Declining Interest in Web Forums -- Part III. Define "Advanced"

[galaxy]

cudaken

 

jwhitten

Intermediate Topics

 

Comparing quality of different manufacturers equipment  (No more which is best DCC system!) I can dream right?

oy. Ken.

I see comparing quality of different manufacturers equipment as no different than "which DCC system is best". Think about it for a minute.

"which brand {maufacturer} is best {for 'x' equipment} " OR "which brand locomotive is best" is the same as "which DCC system is best" and qualifies for anything from locos to scale outhouses!

 

cudaken

jwhitten

Intermediate Topics

 

Best places to shop if you don't have a good LHS.

That can be just as bad!. THose type of threads disolve almost into flame wars over who had the BEST or the WORST experience with which online dealer. OY, and then throw in the e-bay-ers and what a can of worms!

my head now hurts thinking about it!

have a great day

[pastorbob]

I think "advanced" is too subjective.  I am 73, have been in HO since late 1950's, have earned the MMR from the NMRA, have built several layouts, have kit built, kitbashed, built from scratch, so what?  At my age, kitbashing or scratch building is pretty much out of the question because of arthritis in my hands and fingers.  But I still do a little.   My current layout, started in 1983, is finished, gets a little upgrading at times, but my main passion is operations, not scratchbuilding or kitbashing, so I operate.  I installed my NCE DCC system, with power districts, aditional boosters, the whole ball of wax, but I still hate wiring and try to avoid it at all costs.

If I see a post that I can contribute to, I try to do so, but I visit the forums mainly to see what other modelers are doing and add an encouraging voice at times.  I don't expect anything from the forum except some good reading and maybe pick up a tip.  However, when the forum turns nasty, I turn it off.  I can hear people fight and argue over trivia anytime and about any place without spending time on the computer to see more of it.

Lastly, I have never considered myself advanced, though I have done quite a bit.  My "advanced life" is in my vocations that I have enjoyed throughout my life, and now my "advanced life" is being somewhat retired, but still doing some things I want to do for which I get paid.

Advanced?  I think it is supposed to mean enjoying certain skills that others struggle to have, but that is about it.

Bob

[mononguy63]

There's a nagging question I've always had regarding modelers who leave here for more "advanced" forums. Maybe I'm just an ignorant bumpkin living out in the electronic sticks, but where are these advanced forums which always go unnamed but everyone seems to wink-wink-nudge-nudge know what they're alluding to?

I agree that this site is very broad-based (with a name like trains.com, how could it not be?), ultimately casting a wide net to hopefully draw more patrons to the Kalmbach family. And a river that wide will by its very nature not run particularly deep. And I'm okay with that. But if there are places out there to go to get a little more red meat, how does one find them?

[AntonioFP45]

mononguy63

There's a nagging question I've always had regarding modelers who leave here for more "advanced" forums. Maybe I'm just an ignorant bumpkin living out in the electronic sticks, but where are these advanced forums which always go unnamed but everyone seems to wink-wink-nudge-nudge know what they're alluding to?

I agree that this site is very broad-based (with a name like trains.com, how could it not be?), ultimately casting a wide net to hopefully draw more patrons to the Kalmbach family. And a river that wide will by its very nature not run particularly deep. And I'm okay with that. But if there are places out there to go to get a little more red meat, how does one find them?

Monon, a good place to start would be the "Yahoo Groups" where there is a slew of railfan and model railroad related web groups. I'm a member of the Yahoo ACL-SAL-SCL model railroaders group.  IMHO, it's an excellent gathering of a knowledgeable, enthusiastic group of guys that include "Heavy Hitters" like Warren Calloway and Jim Six.  Though I like that group I don't intend on leaving this forum.  

I greatly enjoy the variety of information, photographs, and perspectives found here on this forum. Additonally, although I'm an Atlantic Coast Line and Seaboard Coast Line nut, I'm also a New Haven, Southern Railway, and early Amtrak fan.

I was active on the Atlas forum for a while, but I keep coming back to this one. I would suggest to modelers to check out and/or join other train related web groups but to keep this one as "home base".  We sometimes argue, and hiss at each other now and then, but just like Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble, we eventually get over it and move on.   As I stated on another thread, this is still one of the forums that manufacturers look at when making decisions as to whether to re-run previous offerings or tool up something new. 

