One of my biggest PET PEEVES

[ChiefEagles]

I visit and post on CTT and OGR forums. Had not noticed this post on OGR until this AM. Guess my reply will "****" of some folks. I do not like criticizm of one forum or magazine on the other. I think both "managements" should zap these if they appear. Want to criticize, go to that forum and then be constructive.

http://ogaugerr.infopop.cc/eve/ubb.x?a=tpc&s=63160042&f=57660482&m=4351076691&r=7211038691#7211038691

[soapbox]

[ben10ben]

I agree. If you're going to bash, it's basically falling on deaf ears if you go to the other forum. Post it on the home forum, and hopefully the magazine management will take notice and do something about it(or at least take it into consideration).

[spankybird]

Better Idea, send an e-mail to the magazine and keep it off the forum. [B)] If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. No one held a gun to your head, I hope anyway.[}:)]

I personally am happy to have TWO magazines about O gauge and often pick up a copy of ‘Fine O scale’.

The more about O gauge the better IMO.[:D]

tom

[Dave Farquhar]

Exactly. And besides, when did "BillA" become the arbiter of what's a good issue and a bad one? So he didn't like this issue. To people who like vintage trains (prewar *and* postwar, this time) it's a good issue. To people who do their own repairs it's a good issue.

The best thing to do when you don't like an issue of a magazine is to put it in your back-issues pile. A time is likely to come when you or one of your buddies will need the information. And if you don't like the issue and you're sure you'll never like it, leave it in the doctor's office or somewhere public where someone else can find it and flip through it, rather than just tossing it.

[Anonymous]

Me thinks a big fight occur on OGR! Ill stay out of it. Why do the guys that pay $50 a year when they hate the magazine? Oh boy.

[Anonymous]

Don't expect the OGR moderator to delete that thread. He'll censor anything critical of his own magazine or MTH, but he'll let that thread run as long as it has life. There have been other CTT bashing threads on OGR that were never deleted.

[nblum]

Freedom of expression, however annoying to some, is at the heart of a free society. We get in more trouble trying to stifle unpopular or inconvenient opinions than we do from the irritation, controversy or outrage caused by inappropriate (to some) posts. If the management of CTT or OGRR have half a brain (and I believe they do), they will look for whatever inkling of value there is even in the most critical comments. We learn more from our detractors than from our most worshipful admirers in life.

[Anonymous]

Chief Eagles, I wouldn't get worked up over it. Criticism won't hurt CTT nor will it hurt OGR. It goes with the territory. if you consider that bashing, check this forum out: www.modeltrainjournal.com
They seem to get a little rowdy but it's harmless and nothing I would lose any sleep over. Actually it's very entertaining reading. I hear the AOL boards are a lot worse. Just think of it as a bunch of guys shooting the bull at a train club. The problem with the OGR board is that it's too stodgy and over moderated IMO.

[wrmcclellan]

Chief,

You are probably like me and have subscribed to various magazines for sports, fishing, trains, cars, etc., for many many years (decades) and all of them have(had) (a) subscriber(s) that regularly voice their opinion that the magazine is no longer satisfactory any more, blah, blah, blah.

Interesting that most of these magazines are still around - particularly those that allow the comments to air (in our current arena this includes MR, CTT, OGR, etc.) even prior to the Internet when all comments were done via the post office.

As an example: you constantly see a subscriber or two dissing Model Railroader on an annual basis in the letters to the editor. I have seen this since I first picked it up in the 60's. The magazine recently celebrated its 70th anniversary.

It clearly places the negative "blah, blah, blah" guys in a very tiny minority doesn't it?

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

[banghead]I had posts removed from the ORG and I wasn't even critizing any one nor a manufacturer. One only lasted five minutes and was then removed. Go figure.[censored]

[jonadel]

Well, it's 1/2 time and I decided to check the boards and just found this topic, kind of ironic that we sort of all think alike, the OGR poster is looking to make friends. The aforementioned OGR poster is obviously is simply seeking attention anyway he can get it. He won't show up over here as he should

Jon

PS--so much for me being nice 2005 [:D]

[ChiefEagles]

Thanks guys. My thing is not deleting constructive criticizm but do it on the forum that relates to the magazine. Jon, you are right on the subject mentioned. You see most of the folks replying on OGR like both magaizines and subscribe to both. As stated, don't come over here bitching about OGR and don't go to OGR bitching about CTT.

