What the hell is wrong with you people? We’re playing with toys here not doing brain surgery. One guy comes up with an idea to do something that might spark some activity and others jump on it. Like Hans said “Those who like to participate do and the others don’t.”
Jeez get a life.
Dave
Let me bring this back on a positive topic and please lets keep it on topic. Like I said before it is a great idea, that is a lot of fun. I would even be happy with no prizes and do these challenges just for fun or leave it up to the person who plans the challenge. Maybe Bob can put the winners model on the front page for a month or so.
If anyone wants to be sour and imature about the challenge then they get disqualified and can never participate again. I dout it would come to that though. Im already thinking about a challenge when it is my turn.
The contest, I felt, was a good idea.
It gave opportunity for many of us to see some fine, creative work by fellow modelers and it also gave folk something to do and achieve especially during a time when many railroads are either under snow or halted due to other weather reasons. Everything has to start someplace and with interest and support can., hopefully, only expand. Anything that causes the rest of us to think or talk about our hobby in a positive way. in my book, can’t be bad.
I saw some of the results on another Forum and commented accordingly. I also suggested that a few in the UK might be spurred into some kitbashing and posting their work. As for me I have two left hands. lol
To those who’ve offered reasoned opinions, and constructive criticisms… thank you again. To those who exist, but still think I was being unduly negative, explosive, over the top, or otherwise nasty last night. I can only offer the explanation that I was fresh from dealing with a lovely little attack of “Internet Security 2010”, and was truly out of patience with malware, trolls, spam and every other other web nuisance in general. Some things could probably have been worded better, but the sentiment remains. However, I shall henceforth try, as much as possible, to be only positive, helpful or humorous. Other emotions aren’t really worth the bandwidth.
Shawn, good on ya! I shall await your turn with interest…
Fred, if you actually WERE insulted by my possible poor wording, I was serious about it being a great idea.
BTW If anybody wants to come help us pack and move over the next two weeks or so(I’d rather not do it either, lol)… any assistance would be welcomed and you’ll be well fed in return.
Going back into my rabbit hole to box stuff up, now. The AV already looks something like Haiti…
Mik ,
All the world respects a man who steps back and takes a look at himself .
I respect your explanation and the spirit in which it was given .
I sincerely hope that the contest can now go ahead avoiding pitfalls , and be the success you hope for .
sincerely
Mike M
Wow, I thought this was going to be a fun idea not a controversy! Well here is my 2 cents:
I would like to see a contest or challenge and I will likely participate depending on the time parameters. I would like to see it as inclusive as possible. In other words lets try and get as much participation as possible and not discourage anyone as much as reasonable. I am concerned that a small dollar amount restriction might discourage newcomers and others who don’t have much of a spare parts bin. I would in particular like to encourage those who have never or seldom attempted a kit bash or scratch build! The fewer rules and restrictions the better. Since any judging is going to be subjective anyway why all the worry about cheating. The real prize will be the bragging rights! We don’t have to limet that to the best in show. Why not recognize other accomplishments like: best newcomer , best use of recycled object, funniest, best new technique, most improved, ect. Lets have fun, encourage each other, and enjoy each others results.
John
As someone new to GR I look forward to all the projects I have seen on these pages. So many wonderful ideas have come to me looking at what others have done. I can’t help but believe that EVERYONE benefits by seeing what others are doing. A contest might inspire even more new ideas to be shared that in the end will benefit most of us. Keep it fun and easy with few rules and plenty of time to take part. Whether to have a prize or not is inmaterial, getting the respect of others by receiving their vote is enough for most people. Cheat, why what are you going to gain some false pride. If you don’t like the idea, that’s the easiest to answer, don’t take part.
Now let’s all act like big boys & girls and have fun!
I’ve lost track of things. Mik can you please restate the rules/parameters and what the time line is now.
Dave
Dave, the rules I used for THIS challenge were simple… because it was a spur of the moment deal.
1.$10 new purchase limit on new material purchases - Anything you already had onhand, or could scrounge up without actually buying counted $0 towards that limit. (The inspiration was realizing I had enough accumulated crap t build a locomotive… which I did)
2. Two week, actually 15 day, time limit.
3. It had to be a NEW project. If you had already started it before the challenge was issued on Jan1, it wasn’t eligible.
I’m pretty certain that Ralph’s and Shawn’s challenges will have different rules, different timing, and different voting selection criteria… IMO this is a grand idea (even wish I’d have thunk of it first) and will help keep the whole ‘challenge’ idea from getting stale. And may even discourage many forms of ‘cheating’ – because nobody, except whoever will be the next the issuer of ‘the challenge’, will know in advance what to expect. (If somebody is so desperate to ‘win’ that they are willing to buy up $thousands$ in materials they may never need… then the actual ‘cheating’ is the least of their problems!)
At the moment What I’d really LOVE to do is issue the following mini-challenge. Build/Donate ANY item in the next week, doesn’t matter what, to be auctioned off on feebay with the ENTIRE proceeds going to the Red Cross for their relief efforts in Haiti. I’ll even take care of doing the listing if need be (as long as you agree to do the shipping). The actual listings are free, see: http://announcements.ebay.com/ Is anybody interested in participating? if so, I’ll issue a formal challenge…
Mik,
A very noble idea. I’m in. I need to clean out some stuff. Was already planning on going to work on
eBay in the coming weeks. I’ll submit some additional items for the earthquake relief efforts.
Ralph