High Greens  

 

[Arjay1969]

mononguy63

There's a nagging question I've always had regarding modelers who leave here for more "advanced" forums. Maybe I'm just an ignorant bumpkin living out in the electronic sticks, but where are these advanced forums which always go unnamed but everyone seems to wink-wink-nudge-nudge know what they're alluding to?

I agree that this site is very broad-based (with a name like trains.com, how could it not be?), ultimately casting a wide net to hopefully draw more patrons to the Kalmbach family. And a river that wide will by its very nature not run particularly deep. And I'm okay with that. But if there are places out there to go to get a little more red meat, how does one find them?

 

I'll give an example, though I can't really say it's more "advanced", merely more focused on one particular facet of the hobby...The Diesel Detailer, a board focused on adding details to models of diesel locomotives to make them as close as possible to the real thing.   I'm a staff member there, and as you can see, I have a link to it in my signature.  Usually the best way for a board to promote itself is for members and staff from that board to pass the word on other boards...at least on other boards that allow such things!

I have to add that a lot of us on that particular board read and post on here and on other boards too.

 

As to the original post...there really is no universal definition that can apply to "advanced" here.  Each of us has unique skills.  For example, in my local clubs...we have members who are absolute geniuses when it comes to trackwork, but who cannot handle power tools or any sort of carpentry to save their lives.  We have members who can take a couple of boards and build the straightest, sturdiest, most beautiful benchwork that you've ever seen, yet cannot grasp scenery at all.  We have people who can do scenery that looks completely realistic, yet who cannot figure out how to wire more than a simple oval of track.  And so on, and so on.  To each of them, the other skills seem more "advanced."  But bring everyone together, and we can create a work of art.

[simon1966]

mononguy63

But if there are places out there to go to get a little more red meat, how does one find them?

Often via word of mouth.  One of my favorites has a real leaning towards structure building, craftsman style as well as scratch building, it can be found at http://www.railroad-line.com/  but you name it and there is a more focused forum out there somewhere.

[dehusman]

mononguy63

There's a nagging question I've always had regarding modelers who leave here for more "advanced" forums. Maybe I'm just an ignorant bumpkin living out in the electronic sticks, but where are these advanced forums which always go unnamed but everyone seems to wink-wink-nudge-nudge know what they're alluding to?

Railroad Line Forums.  Concentrates on craftsman and scratchbuilt type structures and equipment. Tremendous detail.  Threads on building one scene or building can go on for dozens of pages.  Building a Huelett loader from scratch, building a blast furnace, a mine head, etc.  Extensive descriptions of modeling weathered wood, peeling paint, lots of threads of pictures of interesting structures.

[pike-62]

I usually stay out of these discussions and probably should on this one too, but...in I go.

I read several forums thruout the day including this one. I do not answer many posts though as the answer some one is seeking has already been given and I figure another "Me Too" answer is not needed as there are already several posted by people who have rather large post counts and never realy offered anything of real value. As far as starting new threads...I will if I am seeking some information that I can not come up with on my own. However, I don't post much, other than that, for a few reasons.

Several years ago I posted some pictures of a project I was working on. In posting it I wanted to share with the group what I did and a little bit on how I did it. Was it "advanced", maybe, maybe not. Anyway, the group for the most part was interested in what and How it was done and a good discussion ensued about the merits of building something from, well, nothing.

Since the first one went over good I figured why not post another one. This one was a bit more ambitious. It required building a shell for an engine from sheet styrene. fabricating a chassis and assembling a group of drivetrain components to make the whole thing run. I posted a few in process shots as it went along and it developed quite a following. About 3 pages into the thread, things started to turn for the worst. I made the unfortunate mistake of including the term 'scratch built" in the text somewhere along the way. The thread quickly splintered off in a couple of directions. One direction  heavily got into a debate on how something should be considered scratch built. Another direction basicaly put me down for using the term and that what I was doing was not considered scratch building.

