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One for Rich, A “kinda” Philosophy Friday Question.

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Posted by "JaBear" on Wednesday, June 4, 2014 4:42 AM

Drew4950
I GOT A DATE!!! Oh wait a minute..that was a different forum....

I hope it was worthwhile.Big Smile
 
Thanks to everyone who took the time to respond, I hope the forum for fills your needs for quite some time to come.
Cheers, the Bear. Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by Southgate on Tuesday, June 3, 2014 1:00 AM

Milepost 266.2

I enjoy reading about the unavailability of Atlas track and people's fondness for Athearn blue-box kits. Can't get enough of either topic! Stick out tongue

 

Oh, GOOD!  Cuz I just picked up a bunch of BB internal parts to further augment MY fondness for the old, ugly, obsolete, noisy, wide bodied, underdetailed, steel wheeled antiques that pretty much kept me in the hobby all those years ago. 

I can embellish...

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Posted by russ_q4b on Monday, June 2, 2014 4:01 PM

Every once in a while I have a question and I always got some good answers.   I love talking about this hobby.   I can spend easily several hours about this hobby either on line or in person.

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Posted by Drew4950 on Monday, June 2, 2014 1:49 PM

I GOT A DATE!!! Oh wait a minute..that was a different forum....

 

Modeling a railroad hypothetically set in time.

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Posted by herrinchoker on Sunday, June 1, 2014 10:48 PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I lurk---therefore I learn---

Herrinchoker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted by dstarr on Sunday, June 1, 2014 4:05 PM

So what do I get out of this forum?  It's a place to chat about model railroading with other model railroaders.  It's a place to show off my modeling efforts to an audience of knowledgeble modelers.  And, its a place where I can pontificate about couplers and NMRA gauges and other railroadiania.  It's a harmless time waster. 

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Posted by secondhandmodeler on Sunday, June 1, 2014 3:28 PM

Everything I've ever learned about modeling I've learned  here or in modelrailroadforums.com.  I don't read or post very often anymore only because I've been working on remodeling my house for the past year.  This forum is actually responsible for my subscription to MR magazine.  I subscribe to help support Kalmbach publishing and to enjoy that "book in your hands"  feeling you can't get reading a computer.  I'm greatful for having a forum such as this to share my model train experience with others since there is no "real person" I can do that with in my life.  At least, not someone who shares that interest.

Corey
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Posted by selector on Saturday, May 31, 2014 7:23 PM

zstripe

JaBear,

“You only get out what you put in” 

I base My Life on that statement. So when it comes to the forums or really most anything for that matter, it becomes second nature.

Sort of like '' Do onto other's as you would have them do onto you''.

But I will freely admit, I do bite my tongue, or at least try to, a lot of times. I try to remember, they say ''patience, is a virtue''.

Take Care!

Frank

 

Over on another digital magazine forum, the provider asks where the magic is anymore in MR.  I and several others have replied that you only get magic if you create it yourself.  The hobby owes us the square root of sweet tweet.  If we want to have fun, to get "something" out of it, and sure we can call it magic, it's up to each of us to figure out how to harvest it.

In that respect, this forum is no different.

-Crandell

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Posted by "JaBear" on Saturday, May 31, 2014 4:31 PM

-E-C-Mills
Now I'm confused.  Does a lurker only look in at the very first post?

 As, if using my definition, a "Lurker" never responds, I don’t know.Smile, Wink & Grin

However while I’m not sure what percentage of respondents to various threads actually read all the replies, it is obvious from some of the replies that they don’t, in fact some preface their reply by saying so.
 
"Ja Bear, I am offended on behalf of all lurkers".
 
Rich, what can I say, taking one for the team.Bow

Cheers, the Bear.Smile

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by -E-C-Mills on Saturday, May 31, 2014 11:26 AM

 
EDIT.I really should have put my definition of a “Lurker”as;  one, who may not even be a registered forum member, who merely looks in; up here instead of ½ way down the page.

 
Now I'm confused.  Does a lurker only look in at the very first post? Wink
 
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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, May 31, 2014 5:30 AM

 
 
EDIT.I really should have put my definition of a “Lurker”as;  one, who may not even be a registered forum member, who merely looks in; up here instead of ½ way down the page. I do not equate a low post count with the value of ones contributions.
My apologies if I’ve offended anyone.Embarrassed
 

Ja Bear, I am offended on behalf of all lurkers.  Laugh

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by Guy Papillon on Saturday, May 31, 2014 5:20 AM

I have got a lot of information an inspiration throught this Forum. It helped me to go farther in the hobby and to try new techniques.  But the best is probably that it gived me the motivation and the necessary information to go to DCC.

I try to contribute whenever I can even if my knowledge and experience are far from what others contributors have.

Guy

Modeling CNR in the 50's

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Posted by Anonymous on Saturday, May 31, 2014 4:42 AM

What do I get out of this forum?

First and foremost - friendship. I have meet some fine folks in the Diner, and it is a joy to exchange views and opinions as well as share the day with them. I would not want to miss that!

Second - tons of inspiration, in terms of planning, building and operating my layout. In fact, without this forum, I probably would not have started building a layout following US narrow gauge prototype.

Like many others, I am little bit weary of those typical beginner´s questions, like "what is the best (fill in as you like)", "which DCC system should I buy", or the seemingly endless rants about the hobby getting expensive or even dying. But let´s be patient and support the beginners! When I started out some 50 years ago, I wish I had had someone answering my often silly questions. Instead, I had to learn the hard way by making sometimes quite costly mistakes. After all, sharing is part of the fun.

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Posted by galaxy on Saturday, May 31, 2014 3:17 AM

What I used to get was good and useful information! What I gave was the same from my experience or relaying the words that had been imparted to me for the same Q!

 

 

I would be one you "lurkers" might have been "laughing at", I guess.

Now I lurk a lot, though I do frequent the diner.

I used to post a lot..bboth some Qs and some answers, perhaps my answers weren't all Relevant to you oldtimer lurkers, but since I returned back to the hobby in '06, I could answer the newbie's Q's formt eh point of a 'learned the hard way" newbie.

I could also regurgitate what was previously said to me and others by both oldies and lurkers alike {to offer a distinct diffrentiate between the two.}

I liked both giving/getting "imparted wisdom". I felt usefull when I gave, and humble learned after asking, Qs.

But, I also got tired, as many of you older lurkers do, of answering the same "what track should I used on my 4x8??" or "will my MTH Big Boy go around a 15R curve"?  AND answering the "keep your wallet in your pants until you READ" -type questions, and answers. {that last one deffinitely came from my personal experience of buying too much "cute" stuff I "liked" {rather than NEEDED} on the spot when I restarted in '06 in a totally new scale}

Now it seems boring here most of the time... I mean how many times can I add my meager input on the Q of "what basic DCC system should I use"?  Before I want to vomit???

{Since I use the Bachmann many here would say I should keep my mouth shut as it is "not a real DCC system" {it IS a real system} I guess, but the EZ C is easy to use, basic entry level and works for everything from a 4x8 plywood prairie [and under] to a 2 train 5x9-10} and I usually offer that when I trade "up" WHat system I will then get that is a Real sytstem}

Sometimes I got 'lambasted' by older lurkers who thought my experiences in my answer "didn't count as relevant" {really? perhaps since they offered little or no input, except to belittle mine, they were the "irrelevant" ones}

So i don't post so much anymore.

Except in the diner..i like the comraderie there {again lurkers will lurk there, and laugh at us all, and NOT post as single thing and claim the diner thread is "not a real thread"!!LOL}

so, as I usually say always say in life: "laugh if you must, cry if you like, that is me/mine" {copywrite -me}

Make it a GREAT Day!

Geeked

-G .

Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.

 HO and N Scale.

After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.

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Posted by glutrain on Saturday, May 31, 2014 12:30 AM

Some where in the mix of subjects and techniques, what always comes through is the great delight of sharing within the broader base of the hobby, questions, ideas, and solutions to things that we are all passionate about. Some of us have layouts that only exist as ideas, some of us havefully featured layouts that are large enough to require the recruitment of small armies of people to properly operate. The rest of us are at various stages in between those two extremes. All facets contribute to the betterment of the hobby as a whole.

This means that the real value of the forums is in the sharing. Personally, I tend to chime in if I have  done something just a bit differently, or if I see that a question has been left virtually unanswered. The rest of the time, I learn more about the how's and why's of techniques, materials and equipment that I have yet to use on my own layout. Sooner or later that information helps with choices and projects that I have yet to undertake.

Don H.

 

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Posted by zstripe on Saturday, May 31, 2014 12:13 AM

Dave,

Maybe when they do the site maintenance this weekend they will finally put in the up-dates they are missing. I know Java script could use some help....But who know's?

Frank

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, May 30, 2014 11:18 PM

leighant:

Have you tried using a different browser?

I had the same problems after MR messed with the forum. Lots of people did apparently. Somebody suggested switching from Internet Explorer to Firefox. That solved all of the problems, for me anyhow.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by narrow gauge nuclear on Friday, May 30, 2014 11:16 PM

I enjoy the images of other's work and the crosstalk in hearing the opinions and thoughts of others on topics that interest me.  I try to contribute when I think I can.

 

Richard

If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed

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Posted by shayfan84325 on Friday, May 30, 2014 10:48 PM

All tolled, I've been in the hobby for 20+ years.  Until about 7 years ago (when I joined the forums), the hobby lacked any real social component.  I was OK with that, but I was spending a lot of time without much human interaction.  The forums fill that space.  They make the hobby a little more social and (for me) a little more perfect.

Phil,
I'm not a rocket scientist; they are my students.

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Posted by leighant on Friday, May 30, 2014 10:18 PM

I used to have the chance to show off once in a while with what I was proud of on my layout.

And writing about ideas and projects helped me clarify projects to myself.

That is pretty much gone since about the first of the year or so when forum changed to a different provider or program or something.  Now 4 times out of 5, when I attempt to post a comment or response, the picture link does not come up.  I can't reliably post pictures or participate in "show me something."

I don't come on this forum nearly as often as I used to.

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Posted by hon30critter on Friday, May 30, 2014 9:07 PM

I have learned a ton of useful information, and I have had a bunch of questions answered - even the stupid ones!

I also enjoy trying to help others, and I enjoy the opportunity to put my two cents worthMy 2 Cents into a topic despite putting my foot in my mouth from time to timeDunce.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

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Posted by IRONROOSTER on Friday, May 30, 2014 8:52 PM

It's a chance to talk about my favorite hobby.

Enjoy

Paul

If you're having fun, you're doing it the right way.
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Posted by -E-C-Mills on Friday, May 30, 2014 8:48 PM

You only get out what you put in

Lurkers wont reply

what do you get out of this forum? 

It does seem like the majority of posts come from the same core of people.  So, I suppose that makes the rest of us, lurkers Alien.  So as a rare poster, I'll chime in.  What I get out of this forum is the same as I get from other forums: information and conversation.  I mostly like to see what everyone else is doing and how they do it, especially the build threads.  Its interesting that build threads are popular on automotive forums, and even MRR magazine features building things, but there are not that many self contained build threads here.

Since I like to see how people do things I decided to share my own work and started my own thread.  I try to write like a MRR magazine article because I enjoy that (and who wouldnt want to be in MRR magazine).  Even though sort of self publishing here, I feel I am contributing something to the forum although at an intermediate level.  My thread gives me a chance to share, and some motivation to keep moving foward.

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Posted by "JaBear" on Friday, May 30, 2014 7:47 PM
Gidday Jerrys  HO and cambus267 I hope neither of you will be offended, but you both of you don’t fit my definition of a “Lurker”, being someone, who may not even be a registered forum member, who merely “looks” in. Now this in itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing, after all “Fools rush in where Angels fear to tread”, (I’m certainly no angel and a Foolish Bear would be an ignoble sight), but being of an optimistic nature I do believe most people would have some positive contribution to make, and by doing so may even feel better about themselves. Truth be known I "lurk" from time to tme on other forums.
Milepost 266.2
Can't get enough of either topic!
 LaughLaughLaugh
Milepost 266.2 I suspect that the forum moderators may take the opposite view, but as far as I’m concerned you can start as many of those sorta threads as you like as long as you don’t take offence if I ignore them.Smile, Wink & Grin
Phoebe Vet, A little insecurity that so many others' skills are so superior to mine.   I wonder Dave that as long as that “little insecurity” is viewed in a positive manner it can actually spur us to greater heights? Put into context with gregc you can learn from both listening and explaining to others, I know when I started teaching at w**k, my own skills, including one I didn’t know I had, was sharpened considerably.
I’ve realised that I haven’t said what I get out of the forum. Apart from learning a lot, being inspired, and as a “Technological Luddite” I am still amazed that I can be part of a “Virtual Camaraderie” with fellow modellers from all around the world. Pretty lucky I reckon.Thumbs Up Beer
Thanks to all contributors.Bow
Cheers, the Bear.  Smile
 
EDIT.I’ve highlighted my definition of “Lurker” as I don’t wish to offend those who may think that I’m equating that a low post count bears some relationship to the value of their posts.
 

"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."

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Posted by CSX_road_slug on Friday, May 30, 2014 7:43 PM

... what do you get out of this forum???

A place to lurk, to learn, and to laugh!

-Ken in Maryland  (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)

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Posted by doctorwayne on Friday, May 30, 2014 7:05 PM

....what do you get out of this forum???

Lotsa stuff:  opportunities to learn and see new things, to enjoy the work and thoughts of others, and to share the knowledge that I've gained from almost 60 years in this hobby.

I'd guess that the majority of "lurkers" are here to gain knowledge and to see what others are doing.  Perhaps they're not yet confident enough of their skills or knowledge to join in or even to ask questions, but in time they'll realise that all of us started from a similar position.  Smile, Wink & Grin


Wayne

 

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Posted by gregc on Friday, May 30, 2014 5:22 PM

you can learn from both listening and explaining to others

greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading

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Posted by cambus267 on Friday, May 30, 2014 4:38 PM

As someone who lives across " the pond" in UK I suppose you could call me a "lurcker" because although I go onto the forum I don't actually contribute. This is because I am using the forum to advance my knowledge of a system that I find interesting and hope eventually to have a layout to operate. In answer to your question I use the forum to garner as much information as I can. I look at all the pictures to gather a feel for a railroad system that I have only seen briefly in fleeting visits. I hope that I will be soon able to contribute but until then I will still be logging in. Like your modelling JaBear.

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Posted by csxns on Friday, May 30, 2014 3:30 PM

Milepost 266.2

I enjoy reading about the unavailability of Atlas track and people's fondness for Athearn blue-box kits. Can't get enough of either topic! Stick out tongueSame here.

 

Russell

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