Forum vs. Blogs
- Thread starter dricketts
- Start date
I don't do any of those either.
I'm on linked in but but it seems to be a necessity in today's job market. I always like to keep my feelers out for new opportunities. I just don't see the difference between starting a normal thread and a blog. What are the features/ benefits of blogs?
I don't really do any of that stuff - the narcissism behind a lot of the folks on Facebook and Twitter especially astonish me - but blogs do serve some purpose within the context of what we do. I've covered this in the past. They're good for stuff that are worthy of making blanket statements such as licensing rules for your content, or for stuff that might be off-topic or might tend to generate controversial or undesirable responses in a thread. They also may be good for tracking the progress of an unreleased project such as a route, something one might not want to bother the general population with until it is completed.
I may have decided to discontinue posting blogs, as it seems to be a waste of time to make the effort only to be lost in the number of posts there that should have been made here. It seems that Derrick is not the only one who cannot determine the difference between the two, but at least he has the good sense to not post there anyway!
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Retro00064
New member
That's a shame.
Your blog is one of the best ones (if not the best). Whether your posts got debunked from the "Latest Blog Entry" link at the bottom of the forum index or not, you got views and comments.That's a shame.
Well thanks Zach, I appreciate it. To be honest, it's not so much the "Latest Blog Entry" link, but rather the Blogs section itself that is such a mess wheat/chaff if you know what I mean. It's also the fact that I am going through some rough times right now, and haven't had much time to devote to Trainz at all. I may continue when I find the time...I'm unsure right now. Thanks again for the encouragement though!
I hope all is well soon Ed.
I've actually read some of your material in the blog section and found it interesting. In fact I've thought about posting there too but I'm not sure what belongs there or here.
Thanks Derrick, I'm sure this too will pass.
I think a blog about your route, with topics on the Frisco would be a splendid choice. Not everyone knows the Frisco's history and timeline, and I'm sure it would be interesting to read the details, sprinkled in with shots of your route. You could still maintain the thread as well, they don't have to be mutually exclusive. In the blog, you could investigate some "drier" facts. It's a journalistic challenge, to be sure, but I'm confident you could do a fine job of it.
I think a blog about your route, with topics on the Frisco would be a splendid choice. Not everyone knows the Frisco's history and timeline, and I'm sure it would be interesting to read the details, sprinkled in with shots of your route. You could still maintain the thread as well, they don't have to be mutually exclusive. In the blog, you could investigate some "drier" facts. It's a journalistic challenge, to be sure, but I'm confident you could do a fine job of it.
I too am a bit confused with the blog thing here. I suppose it is a new thing that needs some refinement before the blogs become really useful. I see them as a way to post more permenant stuff, or at least most blogs seem to work that way, unlike the forums where posts disappear into the lower eschelons of forumness many times before people see them.
I too am on Linked-In. As Derrick says, Linked-In is for necessity. I have to admit with LI, I have been able to maintain contact with old coworkers that were laid off years ago, and I've even found people to hire as my assistants in my current job.
Facebook happened a couple of years ago for me because I support the piano collection I speak of often here. A group was setup for the Frederick Collection www.frederickcollection.org and one of my real friends got me hooked on there. I posted their current concert up on the group so others can see it. (Advantage for Facebook). For years I didn't do anything with Facebook, then some other real friends joined. My storm chasing friend, Roger Hill, www.stormchase.net, now posts all his current and not-so-current photos up there, so I go there now to see his pictures. My other storm chasing friends from Silverlining Tours are up there as well, along with other top-notch chasers and meteorologists who also post some of the most gorgeous photos I've ever seen. Recently the guy that built my clavichord joined and saw my instrument. (Remember that link I posted about being famous?) I also met one of my distant cousins. She happens to be a friend of one of my storm chasing friends in real life, and also knows a piano world member I know in person. Talk about a small world!
So what started as a link to the Frederick Collection group has become a small community for me, not unlike the forums here. What is nice about Facebook is it is unmoderated, so if you want to talk politics, about, storms, trains, and music, pretty girls, or whatever, you can. There's no one to stop you.
Now keep in mind, there are certain rules you need to follow. These aren't written rules, but consider them common sense rules. I post there only what I want known in public. By doing this, I have my personal life which I don't say anything about there. You guys know more about me personally than nearly anyone except for longtime real friends up there. The reason why I do that is because current and future employers do check Facebook to see what you say and think before they promote you and hire you. So you really have to be careful. I also post respectfully the way I want people to treat me.
My dumb sister posted a numb nut post about her manager. She got fired the next day. D'oh I wonder why! Oh we could contend it was public, free speech, etc, but there are places to say certain things, and places where not to say them. This is public, alright and to me is no different than the park or town high street! In real life, if her boss heard her say this at the mall, she could have been fired just the same.
There are also posts up there by other people I know that I distance myself from. The vulgar language that flies out of their posts even make my ears turn red! I'm not so innocent when it comes to those unspoken words here, but again there's a time and a place to say them (like being cut off on the highway by an idiot using a cell phone!). People forget what's placed on the net, especially on places like forums and Facebook, which is nothing more than a giant blog/forum, is there to stay for decades.
So Facebook maybe something to consider, just use it to your advantage. Their picture libraries are awesome. I have to admit I don't care if I'm liked, or unliked. (Why is there no dislike button?) I'm not 12 years old, though many people act that way up there. This is the sad childish side of things, which seems to be the case with lots of things today. Sap it up, dumb it down, make it easier, so the people will "like it".
John
I too am on Linked-In. As Derrick says, Linked-In is for necessity. I have to admit with LI, I have been able to maintain contact with old coworkers that were laid off years ago, and I've even found people to hire as my assistants in my current job.
