Forum Thermomix
Welcoming Center, Management and General Chat => Chit Chat => Topic started by: Russell on April 14, 2010, 03:22:30 am
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Hi All,
While I'm awaiting a PM reply from Master Moderator on the idea, I'll throw it out here for you guys to comment on anyway. The caveat is that if MM is already designing something to do this, then that would be the preferred option.
I was wondering what people think of the idea of collating all of the forum recipes into another format for 1) ease of reference and 2) backup purposes.
What I was thinking of is either collecting them all into a series of recipe "books" (either in database form or just simple PDF documents) or simply republishing them into a web site such as a recipe-only blog site.
The advantage of a blog site is the sorting, grouping and searching that can be done. This forum already provides most of this, but there is lots of extra "stuff" you have to wade through to find just the recipe info, and the advantage of a separate blog site is as a backup in case the forum goes down.
The advantages of "books" is offline readability. I still enjoy sitting down and browsing through a good paper book as opposed to staring at a glowing screen. While the new iPad from Apple may be a step towards killing paper books, i think wide adoption is still a little way off. The books could be collated on a category basis - Breads, Deserts, Mains etc, and quarterly updates or refreshes published with amendments and new additions. This could be presented back here on the forum and/or copies to a separate site as well.
Most of the needed info is here already, but I'd think a photo of each recipe is needed, so may need help from everyone is getting pictures of the made up dishes. I'd also propose a fixed recipe posting format to facilitate easy inclusion of future recipes.
Obviously there is a heck of a lot of work in doing this, and I'm too A.D.D. myself (and have too many irons in other fires competing for my time) to complete all the data entry myself probably, but if people were interested, I could start on the concepts and throw some samples out for people to comment on, but can't make any guarantees of completion.
What do you all think? Worth the effort? Comments please.
Russell.
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This is one of the reasons I bought "Living Cookbook" for around $20 - for recipes that I like and want to keep, I copy the text over and format it in that, and print off easy to read recipes.
As my mum isn't on the forum, I email her my "Living Cookbook" versions of what I like from the forum, or things I think she'd like that might not be my taste.
So I have quite a few forum recipes already "Backed Up", and others would be similar. I can easily email you (or anyone) these as PDF or TXT files as a way of sharing the backup process.
One of my concerns when the forum went down was getting in contact with other users so I could supplement their back up with mine and share what we'd each saved.
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I so get the ADHD reference here and I say "overwhelming" but if you wish to do it... :D ;)
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This is one of the reasons I bought "Living Cookbook" for around $20 - for recipes that I like and want to keep, I copy the text over and format it in that, and print off easy to read recipes
Yeah Living Cookbook is a great program, although I haven't used mine much as we never made much from scratch besides recipes I already knew anyway. Now the TMX gives more incentive for making new stuff, I'm looking at pulling it out again. The pain with it is, unless you do print them out again, it's a bit hard having the Laptop on the kitchen bench while you're cooking. I don't think Flour in the keyboard would go down well :)
Russell.
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I so get the ADHD reference here and I say "overwhelming" but if you wish to do it... :D ;)
Heh, is that a polite way of saying "OMG, that's like emptying the ocean with a straw, you idiot!!" ;D
I've always been a glutton for punishment, just ask my wife. Unfortunately, my track record for "incomplete projects" is just as amazing, to my complete chagrin :-[
Russell.
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Yes, I do print the one I want to try and have a folder full in the kitchen. Then if I make a change, go back to Living Cookbook and edit etc.
My sister is buying a TMX soon, so will have to make her a recipe book...
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I so get the ADHD reference here and I say "overwhelming" but if you wish to do it... :D ;)
Heh, is that a polite way of saying "OMG, that's like emptying the ocean with a straw, you idiot!!" ;D
I've always been a glutton for punishment, just ask my wife. Unfortunately, my track record for "incomplete projects" is just as amazing, to my complete chagrin :-[
Russell.
