An Invitation

[Manny1943]

I dunno---I have mixed feelings about this thread...I think asking for members to leave here to go to another site will obviously take time away from an already struggling forum. And I'm not sure what it offers that this one doesn't. New wallpaper?

I've seen nothing in here that indicates people don't want honest feedback on their work. And frankly I'll give whether its wanted or not. I make the assumption its wanted as soon as someone posts pics...

[Duke Maddog]

Jim, I'm sorry if I didn't give you any feedback; I haven't seen the post you made asking for it. I probably haven't even seen the Thread as well; so I need to start looking for new posts more frequently than once every two weeks or so.

I am a member of Facebook already, but I signed up mostly to keep up with news of my family. I am a member of a few modeling groups, but only stop into them maybe once a month or once every two or three months. Because of that, I plan on not signing up for this Facebook page.

If you are setting this Facebook page up so non-members can post their work and get feedback, then I'm guessing it's a good idea. However; how are you going to convince them to also join here to get more and/or comprehensive feedback? If you aren't planning on trying to convince them to sign up here; then I have to ask; why have the Forums? I have to agree with Manny (WHAT!! ) I don't see why a Facebook Page would be better than these boards here. In fact, my feeling (and it is mine alone) is that signing up many people from here to that page will bring about the end of this Forums just like the ones I'm losing in September. Here's my opinion as to why that is:

The post I put up before about my First Home Forums going away had a similar story. "Let's set up a Facebook Page so more people will come here and sign up!" The opposite happened; everyone left to go 'play' on the Facebook site and and stopped posting on the Forums. It was the beginning of the end for those Forums. I and a few diehards kept it going for awhile, but when push came to shove; it wasn't enough and now they are closing down.

Bottom line: I don't need a Facebook page to get my feedback. I post here with the closing line: "Comments are welcome" just so I can get the kind of critiques I need to improve my work. If those people on Facebook want to get decent, honest and comprehensive feedback that doesn't disappear to Page three by noon; then they should sign up for a Forums like these where everything stays on the Thread where they can easily access it without searching through millions of posts to find it. That is one reason I find Forums like these are far better than a "social media" site like that. Another reason I like Forums like these is because we become a "community" here; unlike a mass-post media site like Facebook. That "community" feeling just isn't there. The best description of the differences that I can come up with is this:

The Facebook page is like walking a looping parade route with your float (FB group), seeing several people and stopping briefly to chat before leaving them to catch up with your float. No time for a real conversation or anything.

The Forums are like walking into a quiet and/or happening bar; grabbing a beer or three and sitting down to shoot the breeze leisurely with the rest of the people in the room who are in no rush to leave.


I am a member of several other Forums along with this one so I am able to get a good variety of feedback from many people while still maintaining a feeling of friendship and community on all of them that Facebook lacks. So, yes; one can be active in more places than one. I have found though that once you get "stuck" on Facebook, checking out every group, following every post people already make on your Wall, as well as wishing happy birthday/anniversary etc. to everyone on your Friends List; hours have flown by and you end up logging out because there's no more time to visit the Forums you're a member of. That has happened to me almost every time in the past when I have was going to Facebook on an almost daily basis. So I stopped going daily, and now stop in once every other month or so when I have time to blow.

I come here and those other Forums to get the "attaboys"; yes, because they always keep me motivated to continue with something. But most importantly, I come to these Forums for the feedback for improvement so I can improve while I continue something.

In closing; I highly commend you for your desire and drive to help all those modelers out there succeed in making better and better models. That is a worthwhile and honorable cause that apparently is needed, and you are truly an incredible person for wanting to bring those modelers what they are looking for. I am proud to know you; even if it is only through these boards, and I wish you success in your endeavor.

[Stikpusher]

Well, in a few years down the road when I retire from my job and no longer have to worry about my employer looking at Facebook and fanging me for anything that I post that they may not like, then I may join FB and the group. Yes that happens in todays day and age. Two co workers at my current assignment have been written up for their FB postings. Departmentwide I am sure that there are many more. Big Brother is for real there. Until then, I'll be here.

Not for nothing, but isn't that an invasion of privacy by the PD? I'm a firm believer in employers staying out of it and minding their own business of what gets posted on an individual's FB page.

In my view, yes that is an invasion of privacy. The department counters with the view that your actions represent 24/7 and the way stuff turns up on the news from FB, they have a valid point. I avoid FB and the headache.

[BlackSheep214]

I get it to those who have FB as a way to communicate and keep in touch with family and close friends.

However, I refuse to even open a FB account myself. I've heard/seen enough stupid stuff posted by various family members and collegues. 99% of the posts are pretty much pointless and idiotic. Facebook? No thank you.

[Manny1943]

I dunno---I have mixed feelings about this thread...I think asking for members to leave here to go to another site will obviously take time away from an already struggling forum. And I'm not sure what it offers that this one doesn't. New wallpaper?

I've seen nothing in here that indicates people don't want honest feedback on their work. And frankly I'll give whether its wanted or not. I make the assumption its wanted as soon as someone posts pics...

Mix them up.

1. No one was asked to leave here. It's fairly easy to be active multiple places. I am.

2. The underlying tone in most of the responses in the thread about critique a couple weeks ago in this forum and the others it popped up in is that most people are afraid of it, or think they are above it.

3. Giving critique wanted or not seems to fly here a little better than most places, and that's great on itself, but I've explicitly asked for it in the past couple of weeks and got none...so people maybe are afraid just based on the typical forum culture? Idunno.

4. Our banner is pretty tight actually. Thanks.

5. I finally know what Skidwell (soon to be 'well-less ) felt like wielding all that mod power. It's maddening.

Some of what you've written just isn't true. I've given critique on your builds so number 2 of your manifesto is patently false. There are so many hours in a day and common sense, logic and math dictates that if some people spend time somewhere else it will invariably will take time away from here. Others have recently pointed out that their time for forums is very restricted.

Did you ask outright for people to leave here! No, but the effect will be similar. I do know this: if you post the type of solicitation like yours in most forums it is deleted for the same reasons I've pointed out.

By the way, I like you so do not take any of this as an attack on you...

[Manny1943]

I should have done a better job of making point 2 clearer. I'm drawing my conclusions from multiple places the conversation unfolded. The response here was a bit more in favor of critique than others. (Note: the only "my stuff's too good to be critiqued" I saw came from another forum.)

But, I did see a lot of "I'm not qualified to critique" type stuff mixed in there which leads me to assume some folks - here specifically - don't feel like they can or should give critique. This is what drove my comment about not getting it myself. It does come, yes, and usually from the same members. What I'm saying, is more should be in on it.

Your assessment of how much time we have is spot on, of course. That doesn't mean my intent is to steal traffic. And clearly, those who have the limited time have made it plain they won't be participating. Which is absolutely fine.

I'm qualified to critique ANY model I've seen in here...and will critique heavily. Anyone who thinks your models are too good to comment on either know nothing about the history of the subject you've butchered--the Phantom load-out comes to mind--or accepts mediocrity too easily...

Get to work folding those freakin wings...after all you're so good and all...