captnenglish
Well-Known Member
Very well put!
improving planetFigure
- Thread starter captnenglish
- Start date
Help Support planetFigure:
garyjd
Well-Known Member
Maybe an introduction page with some sort of index showing the viewer what the content of each section consists of. I think the way the site is arranged is not really too complicated. There may be times when it's a bit tougher to decide what belongs in which thread as there are fewer catagories. Food for further thought.~Gary
Pete_H
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2003
- Messages
- 1,176
Gray,
Your argument sounds pretty reasonable to me
Here's another thought: how about an online chatroom (possibly with voicechat?) and schedule chat sessions for around the globe. I remember back in the HMForum days that a bunch of us from around the world would meet up online and voicechat - what a hoot!
Just a thought ...
Your argument sounds pretty reasonable to me
Here's another thought: how about an online chatroom (possibly with voicechat?) and schedule chat sessions for around the globe. I remember back in the HMForum days that a bunch of us from around the world would meet up online and voicechat - what a hoot!
Just a thought ...
I really like Pete's idea. I had suggested a few months ago the creation of an ICQ PF community. Of course not everyone has icq installed but it can also be done by MSN or whatever. The voicechat idea imo will be a bit difficult to organise since everyone can start talking and noone listens. Regarding the website i beleive as Gordy said that's quite simple for everyone that knows how to navigate. My only suggestion would be the front page where i will agree with John. Just my 2 cents
Well put forth,Gray !! I know of a few friends here in Singapore who would LOVE to visit the "planet" more often if only they'd be able to figure out how to navigate the site ! Looking forward to such a thing happening soon. Cheers !
Kenneth.
!! I know of a few friends here in Singapore who would LOVE to visit the "planet" more often if only they'd be able to figure out how to navigate the site ! Looking forward to such a thing happening soon. Cheers !Kenneth.
gordy
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the suggestions,
Gray, as I put in my address the other night that is the direction I indicated I wanted to do with pF, however how much energy devoted to a front page is directly proportional to the number of people viewing the front page ie: weblogs show 85% people have the forum mainpage bookmarked and used as an entry point...
The fewer categories is the result of experimenting with, originally, many specific categories whic resulted in a navigatable mess, lots of scrolling not unlike the vBench is now...
Pete, the chat system is one idea that has been mulled over with pros and cons, pros: convenient means of sharing; cons: good information goes *poof* when the window closes... perhaps, a means where a scheduled chat would happen and with attendees in a Q&A format, then post the chat transcripts so good info is saved...
Gray, as I put in my address the other night that is the direction I indicated I wanted to do with pF, however how much energy devoted to a front page is directly proportional to the number of people viewing the front page ie: weblogs show 85% people have the forum mainpage bookmarked and used as an entry point...
The fewer categories is the result of experimenting with, originally, many specific categories whic resulted in a navigatable mess, lots of scrolling not unlike the vBench is now...
Pete, the chat system is one idea that has been mulled over with pros and cons, pros: convenient means of sharing; cons: good information goes *poof* when the window closes... perhaps, a means where a scheduled chat would happen and with attendees in a Q&A format, then post the chat transcripts so good info is saved...
JCOX
Active Member
That sounds like a GREAT idea.Originally posted by gordy@Feb 2 2005, 08:07 AM
Pete, the chat system is one idea that has been mulled over with pros and cons, pros: convenient means of sharing; cons: good information goes *poof* when the window closes... perhaps, a means where a scheduled chat would happen and with attendees in a Q&A format, then post the chat transcripts so good info is saved...
-jim cox
Mike McGregor
Member
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2005
- Messages
- 68
I'd like to see a links directory that's geared to figure modelers.
It would be nice to see links to manuactures, retailers, refrence sites, other online figure communities, clubs, SBSs, etc. all in one place. So far I haven't found anything like that on the net and yahoo is almost useless to me when it comes to trying to find manufacture or refrence sites that I haven't already bookmarked.
But the upkeep of the directory is also important (to me anyway). There's somthing really frustrating about directories with lots of outdated links. I'd imagen that keeping the links updated would be a challenge and time consuming.
I think that catagorized links with short discriptions would be the most usefull and user friendly...
Mike.
