Now I know where everyone gets their stars from!

[darth9x9]

I have been wondering in amazement at the number posts some people have been making and saying to myself, "Wow, they sure must be helpful with all the replies (and stars) they have." Now I see it is easy for anyone to run up the "replies count" by having meanlingless posts like "bill mathewson" did on the topic titled "Some more fun, a 'NEVER ENDING STORY'" (page 219). Now I see the stars are pretty much meaningless. Is this forum all about the stars?

[Big_Boy_4005]

I beg to differ!!!! I have never posted to THAT topic!!!! For ME this forum is not about the stars, It is about having fun and talking about trains. Frankly the stars are not meaningless to me, and if you look around and find MY posts, I think you will see that they are not the fluff that some people like to contribute. I take the stars a little more seriously, and take a certain pride in having achieved them. However, not everyone feels or behaves that way.

I contribute to 3 of the forums here on a regular basis. That is a good part of the reason why I have 5 stars. In the process I have met a lot of the people here, and that is part of what makes these forums fun for me!!!

[FJ and G]

I have never posted to that topic either, Bill. If you look on this and the next few pages, you will see some creative ideas that I've put forward.

Also, it is crude to single people out by name and dump on them. And you say, "Is that all this forum is about is stars?" Well apparently, you haven't read the majority of posts; and besides, you do have the freedom to move on to a topic that doesn't interest you instead of belittling the good people who have posted.

On the plus side, I see that you have used your real name and it appears that you have made some meaningful contributions to the hobby as well as to the Four County Society. For that I commend you.

And anyone who models the ole Chessie can't be all that bad! :-)

Dave Vergun

[darth9x9]

To Big_Boy_4005: I see that you did start a topic just to chat: "The Coffee Shop (a place to chat)." So all I have to do is log in and say "Hi!" and I get a credit for another posting. I guess that could be meaningful to someone. If all you want to do is chat, go to a chat room. Or even use Instant Messenger - wait,,, they don't count the messages sent.

To FJ and G: I wasn't dumping on any one directly. I was just using that ID as an example as he/she put three words in a post, three more words in a post right after that. and three more words in a post right after that, and so on. That, IMHO, is not really worthy of a 'credit' for a posting (in that case several postings).

Also, I _DO_ read a lot of the posts and many people give their honest and helpful opinion on many topics. As for me, I try to just reply to ones that I know something about and that hasn't already been said.

I certainly don't think that everyone on the forum is out for the stars - but I will say good portion of them are (I intentionally left this non-quantitative). I look at the "last 10" someone has posted on to see if they truly are interested in helping others (or the hobby) or are they here to have the forum count how many messages they post. It is not difficult to differentiate the two.

[lupo]

[#welcome]darth9x9

I am looking forward to YOUR contribution to this forum!
the stars will come automaticly
looking at your curriculum vitae you must have a lot of knowledge available
to share with the forum members!
not only about model railroading but also on computers !



[:p]

[Big_Boy_4005]

Thanks for the backup Dave, you make an excellent point about not singling people out. That's how flame wars get started.

When I first started posting here, someone started a topic about how he thought the stars were a bad idea. One thing lead to another, and the topic took on a life of it's own. Suddenly it became the "whipping boy" for seekers of "cheap" stars. I found it not only IRONIC, but MORONIC. It got so bad that Bergie ended up locking it.

There really is no reason to seek stars, and if simply allowed to happen in the normal course of posting and interacting on the forum, they can be an indication of who contributes regularly. They don't have anything to do with intelligence or knowledge, that is something unique to each member, and is up to them to share with the group. Many people come here SEEKING knowledge, so it is a good thing that we have some people here who are willing to share what they have.

I have made a lot of posts responding to topics that Dave has started. It is almost like he provides me a platform from which to share my knowledge and experience.

Everyone has their own set of reasons for coming here, and as long as we un derstand and respect that, this will be a fun place to hang out, stars or no.[swg]

[Big_Boy_4005]

It's true Bill, I did start the Coffee Shop, and yes, people can take "cheap" posts there, but most don't.

