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Post by ettingtonliam on Jan 23, 2023 8:27:16 GMT
Why do Simplex and Prairie need threads of their own when they don't really have that much use?
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Post by racinjason on Jan 23, 2023 8:44:13 GMT
I thought about including simplex and praire into loco building but the content is not build blogs maybe we could combine them into a specific tab in build blogs called Model problem's and help. cheers Jason.
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Post by springcrocus on Jan 23, 2023 8:55:10 GMT
Jason, I think that what you are proposing far better reflects how the forum is used nowadays. Many of us with build logs have asked for a separate category in the past and your proposal covers this nicely.
The only thing I can see that might cause a problem is the time (from you and George) that can be devoted to moving threads to different categories but, so far, I'm all in favour.
Regards, Steve
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smallbrother
Elder Statesman
Errors aplenty, progress slow, but progress nonetheless!
Posts: 2,269
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Post by smallbrother on Jan 23, 2023 9:01:29 GMT
I can't really understand what all the fuss is about. If it doesn't interest you, don't bother reading it.
It's only human to have a chat about "stuff" now and again. Perhaps some people on here may not get much chance to talk elsewhere.
I think engineers (of every variety) have wonderful tales to tell, life could be rather boring without these shared experiences.
Pete.
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stevep
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,070
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Post by stevep on Jan 23, 2023 10:10:23 GMT
OR ... it could be left as is. An interesting supplement and support zone for the vast range of activities pursued by folk here. However, I also get that someone buried in a life time project would want the help, the recognition and maybe the kudos from sharing here but without topics that are a million miles away from overcoming the current show stopper. Agreed.
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Post by springcrocus on Jan 23, 2023 12:10:29 GMT
I suggest that Jason sets up a poll and allow the active members a week or so to cast their vote. Maybe we could vote "yes" to change the layout or "no" to revert to how it was. Then let the majority decision be acted upon.
I would vote to re-arrange things but I wouldn't make a fuss if the majority voted to leave things alone. I would just carry on posting, as normal.
Regards, Steve
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SteveW
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,393
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Post by SteveW on Jan 23, 2023 13:08:38 GMT
If it ain't broke don't fix it.
If one fiddles with it one could break it beyond recognition.
Beware the law of unintended consequences. There are always consequences.
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jasonb
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,209
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Post by jasonb on Jan 23, 2023 13:28:49 GMT
From the deleted recent thread it would seem that quite a few feel it is broken (not ideal layout, rarely used topics) so maybe time to fix it, a vote would be worth doing.
Jason the proposed list looks reasonable, I wonder if Humour really needs a separate line, except for joke of the day there is not a lot of other activity so that could be added to offtopic.
Similar with buy/sell there are not many trade posts so personal and trade could become one item maybe with a note that any trades state that in their post?
Still wondering is the CAD, CNC and 3D could be combined as one as there are not many posts now after the initial addition of those sections
Possible a bit of playing about with Admin & ME moving that down a bit as they are not often used.
As one who always has to scroll down to the subjects that interest me all the above would shorten the list of topics of save having to scroll through as many items that I may not wish to look at whilst still keeping the most popular topics towards the top.
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Post by Jo on Jan 23, 2023 14:32:32 GMT
Old people find change difficult Jo
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weary
Part of the e-furniture
Posts: 290
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Post by weary on Jan 23, 2023 15:11:33 GMT
In addition to Jasonb's comments:
Suggest that under your proposed heading 'BUILD BLOGS' ->>
Change first proposed heading 'Locomotive Building' to 'Railway Models' or similar to cover rolling-stock, driving trailers, etc. This could also encompass 'Gauge 1' which would then not need its' own later separate heading & conform with other titles like 'Road Models' etc.
Under 'GENERAL' heading eliminate 'Images' heading. It seems perverse to have such a heading when many find it tricky to post pics on this site! BUT.... curiously there are many very interesting 'build' threads under this heading so they should be moved to any appropriate new 'build threads', or the whole 'Images' thread could be moved to the new 'Locomotive Building' where it would gradually sort itself out?
Under 'GENERAL' eliminate 'Model Engineer'. This heading has no real current purpose having been superseded long-ago in its' original concept. Any Model Engineer magazine matters are covered by 'General Chat'?
Regards, Phil
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Post by chris vine on Jan 23, 2023 15:36:15 GMT
I think that fewer headings would be an improvement.
