Atlas Forum = High quantity with spotty quality. Trainboard Forum = High Quality, despite an overall increase of quantity over the past year. I think this fact is impressive and speaks to the higher caliper of people that post here. I’ve been on both forums for a while now and find that the Atlas forum has changed after they came back last fall. I just don’t find myself posting or reading much over there anymore. I also read over the Atlas thread regarding the change in forum demeanor, and found it interesting that many claim to miss the members who stirred up the most trouble. Go figure. I’m glad we don’t have that “Reality TV” appetite over here.
Prior to the last shut down I got a lot of good and useful information at Atlas. It was the flame wars that turned me off. But I've learned that the best way for me to handle it was to quit reading the trash. I find it easier here because things get nipped pretty quickly. I don't dislike Atlas, I just like Trainboards easy nature better!
I generally agree with everything above. I also like this board for the various specific forums, such as the Railfanning, Layout Planning, and road-specific forums. And the Yellow Forum, wow! Definately spend most of my posting energy here, now just a lurker at Atlas when the mood strikes.
Charlie, I couldn't agree more!! I still have my atlas forum pin, but this is my home! hey, our redbirds are looking GOOD!!
You supported their efforts by buying their product. I am sure that they will not feel the least bit slighted if you do not post on their forum. You are most welcome here and I personally enjoy your posts and modeling. Your layout is looking good.
Sitchad, I think you are a great addition to any RR forum community and I know this forum will welcome you and learn from you. I'm glad to see you here!
As others have pointed out, the dynamics of forums change over time. I once called the Atlas forum home, and posted here on Trainboard infrequently. Now I call here home, and post on Atlas infrequently. It took me a while before I recognized the value of The Inspection Pit, Layout Design Discussion, and many of the other forums here. But once I started posting in those forums, I made new friends--people who don't always post in the N scale forum. Chad, I also enjoy your posts and modeling. I think Charlie's thoughts about coexistence are right on target; and the members and staff work hard to keep his philosophies viable. Successful forums have their own esprit de corps; members sense it, and gravitate toward the forums with the closest match to their own.
Hey, Once Atlas shutdown, I only lurk there now.This site has soo much more to offer.The people here,alot are familar,are more down to earth,no egos.Your not a begineer.Even if you were,noboby's going to judge you any different. With this said, we do poke fun at one another,sometimes.All good natured. It's a great group of modellers here.Here is more of a family.Atlas is more of a competition,"look at my stuff,it's better than yours". Here,we encourage each other. From the best down & from the bottom up,we are all equal. I'm sure you'll enjoy it here Sitchad. I'm even more sure that we'll see you posting here than anywhere else. WELCOME TO OUR HAPPY ABODE!!!!!
I've noticed also that if you're not part of the "in click", you often get ignored or of not so positive replies. I write software for model trains and have been bashed for it while others are left alone.
Atlas has a good forum. I started out as a chronic over on Atlas. What is good about Train Board may relate to the smaller amount of traffic over here. Most of us have gotten to know each other over time so the faces are generally fairly friendly.
Bashed???? Wow! I went to you links. Cool stuff! Keep writing model railrod software and forget about those who can only display their jealousy through bashing!
Personal attacks are not allowed on the Atlas forum. If you are attacked (NOT disagreed with), email the moderator and the guilty party will be disciplined. So far I've read many digs and bashes directed at Atlas here, but no supporting evidence that unregulated evil is running rampant there.
Must be a dog-dull day if all there is to talk about is the Atlas (TM) Forum. I'm going to go letter some boxcars. Cheers, Rod
Kiz, I think you're being a little too sensitive here about any digs and bashes directed at Atlas, and way hyperbolic about "unregulated evil running rampant." I've read this topic, slowly, with my lips moving, three times now. I see some observations; I don't see digs and bashes. I was a fierce defender of principles of the Atlas Forum for a long time; I still don't see digs and bashes, Your juxtaposition of "many digs and bashes directed at Atlas here, but no supporting evidence that unregulated evil is running rampant there" does not sound like your best judgment. It is, of course, a careful use of words, so I would ask you to reconsider the implied logic, and perhaps modify your remarks. I am upset that you are stating that any member of Trainboard is implying "unregulated evil is running rampant" at Atlas. Can you cite "supporting evidence" that any response on this thread stated or implied that? I don't think so, Kiz. I'm disappointed.