The purpose of that "topic" was to get people more involved and allow them to get better aquainted with one another. I must say that since it started, there have been virtually no "personality clashes" that seemed to happen so frequently in the past.

Not every post can be about trains, that would get pretty dull after a while. The people are what MAKE the forum, the trains are what we like to talk about.

The people who post there regularly have made this more of a close knit community, and even though the posts don't deal with trains, I feel that they are a worth while contribution to the forum. You are welcome to post there too, and if you choose to, in my mind you will have earned any stars you achieve by doing it, becuse you will have gotten to know some of the other members in the process. Thats part of what this forum is all about.

[Anonymous]

Guys, I don't want to get something started, but we have been through this several months ago with some very negative results and whole lotta hurt feelings. Must we ha***his over again. The fact is, yes, the NES is a nonsense topic that alot of very good folks have had a lot of fun with it. Please post where ever you want, but please don't knock the NES if you don't like it. Many others do and it's not about stars, it's all about the NES and some fun and whole lot of imagination. If you don't care to post there, thats fine, no one will force you to do so, or flame you if you don't. Just remember this is a hobby and hobbies are supposed be relaxing and fun. All, including you are always welcome on the NES. Have fun.....thanks D.

[philnrunt]

darth9x9- when I first joined this forum, way back in ...well,I think it was May of- let's see, yep it was '04, I openly asked about the stars. When it was explained to me, they instantly took on much less meaning than before. I too thought they must be for experience, and, after 2 weeks of postings, I realize that they really are for experience.
The people that have the most stars can explain the ins and outs of the forum, give insight to some of the members and generally can make you think with what they post.
They have been here long enough to be able to direct newbies to answers to a repeated question, and most of their posts are informative, intelligent and without rancour.
I don't pay much attention to the stars anymore, but I do know who the old hands are, not by their stars, but by their answers.
PS- Looked at NES for the 1st time last night, not my cup of tea, but more power to those that like it.

[IRONROOSTER]

The stars are a bit of fun on the forum. I'm in this hobby for fun so I like them, but they just show how active you have been.
Enjoy
Paul

[FThunder11]

I post a lot of "Fluff" because it is fun!!

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FThunder11

I post a lot of "Fluff" because it is fun!!

Yes, but you're young, and that's just fine. The fact that you are hanging around here actually means a lot to some of us older guys. It means that this hobby has a future, and you're it. So pay attention, our world depends on you![swg]

[Anonymous]

I thought that the stars are for politeness or something like that,
darth9x9 has none and a negative attitude towards other forum members, Big_Boy_4005 has 5 stars and he seems to be a nice guy

[Eriediamond]

Ahhh, stars. Well, I look at those stars for what they are (number of times one posts or replies), nothing more. Someone just joining the forum today with no stars may be new to the hobby or may have many years of experience and knowledge to share with us. I can't or won't speak for others, but for myself, I post or give replies that I feel will help others or may be of interests to others and yes, I sometimes go off topic. But I assure you my posts and replies are not related to getting stars. Like any forum, it takes awhile to get to know one another, so just be patient and not worry about stars. How many have I got now?? [(-D][(-D][(-D]

[Anonymous]

a message to Bill Carl-

First of all. I am not initiating a flame war. I had considered just ignoring your cheap shot, but since you singled me out as an example, and initiated this rant, you have left me no other choice than to respond to your silly accusation.

What initially crossed my mind is how I have been teased at posting lengthy replies at times, and yet now I am being nailed for posting some three word "replies" on the NES. I have to admit, I actually got a chuckle out of that. Then I thought about how I've often invested considerable time to research a response to a topic, so that my contribution is accurate, thorough and the best that it could be. Such a reply only earns a single post. So what !

However, there a few "flamers" on this Forum, as in life, that are judgemental and fairly miserable people hell-bent on finding ways to inflate their self-importance at the expense of others. Or they just worry about truly dumb things. The internet age has provided a means for twits like yourself to sneak up and blast people in 'cyber-space', and in general, conduct yourself far differently than you would in front of an individual, by hiding in front of your monitor instead. Your comment re: that I made meaningless posts to accumulate another 'star' is one of the most ludicrous - no, really stupid - comments on this Forum in quite awhile. That you initiated a new topic specific to that is even more so.

