Featured Photos/Discussions...

[modelbob]

I've got something I'd like to start doing, but I need some help from the rest of you here on the forum. As the place continues to grow and expand, I'd like to start doing a "featured photos" promo, just like the one I do over at Railroadforums.com.

In order to do that, I need to have some good discussions and photos. The photos just need to interesting, I'm not judging a photo contest, just looking for something other members might enjoy.

I also encourage you to start new discussions when you've got a series of photos or something to say. The weekend photo fun topics are great, and a wonderful place to put a photo or two to show folks what you're doing, but if you have 6 or 8 photos, create a new topic and give it an informative title.

If we can get some good discussions going, I'll start doing the featured photo promotions here.

[SpaceMouse]

Kinda like the humorous pictures I did for Doc Holliday in the For Doc Post?

[Joe Daddy]

Bob,
Pick one you like and ask for comments! IMHO, this is something that doesn't need a lot of 'over-thinking'!

Joe Daddy

[Railphotog]

Not too sure what the intent or idea is. Do you want someone/anyone submit any model photo and have it open for discussion? If so, I'm not sure what type of discussion there could be - a lot of attaboys?

[modelbob]

What I'm looking for is some good solid articles like this one.
http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2463

We've got a lot of discussions going on, but most of them are more conversations than articles. A couple photos, a few comments, etc. That's great, but I'd like to showcase some more in depth stuff, something that has a series of photos and text explaining what they are etc. At the moment, I often find pictures I like, but there's not much, if any, text with them saying what was done or how to do it...

It could be about layout construction, rolling stock, scenery, whatever. But I'd like something that is more than one or two posts long, and has a bit of in depth information in it.

It would simply be posted like any other discussion, in whatever topic fits, there's nothing special that needs to be done.

[Railphotog]

You said "featured photos" and "discussion", but it looks like you are looking for how-to articles, something different to me.

[modelbob]

You said "featured photos" and "discussion", but it looks like you are looking for how-to articles, something different to me.

It doesn't have to be how-to articles, it can also be a series of photos. Mainly what I'm interested in is something longer than just one or two posts and a couple of photos. I don't want to promo something that only has two or three photos, since I feel folks will think "is that all there was?".

[Joe Daddy]

Bob,

I certainly understand what you are talking about and agree that it is an excellent concept. From my perspective, you are wanting to do something like 'train blogging'. I am all for that, but after some unpleasant experiences on other forums, I decided to take that kind of contribution off a public place putting it where I had full control of the content and absolute flaming and editorial content control. This is not to say that it would or even could be a problem here, but it has and does happen elsewhere.

You have a very nice site here and as I said on another thread, you have astounding picture contributions!

Joe Daddy

[modelbob]

From my perspective, you are wanting to do something like 'train blogging'.

No, nothing that complicated. I want to do the same thing I do over at RailroadForums.com, have a thumbnail photo and a link to the discussion. I simply want the discussion to be worthwhile and to seem like there's enough info there that it deserves to be shown as "featured".


I am all for that, but after some unpleasant experiences on other forums, I decided to take that kind of contribution off a public place putting it where I had full control of the content and absolute flaming and editorial content control. This is not to say that it would or even could be a problem here, but it has and does happen elsewhere.

OK, so if I use that same logic, then I shouldn't visit your blog, since I went to other blogs and they were full of pop-up ads and banner ads?

If you want to have control of the content, that's all fine, but I don't feel it's fair to stop participating here based on unpleasent experiences elsewhere...

[B_Kosanda]

Bob,
I'll contribute to this idea. How about this post from Showin' Off for starters? http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5302

My posting on the forum is spotty, due to work etc, but I have a few scratchbuilding projects coming up and I'll photograph them and do a write up.

Bill

[modelbob]

Bob,
I'll contribute to this idea. How about this post from Showin' Off for starters? http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5302

That's EXACTLY the kind of thing I'm looking for. Excellent example!

[B_Kosanda]

Bob,
So, is there going to be a link to this on the main page or where? I need to know where to post the items or how they might end up on this page if it is by your selection. I'm thinking it might be best to make it by your selection. That would keep the content at a certain level.

Bill

[modelbob]

Bob,
So, is there going to be a link to this on the main page or where? I need to know where to post the items or how they might end up on this page if it is by your selection. I'm thinking it might be best to make it by your selection. That would keep the content at a certain level.

Bill

There will be a link to this from the index page at http://www.modelrailroadforums.com/

I'll also list the discussions on the "active topics" page. Here's what it will look like:
http://www.railroadforums.com/forum/search.php?searchid=461410

See the "featured photos" section? That's what I'm talking about. It's really pretty simple.

I select the topics to be featured, essentially at random intervals (when I have time), and post a link to them there. I look for threads that are interesting and informative. They should have a good mix of photos and text and at least a couple of posts.

I prefer to feature photos that are uploaded here, rather than external images. I definitely will not feature any discussion that has one or two photos, a short bit of text, and a note saying "visit my website for the rest". (Sorry, I'm trying to promo my site, not somebody else's...:))

[Joe Daddy]

OK, so if I use that same logic, then I shouldn't visit your blog, since I went to other blogs and they were full of pop-up ads and banner ads?

If you want to have control of the content, that's all fine, but I don't feel it's fair to stop participating here based on unpleasent experiences elsewhere...
Bob,

Well, for one, it is called reciprocity, the spirit of the internet, sharing and cross linking. After all, I visit and enjoy your excellent site, let us hope that you may find mine valuable. And unlike most train forum sites, I have no pop-up or advertising of any kind on either my blog or my web site.

Best regards and I do certainly enjoy your site!

Joe

[jbaakko]

Bob,

Well, for one, it is called reciprocity, the spirit of the internet, sharing and cross linking. After all, I visit and enjoy your excellent site, let us hope that you may find mine valuable. And unlike most train forum sites, I have no pop-up or advertising of any kind on either my blog or my web site.

Best regards and I do certainly enjoy your site!

Joe
True, But I understand where Bob is coming from, this section is to promote the "editor's picks" from the treads posted here. I would do the same.

You can still post the articles, I do... I also link back (quite a few at that). It still works the same way.

*BOB* I got your back here...

EDIT, read your original post, there's 100% NO flaming allowed here, Bob & the Mods are QUICK to kill that... Though I can now see this post can be thought of as that!

[Joe Daddy]

True, But I understand where Bob is coming from, this section is to promote the "editor's picks" from the treads posted here. I would do the same.

You can still post the articles, I do... I also link back (quite a few at that). It still works the same way.

*BOB* I got your back here...

EDIT, read your original post, there's 100% NO flaming allowed here, Bob & the Mods are QUICK to kill that... Though I can now see this post can be thought of as that!

Excuse me, but what are you saying? That I flamed Bob, or you flamed me? You flamed me, and I certainly did not flame Bob.

Joe

[jbaakko]

I was pointing that I could be perceived as flaming there, its not intended that way...