How do you use DesignAddict?  

beste koen
i use this site to gain knowledge (yes thx to contributors as yourself; amazing how far your knowledge reaches) and to have an open window on designartefacts that i didn't knew; for eg your sons fruitbowl; without this site i would never have seen it. and that is in my eyes the strenght of this site; no stateboundaries, a view around the globe. also nice to do is to click on one of the pics of a designer at random and then go to their sites and ...discover their work

A WWW window
I use DA as a school of sorts. I've learned about tons of things that I'd never heard of before coming here. I also love the willingness to share knowledge by many of the professional designers who come here. SDR, dcwilson, azurechicken, gerrit, youself and others have all graciously explained stuff from wood finishes to architectural styles to fiberglass molding. I am going to graduate from the Design Addict School of Design Dilletantes!

KOEN
I check to see whats on the minds of the regulars (see olives list)I think many use it for spares and "quickie" research and I try to recall books that fit the question,I fear in many cases books are of litte interest.You bring erudite views that are interesting and informative and I let you down at times.Thanks, Maurice

I use it as a form of digital design syringe...:-)
I am a layman and not a designer. I am tolerated and given proper disrespect from time to time. 🙂 I am delighted to have the privilege of reading what these folks have to say. To meet them as unusually knowledgeable human beings, rather than as clients or colleagues, is a treat. I use it the following ways:
1. I ask questions about old furniture I have found to see if the pieces have any significance and see if there are markings to confirm that significance. (Note: I try to do this as little as possible, as I have learned that no one else finds one's rummaging nearly as interesting as one does oneself.)
2. When I see something I really like or dislike, I try to engage these people in explaining how the effect is achieved? Often they are too tired or sick of mastering the obvious for a layman (that is what they do when selling their work all day long), but an amazing amount of the time they can't help themselves and share something astute.
3. Mostly, I just read the various threads to find their contemplation and thoughts about design. One has to sift and winnow some, because many of the threads are rather practical issues like where do you find vinyl stripping to refinish some Eames chair. But the sifting and winnowing is worth it. I find intelligent professionals often make more profound insights off the cuff when responding to a practical problem than when asked to formally put down their thoughts about the subject the field they toil within.
4. I sometimes come to the site in between surfing the news simply for relief from the horrors that my rather voracious news reading exposes me to (sorry about that dangling participle).
Now please tell me your question is one of authentic communal interest in design and not some marketers attempt cull data in order to exploit our humble little tribal millieu.
Over and out.

Dear Maurice,
I understand your concern and I admit that it is sometimes discouraging to see both the lack of interest for important aspects of the modern mouvement, especially the less "visual" ones, and at the same time the interest for pieces that apart from having a mid-century look, and probably mid-century origins, are simply ugly variations on those pieces that deserve a place in design history. In general there is also less interest in the activity of "design" than I expected. It sometimes remind me of one of my uncles who kept telling everyone that he "loved" nature...as an explanation for having hundreds of stuffed birds and other animals in his home.
An additional reason behind my original question is also the fact that I am surprised by the few reactions on my essay. I am not looking for more attention, do not worry, but is it not strange that nobody has made the effort to argue the opposite and passionately defend the search for originality?...I almost feel obliged to do it myself because ideas like the ones expressed in "some thoughts on originality" can not and should not remain un-challenged. I even had some comments of people mentioning that they "agreed with me" which is even more disturbing because they are under the impression that the piece is "my opinion", whereas I just wanted to raise questions, not express opinions (They are hopefuly far more complex than that...and they change according to newly acquired knowledge and better understanding. It is always a pleasure reading especially when it comes with a little acidic aftertaste...

it's addictive...
I normally check the site whenever I have the time. Lunch-breaks, In between checking work related stuff on the net, after dinner or in the late hours. Like dear Mr.Wilson said, it's also a nice escape from the daily news and happenings that keep on bombarding your brain.
Furthermore, being an appraiser and valuer I often check it to find out more about a certain designer or product. Sometimes via the index, other times I remember reading about it in a certain thread and I will look that one up.
It never stops to amaze me the amount of knowledge that is gathered here. Especially, as mentioned before from people like you, Koen and all the others. Allthough it's also very nice to see that sometimes suddenly a new neme apears and bring a new perspective or a vast knowledgeon certain fields.
The DA site is in the top ranks of my favourites for some time now, and my guess is, that it will stay there for the coming time.
greets, Sjoerd

Koen,
I read your provoking essay and "understand" many of the points.The mad scramble for self expression esp in design grows very stale over time.I will as I said, once before, tear off a bit and give it a chew....

Dear doctor (H.C.)Wilson,
In hindsight ("efterklokhet" in my daily language) I realize that, yes it could be a hidden marketers attempt to collect data in order to etc. but rest assured it was the very last thing on my mind.
Over and out.