Just received an email from Modeltrainsweatherd.comThey're changing their website to subscription only and charging 20 bucks a year.
Springfield PA
$20 per year seems fairly reasonable to me. I'm on several other websites (non MR related) that charge anywhere from $20 to $40 per year for access.
So it may or may not be a good thing, depending on how serious one is about discussing weathering techniques.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
This is just another example of why we should be "Thankful" that MR maintains this forum for free. I realize that they may make money on advertisments but it still costs a lot of money to maintain this forum plus the headaches of keeping it civil and informative for everyone.
I have noticed that almost everyone on this forum is willing to show what they have done and how they did it. We have some of the most talented people here at every facet of model railroading. We can ask for help and usually someone will step up with information or somewhere that you can look for information, although some may not be as patient and may be downright blunt with their answers. I don't think they do it to be negative but all of us don't have the same level of patience with others.
I for one am Thankful to Model Railroader for having this forum"warts and all" for my free use and enjoyment.
I wish the forums who want to charge well, but NO THANKS I will stay where I'm at and pray that this forum remains free for all to use.
This is just my opinion and I hope I did not offend anyone!
Jim
I'd like to repeat what Jim said. Thanks MR and all the members of this forum.
Todd
Central Illinoyz
In order to keep my position as Master and Supreme Ruler of the House, I don't argue with my wife.
I'm a small town boy. A product of two people from even smaller towns. I don’t talk on topic….. I just talk.
my account there got blocked out when they switched to you ahve to be sugested, and lrod knows I ain't paying $20 a year for any forum, lol.
Sawyer Berry
Clemson University c/o 2018
Building a protolanced industrial park layout
Packers#1 my account there got blocked out when they switched to you ahve to be sugested, and lrod knows I ain't paying $20 a year for any forum, lol.
As creative as the folks there are I cannot substantiate a $20 offering either. Shoot I cannot substantiate a subscription to this magazine at this point either.
John
8500HPGASTURBINEAVERAGE MRR forums like this one really should be free, and I am thankfull they are. But for a TOP instructional forum like the weathering forum a $20.00 fee is fine. I would pay that in a heartbeat for that forum. This forum is like the handfulls of other ones out there. They are opening up all the time. Were this one closes there is another one that pops up like a weed. But good instructional learning forums like MTW are a dying breed. It's a shame there isn't others out there like that one. Mike
AVERAGE MRR forums like this one really should be free, and I am thankfull they are. But for a TOP instructional forum like the weathering forum a $20.00 fee is fine. I would pay that in a heartbeat for that forum. This forum is like the handfulls of other ones out there. They are opening up all the time. Were this one closes there is another one that pops up like a weed. But good instructional learning forums like MTW are a dying breed. It's a shame there isn't others out there like that one.
Mike
In my honest opinion, I see a major niche opening up. It costs nothing to run a forum on the internet if you use proboards or getphpbb and you can get a free domain name from dot tk. I think modeltrainsweathered really is going to go from a forum to more of a club. If someone opens up another forum, with the same theme, but makes it free, a lot mroe people are going to learn and share ideas than a site like modeltriansweathered, where, especially in this economy, someone who wants to learn weathering but doesn't want to spend $20 won't join up at modeltriansweathered, but a free forum like this.
Well it´s nice that people are trying to make a buck here and there, BUT, if all Forums are going the route of paid subscriptions, I think they are in deep waters. If they already have advertisers, they don´t have to charge you for money, do they? I can pay for my REAL subscriptions, I.E. the real mags and so, but no way am I going to pay for things that should be free. If someone has the will there is free space on the Web to start a new free forum to compete with the paid ones. If that happens all info will be spread all over cyberspace and there is no way to get a clear overview.
I just want to say: BAH! Humbug!!
Swedish Custom painter and model maker. My Website:
My Railroad
My Youtube:
Graff´s channel
GraffenWell it´s nice that people are trying to make a buck here and there, BUT, if all Forums are going the route of paid subscriptions, I think they are in deep waters. If they already have advertisers, they don´t have to charge you for money, do they? I can pay for my REAL subscriptions, I.E. the real mags and so, but no way am I going to pay for things that should be free. If someone has the will there is free space on the Web to start a new free forum to compete with the paid ones. If that happens all info will be spread all over cyberspace and there is no way to get a clear overview. I just want to say: BAH! Humbug!! The MTW forum just lost one member!
