Article ideas, likes and dislikes

[Tom Haythornthwaite]

[edited]

Like this one?

What a thug!

[Stuart Taylor]

Stuart


what would be nice to see is how people build the layout, including wiring and scenery. I think that this is why Hugh's Three Bridges won the Brian Guilmant award because it covered all the parts of creating a layout which encourages people - seeing superb, exhibition standard layouts with no explanation of how to create such wonderful scenes is very disheartening for the average modeller.


Just my 10 cents  :)

I agree, articles which show how you got there are probably the most interesting. I wonder how many people photograph their layout during its construction? I know when I built Melin Dolrhyd I took photos but then when it came to writing the article I didn't seem to have that many or they weren't any good. Hopefully others will do better than me!

Stuart

[Stuart Taylor]

While we're talking of photos, how about a (small!) picture of authors in the byline where possible (suitably Photoshopped and airbrushed, of course)? It might help us to put faces to names around the Society. The Hon. Editor has one, maybe the other Officers when they contribute, too?

David.

You'll find my photo has disappeared from the next edition but overall I like the idea. I had thought of asking all authors to submit a picture if they could find a suitable headshot. It's on the list of possible changes. I have no sense of whether it would be popular with authors but I suspect it would be popular with readers.

Stuart

[Hugh Norwood]

While we're talking of photos, how about a (small!) picture of authors in the byline where possible (suitably Photoshopped and airbrushed, of course)? It might help us to put faces to names around the Society. The Hon. Editor has one, maybe the other Officers when they contribute, too?

David.

I tried to do that during my tenure back in the days when the NEWS was on clay tablets... It didn't work out! :) I think most contributors are either too shy or hiding from Special Branch

[Stuart Taylor]

While we're talking of photos, how about a (small!) picture of authors in the byline where possible (suitably Photoshopped and airbrushed, of course)? It might help us to put faces to names around the Society. The Hon. Editor has one, maybe the other Officers when they contribute, too?

David.

I tried to do that during my tenure back in the days when the NEWS was on clay tablets... It didn't work out! :) I think most contributors are either too shy or hiding from Special Branch

All the best ideas come back again. I wonder when flares will be back in fashion...

[David Weber]

Photos? Please no......

Focus on the modelling, not the modeller?

There's already much too much tendency these days to consider what is being said to be less important than who is saying it.

[MickT]

All the best ideas come back again. I wonder when flares will be back in fashion...

I wasn't aware they ever went out of fashion............... oh dear, note to diary: "empty wardrobe, contact Oxfam for collection, visit bank, visit Primark, re-stock wardrobe"

[Stuart Taylor]

Photos? Please no......

Focus on the modelling, not the modeller?

There's already much too much tendency these days to consider what is being said to be less important than who is saying it.

David, that's a valid point in the wider context but in a smaller community where we hope to meet together again soon at shows then it serves to help recognise fellow 009 Society members. I suspect, as Hugh said, that generally authors will be reluctant and it's not something that could be enforced.

Stuart

[Graeme Dunbar]

Worse still I think is publications that insist on a potted biography to accompany a photo with every article.

[Frank]

I occasionally exhibit at local exhibitions.  I am often told afterwards that one or other Society official or other well known modeller visited.  Unless they actually came up and introduced themselves I would not know.   Although I know them online, in real life they usually look nothing like their avatar pictures!   So yes, photos would be a good idea.

Frank

[clayliner]

There's already much too much tendency these days to consider what is being said to be less important than who is saying it.

I would agree that it is the content which really matters, but sometimes - in general - it can help to understand what the author is saying better if the reader knows where they are coming from.

But Graeme is right - in the context of the News we probably don't need marital status, voting history, religious affiliation and the like!   :)

David.

[cp.409067]

I occasionally exhibit at local exhibitions.  I am often told afterwards that one or other Society official or other well known modeller visited.  Unless they actually came up and introduced themselves I would not know.   Although I know them online, in real life they usually look nothing like their avatar pictures!   So yes, photos would be a good idea.

Frank

*

I do not wish to be impolite, but think the situation described bears analysis.

(i)   Was the exhibited layout "OO9", "HOe", or similar?

(ii)   If it was, and a Society official did not introduce themselves, one might ask why that was the case?

(iii)   The answer might be that the said Society official was a quiet, shy, and retiring person who did not wish to impose themselves upon others.

*****

Speaking from my own not inconsiderable experience of exhibiting layouts in a number of different scale and gauge combinations, if interaction with the public is desired it is best initiated by the exhibitor. It is not about being forceful, but rather dependent on such simple matters as being approachable, polite, wishing parties who show an interest "good morning", and so on.

In short it is far more about personality than visual recognition based on a photograph.

It also considerably helps if one operates from the front rather than the layout being some sort of protective barrier keeping the public at bay.

[I appreciate that as we emerge from Covid-19 front operation may be deemed difficult if and when exhibitions are able to resume.]


CP

[cp.409067]

I would agree that it is the content which really matters, but sometimes - in general - it can help to understand what the author is saying better if the reader knows where they are coming from.

But Graeme is right - in the context of the News we probably don't need marital status, voting history, religious affiliation and the like!   :)

David.

*

The best way to know where an author is "coming from" is for said author to explain.

A photograph will be irrelevant.

For example, a good construction or layout article does not just tell "what" the builder did - but also explain "why" they did it. Insight into the modelling philosophy of an author is far more useful and informative than a snapshot of their appearance.


CP

[Hobby]

(iii)   The answer might be that the said Society official was a quiet, shy, and retiring person who did not wish to impose themselves upon others.

Or:

(iv) They just fancied a quiet day out? I don't think it's compulsory for them to have to introduce themselves!



On a similar note, though, I remember one time getting an "009 Society" badge that I could stick on the front of the layout to show I was a member and they will also give you a load of membership leaflets and holder as well if you ask. It may be worth plugging them in the News as I don't think many people are aware they can get them?

[Frank]

CP,

Thank you for your helpful tips on exhibiting.

Just to put this in context, the majority of exhibitions I exhibit at are 009 specific ones.   

I demonstrate radio control.   I do this from the front of the stand so I can talk to people and show them things.   Many people come up to talk about radio control, or just out of curiosity, and I attempt to engage them all, mostly with success. I explain the equipment to them, and answer their questions.  I show them various locos that have radio control installed in different ways, to give them ideas of what can be achieved.  I encourage them to drive the locos on the small demo layout to see how different they are from "normal" locos (I would not class your superbly responsive locos in this category).  I find that in fact I generally spend the majority of the time talking to the public.

My point was that several times I have been informed that someone has been round the show and indeed I have probably talked to them without knowing who they are.

As to the future, I agree that the aftermath of COVID 19 will likely make it much more difficult to exhibit in this mode, which is a great pity.

Frank