A discussion about PAW?

Seems some people object to the PAW (photo-a-week). And some are blaming it for the lack of activity in this forum.

If you've been following PAW, it's dying a natural death anyway. Only one last week and two this week. (Richard's put his under 155, but it should be 156... there's so few, it does get confusing.) So why are there so many PAWs on page one? So few posts in general. Threads are now going back two months on the first page.

It's nonsense that the PAW threads are stopping people from posting to this forum. The only reason why the PAWs take up so much of the first page is because the non-PAW posts are so few. We could not post any PAWs for a month, and with no new PAWs, there would still be old PAWs on the front page. And perhaps folks would be still saying, well, we would post except for those annoying PAW threads.

The point of making them "PAW" is to mark them as part of a group. The original idea was to get people out and about with their cameras and contributing a photo a week. Participants are supposed to comment on five other contributions for that week. But after three years, PAW has lost some direction and is on the way out.

For those who don't like PAW, it is indeed dying so now's the time to get in and push the threads right off the front page. I can imagine coming back in three months or so and still having old PAW threads on the front page! And folks still whining... we'd post except for those danged PAWs, you know...

Hi, Bugzie!

bugzie said:

It's nonsense that the PAW threads are stopping people from posting to this forum. The only reason why the PAWs take up so much of the first page is because the non-PAW posts are so few. We could not post any PAWs for a month, and with no new PAWs, there would still be old PAWs on the front page. And perhaps folks would be still saying, well, we would post except for those annoying PAW threads.

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Good point. But I think that the issue is not that the PAWs are acting as a repellant to the forum in general, rather that the PAW threads are not conducive to general forum participation. Let me be clear - I don't think it is the content of the PAW posts as much as the title of the thread (PAW 156 or whatever). Sort of like a great product with poor advertising - I think the PAW threads would be more active if they were less formally labelled, that's all. I don't speak for the group, but it's a sentiment that has been echoed about.

bugzie said:

.... Participants are supposed to comment on five other contributions for that week. But after three years, PAW has lost some direction and is on the way out.

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See - I didn't even know that. In that sense, PAW seems rather anachronistic, don't you think?

Continue to post the "PAW"s by all means. But if we stop calling them PAWs and simply label the thread with a more descriptive title, I think it would encourage more thread traffic.

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bugzie said:

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• • • • leeF

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...to email me, click the link on my site below...
http://home.comcast.net/~rodester/

My point is that the lack of traffic has nothing to do with threads marked "PAW". There are only so many "PAW" threads on the front page because there is such a lack of traffic. If the forum was healthy, there'd only be a few and they wouldn't present any problem. And ironically, yes, PAW is on its last legs and some people aren't aware of that because the forum has so few general posts.

The dog is dead and covered with fleas. Did the fleas kill the dog? Or was it because of a much deeper problem?

The only reason I posted was because I realized it was No. 156 which is three years. I had some shots from this week and decided to post to 156. And it will probably be for the last time as 3 years is pretty good.

Of course, 3 years of PAWs have killed the forum! Never mind the big bus scooting off in the distance: the demise of Minolta and Konica Minolta. Never mind the lack of participation in challenges and mini-challenges.

The PAWs have kept things a little more lively for a while. In between the "My A2 is dead" posts.

And the anti-PAWs seemed to have breathed in some new life perhaps for a while although I can't see how eager potential participants will be attracted to this forum now as, if they don't know what a "PAW" is, they won't know what a "This is not a PAW" is either.

The more astute will probably come to the conclusion that this some sad, petty, internal squabble over the carcass of a dying forum, and they'll head for greener pastures.

that is the question.

Hi All,

I'm travelling again so no PAW this week (yet!).

I was rather suprised to see the difference of opinion about the PAWs. As a recent PAW poster I agree with Bugzie's comments and can't see the drama in labelling them as such. It's not as if there are restrictive posting rules or other impediments to anybody putting up a photo (or two) for that week. Likewise I don't see how the title of thread is confusing or would inhibit anyone from posting a "non PAW" thread. One of the key aspects that I find good about the numbered PAW thread is that it provides an incentive to get out there and take pictures instead of talking about it. It's a bit like turning up for a team activity, if you know that others are taking the trouble to be there, you are more likely to do so as well.

PAW or non PAW let's see some more posts as well as some enthusiasm for the MC.

Karel

I had quite big arguments with these forum 'purists' quite a while back Bugzie.