During the build I mentioned that I was still up in the air on weather to use standard light bulbs or LED's. Several people got into a rather heated debate over this (I ultimatly went with LED's). In the end I recieved a couple of emails from forum members that realy "sealed the deal" for me. They were personal attacks that I never provoked. Yes, these people are still members of this forum.

As for declining interest from everyone else...Maybe, I see the same decline in posts every year around this time. I personaly  do not do much modeling durring the warmer months. Bike riding, Golf and 25 lawns to mow each week, not to mentiond a full time job, cut into that time rather hard. Winter is a bit easier for me as I only have 3 nights committed to National Ski Patrol which leaves me the other 4 nights to mess with the trains. Of course in that time I also have to get out any custom paint work for customers as well as fill orders for my small business that I run out of the house.

Add all of this together and you can see why I don't participate much. I can imagine other people might be in the same situation too

 

[selector]

Thanks for that, pike-62.  It's good to hear from you!   You are right, the threads to get fractured because someone picks up on a point or a question and runs with it, often at a sharply diverging angle...like a #4 maybe.

I will say that if one of the problems with the forum is that threads become co-opted too often, and then disintegrate or self-destruct, it is incumbent upon the originator, or even peeved onlookers, to try to bring it back on track.  If a snot-gram is fired right back from the diverger, report it and ask for moderator help.  It's the OP's discussion, and it should not be wrested from him.

But the mods are not the ones to spend hours on line reading every post and making judgement calls with a gavel in hand.  It's up to the readership to set the tone of the place, and for the moderators to look for large disparities, or unacceptable ones, between what they learn about and what they feel our hosts would prefer to see.

It's too bad about your scratchbuild thread.  I wonder if it could be restarted...it may just float this time.

-Crandell

[CNJ831]

simon1966

mononguy63

But if there are places out there to go to get a little more red meat, how does one find them?

Often via word of mouth.  One of my favorites has a real leaning towards structure building, craftsman style as well as scratch building, it can be found at http://www.railroad-line.com/  but you name it and there is a more focused forum out there somewhere.

Indeed, Railroad-Line Forums is an excellent site, with most of its modeling subheadings considerably more advanced than our host's content. However, it is pretty much aimed at the more moderately experienced hobbyist and above (i.e. a very different atmosphere than one is accustom to here). Except for a few subheadings, it's not a "chatty" site, or one with many entry level questions and threads.

A lot of the more advanced hobbyists, as well as the really big names in the hobby, frequent some really focused forums, like that devoted strictly to FSM kits and kit buildings. There's one strictly about dense urban modeling. Some I participate in are also largely aimed at the Master Model Railroader skill levels, but their thrust is not really instructional.

Simmon is correct that knowledge of many of these sites comes only by way of word of mouth and there are a number of them that are essentially membership by invitation only. Many wish to remain rather tight knit groups and so don't openingly advertise their existence.

CNJ831 

[switch7frg]

Being a retired  O/O driver  , I thought I would find something else to do.  All these forems , as mentioned have a bit or more info one is looking for .   A newbie to this hobby,  Im' trying not to miss a good chance to shut up  and learn something by just reading. ~~~ LOL ~~~~ Cannonball ( another Jim)

[grizlump9]

 for my part, it is not a matter of advanced, intermediate or what ever level you want to call it.  my declining interest is the result of so many semi-literate individuals who can not spell, can not search the web, and most likely slept through math class.

grizlump (grouchy german)

[selector]

And yet, where would our hobby be without those people?  It isn't necessarily the case that those who are of that nature, disposition, or circumstance today will be long gone or poor performers in 10 or 15 years.   People change, they mature, they learn when given a hand, and many go on to give back with many accomplishments behind them.

The hobby won't thrive with college educated, tea sipping, and disapproving gentlemen who congratulate each other for being the way they are.  It needs those who are inclined to give, to be generous, to be patient, even repeating explanations or finding new ways to say and teach the same things.

My

-Crandell

[pastorbob]

selector

And yet, where would our hobby be without those people?  It isn't necessarily the case that those who are of that nature, disposition, or circumstance today will be long gone or poor performers in 10 or 15 years.   People change, they mature, they learn when given a hand, and many go on to give back with many accomplishments behind them.

