Hm, I don't have time to respond to everything I want to, so I'll single out a few eye-catching sections.
I'm definitely in favour of a report button, provided it gets used regularly, and not abused by members who misjudge its meaning. We'd likely need more moderating power around here to regularly deal with reported posts, but I think we could use that anyway...
jackssmirkingrevenge wrote:Agreed to some extent, but you will always have newbies who are not technically capable of jumping in the deep end with an innovative design and will make and post a pill bottle mini combustion as their first or fifth project. Certainly nothing new or impressive, but part of individual's development nonetheless, and not one that should be discouraged if this hobby is to flourish.
I agree with this, but it wasn't really what I was referring to. N00b cannons and generic designs are fine, it's the lack of build quality in these designs, and also the absence of a significant fraction of innovative cannons to offset them that is the issue IMO.
Everyone starts from somewhere, and that somewhere should be extensive research and design time. Build something simple to get your feet wet, then move forward and improve upon it. I'm not seeing much of this lately.
SpudFarm wrote:As I remember the forum, there was always a discussion about something new that someone have been thinking alot about. The fact that people used their heads to fantasice about new ideas pushed the community forward.
Now there are mostly just discussions, not many new ideas.
And the innoative designs usually comes from the same posters.
Very good point.
Another thing I noticed is that a bigger part of the forum has converted to BB guns. Some of the BBMG builds is very innovative but mostly they are built from old ideas. Before I left (I think that was around 08 ) there was alot of trial and error that also helped push the forum forward.
Also another good point. BBs are useful for testing new and experimental launch concepts, but otherwise, they're a bit of a dead end as far as true 'cannons' are concerned. I'm not saying that certain members *cough*You know who you are*cough* should cease developments in that area, just that it would be nice to see them branch out and apply their innovation to more traditional 'spudgun' type designs.
jrrdw wrote:Now, what makes you guys a qualified judge on what should be posted? Remember back when you where newbies/beginners in the hobby? You had most of the very same questions and comments and ideas.
This has nothing to do with newbie questions or beginner ideas. Most of the prominent members of today and times past started out on the forums with little knowledge, but the difference is, they were focused on understanding, learning, and making a name for themselves on the site. The people listed in this thread do not follow this mold at all, and simply clutter the forums with crap, which is why they've been singled out.
By the way this is a friendly forum, not your ass just got banned for misspelling a word then your name goes to a thread of shame where cowardly attacks where made forum!
Huh? Ok, there's a significant difference between running a forum like Roguesci (Which I assume is what you're referring to), and simply setting and enforcing a lower limit for posting quality. We don't need to ban anyone based on their spelling ability, or any relatively minuscule issues such as this. However, we should not tolerate members running rampant on the forums, filling it with garbage posting.
PCGUY wrote:Maybe a Noob type section could work, but the last time an idea like that was cooked up, people cried too much at the thought of deeming members as a "noob" and moving threads there.
What about, maybe subforums of each discussion section for higher end discussions, and a subforum for "noob" questions?
Something along the lines of this idea would work. APC forum has a "Newbie Questions" section, as well as a more advanced, request-only section for more technical discussion. A similar system could likely be implemented here.
Gun Freak wrote:I am not offended by having my name on the list, because I know I post a lot. I don't post to get more spud bux or a higher post count, because I don't give a damn how many times I've posted, or if I can buy a new title.
Why use the forum as a social chatroom then? If you didn't realize you were previously doing it, then fine, that's what this thread is for.
However, I think this thread was a REALLY STUPID idea, because not everybody can be expected to be as smart as some of the members on this site, or as innovative, or OCD, etc.
Nobody is expecting you to be as smart or knowledgeable as DYI, Dave, Jimmy, etc.. Not many people are capable of that. All we're asking for is a bit of effort on your end to keep your posts informative and on topic.
I have to say, I think that is the dumbest thing I've ever heard you say.
Don't be offended because you think I singled you out. I didn't. Your cannon build quality is fine.