Forums

I have several links to some amazing forums that I frequent. while they aren't IPMS specific, these are Forums much like this one where great work is shown, they feature many magnificent models from great Masters as well as mediocre modelers like me and are exceptionally welcome to all SPAM aka Scale Plastic Aircraft Modelers: https://www.spamodeler.com/forum/index.php?sid=19d010bd8d9bbfbe4285a22f7ef271b9 Don't let the name fool you; they welcome all genres of modeling. It's a smaller, yet more homelike Forum that welcomes all. Modeler's Social Club: https://modelerssocialclub.proboards.com/forum This is a very down to earth and friendly Forum with some incredible masters among them. And this one, Modeler's Haven Online: https://mho.freeforums.net/ This is a very active Forum with strong participation from many European modelers who have tremendous skills. Very friendly and welcoming.    These are my top three recommendations for the best Forums to frequent. I may not be the most popular, well known or talented modeler in IPMS; and many here might not even know me, but those who do and wish to continue to follow my work, take my tours and keep up with my productivity; you can find me on all three of those Forums. I post on them quite frequently. I do hope that those of you who want to continue using a Forums will come join up at least one of these. When you sign up; tell them the Duke sent you!           

All these look fantastic! I'm glad I got to see them.

I was very disappointed by the board decision to close the Forum.  I read the posts here, and I think the earlier comments expressed above made some very good points regarding the decision itself, the timing of the announcement, and the rationale behind the decision. I noted the primary reason given was "limited participation," and current funding to support the forum could be better used to promote other social media initiatives." Maybe, but I'm not so sure.  I think the chief benefit of the Forum is that, unlike Facebook and places like Scalemates, it is compartmentalized. I'm interested in aircraft model subjects, and this format allowed me to go directly to the subsection on "Aircraft" and "Builds" to view what my fellow IPMS aircraft modelers built. They served as a source of inspiration to me, where I can admire their work, ask a question regarding a technique, or just tell them, "Great job!"  During my visits to the IPMS Facebook site, I may have to scroll through a number of posts of different modeling genres before coming to an aircraft post that interests me.  I'm not saying they are any less important, but my interest has always focused on aircraft modeling. The Forum gave me immediate access to my primary modeling interest. They say modeling is a solitary hobby, but I believe the Forum served as a tool to share the modeling experience with people who had a similar interest. I never cared about tracking who wrote the most comments or who had the greatest "rep"--that won't increase participation, and it may have even hurt it, by giving it a "competitive" appearance. I'm not sure what the definition of "limited participation" is either, but I know people actively participate in the Forum because of the number of views people received on the work they posted.  Some exceeded 3,000 views or higher. That has to be a measure of its value. I'm not a fast builder, but when I completed a project, I've posted my work on the Forum, not on the IPMS Facebook page. I regularly visited the Forum 4 or 5 times a week to see other peoples' work or provide me with the opportunity to make comments in other areas of interest to me, like providing national convention feedback or a recommendation that may be useful in future convention planning. While I didn't comment during the majority of visits, it's not an indicator that the tool had limited use by its membership.  As this is my twenty-fourth, and most likely, final post on this Forum, I offer this thought.  Before making a decision of this magnitude, it may have been better for the E-Board to obtain feedback from membership concerning this issue. This may include recommendations on how to improve participation and trying them out before axing the program. I mean, you request input from members attending each national convention, why would this be different? Many of us view the Forum as a benefit that comes with membership. I think the people providing funding through dues payments or as volunteers who execute local contests or a national convention, should have an input one way or another, before that decision. If anything, you'll have membership input to consider as part of the overall process and not make that decision in an "undefined participation" vacuum. I guess I'll be content with my 14 reputation points and greater participation in Hyperscale.  I'm truly sorry to see this go.        

First I'd like to thank you for following this post ,it's quite appreciated ! SHAED 136 / LUCAS FLM-136 / GERANIUM 2 (PASCAL 3D) (SEPT 07th ) Today ,I remove the drone from the 3D trees  ! If you like to view the complete WIP on this project , just follow this Google link : https://photos.app.goo.gl/QMEoEJaTsXE4pgH7A If you like to view all the DRONES I have done so far in 1/48 , just follow this link: https://photos.app.goo.gl/mjGm69hDKYaDuFNX6 Enjoy ! Jmarc

First I'd like to thank you for following this post , it's quite appreciated ! 1/48 LOCKHEED T-33 SILVER STAR  (TESTOR)   (SEPT 07th) Today I continue adding the details to the airframe    !  If you like to follow the complete WIP on this project , I have set up an GOOGLE page, just follow this link ..  https://photos.app.goo.gl/mCtpo97pwYCFaYE39 If you like to view the complete STASH PARTS done so far ,just followthis GOOGLE link .. https://photos.app.goo.gl/NtNSgh1zJgx9jRSx5 Enjoy !    Jmarc