Interaction?

[Relic]

IMHO, of the hobby forums, this one is among the least interactive between its members.

Each forum on the Internet forms its own 'group dynamics'. Some can steer themselves towards total apathy. Not much can be done about it unless the group leader steers it towards another direction. Good moderators and other forum staff can interact as group leaders to alter the interaction within the forum. They have the power to attract interaction.

There are some forum tools which can help to increase interaction, such as:
'Like' and other reaction buttons.
Easy @------ interaction linkage allows members to interact with other members.
Moderators that monitor interactions and steps in when members are not getting any responses, and responds to them. All they have to do is post a 'thumbs up'; or, as I have said, a 'like' button.

Not getting any feedback fairly soon (within a few days) can be disheartening. It's like nobody is home or cares. All it takes is to dishearten the members for them to not bother with the forum. Some members are not just weekend hobbyists, but dabble and go on the forum daily. If the forum is static so to are the members.

Apathy can destroy forums, the internet is littered with dead forums. Each one of them symbolizes a lack of interaction, or in some cases, dictatorship by the forum staff. The best hobby forums are very interactive and friendly (they are dynamic).

Hoping that admin will read this, and try to increase interaction.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I have re-read this three times and am going to try to choose my words carefully to respond to this post

The first thing I will say to you is to always look to yourself before hefting provocative verbiage at others
Pot calling a kettle black is another common expression.

ISM forum has taken a huge hit over the past two years; a decline in member numbers and participation. Why??
Facebook
PhotoBucket fiasco
Flickr photo posting challenges
Growth in other live broadcasts and UTube channels
Time zone differences
Peoples changing lives

Unfortunately a steady drop in participation of group builds and sigs has forced the alteration in these events on ism forum.
Yet a core group still remains and enjoys a friendly, personal interaction. Posts in most every day. Participates in forum group builds, sigs and special event builds. So have you??? I have.
We have a member sponsored bomber sig going on right now with forty five build threads and a ton of activity. Are you in it?? I am.

In your ten pages of history, most of your postings are into your own threads.
A bridge and a submarine will have a very narrow field of interest and so a lower level of participation and responses. I see two admins participating in your sub thread though.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t see any ISM sig or GB participation from you?? This is my pot and kettle point

I am not trying to be a jerk, pick a fight, call you out or embarrass you.
When one criticizes, we should always look at our own behaviours as well and not expect leaders to change things for us.
Lead by example. That is my point.

Scott out

[alextheblue]

Brace yourself, this is one of the few times that you will see me get serious on the forum. I have read Peter's post and to some degree I sympathise with his views. I myself have followed his posts and have marvelled at his level of skill and talent. Did I post a response to his builds, alas no, I did not. Like a lot of members, I skim through the "active posts" and click on those that I have the most interest in and then usually carry on and view most of the others. My intentions are always to post a quick response, but in reality, I usually get distracted by something else and swear blind that I will sit down later in the day and pen some suitable replies. Does this happen? Sometimes, but more often than not the days slip by and my reply goes un-posted. Best laid plans and all that.

I can see why some people get disheartened when their work doesn't quite garnish the response that they were hoping and in the early days of my forum participation I too fell foul of this negative reaction. But I have always built models for my own gratification and to be blunt, I don't really give a fig what anyone else thinks. Sure, it's very nice when you receive positive feedback and I value people's opinions and the time they take to express them. I am not arrogant enough to presume that my work is good enough to elicte a response from anyone. But, I do get a response and it is always positive and this is what I concentrate on. In fact, I have never received even a hint of a negative comment here on ISM.

Like buttons and thumbs-up, count me out. I don't participate on any social media sites for that very reason. And anyway, we have something very similar already in place. The number of views are always shown for each and every post. I have NEVER viewed a post and thought, "what a pile of crap", quite the opposite, I always think that the standard of everyone's work is extremely high and it is plan to see the hard work that they put into their hobby. So, is it inconceivable to assume that other people have the same thoughts.

