NGF forum v NGF facebook !

[GAD]

The problem I have with FB is that once you've moved off a post it's a beggar to ger back to it for replies, additional thoughts etc. This is not just the NGF bit but anything on the platform.

[Southerngooner]

I couldn't agree more with GAD. I find Facebook chaotic at the very least, way too much info and no easy way of finding anything. I've used it for twleve years now and it's got worse for me. It tries to be everything to everyone and falls down on that in my view.

The Forum, by contrast, is clear and easy to use. I know there are debates about how and where posts are stored, but on the whole it's very good and much better than some other fora.....

Dave

[Bealman]

The solution is simple.

This is your first stop for things N gauge. 

[emjaybee]

Right on George!

[kelstonlad]

The solution is simple.

This is your first stop for things N gauge. 

Absolutely

[Bob G]

What's Facebook?

FYI my wife joined Facebook for the first time last week. She already hates it with a vengeance.

Bob

[njee20]

Facebook is far more transient, but there's far more content posted.

Is it the place for a detailed tutorial? No. But it's great for reaching lots of people, selling stuff, sharing videos and pictures. Horses for courses.

If you want the information to be available in perpetuity then a forum is better, but that doesn't make Facebook bad.

[guest10040]

I am a neanderthal, don't do faceache, twitfeatures etc....

I want to speak to someone I phone, e-mail, PM or what's that other thing 

oh yes, WRITE A LETTER 

so the forum suits me, I can [as long as I don't mess it up] ignore the 'I know it all' posters, and I have even learned, ok my grandson showed me  , how to bookmark what I want to follow.

that does me, after all, I'm not that bright, I got a 6 month old rescue husky, and look how that turned out 

[NinOz]

rescue husky,

That is nice, didn't know they used Huskies.
Still, they should be able to carry a reasonable sized barrel of Brandy under their chins.
Come in handy for those cold early morning walkies (training exercises).

[Dr Al]

I will admit to never even looking at the Facebook page but do certainly share your frustration with the forum but not with the way posts are merged but by the constant bombardment of threads and topics by individuals who clearly see themselves as superior knowledge on EVERY TOPIC and obviously have ideas of grandeur in becoming a mod.

I have had private conversations with other members and even mods regarding this and without incriminating anyone we were all in agreement that this in itself was having a detrimental effect on the enjoyment of the forum.

I agree, there are a number of high post count folks, who post on many many many threads, but don't (in my personal opinion, others may disagree as it's obviously subjective) actually add much of constructive value. I try to think when I post if it's actually adding anything, giving something constructive back - e.g. helping someone fix their model. I'm sure some of my posts don't....but I try to think that before clicking 'submit'; I suspect a lot of others don't.

Anyone with with ideas of grandeur need only look at some of the constructional threads from folks like @Stevie DC  , @thebrighton and youself and really then should be suitably humbled, preferably (IMHO in some cases, particularly those dullards who always try to have the final comment) into silence.

I do have to say there are a number of topics I have thought of replying to, but just can't honestly be bothered, as I know the same replies from the same high post count individuals will come. For me to post with factual demonstrable evidence of my assertion to sink their replies before they come, is simply too much effort.

I would say here that I'm not criticising those high post counters here who can't model or display their modelling due to age, infirm, illness or disability. That of course is totally understandable.

The lack of content being submitted by some highly skilled N gaugers has also concerned me of late.

Creating models takes time, never mind documenting it, taking photos, uploading them and then formulating a post - so posting at a high rate if you're actually doing something just isn't possible. Indeed those who post less tend to be the ones producing the highest quality models - one only needs cite (unashamedly) @thebrighton again here - humbling quality modelling that must take huge time and just isn't going to see daily or even weekly posts.

Of course, too, such modellers have zero compulsion to post anything - their enjoyment clearly comes from the modelling; not necessarily sharing it, so whatever they choose to share is a privilege for the audience in many ways, that they've taken that time to bother.

Indeed, one wonders who's out there producing high quality stuff, that nobody never sees.

People will drift away. Others will drift in. Life, circumstances and suchlike dictate that.

Like you Dave, this may be deemed offensive but I can honestly say this is certainly a different forum to what I joined. Sadly!!

The discussion point I'd make here is this:

For those of us who have been a forum member for a long time, what can we really expect? I've been here since near the start, and on Yahoo lists [since deceased] for years prior. It just can't remain all that fresh as a result - I doubt a forum can really continue to be a fountain of knowledge, and new interesting things to see that it would have been at the start. We all gain knowledge such that the 57th "help me repair my split gears" or debate on "cost of models", or even some modelling threads of stuff we just now know how to do [and my still be infinitely valuable to others] get pretty old fast. That's not a criticism of the forum or even the posts per-se; it's just the natural result of the passage of time, with experience gained in the hobby over that time. As a result one needs to be a little careful that it's partly our perceptions that change, not just the forum.

Overall it's still a good place to be - I probably get less out of it than I put in in time replying to help folks where I can, but that I don't mind, as it's made up for with some of the high quality posts, that keep me coming back. I do also enjoy helping folk fix things, correctly and efficiently, as there's nothing less enjoyable than a broken model. And the occasional thinking about stuff thread...I guess like this.

Is it a different forum to that I joined? Honestly, who knows - quite possibly. In the implied bad way? Debatable, but probably not, or not by enough IMHO that could be separated tangibly from that which comes from time as above.

