Net54baseball- Game Used Forum? all sports?

[travrosty]

Originally Posted by Leon

I hope (but maybe not) that would fall under this memorabilia section. Pretty soon there won't be anything so general as "memorabilia" for this section .

branching out the general memorabilia section more and more is risky, autographs branched out, fine. there is still enough in the general memorabilia section to keep some posts current and people posting, but if branching out to gu and photographs and left handed socks worn by hof'ers, you risk on gutting it too much, and if people see that the last post on a forum was from three days ago, then they stop clicking on that forum altogether.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by travrosty

branching out the general memorabilia section more and more is risky, autographs branched out, fine. there is still enough in the general memorabilia section to keep some posts current and people posting, but if branching out to gu and photographs and left handed socks worn by hof'ers, you risk on gutting it too much, and if people see that the last post on a forum was from three days ago, then they stop clicking on that forum altogether.

I agree with this general sentiment and even commented about it in my last post. I think each change has taken into account the dynamics of the board. The last one, separating the autographs, seems to have gone fine. The post-war side of the board is fine though some of the lesser forums don't get posts for a few days. Still, it's not too bad. I wouldn't want a main forum to be too inactive. I think consolidating to have more posts in "a" forum is better. That being said, when I look at the amount of game used discussion we have, it is negligible. As was said in the very first post, this discussion is exactly what was intended. Thanks to everyone who has given an opinion so far. Also, if this new forum (on here) does get done, we will also break out the autograph forum into a main header icon, as previously discussed.
Keeping the number of icons across the top of each page the same, this (below) is what I sent to our techy guy, Brian M., yesterday....to start discussion on some changes.....the icons/forums from left to right (on each page as they are now) would potentially be-

Net54 Form Homepage – Pre-WWII Baseball cards
Buy/Sell/Trade
Memorabilia
Game Used
Autographs
Post War/Watercooler
Vintage Links
Rules/Detection/Archives


Nothing is set in stone yet. Also, I could see potentially splitting up the Game Used into modern and vintage. Just like any board decision, there is 0 possibility of making everyone happy. The goal is to make the majority happy while still having a nice, safe place to discuss different parts of our hobby. An analogy might be asking folks what they like better, chocolate or vanilla. With that question you will not get a 100% agreement. Same idea for this proposed change. Thanks for everyone's thoughts so far.

[barrysloate]

It looks like the direction of the board, as it matures and gets larger, is to create more specific areas of discussion. I guess the key is to make sure there will be enough activity to justify a new forum. In the case of game used equipment, I'm sure there is. I love to discuss vintage baseball books, but if that had its own section it might get 2 or 3 threads a month, so I would not lobby for it.

[sylbry]

It would be great to have a place for the knowledgeable former members of GUU (or those who simply do not post any longer) to have a place to chat. But if it devolves into what GUU has become, a place for little discussion and lots of show and tell threads about modern equipment, then don't bother.

Be prepared for ego and conflict management though. As a whole game used collectors are without a doubt the most spiteful group of collectors out there.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by sylbry

It would be great to have a place for the knowledgeable former members of GUU (or those who simply do not post any longer) to have a place to chat. But if it devolves into what GUU has become, a place for little discussion and lots of show and tell threads about modern equipment, then don't bother.

Be prepared for ego and conflict management though. As a whole game used collectors are without a doubt the most spiteful group of collectors out there.

Yikes.....certainly some thoughts to consider....

[barrysloate]

Come on Leon- spiteful groups create some great train wrecks. And who doesn't like a good train wreck?

[John V]

I recommend shelving the Game Used category for now. I don't see the demand for a breakout. Less to click on too.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by John V

I recommend shelving the Game Used category for now. I don't see the demand for a breakout. Less to click on too.

You don't see the demand yet you are in the minority. I guess I wouldn't see the demand if I were in the minority either. You either didn't read the rest of this thread or just want to say "no", which is everyone's prerogative.

BTW, there is also a chance we could just add a sub-forum to the memorabilia forum....such as we did for the autographs....

[Lordstan]

I say no to the change, especially if the format is as it is listed above. I think separating things out just fragments the board more without a specific need.

While I disagree with what happened to the autograph section for multiple reasons, I do understand why many wanted it. The constant fighting between a few members created a hostile atmosphere, which many wanted to avoid. I still think it's easier to not click on a thread that annoys you than it is to go to a new category, but that decision is already done. I will say that since the change, one of the things that I do notice, is that there seems to be less traffic from many people who I used to see post occasionally about autographs, as well as the other stuff.

