The Breakroom > The Water Cooler
What is wrong?
Darren:
Guys,
I don't think we are referring to the regular posters so much, but more of the 300 or so members that stay silent.
You joined for a reason, so why not take it one step further and join in :scratch:
NickG:
I think a lot of the people that lurk on these forums have an interest in model engineering but maybe have never bitten the bullet and actually tried it. They have probably seen these models at shows and like to think they could make something similar, but don't have the commitment so have never really bitten the bullet and tried it for real. Maybe they don't have the machinery or skills, but if you're going to get the skills / experience, you need to do 1 of a few things for example 1. join a local club with access to knowledge and equipment 2. bite the bullet, buy some equipment, take some advice and have a go. 3. attend night classes.
Other things that could happen are people that used to be active in the hobby but circumstances have changed, they no longer have the time / eqipment / conviction to do it, but still like looking at the models. This nearly happened to me, I got interested at the age of 13 and it was basically all I did until I started University. Then other interests were on the horizon - cars, women, socialising, work etc. I was still very much interested and got back into the hobby a couple of years ago, all-be-it on a rather small scale and it took a long time.
I reckon there will be others that are reluctant to post project logs when they see the quality of some of the stuff on here. I've said before some of the stuff I've posted on here I feel is small and insignificant compared to some of the fantastic projects, but I always try to put some feedback / supportive replys as that is what keeps the project logger interested and ensures it's worthwhile posting.
Finally, I think Stew may have a point about the regular posters being intimidating, well not sure if that's the right word, but a similar thing happened to my wife. She was a regular poster on a forum and a few of them set up a 'breakaway' group and a new forum. This quickly became quite a clique, or at least that's the impression they gave. I wonder if lurkers on this site see the main posters as some sort of clique. I know the regular posters are not like that, they are simply sharing their experiences and offering much help.
I hope we can get more people posting, I will hopefully be posting a few more smaller scale project logs when I've got my workshop set up!
Hope some of that made sense, just chipping in with my views!
Nick
bogstandard:
I honestly don't think we give the impression of being holier than thou. In fact I apologise at times for showing and using some of the shop equipment I have, not my fault, its all I've got to work with. We can't all have the smallest and most basic machines in the world.
I always recommend people show their efforts during someone elses posting, even though it might be a badly made part or piece. Not only does the original idea poster get a boost from knowing that other people are taking notice of their ramblings, the newbie or other person will get as just as much recognition for his offerings. What would this sport be like if we all made things to very high standards. Methinks, very boring, like 'Oh! no, not another perfect V12 engine'.
As Darren has stated, from the most lowly to the ones with a great deal of experiences should get mixed up in the postings. I learn a lot of things from newbies, they have a more unblinkered way of looking at things, and can come up with some novel ideas on getting around problems, especially lack of tooling ones. We are all in the same melting pot here, and unless we get that certain mix, the stew will turn out tasting awful. Then you will need to suck slugs to get rid of the bad taste.
As mentioned about people who would like to build things, but don't have the wherewithall to do it, whether it be confidence, machinery or cash. I think even if they just made the effort to post a comment, they would feel a lot more at home than just sitting around the outskirts, feeling sorry for themselves. I don't think I have seen on this site any posting that says you must be making things to be involved. Just a good, or bad, comment is all that is needed.
We can't do much about the people who just don't have the time, only to say, if you have the time to read this, it only takes the same amount of time to post a comment. Even if it is, 'I like that' or 'what a load of crap', at least it is a comment.
Bogs
Divided he ad:
Well.... Personally I have no leg to stand on here..... I've not posted anything of great use for some time and I am spending most of my summer evenings out with friends.
But....
I'll say this much, IMHO there is a lot to be said for a forum where people do have a very odd sense of humour and post odd little things that are of no engineering subject what so ever.... I think that's one of the reasons I like this place so much..... Many of the other places I have tried are right stuck up jobs!
I really love the engineering stuff, I'd have thought that apparent? But I really like the humour element shared with you guys too :mmr:
This summer is too good for me to spend stuck in my shop, which has a polycarbonate roof and acts like a green house! I'll be back making stuff soon enough.... Although project house starts again on Saturday :bugeye: Want to see a log on that? Might help me finally finish it off??
I really want to make more little engines, but I really want to make other stuff too.... This is a site dedicated to the modding of anything and everything after all! What to make/mod.... Now that's the 64million £/$ question!! :scratch:
Right I've waffled for long enough.....
You guys are great and your engineering and humour suit me just fine.
To all those who have joined but not yet posted........
You're missing out :thumbup:
I'm off to the pub! (some of us gotta have fun too you know! :beer: )
Ralph. :ddb:
cedge:
John
Considering the season and the outdoor activities many of us are chasing, I'd say the board is getting a normal traffic pattern. I'm one of a minority who consider summer time to be shop season. Winter seems to draw the rest back around hearth, home and shop.
I too wish more of the lurkers would join in the fun, but long experience with forums and news groups tells me your expressed frustration is likely to be long lasting. There is simply a segment who will never surface to actively contribute. We do, however, sometimes underestimate their contributions. They obviously mention the forum to friends and associates and that has helped this board grow.
Putting your bare arse out in public view is not something most people will ever be comfortable with. My own is leather tough and battle scarred enough that I've learned to enjoy it, but its still an adrenal rush when I start up a new project thread. Once begun, it's a whole lot of fun and it certainly keeps the project moving. I highly recommend giving it a try.
Steve
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