When did this become the Paint forum?

I land on the index page, ~/default.aspx, breadcrumb trail Home > FineScaleModeler > Forums.  I scroll down the index to see if any new topics catch my eye.  From there, I'll drill down into individual themed subforums and look for anything that interests me.  I also go to my profile and its "Your Discussion" list, to look at updates to posts I've participated in.

When I add a new thread, I put it in the appropriate forum.  But as I said, either above or in one of the other threads this issue has spawned over the past week, it's just not worth getting exercised about anymore.  It's really not even remarking.  It's not unique to this forum, it's 'Net-wide behavior, and there are other things more deserving of our passion.

Hi,

When I come to the forums I usually just scroll down and right click to open a new tab on any subforum that shows something has been posted in the last "whatever number of hours" since my last visit.  As such I usually don't really always notice what subforum some existing threads are in.

PF

I check two areas when I come in here : “your discussions” and “recent discussions”. The overall forum menu is quite cumbersome to use when mobile, so those two areas tell me what’s actually happening in here. I used to also check “unanswered posts”, but since the last forum update, that is a few steps removed, so it has fallen off my daily tasks. 

Having been hanging around forums like this for too long (non-modeling), seems to me there are 2 basic broswsing habits, folk who browse by the forums they are interested in and those who browse by recent posts.

Group 1 (browse by sections of interest) seem to be the folk bothered more by the posting in the wrong forum thing, and I get that.

I'm in group 2 (browse by recent post). This forum, and the others from which I base my presumptions don't have enough activity to make this cumbersome (for ME I mean, I'm not telling you you are browsing the wrong way!!! ), and it helps me here, and has helped in years past elsewhere (even when moderating in a couple cases) to not miss posts.

Posting to correct forum would arguably generate more answers/comments thus create more interest from the new member. I think Don had this in mind with his post. (not just generating more answers, period, but making the place seem less 'dead' to our new folk).

So I guess what I'm trying to say is I can see both sides here.

As others have mentioned before, I do think we need to be careful with our new peeps. This place is so dead I've doubled my morning caffiene intake to try to counteract the yawns. We really cannot afford to be chasing new folk off if we have any interest in FSM continuing on. (My other forums have died, so this is my only remaining "morning paper" forum). I so hope we don't kill it. I enjoy the folk and occasional conversation here so very much.

Don Stauffer

 

 

Rob Gronovius

 

Now, items like painting and decaling, types of glue, dealing with photo etch, are across the many modeling genres and can be answered by many people regardless of what type of kits they build.

 

 

 

 

First, let me apologize for sounding so cantankerous (I am 80, so at this age most of us get a touch of that), but that is the main reason I posted. In fact, a second reason is that I believe the forums of the Tools, Techniques and Reference materials are a real asset.  But they are underused.  There are some real experts that participate in these forums, and they are always willing to help people.  But lately the message counts there have been dropping and the forums need to get more use, less they disappear (either by being removed, or by users just starting to ignore even checking them).  That would be a real loss.  So maybe I am being annoying, so maybe I'd better back off for awhile.  But those of you who love and use those forums down in the celler should step up and encourage their use.

 

 

I just think we have too many subject specific subforums. I don't have time to check each and every model subject subforum, like armor, automobiles, aircraft, sci-fi, etc.

So all these tools, paint, airbrush, decal subforums get ignored by me. If it is a topic that is generic to modeling, then I would put it in the general forum.

When I am busy, I just hit armor and general. If I'm real busy, I just go straight to the armor forum.

Well said, Don!

[And you've got a few years on me...but I understand the 'cantankerous' part all too well....]

Rob Gronovius

 

Now, items like painting and decaling, types of glue, dealing with photo etch, are across the many modeling genres and can be answered by many people regardless of what type of kits they build.

 

First, let me apologize for sounding so cantankerous (I am 80, so at this age most of us get a touch of that), but that is the main reason I posted. In fact, a second reason is that I believe the forums of the Tools, Techniques and Reference materials are a real asset.  But they are underused.  There are some real experts that participate in these forums, and they are always willing to help people.  But lately the message counts there have been dropping and the forums need to get more use, less they disappear (either by being removed, or by users just starting to ignore even checking them).  That would be a real loss.  So maybe I am being annoying, so maybe I'd better back off for awhile.  But those of you who love and use those forums down in the celler should step up and encourage their use.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

 

In honesty, the more somebody points out to “Post it in the so and so thread, you’ll get better responses”, the more the new members will shy away from asking more questions. The point I’m making is, chill out. It’s not the end of the world.

 

The point about directing someone to a more appropriate forum is there to better direct it to an area where someone who has the answer is more likely to see it. If you ask an armor question in general modeling, I might not see it. But if you direct the asker to the armor forum, I will see it.

Likewise, if someone posts an aircraft question in general modeling. I might see it, but I probably won't have an answer. If you ask in the aircraft forum, there is a greater chance someone with knowledge of aircraft will see the question.

Now, items like painting and decaling, types of glue, dealing with photo etch, are across the many modeling genres and can be answered by many people regardless of what type of kits they build.

GAF

I find it amusing that some people are more upset about a post correcting someone posting several painting questions in the wrong forum than they are about posting in the wrong forum.  As someone else said -- chill!

Gary

 

I agree. I see no reason why it’s such a big deal. So what if it’s posted in the wrong forum thread - whether his intentions was good or not. We all need to cut the new members a break. In due time, they’ll know what and where to post.

In honesty, the more somebody points out to “Post it in the so and so thread, you’ll get better responses”, the more the new members will shy away from asking more questions. The point I’m making is, chill out. It’s not the end of the world.

When new users come here, they probably think of painting as a general modeling question and therefore ask it here. Older users of the forum ask here because there is more traffic.

Personally, I tend to visit just a few of the subforums and only hit one of the more specific subforums if a topic is listed on the "recent activity" list on the home forum page and the topic is one in which I think I have an answer.

The two I always visit is General and Armor. If it isn't there or a recent activity, I won't see it.

I find it amusing that some people are more upset about a post correcting someone posting several painting questions in the wrong forum than they are about posting in the wrong forum.  As someone else said -- chill!

Gary

To direct someones attention to a more appropriate forum section is helpful, it can lead to more productive and accurate communications.

The vast majority of posts and responses are positive, polite and instructional, or at least supportive. Speaking only for myself, I rarely see posts that are negative or insulting, but sometimes do see rather bitchy and sniping remarks. Saying something like "why on Earth would you do that?" "where did you ever get such an idea?" or the best ones, "did you try thinking about it before doing that?" "what a waste of your time and money." (Anyone remember Tomcat Guy?)

Members don't require much in the way of correction, only helpful recommendations and polite answers to legitimate questions. If we don't agree with or understand a post, it's quite easy to just move along until finding one that offers a chance to help or clarify. I think Don S. intended to be helpful, that's a good thing.

Patrick 

This is a good time to recite the Serenity Prayer.

I have come to accept that a lot of people out there don't look closely at instructions, don't read FAQs or indexes when they join a forum, or even after they've been in a forum for a while, they'll post any topic in that section of a forum that they visit the most, and on and on.  Even being discreet and just tipping off a moderator by asking to move a post to a more appropriate forum is hit-or-miss.  So, since I can't do anything about it, I try to ignore it.

  Agree with you on this mater entirely Don. Not sure the specifics regarding this as the other responder alluded to, however posting in the correct section helps the person seeking knowledge as well as the potential "helper".   

Relax. Give the newbies a chance to get his bearings and used to the site. I've already pointed out to the OP about posting painting questions and other topics in the appropriate threads.