I have always found ISM to be a friendly and welcoming site and whilst I do view other forums, I have never found another one that I have felt compelled to join. It's a shame that Peter doesn't feel that this is an interactive site, no one wants to see anybody drift away from the forum, but as the saying goes, you can't please all the people all of the time.

Seriousness over, normal service will now be resumed!

[Kevthemodeller]

I'll second that Scott

I'd also add I don't post my work solely to get feed back or recognition, although if I get some it's nice to have, for me it's about sharing. I believe as with most things in life the more you put in the more you get out, well that's how I see it.

I for one don't do Facebook or any other similar online medium. I also find these live shows very hard to watch with umpteen people all trying to have their say, little screens, with varying levels of internet connection not helping. It's the same with questions/answer live sessions some U tube channel users have started doing, questions just flood in.

For me, the old and I suppose it is old now, forum base board is my preference. I can log on read/view/participate/answer or comment on what I like in at my own speed when I choose to. Then there's the good old PM, with which I can chat to what I now regard as mates about anything we choose to. Perfect As with many clubs and such like, that exist because a group of like minded people want to mix and share with others who have an interest or passion for something. These all tend to ebb and flow with time some do die but the people usually find another club to join. ISM I feel will be here in it's current form for as long as Lee & Paul (thanks guys) wish to keep paying for it.

I do belong to other modelling forums and some of these do have the option of using feedback buttons which is a useful addition, although it's not a must have for me and as with most things today I dare say there's a cost attached.

[Paul]

Sadly forums are taking a hit from the likes of facebook etc, but thats just one of those things. I used to hate facebook but now i prefer it as i actually get responses to work i show, when often on here my work gets no interest at all. It used too but no longer does, so what has changed?

We will never add a "like" button or anything similar as that will take away from responses.

As for moderators and Admin stepping in and commenting where there are no comments, all the mods and admin on here are volunteers that help the day to day running of the forum. I have the ISM forum to Admin, the ISM facebook page to admin, my own facebook page, my own modelling facebook page, The ISM you tube channel to add content too including a weekly live show, Ultimate modelling products, my own Modelling hobby (which i do to keep me sane) and my Family time too so my day can be taken up with a lot of things to do.

This has always been a friendly forum, except for those intent on causing trouble as they cannot cope with the fact a small company (Ultimate modelling products,myself and lee) that owns the forum will promote their own products and defend them if someone else comes along to say they are crap out of spite. Without Ultimate this forum more than likely wouldn't exist as profits from Ultimate is what funds the cost of this place.

Let me ask you members a question, how many of you actually watch the content on the ISM you tube channel, including the live show as whenever i post links to here they get no response and i have in-fact had complaints before now about the live show and how it should be run etc. These videos and the live show take a lot of time/effort to do and we get mostly criticised for them, including people having digs at the models for heroes charity auctions which is despicable. Another good example i posted on here about the auction and if i remember right barely got any response at all.

[Tomcat64]

I personally don't think it should be down to Admins & Mods to act as cheerleaders for quiet threads; leaving aside what Paul's mentioned above if the interaction isn't there naturally then I don't think it's worth forcing it for the sake of it.

The amount of time I've been able to spend on the forum latterly has been somewhat restricted due to other pulls on my time, but even when I was at liberty to be a "daily dabbler" I generally didn't venture South of the GB/SIG sections too often unless something caught my eye on the index page or there were a couple of builds I was specifically following. I know there's a load of stuff going on down with some spectacular builds & results but it's simply a case of choosing where I spend my browsing time - as a result I don't always see reveals such as Pauls until weeks (or even months) later by which time it seems a bit late to drop a comment. Facebook is definitely the platform you need if you want to be able to hit a "like" button and have done with it.

If you want to attract some attention to your own builds then maybe post in the "What have you been working on this week" thread when it comes up; that's pointed me at a couple of impressive builds (such as the Hornethopter - on my list to check out and probably comment on later) that I probably wouldn't have seen otherwise - you can always put a link to your build thread in the post. Otherwise the other guys have already made the point that you generally get out what you put in, so if you start commenting positively on the threads in the GBs and SIGs then the chances are people will take more notice when you post in your own threads.

