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Post by 406 Silverado on Jul 15, 2024 10:32:18 GMT -5
You may have noticed that things are changing at the top of the page today. We've been in talks with Scott at Auto Modeling Magazine and with a couple of our members to make things a tad bit more noticeable in regard to "first glances" on our forum and what all modeling genres we accommodate the last few days. Until we settle on a final layout for the header there have been changes to the Navigation Bar to reflect just a few of the different genres that we offer here in addition to the silhouettes just below the banner.
These changes are merely preliminary measures for folks that are browsing the forum and find MSC and for the potential newcomers to help see what we're all about at MSC. We want to thank all you members for being here and contributing to our great site. We ain't done by a long shot! Stay tuned .....there's some things coming.......
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Post by Tobi on Jul 15, 2024 10:38:03 GMT -5
Nice addition, but why is armor only on third?! LOL!
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Post by 406 Silverado on Jul 15, 2024 10:40:36 GMT -5
Nice addition, but why is armor only on third?! LOL! LOLOLOL!!! Thank you for the comments Tobi....and for the laugh. It's going to take a little getting used to for all of us around here but it'll iron itself out over the next few days as we become more familiar with it. There shouldn't be anything else change with it till we get things finalized. |
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brandonk
Full Member
Jan '24 Showcased Model Awarded
Member since: May 2023
Posts: 1,280
May 14, 2023 13:45:45 GMT -5
May 14, 2023 13:45:45 GMT -5
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Post by brandonk on Jul 15, 2024 13:07:33 GMT -5
I like this change.
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Post by kyledehart5 on Jul 15, 2024 17:17:35 GMT -5
I really like it too. Along with the silhouettes, I think it gives a nice quick sense of what we’re all about here. Open to all. Sometimes it doesn’t matter as much when we have a beautiful auto build in the “outstanding build” slot. But if there’s a piece of armor there and something military in the model of the month slot then it becomes extremely handy. Nice work guys!!
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stikpusher
Forum Moderator 
May '23 Showcased Model Awarded
Member since: April 2023
Living The Dream
Posts: 4,136 
MSC Staff
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Post by stikpusher on Jul 15, 2024 22:02:45 GMT -5
I'd be careful with the sci fi silhouettes... the Star Trek and BSG guys may feel a little miffed at being ignored in favor of the Star Wars stuff...  |
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TJ
Senior Member
June '23 Showcased Model Awarded
Member since: May 2023
Posts: 2,172
May 14, 2023 18:18:36 GMT -5
May 14, 2023 18:18:36 GMT -5
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Post by TJ on Jul 16, 2024 4:16:07 GMT -5
I'm liking these new add ons. Why not use the silhouettes as a "button" for the quick link
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Post by 406 Silverado on Jul 16, 2024 5:10:35 GMT -5
Thank you all for the feedback so far and that was indeed the purpose of the additions in letting folks know what we're all about here. Carlos:  TJ : I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to take the silhouettes out of the banner and drop them down into the forum content area to make clickable icon thing happen. Believe me......that thought has already ran through my head. The banner is merely an image from my photo hosting site making it pretty much impossible to put clickable links in it. We're working on some things though as these changes are all preliminary. |
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Post by BattleScale Collectica Show on Jul 16, 2024 10:26:54 GMT -5
I'd be careful with the sci fi silhouettes... the Star Trek and BSG guys may feel a little miffed at being ignored in favor of the Star Wars stuff... yeah! No Vipers??? lol |
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Post by tcoat on Jul 16, 2024 10:41:40 GMT -5
Only problem is now I keep clicking on profile instead of recent!  |
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Post by 406 Silverado on Jul 16, 2024 11:39:39 GMT -5
Only problem is now I keep clicking on profile instead of recent! Right??!! It does take some getting used to. |
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Post by tcoat on Jul 16, 2024 11:51:03 GMT -5
Only problem is now I keep clicking on profile instead of recent! Right??!! It does take some getting used to.  |
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Post by Medicman71 on Jul 17, 2024 15:22:23 GMT -5
Nice addition, but why is armor only on third?! LOL!
Because that's where the targets belong!!! LMAO!!
