I would like to see a forum devoted to Frequently Asked Questions on electrical topics. For example:

• How do I use a relay to trigger an MTH signal?
  
• Circuit for end of track detector
  
• How do I hook up....

Things of this sort. If it were indexed or searchable, even better.

George

this is a great idea george, and one that has been leveled before. it would really be wonderful to have a one-stop treasure chest of frequently asked questions from all aspects of model railroading: from wiring, to benchwork, to scenery.

many of us have been pushing for just this kind of helpful angle, but unfortunately OGR does not have the ability OR will not entertain the possibility (jury is still out on this one) to do this.

please check out the other ongoing thread further down (S.O.S. Save Our Stuff) for more background detail on our plight.

George, as bfishma pointed out, having a tutorial or FAQ type of forum does no good, if it has to be started anew every six months. As of now, unless it's saved elsewhere, that's all we have.

You know, if it can't be fixed with a hammer, it's probably an electrical problem,

Or something's not getting greased enough.

Have a system on these FAQs of a vote button, where you can vote on how helpful the topic was. This could be used to keep very useful and informative topics around.

quote:

Originally posted by Jim Sandman:
Have a system on these FAQs of a vote button, where you can vote on how helpful the topic was. This could be used to keep very useful and informative topics around.

Again to quote Vulcan...."George, as bfishma pointed out, having a tutorial or FAQ type of forum does no good, if it has to be started anew every six months. As of now, unless it's saved elsewhere, that's all we have." Everything needs to start here. I firmly beleive this is the most important issue facing the forum but it appears to be falling on deaf ears.

The other problem is (IMHO) that it won't get used. Look how may times a question is asked in the DCS or TMCC forums when a related/relevent post is frequently only 3 or 4 down the page? It is the same on EVERY BBS I have ever participated in - people will post a question before they look. I have tried to point out that a search will yield far more results much faster then posting a question - only to get yelled at that I am being mean....

Give a man a fish...

quote:

Originally posted by CZ10:
Give a man a fish...

... and you'll hear from him about saving threads and changing forum policy for a lifetime!

keep pluggin away boys ... something's gotta give one of these days!

quote:

something's gotta give one of these days!

quite probably the elastic in your shorts will fail before there's a change,

Is that what that "snap" was ?

AND that cool breeze!

...and that's why they call you the Breeze, you keep rollin' down the road.

Sorry I missed the thread further down in the forum. It wasn't my intent to post a competing thread.

George

It's not a competing thread at all; it's a confirmatory posting of need,

sorry george, it wasnt my intent to make you think i had any intent ... or something like that

like mwb said, that main point no matter how many different threads get started over the issue is the need to have some posts saved. whether they be great how-tos, reviews of engines, rolling stock, et al, or a FAQ on wiring a layout: it not only makes perfect sense but would add so much to the functionality of the forum.

the only thing i can figure out is that the magazine doesnt want any competition with its print publication. adding these types of features to the forum might make subscribers think twice about continuing to receive the magazine. for them its an either / or line of reasoning. a more prudent and careful approach however most certainly could lead to both complimenting one another rather than competing.

time will tell