Are you finding what your looking for on train forums? Having web (blog) site gives the web master information to what people are looking for, like audience, traffic, sources, posts, and over view.
The number one search on my web site this month:
How to make common repairs for electric trains.
Instructions, suggestions, helpful hints and tips.
Building a turntable.
Rail sound for S gauge trains
Track and Turnouts
The audience comes from the following countries:
United States
Canada
Germany
United Kingdom
Poland, and eleven other countries
My web site is just an informational site, more gear to American Flyer, S Gauge, and S Scale. It would be great to hear from other train web masters “what are model train people searching for on your web site. Maybe we can even hear from Trains.com web master?
For me, yes! I use the “Search” box quite a bit and often find the info that I’m looking for: structural weathering techniques, locomotive mechanical/electrical performance problems, DCC technology, track & roadbed laying techniques, passenger car detailing, opinions on product quality, etc.
That’s one of the reasons why, inspite of criticisms from some modelers, I really enjoy this forum. Additionally, the guys here are usually friendly and down to earth. Not arrogant or condescending, as I’ve seen on some other forums. [Y][8D]
Really, if you’re just looking for information about what people are searching for on the forums, that may be ok.
But why does the cynic in me suspect that you have advertising on your blog, and your revenue increases the more visitors you get?
Personally, I have never had any trouble using this site’s search feature to find what I need. Quite the opposite, in fact. I wish more people would try that before posting a new question. It’s especially frustrating when essentially the same question appears twice on the first page of the thread list.
Really, I’m just looking for information about what people are searching for on these forums. What is the number one thing you are searching for this week? I will be looking for information on DCC technology for two rail train layout? I myself think this is one of the best forums for model railroading.
I have no paid advertising on my blog. Maybe I’m missing out, or just doing my web site (blog) for the fun of model railroading. I have made all the money I need these past 70 years to enjoy the “golden years”. What every happen to doing something just because you enjoy it!
Please, I approved of this post when I saw it because I checked it out and didn’t find anything objectionable. If anyone finds something against the rules, please use the reports function and alert the mods. But let us be careful about attributing motives to people without carefully getting our facts straight…even so, don’t do it publicly. [:)]
To be honest I don’t know what I’m looking for on train forums. That is why you see me for awhile then I disappear, lol. I already know everything there is to know about DCC, laying track, adding scenery, building buildings etc.
This forum is pretty small, there’s 78 on it now and I haven’t ever seen much passed 100. Chances of getting other webmasters seems like it would be small.
I’m still waiting for an answer on 3 of Kalmbach’s forums on prototype info. Prototype info is probably where there is the biggest gap in knowledge as I’ve seen other prototype questions go unanswered. The other 3 categories after a few years most guys have the answers. A lot of things come down to opinion such as weathering, preferred DCC system, what era to model, etc?
A resounding YES from me! I entered this forum knowing almost nothing (although I do seem to read books like Kalmbach’s and Carsten’s how tos more than a lot of newbies, apparently) and the very kind and giving folks here have gotten me to the point where I almost have all my track laid, have re-set CVs on decoders, chosen one or two scenicing methods to use, etc. etc.
Whenever something has popped into my head to wonder about I’ve found tons of informative archived threads on that subject. I’m very grateful to the members here and on several other forums where I mostly just lurk. I pass that kindness on whenever I can here and in “real life”.
Starting out here gave me the courage to explore joining operations groups, going to clinic nights at NMRA division meetings, etc.
I mostly use Google and sometimes Yahoo for searching and I get links to these forums. Usually much easier than using the search options in these forums.
I have not had too much success with the search option here.
I search the 'Net for a lot of different things, Not always model railroading. Been doing this for over eight years so I have developed a good plan.
I find many here and most other forums I belong to need to be led by the hand and very rarely try to search or give up very quickly.
Azflyer, the questions on forums tend to follow what the individual happens to be doing on their layout at the moment. A few other things will change common posts including.
New decoder released, People will ask about it’s use etc
New Loco release. People will show theirs off and offer remarks
Seasonal. Around November people start pulling out their seasonal layout or decide to build one and will often ask the very basic questions. During that time of year the number in the forums will often be over 100. That phase has mostly died off by now.
Shortly you’ll see mostly regulars with some new members. A lot of sharing ideas and pictures and not as much of the basics.
I find “what I am looking for” in a different way. It’s not always the answers to specific questions that I seek. Mostly, it’s membership in the greater community of model railroaders everywhere. We are, for the most part, few and far between. I know far more modelers from the forums than I do in person, and I know more about their layouts, too. At the same time, I have a way to share what I have done, and get suggestions on how to do it better.
Weekend Photo Fun has made me a much better modeler. It has taught me not to be satisfied with just “good enough.” Most of us are just ordinary guys with an interest in trains, but with the “challenge” of seeing what other ordinary guys can do, the bar is raised and we strive to be better.
It may not be what you are looking for, but it sure is what I am looking for.
I apologize if anyone took offense to my original post.
However, I found the way the OP went about asking his question and describing his purpose a little odd. Perhaps that was just my interpretation, but having re-read the original, it still strikes me as odd.
I did, however, respond with my honest answer to his question.
I myself who wrote this post did not take anyones answer offense. You gave your honest opinion to the question as interpreted by you. I think we have alot of good answers to the way each person interpreted the question. The question which may be a little unusual, I will leave with no changes. I think its best left up to the way each person interprets the question and gives there honest answer. That is what the free world is all about. It is great to live in the USA.