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Are some of you on Twitter?

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  • Member since
    March 2021
  • From: Quebec, Canada
  • 129 posts
Are some of you on Twitter?
Posted by ModelTrain on Sunday, May 23, 2021 10:08 AM

Hi guys!

I have just created a Twitter account to share my progress in model railroading. Do you have a Twitter account? If yes, come to see me by searching @RailXplorer

Stef

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, May 23, 2021 10:13 AM

Before I retired, I did classified work for DOD.  They warned us constantly about social media and told us to stay away from it.  It's been seven years since I worked, but I don't think I need the aggravation.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Quebec, Canada
  • 129 posts
Posted by ModelTrain on Sunday, May 23, 2021 10:17 AM

MisterBeasley

Before I retired, I did classified work for DOD.  They warned us constantly about social media and told us to stay away from it.  It's been seven years since I worked, but I don't think I need the aggravation.

 

Sorry for the question but what does DOD means exactly? Me too, I am not very interested in social media. I just want to follow a few people that are in the hobby to learn. I am not sharing anything that I should not.

Stef

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Posted by maxman on Sunday, May 23, 2021 10:22 AM

ModelTrain
Sorry for the question but what does DOD means exactly?

Department of de fence.

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Posted by rrebell on Sunday, May 23, 2021 10:27 AM

Department Of Defence    I think twitter is weird and I don't see how they have survived. They once had promise but they started to steal others improvements which stiffled others from writing things indipendently for them sofeware wise.

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Posted by maxman on Sunday, May 23, 2021 10:38 AM

ModelTrain
I just want to follow a few people that are in the hobby to learn. I am not sharing anything that I should not.

I neither Twit nor Face.  I do have a Facebook account only because there was a high school reunion and I needed that to get information.

From what I can see, a lot of organizations use Facebook to get info out to the public.  I think you would have more of a following and gain more info here rather than Twitter.

My impression of Twitter is that it is for those who wish to inform everyone else out in the world minute by minute activity and result reports of what is going on in their daily lives.  I personally don't need to know that someone has just visited the head nor get a report on the result of that visit.

  • Member since
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Posted by peahrens on Sunday, May 23, 2021 11:05 AM

The only reason I have a Twitter account is that was a way to follow UP steam excursion GPS location in 2019.  It was handy so the app is on the phone with notifications off.  Otherwise I would delete the app.

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    March 2021
  • From: Quebec, Canada
  • 129 posts
Posted by ModelTrain on Sunday, May 23, 2021 11:10 AM

peahrens

The only reason I have a Twitter account is that was a way to follow UP steam excursion GPS location in 2019.  It was handy so the app is on the phone with notifications off.  Otherwise I would delete the app.

 

Well, all of you made me thinking that maybe I should forget about Twitter and social media for good.

I should probably focus all my time and energy on building my layout and improving my skills.

Stef

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • 120 posts
Posted by danno54 on Sunday, May 23, 2021 11:34 AM

Never tweeted or any of the similar things. Never did Facebook.

Never could get a good reason from all the hipsters at work that insisted we get the Coprporation on Facebook, Twitter etc. All of our customers are in a ten mile radius and dealt with for years. Seemed like just someting the youngsters thought made the Company cool I guess. Any company that has no contact links on their website and refers me to their Facebook acct for more info just gets ignored. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Flyover Country
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Posted by York1 on Sunday, May 23, 2021 11:55 AM

Off topic alert!

I was a school principal.  Years ago, a water main under the street by the school broke at 7:00 a.m.  We would not be able to have school.

The buses were already running, students were already on their way, and it was going to be difficult to notify everyone.  We did the usual for us -- radio  announcements, school website notification, text alerts, etc.  However, we still had many students arrive, and parents said they did not receive any information.

One person suggested to me that the school should have a Facebook page to provide that kind of information.  I was doubtful, but I gave in.  The secretaries got the Facebook page up and running.

I'm not exaggerating ... if we wanted information to go out, we could put something on Facebook, and within 15 minutes, virtually every parent, grandparent, kid, neighbor, the newspaper, the radio -- everyone knew it.  Those who didn't have Facebook were notified by those who did.

I personally don't use Twitter or Facebook, but they are very powerful tools.

York1 John       

  • Member since
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  • From: Canterlot
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Posted by zugmann on Sunday, May 23, 2021 12:20 PM

ModelTrain
Well, all of you made me thinking that maybe I should forget about Twitter and social media for good.

