First I’d like to go on the record that I choose no sides nor will I pick one.

My reason for posting this is that I am very sadden by what has taken place in the last week. Let me back up some two and a half years ago. One night while surfing the net on modeling I came across Armorama, I was amazed with on all the different threads and photos. I remember being on a good few hours, and I booked marked it so I could come back the next day. I was so impressed on how everyone got along and shared their builds, tips, ideas and even their lives with each other that I found myself wanting to join in with everyone as well. I’ve learned so much here than I could have ever asked anywhere else, and to not forget the many…many of you’s that I’ve became great cyber friends with. Some that I talk to threw PM’s and many over the phone and the few I’ve meet during this years AMPS show. But over those years I’ve lost contact with some of the members, but was able to make a few more friends as well, and hope to make many more over the years. I guess people change as well.

Yes… the site has changed, even I didn’t care for it at first. But I do understand why, and just like the most I had to adjust and learn the new buttons and features here. From what I’ve heard the most was that the many members would like to see the site get back to it’s community and it’s friendliness. It still is guys…if we could put down our differences, you’d see that it still is. Look… Armorama is still here and running strong, and regardless of the new changes it’s up to us as members to us to keep it that way. Lets not draw lines in the sand….lets just look ahead and make (keep) Armorama number one.

Please…in no way do I want this post to become two-sided, not my intension, and I apologize if it offended anyone.

Hey Joe, I'd like to echo your sentiments




I firmly believe whatever changes has been going on with the site does not impact the core fundamentals of this site which is to maintain a community type environment for this hobby. I see the new improvements being equivalent to a large house with many more rooms to venture into, with each room having a theme of its own (ie: Aeroscale etc). IMHO, it hasnt really changed at all, Jim basically 're-painted' the colours on each door leading to these rooms and stuck a few pictures (Ads) to make it interesting on the way in. OK enough analogies. :-)

As far as i can see, things are still the same around here anyways. We are still putting up reviews and sharing knowledge amongst one another. When misbehaviour occurs, our super nannies spring into action.

Joe, unfortunately this happens here every coule of years. You joined right after the last major feud, the infamous Uday incidents of 2003. A fight erupts, lines are drawn and normally it ends up as clique vs. staff. Traffic dies down for several months. Things blow over, people crawl back.

Armorama, like most community sites on the web, is what we ( the members) make it. You can bicker, bi*ch and quibble about every little thing or you can 'flow with the changes' but nothing ever stays the same.

This site will have growing pains as every 'family' has it's problems. It will have the 'adolesent mentality' which will put forth ultimatiums unstead of suggestions. Sadly, it will have folks that just can't grasp the big picture and they will either go out with a bang or just drift away looking for something that reminds them of Armorama.
Many will come back when they realize the uniqueness that Jim has created and is maintaining here.

This isn't really a matter of "picking sides" or "drawing lines in the sand" The site is going to change. (period)
Because Armorama is the brainchild of Jim Starkweather, and he has 'grown' the site to where it stands today, I think we can trust that he is capable of making the right decisions when it comes to the necessary changes.
So I guess what I am trying to say is that if you don't like something that is happening here:

a) understand that there is a reason you may not be privy to
b) don't hold your breath until you turn blue (that won't change anything)
c) if you have a better suggestion.....put it on the table for Jim and staff to
hear

Life s full of changes. Some good some not so good. But in the end it equals it's self out.

There, I feel better.
Cheers,
Charles

Hi Joe and Greetings all,

I've only been a member of the site for about a year now. In that time I've made friends, contacts and had such a large amount of help and information it's actually quite unbelieveable.

I'm certainely not going to let one post change my view of the site, nor would I dream of quitting. The sites changing and I just go with the flow.

We all like to say our bit, great. People fall out from time to time, so what, we're only human - just water of a ducks back.

'No big thing man' - LOL, LOL.

On the community aspect, I still feel it's a community, but like any community people come and go - some are more active than others - that's life.

I think the developments have been terrific, steam on Jim, but for me what I get from the site hasn't changed, and that's the help and information about all manner of things that help me to become a better builder and increase my knowledge, and that folks is why I joined.

When I can pass on some informaion or knowledge then I'm happy to return that help and if my build mistakes help others then great. If the questions I ask or topics I raise give others ideas or information then brilliant I'm able to put back a little of what I get.

I'll never be a master modeller, I'm not a revit counter but I would like to be a reasonably good builder, make as decent and realsitic a job of the subject I'm modelling as my limited skill permits, and this is where I get the help, knowledge and opinions that allow me to do that. I recently compared a kit I built about 6 years ago to one I build this year. The difference is dramatic. I got the inspiration and knowledge right here on Armorama that allowed me to do that.

If you'd asked me a year ago if I'd every post a picture of one of my kits on site the answer would have been 'no way'. However, with the encouragement and help I got from site I've now had two sets of models presented, and even posted some stuff in the Revit Review Board LOL, LOL - that's because of every single member who contributes to the site - I read the posts, reviews, articles, get hints and tips, people tell me where I'm going wrong and I believe I'm a better builder for it..

So Joe, I'd say don't sweat it mate, people will always have differences, but as you say full steam ahead.

Thanks to all.

Al

I would hope that this blows over. I have made Armorama my favorite stop because of the friendly atmosphere here compared to the less friendly ones other places. I think most agree with this and that is why they come here. I don't think the one post will change peoples minds about that much.

Like has been said, it is time to leave the arguments and disagreements aside and lets get to building, sharing info and encouraging. This is a fun hobby and we should do what we can to keep it that way.