The hobby won't thrive with college educated, tea sipping, and disapproving gentlemen who congratulate each other for being the way they are.  It needs those who are inclined to give, to be generous, to be patient, even repeating explanations or finding new ways to say and teach the same things.

My

-Crandell

AMEN! AMEN!

One last comment on the subject.  I have been in HO as a hobby since late 1950's.  I do read this forum, and Atlas selectively now to avoid the ones that are gripes and snips and try to answer on threads that are constructive and I can supply additional comments to.  Doesn't mean any type of superiority on my part, but I get tired reading the same questions asked repeatedly with the same answers from the same people.  I learn nothing from that.  I read the threads that I can find an interest in or make a contribution.

Bob

[BRAKIE]

The hobby won't thrive with college educated, tea sipping, and disapproving gentlemen who congratulate each other for being the way they are. 

-Crandell

--------------------

You mean those that sit around sipping tea and congratulating each other for being masters of the hobby or perhaps being legends in their own minds?

Enough foolishness from me..

-----------------------------

Anyway,there are these that has a knowledge in several areas but,may know diddly do about others.I fell into this group..I am well verse in prototype operations based on 9 1/2 years prototype experience..I have a keen eye for scenery details but,can't tell a ACF boxcar from a Trinity or a 70 ton truck from a 100 ton truck..I was never interested in that facet of the hobby.I can basically tell if something isn't quite right about a model but,not the finer detail points.

Does that make me a advanced modeler? Nope not even by the wildest definition.

I have always considered myself as a so/so modeler at best and never really worried about becoming better since my main thing is prototypical operation with minimum scenery-long before Dave Barrow started his "minimalist" scenery approach.

What constitutes a "Advance modeler"?

Depends on one's perspective difination of that term.

 

[galaxy]

And, still, it seems to me, that no one has difinitively defined "advanced" here in this thread.

If I paint pictures, am I an artist? Even though  I cannot repeat what Michealangelo or others have painted? If I can Replicate "the greats" of art, can I be considered "advanced"???

MAny IDEAS have been presented about "advanced" {???}, but what would define :

1} Beginner

2} Intermediate

3} Advanced

Perhaps, In addition to the Forum Topics MR already has here, these could be added?

The problem is if I consider myself "advanced" I may not look at "beginner" threads where the beginner may well want/need/desire my input, even "desperately".

What describes advanced? Fugate's name has popped up a time or too. but does making tall trees with shreded frunace filters painted green make one better than the guy who uses dried goldenrod with painted green ground foam attached with sticky hair spray???Or are they the same??? Where is the guy who uses lots of Woodland Scenics trees ready-made?

Those of us who have a layout-any type/size, with track down and able to run trains and have various model buildings in various places, and any type-DC or DCC with some scenicking done, but not "finished" {theres a word that should describe "advanced", though many will ARGUE that a layout is NEVER "finished"} Should all lump into "intermediate"????

Things to ponder.

[ATLANTIC CENTRAL]

selector

The hobby won't thrive with college educated, tea sipping, and disapproving gentlemen who congratulate each other for being the way they are.  It needs those who are inclined to give, to be generous, to be patient, even repeating explanations or finding new ways to say and teach the same things.

Not to stereotype too much, but I would challenge many, if not most of the college educated guys I know to do any of the following which I have have done, with my own two hands:

Design and BUILD a house (including wiring, plumbing, heating and A/C), restore a 100 year old house (again, virtually all the trades), or, assemble/restore and automobile from the ground up (including the engine and transmission).

Formal education is a worthy goal, but it does not put anyone "above" anyone else. Hands on learning, being taught by those with experiance, "being there", is worth way more than what's in the "text books". I don't care what you "learned" in school, show me what you can do. I know what I can do, degree, or in my case, not.

Maybe that is why I don't care for "tea". And lots of guys with college degree's call me and pay for my "skills".

But, again, every time I have tried to share my 40 years of model train experiance on a technical level, the "experts" have told me I was wrong, or stupid, or backward, or that I would "come around" to their way of thinking soon, or that what I was doing simply could not work.

