anotherone bites the dust on the other Forum

[phatkat64]

spodwo-

I totally agree with your statement. Don't like it, but agree with it! Yes, a person gets more bravado on an online forum, but that still shouldn't give license to be an ***! Yet some feel that's exactly what they can do. I don't have to like it, but it's a fact of human nature.

I made a choice to leave the [censored] forum because I personally can't stand getting ignored or flamed. Apparantly, I'm not alone! If someone wants to stay there, it's not my place to talk them out of it. To each his own, I say.

This thread was discussing the pitfalls of being on the OGR forum, and I was sharing my experience with the good people here, that's all.

Some people shouls ask themselves, "just because I could do/say something, should I????"

[spodwo]

QUOTE: If you're running a public anything, you need to be considerate and respectful of the patrons. If I ran my business with a "My way or the highway" attitude, I'd be standing alone,

phatkat64 -

Yes - I would agree with you on that point but public 'net forums aren't face to face and the anything goes mentality that gets associated with forum posts are a far cry different than most human interactions. It goes back to would people act rude the way they often do on the 'net if they were face to face. Only a few would and I imagine some would get their ears boxed before the next off hand remark could leave their lips. I've been to those parties! So the public toilet statement makes total sense. Many people forget their manners on the 'net.

But if the site in question is so bad, you would think that no one would go there anymore and that isn't the case either. It's simply that you had bad experiences there and won't go back. I haven't. I will continue to hang there or anywhere that provides useful information.

[phatkat64]

Brilliant statement!!!!!!
[tup][bow][bow][bow][bow][bow]

[Anonymous]

a public forum is not the same a public toilet;

its worse! especially when you have someone else pulling your chain.


Alan

[phatkat64]

There are indeed jerks everywhere. I, like many, use the internet and forums to get away from the day-to-day crap we have to deal with. Our hobby-within-a-hobby. Call it escapism if you will, but it is theraputic.

I want, no expect a enjoyable, relaxing time on a forum, and that does include heated debates too! I can go to a country club if I wanted to be ignored and snubbed.....

I've exercised my tiny rights by leaving the OGR forum, and coming here!

I do not want to be one of those "somebodies", so with that, I offer a sincere apology for anyone I have offended with my blanket "they" term used to describe the OGR forum.
I didn't mean to imply that the entire membership was bad, just that in my experience attempting to communicate there, I was treated in a condescending manner, or just plain snubbed, all the time I was there.

I do want to address only one issue that spodwo has. "And make no mistake - since a website is owned by someone - it's their way or the highway. I can live with that...."
As much as people would like to think that's right, it isn't. If you're running a public anything, you need to be considerate and respectful of the patrons. If I ran my business with a "My way or the highway" attitude, I'd be standing alone, twittling my thumbs, wondering where all the customers are!!![:D]

[Anonymous]

I've said it before in the past week, and I'll say it again.

There are jerks everywhere. Repeat after me, "There are jerks everywhere."

There's nothing you can do about it except ignore them. If you don't like the people on the other forum, don't post there. Would you continue to frequent a restaurant whose food didn't appeal to you? A restaurant's about food & service; a forum is about the people who ue it.

Tony

[Big_Boy_4005]

I'm rather surprised to see this topic come out of mothballs. I never commented on this when it was active the first time, but I have given it a lot of thought.

There is something different over there, I'm still not quite sure what it is. Personally, I'm not used to or fond of the forum software. I find it awkward, with a distinct lack of smileys. That probably sounds stupid, but It is part of the reason I stay here most of the time.

Most of the people commenting on the differences between the two forums, seem to be pointing to the members and the management. There is a large group of people that are members of both forums, myself included. But there is also a small group that stays over there, and some of them may have attitude and ego issues that rub people the wrong way. Recently one member came over here and saw one of my posts and thought I had a problem. I think he just doesn't know me very well.

User friendly, or friendly users??? Here at CTT I think we have both!!!!

[swg]

[spodwo]

When someone refers to a whole website and it's members - I can't see how that isn't just as elitist. "They" isn't "some people" over there. That's my point. I guess since I have more posts there -> I am a "they". ??

And I responded to this thread due to the misinformation that the "other" site is charging and it's not due to some advertisers coming up to the plate.

I don't know/care who is bounced, banned or on some usual suspect list with any of the sites. There are always people who get thrown of websites for some reason or another and it doesn't matter what the site is about [such as guns barbies or politics]. I can recall someone who got bounced from 2 Large Scale sites but keeps coming back again and again under some pseudonym. The last time he got to stay as he seems to have modifed his behaviour. And so on and on...

And make no mistake - since a website is owned by someone - it's their way or the highway. I can live with that....