Every so often they'd chirp in that they don't like the format of the current forum, yet they NEVER contribute anything remotely useful or helpful to make it more interesting, unless you consider complaining is a contribution... all they do is reminisce about the days when KM was king so to speak. Well it's not king any more.. cameras have moved on and most KM stuff is DEAD... so the forum either sinks or swims, depending upon contributions.

When you challenge the moaners to help keep the forum going, they soon disappear.. There was even one, for use of a better term, an a-hole who sort of got Richard banned from posting on here for a while, simply because Richard wasn't using a KM camera... he never contributed anything for years, in fact I didn't know he existed until the issue over Richard arose.. where is this guy now? He's posting on another forum where he always spends his time and we've not heard from him since! If that's what purists do them I'm afraid they are not welcome in my book.

Over the past 2 years I've tried to contribute in order to keep the forum going a bit longer but even I've met too much apathy to make it worthwhile putting in the effort which is why I don't often contribute like I used to do.

If it wasn't for PAW, there would be posts on the first page around 4 or more months old... which must say something.

Last year...someone left a message on the forum... "Not much going on here then!"

How very very true... if one wants a forum to remain viable then one has to contribute, otherwise there is no forum community.
Tony
--
The only thing that gets sharper with use is a woman's tongue!
http://www.le-femme.co.uk

I agree entirely with Leef. it is not the fact of posting images, which is fine and keeps things going. But the KM forum is the only one where you see the word PAW PAW PAW over pages and pages. Like a secret code....only for insiders probably, might some occasionnal viewers think. or: "whoops" can i post an old picture? or: whoops, in which week are we????

And sometimes PAWS appeared and in the same time a new member posting a question was not answered.

If it were such a brillant idea to fill pages with PAW instead of simply making a hint to a picture, why don't they do it on other forums.

I much prefer: "please comment on this picture", or "wow look at this stange beast"
or "a weekend in Paris" , etc , like other forums.
So my intention was not at all to have fewer photos.

I also insist on getting back the friday night humor

Well, you know my opinion now, i have been writing about it before, so i will stop moaning.

Yes, this is just moaning. It's everybody else's responsibility isn't it? The most PAWs we've had in recent months is SIX PER WEEK, lately there have only been TWO. The reason why it's "PAW, PAW, PAW" is because there are so few other posts.

The best way to revive the Friday Humor is for you to get your finger out and starting posting some.

Some people are apathetic but instead of facing up to their apathy, they need to blame something else for it. If you're not going to post some Friday Night Humor, you can't ask anybody else to, or blame others for not doing so.

Unless, of course, you want to blame PAW for the death of the Friday jokes! And the joke is you most likely do!... mumble, mumble, PAW, PAW, PAW everywhere... killing our jokes... killing our forum... killing our challenges... moan, moan.

Reg Ister said:

But the KM forum is the only one where you see the word PAW PAW PAW over pages and pages. Like a secret code....

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Like Bugzie has explained, it's not that there are so many PAWs as much as there is so little else.

Reg Ister said:

And sometimes PAWS appeared and in the same time a new member posting a question was not answered.

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So PAW is to blame? Did you try answering?

Reg Ister said:

If it were such a brillant idea to fill pages with PAW instead of simply making a hint to a picture, why don't they do it on other forums.

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If steak and kidney pie is such a brilliant idea, why don't they eat it everywhere? Because things evolve differently in different places, not necessarily because it's a bad idea. You also don't get the heated arguments and offensive language on this forum that so many other forums excel at.

Reg Ister said:

I much prefer: "please comment on this picture", or "wow look at this stange beast"
or "a weekend in Paris" , etc , like other forums.
So my intention was not at all to have fewer photos.

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PAW is not just a subject line. It's a totally different concept from what you suggest, which has sadly lost most of its meaning over the years, therefore your confusion.

Reg Ister said:

I also insist on getting back the friday night humor

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Good idea.

Reg Ister said:

Well, you know my opinion now, i have been writing about it before, so i will stop moaning.

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Since I have not contributed for a very long time, I will stop moaning, too. I may just make another post explaining PAW to those who weren't around when it started.

--
Gideon

Reg Ister said:

I agree entirely with Leef. it is not the fact of posting images, which is fine and keeps things going. But the KM forum is the only one where you see the word PAW PAW PAW over pages and pages. Like a secret code....only for insiders probably, might some occasionnal viewers think. or: "whoops" can i post an old picture? or: whoops, in which week are we????

And sometimes PAWS appeared and in the same time a new member posting a question was not answered.