To Paul's comments ref the live show etc I do watch the "at the bench" updates, news & results shows when they come out; and although life doesn't permit me to watch the Friday night shows live I do generally try and catch up with them during the week in manageable chunks. At the very least I'll watch Dan's section (regardless of whether I've submitted anything or not) and Tim's section. And will then fill in around that as I can - I'll be honest and say I'll fast-forward through the sections of reading the chat and also the live giveaways as they're more pertinent to the guys who can tune in on the day. But I'm always interested in seeing what the panel have been working on.

I think the MFH auctions are a great thing even if I can't join to buy anything and any criticism of the event is unwarranted. As to the lack of response to the auction from the Forum that's an interesting one; I remember seeing the post and had nothing to donate so didn't post a reply - so direct question Paul would it help you feel less like it was just being ignored if I'd posted something to that effect?

[chief5437]

Interesting reading. I think people should also be aware that not everyone has constant internet access, so will only be able to visit the forum at irregular intervals. Which also means they may only read or post to certain parts of the forum they are interested in, as loading every page uses data that needs to be paid for. This also goes for YouTube videos, while I watch any ism vids I can, I rarely watch the Friday show anymore as it’s such a long show, it would eat through data fast!

I don’t usually comment on builds on the forum if I’ve already commented/liked the build on Facebook, I would think that may be why Paul has seen a drop in forum comments on his builds, I expect most people on here follow Paul on Facebook as well, same for Ivan, Tim, Dan.
I access Facebook on my phone in short bursts throughout the day, and always visit the ism page, so I get to see all those builds there first, so no need to comment on the forum when I do manage to get on here.

For me, the forum is ism, and it’s the only place I (rarely) post my models. Even though I’m not on here as often as I used to be, when I do get on, it’s like meeting up with old friends again! I’ve seen plenty of bitching on Facebook but very rarely any on here.

Hope all this makes sense, it does in my cluttered mind, lol!

[Kevthemodeller]

This has always been a friendly forum, except for those intent on causing trouble as they cannot cope with the fact a small company (Ultimate modelling products,myself and lee) that owns the forum will promote their own products and defend them if someone else comes along to say they are crap out of spite. Without Ultimate this forum more than likely wouldn't exist as profits from Ultimate is what funds the cost of this place.

I personally have no issues with you advertising your company and it's products which I happen to use and like If others do have issues with that, they can just go use another forum, can't they no one's forcing them to buy Ultimate or use this forum.

Let me ask you members a question, how many of you actually watch the content on the ISM you tube channel, including the live show as whenever i post links to here they get no response and i have in-fact had complaints before now about the live show and how it should be run etc. These videos and the live show take a lot of time/effort to do and we get mostly criticised for them, including people having digs at the models for heroes charity auctions which is despicable. Another good example i posted on here about the auction and if i remember right barely got any response at all.

I don't watch the live Fri night at the bench or any other U tube channel that has live interaction, I find them all too much with whats appears to be the same people just chit chatting for hours on end. I do watch the live at the bench with Paul/Lee, the monthly up date shows, reveals shows, kit/tool/product reviews and tip, technique, tutorials these are extremely interesting to me. I'd also add they are in my opinion some of the best if not the best that are available and long my they continue

Another good example i posted on here about the auction and if i remember right barely got any response at all.

I think it could be, people feel these are for information and don't need to respond as they are now informed of whatever what, when, where and why so to speak.

[digger303]

I think every bodies comments have merit, but think it really comes down to that old adage. You shall reap what you sow. If everyone made an effort to at least make one comment a week on a subject apart from their own build then that would be the base for a more vibrant forum.

