has it
- motivated you - helped you resolve problems - given you ideas - gotten you more involved by helping others - become another form of media like magazines
or has it
- distracted you from work/operating your layout - encouraged arm chair modeling - become a social activity - replaced your interest in magazines
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Does this forum count as 'social media'?
I'm not on 'social media', unless we should consider this and other fora a form of social media. If that is so, then yes, I have profited in several ways from being here, reading, clarifying, offering my own experiences, and so on.
I would not say it has distracted me unless one could say with any conviction that while being here my time would have been better spent on anything else, or perhaps working on my trains.
I still get two train-related paper magazines and enjoy them.
Just like youtube and other informative/exchange sites, this helps to situate me in the hobby. When I needed an advancement of some kind, I would find it here, or get it from other sites. When I wanted to share something, especially a 'don't do as I did' experience, I will come here and about six other fora.
Lastly, this is the 'Big Forum' I still call home because it is where I have invested the most. Invested in time, talent, interest, desire to learn, and in emotion over having spent three years 'cleaning up da joint' as a volunteer moderator from 2007 to 2010, along with Tom, Norris, Don Z, and others.
gregc has it - motivated you - helped you resolve problems - given you ideas - gotten you more involved by helping others - become another form of media like magazines or has it - distracted you from work/operating your layout - encouraged arm chair modeling - become a social activity - replaced your interest in magazines
Social media has been a tremendous help and is my go-to when I have a problem.
It has not distracted me from the layout, it does the opposite by making me want to accomplish what others have done.
I enjoy the social aspect of the various sites I visit but the reality is we don't really get to know each other and so the chit chat is pretty casual. I am glad my good friends and I still get together so we can solve the world's problems.
I am done with magazines for environmental reasons and what they offer is a tiny fragment of what shows up online each and every day.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Being on Facebook, there are several groups (both modeling and prototype) that I've posted pics to as well as links to YouTube videos. I've also done live videos on Facebook when running trains or working on my layout for friends to tune in and watch.
Kevin
http://chatanuga.org/RailPage.html
http://chatanuga.org/WLMR.html
I have an Instagram account, (from pre-FB buyout), and have connected with several modelers on there. (I knew many, found a few more through them.)
But it hasn't really helped or distracted.
Ricky W.
HO scale Proto-freelancer.
My Railroad rules:
1: It's my railroad, my rules.
2: It's for having fun and enjoyment.
3: Any objections, consult above rules.
Weend Photo Fun has done the most for me. I quickly leaned to expect more of myself, try harder and do better. Looking at pictures from my fellow modelers is an inspiration. We need to realize sometimes that we're not professionals, but guys with trains in our basements or spare rooms, and that yes, we can be as good as anyone.
The other social media platforms, where people post pictures of what they were served for lunch at the Waffle House or whatever, leave me cold.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I just started model railroading several years ago.
This forum is the only social media I use.
The forum greatly helped me as I started my first layout. I was able to get questions to answers that otherwise would have been frustrating trial and error.
It has helped, not distracted. I read Jeffrey's Trackside Diner everyday, and while I don't participate much, I read the Weekend Photo Fun without fail. Like Mister Beasley, that thread has inspired me to become a better modeler.
York1 John
I have posted to online discussion groups for 30 years, long before I ever heard the term "social media" so I don't consider forums such as this to be social media. When I think of social media, I think of platforms such as Twitter or Facebook. I have an account with both because there are websites that I wanted to access which ask you to sign in through one of those. I have never tweeted anything nor have I ever posted to my Facebook account. I've never understood the attraction. I have read other people's tweets and have come to the conclusion that 99% of tweets are too boring to bother with. The only ones that are interesting are the ones that get people canceled. People have lost their jobs or opportunities for one ill advised tweet they might have made ten years earlier. Why risk that? I see it all the time with celebrities and athletes. If the sports talk shows are discussing one of your tweets, is it ever a good thing?
Yes, long before I retired, we were urged to avoid social media platforms like Facebook. I did classified military work, and they were scared poopless about stuff showing up on Facebook. So, I basically stuck with simple single-activity sites like this one, and I still do even though I've been retired for almost 8 years.
John-NYBWI have posted to online discussion groups for 30 years, long before I ever heard the term "social media" so I don't consider forums such as this to be social media. When I think of social media, I think of platforms such as Twitter or Facebook.
My first experience with "online" forums was at California State University Sacramento (Sac State) as a college freshman in 1977. That would be what, about 44 years now? But as far as the world wide web, what would have been around 37 years ago with a dial up modem.
I tend to think of social media also af Facebook and Twitter and all the other that have sprung up.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
I think the real question we need to ask is: does social media improve anything, ever?
So... I went there. It was a joke, nothing by it.
JJF
Prototypically modeling the Great Northern in Minnesota with just a hint of freelancing.
Yesterday is History.
Tomorrow is a Mystery.
But today is a Gift, that is why it is called the Present.
MisterBeasley Yes, long before I retired, we were urged to avoid social media platforms like Facebook. I did classified military work, and they were scared poopless about stuff showing up on Facebook. So, I basically stuck with simple single-activity sites like this one, and I still do even though I've been retired for almost 8 years.
