Suggestion Box (formerly: Model Car Subforums)

Time to start discussing solutions...Originally posted by primera man
Another idea i've been think about is maybe breaking the threads down into different section.
If we do it(which i'd have to talk about with Jay) we need to find out what sections we would need.
Example......
Intro for newbies
Painting/priming
Progress pics
Finished pics
General Questions
????????
???????
??????
?????? What else?

Maybe making some kind of "how-to" or tutorial thread, where different techniques are unveiled?

Olivier

I didn't think it'd come to this, but as it stands now, I see no other way but indeed make those subsections.

Tutorial sections is a great idea. Can't say that I'd be for yet another off-topic though :)

Alex

Reviews?
Introductions (not sure if Warren meant the same by "Intro for newbies")?

how about a link to COT????

Originally posted by Jimster
how about a link to COT????

That could work!

And maybe a link to the upcoming car reference database on photo-chop.com

And maybe a reference pic link thread?

Olivier

Would suggest a Reference pictures sub-section but Mentel has that underway by the sounds of it. What about a sub-section for requesting car model information? So if your trying to find a deal on Ebay you can ask to get help on it to see if its worth the price, or you can ask general questions about kits. Also upcoming and new releases.

Also a Trade & private sales section?

How about a Reviews section? Is such-and-such worth buying, does this kit build well, what's the best airbrush etc...

All the Idea's sound good, but I would suggest a:
General Modeling forum (newbies introduce themselves, people show off their latest build, in progress...ect).
A Painting forum (for questions about painting, polishing, waxing...ect)
A trade or buying forum (ask about good deals or not, make trades with people, or buy off people)
And a lost part forum (for people who need parts that have been lost, or just need the parts for Customisation)

Just my .02 cents.

I think we should give it time to see if the issue's that are annoying us here settle down. I'm not to keen on the idea of subsections, i much prefer to have all the threads on one screen in front of me so i can sift through them, good or bad.

I do understand what you're trying to say FOTW, I kinda agree.

But If we should keep 'em like this, I would strongly demand that in every title the starter puts abbreviations in front of the question-model.

Like

FM: Enzo ferrari -->Finished Model
GQ: Which models you like the most -->General Question
PQ: When do I polish? --> Painting Question
ProT: My current ITR --> Progress Thread
NI: My models --> Newbie Introduction

These are all examples.

So if we have some kind of standard abbreviations that everyone has to use in front of the topic, we should be able to scroll more easier through the threads , without losing too much time. That way people stop losing their time reading stuff they don't want to read.

Just IMHO a not so difficult solution.

Olivier

Originally posted by bigfrit
I do understand what you're trying to say FOTW, I kinda agree.

But If we should keep 'em like this, I would strongly demand that in every title the starter puts abbreviations in front of the question-model.

Like

FM: Enzo ferrari -->Finished Model
GQ: Which models you like the most -->General Question
PQ: When do I polish? --> Painting Question
ProT: My current ITR --> Progress Thread
NI: My models --> Newbie Introduction

These are all examples.

So if we have some kind of standard abbreviations that everyone has to use in front of the topic, we should be able to scroll more easier through the threads , without losing too much time. That way people stop losing their time reading stuff they don't want to read.

Just IMHO a not so difficult solution.

Olivier

Nice idea but often the title of the thread give away the subject, eg "When do i polish" is obviously a painting topic.

The forum has been going fine for a long time without subsections, so i say lets just sort out the one we have.

Originally posted by flyonthewall
I think we should give it time to see if the issue's that are annoying us here settle down. I'm not to keen on the idea of subsections, i much prefer to have all the threads on one screen in front of me so i can sift through them, good or bad.

I'm with you Chris.

I gave it a long thought before replying, and well as far as I can see it, some things changed. First off, a lot of Newbies came along, me for instance about 6 or 7 months ago... Do people post boring things? Don't know it's not up to me to judge that, well what I do is I look through the thread titles and if it informs me or attracks my attention, I'll click into it. The forum should be open - that's why we call it a forum in the first place. Creating other subsections, will splitt this wonderfull place up too much and categories are getting popular - progress and finished pics - whereas questions might not be. It is like a real-live modeling club where every-one is welcome and raise questions, over and over again. In the local hobby club however, we don't have subsections either. It's all one big open thing. If people bore me there, I have the right to ignore them. And so should this forum stay. This is our "Virtual Modeling club" and it should be organised as a real life one. That's what makes AF different from the rest!!