I don't know exactly were I would fit in a scale of beginner to advanced, but surely it would be in the advanced half - even if I'm not "with it" on all the latest trends.

But what do I know, I'm just a hick with a pickup, a few guns, and some trains.

Sheldon

[simon1966]

What is wrong with TEA!  Spoken like a true Brit.

[HaroldA]

From my perspective and looking at the three main areas in this forum - General Discussion, Layouts and layout building, DCC and Electronics - I will look through the various threads to find topics and information that are of interest to me.  But in looking over some of these topics, I have seen where some responses are, how shall I say, less than polite.  For this reason I will not post on the DCC and Electronics forum because I was the recipient of this treatment when all I was looking for was information and a little help.  What some people fail to realize is that all of us have different skills and abilities as well as different levels of experience.  Some people come here looking for information that to others may seem rather basic but if that is where the poster is in their journey into the hobby it doesn't serve anyone's interest to be less that helpful in the responses.  The people who have said that these kinds of answers put others off are correct because it does have an affect on someone's willingness to participate.  I speak from experience. 

[selector]

simon1966

What is wrong with TEA!  Spoken like a true Brit.

Drink tons of it myself, I'm college edjumucated, and I am in the hobby.   I'd like to think I am a gentleman.  I slurp my tea, though...I dinna "sip" it.   And I am not associated with a self-affirming bunch of guys who feel they are somehow more worthy in the hobby than others of the Great Unwashed.

Seriously, though, I feel that the hobby has room for many kinds of people, even (sigh) the boors.  But even boors had to start somewhere, and they were glad to get some pointers from an avuncular hobbyist who was willing to explain the procedure for the umpteenth time.  The hobby needs the patient grand uncles and lots of people coming in the front door.  All are welcome.  And both types are needed, here and everywhere the hobby has people active in it.

-Crandell

[twhite]

This is a fascinating subject, and for me kind of a frustrating one, because it brings up a dichotomy between my Profession and my Hobby. 

Model Railroading for me is a hobby.  I've been involved for what seems forever--at least 50 years.  I've been in my profession--music--for somewhat longer.  I've devoted becoming 'advanced' to my profession, and at the risk of sounding Egotistical (which I have been told by fellow members of my profession I am most definitely NOT), I'm at the comfortable age where I can actually kind of 'rest' on my 'laurels' while still being in demand as a professional choral and vocal accompanist.  This is a good thing.  It makes me very comfortable to know that I've reached that 'advanced' position in my profession where I am still in demand by my peers.  I'm 70.  I'm still teaching.  They don't WANT me to retire.  Neither do I.

Okay, now to the hobby.  I have NO idea how 'advanced' I am in the hobby, I don't really consider it.e  I use my hobby for relaxation and--gasp!--FUN!   I've kit-bashed my share of locomotives and rolling stock and buildings, I've progressed in wiring, scenery and the general 'look' of my layout--though I still have a long way to go--and when I'm out in the garage having an Ops session, I can stand back and say, "Yah, this isn't bad--still room for improvement--"  But I work on the improvements because they're SATISFYING, not because I feel "If this doesn't turn out absolutely contest-worthy and top-notch I'll just have to slit my throat."   And of course, at my age, there are certain things I really can't re-do that I did earlier because of eyesight, unless I get those terribly uncomfortable 'magnifiers'.  Oh well--

So as far as my status as a model railroader, I can't really be concerned with my skill level.  If it satisfies me, I'm happy.  If it doesn't, I have no compunction against re-doing and trying to improve it, but it's not for any nebulous 'perfection in the hobby' award that might be out there, but simply because of my own conception of what works--or doesn't--for me. 

I love this hobby, otherwise I wouldn't have spent so many years enjoying it.  BUT--let me tell you something:  If a singer comes to me and says "I need to sing the Brahms 'Zigeunerlieder' and I want you to accompany me," and I'm just about to tackle some rockwork on Yuba Pass, well the Pass is just going to have to remain raw plaster until I get that Brahms under my fingers and into my interpretive mind, rehearsed, perfected and performed. 

'Perfection' in Profession vs. Hobby?  Sorry gang, no contest!   

Tom

[markpierce]

selector

 Drink tons of it [tea] myself ...