I think the reason people get in trouble on social media is that they will tweet things that they would never say out loud. Once you hit the SEND button, there's no erasing it. Somebody, somewhere will find it.
This is social media and it has helped me
This might turn out to be one heck of a long response. I don't know where this is going to go, and it might just be a stream-of-thought rant, but here we go...
OvermodDoes this forum count as 'social media'?
Yes it does.
York1This forum is the only social media I use.
Same here. Before I landed here, the only social media platforms I used were Warseer and Cool-Mini-Or-Not. Warseer was all about wargaming. Cool-Mini-Or-Not was all about painting miniature figure models.
gregcHas it motivated you ?
Not really. I am over-motivated anyway. I don't think anything could motivate me even more.
gregcHas it helped you resolve problems?
Yes. There are (and were more) many very knowledgeable people in here that have helped me with several problems and shared good advice.
gregcHas it given you idea?
Good heavens yes! I have an entire image file filled with ideas for nifty projects I have harvested from other people here.
gregcHas gotten you more involved by helping others?
I offer advice when I think it will be useful. In this crowd I am a dull nail in a basket of sharp needles. Sometimes, if the subject is painting, photography, benchwork, or coupler conversions, I can help out. Most times I am student.
gregcHas it become another form of media like magazines?
It is another source of information, not really like magazines are.
gregcHas it distracted you from work/operating your layout?
I don't have a layout. I joined this group when I tore my most recent layout down.
gregcHas it encouraged arm chair modeling?
No, I am a modeler in actuality.
gregcHas it become a social activity?
Yes. I greatly enjoy the social aspects of these forums.
gregcHas it replaced your interest in magazines?
Nope. Magazines are slick professionally produced collections of articles. This could never replace magazines.
selectorI still get two train-related paper magazines and enjoy them.
I subscribe to Model Railroader, Classic Trains, and Fine Scale Modeler. I wish Kalmbach Media would add a table-top wargaming magazine to the line-up.
MisterBeasleyWeekend Photo Fun has done the most for me.
I simply LOVE Weekend Photo Fun.
MisterBeasleyYes, long before I retired, we were urged to avoid social media platforms like Facebook.
My previous employer insisted that I stay off Facebook and the like. We had our own forums and I was required to make one post there every day.
I don't know why the above section is bold. I cannot fix it.
I read a forum for professional photographers. I convinced them I was professional photographer, and they let me join. I never post in there because my ruse will be immediately obvious if I do. I have learned a lot from that group, mostly that I am not a good photographer. Their work is amazing.
I am still a member of the Fleetwood American Motorcoach owners group. I have not owned my RV in more than ten years, but I still pop in there from time to time just to read some of what is going on. They discussed politics on that forum, and that could be quite a mess.
I guess this response was not as long as I thought it would be.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190I have learned a lot from that group, mostly that I am not a good photographer. Their work is amazing.
Kevin's model photography is some of the finest on this forum.
I think as both a large viewer and frequent poster on youtube, and having recently created a dedicated train related instagram, I think social media has absolutely benefited me in this hobby.
I find sharing my work has benefited me in many ways.
1. having a channel with long time viewers causes me to strive to achieve goals which I had verbally set in videos...sort of like sharing your goals with others keeps you more accountable.
2. Ive learned tons from watching others and seeing other's work, not only in knowledge and assistance, but also simply from inspiration.
3. it's yet another reason to work on trains...so I can show it off!
4. when Im away (for school, vacation, etc) I can watch others' work and/or rewatch videos of my own trains to reconnect to the hobby even though Im not physically there.
Charles
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440
Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440
As I model in a bit of a black hole (no other modelers in my area that I'm aware of), social media is a godsend for me. I can ask questions about models, details, paints etc and get my answers fairly quickly. I've even gotten help with parts and decals via the Forums. About 1/4 to 1/2 of my FB feeds are train related.
As to the distraction question, from owning a house to having lots of other interests, social media doesn't add or subtract from it, it's just there. I do have one print subscription which sometimes helps and sometimes it doesn't. It just depends on the issue.
As I regard this Forum as social media, then…
- motivated you. Yes.
- helped you resolve problems. Yes.
- given you ideas. Most definitely yes.
- gotten you more involved by helping others. Yes, which in turn has helped myself.
- become another form of media like magazines. Yes, but better because of the interaction with other forum members.
- distracted you from work/operating your layout. No, life/work has done that!
- encouraged arm chair modelling. Yes, refer to answer above.
- become a social activity . Yes.
- replaced your interest in magazines. Broadly speaking, yes.
Cheers, the Bear,
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
As I regard this Forum as social media, then… has it - motivated you. Yes. - helped you resolve problems. Yes. - given you ideas. Most definitely yes. - gotten you more involved by helping others. Yes, which in turn has helped myself. - become another form of media like magazines. Yes, but better because of the interaction with other forum members.
I would go along with these comments, plus this forum has taught me a bit about myself - for the better I hope. Paul
"It's the South Shore Line, Jim - but not as we know it".