I could care less about the 'stars' and don't particularly see the benefit of them. except that it demonstrates that one has spent a lot of time pursuing their hobby on the Forum. Someone posted that since "The Never Ending Story" and the "The Coffee Shop" aren't "about trains", perhaps posts there shouldn't earn stars on those topics. Who really cares, but it seems like an easy fix for Bergie to just implement such a change, especially if it will quiet you. You can even have my 'stars' to hang on your wall as little trophies.

Had you ever just considered raising the question, perhaps even on "The Coffee Shop", as to whether or not 'stars' should be earned when posting on the two topics that you seem to think are meaningless and unrelated to trains? Or, if it was I in particular who had gotten under your skin, and worked you up into such a frenzy, you could have just emailed me directly, and presented your opinion to me. Were you a tattle-tale in school?

You may have computer skills, but your understanding of people sucks. Suggest you read my posts dated 5/28 on the topic "nevermind", and see if any of that applies to you.

I have been a model railroader for over fifty years and love this hobby and have met many fine modelers and train people all over the country. I have learned a lot from them, and I'm always eager and glad to contribute my experiences and knowledge when I can. I absolutely make an attempt to give back to this Forum at least as much benefit as I have received from it. I am on the Forum, as well as another, more than once a day, and it has become a mostly enjoyable journey, ecept for minor delays and derailments like this one.

The NES has been a lot of fun and a creative escape for me as I expect it has been for those who frequently participate in it. If it isn't to your liking and you don't condone it, just ignore it and go on to another topic. For God's sake, get a life. This Forum has been graciously provided to us by the folks at Kalmbach, and I thought that it was to be shared worldwide, and not just cater to a few.

It wasn't much fun this AM, however, having to waste my time replying to your silly little attack.

BILL

[lupo]

Bill, well said ( as ever ) [tup]

[Anonymous]

It's not about the stars, it's about killing time.

I don't know what I used to do with the three hours a day that I now spend on the forums.

[Anonymous]

Bill [:)]

First, let me welcome you to the forums. I think that after a while you will enjoy them.

Second, you will find out that the forums are a "family" type atmosphere and that those of us who do have numerous stars are very helpful not only in modeling issues but in "life" issues as well. I did post some in the NES but have since stopped. The coffee shop is meant for casual "off topic" chat and is frequented by those of us who enjoy spending "virtual" time with other forum family members. There are at least 3 coffee shops on this website.

Thirdly, the more you chat with your new "family" members the more you will enjoy and look forward to their posts and chats. Each forum has its "main members" who help others and contribute to the general knowledge of that forum. You will soon learn who they are.

Personally I am an "encourager" and try very hard to help and encourage my forum family every chance I have. Even in light heardted banter you can help and encourage.

The more you participate in the forums the more you will want to get to know the forum family. I receive many emails and have added many forum members to my "addy list". We not only share comments on the forums but also through emails and believe it or not on the telephone. I have phone numbers and address of many of the forum members. I have received "items" in the mail from them and have sent items to forum members both in the states and Canada.

Erik (Bergie) pointed out a while back that if we were to put all the forums members in a room and let them chat that the main topics would be modeling, railroading, and trains, for a while, then eventually the topics would change to other things. If you look through the forums you will find this is true. There is a lot to learn about modeling, about railroading, and about "life" here in the forums. Jump in with both feet and get "wet", enjoy the swim, enjoy the chat, and when you leave, leave the forum in better shape that it was when you came in. Then the next day do the same, and soon you will discover that the forums are not only filled with knowledge but are entertaining too.

I have made many new friends here in the forums and look forward to meeting as many as possible in the coming years. I look forward to meeting you too. Thanks for joining the forum family. I like BIG families. [;)] [:D] [:)]

Have a super day, and pass it on so someone else can enjoy it. [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by FThunder11

I post a lot of "Fluff" because it is fun!!

