Gb forum losing its touch?

QUOTE: Originally posted by trowlfazz C'mon-these 'badges' are gif files, not medals-who cares?

Those who were on this forum first, those who understood the original intent of GBs care. Once the slew of new members came, they basically all made their own rules because they thought it "cool" to show something in your signature. This isn't really about how much or little someone cares, but it is about the history of this forum, and they are opinions that we are all allowed to express. Either way, this is a pointless discussion. Those that have been here some time see things one way, the n00b$ see it in another. Ultimately, it's a public forum, and as such, its public is what will determine the rules of the forum. It really doesn't make much difference really, but there is one fact that is undeniable: The GBs used to have a LOT more involvement and people seemed to be enjoying them much more before the creation of the GB forum and the slew of broad, far-reaching GBs. They did a much better job of what their intent was, and now too many are sitting idly by. We all have our opinions on what GBs should be, but we should all realize that we all have good and bad points. To say things like "this is just blah blah, who cares" to me is quite a dumb thing to say. This place used to be a fairly tightly knit community. We make this place into what it is. If WE don't care about the small details, who will? I don't think that allowing this forum to just 'naturally' evolve through the mass concensus of the path of least resistance is the way to go forward. Just my opinion.

I like the idea of a GB, a group of modellers building a subjesct with a common factor.
This alowes for easy sharing and acces of experience.

However it doesn't always work that way. I once joined a GB that whiterd down to two members. We did complete the build but didn't bother about bagdes....

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dwight Ta-ala QUOTE: Originally posted by tigerman ... I mean the soldiers didn't walk into combat with medals already on them, they had to earn them, correct? ... I agree but looking at it the other way (as we always should do)...soldiers walk into the battle with unit patches which indicates the group or team ID... ...kinda like a membership badge... but then again these are all personal opinions...

I agree, but I'd better not say anymore.

QUOTE: Originally posted by tigerman ... I mean the soldiers didn't walk into combat with medals already on them, they had to earn them, correct? ...

I agree but looking at it the other way (as we always should do)...soldiers walk into the battle with unit patches which indicates the group or team ID...

...kinda like a membership badge...

but then again these are all personal opinions...

QUOTE: Originally posted by tigerman QUOTE: Originally posted by trowlfazz C'mon-these 'badges' are gif files, not medals-who cares? I really don't care, just expressing an opinion. Just as you have one. This is why these threads always blow up, opinions can't be mutually shared.

Ain't that the truth...

QUOTE: Originally posted by trowlfazz C'mon-these 'badges' are gif files, not medals-who cares?

I really don't care, just expressing an opinion. Just as you have one. This is why these threads always blow up, opinions can't be mutually respected.

C'mon-these 'badges' are gif files, not medals-who cares?

That would have been a cool idea Dwight. I guess the way I see badges is as a reward and motivator to finishing up a build. I mean the soldiers didn't walk into combat with medals already on them, they had to earn them, correct? Same should go for the Group badges. Oh somebody slap me, here I go O.T. again. Sorry, I'll leave now.

QUOTE: Originally posted by zokissima But I still think that if you commit to a GB, then don't actually finish an entry, well, you shouldn't be wearing a badge...

I couldn't agree more as it was the honorable practice during the first GB's here in the forum. But that concept soon changed as more GB's (with no clear rules) popped up. Of course as there was no clear forum written rule about this, we can't really stop members from wearing the badges.

In one GB I even suggested as a "trade-off" to have 2 badges...one as a "membership badge" that members can immediately wear upon signing in for a GB and second, a "completion badge" to be worn only when the member completes his/her work/entry.

BUT I was struck out right there and then.... Oh well...

QUOTE: Originally posted by zokissima But I still think that if you commit to a GB, then don't actually finish an entry, well, you shouldn't be wearing a badge...

I agree, but that has beaten the horse dead in a few other threads.

QUOTE: Originally posted by ddayomaha I think that the ohio Gb was a good idea made even better by educating people on Ohio units and servicemen.

I agree, the fact that it was changed to educate people on Ohio units and servicemen is what makes it a GREAT idea. But at its inception it was not based on such premises. Either way, the point is taken, this thread isn't about any specific GB, I just used that one as an example. Ultimately, I guess whatever method is used to bring people who love modelling together, one way or the other, is a good method. Those who want to participate, at whatever level they wish, can, others don't have to.

But I still think that if you commit to a GB, then don't actually finish an entry, well, you shouldn't be wearing a badge...

I think that the ohio Gb was a good idea made even better by educating people on Ohio units and servicemen.

I apologize… I didn’t mean to be negative. My post was mean and contemptible.

Wow, how did this turn into dumping on the Ohio group build? Sounds like he was just trying to get a bunch modelers who live near enough that they may actually meet once in a while in the flesh. Sounds like advnacing this hobby to me.

Sorry to overreact, guys, but I thought it was a great idea (not mine) and a way to have "penpals" as such. But apparently I have too much time on my hands and must stew over trivial things.

Guys settle down.