If it were such a brillant idea to fill pages with PAW instead of simply making a hint to a picture, why don't they do it on other forums.

I much prefer: "please comment on this picture", or "wow look at this stange beast"
or "a weekend in Paris" , etc , like other forums.
So my intention was not at all to have fewer photos.

I also insist on getting back the friday night humor

Well, you know my opinion now, i have been writing about it before, so i will stop moaning.

Click to expand...

Ok ... A total of 19 posts started from you in the KM forum since early 2005 is hardly contributing to keeping the forum going and most of those posts were all made in the 1st year.

Perhaps if you and other dissidents had posted regularly then there would have been more breaks between PAW PAW PAW! If it wasn't for PAW, there would be posts on the first page going back 4 MONTHS! Hardly a thriving forum wouldn't you say.

As I've said already, if one isn't prepared to post regularly then why when they do so, should it be about complaining that all there is is PAW on here?

There's been nothing stopping anyone except procrastination from posting on here - there is certainly no obligation to participate in the PAW and those who choose to post images for other than PAW or just plain old written posts have always been welcomed! Indeed this is probably one of the friendliest and welcoming forums I've come across and shouldn't be allowed to just die, which it will if left to those who choose only to denegrate rather than participate. Prior to this week's contribution, your last post started was 7 months ago... it needs people like you to contribute to help the forum survive.

If you or others wish to see a change in the format of the forum, then fine, that is your preroative but, it requires participation on a regular basis... not just once in a blue moon!

I myself would be happy to contribute, as I'm sure others would be with simple workshops for those who are new to photography or perhaps would like to further their knowledge or get the most from their camera. It's down to everyone to get involved and make a difference.
Tony

--
The only thing that gets sharper with use is a woman's tongue!
http://www.le-femme.co.uk

bugzie said:

My point is that the lack of traffic has nothing to do with threads marked "PAW".

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Hi, Bugzie! I think that's a false argument, my friend. You need to reread my original response to you. I did not debate that point. I'm not sure anyone is stating that PAWs are causing a lack of traffic. I certainly am not, and would not agree with anyone who did. The point about PAWs is that while many of the "old-timers" understand what it means and the "rules", there are many that do not, and hence the PAW threads are skipped over and ignored, and are probably downright esoteric to new folks. There is no obvious FAQ describing PAWs as they seem to be exclusive to K-M, and hence to newer members it can come across as rather elitist.

I am not doom and gloom about this forum. There are many new K-M owners out there; the old Dimage cameras are constantly being sold and resold, and we provide a valuable resource for those new owners. But when they come here for answers and see "PAW" everywhere - with no FAQ to describe the rules or even what it is - it does not exactly foster the kind of active participation the forum could otherwise enjoy. In my opinion, at least.

Again, to be perfectly clear:

1. PAWs are not responsible for the slow traffic in this forum
2. Use of a less esoteric post title than PAW 273 - but rather Plz Comment on What Could Enhance This Scorpion Macro - might foster more active participation from the new-comers/newer-comers. As an example.
3. New-comers and more recent members just don't understand the rules of PAW, making it appear elitist even though I'm sure that is not the intent.
4. There is no obvious FAQ for PAW, again fostering participation only by those few who still understand the rules

It's really not a big deal - it's just about dropping some of the anachronistic vernacular. Photography is about communication - ultimately about enabling others to see what we see. That philosophy should apply to our communication here on this forum as well.

--

bugzie said:

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• • • • leeF

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...to email me, click the link on my site below...
http://home.comcast.net/~rodester/

I just C&Ped from a two-year-old post of mine explaining PAW to a newcomer:

1. Every week is a new PAW (Picture or Photo a Week), this weekend will be No. 46.

2. Posting is usually done during the weekend, unless you can't make it, in which case you may post later.

3. You commit to post every week.

4. You should post only one picture. If you post more, don't expect in-depth critiques. If you want to show more than one picture, best post the PAW picture in your first post, and the rest in a following "reply" post.

5. The picture should be have been taken during the previous week.

6. Absolutely free topic.

7. You are expected to comment on the other PAWS (or at least five of them) during the week. This is perhaps the most important "rule" - it's what makes PAW tick.

8. This is a KM forum, however since a number of the regulars here have moved on to other brands and everyone wants them to keep participating, all camera makes are welcome.

All the rules were ultimately relaxed, which eventually left PAW bereft of its very essence, as I see it:

1. First, other makes other than KM were allowed (I'm totally fine with that).

2. Then, people started missing weeks. I may add that in the original PAW initiation thread, participants commited to posting every week. For me, having to produce a good picture each and every week was the main allure of PAW.
3. Then people started posting pictures taken anytime.