My 4 suggestions are:
1) people should try and be more decriptive in the thread titles
2) As soon as a person starts a personal attack, or is offending some-one, his reply should immediately be removed by the moderator and that person should be banned for a month. If after that he/she decides to come back and starts all over again, he should be banned permenantly.
3) if this puts a lot of extra work on the mod's we might take a third one along to monitor the well being of AF.
4) and please, please keep it as it is.

With these kind of discussions we are scaring newbies off, like Sennake said in the other thread. He is for example a very good modeler who could contriburte a lot to AF. So please have this issue resolved asap.

;)

Originally posted by huudo




With these kind of discussions we are scaring newbies off, like Sennake said in the other thread. He is for example a very good modeler who could contriburte a lot to AF. So please have this issue resolved asap.

;)

Very good point, we don't want to make the new guys feel uneasy and frightened to post.

The problems that have risen on AF has nothing to do with newbs per say, it's kids!!! In particular newb kids!:D I've got no personal problem with this, i think its fine and its great to know the hobby still attracts younger people. My point is that alot of you guy's need to understand that kids are kids and we need to accept that and tolerate what they do - to some extent. The postwhoring we get on here is over excitement, thinking they know it all is naivety and flaming and going OT is immaturity.

Some of the older guy's need to chill a little, the youngers guys just need to grow up a little and both need to have a little more respect!

:)

i didnt think AF would be coming to this, but i guess if it has to happen, it has to happen. but 1 problem i know will definitley happen is that someone would post the thread in the wron section and then the mods would have to moove themand that can get pretty anoying, but it seems like it would help out alot so go for it JAY

Originally posted by flyonthewall
Very good point, we don't want to make the new guys feel uneasy and frightened to post.

Being a new guy to this forum, i'm starting to worry about my posts
as Chris said.
I hope my posts don't offend anyone:bloated:

Originally posted by flyonthewall
Very good point, we don't want to make the new guys feel uneasy and frightened to post.

Same here. What I worry about is to scare new people and young kids off.
I think the forum is just fine for now, but just advise people to put an easy-to-understand thread title, so that if one doesn't like it, (s)he can simply skip it.
One thing I noticed after the new server was installed, was that unread thread gets to the bottom of the 2nd page only after a day of absence.
That's an unexpected drawback, isn't it? :)
When it gets to 3rd or 4th page, we might have to think about sub topic, but until then, I like all the thread in one place.

I think the scale modeling section of AF needs to be heavily modified...

We need these sections:


1. Model Gallery
2. Reviews/Articles/Features
3. Trading Post/Hot Deals
4. Tips and Techniques
5. Random Chat


I think these 5 categories pretty much summarizes all aspects of scale modeling

What do you guys think?

Then where do you post Progress threads?

I thought it would be good to have it into sub sections, because it shows that there are a lot of people here. Also when you need help you can go to the correct forum and post there and have people that really want to know/help about that post. This would make finding things much easier too.

Originally posted by crab
I think the scale modeling section of AF needs to be heavily modified...

We need these sections:


1. Model Gallery
2. Reviews/Articles/Features
3. Trading Post/Hot Deals
4. Tips and Techniques
5. Random Chat


I think these 5 categories pretty much summarizes all aspects of scale modeling

What do you guys think?

Originally posted by flyonthewall
I think we should give it time to see if the issue's that are annoying us here settle down. I'm not to keen on the idea of subsections, i much prefer to have all the threads on one screen in front of me so i can sift through them, good or bad. Apologies; I did not mean to imply by my first post that subforums were the only solution. We are interested in hearing ALL possible solutions, and there are some very good ones in here so far.

More, please! :D

There's some really good idea's coming out and being talked about...thankyou.
As Jay said in his post, the sub sections are only a idea that we thought about last night on AIM to try and sort things out.