Maybe it's time to break out the Tea at the Empress tin (seems like I paid more for the can than the 10 tea bags it contains) so I can move on to "expert."  http://www.fairmont.com/empress/GuestServices/Restaurants/AfternoonTea.htm

Mark

[gregc]

One aspect of forums that I feel makes them feel more novice oriented and less suitable for more advanced topics, is the number of repetitious basic level threads and questions, as well as the sometimes less than focused responses.

One cause for repetitious threads is the difficulty to search the MR forums for earlier threads.   For example, a search of this forum for "advance" did not retrieve this thread because "advance" didn't match "advanced".   In addition, a search of "declining" AND "advanced" included many threads that only matched one word.    So one way to reduce the number of repetitious threads would be to use a better search engine, and an interface that allows you to refine your search without having to re-enter all the search information.

Another approach to encouraged more "advanced" topics is to create a new forum where new threads would only be accepted with moderator approval based on their desires for forum content (directing less advanced topics to other forums).  Responses could also be limited, chosen by the thread author with guidance from the moderators.  Obviously this requires more effort; there would be less but more interesting content, resulting in a popular forum and a source of ideas for potential magazine articles.

[Allegheny2-6-6-6]

 Well I fully understand the premise of your post but I have to ask by who's standard do we become "advanced" modelers? The NMRA, has certifications etc. but what if one chooses to not be a member of the NMRA then is his status as an advanced modeler null & void. Are we judged by or peers? the people who come visit out layouts our friends etc. or is it ourselves who judge us. There are some who have entered the hobby just out of sheer curiosity having no prior modeling experience what so ever. They got bit by the model railroad bug and have moved up from the oval of track on the floor in front of the Christmas tree to and subterranean empire filling their entire basement. They make all their own tree, weather and fine tune all their rolling stock and locomotives. They add details to their structures, signage and utility poles with wires on them, they add lights to their structures and so on and so forth. they have come light years from where they started out but someone walks down into their basement and has to do everything they canto keep from laughing as this person's layout looks like an out of control cub scout troop layed siege to it. aint work is sloppy at best, roads look like they were drawn in with a sharpie , because they were. Every piece of foliage is the same bright shade of green and their land forms look like the deck of and air craft carrier and the color and texture of a golf green.

Does this detract in any way from this person's accomplishments, I feel no not at all. He has made giant leaps forward in his modeling ability and has the right to be proud of his accomplishments. We tend to loose sight of one of the most important things in that this is merely a hobby for the great majority of us. Only a very select minority are fortunate enough to be able to make a living at performing some part of this hobby for monetary compensation, and truth be known a good portion of those individuals have other sources of income as well, narrowing down the list of "professional model railroaders" to an even smaller number.

One thing that is a given and I believe that even the best of the best of model railroaders can learn something from someone else maybe even someone not even close to their stature modeling wise.

 Granted there are some in the hobby who are truly gifted artist and make what they do look easy  as well as not to mention look real but most of them are full of humility and do not have self inflated ego's to the point where they won't even bother speaking to us lesser common folk.

So who is the real judge or expert who qualifies us to be called Advanced modelers or any other classification of model railroader. I don't know about you but I'm just a semi crotchety old fart who goes down in to the basement every night and likes to play with his train set, don't even know if I'll ever get it finished, don't car, will it ever make the pages of MR, don't think so , don't care, will Allen Keller come knocking at my door with his video camera in hand asking to make my layout his next feature, can so most definitely not.........lol but still don't care. I simply do it because I like it and really don't care what anyone else thinks, cause I'm my own worst critic

[jwhitten]

selector

And I am not associated with a self-affirming bunch of guys who feel they are somehow more worthy in the hobby than others of the Great Unwashed.

 

 Who, invariably (and quite odiferously) faithfully attend every train show within a 200 mile radius.

 

selector

I feel that the hobby has room for many kinds of people, even (sigh) the boors.  But even boors had to start somewhere, and they were glad to get some pointers from an avuncular hobbyist who was willing to explain the procedure for the umpteenth time.

 

Our hobby's version of the Boor Wars...

