I have learned a ton of useful information, and I have had a bunch of questions answered - even the stupid ones!
I also enjoy trying to help others, and I enjoy the opportunity to put my two cents worth[2c] into a topic despite putting my foot in my mouth from time to time[D)].
Dave
I used to have the chance to show off once in a while with what I was proud of on my layout.
And writing about ideas and projects helped me clarify projects to myself.
That is pretty much gone since about the first of the year or so when forum changed to a different provider or program or something. Now 4 times out of 5, when I attempt to post a comment or response, the picture link does not come up. I can’t reliably post pictures or participate in “show me something.”
I don’t come on this forum nearly as often as I used to.
All tolled, I’ve been in the hobby for 20+ years. Until about 7 years ago (when I joined the forums), the hobby lacked any real social component. I was OK with that, but I was spending a lot of time without much human interaction. The forums fill that space. They make the hobby a little more social and (for me) a little more perfect.
I enjoy the images of other’s work and the crosstalk in hearing the opinions and thoughts of others on topics that interest me. I try to contribute when I think I can.
leighant:
Have you tried using a different browser?
I had the same problems after MR messed with the forum. Lots of people did apparently. Somebody suggested switching from Internet Explorer to Firefox. That solved all of the problems, for me anyhow.
Dave
Dave,
Maybe when they do the site maintenance this weekend they will finally put in the up-dates they are missing. I know Java script could use some help…But who know’s?
Frank
Some where in the mix of subjects and techniques, what always comes through is the great delight of sharing within the broader base of the hobby, questions, ideas, and solutions to things that we are all passionate about. Some of us have layouts that only exist as ideas, some of us havefully featured layouts that are large enough to require the recruitment of small armies of people to properly operate. The rest of us are at various stages in between those two extremes. All facets contribute to the betterment of the hobby as a whole.
This means that the real value of the forums is in the sharing. Personally, I tend to chime in if I have done something just a bit differently, or if I see that a question has been left virtually unanswered. The rest of the time, I learn more about the how’s and why’s of techniques, materials and equipment that I have yet to use on my own layout. Sooner or later that information helps with choices and projects that I have yet to undertake.
Don H.
What I used to get was good and useful information! What I gave was the same from my experience or relaying the words that had been imparted to me for the same Q!
I would be one you “lurkers” might have been “laughing at”, I guess.
Now I lurk a lot, though I do frequent the diner.
I used to post a lot…bboth some Qs and some answers, perhaps my answers weren’t all Relevant to you oldtimer lurkers, but since I returned back to the hobby in '06, I could answer the newbie’s Q’s formt eh point of a 'learned the hard way" newbie.
I could also regurgitate what was previously said to me and others by both oldies and lurkers alike {to offer a distinct diffrentiate between the two.}
I liked both giving/getting “imparted wisdom”. I felt usefull when I gave, and humble learned after asking, Qs.
But, I also got tired, as many of you older lurkers do, of answering the same “what track should I used on my 4x8??” or “will my MTH Big Boy go around a 15R curve”? AND answering the “keep your wallet in your pants until you READ” -type questions, and answers. {that last one deffinitely came from my personal experience of buying too much “cute” stuff I “liked” {rather than NEEDED} on the spot when I restarted in '06 in a totally new scale}
Now it seems boring here most of the time… I mean how many times can I add my meager input on the Q of “what basic DCC system should I use”? Before I want to vomit???
{Since I use the Bachmann many here would say I should keep my mouth shut as it is “not a real DCC system” {it IS a real system} I guess, but the EZ C is easy to use, basic entry level and works for everything from a 4x8 plywood prairie [and under] to a 2 train 5x9-10} and I usually offer that when I trade “up” WHat system I will then get that is a Real
What do I get out of this forum?
First and foremost - friendship. I have meet some fine folks in the Diner, and it is a joy to exchange views and opinions as well as share the day with them. I would not want to miss that!
Second - tons of inspiration, in terms of planning, building and operating my layout. In fact, without this forum, I probably would not have started building a layout following US narrow gauge prototype.
Like many others, I am little bit weary of those typical beginner´s questions, like “what is the best (fill in as you like)”, “which DCC system should I buy”, or the seemingly endless rants about the hobby getting expensive or even dying. But let´s be patient and support the beginners! When I started out some 50 years ago, I wish I had had someone answering my often silly questions. Instead, I had to learn the hard way by making sometimes quite costly mistakes. After all, sharing is part of the fun.
I have got a lot of information an inspiration throught this Forum. It helped me to go farther in the hobby and to try new techniques. But the best is probably that it gived me the motivation and the necessary information to go to DCC.
I try to contribute whenever I can even if my knowledge and experience are far from what others contributors have.
Ja Bear, I am offended on behalf of all lurkers. [(-D]
Rich
Now I’m confused. Does a lurker only look in at the very first post? [;)]
As, if using my definition, a “Lurker” never responds, I don’t know.[swg]
However while I’m not sure what percentage of respondents to various threads actually read all the replies, it is obvious from some of the replies that they don’t, in fact some preface their reply by saying so.
“Ja Bear, I am offended on behalf of all lurkers”.
Rich, what can I say, taking one for the team.[bow]
Cheers, the Bear.[:)]
Over on another digital magazine forum, the provider asks where the magic is anymore in MR. I and several others have replied that you only get magic if you create it yourself. The hobby owes us the square root of sweet tweet. If we want to have fun, to get “something” out of it, and sure we can call it magic, it’s up to each of us to figure out how to harvest it.
In that respect, this forum is no different.
-Crandell
Everything I’ve ever learned about modeling I’ve learned here or in modelrailroadforums.com. I don’t read or post very often anymore only because I’ve been working on remodeling my house for the past year. This forum is actually responsible for my subscription to MR magazine. I subscribe to help support Kalmbach publishing and to enjoy that “book in your hands” feeling you can’t get reading a computer. I’m greatful for having a forum such as this to share my model train experience with others since there is no “real person” I can do that with in my life. At least, not someone who shares that interest.
So what do I get out of this forum? It’s a place to chat about model railroading with other model railroaders. It’s a place to show off my modeling efforts to an audience of knowledgeble modelers. And, its a place where I can pontificate about couplers and NMRA gauges and other railroadiania. It’s a harmless time waster.
I lurk—therefore I learn—
Herrinchoker
I GOT A DATE!!! Oh wait a minute…that was a different forum…
Every once in a while I have a question and I always got some good answers. I love talking about this hobby. I can spend easily several hours about this hobby either on line or in person.
Oh, GOOD! Cuz I just picked up a bunch of BB internal parts to further augment MY fondness for the old, ugly, obsolete, noisy, wide bodied, underdetailed, steel wheeled antiques that pretty much kept me in the hobby all those years ago.
I can embellish…