Is there any reason these boards just don't get as busy as Atlas. They are certainly just as good. Is it summer? Or have people just decided to model something rather than post on internet chat rooms all day?
Maybe they are coming back on Aug 1 or earlier? Is there a conspiracy here? Perhaps they'll come up tomorrow and not tell anyone? Hmm, there haven't been enough conspiracy threads here in a long while . . . should we call Jason Bourne? 007? Harrison Ford? No, I've got it--a buffed-up Michael Gross! Yeah, that's the ticket! Just joking, folks.
I think it could be a combination of things with summer being the main factor. I ran trains briefly the other day, which is the first time in weeks. I’m spending most of my time on outdoor projects. Atlas has a good forum that generated a lot of activity, but I think they let a lot of flames fly before the moderators jumped in. I get the feeling that this is not going to be the case when they come back up, so it will be interesting to see how much activity they will generate under a new “flame retardant” format.
Jeff, I think part of it is Summer, when even Atlas (when up) is slower than the rest of the year. But a bit chunk is the division of the multitudes to the various other "Secondary" (NOT meant as a slight btw) forums. Atlas forumites go to Trainboard, Railwire, The Gauge, N.Scale.net and the Gamers.com forums, just to name the ones I know of for N-Scale!!! Factor in that many go to only one or two of the available "Secondary" forums, and you'll find the population of Atlas N-Scale somewhat "spread to the winds" as it were. For example, I post here and on the 'Wire, but not on the Gauge or N-Scale.net (or any other foum I don't know of, obviously). Someone else may post of the Gauge and on Trainboard, but not the 'Wire......all leading to smaller populations per forum than the Atlas board gets.
There's a pretty sound statistical explanation. About 18 months ago, I did a statistical analysis of the frequency and distribution of posters on the Atlas forum and, of course, got promptly hooted off the stage as someone with too much time on his hands. Let's see how I can explain this without going too much into statistics. There are a number of high-count posters who are now split between a number of forums. These are posters who either (1) know how to keep their thread going, or (2) respond frequently to many posts. There's nothing wrong with either statistical behavior, I hasten to add--these are valued members of their chosen forums. There are also a number of posters who have dropped out for the season. Put these posters together, as on the Atlas forum, and they will create a critical mass. Separate them on two or three forums--even if they all particpate in all forums--and they will not create a critical mass. I could go on and on about this, but I know very few care about statistics and even fewer understand them. I am pretty sure about one simple thing, though: put a topic on Atlas, and you'll get more than 2.8 responses; put a topic on another forum and you get less (sometime significantly less) than 2.8 responses. And, to quote a poet rather than a physicist, "that made all the difference."
Well the absense of that forum has in fact been a good thing as far as I can see, I kind of have the same opinion as others no real loss with out the that board. In fact I get better replies here than I have ever gotten over there. Sure sure I will probably go back when they reopen but with a lot less time there and more here, less rules and fewer watch posters = more fun posting.
?????? I just checked both my bookmark for the Atlas N scale forum and the "forum" button on the Atlas website, and both messages are identical to what they were the day after the forums closed. User "ohjoy"'s post was still rejected!
TR, Sepulchral? Did I spell it correctly? I think I haven't seen that word since my Jesuit high school days back in the early 60s. These forums are pretty dead, but only compared to Atlas. And I wonder, as others may be, if I'm going back there with full force; it may have been a phenomena that, once shut down, won't ever regain its critical mass,
I wouldn't HOOT you off the stage on that! Makes perfect sense to me. But I can also see how maybe some high-count post members (who are sensitive about the time they spend on forums) might not like what the statistics suggest...
Yeah, it changed back about an hour after I posted the initial message. Maybe they're monitoring us...
Even if they have already installed the upgrade, I really doubt they will bring it back online until after Chantilly. I suspect most of their staff will be there. When they do (if they do) restart their forum, they will need to be on hand to a) troubleshoot; and b) police.
things to consider - not as many flame threads here (as I recall, haven't seen ONE here as mentioned above) threads are scale/question specific (many more forums in general) = less thread "traffic" and more answers from (dare I say) experts in that area do you really want busy??? you had to sort through 3 pages for a thread you just left that morning this is just my opinion - TB is way better, let Atlas take their time getting back up. Plus I enjoy the company of all the new "refugees" and their insight/suggestions/comments !!!
Hate to tell you, Mike, but it is precisely that attitude that will see this person return to strictly posting on the Atlas board once it returns.
I'll be going back to the Atlas forum when it restarts. Why? Only 5 N scale topics had posts here on July 26. Nothing against Trainboard, but that's just too laid back for me. Also, my pet orangutan needs lots of material from "second bananas" to keep her wit sharp!
I'll continue posting here on Trainboard, but I will go back to the Atlas forum as well if and when it returns. I think this is a well laid out forum and I like the subdivision of topics. I also post on the Rail Wire forum.
I like the way this board operates; it's faster and better laid out. But I do miss the volume. Maybe the new Atlas one will not be so clunky as it was. I will visit both boards regularly. Kisatchie, you have 26 posts on here... you would've had 26 a week at Atlas! I miss the monkey and her never-ending quest for termites, banana cars etc... happy trails
