Hi all.
With the very sad loss of Paul Martin the NGS has been without a Webmaster for a time.
I have been approached and have accepted to take on and continue Paul's work.
So if the NGS website goes down it is my fault !
Tim Hitch
Mirrlees
Best of luck with it Tim :thumbsup:
Paul
Well done Tim, best of luck.
Regards, Kettle.
Nice one Tim, good on you for taking on the challenge. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Well done Tim and many thanks for taking the role on board.
Great work Tim! :) It's great to have a regular on here to also be in charge of the NGS site. :beers:
If you need an NGF banner to appear on the NGS link page then follow this link... http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=ngfpromoting (http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=ngfpromoting) :P ;D
Edit:- Actually, I just noticed that we're on there now. ;D :thumbsup:
Cheers Tank.
Bribery will get you everywhere. :laugh:
PS I am at Bristol Show in 10 days.
well done tim :thumbsup: any chance of online shopping please :-*
Thank you all for the suggestions. e-Commerce is something that the Shop Manager (Carol Hansen) and I will be looking at.
Best of luck with it.
It would be great to have some more inspirational photos on there, full layouts etc which have been built by soiciety members. ;)
Paul A.
Nice one!
another +1 for the online shopping. I'd be spending a lot of money if it was that easy to buy NGS stuff :)
I have to admit that there have been several times I have considered ordering NGS items, but not got round to it because I forgot to fill in the form. An on-line ordering system would be great as I would not have much excuse then...................
Tick, confirm, pay..............................................
Hahaaa :smiley-laughing:
Quote from: NTrain on April 25, 2013, 02:59:50 PM
I have to admit that there have been several times I have considered ordering NGS items, but not got round to it because I forgot to fill in the form. An on-line ordering system would be great as I would not have much excuse then...................
Tick, confirm, pay..............................................
Same here. I've been needing some decals for the Shark that I made. That was months, maybe two years ago. Finding the form AND a pen is too much hard work!!! :D
Even though they say I'm getting a pay rise at work, would anyone else be dreading the ease of buying with on-line ordering. :angel:
I certainly spend a lot less than I would on NGS stuff because of the lack of online ordering. It and the 2mmSA are about the only thing I use a cheque book for these days !
I don't unfortunately see this changing soon from the conversations I've had.
Alan
good luck with the website!
tim
I am a recent member but have not purchased anything from the society yet due in the most part to a lack of on-line ordering facility.
Just want to add my very best wishes for you in your Webmaster role, Tim :beers:
Good man! All the best with taking this on. The site has improved hugely of late, so keep up the good work that has been started!
Well done Tim and good luck
Best of Luck with the Website, Tim. I really aught to spend more time looking at it but since I found this one . . . .
:bounce: :NGaugersRule:
John
Quote from: Only Me on April 26, 2013, 01:23:32 PM
Would be nice to see a picture of each kit available.... Probably not possible but would still be nice... Oh and PAYPAL accepted for payments, lets move into Century 21 :drool:
There's pictures of the majority of the NGS kits already here: http://www.ngaugesociety.com/index.php?page=ngs-wagon-descriptions (http://www.ngaugesociety.com/index.php?page=ngs-wagon-descriptions)
Cheers, Mike
I recently completed the forms for two items and sent off my cheque. I've now been told that one item (Oxford Royal Blue coach) is not only unavailable but they cannot get any more. I now have a credit note which must be spent within 6 months.
I am grateful that volunteers run this excellent society but, had I been able to order on line, I would not now be left with having to spend a credit note!
Ian >:(
Quote from: anselm on April 26, 2013, 02:29:18 PM
I am grateful that volunteers run this excellent society but, had I been able to order on line, I would not now be left with having to spend a credit note!
Ian >:(
You should be able to get the credit note turned into a refund if need be and if the society hasn't got something else you want in the 6 month period.
Being "online" doesn't magically fix stuff being out of stock however. That would also require a realtime inventory linked to the website, but would make refunds simpler. Must be said the 2mm SA cheque system also works rather better than the NGS one.
The NGS shop is *huge* in terms of stock range and quantities. Even if it had more staff and everyone involved was jumping up and down to move it online it would be a huge project.
At some point this will all come to a head as will needing a new shop manager (or team more sensibly perhaps), some serious questioning of what is stocked, and getting things like good sales data, profit per square meter space and all the metrics and detailed data everyone else has taken for granted since the late 1980s. I have this strange feeling it will all come to a head at the same time.