4. In some pictures it was evident that the poster had not tried his/her best, others were mere snapshots.
5. People started posting two, three and four pictures. This taxed commenting.

6. Then there were some folk who did not reciprocate on the critiques they received, or did so offhandedly. Some of it, quite understandably, as a result of points #4 and #5, but some of it out of what seemed like selfishness.

More and more, rules were relaxed to encourage participation. To that end, this may have been the right way to go, but the result for me was that PAW eventually lost most of its appeal.

--
Gideon

Since this thread seemed to come out of the roll call for KM users, and I had commented there, I feel I can stick my two cents in on this one.

I wish I had the time to participate in the PAW process, but I unfortunately don't. At no time did PAW make me not want to participate in the forum. I find myself lurking, but checking everyday to see what is happening.

Personally, I like the PAW in the title, as I know that is what I am looking at, and if I want to skip the follow up comments I can. My idea of doing a PAM (Photo A Month) was for me only, and even that was impossible to find enough time for.

I think the PAW concept has certainly changed from the beginning, as shown by Gideon's posting of the original idea, but that is part of change, especially on a forum that is supposed to be dedicated to discontinued cameras, 4-5 years old.

The best part of this forum is the membership (now determined to be around 23 by the roll call thread, although some people were absent from it), and the respect that we have always shown for each other.

If you want to submit a PAW, and expect commenting on your work, and reciprocal commenting on the works of others, great. This does not intimidate me in any way, and I get to see photos from all over the world.

If you don't want to participate in formal PAW format, by all means put up something and say what it is. No need to comment, or comment if you wish. This should not be any threat to the PAW people either.

Although my only camera is still the orignial KM A200, I don't mind images from other makes, and understand that eventually new technology overtakes the old, especially in the digital world. That said, the more images we can get from the A series cameras the better, in my opinion.

Remeber, we are still a family. Ironic

Leef said:

bugzie said:

My point is that the lack of traffic has nothing to do with threads marked "PAW".

Click to expand...

Hi, Bugzie! I think that's a false argument, my friend. You need to reread my original response to you. I did not debate that point. I'm not sure anyone is stating that PAWs are causing a lack of traffic. I certainly am not, and would not agree with anyone who did. The point about PAWs is that while many of the "old-timers" understand what it means and the "rules", there are many that do not, and hence the PAW threads are skipped over and ignored, and are probably downright esoteric to new folks. There is no obvious FAQ describing PAWs as they seem to be exclusive to K-M, and hence to newer members it can come across as rather elitist.

I am not doom and gloom about this forum. There are many new K-M owners out there; the old Dimage cameras are constantly being sold and resold, and we provide a valuable resource for those new owners. But when they come here for answers and see "PAW" everywhere - with no FAQ to describe the rules or even what it is - it does not exactly foster the kind of active participation the forum could otherwise enjoy. In my opinion, at least.

Again, to be perfectly clear:

1. PAWs are not responsible for the slow traffic in this forum
2. Use of a less esoteric post title than PAW 273 - but rather Plz Comment on What Could Enhance This Scorpion Macro - might foster more active participation from the new-comers/newer-comers. As an example.
3. New-comers and more recent members just don't understand the rules of PAW, making it appear elitist even though I'm sure that is not the intent.
4. There is no obvious FAQ for PAW, again fostering participation only by those few who still understand the rules

It's really not a big deal - it's just about dropping some of the anachronistic vernacular. Photography is about communication - ultimately about enabling others to see what we see. That philosophy should apply to our communication here on this forum as well.

--

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Lee,

I hate to disagree with you but you have joined the KM forum in it's decline ( about 8 months ago isn't it?) but when it was at it's 'last peak' around 3 years ago, that was when PAW was agreed on. Because of the demise of the KM brand, it was inevitable that forum participation would decline as KM users changed to other brands but it can't be blamed on PAW as some would have you believe.

The concept of PAW is probably the best thing to come out of this forum. If it hadn't been for PAW this forum would have been like it is now but about 2 years ago.

Instead, it brought in a trickle of new members and encouraged them to join in and also encouraged the regulars to 'up' their photography abilities and get out and use their cameras. It hasn't stopped anyone from participating and has positively encouraged those new to the forum to get involved.

So. my motto is... if it ain't broke, don't try to fix it! Having said that, it doesn't seem like there is anything left to fix.

