What do you want to see on this FORUM?

[simon1966]

In my opinion, the value of a topic is not in how many folks respond, but in how many folks actually get some helpful information that improves their knowledge, skill and interest level. There are so many topics that I can not contribute to, but provide me with valuable insight into a nuance of the hobby. The research aspect using search is invaluable on this forum. I use it all the time. A great place to be and to be frank, DeSchane, I have found many of your topics to be interesting and thought provoking, so keep on posting my man, your contribution is valued here in central Illinois.

[vsmith]

What do you want to see on this FORUM?

NAKED WOMEN PLAYMATES OPERATING HUGH HEFNERS MODEL TRAINS!!!!! [:O][X-)]

Well, you did ask.!!! Inst this a Wish List???[;)][8D][:O][D)][:-,][(-D][alien][*^_^*]

[samgolden]

I am glad someone else mentioned the spelling, I didn't want to because I am fairly new to the forum. I think that if, before you submit your question or reply, that you just go back and READ what you wrote. Sort of like a proof read, because I think that a lot of the spelling is a typing error. I sometimes have a hard time trying to figure things out too.

Sam

[tatans]

Actually, this forum rates as one of the better discussion groups on the internet, lots of informative info and great exchange of ideas and philosophies, and lots of humour too, of course there are always a few bozos, but far less than a lot of screwballs presently out on the street. I can't think of too many changes I would make, well, maybe just a slight improvement on some of the spelling, it's hard to correspond to someone when the spelling just cannot be deciphered, otherwise it's great.

[mustanggt]

I've only posted topics about 5 or 6 times here, mostly questions. But It did seem a bit odd a few days after my "New HO MP15!" topic that it didn't get as many replies as I thought it would. But that's okay, many people might not have been interested in such a unique locomotive.

Dave

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DeSchane

Antonio, In the end I thought the topic had little substance and maybe no reason for being stated. It looked like and was being interpreted as my wining about the lack of responses to the two kit-bashing topics I posted. This was not my intentions and in actuality I was quite happy with the amount of views the two had generated.

Actually Mark, I thought it was rather interesting and thought provoking. I wish you had just left the original post intact, and let it run.

Forum content will always be shifting as different members weigh in. There is no single most appropriate type of topic. Variety is what keeps things going. I like the spice you add.

Tabasco!!!

[swg]

[Anonymous]

Antonio, In the end I thought the topic had little substance and maybe no reason for being stated. It looked like and was being interpreted as my wining about the lack of responses to the two kit-bashing topics I posted. This was not my intentions and in actuality I was quite happy with the amount of views the two had generated.

[twhite]

Hey, I've had a couple of posts on the forum with little response, mainly because the question I asked got answered in the first one or two posts. So the amount of responses, great or small doesn't necessarily mean that nobody's reading them. There's that column just to the right of the 'responses' on the topic page that lets you know the co-relation between answers and 'reads.' I read most of the posts, and if I feel I have something to contribute, for better or worse, I reply. If I don't feel I have anything to contribute, I just read the other responses and let it go at that. Has nothing to do with 'popularity' of subjects, there are some subjects I just don't feel qualified to respond to.
But keep your posts coming, okay? They're GOOD!
Tom

[AntonioFP45]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DeSchane

Due to the author's poor choice of title and some wording in the content of this subject and continual missinterpretation by some of the people whom have read the subject, the author decided to delete this subject.

Hello Deshane!

You didn't have to delete the topic! Just do one of my numbers: Edit, Edit, Edit, and then Edit some more! I've had topics in the past that were misunderstood. Once I rewrote the title things went much more smoothly.

Don't be discouraged either. It happens to all of us that we may post something that is indeed valueable but the response is poor. I've seen that at times a topic will be on page 3 before it starts getting responses. I've actually brought topics back from page 300 and believe it or not, people start responding. The method to my madness: new people joined onboard that likely have not seen the topic months earlier. [;)][;)]

Good example: The topic on "The color of Ballast". No one seemed to notice that it was dated January or February 2004!! Just goes to show that a topic can hold its value long after it passed page 50.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Mark, the more specific the content of a topic is, the more narrow the appeal will be. It is only natural, not personal. Each of us enjoys our trains in a different way.

When I see topics about specific HO or N scale models I skip over them, not just on the forum, but in the magazine as well. Those things simply are not my area of interest or expertise. I much prefer more general questions such as layout design, scenery, and electrical. I am also very likely to respond to deep philosophical questions such as this.

Face it, not every topic will be popular. I have posted my share of "dogs". As for the coffee shop, I was lucky enough to have stumbled onto the concept elsewhere, and felt that something that allowed the members to be social would be accepted here. I never expected it to have the success and popularity that it does. In that regard, I am proud and honored.

[wesleyl849]

I too am a "returning newbie" to model railroading. I use this forum as a research tool for things I need/want to know about practicing this hobby.

I think it would be great if I had a technique for doing something that was viewed 500 times and had three posts. To me that means someone has read and learned from my experience. Even better would be for someone to post and improvement to my technique.

I have learned that there are several key people that I follow that post great questions. I also have learned that there are key responders that have good goods to share. My thanks to both groups!

Keep it going.

[cwclark]

it's not that either...i'm with a lot of the above opinions..just because someone doesn't respond doesn't mean they don't think it was a good post....I also like to post my work and if no one responds it doesn't mean anything..so back to your question..what would i like to see here in the forum?...well, one thing would be a picture album page where we can store our pictures of our work and everyone can look at them without having to jump from one site, copy ,,and then back here to paste the pictures...it would be nice for a model railroad forum / slash/ picture album site..say like, combining MRR with Rail images .com....is this what you are looking for?....Chuck

[Anonymous]

Some have certainly misinterpreted what I was alluding to in this post. The post was simply a statement of fact that heavy modeling topics do not do well on this forum. It wasn't a "sob story" about how nobody likes me or my topics!

[Anonymous]

Just because a topic doesn't get a lot of posts, it doesn't mean it's unpopular. I usually try to view all the topics on the first two pages. I read them, and if I have something to say about them, I post it.

Don, your topics on bashing the 2-8-2 and bashing the caboose were great, but since 1. I don't model NP and 2. I'm not really that into kitbashing, I had nothing to say. I would have said Cool or Well done, but as Lupo said, the forum police are watching!

[darkstar974]

Well I am fairly new here and I have read a number of posts and have gained a lot of free knowledge from them. I have read the posts that were posted about kitbashing the Loco found it very interesting but i did not post to it. I have posted two topics on these boards and got some nice responses to them, but they are in the back 40 of this forum but it does not bother me. I often search the other pages in this forum and if i see a post that i want to reply to i do to bring it to the front page. Just thought i'd chime in with my 2 cents

[lupo]

Mark, I enjoy your posts, and I learn a lot from what you have to tell, and show,
BUT the forum police told me not to reply to topics with just "Cool" or [tup] or "well done"
so I just read the topic and " shut up "

[egmurphy]

Mark

I'm with Bob in that you can't judge the popularity of a post by the number of responses. Unfortunately (or not) this forum doesn't have a "recommendation" option.

And like Space Mouse and TurboOne, while I enjoyed the posts, I had nothing in particular to add to the thread. I suppose I could have simply said "nice work" in recognition of the quality of the work and effort in posting. I do appreciate your efforts here and enjoy your posts.

You said "The most popular thread on this FORUM is the Coffee Shop thread. .... The content seems random and may or may not be related to model railroading. Our good friend BigBoy40?? started a great thread and you all have kept it going! "

Again, I think you may be equating responses with popularity. The Coffee Shop has a huge number of responses, but this is due more to the length of time it has run (nine months now) than popularity. In fact, we haven't "all" kept it going, there are only about 25 or so regulars who tend to post each day or two, plus maybe another 25 who drop in now and then. The 5,400 or so replies it has equates to about 20 posts per day over the life of the thread. I suspect that there are a lot of folks who may have looked at the thread once and decided it has no interest for them.

It was simply created as an Off Topic thread where people could chat about anything, and they do. While we do include a bit of model railroad talk regarding our layouts now and then, we're as likely to talk about aches and pains (the older regulars) or homework problems (the younger regulars). Think of it as the "social" part of the model railroad club you go to.

Regards

Ed

[TurboOne]

Hi Mark,

I enjoyed both your posts. I like seeing what can be done. As a returning newbie, I couldn't do either with my talents. Heck, I am excited that I made a 4 x 8 frame with legs.I have an Athearn engine that I am not sure if I can build, let alone what you have done. I enjoy the work someone puts into a train. The details are incredible, they look great. But if I can't add to the discussion, I view and run. We all have had posts that get 1 or 2 responses, but the upside is with the quatity of folks on here, that might give the answer we seek.

From a few manufactures I've talked to they are moving to RTR trains, as that is where the $$ are, and the majority of new folks are. I hope they keep making kits, and RTR so both worlds can grow, we just need folks like you to keep teaching us newbies, especially the kids how to. Do you have a LHS that you could teach a class for kids, and get them and their parents into making kits ???

Take care,

Tim

[Anonymous]

I think just because there haven't been very many posts on the subjects you listed is that people read them and accept them as what they are - great info. They may not attract or require great discussions unless some disagree with you or if they are seeking more info on what you've posted. I wouldn't take a lack of responses as being a lack of interest. Thank you for your efforts!

Bob Boudreau

[SpaceMouse]

You can't take these kinds of things personally. The way people respnd to a post has nothing to do with the value of the post.

I saw your kit bashed caboose post, but only because I was curious about the title. I didn't know what I was going to find inside. Once I saw what you had done, I was impressed, but it was so far over my head in terms of what you did and the background knowledge that you had to have, that I had nothing to add.

So you have a high expereince post that appeals to only a percentage of the elite. I'd say your posts did well considering.

[Anonymous]

What would we like to see in this forum? Do you really want to know what my answer is? I will answer as honestly as I can to this ok. I would like to not see corny post like this one I am responding to. That is just my poll opinion. You have to have someone second my opinion for it to mean anything but for now it is ok. I am being honest though. This forum overall is off the hook and I like it just the way it is.

[Anonymous]

Due to the author's poor choice of title and some wording in the content of this subject and continual missinterpretation by some of the people whom have read the subject, the author decided to delete this subject.