Motivate me, yes. Resolve problems, absolutely! Given ideas, yes. I hope I help others.
Distracted from layout work, maybe occasionally a little. Not made me armchair! Yes, it's social. It didn't affect my interest in magazines.
I like to share progress, and want to present something nice enough for public view. At least decent. This motivates me to up the quality on the layout. And seeing the quality work of quite a number of members here raises the bar!
And I like that I can ask questions and get reliable answers. Dan
I'm going to say no, it does not, has not improved my modeling. That's why I have not been on here much. It was OK when other things prevented me from doing much actual modeling - that has changed.
But, I don't think at any point it hurt my modeling either. But then again I am not overly driven by what others do.
Back to all that things that are now making modeling possable.
Sheldon
There are both moderated and unmoderated forums. The unmoderated ones will post immediately with no filters. The moderated ones have to be approved by the forum moderator(s) before they get posted. The moderator's job is to enforce the state rules for the forum such as decorum as well as keeping the posts on topic. The moderators have a lot of leeway in exercising their judgement. I participated in one online forum for many years that was down to one moderator. He died suddenly last spring and now the forum is dead because there is no one around who has the authority to approve new posts.
The unmoderated forums tend to get very nasty in that they are a no holds barred environment. In addition, a lot of off topic posts made, often far outnumbering the on topic ones. One that I participate in frequently has a guy who several times a day will swamp post dozens upon dozens of off topic, often anti-Semitic posts. No one ever bothers to reply to his nonsense so I don't know why he does it but it is a nuisance to have to scroll through all that. I'll bet he is doing the same to other forums.
I do belong to a couple of Facebook groups that focus on weathering. Some great stuff is posted, and has both given me ideas and tips on how to make my weathering better. I am also a member of a board that focuses on prototype modeling. Some fantastic stuff there for people that are interested in more than "just good enough".
An "expensive model collector"
Has social media done anything to help my modeling?
I'm going with absolutely no. If anything it is generally a distraction to my modeling. I am no longer on any other social media groups except one other model train forum.
People on some forums (not necessarily this one, but others) have become relentlessly picky to the nth degree, and while some manufacturer errors and omissions have come to light that were able to be fixed by the manufacturers, even for which manufacturers apologized, I do not generally believe that online forums are all that helpful.
Although I may find out more quickly about new model releases online, my dealers are on top of their game, and if there was no internet, I'd still be very well informed about what is coming and when.
In one particularly notable case, I happened to be at a manufacturer the day a brand new from the ground up diesel model came in, and I was able to pick out one that I really liked, bought it and took it home. I posted a favorable post with a few photos about how much I liked that particular model over on another (non-Model Railroading) forum. There were a couple minor errors made on the model that were easily remedied by the manufacturer who went the extra mile to provide free replacement (larger and correct) fuel tanks and free replacement truck bolsters to eliminate a height off the rail issue (their admitted mistake).
The venom directed toward myself and that manufacturer, and my being called a "paid shill" by some folks on that other forum (I have not worked for any manufacturer for 30 years now) literally took all the joy out of owning that particular model for me such that I subsequently sold it...sorta wish I had it back, as I had picked out an absolutely perfect one in every other respect except the easily fixed deficiencies...but whatever. Every time I see one of those units in my favorite Illinois Central Gulf paint scheme, I am reminded of the venom expressed in online train forums.
Maybe I'm just a grumpy old man at 53 now, but I do not have a good opinion of social media. Coming on as a break occasionally from my work is when I read stuff and pariticipate a little...
As far as modeling, I would do just fine with the guidance of my friends at a couple of great train dealers and the available Kalmbach publications. I do not need the internet.
Even guidance I have received about dcc on these and other forums has imo not been very helpful. I learn more from my dealers and friends than from any online forum about dcc.
Also I am utterly disgusted with what is going on regarding models coming from China, the politics of that, and the inconsistent quality control, and I am contemplating only buying Kadee and/or Accurail (all made in USA freight cars). So far as engines are concerned, I could easily obtain all the engines I'd ever need secondhand at train shows. I do not need to buy a brand new any-engine from China at this point in my life. There's so much good used stuff out there at train shows.
I forgot to mention in my previous reply, THIS is the only social media- interactive website I'm currently active on, no other discussion boards for RR or Facebook, twitter etc. (There is a model truck site too, but I haven't been there for some time.)
One example of this forums influence on my modeling is: From all the recommendations it gets, I just bought a CMX rail cleaner, not something I'd spend that kind of money on if it hadn't been so highly spoken of.
I have made a number of informed purchases this way. Informed HERE. Good info.
Would Ebay be considdered interactive? When I hit certain key combinations, people send me cool stuff!
Southgate 2 Would Ebay be considdered interactive? When I hit certain key combinations, people send me cool stuff!
I would consider it very little in that you can ask sellers questions related to the items they sell and the feedback that is left. Otherwise, I would consider it closer to a "silent" auction site. (However, still very much needed in many areas IMHO and not just for railroad items.)