It would be nice to see links to manuactures, retailers, refrence sites, other online figure communities, clubs, SBSs, etc. all in one place. So far I haven't found anything like that on the net and yahoo is almost useless to me when it comes to trying to find manufacture or refrence sites that I haven't already bookmarked.
But the upkeep of the directory is also important (to me anyway). There's somthing really frustrating about directories with lots of outdated links. I'd imagen that keeping the links updated would be a challenge and time consuming.
I think that catagorized links with short discriptions would be the most usefull and user friendly...
Mike.
Patrick Kirk
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 839
Gordy,
I like Petey's idea and the solution you present, too...the best part of this site is the archival system that we can reach back into either from Vbenches or from topics.
You are doing great!
All the best
Patrick
I like Petey's idea and the solution you present, too...the best part of this site is the archival system that we can reach back into either from Vbenches or from topics.
You are doing great!
All the best
Patrick
thegoodsgt
Active Member
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2004
- Messages
- 924
A few random thoughts:
Successful web sites are all about capitalizing on a niche. The niche here is "historical miniatures," not garage kits and toy soldiers. So ditch that stuff and focus on what 90 percent of us enjoy.
Create a section titled something like, "New to the hobby." It might include a series of FAQs that all of us can contribute to. We can begin by compiling just the questions, and then those of us who are willing and able to answer them can do so. It might also include a list of recommended figures for novices.
Include a prominent "tip" on the home page, or on the forum home page, suggesting that new users always use the "View New Posts" link to monitor discussions. It's much easier than navigating dozens of individual pages.
Identify "pF ambassadors," those Planeteers who frequent other sites and discussion groups, and ask them to recommend pF at every opportunity.
Contact eBay sellers who seem to sell historical miniatures and ask them to include a link to pF in their item descriptions.
Whatever you do, DO NOT recreate the wheel. For example, instead of creating a list of manufacturer links from scratch, simply provide links to Tad Wigmore's and Tony Matteliano's comprehensive sites.
http://members.shaw.ca/twigmore/
http://www.scalemodelindex.com/
So that's that. Now I'll let the naysayers tell us why the ideas aren't viable.
In the meantime, let me know if/how I can help.
Successful web sites are all about capitalizing on a niche. The niche here is "historical miniatures," not garage kits and toy soldiers. So ditch that stuff and focus on what 90 percent of us enjoy.
Create a section titled something like, "New to the hobby." It might include a series of FAQs that all of us can contribute to. We can begin by compiling just the questions, and then those of us who are willing and able to answer them can do so. It might also include a list of recommended figures for novices.
Include a prominent "tip" on the home page, or on the forum home page, suggesting that new users always use the "View New Posts" link to monitor discussions. It's much easier than navigating dozens of individual pages.
Identify "pF ambassadors," those Planeteers who frequent other sites and discussion groups, and ask them to recommend pF at every opportunity.
Contact eBay sellers who seem to sell historical miniatures and ask them to include a link to pF in their item descriptions.
Whatever you do, DO NOT recreate the wheel. For example, instead of creating a list of manufacturer links from scratch, simply provide links to Tad Wigmore's and Tony Matteliano's comprehensive sites.
http://members.shaw.ca/twigmore/
http://www.scalemodelindex.com/
So that's that. Now I'll let the naysayers tell us why the ideas aren't viable.
In the meantime, let me know if/how I can help.
Guy
A Fixture
An interesting topic Gray started and these are my comments from a staff member’s point of view. I have been with the planet since right after its inception and I believe I am member number fourteen. I have seen the planet evolve on its axis, so to speak, with many changes, all of, which are improvements I hope. Many of these changes take more time that most people realize but are in effect, for the member’s benefit in many ways. So many countless hours the staff spends discussing a new feature or a way of doing things on the planet before the changes are agreed on and a trial run is done in the staff area of the planet. Then it is tweaked and adjusted and finally brought out into the main forum for the members to use and benefit from. An example of this is our new Gallery, which now has 12 members and was launched this past weekend. A lot of thought and communication went on behind the scenes at the planet to come up with a gallery that would serve us well utilizing an asset we already had. One thing I like about this gallery is that when you click on an image you get a nice sized image appear in another window. Another improvement that many are not aware of is the new Kitbay auction service which is now free to members……no fees……ever. I personally sold over 30 kits last summer when we first brought Kitbay out and I see it as a great way to recoup some figure money with kits you bought and thought you would paint and now realize you never will. Sell them off and buy that new release that just came out and you gotta have. I know I sure did.
