Large Scale Central

What has this site become?

General Discussion
#1

Gentlemen,
There is no need for some members to constantly treat other members like they are low lifes.
There is no need to post derogatives to Mr. Ames, or to a Marvin, or anyone else for that matter. Even if they deserve it by starting the fight.
(Like I did to Mr. Walsham. But, damn it, I’m tired of it and fed up! I edited out all the derogatory things I said, but Mr. Walsham keeps bullying on.

Just ignore it and say kind words.
If everyone who is popular on this board would meet face to face, would they act like a bunch of high-school dopes? I don’t think so!
The distance and electronic communication has made us whole bunch of know-it-alls and cyber bullies.

If you have nothing good or positive to say, don’t hit the post button.
I’m tired of it, as well as quite a few others.

I am apologizing wholeheartedly to anyone on this sight whom I have offended in anyway.
But I am sick and tired of the BS.
I know, don’t read the thread. or if you don’t want heat, stay out of the fire.
That’s BS! All threads should be productive and informative.

Well, I’m taking a hiatus and will check back from time to time to see if the hospitality has improved.

jb

#2

John,
I honestly do not know why you took exception to anything Tony said to you. Some of it may have been said to have been self inflicted, but a knock on the chin happens when one spars with an opponent (and Tony is a very worthy sparring partner) . This site shows that a little sparring brings out the best in people (and the worst). Case in point of the person who tried to control this site and then started his own site and exhibits total control over not only who is able to post but the content of each posting. This is censorship to the extreme.

   This site is an excellent bunch of very talented individuals, in their own fields who like to post here and enjoy the comraderie.  Even Marvin enjoys the notoriety.  Why else would he keep coming back for more?  He gives as he receives.  One must be willing to take the occasional knock on the chin.  As my old grandpa used to say 'reap as ye shall sow'.  If one picks an argument then one is guaranteed a response.  We are creatures of habit and will defend our position.  However,  at the end of the day it is our common enjoyment of our hobby that binds us together and makes us all 'friends'.   The whole point is not to take anything seriously.  You will not find a better bunch of informed individuals anywhere else.
#3

John,
I’m going to have to respectfully disagree. While I personally prefer civil discourse as a rule, there are times when I have to take exception to what someone is trying to do and I won’t censor myself because somebody doesn’t want to read any controversy. There are some behind-the -scenes plans that some people are trying to foist on our hobby that I personally disagree with! Am I to remain quiet? I think not. Thank you for your opinion. It is a valid one and I shall consider it.

#4

I have to agree a bit with John here. Things are getting a bit carried away but you don’t have to read certain threads. There are at least three current ones which I have decided to skip entirely.

-Brian

#5

I made a facetious post about that not long ago–I’m just a newbie in this hobby with a modest little layout. It struck me that a lot of the threads here were about dumping on this or that manufacturer, and in pretty harsh terms. The response pointed out that this is the only forum that’s not censored. I’ve never been asked to change or remove a post on another forum, but some people have, and if it’s true that other forums are more controlled then it seem fine to have a place to complain. It’s pretty much the same people having a conversation among themselves, which is fine by me but it’s not something I’m all that eager to join, It seem to me that Brian is right–just don’t participate. The solution is starting other threads or posting somewhere else.

#6

John -

I like conversing with you and you’ve helped me on a number of occasions. I hope I’ve also helped you at least once. I can understand your position however I don’t agree. There are plenty of forums that are PC moderated pablum. Some of them, like MLS, also have some good information, just don’t try and say or agree to something controversial there.

I like LSC just the way it is, self moderating and generally uncensored. I think the majority of long-time posters agree otherwise it would have gone the way of moderated forums long ago.

I’d like you to stay and keep posting, but if you can’t, we understand.

Jon

#7

They allow me in here, so what do you expect :wink:

Of the 3 fora I frequent, this one does tend to be the grumpiest.

#8

One of the downsides of the site traffic tripling in the last 6-8 months, is that I can’t keep up on every thread any more, and have to rely on emails or IMs of “There’s a fire over there!”. In the past, I generally warn a thread when its getting out of hand, and I apologize to all those concerned in the various threads that have turned into a mini bash fest. There is no reason to take anything beyond facts here. Opinions are valid, too, but when they start to turn ugly, or the mob mentality starts to happen, then I’m inclined to step in and say “shh”.

Those of you that have been on the site for a while know a couple of facts about how I run it. One is that, if I remember correctly, I’ve deleted about 3 posts in the 8 years the site has been run, and I’ve asked two users to politely stop posting. Thats it. I try not to have a heavy hand, and, yea, it ruffles some feathers. Its a slippery slope I dont want to go down. If I start managing the content of the threads in the forum, then, legally, I’m responsible for the content of the site. I definitely do NOT want that. There are pocketbooks deeper than mine out there that can make my life miserable if they thought I had an axe to grind against them.