So keep the replys coming.
The bottom line is we want this to be the best place on the web to come and visit about models and enjoy ourselfs

:)

Hi All,

I think the subtopics, or any way of splitting into seperate forums will be pretty negative, as then you'd have to trawl through all over the place to find stuff. I myself will check things quickly while I wait for a job to complete, or over lunch or something.

What would be cool is if we could get some classification system, or grouping ability, that you would then be able to group, like a VIEW in Outlook or similar. This way, if you aren't worried about the Noob stuff, or just want to check out all the Painting tips, then you can quickly select that option, and go through them one at a time, while ignoring the other topics until a later time, or whatever.

Some classifications I'd like to see:
Retail Talk (What people think of shops/ sites, experiences etc)
Tips (Painting/ Customising etc)
Progress (Obvious)
Finished Goods/ Gallery
Intros (For the Noobs, or similar)
Hints (I don't know what to build.../ I'm colorblind)
General - for the OTHER stuff (Why does everyone call it 'Off Topic'? It's still about modelling???)
Oh, and RANTS - which we can all ignore!!!

One other thing - people should still be able to post without topics. This will just end up in the 'clean' view, and not in any of the sorted views.

I'm sure there's some way of doing this with vBulletin. Good luck with it, and let's get some models built...

my one idea that i posted in another thread...

it seems that alot of people (especially most newbies that haven't yet discovered the other AF forums) like to post OT stuff to get the modelling forum peoples opinion's. since they haven't taken it upon themselves to roam AF and get to know other AFer's yet, the modelling guys might be the only AFer's they know, and hence if they want an opinion about something, they really have nowhere to go to get the opinion of people that they know. since this seems to happen alot, maybe a sub-section of the modelling forum should be made for OT stuff, such as asking where everyone lives, threads like the "real name and age" thread, asking if people on the north coast got a snow day today etc.etc. it would be something to help make the newbies feel more at home. i know there's already COT, but since some of these guys don't "know" the people in COT it might scare them off from posting there. just an idea...

Originally posted by flyonthewall
I think we should give it time to see if the issue's that are annoying us here settle down. I'm not to keen on the idea of subsections, i much prefer to have all the threads on one screen in front of me so i can sift through them, good or bad. I'm with Chris:grey:

Here's my idea for the sub-forums sections

Tutorials/Tips (post your tutorials and tips for building)
Sell/trade parts sections (sell and trade parts)
Progress (progress on your model)
Finished (Finished Pics of your model/s)
Newbies (introduce yourselves)
Look what i bought (here you can post what you purchased)
Help (post problems or questions here)

These are just my idea's if the Mods decide to do the sub forums.
:)

Originally posted by S13_Iketani
my one idea that i posted in another thread...

it seems that alot of people (especially most newbies that haven't yet discovered the other AF forums) like to post OT stuff to get the modelling forum peoples opinion's. since they haven't taken it upon themselves to roam AF and get to know other AFer's yet, the modelling guys might be the only AFer's they know, and hence if they want an opinion about something, they really have nowhere to go to get the opinion of people that they know. since this seems to happen alot, maybe a sub-section of the modelling forum should be made for OT stuff, such as asking where everyone lives, threads like the "real name and age" thread, asking if people on the north coast got a snow day today etc.etc. it would be something to help make the newbies feel more at home. i know there's already COT, but since some of these guys don't "know" the people in COT it might scare them off from posting there. just an idea...

Im definately gonna have to go with S13 on this one.

As long as we're complaining...some of y'alls signature pics are WAY TOO FREAKING BIG!!!! (hint lowryda). Hey forum leaders, can we limit the sizes of some of these signature pics? I love pics of someone's hard work and the small box images of what's on the workbench, etc...but not to thrilled about looking at a pic someone just grabbed off the net...esp, when it's as large as the above mentioned.

