discontinuance of stars

[CP5170]

I would like to see the discontinuance of stars and the reporting of the number of reponses given. Lately, it seems that too many of the users are more interested in getting their numbers up than the quality of their response. On many posts, we have to wade through the "atta boy" comments to get to the meat.

Personally, when I see that masonjar, dehusman and nfmisso have responded, I am anxious to see what they have to say because their comments are always substantive and helpful. I know that there are a lot of users who add value to the forum and I think that if we eliminate the stars, we'll see more meaningful dialogue.

Just my thoughts...Ken

[Jacktal]

Can't agree more.......

[michaelstevens]

[:p][:p]

SPOILSPORTS

[:D][:D]

[Big_Boy_4005]

I hear what you're saying, and I try to keep my postings constructive, but sometimes its fun to be silly. I like the stars, and its clear that the teens that use this site like them too. This hobby needs more young people.

Its easy to skip over topics and ignore them, I do it every time I see the word Athearn, as I have no interest in that subject being in O.

I say let them have their fun.

[Anonymous]

I hear you Big_Boy_4005.

[lupo]

[#ditto]

this is my post 105 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . [#offtopic]

[Anonymous]

[#ditto][#ditto]

[Anonymous]

All for doing away with stars and number of posts. Was an illconsidered idea at the outset which has not matured into anything useful. That teens like them, if correct, is a telling argument for doing away with them.

If its a good idea to attract teens, how about creating a TAMR board for their use?

Randy

[Anonymous]

I emailed MR and asked of they could bring back Student Fare or at least have a forum for teens but of course I didn't get a reply. I just say I get this amount of posts for fun not bragging.

[EL PARRo]

One message board that I go to a lot (gamefaqs.com) has a rank system based on how often you log in. You get one "karma" for every day that you log in, and I think you can also get more karma by making topics that get a lot of responses. There are also certain boards that you can access only if you have a minimum number of karma. I think that system is much better than those based on the number of posts.

[Anonymous]

What's with the idea of segregating the teens? They look at things differently but that is not neccesarilly bad. In my eyes there is no distinction between a teen modeler and one that has decades of experience, except experience. What would be the use of THIS forum if teens had their own forum. Who would we share our knowledge and experience with? Each other? But we are experienced right? I don't give two hoots about getting stars but if someones does, they are more than likely to have read the postings and still gained knowledge. I don't know anything about the whole star business, do you get a free loco for getting two stars or get a free subscription for getting one? I didn't think so, so what's the stink about. I'm almost 30 and if there is a teen forum made to eliminate this whole star fuss and the attempt to keep them in the amateur status than I'll take this site off of my favorites lists altogether.

Think about it. Who taught you about this hobby? Probably an older person with experience or read an article by an older person.

I'll probably get a thrashing for this reply but so what. It sounds like we should be putting our minds to educating these younger ones than possibly they would replying with sound advice and helpful ideas and suggestions.

No offense intended to anyone seriously. Let's just think about how the next generation is going to learn.

Only my opinion,
Jeremy

[Anonymous]

Oh look another bump my post count topic.

Jay

[Big_Boy_4005]

You won't get a thrashing from me juby, I quite agree, though I didn't mean for this topic to go off and single out the younger crowd, when I mentioned it earlier.

On the other hand, it is somewhat out of line to start a topic over a particular number of posts or stars by an individual, which is what I think the original complaint was.

Personally, when I reach a "milestone" posting it is always a normal serious response to a given topic, but I mark it with a P.S. at the bottom. Check out the topic of E.L.Moore for my 200th.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rda1964

All for doing away with stars and number of posts. Was an illconsidered idea at the outset which has not matured into anything useful. That teens like them, if correct, is a telling argument for doing away with them.

If its a good idea to attract teens, how about creating a TAMR board for their use?

Randy

I have to disagree. Whether it's useful to one set of members or not, or whether it only benefits one set of members, it's still not harming anything. Who cares how many stars a person has beside their name, as long as their inputs are well-thought out and don't start a flame war.

