I don't subscribe to any magazines nor do i need too, and i can't see why you really need to do this all the time. Nor do i go to hobby shops, they really don't do anything for me.
yet i have a very modern and technically advanced layout.
Rgds ian
"Ian, where did you find out about how to build the technical bits?"
Paul,
Ian has ways that are beyond the ken of mortal men. He has all the answers. just ask him, he'll tell you.
I an a GR subscriber & author. I agree with your grievances & reiterate them to Rene' & to Marc on the occasions he drops in here to read the forums (fora?). Klambake is beginning to take we buyers for granted. It's not the fault of the folk (Rene', Marc, etc) who give us their time, but the bean-counters in NY who just happen to have Milwaukee by the short-&-curlies.
The more we female dog, the more chance we'll get some attention. The dropping of Pull-out plans in the GR mag.are an issue in point. If you've ever checked out Marc's plans site http://www.sidestreetbannerworks.com/railways/plans.html
you'll see that a good % of the pix are of my models. I think this is also why Marc asked me to do a 12 page how-to for the mag (Aug & Oct '05 issues, build a retired box-car).
Klambake are making a huge error with this move, I imagine it's for $ reasons but they are going to lose more $ by proceeding with it. I'm active on a number of internet LS sites & the general consensus is "NOT HAPPY, JAN!" I won't be dropping my subscription but I know of a number of folks who will no longer be (regularly) buying the mag off the rack from the local Walgreens etc.
Ian, bend over, we need more sunlight down here.
Phil i have heard that your shoe size is greater than your IQ, is that right?
Rgds Ian
To others, I really don't read these magazines now do i go to hobby shops. I get a lot of information off the internet and from knowledgeable friends of which i have many all over the world. Also when i get into a subject i am interested in; i really investigate it by several means. For instance i am going down the track of automating my layout at the moment and to do anything much in this area you need to be into DCC. So i have really contacted a lot of people and am starting to find out how little i know about this subject but it is very interesting to me and i am getting to be as knowledegeable as i can be; before i do anything much. American ideas seem to me to be much more advanced and varied as compared to European ones and cheaper too.
My objections to reading magazines and visiting hobby shops; is that there is too much information around that you don't need and too little knowledge of the real guts of things. I am also of the opinion that a lot of the people getting involved with these are are just tyre kickers and mostly don't actually do anything much at all, when it is all boiled down.
I on the other hand don't bother with anything unless i am really into it and am going to actually do something, like my present fascination with automating my layout; very interesting, very technical and it really gets my brain working and keeps altsheimers deseas away after; all i am 70 years old or is it 70 years young.
Yes my reaction would be the same; i am not impressed with people selling stuff that don't know much about it and won't go to any trouble to find out.
The last hobby shop i went to was in Blackpool in the UK with Kimbrit and the shop was devoid of customers except us, and they wouldn't even talk to us in a polite manner.
This is "The Worlds Greatist Hobby" then let new folks know and show them. 1/2 cent.
William
What does that men to a person that lives on the other side of the world?
Ian
Ian,
You mean you have no friends to show your hard work off to and the enjoyment of the railroad to?
Then I would think you would show them the web site and the magazines we get with fold out pages in them to make hand stock from.
William;
I agree with the need to have someone to show your results too, but i can't quite relate that to what you have said.
In fact i am in just such a position right now; i have designed something that is to do with G scale railways and i call it, "The Device" and i don't know how i can show it to any one and it is really getting to me, if my scanner was working i could send a schematic out and people could see it. I am really pleased with myself and i didn't think i could do it. I even have all the component parts worked out and where to place them on a printed circuit board, in a weather tight box and all.
It will be 115 mm long 65 mm wide and 40 mm long; it will connect up to an LGB 12070 supplementary switch and an LGB Detection module and various sections of track as well as utilising 2 LGB 17100 track contacts. It will absolutely automate a set of points (switch) in a foolproof manner.
It contains an 8 way connector strip, a relay, 2 diode bridges a 1000 ohm 5 watt resistor and a printed circuit board. I am sure it will work but alas i think it would be hard for anyone else tounderstand it!
See Ian your helping "The Worlds Greatest Hobby" but GR is making us go .PDFs which most of us do not want.
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