So glad to see the change in the Forum

[Curmudgeon]

As a Kalmbach advertiser, I checked to see what the rules were before I went "active".

The base rules still seem to be the same.

However, based upon the recent filling of this board with what appears to be free advertising, until they get it sorted, I shall just stay away.

Before anybody gets their knickers in a knot, this isn't about competition, as I don't do what they do.

Ain't gonna say any more about it right now.

[Ray Dunakin]

personally, I don't understand why all the garden railway forums I've looked as have prohibited advertising. In my other hobby (high power rocketry) the various forums are pretty liberal about ads and often include a specific forum area for classifieds and vendor ads or announcements. This makes it easier for individuals to sell or trade, and also helps keep the vendors in business -- without whom, there would be no hobby. It's especially helpful to the small one-man outfits who produce limited runs of specialized items.

I'm also puzzled by the fact that many of the forums in this hobby require paid subscription. That's something I've never encountered before.

[Anonymous]

This is a rare thing here; but i am 100 % with Curmy on this one!

This place is not for advertising; it is for a whole lot of blokes like us to talk a lot of rubbish; as we do. Very occasionaly we do say something worthwhile.


Rgds Ian

[cacole]

I can just imagine what these forums would turn into and look like within a week or two if advertising was allowed. I agree with Curmudgeon that advertising must be kept off. We're here to exchange news and ideas. If I ever want to see advertising, I look through the magazines or go to e-Bay. Some of the recent posts here seem to be photographic essays about a train show that are advertising a particular brand.

[kstrong]

Perhaps I'm not reading the same forums that y'all are here, but the only threads that have come close to advertising are Jack Lynch's posting of the production samples for the Amfleet coach. We have all--in various threads--said something the effect of "can't wait to see it" with regard to new product announcements. Well, Jack's merely accommodating us in that regard. Heck, I don't even model modern standard gauge trains, but I like looking at the photos. Certainly, if Lee Riley or the Bach-Man wanted to come on board with photos of the latest 1:20.3 rolling stock, I think it would be equally well received. Lord knows that's more up my alley than standard gauge passenger cars. Now, if Jack (or Lee, Lewis, or Charlie) made a habit of posting photos of every single new product they made, that could constitute abuse. But in my few years of regularly reading this forum, I have yet to see any of the major players even post to this board (besides Jack), let alone advertising from them.

And with regard to Jack's threads, what's the difference between Jack posting it and Joe Smith coming back from the latest train show with some "spy shots" of the next great thing? To me, it's not advertising if the post contains nothing more than what the average consumer would say about a product. (And in Jack's case, all he did was post photos--nothing more but a line that says "here are some photos.")

Maybe I'm more tolerant of things than others, perhaps I just like learning about new products--which is one reason I personally visit the forums. I like to hear about and see what new products are being introduced, whether I'll buy them or not. Perhaps a single topic for "latest product news" could work, but I doubt it would be very popular. MyLargeScale.com instituted one of those a few months ago, and to date only one manufacturer (Curmudgeon's boss, incidentally) has taken advantage of it. René just reworked the forums to consolidate lesser-read topics. Why, now, introduce another one that will see sparse traffic at best?

Just my opinion...

Later,

K

[John Busby]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

I can just imagine what these forums would turn into and look like within a week or two if advertising was allowed. I agree with Curmudgeon that advertising must be kept off. We're here to exchange news and ideas. If I ever want to see advertising, I look through the magazines or go to e-Bay. Some of the recent posts here seem to be photographic essays about a train show that are advertising a particular brand.

I don't read the photos that way mind you I am in Aus I am always interested in train shows.
Aparrently single brand or not.
I am however opposed to advertising as I get fed up with them poping up and being for products I don't want will not buy because the are not in Aus.
Or for shall we say personal development drugs.
Pop up stoppers will often stop some sites working to force you to view the unwanted advertising there is no opt out like there will be in Aus for phone canvasers because it crosses national borders making it hard to police.
regards John

[gtrainman1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by kstrong


(Curmudgeon's boss, incidentally)

I’ve also seen so called advertisements like TOC’s boss here on the Garden Railway Forum as well;
For instance within the last 10 days;
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=63877
See,
I’ve even put in a plug for T.W. with this post.
--------------------------------------------------------------

TonyWalsham
Posted: 23 Apr 2006, 05:34:16
Reply with Quote Quote

Posts: 198
Joined: 06 Feb 2003
Location: AU

I will be attending the Brisbane Miniature Trian Show next weekend.

Anybody who is interested in LS stuff is welcome to stop by my booth # 108 and have a chinwag.

See ya'll in about 10 days.
--------------------
Tony Walsham
(Remote Control Systems) http://www.rcs-rc.com

[Ray Dunakin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by John Busby
I am however opposed to advertising as I get fed up with them popping up and being for products I don't want will not buy because the are not in Aus.
Or for shall we say personal development drugs.

I hate popups too, as well as most banner ads, and especially ads for products or services unrelated to the subject of the forum.

The type of "advertizing" that is common (and welcomed) in rocketry forums is text postings announcing a new product or manufacturer, a special sale, etc. Or individuals trying to sell off old kits, stuff like that. As long as it isn't done in an excessive way, these things are seen as beneficial to the hobby.

[Marty Cozad]

WQOOW, I did not know TOC had a boss. i thought the doublebarrel shotgun was the boss???

[vsmith]

I mus' be missin' sumthin'

I dont see no changes???

[Anonymous]

Being inundated with ads irrespective of there conrtent is an invasion of a persons privacy and i for one resent it.

These people who do telemarketing are the ultimate example of this, and are being legislated aginst in this country.


This doesn't mean i am against advertising, i have a diploma in marketing and understand the value of it to both the seller and the purchaser, but enough is enough and i have had enough advertisements for a while.


Rgds Ian

[Capt Bob Johnson]

It's like having the advertiser robbing from you when you can't get them to stop sending you junk mail that you have to pay to have hauled to the dump and then suffer the indignity of having your taxes go up cause the landfill is now full and can't hold any more of that garbage and the county needs to build a new landfill!

[Anonymous]

I'm with you, Vic. I don't see any changes that are supposed to have taken place.

[Ray Dunakin]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

Being inundated with ads irrespective of there conrtent is an invasion of a persons privacy and i for one resent it.

There is no privacy in a public forum. Posting to a public forum is not the same as calling individuals in their homes.

Posting a product announcement in a forum dedicated to the use of that type of product is completely reasonable. If there was a specific area for such posts, you wouldn't even have to read them if you didn't want to.

That said, I do understand why ads of any kind are prohibited in this particular forum. Since it is hosted by a publication that depends on ad revenue, it makes sense that they wouldn't want to give away free advertising of any kind. I just don't understand why everyone else in this hobby seems to oppose it. Maybe garden railroading is such a large hobby that people don't feel there's a need to hear about (or encourage) new manufacturers or products.