[jonadel]

I would expect my comments to be deleted because I broke my own rule, but doggone it, why downgrade a quality magazine that takes untold hours and effort to create. Is it petty jealousy or just egotism out of control? I really enjoy this forum, it's like putting on a comfortable pair of shoes that just make you feel good. I feel like when I go to the other forum ( and it is a WONDERFUL FORUM) that I need to wear my tux and use spell checker.

I am glad we have both forums, sometimes my blood pressure just goes up from reading certain posts and I know I need to work on counting to 10 before caressing my keyboard. Oh well, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Jon [:D]

How about those HAWKEYE'S!!!!!!!!

[3railguy]

I stabbed Cheif's link to the OGR thread and the OGR thread had a link to this thread.

[Jim Duda]

Frank - you need to start bitching to your doctor and get the OK to hit the pond and start throwin' some crank baits! Take Buckeye with you so he can show you how to work the Rapala's...

[cbojanower]

It's a never ending whine buy a few small people, someone doesn't like the last OGR an posts it here, then someone doesn't like the last CTT and posts it there. I guess in some way it makes them feel good to complain in these figuring there rather small egos will get stroked by a chorus of "Me Toos"

I have every issue of CTT since number 1, and while not every issue has been outstanding, they are all worth keeping. Also I have the last 4 years worth of OGR , and while not every issue has been outstanding, they are all worth keeping. If either of them went away it would make for some very depressing trips to the mailbox.

In this case many of the rebuttals t the original post, including one from Jim Barret (a OGR Co-owner) have been very supportive of CTT. Seems the true belivers trains hobby are standing up for both mags and not going to listen the those in search of a "Me Too".

Just remember, if you think an issue of either magazine is not good, post a note in the respective magazines forum or even better, send a note to the editor of the magazine and let them know. To bash a magazine in the others forum only shows everyone your lack confidence in your opinion. As Jeff said in the OGR forum said "It's always fun to stand in a Ford showroom and talk about how much Chevys suck. " (I need to remember that saying)

[Anonymous]

I find ALL the threads less and less appealing do to the very decline in stimulating healthy discussion of the hobby.
As a railroad engineer I've also seen the railfan base decline too, Not in numbers but in integrity.
I have been turned in to the FRA by loyal railbuffs who have tresspassed on railroad property and stolen bulliten orders of the engines and then followed the train and then turned us in and we have recieved warnings, And have been advised as to how we got cought.
I ,like several others here would like to ADD to someones experance and have some fun with the hobby! Constructive input,,,OK but the whinning and bit----ing seems to be getting worse and worse

[Anonymous]

I don't have a problem with either magazine. They are good publications and we're fortunate to have them serve the O gauge community. I subscribe to both and will continue to do so. My only complaint about OGR is how their forum is managed. I agree with the people who say it's heavily censored and overly moderated. It use to be the "go to" forum for O gauge but now it's very ordinary and boring compared to what it once was.

[ChiefEagles]

KC, should go over and see what the modurator just had to say. I don't want to asy much but I do know he would have ZAPPED it if it ahd been critical of OGR. I am very disappointed. Now I'll hush because I'm becoming guilty of what I don't like.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by ChiefEagles

KC, should go over and see what the modurator just had to say. I don't want to asy much but I do know he would have ZAPPED it if it ahd been critical of OGR. I am very disappointed. Now I'll hush because I'm becoming guilty of what I don't like.

Chief, you didn't say anything that was inappropriate. I agree that posts that contain verbal threats or obscene language should be deleted. But OGR deletes anything that doesn't suit their whims or threads that offend their advertisers. That's not what a forum is all about. They own it and can do as they please, but a lot of people don't like it and I don't blame them.

[Anonymous]

Well Chief, you must have been too critical because your OGR thread has just been zapped. Sorry about that, but it proves my point.

[ChiefEagles]

Hey KC [and everyone else], after I stepped on the modurator's toes over there, the whole topic is gone. [;)] So lets close this one here too. Thanks for all of the support. God bless.

