a
I know it gets repititious for the regulars to see all the newbe questions over and over, but I think most of the regulars would skip over a newbe forum and their questions woldn’t get answered.
A better solution would be some “sticky” topics for the more commonly asked newbe questions.
I don’t mind seeing the same topics at all.
All of us are still “newbies” in one form or another. Been a modeler 20+ years and am still learning DCC.
Let’s keep the family together.
I would worry that if there were a beginner s’s forum 4 things would happen.
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The beginner would not be exposed to the dialog that was going on in the general forum.
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That some of the experts who have limited time online would never go to the beginner’s forum.
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That some elitists would object when a beginner asked a question in the general forum.
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That the beginner’s forum would become a case of beginner helping beginner without the sage advice of the experts to correct when mistakes are made.
Spacemouse, well said!
I would be against it myself.
While at times I feel like a newbie, my skill set is such that I have tackled things that others here have not tried. I am a Hardware and Electronic guy and things like DCC and wiring come easy to me.
BUT…
When it comes to weathering, and scenery, I am all thumbs and need all the help I can get. I’ve learned some things here and have a few things I want to try. So my skill set gets better the longer I stick around.
Newbies may also ask the questions that others may not ask. When Chip came on board last year he was asking questions that I too needed answers too and I got them from reading the threads.
Chris
How would anyone define what is a beginner question? Each has his or her own skill set and a novice MRR may be an expert with wiring and woodwork, but a toal novice with an air brush and painting. The idea that you could only post in the general forum once you have “graduated” from beginner status in some way would not be helpful.
Try to comb around alexander in the forum, I know its a pain at times. Or just ask your question. We all will help you out as best as we can. I am no expert when it comes to weathering, and super detailing things, thats not my nitch. Everyone has the thing they are really good at, and we are all still learning. So as far as I am concerned, we are all still finding new information here in the forum everyday. I’ve been in this hobby for many years and have never met someone who knows it all.
As far as a newbie question place for beginners, that would be ok. But I really think people would just blow right past them and allot of their questions would not get answered.
Probably the best thing about these forums are that they bring expierienced and novice modelers together so the newbies can take advantage of the shared knowledge and learn that there are often more than one way to do things. I don’t see the problem with both types of modelers together. If a veteran modeler doesn’t want to be bothered with newbie questions, just skip over it. It ain’t that tough.
I think we need a new poll just for beginners.[;)]
Seriously, helping each other out is what this forum is all about, be it a “beginner” or 40 year veteran to the hobby.
SpACeMoUSe …well Done My friend[^][^][:D][bow][bow][bow][tup] Just right.
J.W. …Pirate for hire(beginner)
No.
What is an expert after all?
When I first started reading this forum I knew nothing about model railroading except that I was interested but I remember two topics that I had useful input for. One had to do with electroplating, something I knew about from my everyday job and another was someone looking for a book, another long time hobby of mine. After reading a few threads about helixs I asked if such a thing existed in the real world.The thread did not run 6 pages but I learned a lot and I don’t think anyone thought it was off topic. Newbies can contribute to the forum and where will the hobby go without them?
Like jecorbett said, you don’t have to read every post.
I’m more in favor of the idea than many here. BUT
I also agree with the suggestion of having a few “sticky” threads at the top, dealing with the most basic (and also most-often-re-asked) questions. That would be a great compromise solution.
im with antonio and modelmaker on this one.terry…
A new expanded format maybe. A new forum definately not.
I voted a resounding “NO”. A newbies forum would result in newbies helping newbies … not the best arrangement in the world.
I can see MR selecting the best threads and putting them in a read only forum for beginners to peruse. Forum members could nominate certain threads, but MR would decide which threads they want to place in the read only “modeling library” forum. They could even be categorized into major subsections like, “DCC”, “Scenery”, and “Operations”, etc.
Stickies in the current forum would get in the way over time, I think. But if some newbie asks about trees, we could say, “Go check out the scenery section of the Modeling Library forum”.
Well, “yes” and “no”. It’d be ok for people just getting into MRing but what about those who’ve been MRing 25 years and then join this fourm? They shouldn’t have to be in the “newbie” section if they’re an experienced modeler.
I agree with my good friend Antonio. The newbies need to learn more about MTH.[:D]
… no. As a newbie, i joined this forum a little over a year ago with zero knowledge about model railroading. I posted a few topics and was bombarded with tons of really good info, especially from guys like Jetrock. Although, somewhat overwhelmed, i stopped posting and starting reading the forum every day, i read train mags, and searched the net. Perhaps, the best approach for a newbie is to use the site’s “search” option, you’ll find most of your answers. I’ve since built an around the wall HO layout with DCC. I’ve scratchbuilt realistic conifers [thanks to a clinic by Aggro Jones], scratchbuilt trestles, tunnels, and many structures. About my only hiccup thus far is choosing to replace Atlas turnouts. And, not to bash Atlas, but those Peco and Shinohara turnouts are buttah! The fun part is knowing that i have tons of knowledge before me, and as much fun as i’m having now… it’s only gonna get better.
Mac
I thought THIS was the beginners forum.[:D]
It’s surprising how often I pick up something new reading through the answers to some of the “beginners” questions. And of course in some areas such as DCC, I am a beginner.
Enjoy
Paul