We have from the beginning, represented all areas of figure modeling from the mini’s to the large scale historical miniatures and every genre of the figure world we try to have an equal representation. A lot of our members who paint the small scale mini’s eventually graduate to the larger scale historical miniatures. This is the future of our hobby and growth that we need to continue. Attracting the lesser popular painters to the site in hopes of giving them a taste of what we do. A lot of us were mini painters long before we went to large-scale figures. Others come from armor modeling and aircraft modeling. We all come from different directions and have evolved into figure painters. You will see mini figs appear on our News Release section as well as some of our members post photos of minis that they are doing as well. We have some sculptors who are known for their work for Andrea, Pegaso, and other manufacturers who also sculpt minis and it is all a part of the miniature genre we try to expose to our members.
Many have said planetfigure is the most popular site of its kind on the internet. This is not due to any of the staff, but due to all of its members and their contributions. It is the members and what they contribute that makes the planet number one.
Last on the list is a comment and / or reminder that a lot of us post our work on the planet in hopes of getting feedback to be able to grow as painters and improve our work. I get emails every morning from members, who wonder why after 130 views by members, no one makes a comment about their work they posted yesterday. I am as guilty of this as anyone and will try to stop and give feedback more often rather than just looking and going on. This forum is an immense tool for all of us to grow with our painting abilities and skills. But it is up to the rest of the members to provide the feedback we need to do this. If a member posts his work and asks for comments and feedback……..give him some helpful feedback. If he doesn’t ask for any comments or feedback, ask him / her if she would like some feedback. I realize some people have a hard time with feedback if it suggest another way or method for them to improve, but this is my most desired benefit I seek when I post my own work.
Guy
We have from the beginning, represented all areas of figure modeling from the mini’s to the large scale historical miniatures and every genre of the figure world we try to have an equal representation. A lot of our members who paint the small scale mini’s eventually graduate to the larger scale historical miniatures. This is the future of our hobby and growth that we need to continue. Attracting the lesser popular painters to the site in hopes of giving them a taste of what we do. A lot of us were mini painters long before we went to large-scale figures. Others come from armor modeling and aircraft modeling. We all come from different directions and have evolved into figure painters. You will see mini figs appear on our News Release section as well as some of our members post photos of minis that they are doing as well. We have some sculptors who are known for their work for Andrea, Pegaso, and other manufacturers who also sculpt minis and it is all a part of the miniature genre we try to expose to our members.
Many have said planetfigure is the most popular site of its kind on the internet. This is not due to any of the staff, but due to all of its members and their contributions. It is the members and what they contribute that makes the planet number one.
Last on the list is a comment and / or reminder that a lot of us post our work on the planet in hopes of getting feedback to be able to grow as painters and improve our work. I get emails every morning from members, who wonder why after 130 views by members, no one makes a comment about their work they posted yesterday. I am as guilty of this as anyone and will try to stop and give feedback more often rather than just looking and going on. This forum is an immense tool for all of us to grow with our painting abilities and skills. But it is up to the rest of the members to provide the feedback we need to do this. If a member posts his work and asks for comments and feedback……..give him some helpful feedback. If he doesn’t ask for any comments or feedback, ask him / her if she would like some feedback. I realize some people have a hard time with feedback if it suggest another way or method for them to improve, but this is my most desired benefit I seek when I post my own work.
Guy
Colin_Fraser
A Fixture
I really appreciate the site and all the hidden hard work by its staff. If someone were to ask me where improvements could be made - I would say in the contents screens for the vbench. If a member has more than a single figure discussion active, only that which has received the most recent comment is shown and, as result the older discussion tends to go dead. Perhaps the members' contents pages could be changed to reference each of that member's strings where there has been active discussion (perhaps within the last week). Just an idea and probably lots of work so feel free to tell me 'no way!'.
Colin
Colin
gordy
Well-Known Member
This is the main thrust of my address, it's being worked on currently and will be formulated soon.
With the pending purchase of the newest version of the forum software alot of additions and streamlining of vBench will come into view, most notably a single login to each of the planet sites. Also, the re-introduction of various language support for the forums will take place.
