Forum etiquette

[Crackington]

Good points @Halichoeres and I'm sorry to hear this @paintingdinos  and @PumperKrickel .

I must admit it does puzzle me why people bother to go on some of the brand threads repeatedly when they clearly don't like them. Some brands leave me cold, so I just don't visit those threads. They clearly have their fans, so I leave it to them.

As far as the Forum goes, I tend to agree with the old Yorkshire saying, "If you've got nowt good to say, say nowt!"

[Loon]

Have you ever read something and thought that everyone was secretly talking about you, despite your name never coming up? I have to say, that's how I felt reading these most recent replies. I even went back a skimmed through the most of the thread and felt the same way. I know for a fact that I have participated in this kind of behavior. I think, seeing these reactions away from the heated arguments is good for me honestly. Shows me how much of a pig I've been.

Oh sure, I can say I'm against this kind of gatekeeping and lack of inclusion elsewhere. I can make fun of the morons who think people calling them out for this kind of behavior is "canceling" or taking away their free speech. But, I know I've done the same. Frankly, I don't think this forum deserves this kind of behavior and I've thought that for a while. But, I never truly considered myself to be such a contributor to this issue.

I don't like companies like Rebor or Nanmu that much, I actively dislike the former, but I shouldn't attack their fans like I did recently.

It seems they also attract only the most mature individuals, too.

I don't like the way some of Rebor's fans behave, but replying like this was totally uncalled for. I even at some point refered to them as "the dregs". I now know offensive that was, and apologize to all for the good fans of Rebor that I denigrated with that comment.

If I don't like a figure, I will express my opinion. As someone pointed out earlier in this thread, the negative comments can sometimes be just as useful as the positive ones. But, that implies the negative comments are constructive and not just attacks, like so many of my posts.

Also, going back through this thread, I was reminded of Killekor and how rude people, including myself, were to them. It made me think about how I've interacted with a similarly young member of the boards. I have to understand that these people should be treated with the same level of patience. It's very unbecoming of someone who wants to be a teacher to act this way with people who are essentially children. Also, what's going on with Killekor, are they still on the forum?

I'd particularly like to extend my apologies to @paintingdinos, who I'm sure encountered some of my more vitriolic posts. And also to P @PumperKrickel, who I've been incredibly rude to multiple times.

[paintingdinos]

@Halichoeres I think like Loon said, it's easy to read something and internalize. In my case, I felt guilty and reacted to your comment because it was true! I don't take the time to post much, even on collection or art threads which don't have the drama of the big brand threads. And that one is on me, for sure, and I think I can do better.

I'm careful to minimize negativity in my hobbies, life's stressful enough. Saying that, no need to apologize @Loon . People have every right to post their opinions and my feelings aren't directed at anyone in particular. I just know myself well enough to admit that I can take things too personally and thus opt to stay away rather than get frustrated.

For the record, I stick around here vs places like deviantart because I think the community is way more enjoyable. When I finish a model I always feel good posting it here because no matter the quality of the finished product, we all enjoy the hobby and sharing our collections

[PumperKrickel]

Have you ever read something and thought that everyone was secretly talking about you, despite your name never coming up?

Too many times. 

I don´t think anyone intended to call out any specific person, as this problem really isn´t limited to anyone in particular. I feel like the excessive negativity towards certain companies is mostly an effort of trying to "fit in". If I bash this company for being inaccurate, everyone will think I know a lot about dinosaurs and accept me, sort of. In fans of hobbies that aren't particularly mainstream, such behaviors of assumed gatekeeping are very common. You have to hate what you think everyone else hates. As such I´m very certain that everybody here has engaged in this "bashing".

Alienating Killekor truly is one of the biggest failures of this community. We could have done so much better, me included.

The fact that you went from being rather dismissive towards this issue to actively questioning your own behaviour, is a very encouraging sign, as I generally truly enjoy reading your posts. I don´t remember you being rude to me, so your apology is appreciated, but not at all necessary.

[postsaurischian]

I don't think this should be banned or anything, but I have to say that when users only log in to post in their collection or art threads, and rarely or never contribute to other discussions, I'm strongly disinclined to visit or comment on their threads. The exception, of course, is people who are involved in making products of interest to the community, such as sculptors and designers of useful web sites.

I wouldn't mind if it's only collection posting as it's the dinosaur toy forum but one would at least expect one to post in recent acquisitions once in a while unless they are out of budget or something.
Only posting in the own art thread seems weird however, one could just as well do that on deviantArt, Twitter, Tumblr or any other platform more suited for that and there is no reason to go to a forum designated for toys to do that.

