406 Silverado
Global Administrator
Member since: November 2011
Posts: 8,394
Member is Online
MSC Staff
Nov 14, 2011 21:50:25 GMT -5
Nov 14, 2011 21:50:25 GMT -5
|
Post by 406 Silverado on Dec 20, 2023 6:27:12 GMT -5
Wow, I could have written a lot of these posts. FSM was one of my first modeling forums, and I spent a lot of time there. I think I joined 2003-ish, and was pretty active until 2011 or so, when they once again updated their forum software in a spectacular fail. I had made it through similar poorly executed, "upgrades", but that along with various forum drama, and then a major move I moved on. I've tried off and on to get back, but like so many forums these days it seems kind of dead compared to the past, and the forum software continues to be awful. It's not just FSM, all of the modelling sites I used to frequent have either seen a huge decline in traffic or been overrun with drama queen curmudgeons which really sucks the fun out of them, and by extension any kind of modelling related social activity. I follow a couple of model related Face Book groups, but that format is really poorly suited to anything more than asking questions or showing off a latest build. I find it a terrible substitute for forums with things like group builds, works in progress, tutorials, kit reviews or really anything where you will want to watch activity for more than 5 minutes, or have an archive of information to review. I'm glad to have received an invite to this place. I've only been here a few days, but this place seems to have the vibe I found on forums 10 years ago. I've found my modelling activity fluctuates but a good forum has often really helped with my productivity. Edit - I remember that 229GB. I still want to build an HS129 up-engined with BMW 801s, as an HS229, a what if inspired by that GB theme. I do remember when FSM upgraded their software in the 2011-2013 time frame. I had a good friend over there named Doug Shearer (who some of you will remember as Rigidrider). Heckuva guy but chose to leave after the last software update at FSM. This was a common thing among members at the time because there were a good number of folks who exited stage left. I'm currently an admin over two much smaller sites and can definitely see where you're coming from as far as a decline in traffic and you're right.....it's across the board in terms of activity. Since Modeler's Social Club's resurrection last year, the rest of the staff and I (as well as the other members who were active here at that time) have tried to think outside the box in terms of being making this forum inviting and attractive to the newcomers as well as the existing members. Good and solid members with good and helpful attitudes are the starting point. Nobody wants to come to or stay at a forum where there is constant drama....heck we all have enough of that in our own lives so why would we want the place where we share in our love of the hobby and come to relax be that way? Second was staffing up to a 10 member staff team to ensure there's no drama, spammer control and for taking care of potential questions and issues that arise in forum usage and improvements. When you look down at the Users online in the past 24 hours you're gonna see plenty of red names in it denoting a staff presence which is one thing that a lot of other forums don't have enough of. FSM is a great example of this. If there were some sort of moderation over there, then there'd be a LOT less drama. Lastly is keeping the place interesting by way of Group Builds, member showcasing on the banner and commenting beyond "That's cool" or "That's awesome" or the like responses. Engaging conversation has to be a norm if any forum is to sustain any kind of life. In example, if you and I met up at a show or any other contest and we were to show each other any of our builds or in progress photos or whatever the case may be, I highly doubt that we would say something like "Cool" or " Nice job" and simply walk away. Instead, we would have a conversation about how certain realistic effects or looks were achieved and we'd have a discussion about it. Not only that but we'd have conversations pertaining to things that are semi-personal to us such as our likes outside of the hobby. Getting to know one another by way of engaging conversation is VERY important to the heartbeat of any community. If it's one thing that I've found out through running this forum in particular, it's that modeling is merely what brings us all together on a forum. It's the relationships/ friendships that bond us through way of getting to know each other that we're really after. Getting to know the members and talking with them when they post as if they are in front of us face to face goes a LONG way in developing interest and a forum that will stand the test of time.
|
|
|
Post by chromdome35 on Dec 20, 2023 9:12:24 GMT -5
Well said Joe!!!
|
|
|
Post by tcoat on Dec 20, 2023 9:40:34 GMT -5
Doing this is EXACTLY what got me into trouble on a couple of other forums! The subject of modeling is serious business for some people and straying even slightly of the topic of "good job" is very much frowned upon. If you offer a suggestion or show an example of what you have done you are just a lowly "show stealer" and need to just stop.