I think there are some people who's posts are interesting and will always read them. There are others who post who are more concerned about bashing a train manufacturer [consistently] or always seem to be negative. I am more inclined "not" to read threads started by them as they generally say the same thing. I also don't generally like the "insider" posts that go on about some cryptic imagined place/inside jokes, etc. for obvious reasons. I guess I have my own "spam" filter on for some individuals as I am sure many do. It's just personal preference.

Ultimately - if you don't like the tone of a site - don't post and don't go there. There is just too much concern about "other" train forums and if people have moved on to a new home and are happy well that's cool.

We have some bashing on a large scale site about the "other" large scale site and I stated that bashing doesn't do any good. It's counter productive to the hobby.

[eZAK]

NO spodwo!!
There is no pigeon hole or bigotry going on here.

What DOES go on at OGR and other forums is Discrimination!
Right or Wrong.
Some members and/or group of members will not post to, or even look at, a post by certain other members based solely on ones sign in name.

This has been discussed, admitted to, & aparently accepted!

[spodwo]

QUOTE: They are elitist, and often rude, and I'm certainly NOT paying for the privilege of being snubbed

The OGR forum is free. It will continue to be. That was announced about a month ago.

And why pigeon hole everyone one there or them here...it sounds like bigotry.

[phatkat64]

QUOTE: Originally posted by little john

The Newbies would just like a place where they can ask a basic question and get a straight answer. <br>

All of the forums are like going to a cocktail party where everyone went to college together but you. I will just smile politely for a while, and try to giggle where appropriate.

Please pass the finger sandwiches[;)]

I just had to open up this can of worms again, because for 3 months, I've been trying hard to have a voice on the OGR forum. I'm not sure why, since I don't subscribe to OGR, and I DO subscribe to CTT!

little john, you could not have stated it better! Only over there, they wouldn't even pass the finger sandwiches!

They are elitist, and often rude, and I'm certainly NOT paying for the privilege of being snubbed[:(!]

Sad thing is, I'm not so new. I've been in the hobby for 30 years, and if they opened up a little, they may have learned something while teaching me!!!

This forum here is the real "in crowd", it consists of real people!

Done ranting! Someone pass me a beer, I'm home![:D]

[Anonymous]

We'll never know the real reason why OGR has decided to impose a $18 fee on O-gauge hobbyiests who wi***o become active members (with the right to post) on their forum. One would think that the Forum would act as a magnet to attract subscribers to OGR there by justifying any/all costs to run their forum.

Sixty GB of data transfer per month, while an impressive amount, is not that expensive. Just do some research and you'll see that many Web Hosts offer up to 100 GB of transfer for under $100 a month. OGR would need attract only 5.5 new subscribers a month to cover that cost.

It's my opinion that publishing OGR is not that profitable and they are just trying to bring in more revenue.
Bill
www.modeltrainjournal.com

[nblum]

I too believe the decision to charge is strictly an economic decision. I think the forum has become a significant financial and time drain on the very small business that is OGRR. Thus they decided the forum is either going to pay its own way or disappear. I think it's probably as simple as that.

My guess is it will be come substantially smaller and thus a much smaller drain financially and timewise. End of problem and also the end of being the largest discussion forum regarding three rail O gauge trains, in all likelihood. They've probably pretty much ceded that title to this forum in the long run, IMO, and I'm sure they're both aware of and OK with that probable outcome.

[Anonymous]

It must be a business based decison to charge $$. That is fine with me and I respect that.

I enjoy the OGR forum, but find that sometimes its an "east coasters" train club board. Am I wrong??

[FJ and G]

Rak,

I pretty much agree with most of what you say. However, I do take exception to the smoke fluid issue. I cannot understand why a legitimate toy train topic cannot even be discussed.

For example, my question on the consistency of mineral water used in smoke fluid was deleted.

Sure, you can put something flammable that could blow up in your face but if we don't discuss it, then how is anyone to know that it could be dangerous.

And, a certain club near where I live has in fact used smokeless lamp oil for years in all of their trains during a dozen meets a year. Lets discuss this like gentlemen and ladies.

Furthermore, you could get an electric shock from opening up a transformer or having a saw kick back on you when putting up your benchwork, or a train could kill you if it falls down on you from the layout as you are working below.

Common folks; this may not be the case, and I certainly believe Rich when he says it is a safety issue, but it has the APPEARANCE of kow-towing to his advertisers who make bundles off the sale of smoke fluid.

dave v

[Anonymous]

I do not know Rich Melvin personally, but I do believe that he is one of the "good guys" in the hobby. He has never made any bones about being a "benevolent dictator". He had deleted threads when he feels that they have gotten out of hand (i.e. mindless flame wars-some of which, I am ashamed to say, I participated in), that the information in the threads was grossly in error, or, in the case of the smoke fluid issue, potentially dangerous.

