YoHo, I took it to mean he agreed with you. Funny how that works. I also have worked to overcome the N centric attitude that some folks have. However, I realize that with all that is going on in peoples lives, sometimes they try to limit their online coverage so as to afford more time doing things like modeling. So, if they only have time to browse one scale forum, then go for it.
The site originally began with some folks who were primarily N scalers. However, it was never intended to be and is not just for we in N. Staff all works with members here every week who are forum-centric or as you say, confirmation biased. They are frequently quite surprised to find other corners of our site exist. The only thing needing to occur thereafter, is simply for folks to take advantage of those functions. If nothing seems to be happening, persist. Otherwise, nothing will happen by itself. For a long time, there was not much activity outside of N, then several members picked up the ball and ran with the Z Forum. It has since then taken off nicely. Not to N levels, but still has become a happy bunch of chatters. HO is now slowly gaining momentum and only lacks a few determined people really booting it into motion. Wolfgang, Candy, Jon and others are constantly showing off some really nice work. Those not checking it out are missing some great inspirations. We have several narrow gaugers continually building great items. These and our many Forums are just waiting for the on button to be pressed. Anyone ready, willing? Start some topics and keep at it.
Oh I know, it's all about what you make of it. I love the Z forum here all good stuff. I would be a bigger contributor in HO, but of course life has a way of stopping it. I post as I can when I can. I have a "stack" of photos that have been resized and waiting to be uploaded to railimages for 3 weeks now and I just cannot find the time to sit down in front of the PC and do it. Also, Adam, I read your thread first and when I came back later I couldn't find it and found this one. Which is pretty bad when you consider that I do make it a point of poking my nose in all the nooks and crannies of this site.
We, as Atlas and every other cross scale board I have visited, have a whole lot more posts and topics for N-Scale. It might be that more of us can read and write. Only kidding.
And I don't mind that this is the one that took off. It doesn't matter much to me either way. I just thought it was funny that we're talking about this thread being in N scale when clearly there was an alternative. I happen to agree that this is not N scale specific, not like if, say, nscale.net were to make an announcement like this. That would be specific to the scale. I post in all sorts of other places on this board and others, but I do know what you are talking about re: the silo mentality and it is pronounced in some areas of some boards.
I only hit 3 forums: "N" - almost every day "The Inspection Pit" - occasionally because the quality of work displayed is discouraging as I know I'll never come close / have anything to contribute. "Layout Design Discussion" - now and then as I have found I have been helpful there and received a lot of assistance / ideas.
Being that I model, or have interest in, almost every scale, plus I am a prototype junky, I always hit just one button. That would be the New Posts button. That covers everything.
When I come on the site, I first glance to the left and see what is in the feed, then I move on to forum and scan for new posts.
Thanks Mike, Funny thing is it was an ABA set and the CZ set from your shop that got me back active in the hobby after a spell of trains packed in boxes. For that I say thanks!
When I get here I do 24 hours of.... I used to use new posts but my phone screws that up since it is always on. As soon as I have checked the forums, I park here: http://www.trainboard.com/grapevine/vaispy.php
Me, too, and I am an N-scaler. So far, I haven't been kicked out of the N scale forum for my forum-cheating ways. I have learned a ton of stuff by contributors who don't frequent N scale, or from content that would never really appear in N scale, such as posts in the prototype railroad forums, the work of rail photographers like Buddy, the heritage steam stuff that people like Fitz post, the HO scale magic that Wolfgang Dudler performs, the scenery genius that Candy produces...
SHHHHHHHH! Don't you know that every time you read about something someone is doing in HO you're ruining N-scale for everyone! Also, I heard about your foray into On30. Don't think you can hide that forever traitor. Heck, I'm shocked you didn't burst in to flames every time you stopped by BMRC on a Sunday.
Looks like I am also guilty of slipping. During my times in N scale, I have also done (post-War) Lionel, On30, HOn30 and yes, HO. Maybe I should sit by the front door and wait for the N scale police to come confiscate my membership card.
Should I punish myself ? I still do HO scale traction modeling. I'm trying to get some N Scale traction going ... Randy
One of the things I liked most about the Atlas N Forum was its wide audience. I always felt as though there were more viewers with whom to share and to help me out. The other thing I liked was the Thursday Proto Photo. Railwire has a similar thing, but it's not in the N scale forum--it's in the "Proto Photo" Forum, where viewership is relatively low. If someone were to begin this type of thread here, would it be moved somewhere else or remain in the N scale forum?
I suppose we could call it "Prototype Photos that inspire N scale modelers" or something like that. Or it could be a thread in the Railfan Photo section dominated by N scalers.
Proto photos would likely contain either current or fallen flag companies. Best and easiest fit is the Railfan Photos Forum. Prototype would only be used in a dedicated N scale topic, as very a specific modeling reference need.