Hang tight - good things are coming!
PJ Deluhery
Active Member
I agree with Gray to the extent that the same questions from “newbies” seem to be asked again and again: which scale is best, oils vs. acrylics, how do I get started, etc. It does make sense to me to have a “new to the hobby” section on the current main page where a reasonably static set of links are assembled to address these questions. These links need not be created from scratch, but can be links to the many past/present discussions on these topics that currently exist.
It would be nice for the Planet to be a welcoming place for newbies, and help promote the hobby, but not at the expense of serving the rest of us. I think the Planet is already pretty well organized - at least I have very little trouble navigating the site and finding what interests me. And Guy you’re right – it’s the contributors that make the Planet a great place. Let’s not do anything to discourage THAT! So, create a newbies section if you like, but let’s not fix what is not broken.
My 2 cents!
It would be nice for the Planet to be a welcoming place for newbies, and help promote the hobby, but not at the expense of serving the rest of us. I think the Planet is already pretty well organized - at least I have very little trouble navigating the site and finding what interests me. And Guy you’re right – it’s the contributors that make the Planet a great place. Let’s not do anything to discourage THAT! So, create a newbies section if you like, but let’s not fix what is not broken.
My 2 cents!
megroot
A Fixture
Now it is my turn to speak :lol:
I'am totally agree with Guy. I couldn't say it better. But i have to say that a newbie page or welcome page should improve.
For this moment many people at my work see some figure's that i painted on my pc screen.
They asked my the ears from my head.
Then i explain, and explain and..... till i have one solution, that's i let them see the pF site.
After a few days some come back, others never, but they all say the same. It is difficult to find something for me, to start with.
In the painting section there is so much to read, they give up.
So there is something to improve.
I hope that i have explained something what i mean.
But for the STAFF::: Keep going and never let the Planet down.
Marc
I'am totally agree with Guy. I couldn't say it better. But i have to say that a newbie page or welcome page should improve.
For this moment many people at my work see some figure's that i painted on my pc screen.
They asked my the ears from my head.
Then i explain, and explain and..... till i have one solution, that's i let them see the pF site.
After a few days some come back, others never, but they all say the same. It is difficult to find something for me, to start with.
In the painting section there is so much to read, they give up.
So there is something to improve.
I hope that i have explained something what i mean.
But for the STAFF::: Keep going and never let the Planet down.
Marc
Pete_H
New Member
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2003
- Messages
- 1,176
Guy,
As for my work posted here, let me have it. Tell me what I can improve on, tell me what I'm doing right and doing wrong, help me learn how I can better myself as a painter, and be constructive about it. As Richard Nixon once said, "sock it to me." :lol:
As for my work posted here, let me have it. Tell me what I can improve on, tell me what I'm doing right and doing wrong, help me learn how I can better myself as a painter, and be constructive about it. As Richard Nixon once said, "sock it to me."
:lol:
PJ Deluhery
Active Member
Pete, it's really refereshing that you are open to sincere, constructive criticism; but relax, man, you are all doing just fine! This web site is a tremendous success. We appreciate all your fine work. This is a tweak, not a major change. We love you guys!
Guayo
New Member
Hi to all, great Idea Gray, when I enter the forum like you say I was totally lost, but after trying and trying, I finish understanding the ways things go here, but not many newbies like myself and many others have the patience to try to discover all the greats things, this forum has.
Two weeks ago I spend all the weekend looking into old S-B-S,after my eyes couldn't do more, I was thinking how all this great works are sometimes lost in time. Also the same problem with ome articles, they are not know because of the way they are storage.
Thera are many things to do, I know we can do it together
Best Wishes and thank you planet members
Eduardo.
Two weeks ago I spend all the weekend looking into old S-B-S,after my eyes couldn't do more, I was thinking how all this great works are sometimes lost in time. Also the same problem with ome articles, they are not know because of the way they are storage.
Thera are many things to do, I know we can do it together
Best Wishes and thank you planet members
Eduardo.
Patrick Kirk
New Member
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2003
- Messages
- 839
Good point Petey...think that we all could use some constructive criticism if we are to grow as an artist and as a community.
What do you think my brothers, Petey, Lou and Larry..?
Patrick
What do you think my brothers, Petey, Lou and Larry..?
Patrick
