How is everyone doing. Left this forum when things got a bit sarcastic concerning quality of photos and senery detail or such, of which none was directed at or by me. Felt very bad for the guys that got hammered a bit.
Still tinkering with the ho ho track, called it that account of I pulled a lot out, and havent got it layed back in yet. But then it has so much dust, perhaps scale dirt?
Take Care John
John, welcome back. If I am a judge at all, I would say things have improved quite a bit that way. We still have many of the same opinionated people, but maybe we have just learned to get along and are more tolerant of each other…don’t know. Maybe we just know what to expect and it isn’t as much of a big deal to most of us any more. We still get lots of new people, and we have many of the newcomers to the hobby. And yet, we also have some highly talented people still posting here while others have moved on.
I am happier about the way things are versus how it was three years ago when it was open season on some of the less fortunate or less skilled/talented members here. My opinion is that it is more friendly. However, we still have most of the same old gang and we seem to enjoy each other’s questions and commentary. You would expect a moderator to say there has been an improvement…otherwise I’d have to ask why I’m still at it. [%-)]
Crandell
John,
I can only second what Crandell has stated. I joined the forum at about the same time as you did and was put off pretty quickly by some very much opinionated remarks. I stayed on, though, and have found my way of dealing with those posts. Most of the times I just ignore them, if not, a quick and short bark - that´s all. Of course, we see the same st of questions asked over and over again, but I don´t mind - that´s what a forum is for. I very much like to see how some of the advice given is adopted and how newbies mature in the process.
I have also found some new friends whom I would not want to miss anymore.
Fire Fights are pretty much over, few of the trouble makers have been band.
I think your post is offensive. You are asking if we can behave up to your standards as a condition of your participation. You could answer your own question by just reading the forum for a while. Why did you feel the need to announce your return phrased as conditioned on our behavior as if your participation would be our reward?
After being banned a couple of times I learned to keep my mouth shut about certain topics. One thing to remember, a moderator is always right even if you think they are wrong.[bow]
I didn’t read it that way. I think your way off in reading his post. Don’t forget, over the last few years a large number of very good model railroaders left this forum because of all the stupidity back then.
I have noticed that we do not have the bickerfests like we used to even a year and a bit ago…and I had checked some of those older threads from 3 or so years ago…[:(][:-^] is all I could say about them…
Now, most of us seem to be more civil about our differences…which is a good thing…[tup][yeah][bow]
I joined 4 years ago after getting back intothe hobby 5 years ago and reading the forum as a lurker, before I decided to join.
I think the overall tone of the forum has changed and “calmed down” if you will.
I think many of the trouble makers left teh forum or were banned.
Unfortunately, many of the really talented experienced modelers left also, probably due to the bikering or that fact that the forum “is beneath them” {too many beginners}.
WE don’t scare off newcommers as much who ask questions such as “do I need a wire to connect my transformer to my track?” or “what is a DCC”? or “DOes my steam engine need a tender?” or “what IS a ‘tender’”. AS many more here are willing to answer the question, OR keep their posting mouths to themselves.
I have been pleased to find answers to my and others questions, to be able myself to provide what I think is thoughtful/BTDT/experienced/opinions/well read information to those asking questions. I used to be shy about posting as I was affraid I’d get my head bitten off. SOmetimes I still do LOL, but shrug it off. Not everybody has to agree with me and nto every beginner has to do it “my way” as some of the older gang used to put forth. I know I’m not always wrong. I know I’m not always right.
SO [#welcome] back and maybe you will enjoy the forum now.
Stop over to Eliot’s Trackside DIner where we can talk about anything and everything- life in general and not necessarily trains related. Intro yourself and join us for a [C], a[B], a[D], and a piece of [^]!
Just fine.
Rich
See,
As selector noted, it’s very calm now [(-D][(-D][:-^]
[#welcome] Welcome back.
Never let anyone discourage you or chase you away.
How is everyone getting along?
Well, for me it is now -6 degrees in my little neck of the woods in Montana. My neighbor just got his car stuck in 2 feet of snow and I’m getting ready to get my snow shovel to help him out.