However, that is not to say that other activities shouldn't be encouraged...if of course one can get sufficient members to get involved!
Tony

--
The only thing that gets sharper with use is a woman's tongue!
http://www.le-femme.co.uk

tonymp said:

Leef said:

...I'm not sure anyone is stating that PAWs are causing a lack of traffic. I certainly am not, and would not agree with anyone who did.

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tonymp said:

Lee,

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tonymp said:

I hate to disagree with you but you have joined the KM forum in it's decline ...Because of the demise of the KM brand, it was inevitable that forum participation would decline as KM users changed to other brands but it can't be blamed on PAW as some would have you believe.

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Tony - I fail to see where we really disagree.

OK, look - not wanting to beat this horse to death, but please, again, read my post . I do not want to get rid of PAWs, and I do not blame PAWs for the declining activity in the forum. I am merely saying that if we want to appeal to the newer members, who inevitably will come here looking for guidance or shared experience as they pick up 2nd-hand and 3rd-hand K-Ms, that having threads starting with PAW in the title and no obvious FAQ to explain what PAW is or what the rules are may not encourage as much participation as using simple descriptive titles in the posts.

It is true that I am a newer member. I came to forum and looked at the PAWs, have commented on several. PAW - while it did not discourage me from participating - certainly was confusing to me. There was no FAQ about it. Searching PAW (in all the DPReview forums) merely returned either scores of "PAWs" from the K-M forum, or posts about animals in other forums (or things like " I can't wait to get my paws on that new camera! "). From my perspective as a newcomer, PAW seemed like an exclusive insider's "club". In fact - after 8 months - I just found out that if you post a PAW, you are supposed to comment on 5 other PAWs! So I'm still getting drips and drabs of information - and I'm a smart guy - so I can imagine how intimidating PAW can be to a total K-M newby. Can't you?

An anachronism means something that was once appropriate for it's time but no longer is. I don't doubt PAW was great in it's day, when the forum was full of active participation and most were around for it's inception and understood the "rules". I simply question whether we ought to change things with a mind to making the forum immediately understandable to others who - unlike me - may not go searching all over the forum for a PAW FAQ.

The big irony, of course, is that merely talking about PAWs has already generated much more enthusiastic participation that PAWs ever have in the time I've been here!

I deeply respect all the members here - including Tony and Bugsie - and it's great to share points of view. Ultimately we all want this forum to succeed because we appreciate it's presence, and understand the power of shared information. It is in that spirit that I respond.

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tonymp said:

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tonymp said:

• • • • leeF

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...to email me, click the link on my site below...
http://home.comcast.net/~rodester/

Bugzie:

always look at the bright side of life ... tadum tadi tadi tadum....

always look at the bright side of life ... tadum tadi tadi tadum....

always look at the bright side of life ... tadum tadi tadi tadum....

Hey, keep cool man, we just want to have a nice forum.

And i agree : READ what Leef is writing, just read before answering, nevertheless:

always look at the bright side of life ... tadum tadi tadi tadum....

always look at the bright side of life ... tadum tadi tadi tadum....

always look at the bright side of life ... tadum tadi tadi tadum....

I used to join in with PAW every week but I have found it very difficult recently. But I do still look in and don't really understand what all the fuss is about. A PAW is a PAW and shouldn't put people off posting.

--
Lynne
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

I know I have not been a high poster but I have enjoyed the PAWs. Now that I may have more time on hand I'm looking forward to have more time to burn up batteries with my beloved A2 and participate more.

--
Photography is way to tell others how you feel about what you see. - Anonymous

Forget the manual, this is all you need for the Ax camera
http://www.pbase.com/mtf_foto_studies/mtf_faq

Gideon,

I understand that you like it , and that you and some other would hate to see it stopping.

But ask yourself the question: is a forum about gear the place to create your game with your rules ? Why not asking DPreviews for a PAW forum (which could be used with any camera for instance?)

It seems to me that your initial intention to activate or to save the KM forum is having exactly the opposite effect. With all your good intentions, you turned it into a PAW forum.

I hope we can disagree on this forum whilst preserving peace and friendship.

Reg

Gideon01 said:

I just C&Ped from a two-year-old post of mine explaining PAW to a newcomer:

1. Every week is a new PAW (Picture or Photo a Week), this weekend will be No. 46.

2. Posting is usually done during the weekend, unless you can't make it, in which case you may post later.

3. You commit to post every week.

4. You should post only one picture. If you post more, don't expect in-depth critiques. If you want to show more than one picture, best post the PAW picture in your first post, and the rest in a following "reply" post.

