Large Scale Forum ?

[Jon Haigwood]

Has this ever been considered ?

[Belugawrx]

13 minutes ago, Jon Haigwood said:

Has this ever been considered ?

There was a 'Big Boys' section years ago, but they got rid of it around the time Harry P passed away.

[Xingu]

In an attempt to streamline the forum several speciality sections, like Big Boys were absorbed into the regular car and truck sections. We encourage folks to add the larger scale I. The title of threads so that they are easier to find.

[stitchdup]

It got merged with the 1/24 and 25 scale stuff a while back.

[peteski]

5 hours ago, Jon Haigwood said:

Has this ever been considered ?

Jon, you've been a member since 2014. You don't remember when Big Boys section was part of the forum and the big reshuffle few years back when several sections were eliminated? I also miss that separate section, but I also remember it wasn't very active.

[bobthehobbyguy]

I remember a number of discussions of members that felt the large scale section didn't receive the attention it should have. I think merging the large scale section was a  good idea.

[Bugatti Fan]

At the time Big Boys was absorbed the Scale Motorcars forum that tended to attract the large scale car modeller was active. That's probably why Big Boys did not attract that many posts.

The Scale Motorcars forum has since gone as they were having all sorts of technical difficulties with running it. So just maybe reinstating Big Boys might be an idea, but cannot see it happening. Personally I think that Motor Bikes should have its own WIP and Under Glass sections instead of just being grouped into anything else. It might be more popular than having Big Boys back.

[redscampi]

The Big Boys forum was what initially drew me to this site. I found it frustrating when the decision to do away with the sub-sections on this site was made because it made it more difficult to find the content I was looking for. I also believe that not having dedicated sections can cause folks to just not bother with posting at all. Lots of people work hard on kits that don't fit the standard "model car" format. Having to post those in the relative obscurity of the miscellaneous section is a bit of a let down since it inhibits the sense of community generated by people that share the same interests.

 

[stitchdup]

I agree that bikes probably should have their own section or be included in cars at least (i'll suggest it) as they seem to be getting more popular to build (and i like the 70s hondas). As for the scale, its you guys that name your threads so include that its large scale in there. As for miscelanous being obscure, its in the same section as the others types of builds so just scroll a little longer maybe. Theres not really much we can do to increase the views as we dont control what you view on the site. Maybe posting in the mock ups thread could increase views or add a base and post in dioramas too

[bobthehobbyguy]

There is another solution to creating more categories. The forum supports a feature called tags. The current categories are more than adequate.

Four  tags can be used for a thread. The desired content can be found using them. Also including  the scale in the title helps.

 

[peteski]

Sure, adding tags or including mention of the scale in the thread's subject line would be a great solution, but the problem is getting members to actually use them. Judging by many "click-bait" uninformative subject lines like "Look at this", or even all the threads started in wrong section to begin with, trying to get everybody to create useful subject lines, or even better - tags, is pretty much an impossible task.  Then there are newbies who join the forum and won't know the rules.  That just ain't happening.

[Xingu]

The funny thing is, some of the same people that want individual sections will be the same ones saying their fingers hurt by having to scroll through so many categories to find the one they like. Then there will be a push to move certain ones higher and lower in the list. Just go to a section that has a lot of pinned content, it is mostly the same thing. People want everything pinned so it is easy to find, but don't like having to scroll past them everyday or how quickly their (non-pinned) thread gets pushed to the second page. We are mainly a model car forum, with a fair amount of trucks. We focus on those when categorizing and laying out the site. We just cannot cater to everyone's favorite thing to build, but we do generally give you a place to post and talk about it. Even if it is lumped in with other things.

We do put a good amount of thought and discussion into every change we make on the board. Members complain about every change we make to the board. The most vocal members are the ones that are on this site regularly and do not mind interacting with others, but it does not mean they are the majority when it comes to what is popular, that is where analytics come in.

The tag system is the easiest and greatest way to categorize threads and most people refuse to use it. It is like having an easy button when searching for something, but it is probably the most underutilized function in the software.

There are going to be some pretty major changes in the coming months and years. Some of you guys will love them, some of you guys will hate them. Some of you will threaten to leave. Just like always.

This really is a great board with an awesome and helpful community. It is hard to stay away.

[Ace-Garageguy]

What's so hard about putting the scale (if it's not 1/24-1/25) in the title?

 

[Can-Con]

58 minutes ago, Xingu said:

The funny thing is, some of the same people that want individual sections will be the same ones saying their fingers hurt by having to scroll through so many categories to find the one they like. Then there will be a push to move certain ones higher and lower in the list. Just go to a section that has a lot of pinned content, it is mostly the same thing. People want everything pinned so it is easy to find, but don't like having to scroll past them everyday or how quickly their (non-pinned) thread gets pushed to the second page. We are mainly a model car forum, with a fair amount of trucks. We focus on those when categorizing and laying out the site. We just cannot cater to everyone's favorite thing to build, but we do generally give you a place to post and talk about it. Even if it is lumped in with other things.

