Do we need to make this more attractive?

[bob turner]

Well, it is broke. Nobody can sign in without Lee's help, and the only way to Lee is through Butch. I know this because several long time members have contacted me saying they cannot get in. I of course can only enlist aid. I cannot fix passwords.
Years ago my password broke, and management fixed it for me. I could not have done so the normal way for most forums. Fora?

And photos need to be hosted here. Using Shutterfly is trivial for me, but some find it daunting - we are deprived of photos of our friends' work, which, if you think about it, is the primary reason for a forum (sharing).

And I 100% agree - if the Club Car offends you (it seriously offends me!) don't go there. I am always a vote against censorship, even when the subject matter is hatred of folks not like the poster. If you want to see censorship in action, go over to OGR and say something negative about that midwest outfit promising accurate Diesel models - MMW? You can, of course, hold a prayer group over there, but I bet you would have a very difficult time of it if it was determined not to be a Christian-themed prayer group.

Yes, at the moment, the MTJ 2-rail forum is in fact the most active of the MTJ forums, and is far more active than the OGR 2-rail forum. We could double that if we made it easy for real folks to sign in and get a password, or revise a password, and at the same time block the bots (whoever they are).

[up148]

I couldn't agree more Bob. It is broke and needs to be fixed. Unfortunately (or fortunately) fixing it requires a software upgrade that might delete certain past items. If it deletes, so be it. I'm waiting a response from Lee to an email.

[sarge]

I'm in agreement with Dave. Software isn't going to attract people, and to ask the man to spring for it is wasting his time and money unless you are ready to do that what the thread is entitled.

If all you want is an easier time in your own playground, that's fine, but don't expect people to flock here because they can post photos here. The vast majority of non-geriatrics know how to link from a host. That one is just twaddle.

As far as signing up, the owner would know if there really are enough people queueing up to play with the grouchy old men and their doorstops, truth be told. Is it worth the time and treasure to do this, based on the number of applicants (if there really are any) waiting for him to process their requests?

You can deny it (or not really care) all you want, but what I have been banging on about these last two threads on the subject reflects what a more-than-significant number of folks in the scale, folks I know and associate with very often, say regarding this forum. Altruistic nonsense aside, the eight or so folks on here now have made it clear they have no intention of changing the atmosphere, so off you go then. I'm a lone voice in the bush, I'm fine with that, but the owner should know what he is spending his resources on. Be honest, this is for you guys, not for modellers at large.

A footnote regarding "censorship", Bob. I'm not advocating censorship, draconian or otherwise. Playing the "censorship" card really is a cop-out that MTJ'ers are using to somehow justify the very behaviour that turns folks on their heels. Me, I'll stick with the wisdom that a civilised man knows the difference between doing something because they have the right to do it and doing something because it is the right thing to do.

Then, there is E7's iconic bit about, "If you don't like it, don't read it." That is exactly why no-one is here. They don't like it, hence...

I've said my piece. Sadly, I politely disagree and can't recommend he spend the money on it based on what is said here (not that my recommendation matters. GRIN!)

[robert.]

Spending money here . Similar to beating a dead horse. I can see why some of you think FB. is clumsy. In the past climbing down from a horse into a motorized carriage was clumsy. A whole new set of levers and pedals to manipulate.
In no time people had it down. A few decades later the horse was out to pasture. Now we argue over electrics. Common theme? (Argue)
Give FB a try for more than an NY minute. Once your algorthm is set yoúll see all the model stuff you can handle. Fb is designed for the narcissisz in everyone. You get your own page with followers. Everytime they like your photos on comments you get a ding sound on your phone. A quick hit of dopamine ( oh joy they like me)
Photo posting on FB. Easy as pie. Hold phone sideways snap photo. Adding text by phone clumsy. Not really. Hard with fat thumbs. Not anymore. Things have moved on. From writing on cave walls, to quill pens, lead pencils to graphite. From Milĺs writing machine to Sholes typewriter onto Berezin’s word processor. Things change. My fat thumb texting is replaced by talking into a phone.
In closing climb off your high horse, park Stanley’s steamer in the carport. Toss a cover over Aston Martin Mr. Bond and grab that fancy device Specte gave you. Snap some photos and talk into your hand. Join the rest of the world walking around numb with phone in hand. Robert SOB. ( son of boomers) off to bother people at the polls

[E7]

Then, there is E7's iconic bit about, "If you don't like it, don't read it." That is exactly why no-one is here. They don't like it, hence...