[#ditto] Same here.
I used to wonder how to get stars, too. Then I realized, oh, just the number of posts, big deal. I do post a lot of "short" 1 to 5 sentences replies, but, I post some long ones, too. Hey, as long as it's about trains, who cares? Right?

[Big_Boy_4005]

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

QUOTE: Originally posted by FThunder11

I post a lot of "Fluff" because it is fun!!

[#ditto] Same here.
I used to wonder how to get stars, too. Then I realized, oh, just the number of posts, big deal. I do post a lot of "short" 1 to 5 sentences replies, but, I post some long ones, too. Hey, as long as it's about trains, who cares? Right?

Yes my young friend, you have come a long way. It took some time for you and Dougal to settle down, and get that star thing out of your systems, but it is a pleasure to have you guys here. When compared to someone starting from "post one" you really do have more experience here, and deserve the recognition. [:)]

Beside, knowing the story of how you came by the large numbers, I feel that they weren't "cheap" in the long run. You guys paid some real dues in the process, and have now found your place in this comunity, and thats's what counts.[swg]

[trainfan1221]

Stars are meaningless until you start getting them, then they rule! It just shows who the
regular contributors are, though we know just about everybody now. Considering I get
on line twice a week at the most, I'm impressed with my two stars.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

QUOTE: Originally posted by 4884bigboy

QUOTE: Originally posted by FThunder11

I post a lot of "Fluff" because it is fun!!

[#ditto] Same here.
I used to wonder how to get stars, too. Then I realized, oh, just the number of posts, big deal. I do post a lot of "short" 1 to 5 sentences replies, but, I post some long ones, too. Hey, as long as it's about trains, who cares? Right?

Yes my young friend, you have come a long way. It took some time for you and Dougal to settle down, and get that star thing out of your systems, but it is a pleasure to have you guys here. When compared to someone starting from "post one" you really do have more experience here, and deserve the recognition. [:)]

Beside, knowing the story of how you came by the large numbers, I feel that they weren't "cheap" in the long run. You guys paid some real dues in the process, and have now found your place in this comunity, and thats's what counts.[swg]

[:I][:D][:)] I must say, Big Boy, I feel quite honored. LONG LIVE TRAINS.COM!!!!!!!!![:D][8D][:)][:p][;)][^]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bill mathewson

a message to Bill Carl-

First of all. I am not initiating a flame war. I had considered just ignoring your cheap shot, but since you singled me out as an example, and initiated this rant, you have left me no other choice than to respond to your silly accusation.

What initially crossed my mind is how I have been teased at posting lengthy replies at times, and yet now I am being nailed for posting some three word "replies" on the NES. I have to admit, I actually got a chuckle out of that. Then I thought about how I've often invested considerable time to research a response to a topic, so that my contribution is accurate, thorough and the best that it could be. Such a reply only earns a single post. So what !

However, there a few "flamers" on this Forum, as in life, that are judgemental and fairly miserable people hell-bent on finding ways to inflate their self-importance at the expense of others. Or they just worry about truly dumb things. The internet age has provided a means for twits like yourself to sneak up and blast people in 'cyber-space', and in general, conduct yourself far differently than you would in front of an individual, by hiding in front of your monitor instead. Your comment re: that I made meaningless posts to accumulate another 'star' is one of the most ludicrous - no, really stupid - comments on this Forum in quite awhile. That you initiated a new topic specific to that is even more so.

I could care less about the 'stars' and don't particularly see the benefit of them. except that it demonstrates that one has spent a lot of time pursuing their hobby on the Forum. Someone posted that since "The Never Ending Story" and the "The Coffee Shop" aren't "about trains", perhaps posts there shouldn't earn stars on those topics. Who really cares, but it seems like an easy fix for Bergie to just implement such a change, especially if it will quiet you. You can even have my 'stars' to hang on your wall as little trophies.

