Idea for a new forum.

I'm in for this, the only way to get better is to learn from your mistakes and if noone points i out then you don't get better.

David

TANGO 1 wrote:

Hi FSM crew, over on the General discusssion forum, a few of the members have been debating how to criticise other peoples work without upseting anyone, some of us actually want constructive feedback on what we are doing. But it has also been recognised that some do not. My idea is to have a forum within General Modelling for the purpose of showing models for the purpose of recieving constructive criticism from other forum members. The idea is, if you put your finished work on display in such a forum you know that others will offer feedback. It could be somewhere for the more "serious" builders to exchange views on each others work and a great way to exchange ideas on improving our models. You get the idea...... I'd be interested to see what you would think about doing this, I think it would be quite popular.

)

I think it would be FAR better to have EXACTLY the opposite-a forum where people who DO NOT want criticisms can post their builds to get the "thumbs up", or no criticisms at all. I have to believe that, judging from what I've seen in the numerous forums I viisit--Armor, Dioramas and Figures--that the vast majority of posters in these are almost unanimously ALWAYS looking for criticisms AND "attaboys" In fact, there's only one guy I can think of who posts models that he merely purchases and does not build, who seems to post them for the sheer joy of showing off his collection. 

I'll make a prediction: that if this forum goes up, you'll have a small core group of satisfied posters, who don't want to recieve criticism or negative feedback, and then you'll have a bunch of confused "noobs" who will post there, thinking that to post their models in the "regular" forums would be tantamount to throwing their models "to the wolves" Also, don't you think that having a dedicated "criticism wanted"-type forum would encourage the occasional mean-spirited "rivet counter" to lash out without discretion, feeling justified because the poster "asked for it"?!?!

I think that a forum for "No Criticism" wanted would be far more productive for what you're trying to achieve here. Personally, I think that MOST modellers on this forum that I have seen in my relatively short time here want to get better through criticism, and then recieve the SINCERE praise and feeling of personal improvement when their subsequent builds reflect that improvement. 

Pretty good idea in theory, Tango1, but in practice, I'm not real sure.

Seems to me like the solution is simple. If you want critique, constructive criticism, etc, then say so in your post, when you post the pics of your build.

And if you're the critic, the guy who's looking at someone's posted pics and you have something more constructive than "'atta boy, good job," just keep it constructive and don't be rude.

Now, back to the guy who posted the pics. If you recieve criticism, don't take it as an insult. Simply put that advice to use toward the improvement of your skills. Improving our skills is what we do.

See, I think these forums work very well just as they are. In the Armor threads, you sometimes see something like this: Someone will spend a month on a kit, finish it up, and post pics, saying something like, "Lemme have it!" or "Let me know what you think," or "Comments appreciated." 20 people will comment, saying things like, "Your weathering skills are phenomenal," etc etc - and then the 21st person will point out that the tracks are on backwards. See, this is a good thing, as long as it's done in a genuinely friendly manner, and as long as the original poster made it clear that he wanted the critique.

Not a bad idea, not opposed to it per se, but I'm not seeing why we need another forum for it.

I agree with the last few posts.  I don't see a need for a new Critique Forum. If done properly, in the existing forums, you will get the best benefit. 

ruddratt wrote:

Some interesting points on both sides, and with the exception of the idea being referred to as 'hair-brained', well-presented. I have to admit I took some offense to that remark. Darren is one of the more respected posters on these forums (the quality of his work speaks for itself), easily one of the most personable & easy-going, and not above conversing with anyone who posts outside their usual forums (in other words, he doesn't care what you build....he just appreciates good modeling).

APOLOGIES!!!!

jthurston wrote:

Pretty good idea in theory, Tango1, but in practice, I'm not real sure. Seems to me like the solution is simple. If you want critique, constructive criticism, etc, then say so in your post, when you post the pics of your build. And if you're the critic, the guy who's looking at someone's posted pics and you have something more constructive than "'atta boy, good job," just keep it constructive and don't be rude. Now, back to the guy who posted the pics. If you recieve criticism, don't take it as an insult. Simply put that advice to use toward the improvement of your skills. Improving our skills is what we do. See, I think these forums work very well just as they are. In the Armor threads, you sometimes see something like this: Someone will spend a month on a kit, finish it up, and post pics, saying something like, "Lemme have it!" or "Let me know what you think," or "Comments appreciated." 20 people will comment, saying things like, "Your weathering skills are phenomenal," etc etc - and then the 21st person will point out that the tracks are on backwards. See, this is a good thing, as long as it's done in a genuinely friendly manner, and as long as the original poster made it clear that he wanted the critique. Not a bad idea, not opposed to it per se, but I'm not seeing why we need another forum for it.