Since when do we have such "expectations"? Everybody is invited here to post what he/she likes wherever he/she wants to as long as it doesn't break any forum rule. I find this discussion very strange and really surprising. Browsing through the different collection threads has always been one of my favourite things here to enjoy throughout the last ten years. Just let everybody do what they enjoy as long as nobody gets hurt!

I post in my own collection thread rather than Recent Acquisitions because it seems like posting twice and hence unnecessary repetition if I put something in both places, and I don't want to bore people.

Exactly. And it's very entertaining to go through the different pages of your collection thread. The collection threads are like different art books. To me yours is one of the most beautiful books here .

[triceratops83]

I mostly lurk, and kind of binge comment when I sign in. Often that is when I have photos to post. I don't think my comments usually generate much interest so I'm not a huge poster. But, I try not to be overly negative, and avoid arguments (I think I was involved in one argument years ago and always felt guilty about it). Unless I find something totally outrageous I avoid commenting on a brand I don't like, but will still post in that thread to let people know where I've seen it available. I guess I'm guilty of sticking mostly to my own threads, but I do contribute to and enjoy other's postings - maybe not enough, I suppose.

I wouldn't mind if it's only collection posting as it's the dinosaur toy forum but one would at least expect one to post in recent acquisitions once in a while unless they are out of budget or something.
Only posting in the own art thread seems weird however, one could just as well do that on deviantArt, Twitter, Tumblr or any other platform more suited for that and there is no reason to go to a forum designated for toys to do that.

I'm sure there are others who have complained about people posting the same things in different threads.

[Loon]

I'm careful to minimize negativity in my hobbies, life's stressful enough. Saying that, no need to apologize @Loon . People have every right to post their opinions and my feelings aren't directed at anyone in particular. I just know myself well enough to admit that I can take things too personally and thus opt to stay away rather than get frustrated.

I don´t think anyone intended to call out any specific person, as this problem really isn´t limited to anyone in particular. I feel like the excessive negativity towards certain companies is mostly an effort of trying to "fit in". If I bash this company for being inaccurate, everyone will think I know a lot about dinosaurs and accept me, sort of. In fans of hobbies that aren't particularly mainstream, such behaviors of assumed gatekeeping are very common. You have to hate what you think everyone else hates. As such I´m very certain that everybody here has engaged in this "bashing"...

I understand no one was talking about me in particular, but the fact that so many people took issue with behaviors I know I've taken part in really struck a chord with me.

...The fact that you went from being rather dismissive towards this issue to actively questioning your own behaviour, is a very encouraging sign, as I generally truly enjoy reading your posts. I don´t remember you being rude to me, so your apology is appreciated, but not at all necessary...

Thank you! You may not remember my rudeness, but I do. Either way, thank you for forgiving me.

[Bread]

As a new member to this forum, I do feel a sort of insecurity about some or if any posts or replies I make. I try to involve my self in some discussions because I feel off just posting my rather small collection and art. I think that most of my recent posts just simply add my input to a model, maybe a couple questions, but no harsh critiques on a company or anything related to hate. From all the interactions I have had from members on this forum, everyone seems genuinely nice and helpful.
I am one of those people who will scan through collections, to me it is just amazing to see other's collections and progress of acquiring figures.
This is just my perspective as a Newbie. Looking through the current posts of this thread, I noticed a newbie has not really put their perspective on posting and interaction with the forum. Thank you.

[Bokisaurus]

What a can of worms that got opened!
Well, I debated a lot if I should say something about this topic or not, in the end I felt that I had to.
I find it ironic that some of the complaints or opinions viewed here is exactly why some members are put off or intimidated to even bother joining a discussion or making comments.
Having been around for a long time now, I have seen a lot of changes, some good and some bad. I also found myself starting to run out of post I felt would be of interest to the community.
There was a time when I created a lot of threads, but now I rarely ever do. It's not for lack of interest on my part, far from it, but I feel that the shift in focus of the "popular" threads have now made such threads, well not so popular.

When I created my collection thread as well as sculpting thread, this was my attempt to fill in that void when I stopped creating threads. It was also a way for me to focus my posting mostly on my own collection where as someone mentioned feel safer.
Personally, I was trying to find a new way to make it fun for me and less combative.

Singling out members who are mostly just focused on their own thread, be it collection and art, is not necessary and really very unfair and a big turn off ( even more reason for them to not post altogether). There is simply so much we don't know about each other, so why have an issue with something like that when it's not hurting anyone? And we don't have a rule or requirement that we have to somehow post here and there.
If the intention was to somehow encourage and engage some members, well the effect is the opposite. Even if only a few share such thoughts, the consequence had a negative ripple effect, exactly the opposite.

