What do you think about the new forums?

[turbine682]

I was quite pleased to be able to retrieve posts from 2 years back. Valuable information that I needed to review.

Thanks, --Ed

[goodness]

This forum seems to be very, very s-l-o-w. The time from when you click to the time when the screen changes, seems to be excessive. I do not know why this is, but it makes useing this forum painfully slow some times.
The content in this forum is interesting, so I continue to log in. The magazines are wonderful, and I really look forward to receiving each copy.
Keep up the good work. Paul Goodness

[brianel027]

Obviously, this Forum is taken after the O Gauge Railroading magazine Forum. Of course, they say imitation is the best form of flattery. I am a member of the other Forum, and certainly check it out, but not nearly as often as I once did. I feel strongly this hobby SHOULD BE FOR EVERYONE and should embrace NEW COMERS and BEGINNERS with open arms. This should not be a hobby about RIGHT and WRONG. Besides, like politics, right and wrong depends on your viewpoint.
One thing that annoys me about the other Forum is the general slant towards high-end product and command control. I was once told there that "if I wasn't using command control, then I didn't know how to run trains!" That's nonsense. TMCC has been around for 10 years. Our trains have been around for 90 more. The hobby has managed fine without the electronics. But I would never tell anyone they should or shouldn't run their trains in a way they find enjoyable. But the condescending attitude over there from some members towards "027" modelers started angering me. I was tempted to tell those who had problems with "control technology" or defective command engines that they should stick with non-command engines. Some members over there knock HO modelers, then proceed to criticize companies for incorrect rivet counts or non-prototypical paint schemes.... seems to me some 3-railers have become worse than the so-called "weenies" they like to make fun of.
I love trains. I just happened to choose 3-rails because of my childhood trains. But I enjoy looking at HO layouts as well as N scale. I always buy the 3-rail magazines, but I will also buy the "Model Railroader" and "Trains." Many times I see ideas in "MR" that can be adapted to my 3-rail layout.
THIS HOBBY NEEDS GROWTH to sustain the companies we have and the technology we've seen. Technology is fine. But non-tech beginner products ARE ALSO important, as are those modelers. I am still astounded how many kids I talk to have NO IDEA what Lionel trains are!!! As our country needs tolerance, so does the hobby. Not everyone can afford to spend $500 (and lots more) on an engine. This hobby is not about out-spending or out-doing others in order to feel superior.
I find it so ironic that the very man who has so much to do with the technology in our trains, also maintains strongly this is a "family hobby" while the technology is not reliable and financially out of reach for so many. The very same man who knocks digitial recording, studio over-dubbing, CD technology, the music business and "American Idol" in favor of analog, one-take gut-feeling emotion, and low-tech recording.
Neil Young and others should wake-up and smell the coffee... a family hobby is NOT a family hobby if they CAN'T AFFORD it. $500 rolling computers on wheels will not grow this hobby. Affordability, acceptibility, compatability and promotion WILL! Kids still love trains if only mom and dad knew they were still made, and if they are affordable and reasonable quality.
So okay.... so far I like this Forum. The folks posting seem to be more my kind of folks. I won't knock those who want TMCC or DCS. I just don't want to be knocked because I choose traditional transformer control and smaller non-scale engines and 027 track. I see more novices posting here and notice some newcomers too!
To those folks I say "welcome" and enjoy the hobby however you may. There are no right or wrongs as far as what trains you buy or how you choose to run them... just fun!!!

brianel

[Roger Bielen]

I don't know if it's a compatability problem, my computer, or other but there are many items that seem to be on shaded fields that show as totally black on my computer. i.e. this section: "Message Icon; square after "Format Mode; Smilies; squares in the above section preceding "Forum Index" et al; Large section of the page header; etc..

[Anonymous]

It take a little getting use to, but now that i am getting the hang,of it, I think it is for the better,my problem was signing in & password,but think that is good now,this was a long time coming & thanks,I have a question how often do, the head guys view, this forum,We seem to get fast answer from only "TIM"........

[Anonymous]

I think forums are nice they fellow modelroaders compare notes and get some ideas
and makes the hobby more interesting. Jim Strasburg

[Algonquin]

I think this is a vast improvement for the Forum. I like the posts being all shown in order of response. This will make it much easier to follow a topic. I am curious as to how the new member ratings work and how we will post pictures in our profiles.

Regards,

Tim Pignatari

[Anonymous]

I'm excited about the upgrade and once I get the hang of it will highball through it.

GREAT JOB & THANKS!

[Admin]

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