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Post by 406 Silverado on Jul 18, 2024 5:19:38 GMT -5
Alright folks. I implemented change #3 to the banner this morning. I had to go back to the drawing board and start over for the most part. Although I was a fan of the GI Joe character at the top of the page at first, I've come to the conclusion that we need to head in a different direction. One that gives an air of seriousness to it while also providing the neutral groundwork to promote the fact that ALL genres of modeling are welcome here. With Joe at the top of the page it looked like a military only site and while that is primarily what is here, we're trying to attract every modeling genre we can and that just couldn't happen with our well-known character up there. The changes are all temporary until we get something more attractive going in the header but a change needed to happen pretty quickly as we now have a good number of folks who are looking at our site. We're still making changes folks.....just bear with us. As always, a BIG thank you goes out to all the staff and members.  Without all of you......there IS no Modeler's Social Club. |
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Post by tcoat on Jul 18, 2024 6:13:31 GMT -5
Alright folks. I implemented change #3 to the banner this morning. I had to go back to the drawing board and start over for the most part. Although I was a fan of the GI Joe character at the top of the page at first, I've come to the conclusion that we need to head in a different direction. One that gives an air of seriousness to it while also providing the neutral groundwork to promote the fact that ALL genres of modeling are welcome here. With Joe at the top of the page it looked like a military only site and while that is primarily what is here, we're trying to attract every modeling genre we can and that just couldn't happen with our well-known character up there. The changes are all temporary until we get something more attractive going in the header but a change needed to happen pretty quickly as we now have a good number of folks who are looking at our site. We're still making changes folks.....just bear with us. As always, a BIG thank you goes out to all the staff and members. Without all of you......there IS no Modeler's Social Club. I understand the desire to be all inclusive but that often ends up so confused and convoluted that nothing makes sense. Although G.I. Joe does indirectly seem to imply military he also was very "social" appearing which was the focus of this forum. He was very inviting and many new members even commented on that. One of the things that I (and others I am sure) enjoy about this forum is the very fact that it ISN'T over the top serious. There are loads and loads of forums dedicated to specific genres that take things serious to the point where more casual modelers just do not feel welcome or get overwhelmed so this place is a breath of fresh air. The inclusion of the 5 "genres" in the header already show inclusion and diversity which should appease most. The only thing I personally would comment on is that the header is starting to suck up most of a page especially on mobile. Everything could stand be be shrunk down about 20% which will still make them more than identifiable. If the Model of the month and Outstanding boxes were shrunk a bit you could move Joe back into the upper left and that would make the site instantly recognizable. BRING JOE BACK!!!!  |
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Post by 406 Silverado on Jul 18, 2024 6:18:00 GMT -5
Alright folks. I implemented change #3 to the banner this morning. I had to go back to the drawing board and start over for the most part. Although I was a fan of the GI Joe character at the top of the page at first, I've come to the conclusion that we need to head in a different direction. One that gives an air of seriousness to it while also providing the neutral groundwork to promote the fact that ALL genres of modeling are welcome here. With Joe at the top of the page it looked like a military only site and while that is primarily what is here, we're trying to attract every modeling genre we can and that just couldn't happen with our well-known character up there. The changes are all temporary until we get something more attractive going in the header but a change needed to happen pretty quickly as we now have a good number of folks who are looking at our site. We're still making changes folks.....just bear with us. As always, a BIG thank you goes out to all the staff and members. Without all of you......there IS no Modeler's Social Club. I understand the desire to be all inclusive but that often ends up so confused and convoluted that nothing makes sense. Although G.I. Joe does indirectly seem to imply military he also was very "social" appearing which was the focus of this forum. He was very inviting and many new members even commented on that. One of the things that I (and others I am sure) enjoy about this forum is the very fact that it ISN'T over the top serious. There are loads and loads of forums dedicated to specific genres that take things serious to the point where more casual modelers just do not feel welcome or get overwhelmed so this place is a breath of fresh air. The inclusion of the 5 "genres" in the header already show inclusion and diversity which should appease most. The only thing I personally would comment on is that the header is starting to suck up most of a page especially on mobile. Everything could stand be be shrunk down about 20% which will still make them more than identifiable. If the Model of the month and Outstanding boxes were shrunk a bit you could move Joe back into the upper left and that would make the site instantly recognizable. BRING JOE BACK!!!! Thank you for the feedback, Tony. This aint over by a longshot man.....meaning that this change is not permanent and that there are things coming that will convey the thought and feel of a recognizable friendly and inviting place. The changes made this morning brought the sponsors and genres more to the forefront by eliminating Joe as well as the green and brown brick background. Addionally, I went with a ghost gray lettering instead of the gold/ yellow lettering below each photo which helped bring out the genres and sponsors as well. I accessed the forum with my phone this morning right after the changes and definitely hear what you're saying about the mobile experience and that is indeed what's next on the list. |
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Post by project510 on Jul 18, 2024 10:00:24 GMT -5
Alright folks. I implemented change #3 to the banner this morning. I had to go back to the drawing board and start over for the most part. Although I was a fan of the GI Joe character at the top of the page at first, I've come to the conclusion that we need to head in a different direction. One that gives an air of seriousness to it while also providing the neutral groundwork to promote the fact that ALL genres of modeling are welcome here. With Joe at the top of the page it looked like a military only site and while that is primarily what is here, we're trying to attract every modeling genre we can and that just couldn't happen with our well-known character up there. The changes are all temporary until we get something more attractive going in the header but a change needed to happen pretty quickly as we now have a good number of folks who are looking at our site. We're still making changes folks.....just bear with us. As always, a BIG thank you goes out to all the staff and members. Without all of you......there IS no Modeler's Social Club. I did like Joe, but you are right. It gave the sense that this was yet another Military focused forum. And MSC has so much more than that! Look forward to seeing what you can get up there Joe! |
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aaronw
Full Member
Member since: November 2023
Posts: 286
Nov 23, 2023 14:11:42 GMT -5
Nov 23, 2023 14:11:42 GMT -5
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Post by aaronw on Jul 18, 2024 10:54:38 GMT -5
One of the things I'm liking about this place is the change and upgrades, the seeking feedback from members of what works for them, and what doesn't, what they would like to see added or altered. It shows that the mods actual care about the site and want to help it grow.
