Forums losing interest?

Yeah I agree Karl. Lots of great builders that I used to follow here and elsewhere have pretty much left forums for Facebook. I dislike facebook myself so I won't be seeing them anymore. Also, lots of private SIGs on Facebook as well that can't even be viewed by the casual observer...

In my opinion, you can blame it on one word--Facebook.

I personally know of, and have seen former and current FSM modelers who now post MUCH more frequently on FB than on this site. I hope I don't sound too cynical when I opine that the reason for that may be the fact that on FB, your audience is really more of your confirmed "friends" who are more likely to give you effusive praise than any group of mixed persons on any given forum? Then again, maybe it's just a desire to get moreresponses, period; there ARE times on this forum when the responses are few and far in between, for whatever reason. There are some major modelers who now exclusively post to FB.

I have to say that I have not yet fallen to that tendency and don't plan to any time soon. I will post mostly finished photos up on my FB page, or greatly truncated versions of "in progress" photos, but I would much rather post here, for various reasons.

Personally, I don't believe that anybody "abandoned" the forum because of the (gasp!) "big change". And if they did, well...don't let the door hitcha, as far as Im co'ncerned. If you'd leave a forum because of that, that's like running away from home because your parents had to do a little remodeling when the aged infrastructure of your home gave way.

Bish,

Upon your recommendation, I joined "Britmodeller".  It seems like a lively place, and friendly enough.

But, wouldn't you know it, they are about to update their forum software!  Hope it goes smoother than some other places I could mention.... 

Gary

Bish,
I joined Britmodller tuesday as Bitzer, but I won't be posting as much there as I do here.

modelcrazy

I'm with Wayne. While I'm a member of other forums, I feel this is my home. There are too many people I consider family, and who care about me, to ever leave them.

Steve

 

I have joined a couple of other forums over the last few years, but not as a replacement for here but in addition. But i can never get into them and this will always be my home in regards modelling forums, no matter what.

Ozmac

I find there's no forum anywhere that suits my weird tastes. I like civilian aviation, and I don't ike military aviation all that much, except for the unusual/behind the scenes military stuff that isn't a Spitfire/Hurricane/Mustang/Focke Wulfe etc. So that puts me in the 1% category for starters.

I find FSM is a slightly more lively home for my very strange 1-percenter interests in modelling. All the other websites/forums seem to me to be dominated by the military fanboys, when it comes to aircraft especialy. Good luck to them, I hope they have fun, but from my oddball point of view I think FSM is still the "broadest church" that I know of online that actually has a few people who aren't totally devoted to the military mainstream.

 

 

I also have an interest in civilian aviation with the exception of airliners. New kits are rare and old kits rarer yet. There are as many subjects in civil aviation as in military but without the movie hype those kits just won't fly to well. I really miss that old Cessna 310 with the straight tip tanks I had as a kid. You'll need gold teeth fillings to pay for one if you find it.

aks_801

I'm a returning modeller with only a couple of posts here.

Part of the perceived downturn in activity could be due to the recent change/downtime in the site combined with quality of competition.  There are numerous other REALLY nice sites out there!  I also like that as a newb it takes a while for my posts to get "approved" before they go online: for reals?

All that being said, I consider this my "home" site for modelling info.

 

I'm new to this site. The "new" forum doesn't bother me. I've used others like it before and not having used the old one I have nothing to compare it to. However, the wait time before having a post posted did come as a surprise. It's especially untimley when a quick edit or post script comes to mind and you have that wait only to forget. It seems it might have the effect of dampening a forum. 

Learning patience is something I've been doing for 60+ years and this just adds to my training.

Don Stauffer

 

 

Ozmac

I find there's no forum anywhere that suits my weird tastes. I like civilian aviation, and I don't ike military aviation all that much, except for the unusual/behind the scenes military stuff that isn't a Spitfire/Hurricane/Mustang/Focke Wulfe etc. So that puts me in the 1% category for starters.

 

 

 

 

There is a civil aircraft forum right below the aircraft forum. It is one of those that could use more participation.  So, Ozmac, if you haven't looked at that forum yet, drop in, and try to post something!

 

 

Thanks for not noticing, but I post there regularly

I hate the white background and wish they had a "go to first unread reply" button for the long threads.

Personally I hope to get back to the bench now that the weather is turning and maybe post some pics.

Mike

I've been lurking, but with 1005 views and only 48 replies, I've been in good company.  I've been following variuse threads, but have not had anything to add.  The change in the forum has not made any difference to me.  Even this post has not added much to the conversation, so generally I just lurk.  Aircraft and Armour Forums are hard to keep up with, lots happening there.

I'm with Wayne. While I'm a member of other forums, I feel this is my home. There are too many people I consider family, and who care about me, to ever leave them.

Steve

 I have to confess that I haven't posted anywhere near the volume I have in the past, and I am not a prolific poster like some on this site.  I hit a wall after finishing a couple of planes for a GB in April and have barely entered my model room in the past few months.  Should have finished a ship for the WW1 GB by today but didn't even come close.

  Trying to run two retail stores with short staffing, coming home and fixing dinner and trying to do as much housework as I can to save my wife who has been putting in almost double time at her job does not leave much time for anything.

