Who reads all the forums?

[tstage]

chutton01

I doubt anyone who was not a moderator has ever read every single thread in a forum. Sadly it seems threads that I think have potential (although I may not have anything to add at the time) tend to peter out after a few (or no) responses, while threads that are boring to me often get plenty of posts (clearly, someone here is out of step - can't say it isn't me).

Even as a moderator I didn't read every thread; nor did I feel compelled to do so.  Mostly I just participated as I normally would but kept an eye out for "telltale signs" of a thread gone or going bad.

I totally agree that the more interesting threads (to me) don't seem to get much air time while those which hold little interest seem to go on and on.  But...I guess that's the beauty of the forum: Different threads appeal to different members.

Tom

[RideOnRoad]

JOHN BRUCE III

. . .I keep wondering why Kalmbach keeps putting resources into the forums here, which fewer and fewer people seem to find worthwhile. . .

Not to take this completely off topic, but as a relative novice to the hobby, I have found these forums an invaluable resource.

[tstage]

I generally peruse the first page of the General Discussion forum for threads that might interest me or ones I can contribute to.  After that I sometimes look on the Electronics & DCC and Prototype forums but I very rarely frequent the Layouts forum.

I don't feel compelled to read every thread and I've pretty much stopped contributing to the same ones which come up on the forum on an all-too-frequent basis.

Tom

[JOHN BRUCE III]

The OP and some of the replies are suggesting that the value of forums is declining overall. I can't speculate on the reasons (although the company seems to be struggling), but the other major forum, sponsored by a manufacturer, was discontinued in 2012. I keep wondering why Kalmbach keeps putting resources into the forums here, which fewer and fewer people seem to find worthwhile, when equivalent resources put into MRVP, which is a quality product that people pay for, would be more productive.  Let's keep in mind that the forums are "free", and the posters aren't paid for their contributions. We're all getting what we pay for here.

[chutton01]

When I visit the Model Railroader forums, I normally view the General and Prototype Info, sometimes Layout & Layout Building, and Electronics if the last post topic sounds interesting. I reivew the thread titles, contribute as I can, and post questions (WITH TITLES AS CLEAR AND DESCRIPTIVE AS I CAN - yes, all caps was needed for that statement) from time to time.

I doubt anyone who was not a moderator has ever read every single thread in a forum. Sadly it seems threads that I think have potential (although I may not have anything to add at the time) tend to peter out after a few (or no) responses, while threads that are boring to me often get plenty of posts (clearly, someone here is out of step - can't say it isn't me).

On the other forums, I do visit Trains magazine General Discussion and Locomotives forum.  I have no idea why the trains.com forums exist (is it so anyone can post in them, even if you are not a subscriber?), but considering the activity (or lack thereof) in some of those forum (last post in the Train Simulations forum as of this posting is Feb 17, 2015) seems a lot of other people have no idea why the trains.com forums exist either.

[angelob6660]

BRAKIE

I only read the topics that interest me in the general discussion forums,layout forum and prototype information forum.

 

I do the same thing.

I would like to answer the electronic section. I don't because I get lost to read posts.

[BRAKIE]

I only read the topics that interest me in the general discussion forums,layout forum and prototype information forum.

Overall my forum activity on this and the other three forums (2  rail one gaming) I'm on has slowed. The reasons vary and includes the lack of interest.

[IRONROOSTER]

As with others.  I read only the threads that interest me which is way less than half.  Mostly I look at the MR forums and Classic Toy Trains on Kalmbach's site.  I also get digest emails from a few yahoo groups.  I check a couple of other forums from time to time.

There's too much to read it all, so I stick with those things that look interesting to me.

Enjoy

Paul

[rrinker]

 I read all 4 sections, but only new messages in threads that are of interest. I skip many here in the general and in the layout construction section. So - always make your title intersting if you want people to read it. Jusat saying "Help!" is going to get many people passing it by. Help with what?

 Never takes long, there aren't that many new messages per day, and since the font color changes it's easy to see threads with new replies since last time.

            --Randy

[BroadwayLion]

LION does not read all of the posts by any stretch of the imagination. Him looks at titles to see if it interests him. Him also looks at the time of the posting. Once him gets down into the stale posts him ignores them.

LION not look at all forums just the ones of interest to him.

Him replies hen him thinks him has something to add, or perhaps to make a funny out of.

ROAR

[Anonymous]

There was a time when I read all contributions to all of the trains.com forums, but then I was a moderator

Nowadays, I find myself reading less and less of the posts. When the title is not appealing to me I don´t risk an eye on the issue. I caught myself being less patient with those typical newbie questions and less willing to give help or advice. Furthermore, I get more easily annoyed by the use of "bad English" or "texting". I don´t understand why people do not exercise a little bit more care in what and how the write. People with a dyslectic condition being excepted, of course.

I do participate in other forums as well, one being a UK-based narrow gauge forum and one being a Swiss forum, specializing in Swiss narrow gauge, both prototype and model railroads. Neither of those two forums appear to have a language issue to the extent I encounter here. It was not that bad when the forums still had a spell check...

I guess I must begin to age.

[riogrande5761]

I read MR (general, layout, DCC/Electronics), Atlas Rescue (mainly HO), Train Orders (modeling and Nostalgia & History), MRH Magazine forums, Southern Pacific Modelers Society (activity is low there anymore).  Occasionally I'll check on some other model train forums which have fewer discussions of interest to me.

[galaxy]

I USED to read all the forum threads and answer if I knew, or commented if I had what I thought was a valid one.

Now, not so much. I have pretty much subjected-out of the forums here.

I Do contribute on most occasions in the diner thread to stay in touch with my MRRing "roots'...but thats about all now.

Stop on in to the Jeffrey's Trackside Diner thread, you can talk about  subjects-the only thread really allowed here to do so, OR talk aobut your MRRIng in general terms and share what-not that you like!! Only requirement is  to be a posting member of these here forums...

 

 

 

[zstripe]

I read about 75% of them.....If I can contribute, I do. I lot of times, I'll read one where an OP (original poster) ask questions and is given a workable solution or answer...I will not participate...I'm a believer in too many cooks spoil the pot. Lately though...I have not been on the MRR forums much....been elsewhere, with different Hobby's...like R/C models....the weather, being summer, the Grandkids want to be outside and I don't blame them.

Take Care! 

Frank

[rogerhensley]

I only read thise hat apply to me. Layouts and layout building, Electronics and DCC, Prototype information for the modeler, and General Discussion (Model Railroader)

 

 

[ndbprr]

I find I am reading fewer of the forums with time. I am curious as to how many people are reading most of the forums.