|
|
eaglecash867
Full Member
Member since: July 2023
Posts: 226
Jul 1, 2023 5:18:34 GMT -5
Jul 1, 2023 5:18:34 GMT -5
|
Post by eaglecash867 on Dec 20, 2023 10:00:33 GMT -5
Lastly is keeping the place interesting by way of Group Builds, member showcasing on the banner and commenting beyond "That's cool" or "That's awesome" or the like responses. Engaging conversation has to be a norm if any forum is to sustain any kind of life. In example, if you and I met up at a show or any other contest and we were to show each other any of our builds or in progress photos or whatever the case may be, I highly doubt that we would say something like "Cool" or " Nice job" and simply walk away. Instead, we would have a conversation about how certain realistic effects or looks were achieved and we'd have a discussion about it. Not only that but we'd have conversations pertaining to things that are semi-personal to us such as our likes outside of the hobby. Getting to know one another by way of engaging conversation is VERY important to the heartbeat of any community. If it's one thing that I've found out through running this forum in particular, it's that modeling is merely what brings us all together on a forum. It's the relationships/ friendships that bond us through way of getting to know each other that we're really after. Getting to know the members and talking with them when they post as if they are in front of us face to face goes a LONG way in developing interest and a forum that will stand the test of time. I think a lot of us saw in the last couple of years at FSM some drama that was actually created by the staff. A few of us were discussing an apparently taboo subject for one member there, and we all got a talking to for breaking forum rules, when in fact...no rule had been broken. Always a pain to have much of a discussion when all it takes is for one member to see something he doesn't like. Heh...I think I'll fit right in here as far as being "conversational" goes. I tend to get a little long-winded sometimes. LOL
|
|
armornutii
Full Member
Member since: March 2023
crystevens@hotmail.com
Posts: 964
Mar 18, 2023 17:45:08 GMT -5
Mar 18, 2023 17:45:08 GMT -5
|
Post by armornutii on Dec 20, 2023 14:11:58 GMT -5
Been awhile since I chipped in on my oen thread, I really appreciate reading that I wasn't the only one who felt that way about the " other" place. I thought it was just me and my incompitance on computers...one thing I got the feeling of was if a comment that made sense, wasn't " out of bounds", or maybe slightly critical all of a sudden you became a " thread killer" months would go by before anybody would post. Really sucked. For the most part we are adults and conduct ourselves accordingly but to shut down a topic by lack of input is obsurd.
|
|
Medicman71
Full Member
Member since: May 2023
Posts: 1,334
May 16, 2023 12:37:47 GMT -5
May 16, 2023 12:37:47 GMT -5
|
Post by Medicman71 on Dec 20, 2023 14:44:56 GMT -5
It all started when a guy named JeffW asked how to ask his wife to let him buy a $229 model.
|
|
|
Post by tcoat on Dec 20, 2023 14:58:35 GMT -5
It all started when a guy named JeffW asked how to ask his wife to let him buy a $229 model. Wait...what? Was there any good answer?
|
|
Medicman71
Full Member
Member since: May 2023
Posts: 1,334
May 16, 2023 12:37:47 GMT -5
May 16, 2023 12:37:47 GMT -5
|
Post by Medicman71 on Dec 20, 2023 15:59:06 GMT -5
It all started when a guy named JeffW asked how to ask his wife to let him buy a $229 model. Wait...what? Was there any good answer?
|
|
|
Post by tcoat on Dec 20, 2023 17:24:15 GMT -5
Wait...what? Was there any good answer?
|
|
moparmadness
Full Member
Member since: May 2023
Posts: 823
May 11, 2023 20:39:35 GMT -5
May 11, 2023 20:39:35 GMT -5
|
Post by moparmadness on Dec 20, 2023 22:01:51 GMT -5
It all started when a guy named JeffW asked how to ask his wife to let him buy a $229 model. That’s a situation where it is truly better to ask forgiveness than it is permission! 😆
|
|
|
Post by kyledehart5 on Dec 20, 2023 23:07:44 GMT -5
It all started when a guy named JeffW asked how to ask his wife to let him buy a $229 model. That’s a situation where it is truly better to ask forgiveness than it is permission! 😆 This was my tactic this Christmas season. 🤦🏻♂️😂
|
|
stikpusher
Forum Moderator
Member since: April 2023
Living The Dream
Posts: 3,433
MSC Staff
Apr 24, 2023 12:51:53 GMT -5
Apr 24, 2023 12:51:53 GMT -5
|
Post by stikpusher on Dec 21, 2023 13:11:43 GMT -5
The method is quite simple… squirrel away the cash needed over time, and once enough has been saved up, go get the kit.
|
|
2whl
Full Member
Member since: September 2023
Posts: 220
Sept 10, 2023 12:21:52 GMT -5
Sept 10, 2023 12:21:52 GMT -5
|
Post by 2whl on Dec 21, 2023 13:25:56 GMT -5
That’s a situation where it is truly better to ask forgiveness than it is permission! 😆 This was my tactic this Christmas season. 🤦🏻♂️😂
|
|
aaronw
Full Member
Member since: November 2023
Posts: 169
Nov 23, 2023 14:11:42 GMT -5
Nov 23, 2023 14:11:42 GMT -5
|
Post by aaronw on Dec 21, 2023 14:15:43 GMT -5
It all started when a guy named JeffW asked how to ask his wife to let him buy a $229 model. Wait...what? Was there any good answer? Choosing the right wife.
|
|
|
Post by kyledehart5 on Dec 21, 2023 15:41:50 GMT -5
This was my tactic this Christmas season. 🤦🏻♂️😂 🤣 Luckily for me she didn’t ask any questions when your box showed up at our door Paul!
|
|
TJ
Full Member
Member since: May 2023
Posts: 1,334
May 14, 2023 18:18:36 GMT -5
May 14, 2023 18:18:36 GMT -5
|
Post by TJ on Dec 24, 2023 9:41:00 GMT -5
I was a participant in the Fleet Air Arm GB's hosted by Tango 1 for many years. A number of us got together when the 1/32 Tamiya Spitfire was released and built one for Tango 1 in appreciation for his efforts in showing how a good GB is run. I put together a web site to chart the model's progress. It was called the Round the World GB as it literally was built by people all over the world. It was a lot of fun so I thought I would share the link to those web pages. Lots of names some of which are here now and more that I wish were here.