Facebook happened a couple of years ago for me because I support the piano collection I speak of often here. A group was setup for the Frederick Collection www.frederickcollection.org and one of my real friends got me hooked on there. I posted their current concert up on the group so others can see it. (Advantage for Facebook). For years I didn't do anything with Facebook, then some other real friends joined. My storm chasing friend, Roger Hill, www.stormchase.net, now posts all his current and not-so-current photos up there, so I go there now to see his pictures. My other storm chasing friends from Silverlining Tours are up there as well, along with other top-notch chasers and meteorologists who also post some of the most gorgeous photos I've ever seen. Recently the guy that built my clavichord joined and saw my instrument. (Remember that link I posted about being famous?) I also met one of my distant cousins. She happens to be a friend of one of my storm chasing friends in real life, and also knows a piano world member I know in person. Talk about a small world!
So what started as a link to the Frederick Collection group has become a small community for me, not unlike the forums here. What is nice about Facebook is it is unmoderated, so if you want to talk politics, about, storms, trains, and music, pretty girls, or whatever, you can. There's no one to stop you.
Now keep in mind, there are certain rules you need to follow. These aren't written rules, but consider them common sense rules. I post there only what I want known in public. By doing this, I have my personal life which I don't say anything about there. You guys know more about me personally than nearly anyone except for longtime real friends up there. The reason why I do that is because current and future employers do check Facebook to see what you say and think before they promote you and hire you. So you really have to be careful. I also post respectfully the way I want people to treat me.
My dumb sister posted a numb nut post about her manager. She got fired the next day. D'oh I wonder why! Oh we could contend it was public, free speech, etc, but there are places to say certain things, and places where not to say them. This is public, alright and to me is no different than the park or town high street! In real life, if her boss heard her say this at the mall, she could have been fired just the same.
There are also posts up there by other people I know that I distance myself from. The vulgar language that flies out of their posts even make my ears turn red! I'm not so innocent when it comes to those unspoken words here, but again there's a time and a place to say them (like being cut off on the highway by an idiot using a cell phone!). People forget what's placed on the net, especially on places like forums and Facebook, which is nothing more than a giant blog/forum, is there to stay for decades.
So Facebook maybe something to consider, just use it to your advantage. Their picture libraries are awesome. I have to admit I don't care if I'm liked, or unliked. (Why is there no dislike button?) I'm not 12 years old, though many people act that way up there. This is the sad childish side of things, which seems to be the case with lots of things today. Sap it up, dumb it down, make it easier, so the people will "like it".
John
steamboateng
New member
Trainz Blogs are, I believe, a good idea.
I don't know what the folks at N3V had in mind when they made it available, but it certainly has got a positive response.
However, it seems some folks are confused in its use. As stated in several posts, questions should go to the Forums.
What to blog? I'll stick my tounge out and take a guess.................anything Trainzworthy?
I am not, nor ever will be, a Facebook or My Space blogger. But the Trainzblogs have offered me a place to ramble on about something I like. Trainz!
When I started my NE Route blog I was hoping to get some responses, to help me along with the route. I haven't built a route in 6 years, needed some ideas on how to get different terrain effects or how to mix scenery paint. In 7 blogs I haven't got a single response. Am I dissapointed? Yes! But no one has threatened to blow-up my engine shed either!
So I blog on, mostly about my thinking on how best to build a route. I certainly make no claim that my way is the best, and to Trainz vets, it may be booring and repetitive. But considering the number of hits I get, someone is reading them. I am guessing that Trainznoobs find some value there.
I say blog on, gentlemen!
I don't know what the folks at N3V had in mind when they made it available, but it certainly has got a positive response.
However, it seems some folks are confused in its use. As stated in several posts, questions should go to the Forums.
What to blog? I'll stick my tounge out and take a guess.................anything Trainzworthy?
I am not, nor ever will be, a Facebook or My Space blogger. But the Trainzblogs have offered me a place to ramble on about something I like. Trainz!
When I started my NE Route blog I was hoping to get some responses, to help me along with the route. I haven't built a route in 6 years, needed some ideas on how to get different terrain effects or how to mix scenery paint. In 7 blogs I haven't got a single response. Am I dissapointed? Yes! But no one has threatened to blow-up my engine shed either!
So I blog on, mostly about my thinking on how best to build a route. I certainly make no claim that my way is the best, and to Trainz vets, it may be booring and repetitive. But considering the number of hits I get, someone is reading them. I am guessing that Trainznoobs find some value there.
I say blog on, gentlemen!
shaneturner12
Tutorial Creator
I find the blogs useful for my quest to help both new and more seasoned users understand how to solve certain technical problems with Trainz.
I could stick it all on my tutorial website, but some of it is more blog-related in my opinion. (and yes, I do get views and comments).
Blogs are useful if you are passionate about a particular topic, and have an in-depth knowledge of it.
(Also, with your own blog, you have control over what comments are made, if you want any at all - just ask mcguirel on that one) whereas a forum thread can only be moderated by the moderators appointed by N3V.
Shane
I could stick it all on my tutorial website, but some of it is more blog-related in my opinion. (and yes, I do get views and comments).
Blogs are useful if you are passionate about a particular topic, and have an in-depth knowledge of it.
(Also, with your own blog, you have control over what comments are made, if you want any at all - just ask mcguirel on that one) whereas a forum thread can only be moderated by the moderators appointed by N3V.
Shane
Interesting. You caught my attention. Can you elaborate on that a bit?
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shaneturner12
Tutorial Creator
Certainly. When you use your blog you are automatically able to moderate your blog which allows you to restrict the ability of other users who visit your blog for example preventing users from commenting.
More information is in the FAQ.
Shane
More information is in the FAQ.
Shane