The only one thing that came in I would genuinely criticise is the A-Z - it's a good idea in theory, but pragmatically it suffers from the problem of needing to have the exact correct keyword in your mind to find the right letter of posts that relate to your topic of interest. I think a more natural grouping are the existing categories, and while that inevitably results in repeat postings (e.g. 57th split gear post), it feels more naturally structured.

Facebook:

Frankly - it's useless as a resource. It's cheap snappy thrills for quick (and often badly ill-informed) responses, as well as an inevitable cesspit for off the cuff replies that just aren't often necessary. I think if you want quality - there is more here, as while there can be wrangles and sturdy debates, it's nothing like some of the drivel seen on Facebook, both in terms of completely wrong information, coupled with many more totally unnecessary personal attacks, and the unending dullards who have to have the final say even when they have nothing to say, or have to satisfy their own egos. There are decent posts on it, but my impression is there's a lot more of the above than there is here. But.....each to their own, and if some can get more value from Facebook as a platform for NGF, then fair play to them - I consider here as the real NGF, and Facebook as an add on.

Finding threads of any age (even recent ones) is the obvious complaint - but please do remember the mechanics of precisely why this is - Facebook is designed to use its "algorithms" to feed you what it thinks you want....not what you think you want. No matter what you view on Facebook, one should always at least remember this about what you are fed. Here, by contrast, you see everything as chronologically posted, as you choose to view it.

Moreover, you simply couldn't really post something this long (for example) on Facebook - well....you could, but it just doesn't pragmatically actually happen, so threads actually end up formulated and structured very differently (I suspect many would say more poorly, but that's obviously subjective), shorter, with shorter responses, which probably also helps dilute the response quality. On the flip side, if you post "what part do I need to fix [X]" you'll very likely get a faster, maybe almost instant reply - how important to you that is being also somewhat subjective. I'd personally rate quality of response, varied opinion, and ability to come back to it in future, higher than speed.

I don't actually think that one platform can satisfy everything anyway - the other obvious platform that we don't exploit hugely here, but is highly worth looking at is Youtube. The platform has its faults, and even if the content is not specifically N Gauge, there is a vast amount of excellent quality inspirational and educational content there worth watching - including:
-Everard Junction,
-New Junction
-McKinley Railway
-Chandwell
-Elvenhome
-Dean Park
-Oscar Paisley
-Perth South
-The Growler
-Chadwick model Railway
-Neil Oldie
to name a few individuals, never mind actual professional content such as World of Railways or Hornby Magazine*. Highly worth looking into all of the channels above for anyone who hasn't. Many are produced to such high quality that they probably trump old school TV now by a long long way, and with literally hundreds, if not thousands of hours of content, one need never watch TV again! [well ..... until your other half gets sick of being forced to watch Dean Park episode 127.......... ]

Combining NGF, RMWeb, Youtube there's never been so much good modelling content out there to peruse IMHO.

Regardless of opinions though - the mods need a thanks - both here and probably even moreso on Facebook - the task is not insignificant I'm sure, and generally goes on with little knowledge and awareness from most - the time employed should not be underestimated I'm sure, from folks like @Tank in particular, with families and other commitments. I do actually wonder where their own personal reward from it all lies - I can't help think it would become a hell of a chore - I hope they still get satisfaction from the forum they deserve!

Cheers,
Alan

*Is anyone here a 'Key Model World' subscriber? If so, is the premium content there worth it? Genuinely interested to know.

[JanW]

*Is anyone here a 'Key Model World' subscriber? If so, is the premium content there worth it? Genuinely interested to know.

Alan,
I want to add your name to the people who give me inspiration (I read a lot on the forum but I don't post very often).
Your workbench thead is always one of the first things I look at.

Re your question about Key model world: I was looking for inspiration and googled 'N gauge layout' to see if something interesting would come up.
It did:
https://www.keymodelworld.com/article/vale-oxbury-n-gauge-layout

What a wonderful layout that is!!

Jan

[OffshoreAlan]

There will always be compulsive posters, regardless of the forum, it's an addiction sadly.

They are like  "White Noise" in a broadcasting medium.

[Portpatrick]

at least i can post photos on the facebook site.

Others above, eg at the top of page 5 , have touched on the issues with FB.  Notably how difficult it can be to find a post later eg to monitor feedback.  This main forum is certainly the better place to explore guidance on issues, eg the Unifrog points, changing UM and other locos to NEM pockets and Easi shunt.  I have found such threads very helpful,  eg I choose not to use Unifrog, rewiring them so they are self isolating like Electrofrog is beyond me. And in my personal opinion they look worse with more plastic.   So I have laid in a modest stock of Code 55 Electrofrog.  My choice I know - others feel differently.  I have successfully converted a few of my UM locos to Easi shunt, also some pre NEM Farish, steam and diesel.  Thank you to those who have shared their experiences. 

But like Bigmac I  do wish attaching photos to a post was as easy here as it is on FB, whether on my PC or my phone. Click on an icon which invites you to specify the relevant directory on PC/phone, select your picture(s) and add.   I have never found it obvious or easy here.  The link here  seems complicated and I have to steel myself up to battle with the process.  Therefore I  tend not to bother.

[Tank]

But like Bigmac I  do wish attaching photos to a post was as easy here as it is on FB, whether on my PC or my phone. Click on an icon which invites you to specify the relevant directory on PC/phone, select your picture(s) and add.   I have never found it obvious or easy here.  The link here  seems complicated and I have to steel myself up to battle with the process.  Therefore I  tend not to bother.

[port perran]

I don't understand this problem with posting photographs on the forum.
Ok it isn't quite as easy as posting on Facebook but it certainly isn't difficult either on pc, phone or tablet.