I don't think people who brag about not using twitter or facebook are the best people to ask whether you should use facebook or twitter.  

It's been fun.  But it isn't much fun anymore.   Signing off for now. 


  

The opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of my employer, any other railroad, company, or person.t fun any

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Posted by Neptune48 on Sunday, May 23, 2021 12:23 PM

I never twit.

  • Member since
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  • From: Collinwood, Ohio, USA
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Posted by gmpullman on Sunday, May 23, 2021 12:32 PM

Didn't somebody just write a book about the evils of Big Social Media then used big social media to promote and sell the book?

Pirate  Dunce   Cheers, Ed

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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, May 23, 2021 1:48 PM

zugmann
I don't think people who brag about not using twitter or facebook are the best people to ask whether you should use facebook or twitter.

Yes

I don't tweet, but then I am not in business. Scoffing at social media outlets today is like someone scoffing at getting a telephone in the shop when telephones became the norm. How well would people without a computer and internet function today without it. When it comes to scoffing at social media, it is a case of people just don't know what they don't know. If you don't keep up you get left behind.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
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  • From: Canada, eh?
  • 13,375 posts
Posted by doctorwayne on Sunday, May 23, 2021 2:20 PM

BATMAN
...If you don't keep up you get left behind.

Yes, I agree, and in many instances, I'd prefer to be left behind.

Wayne

  • Member since
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Posted by Darth Santa Fe on Sunday, May 23, 2021 2:52 PM

I have a Facebook for private personal use, and used to have a Myspace, but I've never had a Twitter.  It's way too toxic for me to want to be involved...

The only social media I use for the hobby is my YouTube account.  People can of course leave toxic comments and spam just like on Twitter, but I at least feel like I have more control and organization with it.

_________________________________________________________________

  • Member since
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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, May 23, 2021 3:02 PM

doctorwayne
Yes, I agree, and in many instances, I'd prefer to be left behind.

So would I and for the most part, I stay behind. Even though I stay behind, I know where they have gone and what they are doing.

I do have a Facebook account with an alias name and it is a wealth of information on anything that may be of interest to someone. Until I started poking around on FB, I had no idea what I was missing and subsequently have learned. Wayne, I see lots of photos of your layout being posted by someone called Ed Cree.....

I have posted some Youtube videos on a guitar player's FB site as I appreciate the comradery I have with my fellow pickers there. I don't do the friends thing as I am not interested in the details of personal lives. 

On the guitar players site, there was this handicapped kid that had an amazing voice but he was unable to play the guitar due to his handicap. I layed down the guitar track to Gordon Lightfoot's "If You Could Read My Mind" for him on Youtube and he took it and put his vocals to it and he sounds incredible.  He was so happy and I was delighted to be able to help him out. Facebook has a lot of shortcomings but the positives outway the negatives by a longshot in my book. 

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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  • From: west coast
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Posted by rrebell on Sunday, May 23, 2021 3:04 PM

A lot of people use facebook for family info, works for that. Twiter is more for those that follow famous people, I could care less about famous people.

  • Member since
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  • From: Shenandoah Valley
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Posted by BigDaddy on Sunday, May 23, 2021 3:13 PM

I am much happier since I dropped my Twitter account. 

While there are some interesting people to follow, or occasional news, the hate and stupidity is overwelming.

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

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Posted by ndbprr on Sunday, May 23, 2021 3:50 PM

I keep the lowest profile I can on computers.  The big tech companies probably have profiles and definitely records of every website visited as well as every address. Don't need to help big brother in any way. 

  • Member since
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  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
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Posted by selector on Sunday, May 23, 2021 4:15 PM

ModelTrain

Hi guys!

I have just created a Twitter account to share my progress in model railroading. Do you have a Twitter account? If yes, come to see me by searching @RailXplorer

 

By now, you're probably wondering why this isn't a sticky at the top of the first forum page.  Sad

Those sites have a lot of heavy psychology and marketing theory working for them.  They're designed to hook you, and thence to play you until the game gets old.  Some have closed their accounts because they found they were on those sites all the time and were becoming depressed.  My own brother did that, and sent me an email admitting that I had been right about those sites all along.  

Part of the problem is the virtue-signalling, holier-than-thou, one-upmanship that goes on.  Not everywhere, not all the time, but often enough that it becomes off-putting and aggravating.  That's why those sites are seeing people leave in droves, particularly now that their weaknesses and social limitations, not to mention corporate ethical lapses of all kinds, have become public knowledge.

