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Forum 43
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Topic starter
16/12/2018 6:25 am
Website forums (like this) vs. Facebook newsgroups
Some of you may have noticed I haven't been posting here much lately. Instead I've been getting more involved in Facebook groups devoted to the hobby. I'm on at least four of them - Scale143 is one of the largest, having surpassed 1,000 members just a short time ago. Then there's one devoted to 1:43 Handbuilts, Jeff Lane's 1:43 Motor City group, a Tekno group, a Goldvarg group (hosted by Sergio), and numerous others. Karl, Keko, Greg G, and others here belong to one or more of these.
There are advantages. A LOT more photos get posted, probably aided by the ease of upload (no need to resize to fit like we have to do here). There are vast numbers of worldwide collectors and I have seen some amazing collections. And a lot of the posters are into dioramas and photo backgrounds, many of which are darn near realistic compared to the 1:1.
Of course the ease of uploads can have some strange consequences. Jeff Drobot, moderator of Scale143, recently challenged members to post as many unique vehicle manufacturers as possible. That string is now over 300 posts long now, and I must have seen at least 4 or 5 cars beginning with "Z", for example. But with a string this long, duplicates crop up, arguments over whether one make is a duplicate or not, etc. - one poster even calling the string a "train wreck". And in other posts the picture is displayed with no text, leaving us to guess as to the maker and/or car make.
But there's a lot to learn on Facebook groups, and make new collector contacts who might help you find your holy grail.
16/12/2018 6:59 am
I'm on a few too, and they are very good.
I spend 20-30 minutes a day on Facebook, and that's it to avoid going down the rabbit hole. So I'm sure I miss a lot, which at least I don't here.
Retired in Dunedin, Florida.
Topic starter
16/12/2018 7:09 am
That rabbit hole traps me now and then, hour or two going by without realizing.
16/12/2018 11:13 am
Forums VS Facebook groups
My opinion about is both are excellent choices to meet and share with other collectors, and both have their moments.
In fact, in Facebook groups you can share easy many pics and find many collectors as Facebook is easily usable and many people are inside. I write in some modelcars collectors forum and I noticed in Spanish forums the users activity has come down in benefit of Facebook groups that are continuously growing. It is different from this forum or Scale143.com that is an international forum with many members worldwide that I see the activity is always the same.
My conclusion is both are good alternatives as meeting points for us. So, if you are going to create a Facebook community from this forum, you can stand with me.
Cheers
Keko Romero Sánchez
Cádiz, Spain
http://kekomovil.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/KekoRS143
https://www.youtube.com/@ElKekomovil143
16/12/2018 4:44 pm
I like posting on both. The Facebook groups are very diverse and show a lot of model choices.
I just wish I had more time to spend on all of them, here and Facebook.
John Merritt
South Lyon, Michigan - USA
17/12/2018 12:01 am
Sounds interesting. Not a Facebook user so will have to stay with F43
17/12/2018 3:34 am
Just joined Scale 143, thanks Harvey.
17/12/2018 8:12 am
+1 Same for me.
17/12/2018 11:44 am
I'm on 1/43 Resin and White Metal Car Kits.
I've moved from simply collecting 1:24/1:25 & 1:43 to building them as well as scale ships and model railroading. There's something about doing it myself that brings much more pleasure than just spending money and putting it on a shelf.
17/12/2018 2:13 pm
Harv, your excellent post prompted me to join three of the groups you mentioned
Some good discussion and great photos in these groups.
I don't know FB well. Any idea how to get rid of the political and social commentary, news items and ads? Do you or others have these pop up? Maybe I have a filtering issue with my FB. Appreciate any help on this.
I find this hobby a great escape from troubles of the World and enjoy concentrating on our little 1:43 subjects.