Facebook, am I missing out?

[Deleted]

Just recently I have noticed that a lot of model companies and manufacturers are using facebook more and more to promote new items and generally engage with the modelling community. Being billy no mates I have so far not signed up to facebook as I didn't think I would benefit. Plus I avoided being tracked down by old girlfriends and people I owe money too!!

Maybe I am too stuck in the past but I would value your thoughts chaps.

[bigjohn]

Hi Pete,

Facebook, well, there's lots of model and history related feeds. But there's also lots of drama. All depends what you want to tolerate. If ya do sign up, look me up

[TRM]

Point taken Pete! It's a personal choice. But....you do not have to make your profile public. You can exisit with only family and select people, like the fine folks here on MSC. You can subscibe to pages you like...modelling site and others. As long as you profile is set right it will be private!!

If you decide: www.facebook.com/todd.r.michalak

And don't forget: www.facebook.com/ModelerSocialClub

Just make sure you spend a little time in you profile setting to make sure things are set to the way you like them. Every once and a while the folks over at FB will change things too, so checking in on your profile once a month or so is a good idea!

Good luck!!

[bullardino]

I have had a facebook profile since a long time ago. A couple of years ago I decided to delete it as privacy issues and lots of idiots had torn my patience to confetti.

I signed in again in 2011 or so, using a screen name and not showing any pic or info that could be used to track me. I know it may sound paranoid, but for me FB is just a way to keep in touch with lots of talented modelers, some selected rl friend and to keep an eye on my little daughter's profile.

If you'll ever sign up, look for bullardino and you'll find me

[doogsatx/]

Honestly, all the paranoia about Facebook is exactly that. Don't put up personal info, keep the privacy settings locked down, and you're fine.

As with all things online, the basic rule of the Internet applies: if you want to keep it private, don't post it. Simple as that.

[Deleted]

Cheers chaps, I was unaware that you could select settings to suit your needs, something to ponder

[bullardino]

Right, Steve. We share a couple of interest groups there

[Teabone]

May 21, 2013 9:12:14 GMT -5 bullardino said:

Right, Steve. We share a couple of interest groups there

My concerns about FaceBook are not about them tracking me, Doogsatx nailed how you keep your privacy.  I just don't like where some of the threads go but the main thing is it seems to take a lot of builders away from sites like this as you can only devote so much time to blogs each day.  I like the smaller atmosphere here and the gentler way the threads go and hate to see talented builders go to FaceBook or some of the larger sites.  Just my $0.02 on the thing.

Bones

[doogsatx/]

May 21, 2013 13:07:41 GMT -5 Teabone said:

May 21, 2013 9:12:14 GMT -5 bullardino said:

Right, Steve. We share a couple of interest groups there

My concerns about FaceBook are not about them tracking me, Doogsatx nailed how you keep your privacy.  I just don't like where some of the threads go but the main thing is it seems to take a lot of builders away from sites like this as you can only devote so much time to blogs each day.  I like the smaller atmosphere here and the gentler way the threads go and hate to see talented builders go to FaceBook or some of the larger sites.  Just my $0.02 on the thing.

Bones

I don't know. The way I use it, at least, Facebook complements forums and blogs by alerting me when new stuff pops up. The ability to share another's posts also makes Facebook a great discovery engine for new products, modelers and techniques I was previously unaware of, etc.

[Teabone]

doogsatx

Ultimately what it gets down to is personal favorites and what becomes the most used will survive and that that does not will slowly fade away just as it has for thousands of years.

Bones

[TRM]

I somewhat agree Bones...except with the MSC front. I feel there is a close-knit group that has evolved here. I am thinking that a lot, in not most, are on FB. This does not mean that the "modeller" will migrate to FB only. MSC was set on FB for the sole purpose of spreading the word. I have a a number of FB friends that are modellers, yet are not MSC members. I hope a few of them will make their way here in time as the are exceptional modelers and would fit right in.

We all have our own niches when it comes to FB and forums for that matter. MSC seems to exist as a central hub. People will go back and forth between many sites and end up coming back to hang out and shoot the Poo! Just the way it works! Membership has grown and continues as some other site remain the same or have waned off. So being able to spread the MSC word along with having the opportunity to share some of the members builds with the modelling community as a whole is great.

[doogsatx/]

May 21, 2013 15:46:23 GMT -5 Teabone said:

doogsatx

Ultimately what it gets down to is personal favorites and what becomes the most used will survive and that that does not will slowly fade away just as it has for thousands of years.

Bones

I don't know about that in this case - to me forums and FB are similar, but completely different.

I guess I think of them like using a smartphone vs. using an actual computer. The phone is great for quick consumption, maybe quick replies. But if you want to write a kit review or update an ongoing WIP log, a real screen and a real keyboard are infinitely preferable.

[Teabone]

Mr. T

You are right and certainly are an optimist  while I am a pragmatist with a lot of years viewing what works and what doesn't, I have every hope that nice spot you have developed here will at least out last me and there is no reason it should not. 

Bones

[Teabone]

doogsatx

Again its preference, I can see some people with their phone and a stylus typing out a review with a smile on their face but not you and I we prefer the keyboard.  I have been speaking from my view of what I can do, if I were to do both neither would get much out of me.  I just cant keep up with to separate tracks to the same destination.  WildBill76 keeps me abreast of most new stuff and any he misses I can get with a quick check for new stuff at PMMS.  My philosophy is that a person whoever it is must do what they enjoy and have fun with and avoid making work out of just living.

Bones

[wbill76]

Facebook, like any other form of media, is as useful/entertaining/informative as you make it. It does have somewhat of a learning curve attached to it and it is always evolving. While it has its place, it also has its limits. There are things it is very well suited for but if you aren't careful, you'll find yourself trying to drink from a fire hose. More and more modelers are turning to FB and other online/social media as the means to interact and stay connected though, and that's the way of the future I think. The key, like with any tool, is to not let it take over your life entirely and to set limits on how it functions and what you want to do with it.

[deafpanzer]

One thing I miss for sure... Dragon's weekly special sales. 50% of my stash probably came that way... for only $20 or $25 you could buy great Dragon and its kits.

[Teabone]

May 21, 2013 21:53:55 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

One thing I miss for sure... Dragon's weekly special sales. 50% of my stash probably came that way... for only $20 or $25 you could buy great Dragon and its kits.

Andy

Can the Dragon site be "Bookmarked" to your bookmark tool bar?  Being Dragon sells products maybe WildBill76 can put it on his site?

For me there are several makers that have passed Dragon for kits I like so WildBill76's site works for those.

Bones

[wbill76]

May 21, 2013 23:34:15 GMT -5 Teabone said:

May 21, 2013 21:53:55 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

One thing I miss for sure... Dragon's weekly special sales. 50% of my stash probably came that way... for only $20 or $25 you could buy great Dragon and its kits.

Andy

Can the Dragon site be "Bookmarked" to your bookmark tool bar?  Being Dragon sells products maybe WildBill76 can put it on his site?

For me there are several makers that have passed Dragon for kits I like so WildBill76's site works for those.

Bones

Dragon doesn't sell direct, they use distributors like Dragon USA. Dragon USA is in the MHI system and their prices are checked and updated weekly since D-USA does weekly 'rotating' sales as a normal practice for their listings. If you've got something on your Wish List by Dragon and the prices change, you should be getting regular email alerts whenever that happens as long as you have that box checked under your Profile settings.