People are certainly entitled to their opinions, but I do not believe that Rich Melvin deserves the term "arrogant" or any bashing.

Just my two cents.

[Anonymous]

LMAO!!

[Anonymous]

Mr. Melvin arrogant? Not according to the in crowd.[bow]

OGR=[censored]

[prewardude]

I've never posted on the OGR forums, and now I never will considering some of the things I've read over here from former members of that other forum. Sounds like Mr. Melvin is a bit over-confident (arrogant?) to me. We've never had that problem with any Kalmbach employees over here. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Anonymous]

FROM THE MOUTH OF RICH MELVIN:

I never comment on thread deletions because it is the opening of a never-ending argument about WHY, and I am not going to go there. However, in this case I will comment because if I don't, the same kind of thread will get started here again. I would have thought by now that the reason for the recent deletions would have been self-explanatory.

The two threads in question were deleted because I do NOT want to start a "Roll Call" of people who have signed up here for their paid membership. That only serves to identify people that are on one side or the other of what has been a very volatile issue. We simply don't need to go there.

Mark my words...this forum will be just fine after June 1.

Rich Melvin, Publisher
O Gauge Railroading magazine
NKP 765's Web Site


SO THERE!!!

[Anonymous]

I'm glad for one thing Rich gave us all a chance to get used to the idea of not posting in HIS forum. HE and junior delete out threads because other members ask them to as well as because of posts unfavorable to OGR's advertisers. as well as threads that are not in line with HIS way of thinking.

$18 is not alot. But why would I pay to provide information so Rich can get Richer by using the forum as another outlet to HIS advertisers.

there are a lot of guys that will pay and stay because they advertise in OGR.


Alan

[phatkat64]

QUOTE: Originally posted by macdannyk1

And just think, people will get to pay for that level of "service" soon.

PAY??!! Is this hobby not expensive enough yet?

[alton6]

FJ and G,

Agreed! I do, by the way, have a lot of respect for some of your ideas. Like taking apart o-27 tubular track and relaying it. Innovative!

[FJ and G]

Alton,

I apologize as well. I think that some of my posts and replies are pure rubbish, but I try to atone for these with a few gems. Thorns are found with the roses.

Also, I criticized Rich for deleting posts, but I want to add that much of what he deleted should have been. But a lot of what was deleted has left many of us puzzled.

I think most of us can work out our differences, and yes, cyberspace is a difficult way to communicate! What might be taken for a joke by some is taken as a slight by others.

Enough pontification!

[Anonymous]

Forums maybe are like a fine woman. At first, it's all free and fun.. Then, little things crop up, some of which really bug you. Then you learn that certain things are better not said, just to keep the peace, but it's still fun. Then, at some point, you realize that you have to pay or move on. Charlie

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by spodwo

QUOTE: Somehow the OGR forum gets dragged here anyway in various posts in the form of "my forum is better than your forum" and bashing.

Which diminishes this forum and more often than most., makes it a place for people to trash consistently about the other forum. It's as if there is nothing better to talk about than OGR here. In short, it appears that CTT [the mighty Kalmbach] supports negative advertising against a smaller competitor by it's lack of monitoring [or caring for that matter].

And you certainly can drag the individual posters here through the mud as noted in numerous posts....

OGR Forum memebers talk about the OGR Forum here because they can't over there. That's the point. In the meantime, PLEASE feel free to start an interesting train releated thread on your own. If it is interesting enough, people here will jump in. I would also recomend that you ignor this thread or any other thread of no interest to you and jump into one the many train related threads available. I'm looking forward to your contributions! [:)]

[Anonymous]

The Newbies would just like a place where they can ask a basic question and get a straight answer.

We rarely have an opinion of one manufacturer over another, or which engine is the coolest.

We have questions, but should we pay $18 for the answers? Should we ask here for free, hoping to not get squished for asking something stupid that 800 other Newbies have asked?

I had a thread that I started deleted. My topic was "What should I not do to avoid getting posts deleted" I was specifically curious about the "Lamp Oil" incident, that I knew nothing about

All of the forums are like going to a cocktail party where everyone went to college together but you. I will just smile politely for a while, and try to giggle where appropriate.

Please pass the finger sandwiches[;)]

[Anonymous]

Yeh, I cancelled my subscription to OGR also, and had them send me a refund. I don't like the way things are over there anymore.
Barry

[alton6]

David,

I'm sorry. I really wasn't trying to provoke you. I was just kidding. E-communication is confusing sometimes. I'll try a face. [*^_^*]

Carl