I've been on model sites since the early 2000s, and one of the biggest things that has led me to drop a site was a lack of involvement by the mods / members.
FSM was one of the few sites I have been on that actually seemed inviting to all genres. The modeling hobby does tend to segregate itself into narrow groups so I think it is a worthwhile goal to ensure this place is not just seen as a primarily armor, aircraft, automotive etc site. There are many of those, but very few generalist sites appealing to all types of modeler.
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Post by 406 Silverado on Jul 18, 2024 11:38:49 GMT -5
One of the things I'm liking about this place is the change and upgrades, the seeking feedback from members of what works for them, and what doesn't, what they would like to see added or altered. It shows that the mods actual care about the site and want to help it grow. I've been on model sites since the early 2000s, and one of the biggest things that has led me to drop a site was a lack of involvement by the mods / members. FSM was one of the few sites I have been on that actually seemed inviting to all genres. The modeling hobby does tend to segregate itself into narrow groups so I think it is a worthwhile goal to ensure this place is not just seen as a primarily armor, aircraft, automotive etc site. There are many of those, but very few generalist sites appealing to all types of modeler. We appreciate those thoughts and comments aaronw and project510. The staff does indeed care about the site and the members that are on it. I've been on sites that have no interest in growing or even sustaining what they have and it's really too bad when that happens. Modeler's need a place to go and share their work in an environment that is inviting and encouraging. That's what we're all about here at MSC and we're also here to push back against the idea that modeling forums as a whole are thought of as dinosaurs. It's all about the staff involvement as you said and then the member participation. It all starts with the staff in keeping things not only in a positive atmosphere but in keeping it interesting and ever evolving with the times. I've been an administrator over genre specific modeling sites before and I've found that they just don't seem to work unless 1.) there is a strong staff involvement or 2.) have a major sponsor/ magazine backing it. We are working hard here at MSC to ensure this site's continued success through constant change, staff/ member interaction and involvement and though outside sponsors/ support. The improvements and changes are moving at a slower pace than we'd like sometimes but they're still moving in a continued good direction. |
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Post by tcoat on Jul 18, 2024 11:52:23 GMT -5
One of the things I'm liking about this place is the change and upgrades, the seeking feedback from members of what works for them, and what doesn't, what they would like to see added or altered. It shows that the mods actual care about the site and want to help it grow. I've been on model sites since the early 2000s, and one of the biggest things that has led me to drop a site was a lack of involvement by the mods / members. FSM was one of the few sites I have been on that actually seemed inviting to all genres. The modeling hobby does tend to segregate itself into narrow groups so I think it is a worthwhile goal to ensure this place is not just seen as a primarily armor, aircraft, automotive etc site. There are many of those, but very few generalist sites appealing to all types of modeler. Agreed the diversity is what has kept me here since I have joined and left several specialist forums due how narrow and firm they can be. But... I have a hard time believing that a simple logo of a happy guy drinking a coffee will restrict membership because people will think it is primarily a military forum. You can try to include everybody in everything but that falls apart eventually and can cause more harm than good. As Stik pointed out earlier the genre for the SciFi is Star Wars centric so what about the rest of the sub genres? Where is Battlescales's Galactica or my Terminator sub genres? The automotive one is a Mustang but what about us MOPAR guys? Note: I really don't care just making a point that you can't please everybody. There is no one logo that can cover every possible angle of every genre and still make any form of sense at all. I know the team is trying to improve the site but did it really need improving? Is the goal to make it huge or just a comfortable place for anybody? I just know that the more complex and formal things become the more it will be just like the rest with the only difference being there are more genres covered. Sorry for the rant.  |
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aaronw
Full Member
Member since: November 2023
Posts: 286
Nov 23, 2023 14:11:42 GMT -5
Nov 23, 2023 14:11:42 GMT -5
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Post by aaronw on Jul 18, 2024 18:57:44 GMT -5