As for attracting teens, I'm all for having them in this forum. This is where the major ideas for modelling get batted back and forth, and I think it's a good place for them to be so they can learn. I'm afraid that a "TAMR" board wouldn't serve the aim of the hobby, especially if it's populated by mostly teens just starting into the hobby.

I watched as Amateur Radio started to decline in popularity, and the measures that were taken to try to bring new members in. Some of the "old hams" were upset, sold their gear, and never came on the air again. Others got nasty, rude, belligerent, and turned off the very members upon whom they'll depend one day to maintain their frequency privileges.

While model railroading and ham radio are not exactly similar hobbies, there are enough parallels that it should be apparent that having something that attracts and holds younger members' attention is worthwhile.

I judge a person by the qualify of the input they give, not by the number of inputs they give.

Regards,

[Big_Boy_4005]

This has turned into a very interesting discussion, though I'm not sure this is what CP5170 had in mind when he posted the topic. Every issue has two sides.

[Jacktal]

This forum is a great idea,allowing fellow modelers to share informations on whatever topic that may be of any interest to them.Like most I guess,I've used it both ways a few times so far and I don't give this Star rating any importance whatsoever.When I first posted I didn't even know what these stars meant and never really tried to know,until one showed up besides one of my posts.

Since then a second one has showed up and I believe that a third one will eventually appear....some time.So what!....I don't mind the Star rating system as it may show the level of participation of a member to this great forum,as long as it remains an accessory and doesn't become an incentive for anyone to post.

When I do post,it's because I either wi***o find an information or have the feeling that I may be of some help to someone.I never will post with the third or fourth star in mind,I know it will come...some day...but don't at all care to know when and certainly won't push intentionally towards it,nor celebrate the event.After all,this forum is about model railroading matters,not stars...that I know of anyway.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal

I hear you Big_Boy_4005.

I agree. What can I say? Sometimes it's fun to just post little [:D] or [bday] (when your congratulating someone).

[Anonymous]

I'm happy almost everyone doesn't want to kick teens out of the forums. Even though there are very few teens in the hobby where do you think 95% of them go, the internet.

[RhB_HJ]

For all the star gazers........

50 posts = 1star
100 = 2 stars
500 = 3 stars
1000 = 4 stars

Now that we have the minor details out of the way, it is fairly easy to concentrate on the threads that have some substance i.e. few "atta boy" posts.
I've signed up a month ago and I more or less pre-sift the threads, some people are most certainly interested in getting lots of posts (Hi there, we know who you are!). If that's what turns their crank so be it, I check only a few of those. Basically to see if "things" improved. [;)][;)][:)]

[joecool1212]

I think we should have different stars for our age so the teens among us can see how old the cranky people are. I dont see the teens complaining and its nice to see our hobby wont die in the next generation because we excepted them now. Come to think of it I was a teen once, too bad we dident have the internet then only the dumb tv. No disrespet intended to anyone. Joe

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by joecool1212

I think we should have different stars for our age so the teens among us can see how old the cranky people are.

Good idea!
That would get rid of the misconception that the old farts are cranky; I see plenty of cranky people who haven't even hit their teens yet![:0][:0][:)]

Oh BTW, going on the premise that the older, the more stars would apply, I'm 100% in favour!! Of course then one could earn extra stars by providing some info in the "profile", too! [}:)][:D][:D]

[CNW-400]

I think the original posting by Ken was just saying that some of the topics are overflowing with comments that are just a word or two like "YEAH!".

Although this is a comment, I agree it can sometimes get tedious scrolling down and clicking to another page looking for a more constructive comment or answer, or as he said it, "the meat".

But although I agree it can be tedious, I really don't think removing stars or anything will change this, it's just the nature of forums. Every forum I've participated has been like this and it's just something you grin & bear.