And the somewhat dismissive tone about people sharing their art/sculpture unless they are professional isn't exactly very encouraging either and is hurtful at the very least.
As you may have noticed, I have been posting less and less and focusing mostly on my collection and art thread, so you can see how such comment would hit a nerve.
The cultural "shift" in being so focused on accuracy have left me exhausted. I have been feeling that there is almost no time for me to really enjoy a newly revealed figure before starting to read all about the negativity, negativity is sometime I'm trying to have less of in my life right now.
I'm also not an expert on dinosaurs, their anatomy, etc., so joining in on some of those discussions is not something I feel comfortable in especially when someone replies in a very condescending way.
To be honest, the threads I follow the most are the Collection threads, just as Postsaurischian said, they are like beautiful art books.

I think my 50th review pretty much captures what I wanted to say as well as my current state, here is an excerpt :
http://dinotoyblog.com/2020/05/24/dimetrodon-unknown/
"In the last decade of being a collector, I have seen my own attitude as well as others change.We have gone from being simply being excited and grateful for any new figures; to that of having to nitpicking every tiny details of each new figures, looking more for something to be critical about instead of appreciative. Sometimes the negative comments just becomes too much, too exhausting, too repetitive, and at times downright hostile to those who don't share the same views or opinions."

In the end, what was said is said, no matter what that persons excuse is. Damage is done, feelings hurt.

[Stegotyranno420]

really sorry for interrupting, but im kind of confused about what this thread is about(english is not my first language, sorry)

[Libraraptor]

 
@Stegotyranno honestly I don't exactly know that either. It began with Halichoeres' observation that some members use this forum for "showing off" only and don't care for contributing to other threads.
So it obviously has to do with the discussion culture.


@Halichoeres , did I get this right?

I am completely with the words in fat Boki wrote. As an unpretentious longtime member I  have been witnessing so many changes and little or bigger quarrels, not contributing to too many of them (Schleich is the exception from the rule...)


Actually browsing the collection threads is one of my favourite things I do here and I would have no problem whatsoever if someone just limited him/herself to posting there.

As to the Publishing artwork thing,  shouldn't we rather regard it as a compliment to this community instead of calling it "showing off "?  People feel well and save enough here to post their efforts, hoping for encouragement and appreciation.

As to my lacking contributing to many threads outside my own collection I admit I find many discussions lead to nothing. Some games, although sometimes I contribute,  are rather boring and pointless.

I came here to find a cozy place where I am not laughed at for my "childish " hobby,  and I felt save and welcomed (which I still do).

Of course the complexity and diversity of members and concerns have increased and we come here for the same reasons in different varieties and peculiarities.

This comes with an icreasing responsibility for  every single member to shape a style of communication that respects others and won't hurt them.  Bummer we do have so many public  examples miserably failing this requirement these days. 

So it is up to us!

[PumperKrickel]

As to the Publishing artwork thing,  shouldn't we rather regard it as a compliment to this community instead of calling it "showing off "?  People feel well and save enough here to post their efforts, hoping for encouragement and appreciation.

I very much agree with this sentiment. People who are merely trying to "show off" are far more likely to do so on sites like Instagram or deviantart, where it's quite easy to collect likes. I personally find most collection threads kinda boring, while I could spend hours staring at people's paintings, customs or dioramas. We all have different interests in the context of our shared love for extinct animals. Nobody here should feel obligated to post in a certain number of threads, all reasons to visit the blog are equally valid!

[postsaurischian]

.......
Singling out members who are mostly just focused on their own thread, be it collection and art, is not necessary and really very unfair and a big turn off ( even more reason for them to not post altogether). There is simply so much we don't know about each other, so why have an issue with something like that when it's not hurting anyone? And we don't have a rule or requirement that we have to somehow post here and there.
If the intention was to somehow encourage and engage some members, well the effect is the opposite. Even if only a few share such thoughts, the consequence had a negative ripple effect, exactly the opposite.

And the somewhat dismissive tone about people sharing their art/sculpture unless they are professional isn't exactly very encouraging either and is hurtful at the very least.
.......

Thanks for taking the time and writing all this B @Boki. I totally agree with you and I'm always happy when an English speaking person expresses my feelings in a way which would cost me too much time to translate. Unfortunately my English isn't that good. I would have possibly written a very long psychological essay if I was allowed to write in German .

[ceratopsian]

I post in my own collection thread rather than Recent Acquisitions because it seems like posting twice and hence unnecessary repetition if I put something in both places, and I don't want to bore people.

Exactly. And it's very entertaining to go through the different pages of your collection thread. The collection threads are like different art books. To me yours is one of the most beautiful books here .