Alan
Quote from: EtchedPixels on April 25, 2013, 05:23:31 PMI certainly spend a lot less than I would on NGS stuff because of the lack of online ordering
I use a cheque book for these days
My bank stopped issuing cheque books in 2002, so I have to send a form with Credit Card details
This isn't very secure, even with Royal Mail Recorded (Tracking) delivery
Equally, a Postal Order costs an additional amount, typically £1.00
By the time you have added the additional cost (either postage or Postal Order) to the order the discount is no longer viable
The only reason I joined the NGS was to obtain the Farish Inspection Saloon
Prior to this I was not impressed, as discussed before the lack of modern image content is poor
I have now received two booklets and it took me less than 5 minutes to find anything relevant
I have only found article about DCC in N gauge, and even that was just about how to insert a decoder into a PCB
The handbook has nothing about DCC
Equally, there is very little about layout construction
Finally, the two reviews about layouts have great detail about the scenic areas and rolling stock, but very little about the actual construction itself
Quote from: mjkerr on April 26, 2013, 03:40:32 PM
Quote from: EtchedPixels on April 25, 2013, 05:23:31 PMI certainly spend a lot less than I would on NGS stuff because of the lack of online ordering
I use a cheque book for these days
My bank stopped issuing cheque books in 2002,
So change bank to one that does! Simples!
Phil
Sorry, here go the toys out of the pram again. . . .
In reply to certain comments
1) Most banks are phasing out cheques, if they haven't already done so. Quite a few traders won't accept cheques any more. On the other hand, my insurance broker only accepts cheques or cash!
2) Yes, the NGS is run by volunteers and attempt to keep the costs to members as low as possible. I don't know if they declare it but they are not a profit making enterprise. I understand most internet payment methods involve a cost which would have to be recouped from the customers. I know many traders don't like credit cards, frex, because it costs them.
3) The subject of model railways is such a broad one that it would be impossible to please everyone all the time. How many comments/complaints have been on here that the model magazines don't have a lot of N gauge stuff in them? Personally, I have got bored with descriptions of layouts that spend half the write up detailing the baseboard size and construction which doesn't interest me unless it's novel.
4) I haven't read the Handbook since I joined so I can't remember what's in it. Perhaps a suggestion to the Editor that something could be added on the subject? Certainly I remember quite a few articles on DCC over the last couple of years, both fitting chips (including sound) and more general topics.
5) I admit to not being totally disinterested but have nothing to do with running the Society or the magazine.
John
Apologies for the rant.
Quote from: Phil Hendry on April 26, 2013, 03:54:31 PMSo change bank to one that does! Simples!
There is no way I would use the current banks that include a cheque book, there is either no benefit or there are additional monthly charges
It would be cheaper to use my business account cheque book (ironically from the same bank)
Perhaps an alternate thread on banks and cheques would be more appropriate?
Back on topic... I used to me a moderator, perhaps old habits die hard.
Congratulations to Tim! Hopefully in his new role he will be able to influence the arrival of the NGS internet shopping channel...
Hi Tim,you won't remember me but i met you a couple of years ago at Minehead and you was most helpful to me as i was a complete novice then.Congratulations on your new role and i hope you enjoy the challenge.One thing i would find usefull is pictures and i know this would be a nightmare to organise but i don't buy anything from any site if i can't see what i'm buying as i don't always know what things are just by the written description.I'm sure if this could be added at some time sales would increase.Good luck.
Quote from: spurno on April 26, 2013, 06:52:44 PM
Hi Tim,you won't remember me but i met you a couple of years ago at Minehead and you was most helpful to me as i was a complete novice then.Congratulations on your new role and i hope you enjoy the challenge.One thing i would find usefull is pictures and i know this would be a nightmare to organise but i don't buy anything from any site if i can't see what i'm buying as i don't always know what things are just by the written description.I'm sure if this could be added at some time sales would increase.Good luck.
Yes I do remember. We were there with 2 layouts. Hedges Hill Cutting and Wessex Road. I was living in Paignton at the time as well.
:thankyousign: for all the congratulations.