In this case, is there really a NEED for a new category? Are there so many posts about GU that they bother those who don't collect that stuff? No. Are the people who collect GU on this forum fighting all the time as to create a negative atmosphere? No. Is there something about current format that is preventing those who collect GU from posting? I don't think so.

For me, I like to see everything. I read most of the threads on the board, at least initially, to see if it interests me. Would I make the effort to go to a separate GU forum? Probably not. Especially if I had to wade through a lot of new stuff. I think this is similar to what I noted above about less different people posting about autographs.

I guess my point is that I see this board as a sort of family. Most families have good times and bad. Many many fights and reconciliations. IMHO, more separation leads to less interaction, less unity, and less enjoyment. If autos had been separate when I joined, I don't know if I would've been influenced by Jimmy(kingofclout), David Atkatz, Ben(Forever Young), and a host of others who spurred on my interest in vintage photography collecting. I learned, enjoyed, and met so many more nice people than I would've had it all been separate. That benefit far outweighs any negatives.

Sorry, Leon. One last point.
If you do decide to do this, I would suggest you keep autographs, GU, and any others that come up, as a sub-forum of the memorabilia section. All these things should be grouped together, as they are specific foci of memorabilia collecting.

(Cool. I got to use the word FOCI in a post. Sorry I am easily amused.)

Best,
Mark

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

I say no to the change, especially if the format is as it is listed above. I think separating things out just fragments the board more without a specific need.

While I disagree with what happened to the autograph section for multiple reasons, I do understand why many wanted it. The constant fighting between a few members created a hostile atmosphere, which many wanted to avoid. I still think it's easier to not click on a thread that annoys you than it is to go to a new category, but that decision is already done. I will say that since the change, one of the things that I do notice, is that there seems to be less traffic from many people who I used to see post occasionally about autographs, as well as the other stuff.

In this case, is there really a NEED for a new category? Are there so many posts about GU that they bother those who don't collect that stuff? No. Are the people who collect GU on this forum fighting all the time as to create a negative atmosphere? No. Is there something about current format that is preventing those who collect GU from posting? I don't think so.

For me, I like to see everything. I read most of the threads on the board, at least initially, to see if it interests me. Would I make the effort to go to a separate GU forum? Probably not. Especially if I had to wade through a lot of new stuff. I think this is similar to what I noted above about less different people posting about autographs.

I guess my point is that I see this board as a sort of family. Most families have good times and bad. Many many fights and reconciliations. IMHO, more separation leads to less interaction, less unity, and less enjoyment. If autos had been separate when I joined, I don't know if I would've been influenced by Jimmy(kingofclout), David Atkatz, Ben(Forever Young), and a host of others who spurred on my interest in vintage photography collecting. I learned, enjoyed, and met so many more nice people than I would've had it all been separate. That benefit far outweighs any negatives.

Sorry, Leon. One last point.
If you do decide to do this, I would suggest you keep autographs, GU, and any others that come up, as a sub-forum of the memorabilia section. All these things should be grouped together, as they are specific foci of memorabilia collecting.

(Cool. I got to use the word FOCI in a post. Sorry I am easily amused.)

Best,
Mark

Good thoughts Mark...and they are appreciated. The reason that the autograph section isn't as active as it was might be that a few of the folks left....because people were badmouthing what they were trying to do. It happens. I do agree, as I have said all along, I would prefer fewer sections with more threads than more sections with less threads. Still, nothing is set in stone and the debate continues. I do think there is somewhat of a need for a GU forum here but maybe a sub-forum, such as the autograph forum, would do the trick.

And whomever made the comment about advertising.. ....I honestly didn't think of that but if there were another advertiser or two, it wouldn't hurt my feelings.

[Lordstan]

Originally Posted by Leon

The reason that the autograph section isn't as active as it was might be that a few of the folks left....because people were badmouthing what they were trying to do. It happens.

That is not exactly what I meant.
I meant that when everything was combined, many who don't collect autographs would still see the items and often comment. Sometimes those comments would enhance the enjoyment and understanding of that item, even if it wasn't autograph specific. There are even less "Good Job", "Great Pickup", and "Congrats" replies being posted on both monthly pickup threads.

[drc]

Game Used would fit in to the normal memorabilia area. Autographs in theory would too. Autographs was moved because it dominated the memorabilia section and deserved its on section. we don't know how popular the gu section would be here, so it's hard to say that it should have its on section versus is part of the old memorabilia section.

If it proves to be a daily popular topic on Net54, like autographs is here, then I'd vote it's reasonable for it to have its on section. There are a lot of collectors who specialize in game used.