I know this disucssion has been very active on another thread. Quite a number of our members here have been submitting suggestions for a new forum format… Good input from a lot of you guys on both sides of this issue.
I’m not too keen on the idea of a dramatic change. As I’ve stated, I’ve grown to enjoy the comraderie here. [:)][:D][8D] My concern is that what you see in the link below may be an example of what would happen to this forum. Great info, but little interaction, [V]
It’s still Kalmbach and its appearance is identical to our forum here, except the colors.
My [2c] criticique:
Lots of posters, but scattered so widely that some topics will stay on page one for days at a time because only 3 or 4 people respond. I’m a member as well. I still use the name “AntonioFP45”. You can find my posts in the Paint & Body section and one in the Welcome thread cluster.
Again, I vote for retaining the current number of forums, and perhaps replacing the boxcars (are pulling out of town) one with a sale/trade forum.
Even more fun - one big forum, with topic buckets (i.e. layout, scenery, vehicles) - if you want to peruse everything, no problem that’s the default - but if you wi***o only peruse certain categories, just click and select from a grid!
Or not…but definitely lose the boxcar forum.
Antonio, the forum link looks like it is the exact same forum software. The implication from Bergie was that the forum software would be changing.
There are really 2 issues. How well does the software work and then how is the content deployed within the software framework.
I for one would like to see the software change, in particular the search function which is dreadful. I like many would not want to see the new forum split up into too many major headings.
I find this setup to be satisfactory, except for the odd day when loading selected threads takes forever, and I could see the stars gone a week ago already.
Basically, we all get along, and I have not seen many threads complaining about the content, just that of the occasional thread. The stars probably inhibit new contributors, and that impoverishes the variation on which our hobby thrives.
I think some people get used to posting all their questions in one of the fora, usually this one. The Layouts and Layout Building thread seems to have lost steam since Christmas.
As long as we eliminate stars, slow down on the polls, and, perhaps, somehow…get a better search engine, I’ll be happy.
Stars seem to create a need in people…for a star. This can lead to excessive posting, useless posts, and…polls. Eliminating the stars will leave members no real reason to post useless topics and threads, thus bringing an end to the “Star-chaser Era.”
Polls…well, polls… Some polls are good, such as the “Trackside with Erik and Mike” series. Others, however, are a useless waste of bandwidth…and a breeding ground for useless posts. Yes, I admit, I’ve “polled” before as a new member. However, I soon figured out what a nuisance they can be. Most polls are just repeats of polls polled in the past.
A better search engine could put a near-stop to repeat posts. I don’t know if a better search engine is possible, but perhaps a much larger pressure to use the search engine?
I think loosing the MR boxcar board is a good idea. What i would do since it does recive a post now and then i was make a topic and set it to Sticky. As i would the Coffee Shop. I don’t post there often but i do post from time to time.
I think it would be a great shame if this forum had a “for sale” section. I would be really suprised if it did because at the end of the day MRR makes money by selling advertising. To have a free “for sale” section would undermine the business model of the company.
I basically like things the way they are. I ignore most if not all of the polls. I’ve learned alot through the forum and enjoy the exchanges that go on. I never visit the anniversary car section. It seems to me that the sale/trade section might cause more problems than it would be worth. My two cents.
Antonio, the forum link looks like it is the exact same forum software. The implication from Bergie was that the forum software would be changing.
[quote]
O.K. I understand now that the software itself will be upgraded (or replaced)
Exactomundo!! [:0][;)]
In looking at the ScaleAuto forum my concern would be that this forum would be “sliced up” into pieces. In fact, though I’m a member of SA, I have not even visited the other sub-forum sites yet.
I agreee that the Anniversary Boxcar thread, with relatively so few posts, should be eliminated.
Bergie may chime in sooner or later to correct me, but I think the problem with a “For Sale or Trade” forum category is the potential “headaches” that could arise.
Scenarios in which
Deals went bad,
Offers suddenly cancelled,
Members accusing each other of “overpricing” items,
Buyers unhappy with purchases
Complaints that merchandise didn’t look like the posted photo
Bad feelings from sour deals spilling over onto the General Discussion group…
might cause more problems than Kalmbach managers may want to hear about. IMHO, the only way it could work is if a format very similar to ebay was established.
I inquired into Erik (Bergie) a few weeks ago about when MR was planning to implement the new format software change. He told me that it probably wouldn’t be till late summer. Erik didn’t mention what exactly would be different about the new look but I know he’s hinted that the “stars” would be eliminated.
I would hate to see the forum “fractionalized” any further - unless it was to provide an entirely different subheading for threads like The Coffee Shop.
I would like to see the possibility to split up a thread. With some of the hot issues it is difficult to follow who is reacting to whom. Creating a subthread would make it easier to follow the subdiscussions.
There are enough forums.
greetings
Marc Immeker
Antoniofp45,
I don’t agree with your conclusion about a for sale board. If you follow your line of logic, then MR should not have a for sale/ wanted in the back of the magazine. If a deal goes bad that stems from the magazine is MR responsible? Certainly a disclaimer would need to be posted, but it would be nice to have that flexiblity available here on these forums. I also agree about the stars. I have been a member of this forum for quite some time, but only post when needed, so I have not garnered all the “stars” that others have. Why? Because I don’t post if it is repeating something someone else has already said, or just to post. I could care less about the stars by my name anymore than I am driven to buy on ebay to gain more stars. If it would reduce frivolous posting I would be all in favor of it.
Randy Johnson
I think the sale/trade forums would be a great addition. Other than that, I think that the forum should remain much of the same thing that is currently happening now.
My one real change request would be to add an FAQ section, either as a part of this forum, or as a free standing section. That might reduce the similar postings that do seem to come up from time to time. Improving the search engine might help in that aspect too. Spell-check for those of us (me) that are terrible typists would be cool too, it would cut down my proofreading time considerably before posting. Other than those things, I think what is here now is just fine.
Yes they are to be replaced with chuffs of exhaust steam. So when you reach 5 chuffs of steam, everyone here will know you will be full of hot air. Oh look who has five chuffs errr I mean stars already. [:o)] Joking with ya’
I wouldn’t mind an OT forum, sort of like a forum dedicated for the coffee shop.
Oh look who has five chuffs errr I mean stars already. [:o)] Joking with ya’