Yes.. we tend to have our own language... I swear my brother and I both drove our mother crazy with our "afflictions". :D
I have found some positives though... I can manage 4 kids in different directions on most given days and I can make any piece of technology work so that it makes my life easier... usually.
I doubt I need to ask your wife... I know what my brother and I are like! :P
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What version of LC do you have Cathy? I think I have LC2005, although I vaguely remember I was supposed to get a free upgrade to LC2008, but never follow up? Or I could be wrong on that. I wonder if a 2010 version is coming out?
Russell.
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I'm not at all computer literate Russell but that sounds like an enormous task. My drama when the site goes down is probably more how to contact people than the recipes. Having said that I still need the recipes and feedback as I only print off the ones I plan to make very soon. The site has only gone down a couple of times.
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What version of LC do you have Cathy? I think I have LC2005, although I vaguely remember I was supposed to get a free upgrade to LC2008, but never follow up? Or I could be wrong on that. I wonder if a 2010 version is coming out?
Russell.
Mine's 2008, which I bought about September last year. Certainly value for money. I just had a look on the website and it still says "New for 2008" so no sign of new version.
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I'm not at all computer literate Russell but that sounds like an enormous task. My drama when the site goes down is probably more how to contact people than the recipes. Having said that I still need the recipes and feedback as I only print off the ones I plan to make very soon. The site has only gone down a couple of times.
Yeah maybe it's a knee-jerk reaction because the forum went down THE DAY MY BIMBY ARRIVED!! I so wanted to try Isi's buttermilk bread. I'd even ought packaged buttermilk to try it out, and didn't know the recipe :( But then in all the other stuff on Sunday we never got around to bread anyway!
Still, as I mentioned in another post, I'm avoiding buying the TMX recipe books and just using the ones here, so it'd be nice to have them collated into a proper book. I'll give it some more thought.
Regarding the LC version, they are working on a new version I found out, but earliest is late this year.
Russell.
Russell.
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I'd be happy to share what I've collected.
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I like the idea of a blog. I'm always on the computer, so would be happy to be a co-author, I love blogging.
I just think the initial set up would be huge.
I keep all recipes from the forum in a folder on my computer. I have set up folders for desserts, breads, cakes etc plus a separate Thermomix folder with the same sort of folders in that.
I'd be interested in checking out Living Cookbook to streamline the system a bit better.
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Well I don't have LC with me, so when I get home on Friday I'll check it out from there.
Setting up a blog is easy. I have several domains I can use, so that's not a problem, it's just the data entry that's the question.
Russell.
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There are lot's of blogs already, so are we duplicating?
I like the idea of compiling the recipes - looking at Living Cookbook, there is an option to publish your own cookbook as a word document. Apparently this is often done for school fundraising type cookbooks. So potentially, we can collect the recipes in that software and "publish" the cookbook to a website where people can download just the recipes?
Maybe as a start members could vote for what recipes they would like to see in our forum cookbook eg Baf65's Chicken. We could start off small(ish) and it could grow.
Then as members submit new recipes to the forum, suggestions, tweaks etc, they can be incorporated into the downloadable book.
Such a book would in no way substitute for the importance of the community of this forum, but enable easy download of recipes. It would especially help users with limited computer access.
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Russell, love your idea and dedication. However I'm kind of with Cathy on this one. I think many of the recipes are already duplicates to what is on blogs etc. Find one blog and they've got links to the other blogs etc.
And to duplicate what is on here is not only a mammoth job to start out with, but it's also a huge job maintaining what else needs to be added. If you look at the stats of how the activity on this forum is growing, the job would become increasingly bigger all the time. And trying to sort through what is new each quarter is a big ask too. Not trying to be pessamistic on the idea, I just think that you'd really need some super dedicated people working on it all the time.
Master Moderator has put a reminder in his calendar so it doesn't happen again and while not fool proof (something could happen to his calendar) I believe that "The Crash of 2010" is a one off really (I hope) ???.