Kiz,... Your juxtaposition of "many digs and bashes directed at Atlas here, but no supporting evidence that unregulated evil is running rampant there" does not sound like your best judgment. It is, of course, a careful use of words, so I would ask you to reconsider the implied logic, and perhaps modify your remarks... Can you cite "supporting evidence" that any response on this thread stated or implied that? I don't think so, Kiz. I'm disappointed. </font>[/QUOTE]Let's start here: "Everyone that truly knows TrainBoard knows that people are Weclome at trainboard which is why you get a different "feeling" when your here compaired to other places." Since this topic is about the Atlas Forum, I can only imagine that Atlas is being referred to here (as well as other Forums). Many times when a new poster appears at Atlas, dozens of people welcome the new poster aboard. ================== Next: " That forum has changed and it isn't positive. I'm happy to be a member of TrainBoard where the atmosphere is civil and you don't have to be "en garde" for missiles to be hurled at you ." Well, "hurling missiles" strikes me as an indication of evil. And on what forum would that apparently be on??? If my comment seemed a little extreme, maybe I wanted it to reflect the sort of disrepute Atlas "seems" to be held in here. ==================== Next: " Lots of sucking up to Atlas there too." I don't think this is a polite way to refer to posters on the Atlas forum. ======================== Next: "I've noticed also that if you're not part of the "in click", you often get ignored or of not so positive replies. I write software for model trains and have been bashed for it while others are left alone." What? An "in-clique at Atlas? To the contrary, anyone (in good standing) who wants to post is free to post anytime! As for "bashing," that did happen in earlier versions of the Atlas Forum. But, a lot of what was called bashing was in truth legitimate criticism. There is a difference. I hope my position is clearer now. Thanks for writing. [ March 09, 2005, 03:22 PM: Message edited by: Kisatchie ]
Yes, the Atlas forum has changed. It has become less combative (if you doubt this, too bad you can't review the archives before this latest resurrection of the board) and quite a few members haven't returned. There is still an occasional missle fired, but Paul has become more strict on what he allows. Yes, there are favorites. I got a cease and desist message from Mr. G for an offense that another person guilty of an identical crime received praise. All in all, it is still very informative, as it is with most of the forums. Since each has a few that don't post elsewhere, you gotta follow them all.
Kiz. This is not a very convincing reply on your claim: "So far I've read many digs and bashes directed at Atlas here, but no supporting evidence that unregulated evil is running rampant there." I'll agree that there are some digs and bashes that you've managed to drag out of a mostly positive thread. Would you like me to do the same about the Atlas thread about "Trainbored?" [sic]. We all have our malcontents. But where is your supporting evidence that members here are accusing Atlas of "unregulated evil is running rampant there?" Again, you do use words carefully, but just inserting the word "evil" in one of your arguments doesn't cut it with me, or with the members here. So, I just don't see where any member of Trainboard is accusing Atlas that "unregulated evil is running rampant". That's your hyperbole, and I'd like you to retract it.
I guess it is human nature to try to validate your own personal choices by cutting down what you choose against. As a rule the staff here on Trainboard do not encourage bashing other forums. We kind of cringe when a topic like this comes up because we know how fast it can turn and get ugly. If we step in and edit something every time someone posts something a little negative we are accused of "over moderating" and if we let it go then we are accused of condoning it. On one hand we are glad folks find what they are looking for here and call it home. On the other we get uneasy when they start cutting down other places. Sometimes it is hard to sound positive about one place without the inevitable perception that, "Hey if this is good then the other place must be bad." That is not the intent. We are talking about subjective feelings of different people. If you find fault with them, I can't change that.
