Silent members...

[trainboyH16-44]

I'm not silent, but I don't reply to everything, or even 1 out of 10 topics. I just reply to what I know about, or am interested in. I suppose I'm the average guy, eh?
But I do look at anything that interests me with it's title.
This is one of those times that my reply is pretty pointless, eh?
Oh well.....
Trainboy

[Russorgan]

Hi forum members!

I think this is post number 4 for me.

I guess I am one of those who don't feel I have much to contribute to much of the discussions.
Now if we were talking church music or pipe organs, I could contribute
a lot, but I am pretty new to this hobby - a couple of years - and have much
to learn. I look at topics of interest when I have time and I must say that everytime
I visit, I learn things. I have read quite a few books on model railroading and I look
forward to devouring each issue of MR and Trains. Perhaps someday I will have
more to contribute - give me some time to learn a few things! Besides, some of
us are introverts, even online.

So here's a question. Is there anyone in in the Los Angeles area (Whittier?) who
would be willing to meet and critique the trackplan I am working with? My scale
is HO and my space is about 12' by 11' above my piano and other furniture in
my one bedroom apartment. I'm not quite at the place where I can post a picture
of it to the whole forum. If I can get that together, I will post it. I have thought about
joining a club, but I don't have much time to contribute and my $ resources are
sort of meager for it. I could really use some feedback before I move forward
too far and make too many blunders.

Anyway, thanks for all the superb information that you all share. I really appreciate
the many viewpoints and perspectives you each bring. I really do learn
something everytime I visit.

Cheers!
Russ

[Tracklayer]

I see the topic I started a couple of weeks ago has taken off like a rocket... I knew there were members out there lurking in the shadows that would come out and say something if they had a good reason-if for no other reason than just to get a post point. Glad to hear from you.

"Happy railroading"

Tracklayer

[areibel]

QUOTE: Originally posted by alco_fan
[

Anyway, I promised myself I wouldn't contribute to one of these "about the forum itself" threads but I couldn't resist the downward pull of the lowest common denominator, I guess.

Jon

Stick around Jon! Things do get better, before they get worse again!!
Yeah, there are lots of spam generators on here with the mindless posts, endless polls, etc.. They have a cool user name but no email, no real name, no location, etc.. Just a big attitude. But that allows them to be the big man behind the little screen. Or some god like expert on everything that will pick apart anyones work- except his own, which you never see.
But one of Mr. Fugate's fantastic threads, the neat finds like BSD Trains had in his attic, the little tips and tricks all make it worth while. I still learn things after 30 years of model railroading. Bergie keeps things from getting way out of hand, most of the guys are great ands it seems like the noisemakers don't seem to last long- Luckily! It's just like a real model RR club, Some guys can sit around and BS about trains all day and have a good time, others can clear the room in less than 5 minutes. Read through the threads, you'll quickly learn which ones to avoid!

[egmurphy]

QUOTE: I have also had times when my questions go un-answered. That becomes discouraging at times.

RRGrassi

Yeah, that can be a bit discouraging. Sometimes it happens when there's a lot of posting activity and a post drops to page two before anyone who knows an answer has a chance to see it and reply. I suspect many people only have a short time to log in and only check the posts on page one. One strategy you might use if this happens again, is to go back and edit your original post (you don't need to change anything, just use the 'edit' icon) which should bring it back to the top of page one and give another shot at being seen. You can accompli***he same thing by posting an empty reply to your original post. This is usually referred to as 'bumping' the post back up.

Regards

Ed

[selector]

Hey, Brad, good to hear from ya!! I don't mind you looking over my shoulder if you ever need to. [:)]

[btransue]

I admit that I am a lurker. I have been following the forum for a while. I am still in the design phase. I have some rolling stock and a Digitrax system to test with. I have been following Joe Fugates clinics and been amazed by the wonder work of many of the other members. The various ideas and helpful tips that flow from the forums are great.[:)]

My problem is that I want to have something that will incorporate some of the Fallen Flags of my youth - they would include EL, LV and Reading.

--
Brad

[vsmith]

Some people come here to ask a specific question, thats why they register so they can post, get what they want then never come back. Some are those that are interested in starting in hobby then for what ever reason decide not to, but there ID is still registered, Some register once, go away and come back forgeting their password, then simply reregister with a new name which they again forget the password again, Computer crashes, moves, new ISP, Witness Protection Program......things like that.

Personally I think there should be a regestry auto delete, maybe an e-mail verification after a year if no activity is registered. If it bounces back, delete it.

[West Coast S]

I devote my inquries to a specific S scale forum, useually...this is a great asset regardless of guage or skill level. Example: I posted a query regarding detailed track diagrams for a specific location, not only did I recieve a detailed reply, but also a source for maps and other information specific to my needs, lets see my S scale group do that! True, I doubt many here build their own locomotives and rolling stock or scrounge the HS and used train shows looking for fodder as we must, so I tend not to burden others outside my scale with the details .