Bill
:bandit:

I think there should be a "Customizing" sub-forum, for all the modelers looking to journet into putty and styrene (me ;))

How about an available link to the AF Chat provided by Mentel? I bet more people would use it if it were readily available.:)

OK..........So here are the best ideas

1/Painting
2/Trade
3/Help/FAQ's
4/Customisation
5/Progress threads/Finished products

Links to Introductions and COT:)

I think the forum is ok like this.. I don'T know what happen last 2 week, but some ppl (not a lot maybe 3 or 4) started to flame everyone that post even if it was about modeling....

I even been flamed about my thread when I ask what color should I make my Supra.. damn If I can't ask for idea without having flame, I'm off of this forum

I think those ppl really should find a solution for them. If they dont like to see what ppl have ordered, then dont click on a topic with "new order" name. IF you dont like a thread.. dont post in it ! I like to see what other ppl are ordering, that give me idea.. I like to have some news about car modeling.. but right now, I start to lost fun in this forum becose those 3 or 4 ppl that flame everyone that post a litle off topic.

Dont post if you dont have pic.. I remember when Warren didn't have is Fuji Cam, he made thread talking about what he is doing and everyone was happy with this.. Why should it be different with a newbee ? Becore everyone lick Warren Ass ? (sorry bad language.. PG-13 :D )

Yes some post is off topic, but flaming will not solve problem.. IF someone say it's off topic and direct him to the right place, we dont need 30 post on this threat to tell the guy he is an idiot or that this forum is now sucking... he is not and I like it like that...

Sorry for my english, but if that continue, it will be one of my last message :rolleyes: :(

Vric, I completely understand and agree with mostly what you are saying. But let me tell you this. Never ever leave something you like because of some-one. It's OK to leave something for something, but not because of some-one anoying you, flaming you or whatever there is you don't like. If you do, you will keep on quitting for people and thus leaving other people behind who you actually like. I'd hate to see some good people, like you, leave this place because of very small minority who can't appreciate this forums and therefor making a sour atmosphere. Kicker1solo rightly pointed out that the "Ignore list" is a very good feature, and I'm using it now too. So whoever act "childish" in this place is thrown immediately at my "IL" list - nice abbreviation btw. ;)

So again, a Tutorial is a good idea, but I'm not in favour of splitting the whole place up, unless like Hiro stated, when it becomes too big - and here is my point - we can change then because of something and not because of somebody. Unfortunately minorities always shoud the loudest and humans tend to act upon that, which IMO is wrong.

And please we can't serve everybodies likings. So a golden "midway" should be found.

Okay, guys.

I've been reading and thinking.

What about this.

I propose this idea;

Create a whole new site/forums.

This can be easily done. The only fact of the matter is who will host it (I can but we should look towards other options - I have not enough hardware to host all these hits).

So, someone goes and visits "www.afmodels.com"

Window comes up, it's nothing but a nice big friendly forum strictly for modelling. It does not clutter up the original AF, it has its own server space, its own domain name. It's it's own entirety. Lot's of good can come from having this, and lots of bad. It's definatly somethign to discuss, and I think it's a hell of a lot better than just creating sub forums. Plus, this way we can keep track of exactly how many 'members' we have that participate these forums.

Originally posted by mentel
Okay, guys.

I've been reading and thinking.

What about this.

I propose this idea;

Create a whole new site/forums.

This can be easily done. The only fact of the matter is who will host it (I can but we should look towards other options - I have not enough hardware to host all these hits).

So, someone goes and visits "www.afmodels.com"

Window comes up, it's nothing but a nice big friendly forum strictly for modelling. It does not clutter up the original AF, it has its own server space, its own domain name. It's it's own entirety. Lot's of good can come from having this, and lots of bad. It's definatly somethign to discuss, and I think it's a hell of a lot better than just creating sub forums. Plus, this way we can keep track of exactly how many 'members' we have that participate these forums.

And might I add, we can have as many different forums as we want :eek: :D

quote:
Originally posted by mentel
Okay, guys.

I've been reading and thinking.

What about this.

I propose this idea;

Create a whole new site/forums.

This can be easily done. The only fact of the matter is who will host it (I can but we should look towards other options - I have not enough hardware to host all these hits).