The MTW forum just lost one member!
Exactly what I was getting on about earlier. Why the heck should people pay for online forums when there are plenty of other free forums. Shoot, I'd probably be the crazy guy to go start his own forum to compete w/ modeltrainsweathered
It appears to me that the owner of the site may be moving the site to a business venture for professional weathering individuals to utilize for custom work. To make money, and thats OK. 1876 members, now thats $37,520 if everyone pays it, and he wants it by a certain date. I would think as mentioned before that the advertiser, which there are very few on the site, would balance any costs needed to run the site.
Great idea, but I am not paying for his new Porsche.
I've seen it before, someone puts up an offshoot forum or board, but there is very little traffic, and so very little useful content, and as there's little content, it discourages traffic, which sticks with the 'big' boards. It's a tough cycle to break.
To do it right you need quite a few regular members, and have many of those regulars contribute, and not just banter, but real, concrete, article quality content. Then there are experts who will be necessary for ensuring that the content is indeed worth the time of people to search and browse through yet another board. Without them, a board is just a social site full of opinions, some good, some not so good.
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Charging for membership may just be a way of weeding out the newbs, indeed making an 'internet club' possible for those who feel the need. The exclusivity will be determined by the price of membership.
This may not be the case in this instance, it's just a thought.
As already posted, if one wants to really get serious about improving their weathering skills, then $20 is probably a good investment for an interactive source of expertise.
A good book on the subject will probably cost at least as much and contain less information.
kcole4001To do it right you need quite a few regular members, and have many of those regulars contribute, and not just banter, but real, concrete, article quality content.
I count about 5 regular members last time I was allowed over there.
From what I can see, this relates to the need for a new computer server to host, hosting fees and creating a more exclusive environment for people who take weathering seriously. It isn't for everyone, some people are simply not ''that'' interested in the advanced techniques developed and discussed in detail, nor are they that happy to have their work appraised very honestly.
I think US$20 is a very small amount, even with the exchange rate being unfavourable. It is a vast difference between MR charging for access to this site, a virtual self generating ad for their magazine, and a small operator trying to defray the costs of a service to a small community. It is also maybe that if you pay you have a greater degree of respect, you have something tangible to lose if you get too far out of line, unlike this site which even if you are banned from posting, you can still access.
I doubt 1800+ people will pay, but if enough do there may well be a profit available.... so what? I will pay and happily do so to remain, even though I post nothing at all. Watching my skills develop is worth every cent. If you do not place any value on that forum, don't pay, but being critical of it over $20 seems pathetic and whiny. It is less than lunch for 2 days.
I say more power to him, I wasn't interested even when it was for "free" , nice stuff being produced no doubt, what it will do is weed out the watchers and keep the really serious waethering guys there. As far as the critiques being brutally honest etc , etc, after witnessing the behavoir over at the weathering thread here, I believe it's more about inflated ego's than trying to help people get better.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
Driline kcole4001To do it right you need quite a few regular members, and have many of those regulars contribute, and not just banter, but real, concrete, article quality content. I count about 5 regular members last time I was allowed over there.
Did you feel special and privileged?I didn't bother with their attitude when it was free. Passamundo!
Hey, if they want to pay $20 a year great. That is way less than the cost of books and supplies to experiment with and there is a wealth of information to be gleened there. I wouldn't pay to be on a forum, especially that one, but if there are those that do, great.
Personally I see all the help I need right here. Many are frank with their critiques but not rude, insulting or just making it abundantly clear they are better than you. I've read the critiques and I've read the explanations as to the use of their verbage and tone. Hogwash.
Truthfully, and the fact is, there are plenty of people here that can accomplish the same results and will asist when asked without having to say "If you don't have a thick skin then it's your problem". They can pay their 20 dollars and cluck all they want. I have no problem.
The above in no way is meant to say all members of that forum are rude in fact many are not. Those that are and the tolerence of the administrators gives the entire Forum that feeling. Maybe that is the intention of the fees, to weed out some. Maybe it's to make it an exclusive place to go. Either way for that particular forum, I have no cares what they do with it. I do however wish it luck for the sake of those who choose to participate.