Perhaps some are imtiminated by the breadth of experience displayed on this forum, your'e among friends, speak up.

Dave

[selector]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrgrassi

I do not post very often, because most of my questions are answered by prior posts. Also, since I am still just a beginner, even though I have been collection trains since I was in 1st grade, my skills an knowledge levels are still growing.

I have also had times when my questions go un-answered. That becomes discouraging at times.

RRGrassi

[V][%-)] I'm sorry to hear that. I hope you persist.

[rrgrassi]

I do not post very often, because most of my questions are answered by prior posts. Also, since I am still just a beginner, even though I have been collection trains since I was in 1st grade, my skills an knowledge levels are still growing.

I have also had times when my questions go un-answered. That becomes discouraging at times.

RRGrassi

[waltersrails]

I agree with jdavid
Expect for me i have lots ? and i have advice for others as well.

http://ztrainman.tripod.com/

[jockellis]

G'day, Y'all,
Actually doctorwayne and others, King Solomon pointed out the usefullness of silence in Proverbs.
Probably most of those silent members are employed by the makers of our trains who want to know what we are thinking, or real RR brass hats who want to know the same thing.
Jock Ellis
Cumming, GA US of A

[ddechamp71]

Thank you Selector! But that's true I don't come very oftenly on this forum (as I spend very more time on a Z scale specific Yahoo forum), and it's an error, as there is a lot to learn here. Thus I will try to change my habits and share my experience with this forum.

Dominique

[selector]

Too bad that you can't generate more feedback over your Z-scale stuff, Dominique. Maybe you could try to participate in some of the more generic discussions so that we become more familiar with you, your style, and your particular issues. Then, when you post a question or topic, you might get some more 'traffic'.

I know that groups become 'ethnocentric' and xenophobic to an extent, especially if a few dominant personalities impart their preferences to the group over a protracted length of time. This is natural, but it is also unfortunate, because I would love to learn a bit more about the issues surrounding Z-scale modeling, and I would like an opportunity to help you. I'm positive that others feel the same way.

[ddechamp71]

Mmmhh.....Sorry, still a mistake, like each time I try to connect, I type my "callsign" and my password, then I depress "Enter" to activate them, but here it directly sends a message....So it's true I don't write a lot, but that's because I'm in Z scale, and Z scale is not the primary center of interrest here![;)]

Dominique

[ddechamp71]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nsfantodd

QUOTE: Originally posted by uspscsx

No offense to the mimes out there.

uspscsx

Thats pretty funny!
It was over a year after I joined that I first posted. I used to visit every once in a while, just checking things out.

Todd Templeton

[Anonymous]

I don't often start threads, having only started one or two. I do occasionally respond to other's requests, usually because I have something of value to add. I think I am probably in the majority in this.

There are some members that have posted numerous questions and many of these are new to the hobby, like Chip (a.k.a. Spacemouse) was earlier this year. They have lots of questions to ask, and there are many more who are willing to offer assistance to these new members.

There are also a few seasoned veterans that post new topics such as the clinics that we've seen recently. Again, these are followed up with replies from many of the forum members.

The remaining new posts seem to be from experienced modelers that just need to find out about how others have done things or to learn about little details on their models, or to make an announcement about a new model.

I haven't had any questions that I felt were appropriate to ask on this forum, because they would either be off topic, or would be stale from having been asked so many times. I do, however, learn from the topics posted by others, and feel that I can often add something from my own knowledge and experience. That's my reason for often keeping quiet, and I'm sure there are many more who are quiet for the same reason.

[ukguy]

I think we have a good mix, everyone should keep doin what they are doin, nothing is wrong in any aspect, few, several or many posts.

I feel that the "quiet ones" either do so out of

a) lack of confidence,
b) choice (they feel they have nothing productive to add or what they did was already said)
c) they dont have the time for one reason or another.
d) other (put in your own reason)

The quiet ones swell our numbers which makes the owners (Kalmbach) realise there is a need for the site, if all the quiet ones lost their memberships for not posting maybe it would get to the stage that Kalmbach decided there was not enough interest and closed the site, I'm sure we can all agree that we do not want that!!

The talkative ones, for whatever reason, mainly the reason is that they have alot to contribute, and thankfully they do so willingly in an effort to further the hobby for others, this in my opinion is the best thing about this forum in particular, the commeradery and support given to fellow members. I cant think of anyone with a high post count that has only gotten there by posting nonsense.

Anyways, a big hello to the silent majority, thanks for the posts / contributions that you have made and feel free to jump in at anytime, as you know, you are more than welcome.

