a lot of various looms out there) who have access to this database in its basic form with the ability to smooth out rough places and contact posters who need assistance in getting their information precise.
Database design is something for IT professionals - deciding which fields, type of data entry, and screen representation is NOT like making a spreadsheet of last month's checking transactions. If the basic design is flawed, it will never fly as revision is more difficult than making initial decisions that make sense. (See the results of the first attempt).
To make comparing loom types and construction features truly helpful requires considerable visual material as well as reasonably neutral assessments of what is in the database. The usual platitudes about adding wheels to a workshop loom as being a very important part of buying a loom are out there in mass. Information such as found in Broudy's "Book of Looms" is not usual, but I think needed as Weavolution is attracting a LOT of beginning weavers. Lets give them something that has substance - beginners all dream of becoming profi weavers with a flourishing Etsy store in spite of all the protestations that they are "just wanting to have fun". I've seen several on Weavolution in the last month or so go from Saori "anything goes" to becoming profoundly curious about orderly weaving techniques and what types of looms and instruction are out there. As computer assisted looms, drawlooms and other sophisticated equipment continues to grow in popularity, giving beginners a database that is approaching textbook quality would be a positive enhancement - for the weavers, for the dealers trying to place quality looms that are suited to the weaver, to persons selling used equipment to discern if they own a valuable tool or a piece of junk.
Chatty fields and looking at looms held privately is perhaps a nice thought, but is it relevant? As a shop owner, we have display models that we gladly show, but opening my home to strangers is not a given - from a privacy standpoint AND from the inconvenience of needing to be there and relatively picked up, etc. If the loom visitation feature is enabled, it should be done with an eye to possible negative repercussions - I'd love to see it, but matching strangers on the web needs a bit of TLC to implement successfully.
I really question why we would have this function other than very basic information. It seems like it is energy intensive.
Each geographic location has different looms/vendors/heritage. I have found the Rugtalk "how to repair" your loom very useful. That has existed on line. I have also found the Historic Manuscripts Conference a useful source for tying up older historic looms. This information transfer for me took place in person.
Vendors have an important place as they offer current loom production and enable weavers to "try" before they buy. They have a vested interest in teaching about the equipment they represent. Joanne Hall and Becky's Vavstuga most excellent web pages come to mind. They definitely focus on a Swedish culture and equipment. A stronger link to vendors that sell the equipment listed in Weavolution (whether they are advertisors or not would broaden the view)
I would go for a limited loom function that would educate folks about what is available in their country/region. Throw the light on other looms that are out there that are in other cultures which operate differently from Western cultures. (using that region as an example)
still thinking.....Deb
I've posted this as an example of the parts of a loom that need to be defined. There are many looms that differ greatly in how these functions are achieved.
I definitely agree that the information collected needs to be accurate, appropriately and accurately worded, and complete. There is some overview function now, in the form of moderators who must approve and evaluate each loom entry. It would be helpful to make suggestions in specifics of how this function should be upgraded. Educational is high on my list, too. The "people may/may not visit my loom" feature is already there and working. Other features/uses that I have thought about or seen in other threads include:
loom reviews (anonymous), like Amazon or LibraryThing
loom modifications, permanent and temporary with pictures
searchable for any word or set of words (cherry, 8 shaft, foldable, 36", looms owned by people in CA)
videos of each base type of loom, showing weaving in progress, maybe warping also (by base type I mean Jacquard, draw, computerized dobby, mechanical dobby, rising shed jack with treadles, sinking shed jack with treadles, table loom with levers, table looms with hand-lifted shafts, countermarche, counterbalance, rigid heddle, frame, tapestry (various kinds), bead, inkle, backstrap, card, warp-weighted, etc. etc.)
Would be interesting to have a series of Deb's diagrams for each different loom type.
A clickable map where you could sort loom information by region (Scandinavia, New England, Australia, etc.).
A pictorial database of extraneous loom equipment - temples, sectional warping, warping wheel, warping reel, warping board, warping on pegs or chair posts, fan reeds, ondule beaters, tapestry bobbin types, various shuttles, warping trapeze variations, etc. - and maybe videos showing their use
As I read this, I am seeing both a set of galleries and a set of links (beyond those to manufacturers) to augment the looms database. Oddly enough, Weavolution has only project and draft galleries. How about galleries for: Looms, equipment, studios, people, fiber animals, etc. A link page to educational material, blogs, individual websites. This information is currently scattered through individual profiles, individual threads, or not present.
Just musing,
Laurie Autio
Perhaps the best way to start is to set up a limited number of functions as phase 1 and see if there are enough volunteers to oversee phase 1. We do not want to get into weavers writing reviews on equipment.
It is one thing to put up someone's woven project and comment on it. One does not need to have this information reviewed by a volunteer.
It is another to put up comments on weaving equipment that they may not be using correctly. I have seen weavers comment on how they use an end feed shuttle only to have someone else tell them they are using it wrong. We cannot rely on Bluster Bay, Schacht and AVL to monitor this page to correct errors for how a weaver is using their shuttle.
Joanne
Or to account for how a loom has been abused (warped, rusted, missing pieces) before or after a weaver has received it.
It is interesting, though, that there are not places already on the net where one could post loom reviews while one can find reviews for almost everything else. Yahoogroups are very careful not to offend manufacturers, who may feel libeled. Others might not want to offend their advertisers. Individuals don't want to offend the manufacturer who may be their source of repair information.
Yet... we all have our private lists of looms that make us cringe when they turn up in the classes we teach or take. We all know of looms where there are long term problems that the manufacturer knows, but does not make efforts to correct. Of course, each person's list is a bit (or very) different depending on their experiences. You may try to warn people (very discretely!), but it is not the same thing as seeing 50 users make similar comments.
I am by no means sold on including reviews (or any of the other items I threw out for discussion). There are an immense numbers of possible problems. I do find it amazing that candid weaving equipment reviews are so hard to find.
Laurie Autio
Ravelry does have loom reviews. Anyone who belongs should possibly take a look and see what might be worth incororating on Weavolution.
Just search the list of group forums for loom review.
For an example of a great data base and user interface, check out Ravelry which serves the knitting community. It is a phenomonal site.
Blueyedcat
Since the change over. I have been having a great deal of difficulty reading my group comments, putting on new projects, and finding any information that I am looking for. It seems like I have to wade through pages just to find the recent posts. Adding new projects continually errors out for me (most recently with the date of the project). But my biggest complaint is just finding anything...
Since the change over. I have been having a great deal of difficulty reading my group comments, putting on new projects, and finding any information that I am looking for. It seems like I have to wade through pages just to find the recent posts. Adding new projects continually errors out for me (most recently with the date of the project). But my biggest complaint is just finding anything...
Deanna,
The easiest way to find new comments is to click on "Groups & Forums" on the black bar at the top of the page. In addition, you can see the most recent posts for every page of the website if you click on the word "Dashboard" in the orange box. In either of those two places, you will see a red "new" if there is a post you have not clicked on. Just click on the red new and you will be taken directly to the unread post. Further explanation and help can be found here.
We are continuing to work with the developers to improve your Weavolution experience. Our greatest constraint is funding.
Please feel free to PM me if I can be of further assistance. A white envelope will appear under my joined date on this post. Click on that ,and you go directly to Messages and can write to me from your message box.
Claudia