Thank you - what a lovely compliment! You have cheered me up on a difficult day. 

I've too have always really enjoyed other people's collection threads.  They are one of the great pleasures of the forum.  They aren't usually combative threads, which suits me very well.  And they often combine two things I enjoy very much - appreciating good photography and appreciating dinosaur collections.

[Halichoeres]

Since when do we have such "expectations"? Everybody is invited here to post what he/she likes wherever he/she wants to as long as it doesn't break any forum rule. I find this discussion very strange and really surprising. Browsing through the different collection threads has always been one of my favourite things here to enjoy throughout the last ten years. Just let everybody do what they enjoy as long as nobody gets hurt!

Well of course nobody is obligated to do anything, which is why I'm in the etiquette thread and not the rules thread. The forum description starts "A friendly open community," and I just find that the pattern of posting I described doesn't do much to contribute to a sense of community as I interpret the word. Others are free to interpret that differently; I'm just pointing out that when members barely acknowledge the existence of others' contributions, I tend to lose interest in theirs.

B @Bokisaurus I'm very sorry to have hurt your feelings. I am not proposing that anyone needs to participate in debates about the merits of particular toys to have the right to a personal thread. Nor am I saying that only professionals should have art threads (that would be a ludicrous thing for me to say, as I have one myself). You log in less often than when I was new here, but I've always found our interactions pleasant. When you do log in, the purpose might be to update your thread, but while you're at it you nearly always post something positive in others' threads. I notice that! I'm sure that the originators of those threads also notice and appreciate that. As I said above, I don't think someone needs to be a prolific poster to be a positive presence. I suppose this mismatch between what I think I wrote and what you think you read is because I was too vague in my initial post--all I'm saying is that I am more inclined to visit people's personal threads when those people contribute to a sense of community because, to me, communities are reciprocal (so I think @Libraraptor read me more or less correctly). The irony is that the members that most closely fit the description are probably the least likely to read this thread in the first place.

For what it's worth, although I'm a biologist and prioritize accuracy in my own collection, I actually agree with you that it's not the only lens to view dinosaur toys through.

Thanks for your perspective, @Bread. If by bringing this up I've alienated any newer members as alleged above, I apologize. I'm trying to make the forum a kinder place, not a more hostile one.

[Bread]

@Halichoeres I don't think an apology is needed. It was simply your perspective on members. I was actually somewhat agreeing with what your main point in this thread. I do believe members should try to contribute to the community or give their input in some sort of way on whether it be figures, art, or collections. However, everyone is entitled to what he or she may want to do on this forum (obeying the set of rules given of course). I myself am trying to contribute my opinions on whether it be art, figures, collections, etc. It is somewhat difficult getting involved as a newbie, but I do support to allow other newbies to engage in conversations.

[Libraraptor]

Something else came to my mind when I reflected on the last few comments here.

Couldn´t it also be that we´ve become a little lazy? I myself post 60 or more of my posts via Smartphone nowadays. When I was new here over ten years ago I had to downright plan my visits here, switch on the PC, have it drive up, visit the website and so on. The visits on the forum and the posts used to be executed more, well, thoroughly.  I was looking forward to them and stayed here on hour or so in a block.

Today I often come here one to up to five times a day for five to ten minutes, binge post sometimes, and maybe overlook the long bows and thus become more facile maybe.

I live in a cloud of self-expression and use the forum not as a refugee and cozy place but as a stage.

I can understand both @Halichoeres ´ and B @Bokisaurus  ´point of view. What do you think about my additional thoughts?

[Crackington]

Yes @Libraraptor  and ? @Stolpergeist I know exactly what you mean, I always use my mobile Android phone to visit the Forum these days. I've also become a lot more prolific since Covid with other hobbies shut down!

When I first joined though, I also used an old laptop, which was steam powered and so only visited a couple of times a week and posted even less. It was harder work back then 😃

[ceratopsian]

I check the forum regularly on my phone and will post briefly using my phone.  (And checking more regularly I think in these pandemic times.)  But if I can see there is a long post that I want to read - e.g. pictures of a museum visit - or a post with photos I want to see in greater detail - I still turn to my desktop.  And I would only post photos from my desktop.  I would also turn to my desktop (or perhaps tablet) if I want to post something longer.  Just so much easier to type, and greater control over the vagaries of autocorrect!

[Halichoeres]

@Libraraptor interesting perspective, thanks. As I've said elsewhere, I definitely think social media has changed the way the forum works. And I guess I do see the forum as a cozy place, whereas I've been trying to use social media less, especially the cesspit that is Facebook.

It probably makes a difference that I rarely log in to the forum from my phone; I'm almost always at my desktop.