[barrythornton]

Let me ask you members a question, how many of you actually watch the content on the ISM you tube channel, including the live show as whenever i post links to here they get no response

Yes, I`ll watch whatever takes my fancy, and its appreciated that its available.
I think maybe that section of the forum, `appears` more like a notice board, `NEW CONTENT AVAILABLE NOW` and so , less likely to have a lot of back and forth. In the same way that announcing 10% off everything, wont elicit a 6 page dialogue, it will get a couple of `thanks m8` and everyone else will just follow the link.
If people want to pat you on the back, or tell you its a load of old tosh, they can do that in the chat, or the youtube comments below each vid.
the view count will substantiate whether it was worthwhile.
The main thrust of the topic is a good one, and I`m giving it a bit more thought before responding.

[NorthernModeller]

This is one of those threads where much like TwoKidsNoSleep said, I have to choose my words carefully. BUT luckily everyone else has said them for me. Mods and admins cant make people interact that is up to the members. We do out best to try and encourage and interact when we can as we do have lives away from the forum. I dont want to comment just for the sake of commenting as I dont want to appear "Spammy" I would rather comment on a thread that I feel I want to add input. I still think this forum is great and the members are amazing, but it is down to the members to interact.

Much like Paul said, A heck tone of effort goes into making videos and setting up the live shows on youtube, The links always get posted up and the same goes with very good build threads and final reveals but dont get much, if any interaction at all sadly.

In short. With the likes of Facebook and new other social media, forums are now getting left behind and it is a sad truth.

[Twokidsnosleep]

I think every bodies comments have merit, but think it really comes down to that old adage. You shall reap what you sow. If everyone made an effort to at least make one comment a week on a subject apart from their own build then that would be the base for a more vibrant forum.

THIS!!!!
Just post a bit more everyone

[niro750]

Paul that's pretty disappointing to hear that the videos take such criticism.

I generally skim a couple of forums a day and don't post much as I have no time to build at the minute and I have very little interest in anything other than cars but I can see that there is a good bit of effort put in to the forum and videos. Simple suggestions are fine but to hear that there is such heavy criticism is very sad.

I'm sure a lot of people would miss the forums or the videos if they weren't here.

Facebook won't replace the build threads of any forum fortunately but being so easy to post pics and have them hosted is probably part of the draw.

Another shop forum I used to use has built in hosting and a and excellent format, they changed the software and it went downhill until they changed back.

[niro750]

I may also add that on an old and dying cars forum I posted my first good car build with some reasonable photos and a good finish on the car and got probably my 50 to 80 views and not one comment. Nothing. Lots of builds posted at the same time got plenty of interaction, A similar car build received a good few replies later on as well.

I'm really not someone who needs a lot of commendation etc... But some critical comments or even acknowledgement would have kept me interested. Instead I stopped using the site for a bit because I felt a bit deflated.

[golfermd]

I new to the forum and can see everyone's point. I don't use Facebook anymore because they played footloose and fancy free with my personal information. I didn't appreciate that so I resigned my membership years ago. From all the reports I've seen recently they've not improved it, or got worse. And, to be honest, it's going to fade way. So, I use these forums. Some forums are more active than here, others are less so.

Dan

[Relic]

Good to read the feedback. At least now I know what the group dynamics are, and how best to interact, or not, with it.

[digger303]

I may also add that on an old and dying cars forum I posted my first good car build with some reasonable photos and a good finish on the car and got probably my 50 to 80 views and not one comment. Nothing. Lots of builds posted at the same time got plenty of interaction, A similar car build received a good few replies later on as well.

I'm really not someone who needs a lot of commendation etc... But some critical comments or even acknowledgement would have kept me interested. Instead I stopped using the site for a bit because I felt a bit deflated.

I'm not really a car guy , so I don't frequent that section.... sorry I am just not qualified.

[digger303]

Good to read the feedback. At least now I know what the group dynamics are, and how best to interact, or not, with it.

I find this puzzling so I'm not sure what to say.

[Panzergrau]

I think every bodies comments have merit, but think it really comes down to that old adage. You shall reap what you sow. If everyone made an effort to at least make one comment a week on a subject apart from their own build then that would be the base for a more vibrant forum.

