jfallon One thing I've seen on these forums that should be the topic of an article in MR is doctor-wayne's layout. How about it, guys? John
One thing I've seen on these forums that should be the topic of an article in MR is doctor-wayne's layout.
How about it, guys?
John
I don't read enough messages on this forum to be familiar with this layout, but everyone should keep it in mind that MR itself does not prepare articles for publication. Someone has to do the write up and take the photos, then submit them. Articles don't happen on their own. While MR does seem to assign photographing layouts to a few individuals, they need to have a reason to have it done.
Bob Boudreau
CANADA
Visit my model railroad photography website: http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/
Definitely! MR oughta change it's name to "Model Kite Flying" if it continues to ignore Doc Wayne's layout for even another month. I mean seriously-- his layout practically *defines* the topic! (Not that some other ones don't also...) So how about it MR... What's the title of your rag gonna be *next* month...???
Not all of these would be appropriate for MR, but who knows, Mad Magazine might be interested in a few of them as they border on absurdity anyhow!
I cast my vote for Dr Waynes layout as well, I don't care if it's "finished" or not.
Mark
NMRC
I'll second that!
-George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
gregc The forum threads seem to cover a lot more topics than are covered by magazine articles. While many threads are specific questions or tangentially related to model railroading and would not make good articles, I think some threads would make good articles (e.g Why so much focus on dilapidation?) and are topics I don't recall having seen articles written about. The advantage of an article is a better organization, less tangential comments, better organization and hopefully more comprehensive, filling in the gaps of a thread. It just seems that magazine editors no longer have to wonder what their readers are interested in, the forums provide plenty of feedback.
The forum threads seem to cover a lot more topics than are covered by magazine articles. While many threads are specific questions or tangentially related to model railroading and would not make good articles, I think some threads would make good articles (e.g Why so much focus on dilapidation?) and are topics I don't recall having seen articles written about.
The advantage of an article is a better organization, less tangential comments, better organization and hopefully more comprehensive, filling in the gaps of a thread. It just seems that magazine editors no longer have to wonder what their readers are interested in, the forums provide plenty of feedback.
Why do you think Kalmbach sponsors the forums in the first place?
If everybody is thinking alike, then nobody is really thinking.
http://photobucket.com/tandarailroad/
It isn't a bad idea in principle, but as Rich suggests, it could amount to a full-time paid editorial position to wade through the forums daily, glean ideas and comments, and then try to compile them into a cohesive whole. There might also be some issues with attribution for novel ideas...not necessarily wrong or a bad thing, but it could be sticky if someone refuses and the comment or idea constitutes a large bulk of the discussion at some point in the thread and it, in turn, leads to something really special that makes the whole project worth while.
Articles aren't iterative as are the discussions here. We can banter back and forth, exchange how-to tips, and then be gone and on to another thread. There is a specificity to the questions, after which the answers are often placed within three or four replies. An article would have to be substantial and cover a range of techniques, which is sort of already the case.
Crandell
This is the digital age. Digital will always be better and faster access. Don't forget English 101 in High School. Good writing is re written. Someone would have to do a lot of re-writing to make anything out of these forums. Go for it since it is your suggestion.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading