First, I wish the forum would just work. Most of the issues are formatting issues. On an IPhone, any post with links and some pictures cause the text to continue off the left side of my screen. Sometimes I can only see 1/3 of the post.
Second, I wish they would make it easier to post from an IPhone. The old "full site" worked just fine. It worked great actually. Then they changed the software and it has been a headache
Once we get a working forum, it would be nice to have a poll, maybe up to 6 or even 9 choices.
maybe some sticky threads on the more redundant thread topics:
- LED wiring and resistor values
- best DCC system and comparisons of system
...
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
snjroy:
I agree that there could be several improvements made to the forum. However, I have to question your second point, which is asking that people search the forum before asking a question.
I would agree with you IF the search function was even half way effective. The fact is that the search engine is a waste of time. I appreciate that MR does not have an unlimited IT budget, but castigating members, new or old, for not using the search function is not right when it simply doesn't work. MR would be further ahead to simply have a link to Google instead of hosting their own severely limited search function IMHO.
That, however, is not the main reason that I totally disagree with your second point. Let us imagine for a minute that MR miraculously upgraded the search function so that when someone asked a question the search would provide the most relevant answers immediately. How nice would that be? I say it would be self defeating. It would stifle the whole purpose behind the forum, which is interaction between fellow model railroaders. Personally, I will take the time to answer any questions that I feel I can contribute relevant information to regardless of how many times the question has been asked before. I'm here to participate. I'm here to engage my fellow model railroading enthusiasts. Chastizing someone for not having used the search function is just plain wrong IMHO.
No offense intended. I sort of agree with all of your other points, but the reality of the situation is that #1 hasn't happened yet, so #2 isn't ready for recommendation.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
One of my long time wishes is to have a operation forum where we could discuss different operation methods,different types of industries that we can serve,matching industries based on our largest number of car types(boxcars,hopper cars etc) and other such things.
One of my long time pet peeves is a decade or older topic brought back to life.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
OK folks, may I add my thoughts on the subject..............
- While I don't disagree with the OP's points, they are all negative in nature and for a relative newbie and infrequent poster, that just seems improper.
- Instead, we should be thanking the good folks at Kalmbach for maintaining this Forum and allowing it to exist. I've been active in it for over 10 years, and it has been a lifesaver and motivator to my hobby efforts, and it has allowed me to share what experience/expertise I may have with others.
- It would be great if we didn't have to go thru Photobucket or the like to post pictures here. Frankly, Photobucket is filled with malware and an accident waiting to happen.
- While the Forum does have "the Diner", there is no dedicated hobby chatroom. Of course one could say the Forum itself is a "chatroom". I'm ok with that.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
doctorwayne snjroy ...3) I wish there was a simpler way to put pictures on this forum.... It can't get much simpler than clicking on the "img" line of data in photobucket and then clicking on "PASTE" here. Wayne
snjroy ...3) I wish there was a simpler way to put pictures on this forum....
It can't get much simpler than clicking on the "img" line of data in photobucket and then clicking on "PASTE" here.
Wayne
Yes, it can, other forum sights are much easier to post photo to, They allow you to search within your own photo programs and bring photos directly to your posts, without the use of some other website.
NP 2626 "Northern Pacific, really terrific"
Northern Pacific Railway Historical Association: http://www.nprha.org/
Kyle First, I wish the forum would just work. Most of the issues are formatting issues. On an IPhone, any post with links and some pictures cause the text to continue off the left side of my screen. Sometimes I can only see 1/3 of the post. Second, I wish they would make it easier to post from an IPhone. The old "full site" worked just fine. It worked great actually. Then they changed the software and it has been a headache Once we get a working forum, it would be nice to have a poll, maybe up to 6 or even 9 choices.
Its interesting your having problems with an iPhone, my Android is virtually useless besides reading only. IOWs its problematic regardless which source your using
Have fun with your trains
I've never understood the issue with posting pictures using an outside source, I can't imagine how quickly this forum data capacity would quickly run out, and Kalmbach would be expected to purchase more hardrive space. I don't believe they are in the business to store our digital images, or be responsible for them in case of a hardware failure. Other places (Photobucket) are set up to do this, and advertisements pay for it.
Photobucket is not full of "malware", usually its a false positive by your preferred virus protection, unfortunatley with that, you get what you pay for.
I'm not lobbying for Photobucket, but it's what I sometimes use, and have never had an issue with "malware" or anything else.
Seriously, how hard is it to click on the "COPY" link?
Back to the original topic, I wish the "Search" feature worked much better, perhaps give you a choice of either searching topics or individual threads.
"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein
http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/
"I have to question your second point, which is asking that people search the forum before asking a question."
So would I. As I learned in my 8th grade Latin class, repetitio est mater studiorum- or, to put it in plain English, "repetition is the mother of study"!
I would rather see a technique or method-related question asked several times a year in this forum, than have to use the "search tool" in vain!
Some of us are slow learners, others may not be as internet-saavy with respect to looking for answers to their questions. This forum is a watering hole for all, which often gives more than it receives- so let the repeat questions keep repeating! (with the sole exception of "the hobby is going down the tubes" topics).
Cedarwoodron
I would like to be able to resize the text on my Ipad. That's something else that got lost in the last upgrade.
Why doesn't spell check work here on these forums?
NP2626 Why doesn't spell check work here on these forums?
Or grammar check ? Mine sucks.
Lynn
Present Layout progress
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/290127/3372174.aspx#3372174
wickman NP2626 Why doesn't spell check work here on these forums? Or grammar check ? Mine sucks.
I have no idea, but it drives me insane. Half the time it tries to delete spaces between words, or randomly smash them together to form things that don'twake sense. It gets really bad when you delete a few letters, or a word. Then it tries toadds what you deleted. The spell check works well for a typo where one letter is clearly wrong, but if you try to manually correct it will to put some crazy combination of letters in. Amajority of the time it causes more harm than good.
This post went well as I did not backspace amd change a lot of words.
I wish spellcheck would work two too to also! Anyway with me what I type is what you get.
As Jethro Bodine would say "I gots me a high School Eduacation".
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
muc2 I would like to be able to resize the text on my Ipad. That's something else that got lost in the last upgrade.
The software is suppose to configure the placement and size of everything to fit your screen. Sounds like a good idea, but it doesn't work well. you can't zoom in to see something in better detail.
On an IPhone, long links and larger photos continue to the right off my screen, so I can only see 1/3 of the post, and can't reply. I liked using the full site on the old software, I could see and read everything, plus I could zoom in.
MRR had good intentions, they thought it would make it easier to use and view on all devices. However it is worse for many, especially mobile users.
wickmanNP2626 Why doesn't spell check work here on these forums? Or grammar check ? Mine sucks.
"One difference between pessimists and optimists is that while pessimists are more often right, optimists have far more fun."
I'm actually curious as to why you guys can't just do it while you type your replys?
When I mispell something there's usually a small red squiggly under the word, on my Ipod it turns the whole word red.
Then again it may need a proofreading thing so you guys don't put the wrong words in.
SP&S modeler, 1960's give or take a decade or two for some equipment.
http://www.youtube.com/user/SGTDUPREY?feature=guide
Gary DuPrey
N scale model railroader
There are spell checkers for all the popular browsers. Misspelled words get highlighted and you can click on them to correct it. Bonus, it works ANYWHERE you have to type stuff in, not just on this forum.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Just an idea Guys. Why don’t you do what I do? I use Microsoft Word
Good advice, Bear. Since, once again, I typed a five paragraph reply in another thread and when I clicked "Submit Your Reply" I got an "Aw Shucks, something happened web page not available" notification on Chrome and, of course, all my text was vaporized.
Word has autosave and that would have prevented me from wasting 20 minutes of my life that I'll never get back...
I did finally retype the reply.
Ed
I wish all you kids would get off of my lawn.
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Phoebe Vet I wish all you kids would get off of my lawn.
LOL,
Take Care!
Frank
I DO use MSWord to write posts. But don't unbderstand why every other program I use has spell check; but, this one. Even if I write a PM to someone on this website, spell check corrects my mistakes. Why does it work for a PM; but, not posting here in the forum.
Geared Steam I've never understood the issue with posting pictures using an outside source, I can't imagine how quickly this forum data capacity would quickly run out, and Kalmbach would be expected to purchase more hardrive space. I don't believe they are in the business to store our digital images, or be responsible for them in case of a hardware failure. Other places (Photobucket) are set up to do this, and advertisements pay for it. Photobucket is not full of "malware", usually its a false positive by your preferred virus protection, unfortunatley with that, you get what you pay for. I'm not lobbying for Photobucket, but it's what I sometimes use, and have never had an issue with "malware" or anything else. Seriously, how hard is it to click on the "COPY" link? Back to the original topic, I wish the "Search" feature worked much better, perhaps give you a choice of either searching topics or individual threads.
Your post should lead me to believe that all forums should work the same way this one does, which is simply not true. I have participated in many forums on many topics and this is the only one that requires posting a photo to another website.
Did you know.......that you can upload photos to this site and display them? It's over there --> with your user profile stuff, called "Your Photos." You still have to upload them and link to them, but if you don't want to use a third-party site, you don't have to. I personally use Railimages, but you've got another option here.
As a desktop dinosaur, I would rather NOT have a web site set up for telephones, unless it can be parallel to one appropriate to a desktop. The screen size makes it awkward to use the better format for one if you're using it on another.
My desktop at work has IE8, yet another dinosaur. This forum doesn't work well with IE8, but I'm retiring soon so I will no longer care. Never mind.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
NP2626Your post should lead me to believe that all forums should work the same way this one does, which is simply not true. I have participated in many forums on many topics and this is the only one that requires posting a photo to another website.
Regardless, if you want to use a computer and participate on forums, basic skill is required, and this really is very basic skill.
Click the Copy" link, come here, select the "Insert Image" from the toolbar above the text area, and select Ctrl V on your keyboard, and paste it into the "Source" box.
What you are telling the forum software is to go the that picture URL and insert it in the forum text box.
NP2626 doctorwayne snjroy ...3) I wish there was a simpler to put pictures on this forum.... It can't get much simpler than clicking on the "img" line of data in photobucket and then clicking on "PASTE" here. Wayne Yes, it can, other forum sights are much I to post photo to, They allow you to search within your own photo programs and bring photos directly to your posts, without the use of some other website.
doctorwayne snjroy ...3) I wish there was a simpler to put pictures on this forum.... It can't get much simpler than clicking on the "img" line of data in photobucket and then clicking on "PASTE" here. Wayne
snjroy ...3) I wish there was a simpler to put pictures on this forum....
Yes, it can, other forum sights are much I to post photo to, They allow you to search within your own photo programs and bring photos directly to your posts, without the use of some other website.
The forums owners reliance on photobucket puts me off posting pix. I know, its not that complex an issue, but I find the simple process of including pix direct from my HDD to be simplicity itself. I guess that its just what I'm used to.
Most of the time I cruise the forum using my Sumsung tablet on WiFi. I think, buf I'm unsure, that this device uses an android system. As can be seen I'm far from being tech savvy. in any event, I have no problems acessing the forum or using it in the limited way I prefer.
But even with its reported shortcomings - its faults if you will, experienced by some members its the people who own the forum and its users that make it a good place to visit.
Dusty
Geared Steam NP2626 Your post should lead me to believe that all forums should work the same way this one does, which is simply not true. I have participated in many forums on many topics and this is the only one that requires posting a photo to another website. Regardless, if you want to use a computer and participate on forums, basic skill is required, and this really is very basic skill.
NP2626 Your post should lead me to believe that all forums should work the same way this one does, which is simply not true. I have participated in many forums on many topics and this is the only one that requires posting a photo to another website.
I don't know about any "requirement" on my part, to supply photos. Many others seem to want to do so, and the magazines are filled with photos; so, there seems to be enough photos to go around.
Simply put, at this point in time, I have my reasons for not wanting to post photos!
Overall, I think the forums are ok (thank you Kalmbach for keeping it going). If I had one suggestion it would be to add a Free-Mo (or Freemo or Free Mo) section. I know it's not hugely popular, but maybe if people could read about it more (and if Free-Mo participants...me included would post more how-to's), it would gain popularity? It's a nationwide standard and would be ideal for those that move a lot, or want to travel around and meet a lot of new people and run trains on (sometimes) VERY big layouts. Free-Mo was designed with operations in mind, but it isn't exclusively ops only; more often than not, I've seen people run their favorite trains all day (or weekend)...which is fine, as long as trains are running, I'm happy.
http://delray1967.shutterfly.com/pictures/5
SEMI Free-Mo@groups.io
How about letting the OP of a thread deleted unwanted replies and/or the power to block certain guys from replying?
Rich
Alton Junction
richhotrain How about letting the OP of a thread deleted unwanted replies and/or the power to block certain guys from replying? Rich