So, someone goes and visits "www.afmodels.com"

Window comes up, it's nothing but a nice big friendly forum strictly for modelling. It does not clutter up the original AF, it has its own server space, its own domain name. It's it's own entirety. Lot's of good can come from having this, and lots of bad. It's definatly somethign to discuss, and I think it's a hell of a lot better than just creating sub forums. Plus, this way we can keep track of exactly how many 'members' we have that participate these forums.


I can't agree to this, because when it totally splits from AF, then it isn't AF no more. That means less people that can come around when they are venturing on the total AF board. And isn't that what AF is meant to be? A large gathering of people that can look for everything? That's how this part began. Some people where modelling and found each other on some parts of AF, Finally they joined together with their ideas and create this place : Af Carmodeling. So there was no need to change server or something and so it remained accesible to any one. And allthough it hsa grown al lot since I joined, it is still the best place to go. But when you change to another site it will be another place with unfamiliar faces.



Splitting up this place looks the best idea but only when it is far to crowded. I still now of a time that it took a week to get one page filled with threads. Now it is so busy since we have a new servr that every day to pages can be filled with new messages. Half of those with clear thread topics half with something that makes me wonder what it is all about. So I would first like to see that anyone makes their thread title more clear so that you now what your going to read. This will make it look much tidier and can be overseen, also will make it look less crowded. Splitting up is then less required.

Last of all, we all should be and stay friendly to each other like it was a couple of months ago. So what if someone is an asshole, he can still act like a normal human (I hope..) at least when he wants nice replies... If you don't like what someone builds say it with nice words that it isn't your style or point out his mistake and give advice on how to improve that part. That way he (hopefully) will see it as upgradable critics and nto aas flaming. We have many different people here with many different styles and opinions and we should respect that. I personnaly can't like Nascar or Formula 1 but someone can still build a good model, so I got 2 things I can do. 1. don't respond, because I don't like the subject or 2. Say he did a good job but it isn't my kind of liking. That way I won't discredit him but still give his work some appreciation. When replying to threads don't only think of your own feelings but also of the one that posted the thread. Two reason I don't post pics are: 1. I can't handle negative response to well 2. I really suck at taking pictures I can focus on everything but the models. But I work on both and hope to improve.

Also demanding everyone to speak//type in perfect English is something I can't understand. Ok, most people on this board ar from the USA so they should be able to use normal language. But others have to rely on translation machines and we all know they aren't the best things one the web. They work for literal translations but grammar is something most haven't heard from. But using Street language like Ali G uses and L33T speak is something most don't like to read and probably only understand after reading it multiple times. So that has to be banned from here, no-one learns English that way, so don't force us to learn it too, only to understand your question.


It was a lot of typing but for now I'm out of subjects and very sleepy.
No one should feel flamed about this it is only my opinion.

Sincere greetz
Stefan

I don't think he was talking about the people using the translators. Atleast I hope not. I think he was referring to the people that talk with with a of slang and "simplified" words. Which I can't stand either. I give credit to the users using translators because they are atleast making it readable for the english speaking people. Also when people are talking in "slang" it makes it very hard for the non-english speaking users to understand it because the translator probably can't read it either.

You are right, he most probably talked about using slang etc., but I saw in other posts that someone got flamed of his very bad english while he used a translator, so that's why I brought it up. And since it is about how or why someone types certain things, I placed it in the same part of my text, trying to keep same subjects in the same part. At least you can sum it up where I fail and place long texts :D

Greetz
Stefan

I think we should give it time to see if the issue's that are annoying us here settle down. I'm not to keen on the idea of subsections, i much prefer to have all the threads on one screen in front of me so i can sift through them, good or bad.

I agree!

I say leave it as is. I joined AF about a year and a bit ago, and i must say this format has been quite beneficial. Flamming is inevitable in any online forum, just take a minute to think about it, it's available to so many indivduals with so many different views and perspectives from all around the world! there's bound to be conflict here and there. Now i understand that the past couple of weeks have been a little more "rough" than usual, but i'm quite sure the best in everyone will come out again. and if not....