Tim
Quote from: mjkerr on April 26, 2013, 03:40:32 PM
The only reason I joined the NGS was to obtain the Farish Inspection Saloon
Prior to this I was not impressed, as discussed before the lack of modern image content is poor
I have now received two booklets and it took me less than 5 minutes to find anything relevant
I have only found article about DCC in N gauge, and even that was just about how to insert a decoder into a PCB
If there is one thing that the Journal has that is excessive then it is the number of articles about converting some ancient lump of Farish equipment to DCC. Stick with it - you'll soon get bored of them. ;)
Quote from: mjkerr on April 26, 2013, 03:40:32 PM
The handbook has nothing about DCC
Equally, there is very little about layout construction
I'm sure they would be very grateful for any contribution you could provide to make it more comprehensive. The Society is just as much about what you put in, as what you take out. That way everyone benefits a little more.
H.
Quote from: Belated on April 26, 2013, 05:43:14 PM
I don't know if they declare it but they are not a profit making enterprise. I understand most internet payment methods involve a cost which would have to be recouped from the customers. I know many traders don't like credit cards, frex, because it costs them.
The NGS is a society. It's spent the last few years failing spectacularly to manage to turn itself into a company despite intending to do so. (There are good reasons for wanting to change). It does however most definitely make a profit on the whole if you look at the accounts. That profit goes back into new things like Inspection Saloons not to shareholders however.
Increasingly banks are adjusting the charges to make cheques unpalatable to traders. The big question IMHO is going to be when the Co-op decide to charge all small businesses and societies for cheque processing. Right now there are still business accounts with free cheque processing within limits (eg the Co-op FSB account).
I agree the handbook is very dated. Even some of the bits that were "updated" were not actually brought remotely up to date. That however needs volunteers prepared to write the material, edit it, proof it and review it.
Alan
Could we keep this on topic please. Cheers Tim.
sorry that you are becoming webmaster in such sad circumstances, Tim, but very best wishes, and thank you for accepting the challenge.
at the risk of continuing to be slightly o/t, I have of late wondered just what the society was going to plan to spend its growing pole of cash on. I had a similar issue recently when on the board of a registered charity trading as a company, through volunteer staff, and making a profit. We moved premises and cut costs to the service users as steps1 & 2 of moving away from having a pile of cash in the bank.
Maybe the ngauge society can invest substantial sums in the web side of life?
cheers
Donald
Well for those in the NGS, as announcement in February, this has been my last NGS AGM as webmaster.
I will be leaving the role shortly and I'll be passing on the reigns!
It has been fun. :thankyousign:
Hi Tim,
I couldn't make the AGM yesterday but just wanted to register thanks for all the work you've put in.
Cheers
Ben A.
(NGS VP)
Yes, thank you from me. Having done several stints in similar sorts of roles over my life, I realise what an isolated and sometimes lonely position that sort of thing is.
Cheers! :beers:
George
Well done for all of your hard work on the website Tim. :thumbsup: :thankyousign:
Webmaster Resignation
I have thought long and hard about this post.
Only one person on the committee asked me why I was leaving when I submitted my annual report. I was then surprised that an email circulated asking me for my reasons and again only from a limited number of committee members. However I will state them here and I will be posting this on the forums and email groups.
The Webmaster role, looks after emails. It became apparent at Christmas 2014 that this was inconvenient for parts of the committee. Following my disgust at the way I was treated I talked to the Chairman. At a meeting with the Chairman and myself, he agreed that everything I said was true. This was still not good enough for one committee member who took it upon himself to accuse me of snooping. I have never received an apology, written or otherwise.
The Webmaster role also looks after the complete NGS website. I have emailed the committee enough times stating that I was not in control of the complete NGS website. This I feel is very important for a new Webmaster to know about.
Committee decisions. While I have served on the committee, I have seen many committee decisions made and totally ignored by some members of the committee. Last time I checked being on a committee means, that you follow the decisions whether you like it or not. Again this has been in my reports so many times I forget.
I find it sad that, the good times that I have had on the committee have been overshadowed by these bad times. I know that I was not the most technical person for the job but I did not think that I would be leaving under these circumstances.
As for a new Webmaster, I believe that it would be unethical for a person to take on this role without knowing the ins and outs that have happened to me in the last 2 years.
Regards
Tim Hitch
(17765)
Please no comments to this post. Thank you.
To respect Tim's wishes and to save another endless discussion about the NGS I have locked this topic.
:locked: