I have long wanted to complete (or at least populate) the Resources section with some good info, links, etc. Several users have come to me recently and expressed the same notiion about different resource related ideas. I just wanted to throw this idea out there and see what other staff members had in terms of ideas.

Here are a few of mine.

1. A comprehensive listing of REALLY GOOD information sites. I am thinking sites like ARC (even though it's competition), Actung Panzer, AFV Interiors, etc. Having a promenent area where these sites are listed is good for our members (to find them and use them) and also well put us in better standing with many of these sites as we currently don't do anything like this (beyond our yahoo-like directory).

2. A section devoted to information on various vehicles, planes, ships, whatever. Each of these areas would be broken up by focus (as would the links above). This would be a little like my KitBase data file but on a more limited scale. Jan has mentioned for example doing one on the M35. This would be great. If we had the best reference resource for the M35 then that word would get around.

3. Generally working in all our existing resource elements. The library (book list), link directory, glossary, etc.

And your ideas?

Thanks,
Jim

Are you just staying in the 'outside' link realm for resources? That's how I have my favorites organized
Hobby - general
Model Site
Retail
Reference - AFV
Reference - General
Research

Its very easy to find stuff based on the questions I see in threads. They tend to go by "has anyone got reference photos of X" - it is very helpful.

So I'm all for it. I know there have been threads in the past where URL organization is started, there just isn't much completion for various reasons.

I know that the sticky thread idea is around, this may be a way to make a comprehensive list of all of those. Some new people may not realize or understand what a sticky thread is or to even look for it. Or people may not 'opt in' to a forum and may not see it.

When I read a technical book I read from the index and the TOC. And I jump around quite a bit. This may be a place for internal links of 'hot threads', 'informative threads' etc.

So there is my two cents worth

Scott,
Thanks for the input. I think this definately goes hand in hand with what we were talking about in terms of searching the db for relevant resources.

Jim

I have moved this topic to the general site to get additional feedback.

I was searching the web trying to find info about the Soviet T34/85 and could barely find a decent site that had stats and such.

How about a Soviet Armor resource? Is there currently a good one (like Actung Panzer?) or is this a good idea for a resource section?

Thanks,
Jim

http://www.thetankmaster.com Is one of the best I have seen as is http://www.waronline.org (if one's russian is up to it). I assume its about armored vehicles, it could be the Stalingrad Cheese-dancing ensemble... #:-) Nyet! it's got tank pics...Jim

Scott has touched on the crux of the matter. There are a lot of (probable young!) modellers who are also computer whizz kids. They flash (well not literally) round the ether as second nature.

Personally I assume a sticky thread is a length of cotton dipped in treacle.

The problem with the Web is not so much that the information is not there, it is finding it. Anyone who has modelled British armour will know what I mean.

I have been a member of Armorama for most of this year and doubt very much if I have used more than about 20% of the exisiting functions/features available on the site. The reasons being that I either do not know how to use them, do not know they are there, or - even more likely - simply dont have the time to wade around the site in case I might find something of interest.

As a for instance I have never successfully used the Forum search function so no longer try!

Sorry if I have contributed nothing with regard to the specific subject, but what I would ask is that before you rush off to 'sticky your threads' you do consider how such resources will be accessed and what instructions will be posted to assist the membership to use these features.

Regards Dave

Hi Jim

It would be great to see the resources section take off.

One idea I've been working on for A-UK (but it would obviously be better on the Main Site) is to start a reference section where members can post their personal photos - either from their days in the military, or from museum visits etc.

I imagine these being indexed by subject (maybe cross-linking would also be possible) to gradually form an extensive reference source that's unique to Armorama. We'd end up with a combined Historical and Walk-Around section.

Hope this helps

Rowan

Here's a pretty good one for Soviet armor.


http://www.battlefield.ru/map.html

No offense to our Russian friends but that much copyright infringement could get me in trouble.

What I am thinking about is a page that outlines the basics for each model/variant and then gives links to sites like those you guys have posted to give even more details/photos/etc.

Thanks,
Jim

I like Sticky threads and have written HOWTOs on IT related boards and the board master made them sticky so that users could learn from it.
These forums are such higher volume that sticky threads will eventually have to go into a subcategory or there would be so many they wash away no posts in forums.
THe forums here are the best I've seen, so maybe stickiness doesnt help.
A good blatantly obvious SEARCH Forum is probably better.
I see a lot of qstns asked that have been answered because a new member is presumably overwhelmed by the depth of our forums and may not know how to nav our forums.

Perhaps I could write a feature for "Basic Training" before Base Visitors become Privates (E1s) they could read how to search a forum for posts related to a topic they'd like help with... earn a stripe with "OJT"

For links & resources I'd appreciate it if they were broke out like the
"Dirctory" section of the Google site.
http://www.google.com/dirhp?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=&tab=wd

The top level categories could follow along with the top level categories of forums maybe?

(I'm sure you have nothing but free time to burn to noodle this over )

Jim, I think you may already mean this but how about specific sections under each main heading such as:

Aircraft:
----P-51
-------Variants
-------Kits, Reviews
-------Reference Material
----Pictures
----Websites
-------Helpful Articles: Filling Seams, Natural Metal Finish, Markings, etc.

Not sure if this is the direction you're going or not. I just picture somebody saying, "I want to model a P-51 Mustang" and going to the appropriate resource section to absorb the info there and help not only make a decision on the kit but on what finish and markings too.

Is that anywhere close to what you want for the resource section?

Hey guys, what about a pool of books from each user?
Every user that was willing and able could put a list of their available books online and anyone who wished to borrow them could pay the shipping and return it on a set date.
I get alot of books from random users at Missing Lynx but none here, I though that this could be a unique and helpful feature to Armorama. Plus, shipping is much cheaper than buying a book that you will only use once anyways.
As for trusting someone to return the books, I have never had any trouble and have always adhered to the "modeller's honour" so to speak.
Any thoughts?
Too difficult?

Andrew

One thing I think would be very cool, though time consuming to do, is to have the forum moderators search through thier respective forums and find all of the most commonly asked questions. They would then compile all of this information into one thread which would be known as the 'category FAQ'..

This FAQ would then be givena new 'priority' as and "Announcement" or "sticky" in that it always stays to the top of the board list.

For instance, in the sci-fi section people frequently ask what's availible for Alien models. There's only a few availible and only garage kits might be priduced now, so that's a good 'solid' bit of info to post.

If we could get people to read these new FAQs, it would save some posts... but like I said, it'd take a bit of time to do.

Just a thought...

YM