A New and Disturbing Trend at TDH - ALL PLEASE READ!

[stormtrooperguy]

While I wish older members, myself included, posted more, the major concern I see is the vicious parana like attacks that are made, not the fact that you may not get as many responses as you would like. Just my thoughts.

after re-reading my own post, i don't think i made my point well...

what i was going for was more to say that i think the pack-attack is a newish twist on the sort of clique-ish thing that's gone on for a long time.

in my time here it's always been that the folks who know each other in real life tend to interact more with one and other. in the past, that interaction came in the form of people talking amongst themselves and ignoring people they didn't know.

the newer packs just seem more aggressive.

i guess what i'm saying is that if there's a way to address the pack mentality that's at the core of both the attacks and the sense of new people being shunned, that it would make everyone feel more welcome, and perhaps serve to prevent issues down the line.

in most communities i've been part of, people attack the strangers but defend "their own", so the key is to make people be part of the latter category as quickly as possible

 

[eighteendelta]

I think we all need more events to gather at and meet each other face to face. I think that will help do away with with the feeling of exclusion that has been referenced. I am making a strong effort to see if there is any way for myself to make it to one or more of the major events upcoming. I look forward to any improvement to the community regardless of where we each perceive it to be currently, there is always room for improvement. I hope we can all do that.

-x

 

[CGClone]

Is there going to be a DCon booth for TDH?

 

[eighteendelta]

Mirax is working on something, I don't think it's a booth though, not sure she has given out details yet.

-x

 

[Star Wars Chick]

I am working on some "things". Details will be forthcoming soon in the Sarlacc Pit.

 

[MandalorFett]

I am working on some "things". Details will be forthcoming soon in the Sarlacc Pit.

Well, if Mirax is working on it, it'll rock!

 

[Star Wars Chick]

Well, if Mirax is working on it, it'll rock!

Thank you

 

[GCNgamer128]

I think we all need more events to gather at and meet each other face to face.

Being a Celebration 4 made me question a few things. I'd rather not meet some people twice after meeting them at CIV.

 

[Jun Garros Fett]

I understand that it was tried once before.

Would it help out now if we had a chat room on TDH?

IMHO. I think it would give both old and new members a chance to kinda get to know each other better.

Just my .02 cents.

 

[Seven]

I guess I am not understanding what you are wanting by a costume FAQ.

I think (if this is not what it is already) that it would be good to have a FAQ that lists all things about that particular topic that we know.

For example: In the Shin Tools and Blasters section, the FAQ section that is a stick would include info like:
ESB base of the blaster was a Webley & Scott Flare gun with a ASI scope, molex connectors....etc.

or in the Helmet section it would say:
Borden hole connector was used for the check, the MQ-1 calculator was used in the back key hole slots....etc.

Something that is well known to be found parts, fabrics, details, web links to companies that may sell these original parts, even templets, sewing patterns, and blueprints all in the FAQ to answer a lot of newbie questions and just have the info readly available for 'old timers'.

Being on this board as long as I have, I have noticed that orginization is the best method for those whom have questions. As a newbie, you may not know what to search for, and it sometimes is just easier to make a new thread.

Just my 2 cents (though it may be off topic...)

 

[Star Wars Chick]

Ah, I see what you mean. Well, that would honestly be a much greater undertaking that probably any of us would truly want or have time to do. But it is a good idea. Perhaps if there was someone that might be willing to compose something like that, we might be able to do that. It would be up to the administration to decide if we wanted to ultimately post something like this but I can see how it might help with some questions. Just so long as people don't act rudely to people who don't read it and still ask a question that is answered in the FAQ.

 

[stormtrooperguy]

As far as the FAQ thing goes... the 501st NEG has been working on a wiki to cover exactly that stuff.

http://501neg.com/wiki/doku.php?id=costuming:poba_fett

It's a work in progress, but there's a lot of good info in there already. I know there was talk at one point about perhaps having a TDH:Wiki. I think that would be a great idea

And maybe equipping all the mods with rolled up newspapers to thwap us when we're bad would help too!

 

[never ending fett]

Even a thread in each section with links directly to the "most helpful threads" in that section would be a good place to start. For instance A search for "rangefinder" in the search box turns up alot of threads with a question and an incomplete answer. A thread with a list of links broken down by topic would help that. I know something like this has been talked about briefly in the past and the full list of "found" items thread got started but not much every really came of it. I know this is mostly because no one wants to really take the time to do it (including me) and we shouldn't just expect the admins/mods to do it; we all know they all have enough on their plates as is. I don't even know how best to organize it to get it started even if it was attempted.

As far as the main discussion i this thread goes, for the most part I would say that everyone has been great, and there is a wealth of knowledge here. I know it seems that some people do seems to be more "buddy-buddy" with eachother than others, that's natural in any community online or real life and is to be expected. As long as we continue to reach out and welcome new people that shouldn't be an issue.

 

[Rat Fett]

Is there something like a "timed" pop-up that can be set for something like 30 days after sign up? Before a post is "created" it reminds the person, "Have you tried using the search tool, most common questions can be quickly answered using this feature."

Now granted, they might not be posting a thread asking a question, but more often than not, within the first 30 days, a new member is more than likely posting a question. After the first 30 days that reminder has come up so much that it might just get them to use it first. Just brainstorming here.

And on the main subject, posting a negative or sarcastic response to a post isn't like talking to someone in person where you might just blurt out a response. Here, you have to click a button, type up a response and click a button, not exactly an immediate reaction. So, those veterans who are wiggin' out over a post, cuz they've seen it for the ump-teenth time just move on, don't comment.

Something that kinda bothered me recently was a post made by someone in a different country, some responded back to them with a greeting typed in their native language. The next response to the post was something like "English Please." I'm mean, what's up with that?

I'm actually kind of amazed at peoples need to respond to every single post that's made, particularly if the answer has already been posted. I see it so much: Question gets posted, then a few replies, then an answer, then a few hours/days later someone posts the same answer just worded differently or agreeing that the answer is correct.

Maybe I'm in the minority here, just sayin?

 

[Wes]

I say you have to pass a 20 question quiz before your allowed to post...heh heh

 

[Rat Fett]

I say you have to pass a 20 question quiz before your allowed to post...heh heh

Hey, you know, that's not a bad idea.

All the basic newb questions that have been asked. Kinda like a scavenger hunt. They have to use the search to to find all the right answers.

So, Delta, all submissions go to you for grading.

 

[Art Andrews]

I say you have to pass a 20 question quiz before your allowed to post...heh heh

hahahaha! ohhh... couldn't we have so much fun with that!!! They would of course have to be multipart questions...

Question 1) Give the full name for the folllowing: MSH, MSH2, ROTJ, ESB, ANH, FP, RA, MS, MH, BM, etc, etc.

Question 2) Name all the found parts that have been discovered and released so far.

 

[MandoMan]

What's really disturbing is that I actually took the time to answer those, brainstorming everything that's been discovered so far. I can't really use that kind of info for important things in life, like picking up chicks.

"Hi, can I get you a drink? That's a nice shirt, it looks very close to the green they used on Boba Fett's helmet. Only his was a little darker, due to the misting they applied to it. I believe they used a model paint called Panzer Olive Green. It's actually a different col-...wait, where are you going? I haven't told you about the weathering technique they used yet!"

I need a life.

 

[Rich D]

There are several recurring themes here, some of which point to limitations when using vBulletin as a message board and as a content management system.

• many useful threads are buried under tons of other redundant threads
• useful information in a definitive thread is spread out through 150 replies
• the search function has no way of ranking popular results
• definitive articles are old and have dead picture links
• new users can't find what they're looking for, ask the question again
• senior users already know most of what they're interested to know, get sick of redundant newbie questions
• it's always more fun to dogpile on the n00b, than it is to track down the right answer/URL for them. Regardless, the message board shouldn't put that burden on the veteran user anyway.

Among the possible solutions, which don't involve costly add-ons to the message board software (some of this has already been suggested, trying to summarize here)

1. the experts nominate the best threads, and consolidate the information in the initial post or paraphrase into a new threads, more like technical articles.
2. the admins implement some kind of sidebar on the forum pages with links to popular articles per forum.
3. the initial email a user receives after joining gets revised into a decent html page, telling newbies where to look for information. I think people who find what they're looking for are generally going to abide by the CoC anyway.
4. split the "how much you will spend" article to accommodate zero-budget Fetts, weekend troopers, and screen-accurate prop replica fanatics. Contrary to popular belief, it is entirely possible for some TDH members to create a costume they are satisfied with, for less than $3,500.
5. maybe we have a separate forum just for introductions. A single intro thread is unmanageable as the TDH membership continues to increase. Possibly limit users' ability to post anywhere else until they've posted in the intro forum.

 

[Cerillo]

Count Dookie wrote:
1. split the "how much you will spend" article to accommodate zero-budget Fetts, weekend troopers, and screen-accurate prop replica fanatics. Contrary to popular belief, it is entirely possible for some TDH members to create a costume they are satisfied with, for less than $3,500.

That sounds pretty good. I too think there should be a seperate section for an economy Fett (3,500.00 or less) and a for those who are making Fetts with alittle more money to spend. It gets kind of old to here people say "WOW That's alot" or "A little to rich for my blood" The way I see it if you want the best, expect to pay more. Comments like will only Skyline you. C