Have fun, be safe & take care,
Karl.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by On30Shay

Perhaps another way.......what if they all spoke up at ONCE?

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

Do they really NEED to stay shut up, or did you intend to say that you are happier that they remain silent and make it easier for you to wade through the threads?

If they all spoke at once, we would get that dreaded white page saying the server encountered a problem. That would not be fun.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps another way.......what if they all spoke up at ONCE?

QUOTE: Originally posted by selector

Do they really NEED to stay shut up, or did you intend to say that you are happier that they remain silent and make it easier for you to wade through the threads?

[Anonymous]

Some people just don't babble!

[Anonymous]

I've been silent for a while, but I'm trying to make time to come here.

[Anonymous]

i don't know, i'd probably learn even more from some of these silent people. alot of these people might just not use, or don't really like to use their computers. i was pretty silent myself for awhile. i joined in febuary, made acouple posts, but then my dad broke his leg so i couldn't start my layout. so i just lost intrest in posting and i just stopped in and read and learned while i waited. it wasn't untill just recently did i start posting with the great news of my dad being healthy enough to help me start my benchwork. now let's just say no one dares trying to use the computer as soon as they see me on the forums. and i'll say sorry to some of the vet's right now for some of the stupid posts i've made, and will continue to make, but hey no ones perfect. plus the forums are a great recourse for myself because for me being a teen, clubs just don't work and seem very acward being a lone teen in a group of older men, but that's just my perspective.
like with my story, everyone has there own reason for awhile, like i'm shure i will when i'll be to buisy working on my layout to post,and i'm shure that is a reason why many people don't post. but once again, this is just my perspective.

Andrew

[selector]

Do they really NEED to stay shut up, or did you intend to say that you are happier that they remain silent and make it easier for you to wade through the threads?

[Anonymous]

I think the silent members need to stay shut up. As many members as this site actually has, if everyone of them posted on this forum, can you imagine how tough it would be to go through all the messages?

[greatn]

Hi everyone.........
As "a silent member" myself I use the forum to find answers to specific questions and I can usually do that by conducing a search on the subject. As a long term night shift worker, I never have had the chance to join a local club and ask the question there!!
THE FORUM KNOWS ALL

[Anonymous]

I went through a phase where I posted quite alot, mainly questions, and would comment where I thought I had something useful to contribute. As time passed I read more of the archived topics to fillin other informational questions. Now, I seldom post at all.

My reasons for remaining "silent" are various, but center on not being willing to wade through the "clutter" to get to the useful.

Randy

A post script:

Tracklayer:

Your response to Jon, which I've pasted below, was ENTIRELY OUT OF LINE. You you put a question and he took the time to create a considered reply. For his trouble you invite him to go elsewhere. This is exactly what I meant by "clutter".

Fellow you are sadly in need of lessons in remedial manners.

"Hi Jon. Sorry you're so unhappy with our forum. We're just a bunch of imperfect human beings around here that like to chat and joke around with each other, enjoy our hobby and try not to take life too seriously. Maybe you'd be happier some where else. You can always delete your membership, or contact Bergie and I'm sure he'd be glad to do it for you."

R.

[MAbruce]

I've been around a while (at least longer than most who have posted on this topic) and contribute from time to time.

Over the years I’ve noticed a few things:

Most everything has already been talked about at least a dozen times over. I’m not saying this as a criticism, but an observation and possibly a reason why a lot of members slip away. I imagine that everyone has their limits as to how many times one can contribute to a given topic without it getting tiresome.

There is simply too much going on here and I don’t have the time to read through everything. So I generally pick out topics I might have a chance of contributing to or are out of the ordinary enough to make an interesting read. I also don’t contribute if a simple question has already been answered (usually a few times).

There tends to be a great deal of “me too” or “I have to have the last word” replies for any given topic which make them much longer than they need to be. I rarely read through a topic that is longer than a few pages. To me it’s a sure sign that the topic has jumped the tracks and is headed off to a galaxy far far away.

And speaking of long topics, when the discussion only involves two members going back and forth – I have a suggestion. PLEASE take it to email!

Trolls will always be with us. All trolls love attention, and often start or try to hijack a topic to elicit reaction. I never reply to these attempts and get frustrated by those who do. You know the ones that think they need to say something about anything, and could not keep their hands off their keyboard if their lives depended on it. Yeah, these are the people who keep trolls in business.

I like it best when members share pictures of their work, or tell us what they have been up to and how they did it. This is where I think forums like this excel. This is how people – especially the younger modelers – can learn and draw inspiration.

Overall, I think that more people watch this forum than we think. Many are reluctant to register, or return under their ID. There are cycles in everything, and people have times when they have something to say and times when they just want to read.