Sean

Joe, I want to echo your sentiments. Things change and this site just exploded over the past year or so. Although I think we will never see the camaraderie we saw when Costas (aka Major Goose for you that dont know him) had his shop fire and lost everything he had that had anything to do with modeling and how we as a family helped him through it with donations of tools, kits and paints. It was an inspiring time to have been a part of it. Who knows maybe the site is still that way there are just so many new faces to meet, its kind of intimidating with so many new members. I guess its kind of an "extended" family now Anyway with this site and all it entails, growth was inevitable. We all need to accept it and make the best effort we can to keep the family together. Cheers to the Best and biggest modeling family on the web. Lets take care of it. Kevin

Joe,

You are not only a very good modeller, you also know how to pick the right words. I completely support what you are saying. Armorama is a great space to virtually meet people from all over the globe.

To be honest I do not understand what the current fight is all about.

Yes there is publicity on the site.
Yes there are changes of the lay-out and apparently a lot of work going on behind the scenes.
Yes, some of these changes look a bit odd and have to be re-worked.

SO WHAT????

Isn't it just exciting that 'our' site is so successful and that we have a dedicated staff trying to keep it up to date and performant.

Have those that want the early days back considered how poor the performance would be if the site would not have advanced?

Armorama can continue to be succesful under two conditions:

- that Jim and his staff continue to manage the technical and financial consequences of an ever growing site and are not discouraged by the sometimes harsh comments of certain people.

- that the users of the site insist in keeping the pleasant atmosphere alive. And this may include defending the staff's work against unjustified criticism.

In any case, i'll try to do my little bit.

Having said all this I would like to ask to finally close this chapter. This way Jim can concentrate on bringing Aeroscale on-line and we can continue enjoying each others models, skills, comments and above all; friendship.

Would that not be nice?

Changes - Things do change, sometimes for the better - sometimes for worse...

My only thoughts here is this: It is my hope that with everything that has been going on both in the public eye, and behind the scenes, that Armorama will continue to be a place I enjoy to visit. I have enjoyed the feeling of community, and family. I have met many friends, I have learned much, as well as taught others. It is important to me that this continue... The things that have seperated this site out, to stand above the others to be the best IS the community. The ability to maintain the FREEDOMS of exchanging speech, ideas, and support learning. As long as the sence of community remains, I will remain. No, we all don't see eye to eye on things, but if the correct support is given by its members and staff, then the site will flourish. As long as the site continues to be "open" and "free", it will indeed grow. As long as the site doesn't become "owned" or influenced by one ideal... If it becomes a closed environment that only supports certain views, or principles, will it disipate into nothingness... It is up to the members, without we, the members, this site would not be possible. Let us hope that the WISDOM of the staff, and its members will prevail...

Paul

Will SOMEbody tell me what the Uday Incident was??? It's driving me nuts. I've asked and no one will say.

Hey, Joe, how are you? I'm planning a 'Nam dio with that Huey & crew you sent me.

Yeah I am with David here.

I am interested to know what that was all about.

Call me nosey but I am pretty sure its not just David and I wondering.

Hi David and Jeff

It's probably wisest not to go into any detail about the "Uday Incident" but, put simply, it was a practical joke that got out of hand. A member invented the character of Uday as an excuse to poke fun at some aspects of our hobby. As a one-off April Fool's-type joke, it could have been very amusing, but it ran on too far, got personal and made a lot of people very angry, resulting in a major flame war and banning.

(More than) enough said. All the best

Rowan

Thanks Rowan,

I was wondering,
that sums it up nicely

Vic

Thanks, Rowan. Was PM'd some of the details too. Good to know.

The British Army used to have a certain ban in place for Squaddies:

"DO NOT argue about religion or politics!"... "Oh, and probably wise not to discuss modelling either"...


:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)

I'm new here and so far the sire seems very well laid out and easy to navigate - i don't know what it was like before, but think that who ever has designed it has done a good job. I've just returned to the modelling fold after a 15 ish year layoff and have picke dup some great tips fromthe nice people here - lets keep it all freindly please - too many forums just desend into name calling and this just leads to their eventual collapse.

I'm not completely overjoyed about the changes but I'm letting the kinks work out. Rather than be saddened for the good old days I'm focusing more on research and experimenting with new techniques while time passes

Andy....welcome aboard. And that (who designed all this) would be me, so thanks for the compliment as well.

Also... I refuse to be sad. In fact I am rather upbeat and yes even overjoyed after coming back from the Dragon Expo. A major plastic manufacturer met with us to discuss the future of our relationship and what more we could offer each other and users alike. I spent time with the folks at Tamiya America and they are open to sending review samples (something they no longer do with ANY websites), vendors were interested in more advertising and other supportive roles like contests and kits for review.

No I am not sad. Onward and upward for this site and the fine members who truly call it home.

Cheers,
Jim

The fact of the matter is, most people dislike change. Some more than others. I have a guy that works for me that ladyed to high heaven when we changed our uniform shirts. The only difference was we went from two pockets to one. No matter that we supply them at no cost and launder them as well! But the way he went on, you would have thought we were asking him to give up his first born.

Anyway, the forum is changing. Some will refuse to even give it a chance and move away. Others will be annoyed, but will learn to live with it. Others will love it right off or will learn to after figuring out the nuances. Hey, you can't please everyone all the time. I'm just glad this place his here and continues to be a place I can come to learn about this hobby.

I could not agree more and well done on the Tamiya deal


Ian

I'm here to model, this is the place that keeps me going, gives me inspiration.

Its the group builds and campaigns that I sign up for, and looking at the work of others that I wish I had their talents that keeps me building.

Everything changes.

Dave S.