So, in my seemingly bi-yearly reminder, lets just keep a level head out there. Consider this my living room, with an open fridge. You’re welcome to come in and rummage around, but if you start spilling the beer on the rug, breaking windows, or constantly arguing with the other guests, I’ll give you the hairy eyeball.

Over and out

#9

I too have noticed a certain proclivity here towards not grumpiness, but just plain disagreeableness, namley betwen certain members for what could be by some be seen as more personality conflicts about certain large scale manufacturers, but having been a long time reader here, I know the some of the background reasons for these disputes, and as such I can dismiss the “crankyness” that crops up from time to time, besides it does keep things livley here.

One thing I have noticed is that there has of late been a more general trend towards discussing the more political aspect of the hobby, namely the recent issues at Bachmann, the onging LGB/Marklin debacle, and a few other issues, but it does seam like over here, more time is spent discussing whats going on with the hobby than with actually talking about our own trains and the how and what we are modeling. Not that I’m complaining mind you, its just an observation.

Like all things, I take this on its own merits, given that this forum certainly DOES allow a free discussion of these topics, I realize this is WHY these can be the biggest profile discussions here, simply because we have the opportunity, and that openess with these high profile topics leads to some very heated debate and that could put off some people. So sometimes when its gets into the personalites, I’ll just skim the discussion, but will stay out of it and let the participants beat it out.

Anyway, thats all I got to say.

#10

Bob,

Would it be okay if we just drink all the beer in your fridge, as long as we don’t spill any on the carpet? :wink:

Disagreement debates are fairly common in the world of web forums, and its not like Bob doesn’t warn us coming in. I know people who thrive on this type of give and take. And there are others who are just plain angry and depressed who use forums to lash out at the world. If I see a thread going this way I just move on.

I was at a train show talking to a dealer, and he commented on the abundance of “grumpy old men” in the model railroad hobby. I had to laugh. Perhaps I should have started up a debate on the topic… :slight_smile:

#11

Most “Other Places” do not allow the freedom of expression, that Bob allows here. Thank you Bob. You look after the site in a fine fashion, and people are here because of it. There is seldom a need for the controls we see everywhere else.

#12

Paul: The fridge is always stocked help yerself!

Fred: thanks!

#13

It’s one thing to express your opinion, it’s another thing to start 10 topics about the same damn thing and then beating the subject to death…

#14

Mark,
someone with experience in the subject is able to discuss their opinion in ten topics, all on the same subject and talk at great length about the subject in question. There are of course those verbally challenged ones who fear someone who is able to express himself and so try to berate them by making postings such as yours. It is postings like yours that inflame a topic not quell it. Now I need to open ten more threads to really get to the bottom of this topic. As always if a topic is not to your liking then move along, nothing to see here for you. There is no need to stop by and comment if the topic is not for you.

I am having troublle figuring out exactly what is going on at present. If one expresses his opinion on a topic then he is a grumpy old man. If one expresses an opinion on a ‘delicate subject’ that counters what the supporters of that topic believe then there must be a conspiracy theory at play to undermine the ‘integrity’ of that topic subject.

The problem with this hobby is that many simply do not grow in maturity with their hobby and are still caught in a timeframe trap when they were little boys playing trains. They still want to be little boys and resist any attempt to persuade them to grow up. We have a member who considers himself a ‘newbie’ who has made several posts requesting help but also berates the same people calling them cranky old men and in a recent posting, makes an outright personal attack on another member. There is simply no credibility in such an action. One does not bite the hand that feeds him. One day, this guy is going to leave the site, because for some strange reason, no one will help him.

I like a little discussion and conversation, but for many, who are for want of a better term, educationally challenged, not being able to express one’s self, makes them jealous of those who are able to.

#15

You guys need a hobby…might I suggest model trains???

#16
Bart Salmons said:
You guys need a hobby.........might I suggest model trains????
:lol: :lol: :lol:

Sheesh Bart, don’t be such a grumpy old man!

BTW the sun’s setting in the West, it’s raining quite nicely and tomorrow I start work on that waterfall feature that has to get roughed in before I start laying more track.
Oh yeah, on the way back from our Monday model railroading Kaffeeklatsch I picked up some cement backerboard. Time to start tinkering and see what can be done with that stuff. :wink: :slight_smile:

#17
Bob McCown said:
Paul: The fridge is always stocked help yerself!

Fred: thanks!


Bob,

Sooooooooo what kind of bheer do you stock? (Just kidding, I’ll be fine with iced tea!)

#18

Currently in my downstairs beer fridge:

Wachusett Nut Brown ale, Wachusett Stout, Sea Dog IPA, and a few big bottles of Samuel Smiths Yule Lager.

/beer snob mode on

#19

I’ll try the IPA - Thanks Bob :smiley:

#20

“/beer snob mode on”
What! No Fosters!