As far as teens or young people are concerned, his initial comment didn't even mention them, they were brought up later. IMO as long as everyone is respectful and attempts to be helpful then age, gender, scale modeled etc shouldn't enter in to it.

Mark

[Roadtrp]

I don't see a big deal with stars one way or the other. If the teens like the stars, let the stars AND THE TEENS stay. I'm a fifty-one-year-old-fart and they don't bother me at all. With all of the garbage available on the Internet, I am ABSOLUTELY THRILLED that there are teens that want to participate in a forum about Model Railroading.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by RhB_HJ

QUOTE: Originally posted by joecool1212

I think we should have different stars for our age so the teens among us can see how old the cranky people are.

I see plenty of cranky people who haven't even hit their teens yet![:0][:0][:)]

I hope you don't mean me[:O][:O][:O]! [:)][:)][:)]

[RhB_HJ]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dougal

I hope you don't mean me[:O][:O][:O]! [:)][:)][:)]

Nah, you'll know when I do![;)][:)][:D]

[CP5415]

The reason I'm here is information & to get to know other people. I believe that is the reason why Trains has set up this forum.
Meaningful dialogue to me is saying "Cool!" to something someone has done. It usually makes them feel good about what they have done.
I'll admit that when I reached 100 posted I thought it was "Cool!"
I'm over that now.
I know for fact that I'm not the most talkative person on the planet
I usually don't say a whole lot in my posts.
I don't think the stars are hurting anyone. They're fun
The way I see it, the more posts you have,the more active you are in this forum.
The more active your are in the forum, you'll give & or receive more information.
It may not be the best information, but you can use it as a learning tool.
The more information you receive, hopefully you'll become a better modeler.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon


HEY LOOK I REACHED 250!!!!!!!![:)][:D][8D][;)][^][;)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CP5415

The reason I'm here is information & to get to know other people. I believe that is the reason why Trains has set up this forum.
Meaningful dialogue to me is saying "Cool!" to something someone has done. It usually makes them feel good about what they have done.
I'll admit that when I reached 100 posted I thought it was "Cool!"
I'm over that now.
I know for fact that I'm not the most talkative person on the planet
I usually don't say a whole lot in my posts.
I don't think the stars are hurting anyone. They're fun
The way I see it, the more posts you have,the more active you are in this forum.
The more active your are in the forum, you'll give & or receive more information.
It may not be the best information, but you can use it as a learning tool.
The more information you receive, hopefully you'll become a better modeler.

Just my 2 cents

Gordon

That was your 250th post![bday][bday] That funny that you got it on a topic like this one.

[IRONROOSTER]

I say keep them, they're a bit of fun and that is what this hobby should always include. I remember seeing a dinosaur pulling a train on John Allen's layout, he even gave it a number.
If we can't have a little fun then the hobby is not worth it.
Enjoy
Paul

[Big_Boy_4005]

Way to go Gordon, and you have raised another interesting point in the process.

Sometimes I read a response that is so complete, that I have nothing useful to add. Because I am in total agreement, but I want to let the person who wrote it know that I've read it, I will use a short response.

There are a lot of members here who only read what we have written, we never see them or have any clue that they exist. I actually got an email from one of them recently, asking for more information about an idea that I had posted. When I looked up the user's name they had ZERO posts.

It made me feel good that someone had that much interest in what I had to say, but at the same time slightly sad that they were unable to ask in the forum. Some people are just shy I guess, and I don't mind answering privately either.

The bottom line has to be, whether you make a simple nod of agreement, or give an entire dissertation on why someone is full of crap, it has to count as a post. Both are equally valid contributions to the forum.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by IRONROOSTER

I say keep them, they're a bit of fun and that is what this hobby should always include. I remember seeing a dinosaur pulling a train on John Allen's layout, he even gave it a number.
If we can't have a little fun then the hobby is not worth it.
Enjoy
Paul

[#ditto][#ditto][#ditto]