After having read the editorial in the latest issue about results from last year’s poll, I give up–I’m not buying FSM anymore. All I asked for was one page–ONE PAGE–for beginner/introductory topics. Given the amount of space dedicated to frivolities like new decal offerings on the market, I’d have thought that such a requrest was reasonable.
FSM staff may argue that most of their audience don’t want beginner stuff, but I say that FSM has systemically narrowed down its readership by alienating beginners. Many no doubt feel ignored and intimidated by the hegemony of advanced topics in every issue. They’d feel much more included (and actually buy the magazine, thereby expanding FSM’s market) if there was SOMETHING in there directly catering to their needs. How hard could that be? One page…
And some people have the gaul to complain that nobody’s entering the hobby. If anything, they’re leaving.
A lot of readers don’t consider coverage of new products, such as decals, a Frivolity. All model related mags cover new products, some in much more detail than FSM. Your Rant is interesting, because a lot of folks feel that FSM’s coverage is too basic & too much devoted to beginners. All a matter of perspective.
I have to agree. FSM Magazine is chuck-full of articles specifically directed at new or beginner level modelers. If anything, there are very few articles directed at advanced modelers…and understandably so.
Matthew outlined some of the recent “Basic” articles above, so I won’t re-hash the specifics. I guess as Rick said, “[It’s] all a matter of perspective.”
I’m relatively new at the weathering thing and Matthew’s article has helped me tremendously in using pastels and oils. My ‘new’ thing is the tempera suggestion mentioned in this month’s FSM. When I was a kid I was frustrated with FSM because I was too impatient to try the more advanced techniques. Now that I am older and wiser (29) the difference is night and day. Give the guys at FSM a chance, the tips and tech’s goodies have really been plentiful lately. Thanks, Matthew for the weathering tips!
I’m not necessarily interested in FSM for the tips, I’m more in it for new ideas. Granted I do take a lot of advice and tips from it. However, I just recently bought the FSM published “Spaceships at the final frontier” of which I was very dissapointed with considering I’m 19 and my star trek models came out better and they all look like they’re lacking something. So I’d say I’m content with the magazine but find the books could be better.
That’s funny, the overwhelming majority of complaints I hear about FSM is that it’s TOO beginner-oriented. Actually, your complaint that beginners are being alienated is the first such complaint I’ve EVER heard. Are you sure you’re reading FSM? You might want to check the cover of the magazines you’ve been looking at.
Honestly, I find your complaint totally unfounded and completely without merit.
Each and every issue of FSM contains plenty of information for modellers of ALL levels. You can find basic techniques, fundamental theories, and sound advice that’s relevant for beginners in every issue.
You’re free to have your own opinions and read or not read whatever you choose, but when you post pure baloney like that, someone’s going to make a sandwich or two out of it.
Good luck finding a magazine that is more beginner-friendly than FSM!
I can guarantee that you will not…
Brian, well put. When someone enters this hobby, they have to have some basic skills on how to assemble a kit. Instructions that come with the kits show how to put it together, placement of decals and even how to apply decals. The skills and tricks of the trade improve with each model a person builds.
The magazine can not go into great detail on how to assemble a specific model. One must assume the reader has enough experience in building to be able to read between the lines. They can’t go step by step, that is what the instructions are for.
The magazine is full of tips for the beginner as well as the advanced builder. The Q & A section of the magazine is informative and at some times comical. “I put decals on my Tiger tank and they wont stick. What am I doing wrong”?
This lets you know that person lacks the basic skill of applying decals. Then the answer will have to go into detail, that will not be needed by a more advanced builder.
On the other hand, a section on installing PE parts will be totally baffeling to a beginner. He will have no idea what PE is.
This is why you have to have a compromise. You don’t want the magazine too boring for the advanced builder or too technical for the beginner. And, that is not easy to do. I think FSM is doing a very fine job trying to walk that fine line.
I don’t know how I got along in the late sixties, when I began an avid interest in the hobby. I didn’t have an editorial page to explain how to assemble a model. I just used the instruction sheet, some glue and…I must be a genius!
I too find the topic to be overly critical. It is impossible to please everyone, and I agree with my man Brian and all of his observations.
When I started modeling, the only magazine I had access to was Scale Modeler, which was always hit or miss. The articles always told what the modeler did, but rarely told how they did it. I had to figure out a lot of stuff by trial and error, and I ruined a lot of kits in the process.
When I write technique stories for FSM, I really make an effort to put myself in the mind of a beginner, and answer the questions they might have, particularly when it comes to tricky tools and techniques. For example, when I did the Airbrush Troubleshooting story for the December 2004 issue, I wanted to show what commonly goes wrong, then provide the solution to the problem. I guess I try to write the articles I could have used when I was starting out.
Sorry if somebody got the wrong impression from my words, I didn’t mean that there is something wron with being a beginner, we have all been beginners at some point, if that beginner finds FSM too complicated, than I suggest another hobby would perhaps be more suitable for this person.
I think FSM could very well be considdered a course “Modeling 101”.
Vyrus, First , your opinion was more of directed rage than explanation, what does FSM leave out?. What do you consider beginner topics? Second , none can help if you just vent steam without motion! Tell these nice people what YOU feel is missing? Compared to some of the work I see posted on this site I feel like a beginner and I have been at it for 40 yrs! Every day is a learning day and what you learn now may help later!! You have to search for the answers to some of the difficulties you encounter and not blame it on FSM, after all it is just ONE magazine not the Rosetta Stone of mdeling. FSM cannot just Keep running an article like “Kit building for beginners” every issue can they??? what happens to the guy 4 issues down who just starts and feels the way you do?? Does FSM run the article forever?? You took up the hobby and the answers are right here in these forums if you just ask.
Have to agree with Brian, any publication needs to assume that the reader has some fundamental knowledge about the topic.
Looking at the forum here I see a lot of questions asked by people that are still aquiring that fundamental knowledge.
If you can read Japanese I would recommend some of the japanese publications that will really take you from opening the box down the road towards sculpting, casting, etc.
Also like Matthew Usher said it is sometimes difficult for us more experienced person to answer simple beginners question.
My son at times asks me why I use tool X and not tool y, and I have to do a double take and think about it. My hand at times will automatically grap cutter X and not cutter Y and another time cutter Y and not cutter X.
Like many here, when I started there were hardly any publications or similar avialbale for us, as for tools also very little we had to make to with whatever we could lay our hands on.
Getting advise from a more experienced modeler and being able to ask questions was a red letter day in my calendar.
Like probuilder said be more specific and this will help FSM improve the publication or simply ask more questions on the forum here about areas where you got problems.
Here’s my opinion on this:
First, I read FSM for the pure enjoyment, and entertaiment of a subject/hobby I love.
Second, I read FSM to learn new “stuff”. Both technique’s and general info.
Third, I read/keep FSM as a refference library.
When I saw my first FSM (around 1990?) I had been building models for decades. Having said that, I was still using tube glue and brush painting fron little Testors bottles. I had know idea what PE was either. But the more I read, the more I tried, the more the stuff in FSM made sense. As time goes by, I am constantly going back to articles I had read. This is when they become a tremendous help to me. I’ve learned about the airbrush, putty, and yes PE, etc. by reading FSM.
IMO, the more you read, the more you you build, the more FSM will be relevant to the level of building weather beginer or “pro”. I always felt FSM had something for everybody.[2c]
Hi, Dan!
I knew you weren’t slagging beginners, but I justed wanted to emphasize to vyrus724 the obvious fact that none of us here look down on beginners, and in fact try to do all can to help them grow as much as they want.
I sincerely hope vyrus724 has taken the time to return to this thread to read the replies.
Don’t gve up yet. Perhaps you need to look at a different perspective then the one you have. Read the mag for knowledge, log on and read the various threads… for knowledge, ask questions to get a better understanding of that knowledge. The only way to grow is to seek out knowedge, read, study , read some more, study some more. Get my point. Your skills will vastly improve.
To all at FSM thank you for your love of the hobby.[:D]