All that lengthy preamble aside, they are still immensely popular, and as one poster has pointed out, very capable in terms of spreading information quickly.  Like all tools, they can be misused, and too often are misused.  But, when you really need a hammer......

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  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
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Posted by BATMAN on Sunday, May 23, 2021 4:25 PM

I have left one of the HO scale modeling FB sites as it was so toxic, full of hatemongers. All of the other MRR FB sites I belong to are very civil and I enjoy them. The guys from Rapido hang out on a couple of the Canadian sites and there are good laughs to be had.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

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    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
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Posted by SeeYou190 on Sunday, May 23, 2021 6:52 PM

MisterBeasley
Before I retired, I did classified work for DOD.  They warned us constantly about social media and told us to stay away from it.  It's been seven years since I worked, but I don't think I need the aggravation.

My previous employer warned us very seriously and repeatedly about social media. I know more people were fired from management positions for social media issues than any other reason, maybe all other reasons combined.

I do not bother with Twitter, Facebook, or anything else. This forum currently represents the entirety of my on-line presence. I do lurk on a few other forums, but never (or very rarely) post anything.

My wife follows Twitter and all the rest continously.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 8,892 posts
Posted by riogrande5761 on Monday, May 24, 2021 6:10 AM

ModelTrain

Hi guys!

I have just created a Twitter account to share my progress in model railroading. Do you have a Twitter account? If yes, come to see me by searching @RailXplorer 

I haven't been convinced of a need for a twitter account or most other social media platforms.  I had a FB account for a short time and it only created unneeded social stress so I shut it down.  My wife has a FB account and I let her do all of the things that are useful there, mainly the FB market place and to us it to sell stuff we don't need or find good deals on things we do need.  But from what she tells me, there is a lot of drama and food fights on social media which is something I don't need.

My work of the past 11 years includes training on social media and being very careful.  DOD included yearly training.

Rio Grande.  The Action Road  - Focus 1977-1983

Moderator
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Posted by tstage on Monday, May 24, 2021 7:36 AM

Facebook has its positives; Twitter has its positives but less so, IMO.

I have had a FB account since 2009.  It was great for keeping in touch with friends and classmates but I suspended my account a few months back because I found the site more annoying than beneficial.  Twitter - for me - has no relevance; nor do I care to follow anyone.

So, I'm with Wayne and am perfectly fine being left behind. Yeah

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

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Posted by CGW103 on Monday, May 24, 2021 7:52 AM

Facebook has a lot of rail fan pages, and is a good way to keep up with kids and grandkids.

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Posted by josephbw on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:06 AM

This site and very few others are as close to social media as I get. I have enough nonsense in my life, I don't need to be privy to anyone else's nonsense. Wink

 

Joe

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    October 2004
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Posted by Boiler-man on Monday, May 24, 2021 8:35 AM
No, Never but do have an account but have no desire as I have better things to do with my time !!
Boilerman
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    May 2012
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Posted by angelob6660 on Monday, May 24, 2021 10:50 AM

I don't have Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, Snapchat, or any other social media sites. I call these "Fad" it's only popular right now until something new will make them obsolete like MySpace.

Besides all these platforms are all cesspool of negativity and lately it's been more political. This will hurt your self esteem. 

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

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Posted by doctorwayne on Monday, May 24, 2021 11:51 AM

BATMAN
Wayne, I see lots of photos of your layout being posted by someone called Ed Cree.....

Yeah, I'm well aware of that...Ed and I have been friends for well-over 40 years, and every time he comes to visit, he brings his camera, and very often, also brings his most recently acquired brass steamer.

It seems what he posts of my layout often generates questions, especially ones regarding paint colours.  Luckily, I seem to have had fairly good instincts when it comes to mixing colours to match specific prototypes, and back when I was painting for the hobbyshop where Ed and I first met, I kept a record of paint brands and colours, and the formulae used.  If someone on FB asks about one of those colours, I'm always happy to oblige, through Ed, of course.  

That's in contrast to what I saw when I first began going to hobbyshops, where pretty well everyone (proprietors and customers) seemed to feel that such information was so "classified" that it couldn't be shared.  I suppose everyone's entitled to their particular needs for privacy, but it seemed to me to be a very niggardly attitude.

That's probably why I'm always willing to share the things that I've learned over many years of modelling, both the good results and the failures, too.

I think that I spend enough time here and on my "home" forum, that I don't really want to start frequenting other sites.

Wayne

 

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