Remember not long ago.....

[grandpopswalt]

Gentlemen,

When I retired three years ago I threw away my ties, gave away my suits and swore that I’d never again use words like paradigm or phrases like “think outside the box” again. In other words, no more corporate BS and no more regimentation. Therefore I am very much against anything that will change the nature of this forum from the loosey goosey, easy going, say-what’s-on- your-mind format that it’s evolved into. There are very few rules and it’s usually fun to get on and read what the other guys have to say and that’s just the way I like it.

To the “pro’s” who frequent this forum: we understand that this is your business and you take it seriously, of course you do, it’s your livelihood or at least steady income. But to the rest of us it’s just a hobby and we’re on this forum for fun and we don’t want it to become serious and “proper” and stifled by rules and procedures. We are able to leave all that crap at the office where it belongs and I would encourage you to try to do the same.

I’m against a for-subscribers-only section of the forum. I think it should be open to everyone. Diversity makes for interesting participation. And we’d probably lose a few good participants as well. For example, I refuse to join LSOL out of principle. I’ll be ***ed (darned) if I’ll pay for the privilege of having someone sell me something. I feel the same way about Sam’s club, BJ’s, etc.
If I see something or read about something on this forum which causes me to go out and buy it, then that is how the sponsors of the forum are ultimately compensated. I think most businesses have seen that this is the beauty of on-line commerce.

So, lighten up and leave my forum alone!

Walt

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by iandor

Well guys all I can say is that you musn't have much in your life to be bothered with hiding identity or sending coded messages on this or any other forum.

By coded messages i mean that this would include using initials of words that others might not understand so they can some way make themselves seem superior, why i don't know.

This is an international and inter continental forum and we should all be sure that others (everyone) can understand what they are saying.

Rgds Ian

A few of us are waiting for you to lead the way. [:D][:D][:D] So far in vain!

A glaring example is your first post in http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=49200

Since you keep telling us that you worked in the technical transformer field, it would be quite logical to think that you're familiar with acronyms. Interestingly there is a large selection of acronyms in the model railroad field - if I recall correctly there are several glossaries on the same subject! In any case, it is like any other field: if you want to understand some of the acronyms and the special expression you'll need to do some of your very own homework.
You can start with Google and take it from there, just don't try to give us a hard time or worse, imply that we "put on the style" in order to look better.

OTOH of course you can, it's a free world! Just be prepared that your priceless "bon mots" will be quoted back to you, with relish! [:D][:D][:D]

[Anonymous]

Well guys all I can say is that you musn't have much in your life to be bothered with hiding identity or sending coded messages on this or any other forum.

By coded messages i mean that this would include using initials of words that others might not understand so they can some way make themselves seem superior, why i don't know.

This is an international and inter continental forum and we should all be sure that others (everyone) can understand what they are saying.

Rgds Ian

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Railroading_Brit

Sorry, but I feel a "subscribers only" area wouldn't help - the same goes for charging. At the moment these forums have a very good atmosphere with only the occasional troll mangling things. Personally I wouldn't join a forum that demanded my full name either - I'm very cautious about identity theft and similar security risks. Let's keep all members equal and carry on as we are - I'd say that 99% of the time this place works very well, and I'd also say that two or three troll attacks in a year is a lot better than some forums put up with. We have a great community in these forums, so why change it?

Matt,

As the admin of four fora and participant in a few more, I'm keenly aware that it cuts both ways. But as admin I try to make sure that we don't get "yahoos" "clowns" and the like on our fora. The rules are clearly stated, those who don't like them don't need to sign up. Simple!
As to identity: it is either "HJ" (short for Hans-Joerg), or "RhB_HJ" (some fora need more tha 2 letters), with the full name and details in the profile.

Quite unlike some others, I don't need to fly below the radar in stealth mode to do my favourite supplier's, or heaven forbid, even my employer's bidding.

Two guys on this forum who also don't need to hide behind "Lord knows what" are Tony Walsham from RCS and Dave Goodson from NWRCS. Occasionally the three of us or any one of three, may get into a bit of a tussle with the "stealthers", "great pretenders", "shills" or whatever other moniker fits. And at the end of the day there are a few more readers on the forum who know who is who and what the score is. Or at least those who can read, most posts are addressed to those!

BTW this isn't a flame, just an explanation how things work!

[Anonymous]

Sorry, but I feel a "subscribers only" area wouldn't help - the same goes for charging. At the moment these forums have a very good atmosphere with only the occasional troll mangling things. Personally I wouldn't join a forum that demanded my full name either - I'm very cautious about identity theft and similar security risks. Let's keep all members equal and carry on as we are - I'd say that 99% of the time this place works very well, and I'd also say that two or three troll attacks in a year is a lot better than some forums put up with. We have a great community in these forums, so why change it?

[RhB_HJ]

Hi Brian,

Time will tell!

They also use a different forum software, a few new wrinkles and certainly a new look.

Personally I like the look of the Snitz and the phpBB software (without all kinds of modifications), but who cares about cosmetics - it's the content that counts! And the content on Finescale Modeler is very good. I guess the name would indicate that.[;)][:)][}:)][:D][:D]

[bman36]

HJ,
This looks like it would be useful here in the future. Of course we still want to encourage newcomers. A "members only" area would be great for subscribers to GR. The forum I imagine would still be accessible to everyone. Thoughts anyone? Later eh...Brian.

[RhB_HJ]

.... when there was a bit of a dust up on the Kalmbach fora and subsequently a note from Terry Thompson regarding the use etc. etc.?? Remember all the suggestions on how to keep the "clowns" at bay.

I just received the following regarding the Finescale Modeler website and forum

QUOTE: Click here if you're a Finescale Modeler magazine subscriber.
>Get UNLIMITED FREE access to the entire site, including our reader forums and the e-mail newsletter. Just have your subscriber label handy and register.


Click here if you purchased the current issue of Finescale Modeler.
>Get FREE TEMPORARY access to the entire site with the access code in your current issue of FineScale Modeler. Includes access to our reader forums and e-mail newsletter.


Click here to use the free temporary access code until November 22.
>Use the FREE TEMPORARY access code FSMTEMP for access to the entire site.


Click here if you previously registered at Finescale.com.
>Participate in our reader forums and receive our monthly e-mail newsletter.

Well by the looks of it that means some sections are going to be "for members only", to which I say RIGHT ON! GOOD SHOW!

I've been doing that "pre-sorting" on our fora for some time! Perhaps that restricts the membership - especially since there are no nicknames, pseudonyms etc. etc. allowed on our fora - but it certainly makes for a nicer atmosphere.

.