Ok … I just wanted to touch on the subject of Group Builds.
First off, I’d like to say that we’ve had some great builds and have some great ones going. But the forum itself is getting a little cluttered with sticky posts.
So, maybe what we need to do is set a few ground rules as to the number, length of time they stay sticky, even the selection process to become a sticky.
So having kicked it around with some of the other members, here is a suggested list for us all to think over and suggest to the powers that be here at FSM.
limit the number of active group builds to 2.
to select a potential group build, a series of choices are given to the membership to vote on and select.
all group builds must have a start and finish date.
a group build will recieve sticky status 2 weeks prior to the start of the build.
a group build will lose sticky status 2 weeks after completion date.
a new forum of “expired” group builds will be created and after the 2 weeks have passed, the group build will be moved to that new forum. (includes group builds from the other forums too).
Now these are just suggestions … please … let’s have some feedback on this from all of you as to what you think.
As one of the other members that got kicked around…I mean kicked it around with Shermie, [;)] I agree with this and think it would be a good idea. If we can get Dave to agree to a new forum for the expired builds I think it would be a good idea. The straglers could still post to the group build, but in the other forum. I think we’ll get more participation in each build and better work if we don’t have people trying to do 6 group builds at a time. I know I found I can’t do mor ethan 1 or 2 at a time and get anything done.
I like the idea of letting a group build ‘expire’ and be placed somewhere else, like in it’s own designated area. This idea should work for the entire web-site, not only just Armor.Two group builds at any given sounds like a good number. We need to remember participating in one is voluntary.
I must admit, I felt a little funny about posting another GB (M1) , seeing how many there were already and with the towed gun GB being in the time frame we had discussed. but we had already discussed it in november, really, I wasn’t going to do it, but then I saw a few posts that people where still expecting it, so I kinda had to do it.
I must agree with you on most points, especially #6.
I say 2 GBs active, but with the possibility of 3 (as in above circumstances) but I guess if there’s a discussion thrread before each GB that would eliminate that probably
I also say that we have 2 thread boxes on a page
first the regular one with the 20 updating thread
the 2nd to contain all the GBs. Personally I think that that’s all we need to eliminate the clogging of the thread page
I would say 3 weeks before the start date it should be stickied, so as to give people time to get: kits, AM, PE, etc.
I agree with 2 weeks after, to retire it.
to determine the next GB I would suggest that choices get nominated (preferably all of them from different areas of armor) until there is a total of 5. those choices then get put in a poll to get voted on.
Glenn - couldn’t agree more that this would benefit the entire site, not just Armour. So I’ve posted an invite to the A/C Forum to come participate in this dialogue.
Chris - your point #3 intigues me a little. Is what you’re suggesting with this a subfolder of each forum entitled Group Builds … and in that subfolder is where they would reside for their term. That way they’re still part of the individual forum, but kept seperate to a degree.
Robert,
This may sound silly, but what if we moved all Group Builds to a new forum?
We could then keep the modelling subjects forums clear of all sticky postings.
I like your ideas, and if we went with them, then 2 forums would be created:
The active builds
The recently finished builds
I’m not sure if this is any better but just an idea feeding off of your posting.
Regards, Dan
well, we should have been doing fairly well, but we haven’t, Why???
we start with 6 builds
the 2 tiger builds were started in !!??!! AUGUST !!??!! and they are still kicking around
PROBLEM: no dates to start and finish
down to 4 builds
Panther build has just passed its end date so it hopefully should be wrapping [;)] up
PROBLEM: People have a hard time finishing models (nothing personal[;)][;)][:D][:D])
with above standards it would be moving off to the retirement home.
down to 3
Sherman GB is almost in the middle of its dates, but unfortunately with its size I have a hard time seeing everyone getting done before the end
PROBLEM: too many people prefer allied armor over german [:D][:D][:D][;)]
down to 2
Towed gun starts when?? April??!! but thats waaaaaaaaay in the future (ok maybe an exxageration)
M1 build was also posted quite early, in fact a month ahead of time, but see my above post for the reason. I am not condoning it though, I should have thought it out longer.
I also like Chris’ idea of a separate page within each forum dedicated to group builds. It would prevent someone’s posting of a question or recent build from being pushed off the first page prematurely. It would also be welcomed by those not interested in the group builds, as they wouldn’t have to “slog through” them to get to what they want. Some great ideas here.
Dan - The suggestion of a separate forum for Group Builds was first brought up about a month ago by Domi and was met with mixed feelings. I myself like to have the Group Builds stay within their individual forums at least for the duration of their workable lives. But that is just my opinion. Once again, another viable option.
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
-----------------------------------------------------I
users I
-----------------------------------------------------I
I propose that it look something like this
forum name I
description I
legend of each column I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
Group build 1 I
GB 2 I
GB 3 I
GB 4 I
GB 5 I
GB 6 I
-----------------------------------------------------I
users I
-----------------------------------------------------I or like this
forum name I
description I
legend of each column I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
thread I
-----------------------------------------------------I
users I
-----------------------------------------------------I
GROUP BUILDS
Group build 1 I
GB 2 I
GB 3 I
GB 4 I
GB 5 I
GB 6 I
Ok Chris, I think I see what you’re suggesting. What i thought was more along the lines of a tree structure as seen below where the Group Builds become a separate branch, but still within the Armour Forum ( or A/C Forum). But if we still get the group builds down to 2, then it leaves 18 open threads on the first page.
Forum Index
---------------Modeling Subjects
--------------------------------------Armor
----------------------------------------------Group Builds
It looks like group builds are going to be a regular feature of the forum (at least Armour) and I have to agree that the stickies will get out of hand.
A separate thread for all group builds within each main group (ie Armour) would be a great improvement, particularly given the number of postings generated even before the builds start (just check out the 2 upcoming group build threads). I am not partial to a whole new area devoted to group builds of all facets of modelling, cause I’m only interested in armour and don’t want to wade through numerous wingy thingy stickies to find the thread I wan’t to see.
well as a newbie to the forums and having started in a group, then having several more suggested or started [towed, Abrams and the suggested Patton] I was getting a bit overwelmed with sticky stuff[:)]
The Sherman group has more intrest for me because I am in it compared to the tiger/panther builds. I am learning what I need to do to get a better finished product with others building similar models.
I do like the idea of limiting the number and time frame for groups. I also like the idea of moving them to a location and still being able to post to them. and voting on the next group as well[^]