I from the school of thought which believes that if you don’t find a thread interesting or you just plain don’t like it, just skip it and move on. However, it seems like we are reaching a point of having a growing number of off topic, inappropriate, rehashed topics and just odd threads that really don’t belong here. We need to govern ourselves to stay on subject (model railroading). I like off topic discussions and some rehashed topics but sometimes it can be too much.
Peace
I think a lot of what we are dealing with are new (and young) members who are feeling their way around. They want to particpate and do so by putting up polls that have been seen over and over. Perhaps it is new to them, but when they do it they belong. It sometimes takes a while to get into the group.
whats new to them may not be new to you
you may have been here too long
and forget what its like to learn from others
even if a thread has been done
thats not to say someone new wont add to it or learn from it
things get lost on here and its nice to see things pop up
what do you want to do stop the creativity
K-
K-,
I don’t mind asking questions for information, but a lot of people can see when a question is just being asked for question’s sake. Or they ask a question because they are bored and want to see their name on the screen. There are probably folks out there that are trying to rack up stars, although I don’t know why. People respect you for your integrity not your number of posts.
I live out in the country. I see lots of stars.[}:)]
I haven’t minded the number of off-topic threads. There are, what? six forums on trains.com, and I browse at least three or four of them. So, if I find that one forum is getting dull, I go to another.
I’m relatively new myself. I’ve only been here two years. I can remember what it was like to be new. I did want to feel like a part of the group. I did want to being noticed, like “Hey, I’m here!” I posted a few polls and stupid topics myself. And I have repeated topics as well.
The off-topic discussions and repeat threads won’t stop unless no other members are aloud to join with trains.com. And I’m not sure how many of us like to use the search engine on this site. I can never get it to work properly, or find what I want with it…[:I]
Just be patient, they’ll fade off in time, until the next huge flux of newer members. And remember, they aren’t always younger.[;)]
While it may appear that I am passing a value judgement, I’m not. I’m just giving my assessment of the situation. And it is true. I can think of one or two older members that are posting bunches every day. And I believe that most people learn how to more effectively contribute.
I think that all the posts concerning this subject that have appeared in the past may also speed that process. Especially the posts concerning the polls. People may see that there are some people that do not like or do not want to be bothered with “useless” polls, encouraging more thought before posting. It can also go the same with topics. “Useless” topics are always complained about. And I’ll agree at times, they may have no use at all. When people see these threads of complaints and concerns, it at least encourages me to put more thought behind the majority of my posts. It may do the same for others, and possibly newer members.[^]
i’m really sorry if i post repeats, but it helped me feel around and find people who post/reply to good toppics, when i get on i often check for them and look at what they’ve posted latly, if i hadn’t felt around i wouldn’t know how to look for or anything like that.
As I said, there are no value judgments here. You asked a lot of good questions especially about the new layout you want to build. The issue is posts for post sake.
Freak,
Your point is right on. That’s exactly why I responded as I did.
N trains- i have enjoyed seeing another N scaler born here and I hope that you will have a succesful layout[:D]. I mostly look at train related topics. I dont care if there polls. I actually like polls to see what others like and stuff like that. Tim
I’m very guilty of off topic posts as most of you know all too well. Not to offend anyone, but I guess I’m bored with talking about bench work, laying tracks, putting in scenery, building structures, installing DCC, doing wiring, what the best locos and rolling stock are, when this type of loco or rolling stock ran, etc, etc.
I kind of look for Bergie to pop up one day out of the clear blue here on the forum in the middle of one of my topics and say “Tracklayer, I’ve warned you again and again about this. Now hit the road!.” But I hope that day never comes because I’d sure miss you guys.
I might come up with some odd, stupid topics sometimes, but I always try to be respectful of everyone. And if or when I do make someone angry, I always try to set it straight. There’s no one on this forum I dislike or have anything against.
Tracklayer
TL,
The problem is not the tone of the posts so much as what the sheer number does to other posts. Say a guy is working on an engine and has a problem that is just driving him nuts. He posts here looking for a quick answer but within a half hour he’s got 3 views and is on page 2 or 3 where no one who might know the answer can see it.
Hmmm. Well Chip, I’d say that maybe the designers of the forum might go back to the old drawing board and make some changes in the system, and maybe limit each member to three posts a day or something, and reject any attempts to repeat posts…
Just my eight cents worth.
Tracklayer
guys, I am a newbie here and I belong to a few different sites on the net. F150 trucks, home draught beer unit problems and a couple others. I see repeat questions on those sites quite a bit, instead of the person looking for the appropriate section. I just click them on, help the person with my .02 them move on to the next section or the next website. I am planning on doing something with HO trains as I have a HUGE basement and I will be asking ??? and I know I will be posting where it doesnt belong too. just bear with me.
Welcome TG.
Ask your questions. People around here are glad to help.
One of the big problems for a newbie on this forum site is that the search engine is terrible, both slow in response and worthless for finding what you are looking for. The site is also frequently very slow and I would think most newbies don’t browse more than a few pages back in time as it takes forever. So as new folks join it is inevitable that the same questions will be asked. It does seem that recently there have been a lot of simultaneous “What DCC?” type threads all going on the front pages at the same time, so I understand the frustration. I guess we are getting a lot of new modellers coming in after Christmas?
Newbee questions don’t bother me. It gives me a chance to contribute.
I have to agree with Spacemouse, There are allot of good questions out there that get very little response, because they are bumped so fast to back pages. Sometimes polls and extra large threads that sometimes go on forever seem to pu***hem back real fast. I think that is why I stay out of allot of the polls and large threads so the people that need help can get it, seems fair to them, just wish other members were like this at times. Oh well, its a forum, no one said it was perfect.
The night I joined the forum I read every post on the first 6 pages. (or saw the title and ignored the post ) It gave me a good feel for the forum and answered a lot of my questions without me asking too many duplicates. I am a moderator on a game forum and even though it is a small, friendly site we try to keep duplicate post to a minimum.
I will still probably ask old questions (new to me) but so far this seems like a friendly enough place to overlook it some.
I think a lot of people just post for the sake of posting. They do it on every forum I’ve seen…so this one will probably not be any different.