well put,jthurston-- all though it may hurt your feelings a little or embarass you a little, your model will improve-- I know-- Ive been there /forums/778300/ShowPost.aspx -- steve (disastermaster) critiqued me on a glaring flaw-- and to this day, I am happy he did (you have to read the responces after the pics)  -- but no special forum was needed!-- sorry Tango 1  --  tread-p.s. steve -- if you are reading this, thanks again man!

Its not that i'm against the idea of a new forum, but i personally don't see the need for it. I tend to stick to the Armor and Diorama forums and have posted pics in both in the past. 

I find the feedback i get is exactly what i need and want, that being critical without being insulting. The "Great jobs" are mixed in fair proportion to the "your figures look like zombies so could use a light wash" comments. The former gives my confidence a lift and the latter gives me valuable and welcome feedback that  allows further improvement.

Perhaps other forums aren't quite as helpful with their comments but i wouldn't like to see a change to the two forums i visit. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

Cheers

Constructive feedback, and ripping someone's work to shreds based on your own opinion of what peice of detail should be what color are two WAY different things.  If someone asks what do you think?  They are probably not asking is this color correct  in your opinion for this part?  Should this antenna be located .5mm to the left?  Generally in my experience, if someone wants to know about the accuracy of their model, they will say so.  Not everyone builds for the utmost in perfect accuracy which in reality nobody can attest to considering most of the people who are building this stuff were not alive at that time or were only small children.  I don't give a hoot if this rivet or that bolt doesn't have the exact perfect contour that it should.  If I post a picture of my build, I want to know about the quality of the build, not the exact accuracy.  Having a seperate area for "feedback" is completely assenine.  Usually people that say things like "obviously you don't really want feedback so why are you bothering to ask for feedback" are the same exact people who enjoy ripping the living crap out of someone for this peice of detail or that.  Or because their technique isn't the "best" technique.  constructive feedback isn't hey this is wrong and this is wrong and this is wrong, you should really do your researchf irst, here let me show you where you screwed up.  If this offends you, my apoligies, but that kinda garbage offends me to no end, and it's people who do things like that, are the reason why there is no peace.  People convinced of their own superiority.  No need to reply to this as I will never check for replies to this post.  Just something that if this is you, you may want to take a long ahrd look at yourself and go take some classes in diplomacy and humanities.

Michael

I'm with Roy on this.

I think any critiquing can be done in the individual forums.Not that it's a bad idea I just think it's already being done to good effect.

fantacmet wrote:

Constructive feedback, and ripping someone's work to shreds based on your own opinion of what peice of detail should be what color are two WAY different things.  If someone asks what do you think?  They are probably not asking is this color correct  in your opinion for this part?  Should this antenna be located .5mm to the left?  Generally in my experience, if someone wants to know about the accuracy of their model, they will say so.  Not everyone builds for the utmost in perfect accuracy which in reality nobody can attest to considering most of the people who are building this stuff were not alive at that time or were only small children.  I don't give a hoot if this rivet or that bolt doesn't have the exact perfect contour that it should.  If I post a picture of my build, I want to know about the quality of the build, not the exact accuracy.  Having a seperate area for "feedback" is completely assenine.  Usually people that say things like "obviously you don't really want feedback so why are you bothering to ask for feedback" are the same exact people who enjoy ripping the living crap out of someone for this peice of detail or that.  Or because their technique isn't the "best" technique.  constructive feedback isn't hey this is wrong and this is wrong and this is wrong, you should really do your researchf irst, here let me show you where you screwed up.  If this offends you, my apoligies, but that kinda garbage offends me to no end, and it's people who do things like that, are the reason why there is no peace.  People convinced of their own superiority.  No need to reply to this as I will never check for replies to this post.  Just something that if this is you, you may want to take a long ahrd look at yourself and go take some classes in diplomacy and humanities. Michael