We do put a good amount of thought and discussion into every change we make on the board. Members complain about every change we make to the board. The most vocal members are the ones that are on this site regularly and do not mind interacting with others, but it does not mean they are the majority when it comes to what is popular, that is where analytics come in.

The tag system is the easiest and greatest way to categorize threads and most people refuse to use it. It is like having an easy button when searching for something, but it is probably the most underutilized function in the software.

There are going to be some pretty major changes in the coming months and years. Some of you guys will love them, some of you guys will hate them. Some of you will threaten to leave. Just like always.

This really is a great board with an awesome and helpful community. It is hard to stay away.

Honestly Michael, I don't use the tags because when I come here I'm not usually searching for anything specific, just looking to be entertained by everyone's builds and maybe learn something new so I just do the "unread content" thing. 

Maybe there's a lot of other members in the same boat, I don't know. 

As for changes, I do like Les' idea of bikes with the cars and I've been an advocate of putting personal use pickups, vans and SUVs in there too as the great majority of the ones on the road now are private vehicles.  [also nice for us who like to use them as hotrod and custom fodder]

But I'm done tilting at that particular windmill. 😉

 

[bobthehobbyguy]

On 5/9/2025 at 4:07 PM, Xingu said:

The tag system is the easiest and greatest way to categorize threads and most people refuse to use it. It is like having an easy button when searching for something, but it is probably the most underutilized function in the software.

 

Exactly. Besides changing the categories is not a trivial task and no matter how it is done there will be different opinions on how it should be implemented. We need to use the tools available to us. Tags and meaningful titles go a long way in making the board more useful.

Edited Sunday at 02:31 PM by bobthehobbyguy

[redscampi]

Just to play the devil's advocate on the tag and title thing: Every site user would need to comply to make it really useful. A lot of folks don't want to have to jump through hoops just to share their builds. It's just another thing you have to remember. Also, new folks would sign up and potentially immediately be scolded for not using tags. I know, I know! They should read the rules! This is a hobby site and it shouldn't feel like work or an HOA. In my opinion.

Edited Sunday at 03:59 PM by redscampi

[Jon Haigwood]

Thanks for all the insightful answers. I think my question has been answered. Thanks again for all the responses 

[bobthehobbyguy]

Creating meaningful titles and utilizing tags is not that difficult. They will definitely enhance the usefulness of the board. Unwillingness to do so is just being lazy.

[peteski]

1 hour ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

Creating meaningful titles and utilizing tags is not that difficult. They will definitely enhance the usefulness of the board. Unwillingness to do so is just being lazy.

Maybe laziness too, but as I see it most of us are just too scatter-brained to remember to add a tag or scale to the subject line. Many members can't even properly determine which section of the forum their new thread belongs to.   Trying to get everybody to follow the protocol would be futile, unless the forum's software forced a member starting a new thread to add a tag or include scale in the subject line. Sort of like having mandatory fields on other websites where you will not get past filling those out completely.

[Bugatti Fan]

Xingu has mentioned in his last post that big changes are in the pipe line.

It will be interesting to see what they will be when the time comes.

No.mention was made about any user consultation about any changes, so we will just have to see what happens.

They will please some and not others as all these things do when they are instigated.

 

[stitchdup]

6 minutes ago, Bugatti Fan said:

Xingu has mentioned in his last post that big changes are in the pipe line.

It will be interesting to see what they will be when the time comes.

No.mention was made about any user consultation about any changes, so we will just have to see what happens.

They will please some and not others as all these things do when they are instigated.

 

you do all speak cantonese dont  ye?

[Bugatti Fan]

No more than I can speak Gaelic Les !

[Can-Con]

6 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said:

Creating meaningful titles and utilizing tags is not that difficult. They will definitely enhance the usefulness of the board. Unwillingness to do so is just being lazy.

So I'm lazy. Don't let my boss know. 😉 

[Can-Con]

2 hours ago, stitchdup said:

you do all speak cantonese dont  ye?

 

1 hour ago, Bugatti Fan said:

No more than I can speak Gaelic Les !

Gaelic isn't uncommon around this part of Canada but I don't know anyone who speaks it at home.

[stitchdup]

19 minutes ago, Can-Con said:

 

Gaelic isn't uncommon around this part of Canada but I don't know anyone who speaks it at home.

thats the middle of scotland and western isles, we speak closer to norn in the north isles which is like old scandinavian crossed with germanic english. i can understand a little but it easier if your drunk, lol