I agree, it matters, at least for the beginner or for the one who just joined the forum. Now I'm a seasoned soldier on the forums and I don't really worry if I open a thread and I get no answer (especially when I embed YT videos), but as a beginner I remember I was very frustrated when I've tried my best and seemed that nobody cared...
I'm new right now on ISM but for what I've seen in the couple days I've joined the forum, I've got a good return to my posts so I would agree that it is a friendly forum.
I've noticed more than once the hostility of forum veterans against youtubers and I understand where it comes from. But for me, there's no kind of competition between the two. I watch YT modeling movies only when I am too exhausted of my own modeling, research or writing reviews / features. And when I need a review to decide if to buy or not a specific model, I always look for the written one because the written syntaxis works different than the verbal automatism; in other words a written review is double thought over.

Cheers!
Gabriel

[barrythornton]

IMHO, of the hobby forums, this one is among the least interactive between its members.

I`m not sure about this one, it is quiet-ish, but I`m a noob (as far as this forum at least), so maybe a long standing member can point to `time of year`, `apathy`, `just one of those things`, or `theyre all over on Faceache , trolling and bantering`.
I havent done Facebook for some time now, the constant barage of quizzes , polls , and pictures of peoples meals wore me out.
I joined ISM Facebook this week for the proper two sided approach to this reply.
Nothing, at all, to complain about ...... good pics, good builds, good people. I just find it too `non-linear`. By that I refer to the way shizzit just scrolls past you, and if youre not on every day, you miss a lot, and winding back is a chore.
I just like the way a forum can segment a question, a tip, a how-to, or a full build from start to finish. So it can be answered, read, researched and digested at leisure.
Case in point, and I may be too stupid to know how its done, but if I go on Facebook now, and see someones nearly completed build, I dont know of a way to track that build back to the start and look at each stage.
And although it may seem like `more` interaction, I thinks its less. Lots of backslapping and likey symbols is not the same as questioning the builder mid thread, or adding input/ideas.
Ive had a response to everything I`ve asked on here, even though I`m new and people may still think I`m a troll or an anti ISM agent its when you question a thread and get nothing back it can be dodgy, but no, no complaints.
Anyway Relic, chill out, its just a quiet spell, apart from this thread , for which you seem to have got quite a lot of `interaction`.

[Paul]

IMHO, of the hobby forums, this one is among the least interactive between its members.

I`m not sure about this one, it is quiet-ish, but I`m a noob (as far as this forum at least), so maybe a long standing member can point to `time of year`, `apathy`, `just one of those things`, or `theyre all over on Faceache , trolling and bantering`.
I havent done Facebook for some time now, the constant barage of quizzes , polls , and pictures of peoples meals wore me out.
I joined ISM Facebook this week for the proper two sided approach to this reply.
Nothing, at all, to complain about ...... good pics, good builds, good people. I just find it too `non-linear`. By that I refer to the way shizzit just scrolls past you, and if youre not on every day, you miss a lot, and winding back is a chore.
I just like the way a forum can segment a question, a tip, a how-to, or a full build from start to finish. So it can be answered, read, researched and digested at leisure.
Case in point, and I may be too stupid to know how its done, but if I go on Facebook now, and see someones nearly completed build, I dont know of a way to track that build back to the start and look at each stage.
And although it may seem like `more` interaction, I thinks its less. Lots of backslapping and likey symbols is not the same as questioning the builder mid thread, or adding input/ideas.
Ive had a response to everything I`ve asked on here, even though I`m new and people may still think I`m a troll or an anti ISM agent its when you question a thread and get nothing back it can be dodgy, but no, no complaints.
Anyway Relic, chill out, its just a quiet spell, apart from this thread , for which you seem to have got quite a lot of `interaction`.