One of the things I'm liking about this place is the change and upgrades, the seeking feedback from members of what works for them, and what doesn't, what they would like to see added or altered. It shows that the mods actual care about the site and want to help it grow. I've been on model sites since the early 2000s, and one of the biggest things that has led me to drop a site was a lack of involvement by the mods / members. FSM was one of the few sites I have been on that actually seemed inviting to all genres. The modeling hobby does tend to segregate itself into narrow groups so I think it is a worthwhile goal to ensure this place is not just seen as a primarily armor, aircraft, automotive etc site. There are many of those, but very few generalist sites appealing to all types of modeler. Agreed the diversity is what has kept me here since I have joined and left several specialist forums due how narrow and firm they can be. But... I'm actually quite neutral on both of the recent changes. It is the fact that they keep trying out new things, and have been very open to discussion about how the site is run that I'm happy about. I've been on too many sites where the mods take the attitude of take it or leave it and shut down any discussion of how the site is run. On the Joe issue if people are missing him maybe a variety of similar greeting heads from different genres could rotate through each time you open the main page. It has been a while since I've done any web design, but when I had a site (Geocities so it has been a bit) I had a way of having the picture on the opening page rotate randomly through a selection of pictures. I have to admit it took me a minute to get the significance of the soap box.  |
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buddho
Forum Moderator
Member since: February 2019
Posts: 1,287
MSC Staff
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Post by buddho on Jul 18, 2024 19:27:00 GMT -5
I liked the Joe banner for its retro look. Whatever is used in the future, can it stay in a retro fashion? There is a comfort and homey feeling in nostalgia.🤓
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Post by tcoat on Jul 18, 2024 19:30:24 GMT -5
Agreed the diversity is what has kept me here since I have joined and left several specialist forums due how narrow and firm they can be. But... I'm actually quite neutral on both of the recent changes. It is the fact that they keep trying out new things, and have been very open to discussion about how the site is run that I'm happy about. I've been on too many sites where the mods take the attitude of take it or leave it and shut down any discussion of how the site is run. On the Joe issue if people are missing him maybe a variety of similar greeting heads from different genres could rotate through each time you open the main page. It has been a while since I've done any web design, but when I had a site (Geocities so it has been a bit) I had a way of having the picture on the opening page rotate randomly through a selection of pictures. I have to admit it took me a minute to get the significance of the soap box. Oh I agree the guys are great and do an excellent job overall I am just the sort of guy that will pipe up when I have a concern and this attempt to be all embracing at the possible expense of something that was working has me concerned. It isn't that Joe is missing as much as the whole header went from bright, clear and inviting to grey, bleak and barren yet somehow cluttered all at the same time. If anything the current tones scream MILITARY more than Joes colourful and bright face ever did. I get that it is transitional but there is just too much trying to be crammed into it. Even on my large monitor I can't even read the Modelers Social Club print anymore even though the header takes up about 70% of my screen. |
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Post by tcoat on Jul 18, 2024 19:31:34 GMT -5
I liked the Joe banner for its retro look. Whatever is used in the future, can it stay in a retro fashion? There is a comfort and homey feeling in nostalgia.🤓 It was inviting. OK so he had a WW2 helmet on it was still inviting. |
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Post by kyledehart5 on Jul 18, 2024 19:46:06 GMT -5
I also liked Joe for his sunny demeanor. And as a coffee drinker I could appreciate his cup of Joe. My beverage of choice at the bench. Lol. I know this current look is transitional so I’ll look forward to seeing where it goes!! The important part for me is the social part of the msc forum. I come here to hang out with my favorite people in the hobby!!
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speedgraflex
Full Member
Member since: May 2023
Posts: 243
May 10, 2023 19:16:04 GMT -5
May 10, 2023 19:16:04 GMT -5
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Post by speedgraflex on Jul 19, 2024 0:56:57 GMT -5
I like the direction and changes, Joe. No offense to anyone. I don't see inclusivity. I see positive changes. At a glance this looks more like a modeling forum than before and one glance is all it takes. People don't overlook appearance. The friendliness of the forum is now rendered with respect for the members and their hard work with a proper showcase for projects! Good work!
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