Personally I print off everything I use and keep that in a folder in the kitchen. With the hope that one day I'll sort through the comments and cut and paste the suggestions and alterations that I want to keep. I've been planning on setting up Living Cookbook for quet some time now... so just need to get in there and do it.
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Russell, love your idea and dedication. However I'm kind of with Cathy on this one. I think many of the recipes are already duplicates to what is on blogs etc. Find one blog and they've got links to the other blogs etc.
There is a consideration with duplicating other blogs, especially for those who would pefer not to be reproduced. The point you raise above though is one of the exact reasons why we need consolidation though. If you're looking for, say, a nice baked custard recipe, do you really want to go through every blog to see if you can find one? Now I can shoot myself down on that previosu statement, by saying we have the forum search and googole to find any recipe you can ever think of very easily. But then, it's not so easy if you'd just like to browse through some desert recipes and pick something that takes your fancy. The searches also lose the visual aspect as they are generally textual, so just picking siomething thyat looks yummy is much easier from a book with pictures as well.
No argument it's a lot of work. If it wasn't, I'm sure it would have been done already. Cathy's idea of doing a "favourites" collection sounds like a good idea actually, assuming a common opinion is reached and everyone doesn't vote for 50 different recipes :)
Cathy, you seem to have made the most progress in this area. How many recipes have you recorded in LC? If you're happy to send me your collection, I can have a play around and see how it might work out?
I know I prompted this as a measure against the forum availability, but I was thinking about this kind of stuff before the forum went down, for some time after we go through out FAILSAFE diet, just the timeline has been pushed forward with the consideration of knowing nothing (like internet access) is guaranteed. So please don't think of this as trying to replace or substitute for this forum. I'm a great forum fan and love communitry interaction. This idea is as an enhancement to make the forum usefulness even better.
Russell.
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Russell, hold on a sec. It has taken me several months, with a lot of help both from the Forum and outside to understand how the Forum works. Also what concerns me is that the adaptions to recipes can go on for months. With the present system it is possible to follow these changes and see the evolution of a recipe. Sure there is chit chat among the recipes, but this is what gives the caring character to this Forum, which most people like. I understand that members who are more knowledgeable with computers can see the advantages but I like things as they are. It is probably an age thing.
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I understand that members who are more knowledgeable with computers can see the advantages but I like things as they are. It is probably an age thing.
Don't worry. Nothing is changing. You can safely ignore everything I've posted and be none the wiser :) If a new link or file is posted, you can access it, or not - up to you. Everything here will carry on as it always has.
Russell.
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I rather like the idea of the Living Cookbook. There's a 2010 version available at amazon.
Not sure how we'd go about voting, though. Maybe a poll or twenty!
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I have 110 Thermomix recipes in LC at the moment. All are from this forum or other blogs. Some I've changed slightly to suit us along the way.
I've just had a go at creating a cookbook, but have to work out how to print the source. I always store it and it prints normally, but have to make sure it's on the "publication" style. Will keep playing.
Don't worry Chookie - this forum has taught me so much - if I thought Russell was attempting a hijack, I'd be after him!
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Don't worry Chookie - this forum has taught me so much - if I thought Russell was attempting a hijack, I'd be after him!
We all would ;) ;D
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I rather like the idea of the Living Cookbook. There's a 2010 version available at amazon.
Not sure how we'd go about voting, though. Maybe a poll or twenty!
I did find LC2010 references on a few sites, but they are incorrectly names. LC2008 is the latest version. I've purchased the upgrade since I c an't find any reference in my original purchase to getting it free, so will load it up tonight when I get home and work towards creating a cookbook.
I'll go create a thread in each of the sub-forums to find out some candidates for favourites of each type. It'll be a fun exercised to regardless of what comes out of this book idea. I suspect everyone will have a different opinion though :)
Russell.
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Don't worry Chookie - this forum has taught me so much - if I thought Russell was attempting a hijack, I'd be after him!