That was a great group and a great tribute build. I was glad to be part of it
|
|
stikpusher
Forum Moderator
Member since: April 2023
Living The Dream
Posts: 3,433
MSC Staff
Apr 24, 2023 12:51:53 GMT -5
Apr 24, 2023 12:51:53 GMT -5
|
Post by stikpusher on Dec 24, 2023 17:27:19 GMT -5
I still haven't finished my Sea Harrier from the Fleet Air Arm GB...
|
|
armornutii
Full Member
Member since: March 2023
crystevens@hotmail.com
Posts: 964
Mar 18, 2023 17:45:08 GMT -5
Mar 18, 2023 17:45:08 GMT -5
|
Post by armornutii on Dec 24, 2023 17:35:15 GMT -5
I think I was supposed to build a Wyvern....I still have the kit just not sure where it is
|
|
|
Post by Tojo72 on Dec 24, 2023 17:35:22 GMT -5
My favorite was Andy's Panzer III workhorse group build.
|
|
deafpanzer
Administrator
Member since: June 2012
"Never tell your story to a deaf man"
Posts: 21,102
Member is Online
MSC Staff
Jun 3, 2012 11:41:34 GMT -5
Jun 3, 2012 11:41:34 GMT -5
|
Post by deafpanzer on Dec 27, 2023 8:05:32 GMT -5
My favorite was Andy's Panzer III workhorse group build. That was fun and the StuG GB too as we did our best to build every variant. We should do that here one day... maybe Panzer IV?!?
|
|
|
Post by Tojo72 on Dec 27, 2023 9:00:50 GMT -5
My favorite was Andy's Panzer III workhorse group build. That was fun and the StuG GB too as we did our best to build every variant. We should do that here one day... maybe Panzer IV?!? I already have the Dragon DAK IV hanging around,I just need an excuse to build it
|
|
Real G
Full Member
Member since: April 2023
Posts: 604
Apr 1, 2023 0:09:47 GMT -5
Apr 1, 2023 0:09:47 GMT -5
|
Post by Real G on Dec 30, 2023 20:29:14 GMT -5
Has the FSM site borked again? I can’t get in. Maybe they locked the door on me.
|
|
|
Post by tcoat on Dec 30, 2023 20:54:09 GMT -5
Has the FSM site borked again? I can’t get in. Maybe they locked the door on me. Won't even load for me.
|
|
project510
Full Member
Member since: August 2023
Posts: 679
Aug 15, 2023 21:56:18 GMT -5
Aug 15, 2023 21:56:18 GMT -5
|
Post by project510 on Dec 30, 2023 20:55:57 GMT -5
Has the FSM site borked again? I can’t get in. Maybe they locked the door on me. 504 Gateway Time-out for me....
|
|
eaglecash867
Full Member
Member since: July 2023
Posts: 226
Jul 1, 2023 5:18:34 GMT -5
Jul 1, 2023 5:18:34 GMT -5
|
Post by eaglecash867 on Dec 30, 2023 20:56:52 GMT -5
Has the FSM site borked again? I can’t get in. Maybe they locked the door on me. Looks like it. It was doing that last night too. I was able to get on last night, but it was extremely slow. There just doesn't seem to be anybody driving the bus over there anymore.
|
|
project510
Full Member
Member since: August 2023
Posts: 679
Aug 15, 2023 21:56:18 GMT -5
Aug 15, 2023 21:56:18 GMT -5
|
Post by project510 on Dec 30, 2023 21:07:06 GMT -5
I hope they fix it long enough for me to finish my GB in March haha.
|
|
406 Silverado
Global Administrator
Member since: November 2011
Posts: 8,394
Member is Online
MSC Staff
Nov 14, 2011 21:50:25 GMT -5
Nov 14, 2011 21:50:25 GMT -5
|
Post by 406 Silverado on Dec 30, 2023 23:32:55 GMT -5
It's the weekend over there so theres no staff around to address the issue.
|
|
|
Post by tcoat on Dec 31, 2023 0:01:15 GMT -5
Well the site comes up now but tells me I don't exist when I try to log in.
|
|
jeaton01
Full Member
Member since: October 2013
Posts: 926
Oct 3, 2013 22:10:29 GMT -5
Oct 3, 2013 22:10:29 GMT -5
|
Post by jeaton01 on Dec 31, 2023 2:08:18 GMT -5
Gateway timeout for me this evening.
|
|
|
Post by Tojo72 on Dec 31, 2023 7:37:06 GMT -5
It's baaaack,but super slow,last post was 6hrs ago
|
|