So, things are going normal here…[:S]
Don’t let the negative comments get to you, just ignore those that are rude and move on. I’ve experienced the same issue on other forums, it is not that unusual to occasionally run into a rude individual—maybe he or she is having a bad day, who knows. The best thing is not to engage them in a similar manner and just go on to the next posting.
But all things considered, this is probably the best Forum I’ve encountered. I have learned a great deal here by some very friendly and experienced folks.
Happy New Year to one and all,
Wayne
[(-D][(-D][(-D][swg][:-^]
Well you may notice much better quality pictures and scenery, at the expense of those who were banned and /or left out of not wanting to look at the same old blurry pictures every week. [:o)]
Phoebe, you are entitled to your opinion, and I to mine, but in this case my opinion is that you have misunderstood the OP. In fact, I think he is among several people who left the forum a few years back because of things that were going on. All he has done is to stick his head back into the cage and ask if the dog fight’s over. The answer is, yes, pretty much.
And, his participation is as conditional as it is for all of us. He has not commanded us to come up to his standards, but only asked for opinions if the general tenor has improved. I don’t think your response is going to instill much confidence in him…it was somewhat unfriendly.
Crandell
While I’m an O gauger and post mainly in the Toy Train forums, I do peruse the HO forums now and then I wondered if perhaps I could throw my 2 cents in worth. I have noticed quite a difference in decorum since Crandell started banning many of the troublemakers last year, and while I have noticed most of the skilled and talented members have also left, there are a few left that chime in from time to time that do help when needed.(Cuda Ken comes to mind). Personally I think Crandells skills speak for themselves and if anyone can answer the tough questions it’s him. I don’t mean to embarrass him, but his layout pictures are spectacular. I would like to propose a revolving thread topic entitled “Crandells Corner” where he can help those new members who need guidance.
Pheobe Vet should watch what he says. I apologize on behalf of him and his insults.
Now, now.
Phoebe Vet does raise a valid point. Why the need to announce one’s return to the forum. Who even is the OP ? I never heard of him. So, he left the forum and now has decided to return. Fine. A quick review of recent threads on all of the forums would clearly indicate the lack of hostility or arrogance.
Besides, by opening an old wound, whatever that might have been or perceived to be, it only raises questions in other people’s minds including my own. Now, I wonder what the OP is talking about or referring to. I have been a member for or over six years, and I don’t recall such behavior.
In any event, Phoebe Vet has a right to his opinion. He honestly felt that the post was offensive. Why the need to apologize on his behalf?
Rich
It was out of control back then. The weekends were especially crazy because nobody from MR was here to babysit us. That is the only reason we have moderators today. They did an ok job of cleaning up the forum of all the crap but back then you couldn’t state your opinion about anything without it being edited. That’s why I got banned for a few days. I think the moderators have greatly improved their moderating skills from when they first started to now. They pretty much know when to let a controversial topic run and when to shut it down.
I am curious as to why the op had to make such an entrance? Why not just lurk for awhile and jump in if you have something to offer. It’s pretty simple.If you read back a few pages, their are not very many locked subjects. Moderators keep things civil here. mh.
Jwar,
Welcome back to the forum [#welcome]
I remember you from last year and, imho, it’s great to have a former railroader onboard. You provided some good info that’s helpful for those of us that enjoy prototype style operating.
Guys, regarding why Jwar chose to make “an entrance”; OK so what! [;)] He’s here.[:D] Some of us go away for a while quietly and come back quietly. Some have come, gone, and come back with a little fan fare.
Why criticize someone for which “style” they chose to return? Point is, that person did. Sometimes a person might feel encouraged if he sees that he/she was missed. Some other people don’t care. But don’t you think that should be a moot point? [Y][8D]
Regarding the “talented modelers that left”. I don’t understand why we’re lamenting this since a number of them have returned, some with different names.
We already have a good number of talented modelers onboard. Doctor Wayne, Modelmaker, GPaine, Bob Boudreau, Simon 1966, and Arjay are among the good guys here that I’ve benefited from a great deal. So, again, I just don’t understand why all the lamenting about the great modelers that have left. [%-)]
I’m a member of this forum, the Atlas Forum, MRH Forum, Railroad.net, and several Yahoo forums…yet I always comeback to “Home Base” [4:-)]…this place. Yes, we’re going to have disagreements and “needling matches”, but b