Show and Tell "Works" For Newer Posters

Dear folks -

I have to admit that when it was originally proposed that we add a "show and tell" board to Turkotek, I was not entirely convinced that that was a positive development. I was at that point convinced that the salon device was working to give us, often, the kinds of focused discussions to which we aspired, and I was fearful that a "show and tell" board would work to reintroduce many of the less desirable features of the unmoderated rug discussion sites.

I think it has turned out differently and much better than I expected. I think there is something about the salon discussions that can sometimes be experienced by newer folks as daunting. The "show and tell" board seems to work to provide them with a more accessible (less placed in stone) space where they can ask their questions and show their pieces without fear of intruding on the structure of an on-going focused discussion. And without having to have any of the background that some salon discussions might seem to require for useful participation.

I notice that many people who post for the first time on Turkotek, tend to do it on the "show and tell" board (although that is, not something we attempt to prescribe at all). It apparently works well as an unstructured, more comfortable, "safer-seeming" location for such posts.

Regards,

R. John Howe

John: I once posted images of a shrub-in-lattice Kurd fragment on show and tell after perusing the Textile Musuem and Penn libraries for information on similar rugs. TT posters provided images of similar pieces from auction catalogues and older books that I never would have found. There is so much information out there -- some in rare publications, unpublished images, etc. -- that show and tell can help textile tyros and even more experienced people learn?

Hi Bob -

Of course, you're right. The show and tell board can be useful to more experienced folks as well.

Another thing about it, not available on the salon board, is that folks get to ask "their" questions, no matter what they are.

So, yes, I've come to see it as a useful, and distinctive addition.

Regards,

R. John Howe

Dear Turkotekies,

[I'm experimenting with names to call ourselves]

Some of the show and tell boards appear and disappear without any new knowledge added. I'm thinking of the embroidered silk djadjim which I posted some weeks ago.

I believe that we all might consider patience and repost show and tell objects that are not recognized after a year or two. New people join the circle and others are constantly learning.

I remember the textile I showed in part two of my salon. I didn't know where it was from and guessed incorrectly. I was put right and received considerable input on the site and also in the form of a photograph and emails from someone who did not want to go public.

Bravo to turkotek and the show and tell forum.

Sincerely

Richard Farber

short and sweet

hi all

as an amateur collector, i have found turkotek indispensable. as many of you know, i am located on the planet australia. worse still, i am located on satellite perth, the furthest satellite from the main cultural centre know as sydney.

as a result, i have almost no one to turn to when i need expert knowledge or advice - with the exception of turkotek and its participants.

there are so many questions i have to ask, and i am sure there are others out there who have as many questions.

for me, posting an item on show and tell is a great method of acquiring knowledge.

there are times, however, when i have a simple, short question. it may be something like;

do shahsavan use cochineal? what is a sinuous weft? has anyone seen a bag that has half wool wefts and half cotton wefts? etc etc.

these short questions are probably hardly worth starting a new show and tell.

it would be great if there was something like a 'Q&A' board where one could post such questions.

that said, this may become quite irritating for those who may feel they are required to answer all of these questions.

i was wondering what others thought about such a board?

regards

richard

Hi Richard

I don't see any reason why questions of the type you mention couldn't open Show and Tell threads. It would be best if you had an example to include in the opening post, but even if you didn't, I'm sure other people would insert some into the discussion.

And a lot of those kinds of questions have already been addressed in archived discussions. The best way to find them is to use the Google search engine on our home page, selecting the "Search Turkotek" option. It does a remarkable job of finding things.

Regards

Steve Price