[jwhitten]

twhite

It makes me very comfortable to know that I've reached that 'advanced' position in my profession where I am still in demand by my peers.  I'm 70.  I'm still teaching.  They don't WANT me to retire. 

 

 Sure, that's understandable. Where else are they gonna find a guy who knows all the words to Innagaddadavida...??

 

twhite

I have NO idea how 'advanced' I am in the hobby

I think its one of those things where, you know, if you have to ask... 

 

twhite

If a singer comes to me and says "I need to sing the Brahms 'Zigeunerlieder' and I want you to accompany me

 

However, if he comes in singing "Bad Boy Bad Boy whatcha gonna do"... you might wanna lawyer-up...

 

 

twhite

the Pass is just going to have to remain raw plaster until I get that Brahms under my fingers and into my interpretive mind, rehearsed, perfected and performed. 

If, on the other hand,  it happens to be Claude Debussy....

 

Me, I just want an Orange Schubert.  

[IRONROOSTER]

gregc

...

Another approach to encouraged more "advanced" topics is to create a new forum where new threads would only be accepted with moderator approval based on their desires for forum content (directing less advanced topics to other forums).  Responses could also be limited, chosen by the thread author with guidance from the moderators.  Obviously this requires more effort; there would be less but more interesting content, resulting in a popular forum and a source of ideas for potential magazine articles.

 

This apparently is not very successful.  Other forums I have visited, with supposedly advanced topics,  seem to have much lower activity levels than this one and frankly are not as interesting.

If responses have to  be selected by OP I think you'll find very few if any responses to most threads.  Between the OP not having much time/interest in such moderation and other folks not bothering to play that game there just won't be enough activity to keep the forum going.

A major part of the success of this forum is the easy participation.

Another factor seems to be that there aren't too many forums here.

Enjoy

Paul

[CNJ831]

The fact of the matter is that to make this site regarded as more than largely a bunch of beginners chattering about often insignificant and very basic model railroading topics (just look at the sorts of threads that typically fill page one here any given day!), it clearly would be necessary to split the "General Discussion" forum into two separate entities: "serious modeling" and "miscellaneous". Granted, the more advanced section would not garner a great deal of input, at least initially, but what would appear there in the way of quality information and reliable instructional threads could instill great value in this site. As it is, there is waaaay too much in the way of non peer reviewed advice and techniques freely offered here that often misleads, rather than helps, the beginner hobbyist. This situation has always been the great failing of the Internet, regardless of subject, and why printed material will likely always remain the better source for accurate information.

Obviously, some fairly strict criteria would have to be set that would surely ruffle the feathers of some of the more basic folks. Likewise, a moderator, or group of moderators, would have to oversee such a division of subject matter, which might make some unhappy. Nevertheless, if one desires to ever have this site regarded as more than just an entry-level forum and to get more input and participation from what remains of the truly experienced, knowledgeable hobbyist faction here, it would be necessary to do something along these lines.

CNJ831

[Hamltnblue]

 So if I read it right, the advanced forums are full of people who sit around and read the 2 or so posts a day quietly and don't respond. . The mentality that people don't participate because the average poster isn't "Advanced" is hilarious. If anyone is so big headed to think that they are the king of toy trains or the imaginary railroad empire it's probably time to go check out that mirror and get a life. Probably the best part about the hobby is learning new talents and sharing experiences with those who are newer or have simply  run into a problem they haven't seen before.  I would take a site like this any day.

[CNJ831]

Hamltnblue

 So if I read it right, the advanced forums are full of people who sit around and read the 2 or so posts a day quietly and don't respond. .

Not at all. Such sites are composed of knowledgeable, long time, hobbyists who exchange worthwhile and detailed instructional information freely and regularly among the site's participants. Those sites certainly don't contain nearly the volume of posts as here, but at the same time what is presented is not the largely pointless chatter and mediocre advice one sees here either.

I would note that Neil and the MR editorial staff have made a great effort over the past couple of years to turn Model Railroader's content around from that of basically a dabbler/collectors publication, as it had become in the early 2000's, back into a true model railroading magazine, like is was in years long past. I view it as a real shame if MR's own forums fail, or its participants are unwilling, to accept and reflect that same trend. 

CNJ831