Can we not get back to model railroading??

[electromotive]

It look like we have more garbage than constructive comments on this board??
In the last few weeks it seems that there are more silly garbage about NOTHING rather than about your model layout and things that you would like to discuss..
Forget all these signs, faces, and other garbage and lets talk about trains!

Your serious comments....

[Anonymous]

Some forums have a seperate area for "misc." talk - some allow some misc. talk if it is labeled "OT" (off topic).

The purpose behind it is that you can discuss things with other people who have some of the same interests as you.

I don't mind some OT as long as it doesn't overpower everything else. It is also nice if it's labeled "OT" in the subject, so I can skip it if I so choose.

My attitude is pretty much live-and-let-live.

I come here to read/write about model trains, not misc. other stuff. But that's just me.

Just for the record, I'm not really in to subjects where the purpose is to increase post count (post padding) or to compete with some other forum or subject to see who can make the most posts.

I believe someone else said it very well a few days ago - quality, not quantity.

But that's just my opinion - I could be wrong.

Rob

[krump]

here's a ?
I have an old computer (6-7 years old) that I'd like to dedicate to model r/r and train related stuff / journaling my progress etc - I thought that it would also be good for DCC compatability ??? I'm thinking about DCC for 2004/05
does anyone know if the/a DCC system can be incorporated with the older computer?
how?
is it worthwhile - re costs or operational benefits / ease ?
(as usual, I'm a technological preschooler)

[Big_Boy_4005]

I seriously believe that we need a seperate place for all of the silly off topic stuff, because on the one hand it does tend to cause a lot of clutter, but on the other hand it won't and shouldn't totally go away either. I like both, but some people don't.

This whole thing can be traced back to one topic, complaining about a non model railroading subject, and has mushroomed into something like 40 topics, including this one.

I know that I am guilty of starting one such topic, though I did it in the hope of trying to stop the explosion that has somewhat overrun this forum, as I suspect was the intent of this one. The problem is that sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. If we quietly let it run its course, it should die down.

The discontinuance of stars started out as an intelligent discussion of an issue that clearly bothered one person. By the end of the third page, the discussion was pretty much over, and the mockery kicked in. As it reached the end of the fifth page, it had a life of it's own, and was out of control, and was being driven by one of the people who was at the center of the original issue.

On the ninth page, I reentered the fray, with the hopes of bringing it to a halt. My comments were like throwing gasoline on a fire. By page 15, I had all but stopped railing against it and was starting to play along. Finally I made a comment that struck a nerve and left me in an awkward position, and I stopped posting there.

It felt like forever, I had been having so much fun with the other members, making jokes and reading theirs, that when I stopped, the whole forum felt strange to me. It was like something was missing.

This forum is what we make of it. Some people only want serious information, others only fun, but the reality lies somewhere in between.

[lupo]

Completely agree with you about fun and facts,
but i think we have such a seperate place for silly stuff, only it is not called a forum but it is called the "Discontuance of Stars" topic.
For myself I try to keep most of the nonsence I can supply strictly to that topic, I even hardly use any smilies outside the DOS topic

[Anonymous]

I can agree with that, but don't expect me to be all business! Life is too short and this is suppose to be a fun hobby not a job!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

I seriously believe that we need a seperate place for all of the silly off topic stuff, because on the one hand it does tend to cause a lot of clutter, but on the other hand it won't and shouldn't totally go away either. I like both, but some people don't.

This whole thing can be traced back to one topic, complaining about a non model railroading subject, and has mushroomed into something like 40 topics, including this one.

I know that I am guilty of starting one such topic, though I did it in the hope of trying to stop the explosion that has somewhat overrun this forum, as I suspect was the intent of this one. The problem is that sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. If we quietly let it run its course, it should die down.

The discontinuance of stars started out as an intelligent discussion of an issue that clearly bothered one person. By the end of the third page, the discussion was pretty much over, and the mockery kicked in. As it reached the end of the fifth page, it had a life of it's own, and was out of control, and was being driven by one of the people who was at the center of the original issue.

