New DinoToyBlog entries

[suspsy]

A guest review of Kaiyodo Plateosaurus:
http://dinotoyblog.com/2016/01/12/plateosaurus-dinotales-series-5-by-kaiyodo/

[DinoToyForum]

Thanks for posting it Suspsy!

[suspsy]

A pleasure! There are some more very fine reviews on the way!

[suspsy]

A Primeval review by Dilopho:
http://dinotoyblog.com/2016/01/14/raptor-primeval-by-character-options/

[CityRaptor]

Ah, yes, the Primeval Raptor. Not the most realistic figure, but very screen-accurate. I'm glad I got it years ago. Pity they never made a figure of the Gorgonopsid.

[Gwangi]

A Primeval review by Dilopho:
http://dinotoyblog.com/2016/01/14/raptor-primeval-by-character-options/

Might I suggest getting rid of the quotations around "Raptor" as they force it to the top of an otherwise alphabetical table of contents. Also maybe consider assigning it an actual genus. Perhaps Deinonychus. Just a thought, those kind of things bother me. I'm weird, I know. 

[suspsy]

I got rid of the quotation marks, but I'm afraid "Raptor" is the official name:

[Gwangi]

I got rid of the quotation marks, but I'm afraid "Raptor" is the official name:

Fair enough I suppose. I hate seeing reviews that aren't attributed to a genus but I suppose that's my cross to bear. It's certainly not the only one. Thanks for removing the quotations though, I'll sleep a little easier tonight.

Now, lets discuss the issue of italicizing the scientific names in these reviews.... 

[laticauda]

I got rid of the quotation marks, but I'm afraid "Raptor" is the official name:

Fair enough I suppose. I hate seeing reviews that aren't attributed to a genus but I suppose that's my cross to bear. It's certainly not the only one. Thanks for removing the quotations though, I'll sleep a little easier tonight.

Now, lets discuss the issue of italicizing the scientific names in these reviews.... 

Groan. 

[suspsy]

I don't consider it that big a deal.

[stargatedalek]

Haha, despite being guilty of this one myself I must confess I'm with Gwangi on this one. Italics are always welcome.

[Gwangi]

Here on the forum I don't consider it a big deal because this is just casual conversation but on something like the DTB where our reviews represent a database that will be read and re-read through the ages, I do. We always make sure to discuss accuracy in the models we review, the least we can do is be accurate ourselves in our review of them. It helps add a touch of professionalism to a review that's critiquing the work of someone else. I didn't do it to my first few reviews either but Marc (Horridus) pointed it out to me and I've always held him in high esteem as a reviewer. And he was right to point it out because that is how the animal's name is supposed to be written. Maybe it's not a big deal but maybe proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation aren't either.

[suspsy]

I'll think about it. Personally, I don't believe most visitors to the blog even notice, let alone care.

[laticauda]

This is a little bit of a long winded response, but bare with me. 

I have always been bad a grammar and spelling.  My understanding of the written word has always come very easy to me, I had a 12th-grade reading level when I was in 4th-5th grade.  Why the two don't correlate for me, I do not know.  I guess I am very good and seeing the big picture, but have problems with the rules and details.  (Probably why I stink at math)  Despite my struggles with this, I have my Masters degree. and if I had more money I would get my Doctorate.  I have always tried to treat the DTB with professionalism, despite my shortcomings.  In fact, I still go back in some of my reviews and correct mistakes or reword my thoughts so they flow better. 

When my interest in "dinosaurs" resurfaced after being neglected for many years, I looked all over the place for information on prehistoric toys. That's how I found the DTB.   In my opinion, it is the best site for this type of information.  As a teacher, parent, and toy enthusiast, I wanted to always get my information right when writing reviews.  Whether its for a person just getting into the hobby, and teacher looking at research projects, or for the enthusiasts that have been collecting for years.  Not saying I am perfect at it, but that is my goal.  I guess my point is, we have the duty to write it correctly, even if most people do not understand or care why. 

I feel honored to be able to write for this blog, even though I am not the most knowledgeable on the subject. Even though I may hate trying to keep it straight when to add Italics, it is the proper way to write it.  Sorry for being long winded.   

[Gwangi]

Thanks for sharing that Laticauda. When I was younger I too struggled with grammar and spelling but possessed a high reading comprehension. I always enjoyed writing though, and the more I wrote the less I struggled. In fact, just being a member of message boards (especially when I was younger) encouraged me to work on my grammar if only so whatever I was writing looked more professional and people took me more seriously. Also it would help keep grammar Nazis at bay. Math on the other hand, that's a lost cause. I don't really have a point here, just letting you know that I can relate to what you're saying. I understand "the struggle". I too occasionally edit my older and less well written reviews.

When I first visited the DTB I wasn't a dinosaur collector and wouldn't be for several more years. I thought it was really cool that a blog existed where dinosaur toys were reviewed based on their scientific accuracy. Even before I wrote for the blog I knew scientific names should be italicized but when I did start writing reviews I didn't do it. Marc pointed it out and I couldn't think of a compelling reason not to do it. If you're going to write a review, do it right. If you know you should and don't it just shows a degree of laziness sorry to say.

Suspsy, most people probably don't notice or care but I'm sure those that do care, notice. And that's what matters. Besides, I've always been a proponent of accuracy even when people don't care. Hell, most people don't care about the accuracy of toy dinosaurs either. But the people that read the blog care about accuracy. I think it's a tad bit hypocritical to discuss accuracy if we can't be accurate ourselves regardless if people care or not. It's not hard work to highlight a name and click the italicize button.

But that's just my opinion and I am by no means an authority on how other people should write. I'll write my reviews that way I want to and everyone else can write theirs the way they want to.

[Dilopho]

Sorry for forgetting italics and things...

[Gwangi]

Sorry for forgetting italics and things...

Don't worry about it, none of that is directed at you. This was your first review (I think) and you did a great job. Like I said, I didn't do it either at first.

[Gwangi]

Getting back to what this thread is for, a new review.
http://dinotoyblog.com/2016/01/15/masiakasaurus-wild-safari-by-safari-ltd/

[Sim]

Nice review, Gwangi!

One thing though, you said, "Since its description in 2001, fans of the Madagascan abelisauroid known as Masiakasaurus have longed for a model of this obscure beast but no one would deliver, not even CollectA despite all their obscure critters. Now, 15 years later, we finally have one"  There has actually been two models of Masiakasaurus made before the WS one:

I also can't recall any Masiakasaurus models. Anyone?

Creative Beast made a Masiakasaurus

http://stores.dansdinosaurs.com/masiakasaurus-resin-kit-by-creativebeast/

There is another Masiakasaurus toy too, the Dinosaur Train one.

[Gwangi]

Nice review, Gwangi!

One thing though, you said, "Since its description in 2001, fans of the Madagascan abelisauroid known as Masiakasaurus have longed for a model of this obscure beast but no one would deliver, not even CollectA despite all their obscure critters. Now, 15 years later, we finally have one"  There has actually been two models of Masiakasaurus made before the WS one:

I also can't recall any Masiakasaurus models. Anyone?

Creative Beast made a Masiakasaurus

http://stores.dansdinosaurs.com/masiakasaurus-resin-kit-by-creativebeast/

There is another Masiakasaurus toy too, the Dinosaur Train one.

Thanks! I knew about the "Dinosaur Train" model but since it is definitely a toy I purposely excluded it. And the Creative Beast model is a resin kit. But since both are technically models too I will change my wording to something more specific to the kind of model the Safari Masiakasaurus is. Maybe "an accurate and affordable" model would sound better.