While on ism Facebook use the search function put the persons name and pick most recent posts and it’s show their posts in date order, that way you can see their build progress

[barrythornton]

thanks Paul, told ya i wuz stoopid
I`ll have a play with that one.
I just like the way a build thread is like the chapter of a modelling encyclopedia, and if I ever get around to posting any work, its like a record of what you did.
To you personally, and your comment about replies to the vid posts I`ll say this.
I joined after being a `lurker` for quite some time, and it was after watching said videos that I decided to join.
I could see the people involved on the live shows etc, and everyone seemed a good friendly bunch, with a mix of skill levels and build genres. I threw some questions in and they were answered, it felt like a model club meeting.

[Paul]

thanks Paul, told ya i wuz stoopid
I`ll have a play with that one.
I just like the way a build thread is like the chapter of a modelling encyclopedia, and if I ever get around to posting any work, its like a record of what you did.
To you personally, and your comment about replies to the vid posts I`ll say this.
I joined after being a `lurker` for quite some time, and it was after watching said videos that I decided to join.
I could see the people involved on the live shows etc, and everyone seemed a good friendly bunch, with a mix of skill levels and build genres. I threw some questions in and they were answered, it felt like a model club meeting.

Excellent thats what we like to hear

[Twokidsnosleep]

thanks Paul, told ya i wuz stoopid
I`ll have a play with that one.
I just like the way a build thread is like the chapter of a modelling encyclopedia, and if I ever get around to posting any work, its like a record of what you did.
To you personally, and your comment about replies to the vid posts I`ll say this.
I joined after being a `lurker` for quite some time, and it was after watching said videos that I decided to join.
I could see the people involved on the live shows etc, and everyone seemed a good friendly bunch, with a mix of skill levels and build genres. I threw some questions in and they were answered, it felt like a model club meeting.

Absolutely why I like the ISM format and doing build threads
I have looped back into my own (long winded) build threads to remind myself how I did something or what I used.
It is a great visual reference.
I don't seek attention as my primary motive, though I do seem to be able to make that happen with my silliness and how I interact with those that take the time to post in my thread....I always try to respond to someone when they post in my thread. Funny many who complain about not interactive enough don't seem to do that
Also Funny the monthly free prize draw always has a ton of posting

Thanks for the tip on FB search.
To me FB is like when someone yells "HI" at you from a moving car...gone before you know wtf happened.

[darrengreenwood]

I try to interact with everyone. But I'm not on here too often as I have a life to live, and I'm still dealing with the death of my Mum. This forum is a lot friendlier than a few other's. I try to look in all the modelling sections, and comment sometimes if I remember to, but again sometimes I forget to look. As most of the time I'm paying attention to the Military Vehicles section. I would love to participate in GB's and SiG's. but its time. And I do watch the Live Show's, but don't comment that I'm watching. I just listen to it while I'm wrestling some Plastic into submission, or throwing paint at something (and I'm lucky if I actually hit the model while I'm doing it). Maybe when I have more time, and I'm in a better place emotionally I will interact more on the forum's. Sometimes, by not participating as often as other's do I feel I'm letting the forum, the admin's, moderator's and membership down.

[digger303]

I try to interact with everyone. But I'm not on here too often as I have to life to live, and I'm still dealing with the death of my Mum. This forum is a lot friendlier than a few other's. I try to look in all the modelling sections, and comment sometimes if I remember to, but again sometimes I forget to look. As most of the time I'm paying attention to the Military Vehicles section. I would love to participate in GB's and SiG's. but its time. And I do watch the Live Show's, but don't comment that I'm watching. I just listen to it while I'm wrestling some Plastic into submission, or throwing paint at something (and I'm lucky if I actually hit the model while I'm doing it). Maybe when I have more time, and I'm in a better place emotionally I will interact more on the forum's. Sometimes, by not participating as often as other's do I feel I'm letting the forum, the admin's, moderator's and membership down.

Your not letting anyone down Darren, we all understand your having a hard time of it. Nobody expects anything and you do post your builds as you go ....you contribute when you can. Nobody could ask for more. Take as much time as you need and if you want to reach out then do so.