  I am also a member of several other forums but I always come to FSM due to the diversity.  At any given day I find my modeling lusts ranging from military AC to civil aviation, to ships, to armor and even automobiles.  I get something out of everything here. 

i have a friend who wants to get back playing board wargames, mostly beer and pretzel, not monster games. that may actually help my modeling unless we play ww2 stuff..

there was a light turnout at the High Plains contest this year. still a fun contest and i got to see folks i dont see regularly. talking with some folks it seems a lot of us are at the same stage, we don't have a lot of new and are running out of kits to enter because most have won at one point  or will never win. i still enter the never wins because 1. part of winning is showing up and 2. i like to support the other clubs. 

i do like the old layout and color better but this isn't worth leaving over. i have too many friends here now.

Ozmac

I find there's no forum anywhere that suits my weird tastes. I like civilian aviation, and I don't ike military aviation all that much, except for the unusual/behind the scenes military stuff that isn't a Spitfire/Hurricane/Mustang/Focke Wulfe etc. So that puts me in the 1% category for starters.

 

There is a civil aircraft forum right below the aircraft forum. It is one of those that could use more participation.  So, Ozmac, if you haven't looked at that forum yet, drop in, and try to post something!

  I know that I haven't done my fair share of contributing to the forum.  I have one foot in traditional modeling, and one in tabletop miniatures wargaming which doesn't help.  I tend to happen on threads late and when I comment I feel like Ive become the thread killer.

   The forum change didn't bother me but the lack of timely fixes did.  You don't make changes unless you have the resources ready to fix bugs.  It almost sounds like they changed all their websites at once and then scrambed to put out fires.  

  I also feel that there needs to be more interaction with people at FSM.  Most times it feels like the site is forgotten.  I know they have a magazine to put out, but in this day and age a magazine won't survive the long haul without an active web presence. (my opinion only).  

  I am going to make an effort to get more involved, but I do think FSM needs to stay connected to their website and treat it like the important asset that it is. 

                                                                                                            knox

Well my disappearance has been due to "life 2.0". Just too much going, especially the big change in work hours, which has greatly affected my model time.

I haven't had any issues with the forum changes. It's all part of life: change. Ive seen more then I care for in the past 4 years.

I find there's no forum anywhere that suits my weird tastes. I like civilian aviation, and I don't ike military aviation all that much, except for the unusual/behind the scenes military stuff that isn't a Spitfire/Hurricane/Mustang/Focke Wulfe etc. So that puts me in the 1% category for starters.

I find FSM is a slightly more lively home for my very strange 1-percenter interests in modelling. All the other websites/forums seem to me to be dominated by the military fanboys, when it comes to aircraft especialy. Good luck to them, I hope they have fun, but from my oddball point of view I think FSM is still the "broadest church" that I know of online that actually has a few people who aren't totally devoted to the military mainstream.

Thanks guys. I seeing a pattern here.

plasticjunkie

Nice looking Avatar Steve!

 

Nice looking Avatar Steve!

waynec

i really need the spell checker.

I've been screaming about that since the change.

goldhammer

This time of year you have a lot of other things going on, hunting seasons, getting ready for the holidays, winterizing the house, vehicles, etc.  I know for me it is some of the above, along with other interests and meetings with 3 gold prospecting clubs, and working on getting a dredge ready for next season, my position on a federal advisory council and the travel with that.  Not to mention that I kind of overloaded on the GB's and have not even started on two of them and the other I have paint problems and have tabled it for now until I get more ambition to go back and fix it.   The new format does not really matter to me, and I check in fairly often, but for now the ambition has gone on vacation............  

 

me too. thanx for saving me a lot of typing. i really need the spell checker.

I'm a returning modeller with only a couple of posts here.

Part of the perceived downturn in activity could be due to the recent change/downtime in the site combined with quality of competition.  There are numerous other REALLY nice sites out there!  I also like that as a newb it takes a while for my posts to get "approved" before they go online: for reals?

All that being said, I consider this my "home" site for modelling info.

Looks like I really opened the spigot this time!  Thanks for the opinions, guys.

I have pretty much become accustomed to the new format, though I certainly do not think it is better than the old, and turning down the background brightness would help, though I am aware of many sites that have gone too far (dark blue letters on a black background and such).

Things have really slowed down in the tools and techniques section, which I think has some of the most helpful forums in the whole FSM forum domain. If you have never scrolled down far enough to have come to them, do have a look.

SubarooMike

It's nice on FB because you don't have to upload your images to photobucket, etc.  

 

I have to check out FB then. I'm really surprised FSM doesn't have photo storing capabilities to eliminate second party picture storage which tends to become tedious at times when posting a series of pictures.

I personally got tired of the Photobucket pop ups and adware being introduced into my computer and switched to Imageshack which has no advertisement or pop ups.

I was posting on a smaller British site a while back but misplaced the web address and can't remember the site name either. The guys there are very talented and helpful. The gentleman running the site is named Andy. I'm still trying to locate the site.

I'm not sure there is a "down-turn" but I think of a hobby in this light"it is something to do when I need a break and/or when there is nothing else to do.  That may not be how others see it, but this works for me.  When I retired I thought there would be "tons of time for hobbies", but as it turns out being retired is somewhat more taxing than work.  I agree with the idea that seasonal considerations are accurate.  As the weather cools I'm in the house more and thus have more time for hobbies.

Thats just how I see it.

Have fun !