Trowlfazz, this post was started because people were concerned with how the GBs seemed to be losing their touch, not a specifc attack on certain group builds and certainly not a b**** session as you called it, memebers here are only stating their opinions and looking for ways to improve the site, so please do not use harsh language because things like this have caused huge feuds and the demise of members and the Off topic forum. thank you

Easy does it guys.........

Stupid does not sound like 'commenting'.

No one's bitching, but merely commenting. The whole point of the discussion is not that some builds should be here or shouldn't, but that members should give them at least SOME thought and effort. Your Ohio GB started off as a pretty stupid idea, with no ground rules, no subject matter, no outlines. It was started because a member saw a couple of other members that were from his region. All that is fine and well, but this is a modelling forum, and as such, at least some effort should go towards furthering our hobby. There is nothing wrong with having an Ohio GB, but basing it on the sole reason that it was FOR people from Ohio is discriminatory. It was altered, and its purpose was changed, to an excellent standard, of furthering awareness of Ohio by allowing people to chose a specific subject and learn about it.

I don't participate in group builds, but I have nothing against them either. I'm not a "groupie" kind of guy when it comes to modeling. I do it to relax, be alone and stay off of deadlines and protracted discussions. I will discuss the finished models all you want, but stopping in the middle of a project to gab across the net is, well, not my cup of tea.

Steve

I joined my first GB-it was originally Ohioans building planes that have someting to do with Ohio. It made me do some research-and I settled on John Glenn's F-86. It may not be a GB aimed at technique but more at community. It also starts on my birthday and will be a fun distraction. So if it doesn't pull your chain just pass by and go to your bitch session instead.

I like participating in GB's, but you do have to be selective. I've overcommitted at times & you do feel some pressure, but it's all self induced. Most of the ones I've joined have been pretty well organized & have several members with active builds. It's an excellent way to get to know some of the members better. I prefer GB's with a somewhat focused theme, but not too restricted to a particular kit or markings.

Regards, Rick

Well said J-hulk I would just prefer to see some old-fashhioned GB's thats all.

Well, after realizing that the whole GB concept just doesn't work for my pace of modelling (slow, sporadic, and often sidetracked), I've completely given up trying to participate in any of them.

However, even though I'm not interested in the GB system, I don't see how the "frivolous" GBs should bother anyone...join 'em or don't, seems pretty simple to me. The ones that are truly bad ideas will die the deaths they deserve through natural selection.
See one you don't like? Ignore it, and maybe it'll go away. And even if it doesn't, why begrudge the few individuals who are enjoying it their fun?

Oh, and I agree that some of them are pretty silly...but again, who does it bother?
We should try to not let our personal sensibilities unjustly infringe on other folk's harmless enjoyment of the hobby.

Yes, it is building momentum, and thankfully so.

I don’t post frequently here on FSM, but I do read the topics posted often (also like GBs too). You know at one point, GBs were something that allowed every member, who was interested in certain subject to participate in. people would post an idea, asked if anyone would be interested and then set a date so people could join who didn’t have a kit at that moment. Then they go from there...
But now it’s like: * Hey! Start Now! Finish whenever, I don’t care… Do whatever you want. I have a kit-- let’s start now!* After some time it’s gets frustrating. There’s quite a few GB’s that I would like to join in on, but people don’t ask if anyone is interested—they just start it. Then in a few weeks it’s no longer active. In ways it is get out of hand. But at the same time though, I think people just get excited about an idea for a GB and wanted to share it with everyone at that instant.

Ditto to that zokissima but it looks like the Ohio GB is shaping up to a decent little build

QUOTE: Originally posted by Captain Caveman i want to start a "Any scale model group build" anyone want to join

ooh ooh ooh, and it starts now and ends whenever, and you can build any scale, any topic, any time, and colour it anything
I think it's a GREAT idea, we'll all learn nothing about everything

LOL, man too many are cropping up left, right, and centre, for no apparent reason. Some guy created an Ohio GB, because he met a couple of members that were from Ohio. Only after a couple of...informative replies...did he finally manage to turn it into SOMETHING of a productive idea.
Either way, the GBs were not what they used to be. The incentive is kind of gone. I've joined a few, but no one seems to care. 30 people reply, and you get maybe 5 actually building. Most allow the wearing of the banner immediately, so you have people that have 20 images in their sig, but have built 2 models. A shame. Also, this "self-policing" policy clearly doesn't work, as that's been the system implemented so far, so for every older member that has etiquette and understands what the GBs are about, there are 20 others who say "who cares, we just feel like having one, and that's all that matters.
I'm actually quite frustrated by the apparent lack of moderator attention this forum has received. A while ago they jumped in because of off-topic discussions and the whole mood of the forum changed. Since then, there's been a significant LACK of their presence here...

I had an idea for a group build where only ohioans could join but i got flamed for that so i made it any ohio theme... Not many people on my member list. But the ones on it will definately finish, I think. So if you want to join, join, if not, then don't. But be sure to join my All Ohio Groub Build