On the ninth page, I reentered the fray, with the hopes of bringing it to a halt. My comments were like throwing gasoline on a fire. By page 15, I had all but stopped railing against it and was starting to play along. Finally I made a comment that struck a nerve and left me in an awkward position, and I stopped posting there.

It felt like forever, I had been having so much fun with the other members, making jokes and reading theirs, that when I stopped, the whole forum felt strange to me. It was like something was missing.

This forum is what we make of it. Some people only want serious information, others only fun, but the reality lies somewhere in between.

This issue over the DOS and NES has polarized a lot of good people on here, and that certainly wasn't the intent. I've worked just about all my life in one of the most intense professions today, Telecom, and because it is so intense, it's taken quite a toll on me and most people I know that work in the bussiness. The abilitiy to find humor in life is a gift that some people are just born with, and others develope that sense, only after years of intensely stressful work. I guess I'm one of the latter, but I'm also one of the fortunate. Many good folks I've known over the years, were never able to do this and suffered because it. There's a definate link between ones stress level and ones health status. If I'm the one that you refer to, as driving the DOS, thats ok, I make no appologies for trying to get people to lighten up and laugh once in while. There's no offence taken if I'm correct, the only thing I would ask is this, come on back over and help add to the count and have some fun at the same time.[:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]If I'm not the one that you refer to, come on over anyway. You're missed.[:)][:)]

[Big_Boy_4005]

Actually Emerald I was refering to our young friend who seems to have been at the center of all the recent comotion here. The NES thread was a cute idea, and though I have never jumped into it, I like it. It has purpose and creativity, and was started with that goal in mind.

By the way, the DOS thread has almost doubled in size since I did the tallies last week. At that time you and Lupo were almost tied for post count to that topic, but combined your two totals were exactly equal to that of the top poster. Fergie and I were right behind you in 4th and 5th.

I have never been angry with anyone, though on occassion some of the behavior has been a bit frustrating. I view these frustrations as challenges, and try to deal with them constructivly. I was rather pleased with the resolution of the photo signature issue, did you notice that one?

[Anonymous]

Short answer yes long answer yeah

[Anonymous]

No comment. That's the safest way out of this one.

[FJ and G]

I think that most of the topics in this forum are about model trains or are close enough. Model trains are also about the people who run them and a certain leeway is needed.

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FJ and G

I think that most of the topics in this forum are about model trains or are close enough. Model trains are also about the people who run them and a certain leeway is needed.

Very nicely said!![:)][^]

[Eriediamond]

Aww-come-on now. I can be serious when I need to be. Honest. [}:)][angel] Do away with those little face critters---NEVER I say NEVER. Read my signature!!!

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Actually Emerald I was refering to our young friend who seems to have been at the center of all the recent comotion here. The NES thread was a cute idea, and though I have never jumped into it, I like it. It has purpose and creativity, and was started with that goal in mind.

By the way, the DOS thread has almost doubled in size since I did the tallies last week. At that time you and Lupo were almost tied for post count to that topic, but combined your two totals were exactly equal to that of the top poster. Fergie and I were right behind you in 4th and 5th.

I have never been angry with anyone, though on occassion some of the behavior has been a bit frustrating. I view these frustrations as challenges, and try to deal with them constructivly. I was rather pleased with the resolution of the photo signature issue, did you notice that one?

Understand my friend, [:)][:)][:)][:)]How ya doing tonite DOUGAL[?][?]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by emeraldisle

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Actually Emerald I was refering to our young friend who seems to have been at the center of all the recent comotion here. The NES thread was a cute idea, and though I have never jumped into it, I like it. It has purpose and creativity, and was started with that goal in mind.

By the way, the DOS thread has almost doubled in size since I did the tallies last week. At that time you and Lupo were almost tied for post count to that topic, but combined your two totals were exactly equal to that of the top poster. Fergie and I were right behind you in 4th and 5th.

I have never been angry with anyone, though on occassion some of the behavior has been a bit frustrating. I view these frustrations as challenges, and try to deal with them constructivly. I was rather pleased with the resolution of the photo signature issue, did you notice that one?

Understand my friend, [:)][:)][:)][:)]How ya doing tonite DOUGAL[?][?]

Fine.

[Fergmiester]

I never left