Rebadging one of the forums?

@marty-johnson Bang on the money IMO Marty!!  Well stated.

Ah, yes, I did see Marty’s post about combining the scale forums, but when I tried to reassure George that “nobody” ever proposed merging scales, I really meant that the proposal for a new “modelmaking and dioramas” forum didn’t imply any wider notion of reformatting the whole Diecast Zone.

On that question, I have to stick to my views as stated earlier in this post. I don’t particularly think that the existence of separate scale forums had anything to do with declining participation, or that it locks people into their own narrow focus. Some people have a broad interest in all models and scales, but if others are only focused on one scale, you won’t change their mind by pushing them into a combined “all scales” forum. And as for that kind of forum encouraging impulse buys that might not otherwise happen, well, there may be people who will randomly buy models in any scale to make a nice shelf display, but as I said, for practical reasons of cost and space, more serious collectors concentrate on one scale and find it convenient to have a forum offering the latest news, pictures and comment in their preferred scale, rather than having to wade through a mountain of posts of no immediate interest to them. (Unless, of course, the idea is to “re-educate” all us narrow-minded “one scale” people and train us to absorb the whole spectrum of model products on a daily basis, just to broaden our outlook).

I am happy to browse the other forums to see if there is anything of passing interest in other scales, but I don’t want it forced on me.

As for the stuff about special events and sales promotions, well, I’m afraid that sounds like one of those TV or radio shows where any serious content is swamped by endless ads and promotions and WOW! GET THIS! special deals, and trailers for upcoming events, and shouty presenters telling us about the latest gimmick they have dreamed up to try and whip up excitement and stimulate viewer participation (and purchases). Somewhere between trash TV and a shopping channel.

If it ever came to that, I think I would probably say a fond farewell to the acquaintances I’ve made on Forum 43 and The Lounge, change my status from Famed Member to Former Member, and go looking for quiet, focussed, un-gimmicky scale model information and discussion somewhere else.

I suggested a new forum for a particular interest group. If that comes about, fine. If the idea doesn’t win enough support and is quietly dropped, fine. Any notion of reorganising or merging the forums is an entirely different matter and should be proposed to JK or to all forum participants as a separate issue. Needless to say, I would be voting against.

My intuition tells me that Marty may be fighting a one-man  battle (I've been there often myself... 😔 😔). 

Promotions, theme-days, sales, etc.. are fine ideas to spark interest/comradery but I think everyone (including me ) finds separate forums for each of the different scales a convenient feature. Should I want to "peek"  at another forum/scale I can easily do so but never do I have to... like I would if scales were combined.

Amen to that.

And if anyone wants to keep tabs on the latest news and comments in all scales they can simply do what Jack Dodds says he likes to do - click on "Recent Posts", which covers all the forums.

@chris - Yes, it's lonely being a visionary!  However, I've always looked to stand out and be different. It is a philosophy that has served me pretty well in my numerous business ventures.  As I said, these are the things I would do if it were my show.  It ain't my show so it ain't my call.  LOL!  

@marty-johnson Yes, I'm well aware your idiosyncrasies. You, Musk, Gates, Buffett, Zuckerberg, Jobs and Bezos all see the world slightly differently. But Marty, just one favor, when you do gain control over this site (and its forums )..... please don't rename it "X." 🙄 🙄 

@chris - Not to worry.  There are no intentions of going into the diecast sales business.  LOL!