We all would ;) ;D
:o :o :o Mummy!! :o :o :o
Before I go spam all the sub-forums, could a mod jump in and tell me if you'd prefer a thread for each category in the chit-chat forum, or individual posts in each of the category forums?
Russell.
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Liking the idea of the LC - have been contemplating buying it for myself so this is just another positive to do so ;D ;D
You could always choose your recipes from 5-10 or the most popular (using the stats) put them in a poll for a vote and go from there. doing that everytime might be a little painful but you would always get the couple that most people wanted at the time - just a thought - trying to help you all on your way ;) ;)
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Liking the idea of the LC - have been contemplating buying it for myself so this is just another positive to do so ;D ;D
I'm trying to sign up as a Living Cookbook affiliate, so let me know ;)
I'm going to put together a holding site for the files while I'm awaiting access to my home PC to start with LC. I hope to get together a collection of popular recipies converted to FAILSAFE format for the other people doing the elimination diet, so it won't be just Thermomix either, but doing two separate types is no extra work, as its just a different categorisation.
Russell.'
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As a moderator I have no qualms or preferences. If you are going to try something new then i am happy - I am not as Forum savvy or computer literate as many - so go ahead with my blessing.
Just don't delete the forum :o :o :o ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D - or many women will descend on you, with me
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Can I put my 2 bob's worth in - I have no idea what you are all talking about :P :P :P
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As a moderator I have no qualms or preferences. If you are going to try something new then i am happy - I am not as Forum savvy or computer literate as many - so go ahead with my blessing.
Just don't delete the forum :o :o :o ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D - or many women will descend on you, with me
LOL, if I could delete the forum, then the owners are in serious trouble from hackers. :)
I hope to have a prototype site & cookbook up tomorrow or early Saturday at the latest for everyone to give me their opinion on.
Russell.
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for those with a large stash of recipes saved on their computers....
just thinking an idea to print them might be to use those online 'photobook' type programs available through Officeworks and HaveyNorman and the like.
The only issue there is it'd be too pretty to write on again!!! But you would have a cookbook with photos of your OWN creations.......
:D
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Can I put my 2 bob's worth in - I have no idea what you are all talking about :P :P :P
Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words - and I think Russell will be able to show you what he means very soon.
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OMG!
I just found my old 2008 upgrade license for Living Cookbook!! Now I went a bought a second one for nothing :( Not sure if I can get a refund or not. One thing I will say, while Living cookbook is a great program, the support response can be a little slllloooowwwwwww.
Just about to start importing some recipes :)
Russell.
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OMG again!!
Apparently my web host decided they're moving the servers so that's why the response is poor, without notice. In discussing things with them, I also noticed that one of my other domains which I've had for 10 years, which is under a free domain registration deal, they failed to renew and now tell me I have to pay them $300 to get it reinstated!!
Not happy Jan >:(
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Sounds to me like you need a new web host!!!
I would be furious if ours did that to us :o :o :o (he wouldn't dare lol)
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Sounds to me like you need a new web host!!!
I would be furious if ours did that to us :o :o :o (he wouldn't dare lol)
Yeah, but unfortunately new means expensive. I paid for "lifetime" hosting many years ago, so it doesn't cost me a cent anymore. Can't afford to pay $50 a month for hosting :( I guess unfortunately, you get what you pay for. They're now telling me they "have no record of our previous conversation" despite me sending it to them...
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BAH!
Apparently it's my fault they didn't notify me when they were going to delete my domain, any costs are mine to cover, and as far as they are concerned, that's the end of the matter. Don't ever get hosting with Micfo.com, they're nothing but trouble.
Russell.
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*does a little jig* time to move, time to move, find someone who wants your business!!! Painful I know :-))
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**CROSSPOST**
Hi All,
For those interested in seeing what cookbooks can come out of Living Cookbook, with some additional post-editing, go have a look at http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3447.0 (http://www.forumthermomix.com/index.php?topic=3447.0).
Russell.