I’ve recently seen that a lot of the more respected “top modelers”, and even guys who are still learning the ropes, are deciding to document all, or most, of their activity on their personal Facebook sites.
I have to say that after much thought, I don’t think that I care for this approach. Although I understand the rationale behind it—if you’re a “big name” in the industry, people can always look up your name and see your latest projects—but at the same time, all of that “Friending” business and whanot seems like too much “side work” to have to manage. It also rather removes an individual from the “community feel” of any given forum, in my opinion.
What are your opinions on this? I"m really curious—does anyone have any regular “names” that they consistently check out, or follow? Does anyone here manage a FB site that they dedicate to modeling, or use to document their build logs? I’m NOT talking about personal webistes (like WBill76’s impressive site). I mean an actual “facebook” site that they use to document builds and techniques?
Personally, I don’t use facebook, I once had an account for a few days but hated it. And to be honest I wouldn’t know who I was looking for. The only top modellers I know are the ones on here. I much prefer being on a forum such as this one.
To be honest there is only one person on my Facebook page that even knows I build models and he used to work for a local store that is now closed. I don’t know why but I don’t tell everyone I meet as its my hobby. Strange as I’m not ashamed of it in any way.
I think deep down that not everyone I know needs to know everything I do every minute of the day (which you see a lot of on Facebook) and I’m not that full of my own self importance to believe people would be interested either
I don’t mean this in a hostile way but it probably has to do with ego. Some people might be thinking that they have outgrown the “public forums” and need to be posting on their own. These guys would get alot more views, I’m sure, if they posted in here or ARC. Its like when Joey Lawrence or Thomas Hayden Church left Friends and Wings. In those shows that had a bunch of great actors they were very popular but on their own they didn’t do well.
The drawback for me is that I don’t have a Facebook account and even if I did I’m not gonna follow 25 different sites when I can just come here.
I never understood putting your life out there for everybody to see and pushing an agenda on a Facebook site. I would hope that serious or dedicated modelers would use FSM as a medium to connect with others with similar interests, where on Facebook your putting out a wip to your select “friends”. At FSM we’re sharing tips, ideas, offering and getting help from the best. Thats why I’m here and not trying to sell something. You Tube is something completely different. Thats a place where someone can show their skills and offer tips, let the Facebook crowd do what they do.
I don’t have time for Facebook,it’s basically another hobby,keeping up with friends and updates and so forth.If thats what you like fine,I think it’s cool to post your work on your site,and I would do it if I was on Facebook,but I just don’t have the time to get involved.
My local club has two face book pages, one for members only and one as the face of the club for people looking for information on modeling in the Louisville area. IPMS also has a fb presence that I look at on occasion. A good number of my fb friends are because I’ve met them through modeling; either online forums or past or present model clubs (I spent a lot of time moving so I joined about a dozen clubs throughout my military career). One guy I often say hi to used to own a model shop in Huntsville, AL.
The amount of time I spend on fb is probably less than I spend on any one particular model forum. That includes fb posts from people from work, high school, college and the military.
I will agree with the others. I don’t really get the need nor desire to tell everyone in the world about myself. I do have a Facebook acct, but only because the group building a diorama for a military museum wanted to use it to keep the project going. My profile is empty and I only go to the group’s page. Once the project is over, I will delete the profile. People don’t need to know what I am doing every minute and I don’t have time to keep tabs on them, this includes these “great modelers” who think they need a facebook page as well.
FB for clubs to advertise and show off award builds is great. I guess thinking about it more, anything to introduce modeling to the masses is a plus. We have a great heritage in this hobby and anything to promote it works.
Doog: It may be some confirmation bias. We notice some – but we fail to notice others. Are there well-known names who use FB and not other sites? Sure. Are there well-known names who never appear on FB but solely on Armorama, Missing Lynx, Planet Armor, Hyperscale, Track Link or here on FSM? Absolutely.
It’s the same phenomenon when you buy a certain make of car. Suddenly, you notice the number of exact same cars on the road that you never noticed the day before you bought the car. It’s just another modelling communication venue. Do some people act weird on FB? You betcha. You take the good with the bad.
Bish: as far as top modelers only being on FSM – there’s certainly a nice community here but it’s very small and relatively less experienced as a whole compared to some of the others I’ve cited above.
One of the non-modeling advantages to fb; I joined the 8th Infantry Division veterans group. Membership to that group eventually put me in contact with all of the former officers of my first tank company. I arrived in Germany just before Christmas 1987. We reminisced about the epic Christmas party thrown by the Company XO.