[thor CNJ]

Frankly, I don't think there's much informative value to the kind of criiticism I've seen lately, insofar as the magazines. I seriously doubt that an editior would find much of value in seeking useful information from them. When it comes to negative comments, a notable percent are little cheap shots at the editors.

I subscribe to both magazines, so obviously I must be getting something useful from them. The editors both do a good job. I had run some small non-hobby periodicals myself, and in fact and am launching a military miniatures newsletter to which I bought the rights. I know that editors have a difficult time cateringto an eclectic readership. Of the two magazines, CTT is more eclectic, since you have tinplate fans, scale manaiacs, O Gaugers, S gaugers, Standard gaugers, hi-railers, etc. How can an editor anticipate the blend of articles which will satisfy all of his readers? That's not an easy call. That is also why an issue that some think is stellar might be a stinker to others. In spite of our opinions, Neil has done well with running CTT and making the best blend in each issue.

As several have said, we won't all agree on the merits of every issue of a magazine. I am sure that we can all agree that CTT has been a valiuable asset to the hobby, and that most of us here will continue subscribing.

[ben10ben]

Some of you folks(Hans Zimmer) obvious will never be happy.

Chief made a well-intentioned post on the thread and on this forum. When the thread wasn't zapped, one particular person on this forum complained about how the moderators are allowing criticism of someone else while they would zap it about if it were about themselves. Then, when the thread is zapped(as it should have been, I might add), that same person comes along and complains about censorship. Of course, that person is really just trying to stir the pot, and that's all he's done since he first registered as Joe Polska back in March.

[Anonymous]

It’s amazing how one post on the “other” forum can be blown so out of proportion on the “other” forum. One person complained that he did not like the Feb issue of CTT and threw his copy away shortly after receiving it. Big deal it’s his right to do as he pleases with his copy. Perhaps when he posted this on OGR he expected a great deal of agreement thus further justifying his action of throwing away his magazine. What he got over on OGR was a bunch of people saying how much they enjoyed both magazines, both are useful, and several people said they subscribe to both and have for a long time. My own opinion was that both magazines are good, and I’m glad we have both, some months CTT is better some months OGR is better. Jim Barrett posted that he enjoyed the Feb. CTT and has all past copies of both magazines and that CTT and OGR both try and cover a wide range of topics each month and that they ( both) cannot please everybody with a show stopper grand issue each month. I read all the posts and there was no “bashing” of CTT. How did this get so spun up? There was no need for that. Rest easy Frank, the moderator on OGR deleted the post, No doubt, because “he got his toes stepped on.”

[ChiefEagles]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LVfan1

I read all the posts and there was no “bashing” of CTT. How did this get so spun up?

Missed my point. He wanted to female dog about the CTT magazine, email the editor or come here to CTT. Don't do it over on OGR. If you were a regular poster or visitor, you would know that I have taken the same stance to OGR folks coming over to CTT and bitching about OGR.

The good has been that almost everyone loves both magazines. God bless.

[Anonymous]

Frank
I did not miss your point. I in fact agree with it. Its the method and way you went about it that I find questionable. You bounced back and foth between forums and in your own words. "were becoming guilty of what I don't like. " You advised people to go over there and "see what the moderator just had to say" in essence perhaps stirring up the fire. In the end when the post got deleated you posted here, so proud of yourself that you" stepped on some toes" and the post is gone. Oh and by the way I am a regular visitor here. I read this forum every day. Thats why I know what your stance is and agree with it, and why I found the method in this instance questionable.

[Anonymous]

Ben, are you saying that Kentucky Fried Colonel and Mystic Storm are more aliases for Joe, Hans et al? We also now have a Joey Polska who just registered.

[Anonymous]

Holy Toledo, Folks, do you "throw away" a child just because they aren't up to your expectations at birth? I say the more the merrier, as we have no idea what CTT & OGR may bless us with in the future.
Sophia

[Bob Keller]

Why don't we wrap this thread up.

For a look behind the curtain, nobody on the CTT staff regularly looks at the OGR forum, so if someone wants to gripe about us, we don't see it. If you just want to "vent," feel free to do it here, or on the OGR forum. If you want someone from CTT to see it, e-mail us or post it here.

As Stan Lee used to note in the various Marvel comics, "Nuff said."