Glad to see I've reached Icon status!

You've NO DOUBT forgotten more about O Scale than I'll ever know (really), why not post something these folks will like.

Rich

[ScaleCraft]

like the best 0 gearboxes for steam were SC? What always appeared to be phenolic worm gears that absorbed lubricant.....worm shafts through carefully positioned and drilled holes, with lube ports, with cotton or felt wicks.
I have seen exactly one phenolic worm gear worn out (not SC), and checking, the gear was bone dry. Everything was shot in the chassis, including all driver axle boxes.
Scrapped it.
All of my SC engines were pre-war, so at least 85 years old. No plastic NWSL boxes.

[sarge]

...why not post something these folks will like.

Rich

Simply because I have no faith anything positive will come of it. Kinda pointless when the environment is so poisonous and collectively wants to stay that way. It's the same reason I don't spend hours on X/Twitter rather than spend time actually building something. Which should I choose, trolls or tools? Hmmm....

Ah, well. It was worth a shot anyway. Back to the shadows again...

[steamaheadstephen59]

I agree FaceBook is, okay! clumsy, I don't like it a lot. This is easer to follow along with. So anything that made posting pics easier would be good.

[webenda]

Ah, well. It was worth a shot anyway. Back to the shadows again...

Sarge, I enjoy your posts, opinions, and images.

I remember your British layout. Your posts encouraged me to buy from Hattons a shunter and two wagons, plus some chain couplers to play with.
It was fun, but I soon went back to Lionel trains and SLAMMING the cars together to try to get the couplers closed. Chain couplers are too fiddly.

[SWrailroader]

My main issue with FB is the selling my personal data and all the marketing that ensues. Plus i think Smuckerberg has a questionable reputation. Wasn’t there a recent whistleblower about FB with some not friendly folks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7imNZsFq42o

[gregj410]

Must say I agree with Sarge. I think this place has a bad reputation amongst the O gauge forums and I don’t mean specifically the 2 rail forum I mean the forum in general.
I remember when NK would disappear you for the slightest misstep. Most of the posters there knew of MTJ and knew they could air their grievances out here without any backlash whatsoever.
Not to forget the crapper that went on for so long. Most would never admit it but I’m sure the lion share of NK were lurking for the drama that ensued in that thread and some even participated.
Though I loved sparing with the libs I tried to keep it in the lounge and out of the train forums for the most part.
Don’t know what to say about posting photos other than it’s a cinch on a smart phone. I get a sense that most here are sitting in front of a desk top and though I understand it, you’re simply going to get left behind because of the evolving technology. If photos from the past get removed because of antiquated software than capture a screen shot of them if it’s something that interest you and save it to a file for future reference.
I mainly read here and I’d like to post more on the 3 rail forum but I simply find my time is better spent building my pike. I don’t see how this forum as a whole continues without new members and with what sounds like an absentee moderator I can’t see how they can sign up if they wanted to from what I’m reading here.

[bob turner]

You seldom come here. You are welcome, but it would be neat if you would share railroad stuff, instead of "sparing" with us libs. Let us see these photos from your phone.

Yes, most of us are ancient. O Scale 2-rail is an ancient hobby, and is not gathering many young folks - only a few here and there. I have mastered the (ugh) iPhone, but cannot simply transfer photos here - they have to be hosted. We need to change that.

I do hate iPhones. They are useful when traveling, but obnoxious when shoved under our noses to see photos of a grandkid or yesterday's breakfast. Again, Ugh!

[webenda]

Test... photo from android phone:

[webenda]

I can see the photo I posted from my cell phone. Can anyone else see it?

[ScaleCraft]

careful....you'll get banned for posting porn like that!