[Panzergrau]

I try to interact with everyone. But I'm not on here too often as I have a life to live, and I'm still dealing with the death of my Mum. This forum is a lot friendlier than a few other's. I try to look in all the modelling sections, and comment sometimes if I remember to, but again sometimes I forget to look. As most of the time I'm paying attention to the Military Vehicles section. I would love to participate in GB's and SiG's. but its time. And I do watch the Live Show's, but don't comment that I'm watching. I just listen to it while I'm wrestling some Plastic into submission, or throwing paint at something (and I'm lucky if I actually hit the model while I'm doing it). Maybe when I have more time, and I'm in a better place emotionally I will interact more on the forum's. Sometimes, by not participating as often as other's do I feel I'm letting the forum, the admin's, moderator's and membership down.

I completely agree with you, Darren! I had some hart times myself some three years aback and the posting on forums was not my priority! I went in "mute" mode for some good months. But as soon I bounced back with my personal life, all went back to normal. Those are exception though that are well understood. No rush, man! Get strong and when you rise back tackle that thousand parts Miniart!
Gabriel

[barrythornton]

Funny the monthly free prize draw always has a ton of posting

Nothing draws a crowd quicker than a fight or a free offer !

[Quax]

Having read through the thread I think there are now a couple of mini streams within it and, as I cant resist adding my two pence I shall.
Relic, my suggestion to you is as 2Kids referred, join a sig or a gb with something/anything - there is on the forum, just like real life, elements of standing in the shadows watching the big kids play and its not until you wade in that you make friends, you know where the humour lines are with people and best of all there is already a connection between your kits however tenuous; the current Cold War GB covers 50ish years, 80 countries and any technology you care to mention. It would be the only place I would ever comment on cars/ships/jets/helicopters/submarines/figures because I dont build them or have an interest therefore I'm not qualified - for example in the Bomber sig Mark V has built a Rockwell B1-b Lancer, its a fantastic build (other fantastic builds are available in there with lots of stirling endeavours...) I can say now I will never build one and if it was in a B1-b sig I wouldnt comment either, nor am I about to copy and paste "wow thats amazing"

Facebook - dont post although I do look at them all. The reason? Because to me the standard of posters is way, way above me - I'm happy to look stupid amongst friends on the forum but here I can hide under Quax - on FB I cant.

ISM youtube - no sorry I dont watch the live stuff, mostly because I dont have time but also because most of my interwebbing at home is done on the phone. I do however watch the video reviews/how to's etc all of which are excellent. Whilst on the ISM theme I will say that I don't find the Ultimate backing obtrusive a) because the web aint free and b) most importantly there has never been a "use Ultimate only because all others are sh1t" argument. If that happened I would probably leave - I have found the reviews of primers/sanders etc to be balanced

[digger303]

Relic...you ain't saying much ?

[barrythornton]

the only place I would ever comment on cars/ships/jets/helicopters/submarines/figures because I dont build them

That left me with a funny smile on my face, thinking "what does he build?"
Agree totally on Facebook, prolific number of builds, some shame inducing quality, but it ....... lacks something ......
part of my "research time" is reading build threads.... plagiarism? maybe, but always some idea to be borrowed or adapted, and the wide open door to say "how the hell did you do that bit?".

[Twokidsnosleep]

Lets keep this positive about what is good on the forum
Some good, talented, dedicated guys who build a huge variety of stuff and post great threads
I learn something practically everyday....techniques, materials, new kits etc
Sequential thread posting allows you to follow a build easily and search easily. Yesterday I re-read my X wing build from 2015 and laughed like a madman at all the comments and silliness
I share everything I do and what little I know in my build threads and learn form others who do likewise...one reason my posts are kinda long winded

Love the interactions with you guys and have made some great cyber friends from all over the world
Overall the forum is great IMHO, hopefully the easier photo posting will help boost the traffic a bit
Jump in and post, you will not regret it

[Paul]

Theres a simple answer, use the forum and facebook together like i do, i dont understand the reason not to