Riogrande,
A "Captain Obvious" solution? Sure. But when you're helping someone that's had difficulty using programs (that we take for granted) like Word, Excel, and Publisher.....then posting some simple tips may be helpful.
I disagree about it it being an option if "you are feeling unluckly". I've lost posts several times and I sincerely doubt that luck was relevant. Several modelers have pointed out that this forum can exhibit glitches from time to time. So this is more of the old "An ounce of prevention is worth more than 10 LBS of cure", approach.
Example: click on the link below and look at the first post of the thread. Now imagine losing all of that info and then typing it over again, LOL!
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/p/195132/2131266.aspx
riogrande5761 Simple step to avoid losing your new post ... I would have thought this "tip" would be a Captain Obvious solution. The rub is, most of the time you don't need to take the precaution of copying your post to the clip board every time you post. It only seems like "a good idea" when, once in a long while, you get burned. Is it worth copying a post to the clip boared every time you post? Maybe. It's option if you are feeling unlucky.
Simple step to avoid losing your new post ...
I would have thought this "tip" would be a Captain Obvious solution. The rub is, most of the time you don't need to take the precaution of copying your post to the clip board every time you post. It only seems like "a good idea" when, once in a long while, you get burned. Is it worth copying a post to the clip boared every time you post? Maybe. It's option if you are feeling unlucky.
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
tstage Even when I'm using Word I save my work on a regular basis rather than rely on Auto Save. Why? Because I've been burned enough times with a network. So, in order to ensure I don't lose any data (or, at the very least - as little as possible), I take a proactive approach to any computer I'm using. Tom
Even when I'm using Word I save my work on a regular basis rather than rely on Auto Save. Why? Because I've been burned enough times with a network. So, in order to ensure I don't lose any data (or, at the very least - as little as possible), I take a proactive approach to any computer I'm using.
Tom
To add about manually saving often, you can also save material on a removable flash device. They are small and cheap too. I too have been burned by forgetting to save.
Two words: version control.
Great tips about saving and not losing your posts. Are electronic devices or browsers are more prone to that happening? Just wondering.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
riogrande5761 ... Is it worth copying a post to the clip boared every time you post? Maybe. It's option if you are feeling unlucky.
... Is it worth copying a post to the clip boared every time you post? Maybe. It's option if you are feeling unlucky.
Or, as has been suggested, when one crafts a long response with a lot of details that one would rather not lose in the ether when striking 'post reply'.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
Hello Dave,
No, I was not offended at all. Hard to convey feelings behind the keyboard, but I was making a simple reply as everyone posting has positive intentions. All's very good guys!
The modeler is a good guy but has had difficulty adapting to the Windows 10 style format, in spite of the fact that "Word" still looks basically the same as it did back in the Windows 7 era.
hon30critter AntonioFP45 Good points guys, but this was aimed for a modeler who does not navigate a keyboard as effortlessly as we do. So my intent was to be as bare-plain simple as possible. My thought was "Maybe there are a few other modelers that have some diffiulty remembering basic keyboard functions, so wny not share the info in case it may be helpful?" Hi AntonioFP45, I think your original post was great! Lots of members need things put in simple terms so they can understand the instructions. The other suggestions are valid too. I don't think anyone set out to offend you. Dave
AntonioFP45 Good points guys, but this was aimed for a modeler who does not navigate a keyboard as effortlessly as we do. So my intent was to be as bare-plain simple as possible. My thought was "Maybe there are a few other modelers that have some diffiulty remembering basic keyboard functions, so wny not share the info in case it may be helpful?"
Hi AntonioFP45,
I think your original post was great! Lots of members need things put in simple terms so they can understand the instructions. The other suggestions are valid too. I don't think anyone set out to offend you.
Dave
AntonioFP45Good points guys, but this was aimed for a modeler who does not navigate a keyboard as effortlessly as we do. So my intent was to be as bare-plain simple as possible. My thought was "Maybe there are a few other modelers that have some diffiulty remembering basic keyboard functions, so wny not share the info in case it may be helpful?"
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
I’ve always used Word to post from. The Forum software over the years has complicated posting directly from Word. To keep everything in the correct line spacing alignment I copy and paste from Word to Notebook then copy Notebook and past it to the Forum, no cleaning up the post after the paste from Notebook.I keep my original post in Word until the post is excepted then close Word. This morning I had Error 403 get me for the first time and it was continuous for several hours. Keeping the post in Word really paid off this morning. Mel My Model Railroad http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/ Bakersfield, California I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Another quick tip, if using Windows 10, pressing (windows key)+v will bring up your clipboard, with recent history of what you've copied.
Not all people are computer literate, and that's okay. This is just for those who are interested.
Cheers!
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Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
Good points guys, but this was aimed for a modeler who does not navigate a keyboard as effortlessly as we do. So my intent was to be as bare-plain simple as possible.
My thought was "Maybe there are a few other modelers that have some diffiulty remembering basic keyboard functions, so wny not share the info in case it may be helpful?"
tstageOr...just highlight and copy (Ctrl+C) before you click the "Submit Your Reply" button to capture your text in your computer's clipboard.
Ditto +1
AntonioFP45 I hit the backspace key and all of the info I had submitted, including photos, disappeared!
Sometimes when a post doesn't "complete" for some reason I do not tap the "<–Backspace" key but I will use the "previous page" arrow at the very top-left of the browser. This will sometimes take me back to my intact reply text box.
Something else I've gotten in the habbit of doing is making smaller initial posts, say a paragraph or two, click submit your reply, then later click edit to add further refinements, more text or photos.
You gotta learn how to tame the wild beast
Good Luck, Ed
Or...just highlight and copy (Ctrl+C) before you click the "Submit Your Reply" button to capture your text in your computer's clipboard.
I've been doing this for years with any long-ish post or message in the event that the server gives me that dreaded time out or error message. If the error messages persist then I just copy it to a Word doc (as you outline) and post it later when everything is copacetic again.
Hi Crew,
A friend of mine, long time modeler, became frustrated when he attempted to make a post and it disappeared. A "Forbidden" notice popped up on his screen. He backspaced and saw that his post was gone. He told me point blank "Look, I know this computing stuff is easy for you, but I'm old and not that computer literate!"
I sent him the following information that he found helpful so I thought to share it here, in case it may be helpful to some fellow modelers. Most of you are likely familiar with the following.