Two weeks from today I’m having dinner with the former Company Commander, who retired as a major ages ago. Funny that I was a second lieutenant when we met and that I was the only officer of our company to reach lieutenant colonel.
Since I settled more than a thousand miles from where I grew up (VT) and where I also went to college (NY), I’ve been able to keep in contact with friends from those communities as well.
Edit: I also have to agree with Roy, many of the top modeling names I know are not on FSM forums.
I’m with the majority here. I have rather strong opinions about Facebook and social networking in general, but no need for me to climb on my soapbox. [:)] That said, a lot of folks find such things a valuable way to stay in touch with people, and I respect that. Just not for me, and like others have said, I’ve tried it too (3 times, and 3rd wasn’t a charm).
In my 8 months or so here, IMO the folks here are fantastic and I believe it is great of FSM to provide this place for us.
I’ve noticed this big time. Many bigger names, (not necessarily better modelers, but people who go out and get stuff published) now have dedicated FB pages. They seem to ditch the forums and even thier own personal blog and give most priority to FB for modeling. I’m not a fan of this, as it gives a sort of “if you don’t follow and comment on my FB page I don’t pay attention to you attitude”.
I’m not describing everyone thats modeling on facebook with this comment, but its starting to happen.
I have a FB account and also use it as Rob and HA describes. Easier to communicate an update with a particular group. Any of us, in the model build group or the bicycle group or etc. can post info to all the group instead of each individual email or phone call.
I prefer forums for most model building. This seems easier to index projects and tips and follow many different builds. The forums give me more access to builders in the whole world.
Like thumbing through a world atlas in printed book form (remember those?). I don’t always have to know what I’m looking for but will let things catch my eye and start reading about it
I too have and use a FB page and it definitely doesnt have to be used to air everything you are doing every minute of the day. I havent really noticed any big name people on there and I dont think I have even friended any modellers with the exception of one RL friend. I will say that there is no better way to keep track of companies however such as Eduard. I do follow several such as Dragon USA, Eduard, and The Modelling News and love the information that they put up on their pages.
I’d have to second this. I have a FB account, but usually get on it once a year to thank everyone for posting birthday greetings! That’s it. When I first got my account, it was too depressing to go on. High school friends passing on, Air Force buddies passing on. I’m not in to letting the whole world know about my life anyway. My friends and family know me, that’s all that matters.
And I agree with you on the people here on FSM. Everyone from the top brass at FSM down to the newest member…all very cool! I know I’ve bugged Tim and Aaron enough, but they let me stay! [;)]
Thanks for the responses, guys. Some interesting opinions and perspectives here.
Facebook ITSELF is one topic for discussion; my question was geared more toward the idea of using that site as a “home” where one posts all their tutorials, completed builds, etc.
What prompted my question was when I saw on another site this really nice model, and in the thread, the guys said “tutorial on how I made it look this way on my Facebook page”–and, to be honest, I was just annoyed that he didn’t post it right there, and instead I would have to go hunting for him and his page. In some cases, if the guy has a relatively common name, it can be hell to try to find someone.
Now, a good friend of mine who is a well-known and very influential modeler who has done very well for himself in the hobby uses his Facebook site this way. He does it because its easier to post up on one site and not have to re-post constantly on different forums and then have to spend hours responding to questions. I can understand that. If I want to see what he’s been up to lately–precisely because of his innovation and skill–I can go there and see that–but speaking for myself, I would miss the sense of community. I have a FB site with some pics of my models up there, but no techniques, and I almost never post on it, and don’t accept “friends”.
Roy, you had some good points, as did Gino and Rob about using it for certain projects and finding old friends in the hobby or from different branches of service… Steve, you SHOULD be a “legend”–well, you are here on FSM for those of us who know you when you were more active. [:P] Nathan, that attitude not only exists on Facebook, it’s rampant in some of the other, more “elitist” forums as well. [whstl]
I started a Facebook account up to find some old Army buddies. Failure. I never found any of them but every loser degenerate I ever knew or knew of in high school found me inside 24 hours. So I don’t think I will be spending much time looking for modelers on FB. Call it a fear of unintended consequences.
Hey Doog, seems like everyone agree’s Facebook suck’s. As a single guy who dates once in a while having a facebook account really sucked…been there done that…never again. I don’t need 2000 “friends”
nor do I feel the need to let the world in on my life…I’ve only been here a short time but it seems like a place I’ll enjoy. The amount of info and techniques I’ve learned here already and the support of my fellow modelers make this site very rewarding to me…just my humble opinion Dave