Had you ever just considered raising the question, perhaps even on "The Coffee Shop", as to whether or not 'stars' should be earned when posting on the two topics that you seem to think are meaningless and unrelated to trains? Or, if it was I in particular who had gotten under your skin, and worked you up into such a frenzy, you could have just emailed me directly, and presented your opinion to me. Were you a tattle-tale in school?

You may have computer skills, but your understanding of people sucks. Suggest you read my posts dated 5/28 on the topic "nevermind", and see if any of that applies to you.

I have been a model railroader for over fifty years and love this hobby and have met many fine modelers and train people all over the country. I have learned a lot from them, and I'm always eager and glad to contribute my experiences and knowledge when I can. I absolutely make an attempt to give back to this Forum at least as much benefit as I have received from it. I am on the Forum, as well as another, more than once a day, and it has become a mostly enjoyable journey, ecept for minor delays and derailments like this one.

The NES has been a lot of fun and a creative escape for me as I expect it has been for those who frequently participate in it. If it isn't to your liking and you don't condone it, just ignore it and go on to another topic. For God's sake, get a life. This Forum has been graciously provided to us by the folks at Kalmbach, and I thought that it was to be shared worldwide, and not just cater to a few.

It wasn't much fun this AM, however, having to waste my time replying to your silly little attack.

BILL

Well said Bill.

[Anonymous]

I think thanks are in order to Emeraldisle for presenting 'NES' to the forum in the first place. It's harmless! I could hardly believe my eyes when I returned to the forum and saw that it had grown to over 200 pages. Clearly, it has it's place.

I have to question something, however: why the continued bickering over the number of stars generated? I've always presumed the entire point of being here (in addition to learning, sharing insights and enjoying the comaraderie of others) was to have fun.

[Big_Boy_4005]

Andrew welcome back! Where have you been, and what happened to all of your old posts???

[Anonymous]

hey SuperChiefFan--- it issupposed to be exactly as you expressed, and going postal over the # of 'posts' and the # of 'stars' is just going postal over nothing.

(That's probably how I should have responded my first time around, but I had to be far more wordy, just in case someone was taking an average word count per post to see if the minimum average had been met for the prior monitoring period. Sorry, but I was raised by sarcastic parents that taught me well. . .)

Let's have some fun playing with our trains again ! BILL

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Big_Boy_4005

Andrew welcome back! Where have you been, and what happened to all of your old posts???

Hello Elliott!

I found that I was spending waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to much time here [(-D] for starters. The forum had become an addiction...and I needed to regain my 'sobriety' (lol). I deleted my registration and, of course, the posts disappeared as well.

There also seemed to be an aura of negativity permeating the forum that I didn't care for. Bickering about star chasers, etc., tarnished the joy I'd previously enjoyed here.

Never-the-less I'm back after recovering. And I have to tell ya--I missed the 'club'. [:)]

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by bill mathewson

hey SuperChiefFan--- it issupposed to be exactly as you expressed, and going postal over the # of 'posts' and the # of 'stars' is just going postal over nothing.

(That's probably how I should have responded my first time around, but I had to be far more wordy, just in case someone was taking an average word count per post to see if the minimum average had been met for the prior monitoring period. Sorry, but I was raised by sarcastic parents that taught me well. . .)

Let's have some fun playing with our trains again ! BILL

I couldn't agree with you more, Bill. Playing with the trains should be the ultimate payoff. Everything else pales in comparison.

[brothaslide]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SuperChiefFan


The forum had become an addiction...and I needed to regain my 'sobriety' (lol). I deleted my registration and, of course, the posts disappeared as well.

My name is Sean (HI SEAN!) and I'm a MR Forum addict. . .

Just kidding, I couldn't resist.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by brothaslide

QUOTE: Originally posted by SuperChiefFan


The forum had become an addiction...and I needed to regain my 'sobriety' (lol). I deleted my registration and, of course, the posts disappeared as well.

My name is Sean (HI SEAN!) and I'm a MR Forum addict. . .

Just kidding, I couldn't resist.

And...my name's Andrew (Hello, Andrew!)..and I've come to accept that hitting the 'forum bottle' from time to time is something I can live with.[(-D]