My suggestion to all AF members: just ignore it! So called stupid threads, vulgar posting, insults, etc. will die off is they are simply given no attention. If someone criticises your work, it's cause they can't do any better, so instead of flamming the jerk, ignore it. Sooner or later a moderator will remove it. And if you really can't take it use the "report to a moderator" feature. it's there for a reason! cool? ;)

Improvements to AF:

A "solid thread" (always residing at the top) of completed projects, divided by automobile brand, irrelevant kit manufacturer. where only one post can be made by the owner of the car.

Somewhat like a "collective-active" photo gallery. (no offence jay) but this way we can control the gallery, resulting in very frequent updates, along with all the same type of cars being in the same place therefore when building "that" kit, we can see all that have been previously built within one thread! :)

Hope that helps Gentleman!

All I can suggest at this time is that the newcomers take a week or so to learn the forums before posting. I know there's a vBulletin function or script that allows newcomers to only post replies and not new threads until they've been a member for a certain time. It could prove useful...

I would like to see AF stay like it is. sub-forums dosent seem like a good idea to me.

Maybe we should cut the word "rice"

Originally posted by bah humbug
Maybe we should cut the word "rice"


That's a totally different subject and it hasn't been brought up in a while.

Allright then, I have been a member for over a year now and visit this site everyday, i have watched this forum grow to what it is now, the best modelling forum on the internet with the most talented modellers there is. I think it should stay the same unless it becomes to big and needs to change, as for people causing trouble we should ignore these idiots and they will go away(they always do), so lets all treat each other the way we want to be treated ourselves and get on with the modelling. regards. Bob.:) :cool:

I can't write well but...
I prefer AF Car Modeling Section the way as it is like now and like the way I first join AF. It has been an enjoyable forum which I enjoy reading and admire you people works out there...
And not forgetting our MODs' hardwork, jay and pman to keep this section tidy and friendly.
I hope that personal flaming can be prevented....

Cheers guys!

Maybe we just need mroe moderators and leave the forum as it is now :confused:

I have noticed that this last week has been very good :)

Originally posted by primera man
I have noticed that this last week has been very good :) Hopefully we all remember why we're here and enjoy ourselves! I don't like going out much so I try to enjoy myself as much as possible doing things i like to do inside!:silly: I even sneak my digicam out with me when we go out to dinner just in case I find good car pictures!:bandit:

i wanna see a trade section.. also a how to section.. Both would make life easier. Later Rick S.

Originally posted by primera man
I have noticed that this last week has been very good :)

Me too! :)
Maybe we just had a hick-up, some guys thinking they could do/post everything. And probably the whole fuss that created that was just to put everyone again in line, with their feet on the ground. And after that, back to normal. :cool:

Originally posted by primera man
I have noticed that this last week has been very good :)

What did i tel ya!!!:D

"Just unsticking this back into the main forum"

Thankyou for everybody that had a imput in this thread and also posted PM's to me/Jay about things.
It looks like we well keep things just the way they are as that seems to be what most of you wanted.
We had a rough few weeks but it's looking alot better now.
Thankyou to you all who have made an effort to make this one of the best site's on the net.
As this site is one of the most popular here at AF, I've talked it over with Jay about getting 1-2 more Moderaters just for the modelling forums to help out abit more.
Now before you all put your hands up and want to help, we have to ask the Main Man Igor first to see what he has to say....so nothing is 100% yet about it....but we will let you all know ASAP.

Thanks Again Guys
Pman / Jay

no, thank YOU, PMan and Jay! without you 2 fine moderators, there would be no modelling forum. and if there was, it sure as hell wouldn't be as good as it is now. thanks for everything you guys have done, and keep up the formidable work in the future. :cool:

Originally posted by tonioseven
I even sneak my digicam out with me when we go out to dinner just in case I find good car pictures!:bandit:

:ylsuper Thats the way Antonio!!!

Originally posted by bah humbug
Maybe we should cut the word "rice"

Why?

Originally posted by Lowryda
Why?More than one member of this forum have said that they take personal offense at the connotations implied. You're welcome to say "Car X, Brand X, Accessory X, etc. is ugly, worthless, ineffective, detrimental, etc.," but I think it would be better for our community if we atually used our words to describe out opinions, rather than fall onto stereotypes (which are grossly vauge anyways.)