8500HPGASTURBINEAVERAGE MRR forums like this one really should be free, and I am thankfull they are. But for a TOP instructional forum like the weathering forum a $20.00 fee is fine.
There are several other model railroading forums with how-to content FAR above what the average modeler does...and they're free.
I am not going to pay $20 for info I can get elsewhere at no charge.
I am willing to pay it but I am just bent that I cannot constitute spending that now. Maybe some other time.
I did look forward to contributing and learning on MTW. I guess some of us will have to find another venue/site for weathering. Oh, wait isn't this site free.
spidgeI am willing to pay it but I am just bent that I cannot constitute spending that now. Maybe some other time. I did look forward to contributing and learning on MTW. I guess some of us will have to find another venue/site for weathering. Oh, wait isn't this site free.
Now if only there was a weatheirng sub-board here.......
Packers#1Now if only there was a weatheirng sub-board here.......
Out of the mouth of babes. (just a saying Sawyer. Not saying your a child. Even though to me you are pretty young) Good idea.
TMarshPackers#1Now if only there was a weatheirng sub-board here....... Out of the mouth of babes. (just a saying Sawyer. Not saying your a child. Even though to me you are pretty young) Good idea.
Thanks man! hey, I'm 14, only 2 years being a teenager, lol. 7 years from legally beign an adult
I just went to the website this morning and there is an anoucement that says a hacker got into the website and sent out this erroneous email for the $20 fee. So it is a hoax!
I disagree that this forum is average. At least among the forums I have visited, all free, this is the best. I belong to a few specialized groups on Yahoo, but they are not nearly as active, entertaining, or instructive as this one.
Each of us has to decide where and on what to spend money, but there is a Yahoo group for weathering that might satisfy your itch. There are also numerous articles on this site and others that cover the whole range of model railroading topics.
Enjoy
Paul
The internet is filled with free "content" if you search it out. Charging $20 seems like a good way of keeping info and techniques to a few self-selected souls. I'm on several other hobby forums (mostly slot car related) and none of them cost me anything. Some of the most talented builders participate and show what they have done. They seem happy to explain it, too. But you do have some ads, which delay page loading and are ugly. The ads pay for the site, depending on how many "clicks" they get. I can't imagine clicking on any Google ads (the main sponsor) but some people do.
The internet is about free interchange of information. There are enough talented model builders willing to share their accumulated knowledge (for free) that I doubt we will be losing much if 5 regular posters decide to form a private club. There are enough free site hosting services that an entry fee seems self-defeating (or just clubbish).
I'm also glad to hear it was a hoax.
HanselI just went to the website this morning and there is an anoucement that says a hacker got into the website and sent out this erroneous email for the $20 fee. So it is a hoax!
Odd. I just this moment went to the websitee and clicked on registration. Large HUGE print "yearly subscription....... for only $20.00 a year."
Totally erroneous information Hansel. It is NOT a hoax.
Jerry MTW Moderator
Leaving aside the situation at the fee-for-info site, I think the Model Railroader site has heavy enough traffic to support several sub-forums. Weathering would be one of them. The MR site suffers from topics slipping into oblivion, so newcomers have no idea what topics have already been covered. Yes, you can "search", but that isn't often done.
The lack of topic-specific sub-forums leads not only to repetition, but impatience on the part of experienced writers, who get tired of answering the same questions or requests for advice over and over.
Robt. Livingston Leaving aside the situation at the fee-for-info site, I think the Model Railroader site has heavy enough traffic to support several sub-forums. Weathering would be one of them. The MR site suffers from topics slipping into oblivion, so newcomers have no idea what topics have already been covered. Yes, you can "search", but that isn't often done. The lack of topic-specific sub-forums leads not only to repetition, but impatience on the part of experienced writers, who get tired of answering the same questions or requests for advice over and over.
Well said.
Robt. LivingstonThe lack of topic-specific sub-forums leads not only to repetition, but impatience on the part of experienced writers, who get tired of answering the same questions or requests for advice over and over.
Precisely.