For a newcomer to the forum, lots of headings might be helpful. But to the members who have been here longer, then, with fewer headings we can see new topics coming up and follow/not follow them.
For myself, I am 100 times less likely to follow a topic which I have to go looking for. For example, I am much less likely to follow the EV thread in Off Chat than if it was in the General heading.
Chris.
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Post by william on Jan 23, 2023 15:37:49 GMT
The "Everything EV" thread needs to come out of the model engineering section and go down the bottom into "Off Topic" - "Off Chat". Same with the "Energy saving tips" thread. The areas which are lower down on the home page are of their time and rarely posted in any more. Companies like Modelworks no longer exist so further posts are going to be few and far between. But it is probably not worth the effort of moving them. We found on MEM that we got a big clamour for modern engineering techniques stuff but after an initial show of enthusiasm it was absorbed into the members on going build threads. There are always the odd exception but slowly we encourage them round to making real swarf (rather than more ABS rafts ) Jo From Jo's other posting, I am old and do not cope well with change. I do totally agree with her on the EVERYTHING EV thread definitely not model engineering main stream William
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Post by jon38r80 on Jan 24, 2023 13:24:27 GMT
I am not realy qualified to comment on the worth of the various locomotive sections as I am not a steam modeller but I think that Jasons proposals are eminently acceptable( maybe with a bit of a modification by those more qual;ified than I)
I only have one comment and that is perhaps the access to various sections need updating aqgain to allow non members to read posts but not make them. For example the relocated controversial EV thread.
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johnd
Part of the e-furniture
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Post by johnd on Jan 24, 2023 19:01:57 GMT
I think that Jasons new layout proposal is a real step forward, i am an older member but welcome changes that move the Model Engineering content to the front.
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Post by ettingtonliam on Jan 24, 2023 19:54:54 GMT
Shouldn't Air Source Heat Pumps go into Offchat along with EVs?
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Post by chris vine on Jan 24, 2023 21:36:53 GMT
I think it is fine to put EVs and Heat Pumps into Offchat, but it would be helpful if they were within the top, General, level.
Chris.
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jasonb
Elder Statesman
Posts: 1,209
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Post by jasonb on Jan 25, 2023 7:32:04 GMT
A few comments on the propose list we are voting on
"BUILD BLOGS (New Group)
Locomotive & rolling stock Building Stationary I.C & Steam engines Gauge 1 Road models Boiler Design construction & testing Model questions & help (add Simplex Praire these to this tab)"
The heading is Build Blogs but most of the sub headings are not build blogs so where would one place a post just showing say a finished beam engine or ask a question about an IC engine and the last two are definately not blogs.
Would questions and help not be better included in "general" or asked in one of the type specific topics.
Should General have a note to say it is general model engineering as people just seeing "general" will tend to discuss anything as they do now.
Also with the deletion of "Non Steam" and the list above you have nowhere to post say a stirling engine, clock making, etc all of which tend to be considered Model Engineering
At the moment the voting looks to be going the way of change, before spending time moving things around can members be allowed to make comments about the proposed list to iron out bugs as above so it is done once
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peteh
Statesman
Still making mistakes!
Posts: 760
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Post by peteh on Jan 25, 2023 8:35:14 GMT
I believe that 'questions and help' will fall into two sorts - some will be within a build blog about say the next step and rightly belongs there. The other sort will be those, often from the less profilic? ME's asking a one off question for their current project that they do not have a build thread for. This should, I assume, belong in the 'questions and help' section.
This may lead to some duplication on questions but is probably the way it would be best to work. However with the forum as it stands most of us will read the 'general' category first so that may give the most answers. There are certainly times that questions are missed as they are posted in the less fequently read sections.
As always there will be a period of flux before things settle down.
Just my 2 pennies worth
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Threads
Jan 25, 2023 15:40:57 GMT
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Post by Roger on Jan 25, 2023 15:40:57 GMT
I find it interesting that there's so much interest and comment on admin and where content should be, yet not so much actual Model Engineering going on.
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Post by chris vine on Jan 25, 2023 16:00:39 GMT
If there is a move to persuade people to put less ME stuff into Off Chat, then could Off Chat please be in the top General green section?
There will probably be quite a lot more traffic to Off Chat and it will be a bit of a nuisance to have to go clicking about to get to it.
Just my thought! Chris.
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