5. The picture should be have been taken during the previous week.

6. Absolutely free topic.

7. You are expected to comment on the other PAWS (or at least five of them) during the week. This is perhaps the most important "rule" - it's what makes PAW tick.

8. This is a KM forum, however since a number of the regulars here have moved on to other brands and everyone wants them to keep participating, all camera makes are welcome.

All the rules were ultimately relaxed, which eventually left PAW bereft of its very essence, as I see it:

1. First, other makes other than KM were allowed (I'm totally fine with that).

2. Then, people started missing weeks. I may add that in the original PAW initiation thread, participants commited to posting every week. For me, having to produce a good picture each and every week was the main allure of PAW.
3. Then people started posting pictures taken anytime.

4. In some pictures it was evident that the poster had not tried his/her best, others were mere snapshots.
5. People started posting two, three and four pictures. This taxed commenting.

6. Then there were some folk who did not reciprocate on the critiques they received, or did so offhandedly. Some of it, quite understandably, as a result of points #4 and #5, but some of it out of what seemed like selfishness.

More and more, rules were relaxed to encourage participation. To that end, this may have been the right way to go, but the result for me was that PAW eventually lost most of its appeal.

--
Gideon

Click to expand...

Leef said:

Leef wrote:

...The point about PAWs is that while many of the "old-timers" understand what it means and the "rules", there are many that do not, and hence the PAW threads are skipped over and ignored, and are probably downright esoteric to new folks. There is no obvious FAQ describing PAWs as they seem to be exclusive to K-M, and hence to newer members it can come across as rather elitist.

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Lee,

Well why don't we just have a PAW FAQ or some other suitably titled post? As there is relatively little traffic the post could be bumped up periodically to make it easier to find. We will need to have some discussion about the posting "rules" but that's probably a good thing anyway.

The last thing we need is for this forum to be perceived as a clique or elitist. I don't think that it is, but then again I didn't find the PAW concept difficult to understand.

Karel

Reg Ister said:

Gideon,

I understand that you like it , and that you and some other would hate to see it stopping.

But ask yourself the question: is a forum about gear the place to create your game with your rules ? Why not asking DPreviews for a PAW forum (which could be used with any camera for instance?)

It seems to me that your initial intention to activate or to save the KM forum is having exactly the opposite effect. With all your good intentions, you turned it into a PAW forum.

I hope we can disagree on this forum whilst preserving peace and friendship.

Reg

Click to expand...

Reg,

Everyone here knows me as a reasonable chap and I don't think it's a case of preserving the peace as I think we are too reserved for that so, we all are allowed to have our say without the nasty stuff we see in other forums.

Clearly, you don't like the PAW thing and fair enough, each to their own. However and to be honest, you have not made much of a contribution over the years in helping the forum stay buoyant yet, there has always been the opportunity for you and like-thinking posters to post Non-PAW posts, which speaking from my own POV, would have been very welcome... it certainly isn't an elitist thing on here, possibly the only exception being is that we expect polite and reasoned behaviour, rather than behaviour we see on some of the other forums.

I could argue from a different perspective and say that if it wasn't for PAW, most of the posts would read something like "My EVF just died" and similar in many of the posts. At least PAW suggests an active membership rather than a graveyard for decaying KM cameras with a dwindling forum membership.

I can see your argument about PAW but would you and others who have a similar dislike of PAW, put your money where your keyboard is and start posting on a regular basis? If so, then go ahead, it will only go toward giving the forum a new lease of life instead of the stagnation it now finds itself in.

The title of PAW could be elongated to 'Picture A Week #xxx' which would avoid any confusion for visitors and should make it more acceptable to the likes of yourself.

I would certainly hate to see post titles such as ' Axx goes to Honolulu' or ' The Axx does the Belgian Congo' or whatever, that is just Naff by any standards but, there would be no reason for a mixture of normal posts and Picture a Week posts not to work, side by side.

Probably the best way to attract new forum members is to have posts which show or tell how to do things or get the best from one's camera and equipment... there are several who visit here regularly who could do simple workshops to help others improve their camera and lighting skills. It just needs active participation on a regular basis and members who are willing to offer the benefit of their own experience.

After all, the forum is here for everyone and the more contributions, the more lively it becomes.
Tony

--
The only thing that gets sharper with use is a woman's tongue!
http://www.le-femme.co.uk