Hello All FabNet Members,

I want to introduce you all to something you have been asking about for some time now.

The consumer website is now up and running thanks to many of you that helped compile the information.  The basic idea was to create a site for consumers to get straightforward countertop information without the influence of any one company or manufacturer.

I still have a few things to finish but I wanted to introduce you to the site and say a huge thanks to those that helped.

Purpose of the site:

1. Provide unbiased information for customers.
2. Provide content for Fabricator Websites.  Anyone who registers can copy and paste any and all Textual information to their website.  Alter if you need to.  A link back to the site is all I ask to help build the popularity of the site.
3. Get customers in contact with local fabricators.
4. Provide them a tool to ask questions (Not complete just yet)

I need a few things from all you if you are interested.

• Pictures of finished project would be a huge help.
• I need them for the header pictures and also the Photo Gallery.  The best of the best will be showcased on the individual pages with a link to your website.
• Proof readers - I have read the information so many times, I don't know what the information says anymore.
• Input and advice.

Also, for those that contributed, please email me at andy@thefabricatornetwork.com if you would like to be included in the credits.

Thanks again to all that helped,

Andy

Andy,

Tremendous site! This is totally in keeping with your stated purpose of furthering the countertop industry. You and your contributors have done a lot of work that will be very helpful to anyone in the industry wanting get out objective information.

Again, well done. Thanks for making such a positive resource available to the rest of us.

Russ

Thanks Russ.

You are more than welcome to use it, improve it, copy and paste.  Anything you want.

I just wanted to get the countertop companies some unbiased information as a basis for their websites.  That was the most difficult part for me when creating a site.

Using Sites N Solutions would solve this difficulty also.

Very impressive Andy !  How do you do it all, and so well done ???

Beautiful site, Andy!! Great job!

I hope our input has helped at least in some small way. Frankly, I still don't know how the h*ll you get all this stuff done and work too! 

Anyway, on the "ceramic tile" page under "cons" you have typo (at least I hope it is) as I almost never clean my gout....  It's just too painful.

Congrats again!!

Thanks Karl and Gordon,

Gordon, you shouldn't have tile in your house anyway.  Don't you know anyone that does a nicer surface?

Andy, Is there a way i can get rid of the colored circles?...the numbers in the circles determine the level ..the colors make it difficult for me to make into handouts, they glob up the number, if i make copies that I wouldnt need to make colored would come out black and white anyway..just asking

Hey Gene,

I assume you are talking about the comparison chart.

This can be done, but will take me a week or so.  I would basically have to make the rating icons, black and white.  I can also remove the magnifying glass on the few that have more information.

I will get this taken care of and try to convert to a pdf for you.

Let me know if this is what you are referring to.

Yes I am, thank You...The comparrison charts make great handouts

Great job on the site Andy.  My question is this.  Wwhat information was used to generate the list in, find a fabricator?  I went to my region and only one fabricator came up and it wasn't my company.  Can that list be added to or is it an ISSFA exlusive list and you must be a member of ISSFA?

Johnny C

Yes you can add pictures.  It will probably be changed to product groups rather than the current groups.  Seems like it would make more sense.  You must register first and then you will have the ability to upload pictures and insert your company name.

Google ranks the site number 4 if you type in countertop review.  Really pretty cool for the first month out.

There is a printer friendly version if you look in the lower right corner of the page you will see a little printer icon.  Not very convenient if you ask me.  I will get that changed somehow.

I also need to add the credits from the companies that helped.

The Fabricator Directory is made possible with a partnership with Cygnus, Kevin Cole and Surface Fabrication.com .  They were very helpful in making this happen.  If you want to get on the list, you must follow the process.  Look toward the top of the listing where is says, "Add Your Company".  You will probabably have to register.  If you have any trouble getting listed please contact Kevin Cole at kevin.cole@cygnusb2b.com  ISSFA has absolutely nothing to do with this list what-so-ever.  And, you do not need to be a member of ISSFA or FabNet to be on the list.

The Color and B&W charts are finished.  CLICK HERE and you will see in the upper right corner a "Printer Friendly Version" .  Click on the one you want and you can print them directly from your browser.

To eliminate the Header and Footer text, go to 'Page Setup' in your browser and delete the text in both the Header and Footer.  If you don't do this step, you will have the url and some other information printed on the top and bottom of the page.

All the material headers link back to the countertop sections for further explanation.  The ratings with the magifying glass, explain the reason for the rating or a bit more detail.

For whatever reason, the stone only sites, don't really want to see a chart done.  If you look at the chart, Granite rates pretty high if the material is sealed.  Not sure what the problem is.

Were you able to print it?  Also, you should be able to copy and paste if you would like it on your website.

I also have bit more work on explaining the materials.  Your information on the laminate section will help with that material.

Thanks for the compliments

Well my question/opinion/comment  would be why do we even need the colors, they dont reference anything..its the number that describes the level..

its not like red means bad...save on color printing or the chance of bubble blur to distort the number...the number is what the reader wants to know and needs to know ...what do you think...or why are they colored bubbles surrounding the number?

I was unable to add or edit on my proir post so I would like to include that we should either use the colors or the numbers ....not BOFUM