Sunday 5 June 2011

Defending The Territory


Sometime ago I noted the interesting opinion of one of the denizens of a well-known cyberspace supersite that the more information I post here the more worthless it becomes. This is, apparently, because it is difficult to find what you are looking for. A curious proposition which I hope won't discourage the many fine people working through dusty archives and generously sharing their findings. Interestingly about the same time was a whine about having to search here "until the cows come home" and still not finding a definitive answer, as though I should be obligated to provide one.

The blogging format is really intended for regular consumption, e.g. you visit regularly to read the latest blog or blogs (if there are any!) and take what you need for inclusion in your own filing system. For those who might have just arrived the back catalogue can be formidable to contemplate but hopefully fun and rewarding to delve into. The format here is determined by the host "Blogger" and although there are optional parameters to tailor the site there are certain fixed conventions. One of these is that comments are linked to each specific blog rather than open to posting as on forum sites. Having spent some time looking for information at a number of well known forums I do not believe it is any more difficult here - to begin with a lot less is posted (I'll leave it at that and leave you to ponder the inherent value of the very many more posts at forum sites).


On the front page here, scrolling down on the right, will be found the Archives. These may be expanded by year, by month and by blog title. It doesn't take very long to scroll through these and each blog when opened has its own web page and associated comments (where made). It is possible therefore to open multiple blogs on your desktop from a particular series (by opening them in a new page each time). OK, so some of the blog titles are a tad ambiguous and may require a quick look to see whether they are of interest - and, yes, lurking amongst the "useful" information are some of my more misanthropic rants but, hey, it is my blog. In any case the rants can be ignored in preference for the good stuff. And individual pages can be bookmarked for re-visiting. There is no search engine (although this site does respond to open web search engines whose bots are permitted to crawl over it) but having used those at some of the other forums the listed archives here are arguably more straightforward. I'm pleased to see the blog format is catching on with other modellers as it permits individual expression unintimidated by forum gangs, allows specialist focus and discourages trolls who just want to express their angst because some people know more than they do.

I have set the site up so the Archives are preserved rather than deleted after a certain period (which is also an option). So everything posted is always available. The site is free and I operate it on a voluntary basis in my spare time (such as it is) with the kind and generous support of several others. Why? Because I am passionate about the subject and I know that others are too. People who are passionate about certain themes usually don't mind spending a bit of time digging up the buried gems.


On the other hand the bone idle who want everything on a plate, who see the hobby in terms of black and white divisions or who run with modelling cliques (such as the one shown below on their way to deliver a bashing to those with a serious interest in colour that extends beyond hobby paints), who prefer dogma to exploration, and competition to collaboration, probably won't like it here. Nobody forces them to visit. If it is all too much like hard work or they are subsumed by hostility at who they think I am then my earnest recommendation to them is not to bother and to continue to paint their Zero models stupid colours.


One of the other options for this format is to make the blog membership only for those invited to have access via a username and password. After reading what I read yesterday I am sorely tempted . . .

11 comments:

Young Ian said...

Mr. Millman, I must admit to having experienced bemusement on occasion when, having worked my way through an exhaustive, painstakingly researched, presented and argued post, I'm rewarded at the end with your conclusion that the wheelwells of, say, the Ki-253 Smoke Dragon was definitely painted in a color or colors, unless left unpainted. That said, you're one of my heroes.

I'll venture one thought re your last essay: you and I started modeling in an earlier age. True, we didn't have to scratchbuild, but the bottom line was--is it more work to scratchbuild, or to fix this lump of turquoise styrene shaped vaguely like a Seiran? I don't think younger enthusiasts are "bone idle," but I do think they have lost some resourcefulness. Their highest ambition is to be sharp consumers, and not get stuck with second-rate product. They tend to forget that blogs and forums aren't retail operations, but collaborative endeavors.

Of course, I never did finish a lot of the rudimentary kits that I had such grand plans for improving, so the 21st century attitude has its points.

--Ian

Straggler 脱走兵 said...

Well, Young Ian, I'm struggling to recognise that article you attribute to me - perhaps you could be a bit more specific or was it just hyperbole? The fact remains that definitive conclusions and Japanese aircraft colours seldom collide in a neatly wrapped and stowed away parcel which is a slightly different thing. Although there are plenty of us who add two and two to make five.

And I don't think I stated that "younger enthusiasts are bone idle" did I? Age did not enter into that sentiment nor should it and quite a few of the younger enthusiasts have more open and searching minds than some of the older fellows who sometimes find it difficult to alter their preconceptions, preferences and prejudices.

Now I better stop work on that Aoshima Goshikisen in order to better live up to your stereotypes. ;-)

Nick

Young Ian said...

My example is hyperbole, of course, and not meant as criticism in any dimension. I admire your refusal to offer up some kind of definite, summative conclusion when the evidence, no matter how much you've amassed, does not warrant one. That's not such a common talent.

--Ian

Straggler 脱走兵 said...

Thanks Ian. And I promise my next blog is just a coincidence - albeit a strange one!

Nick

Anonymous said...

Nick, I've enjoyed your site as I have some affinity for IJN/IJA aircraft. I've been amazed and at times confused of all of the color/finish controversy concerning these a/c. Overall I think significant clarity has emerged form your research and that of others. However, we must try not to take ourselves too seriously...too much dogma spoils the broth. BTW, I like your caveman illustrations.

Cheers,
George Crozier aka "Cpngroats"

Bob Alford said...

Shame, shame shame on you Nick! Fancy having the gall to make things so difficult in finding items on YOUR blog!

Personally I have had no problems -I point the cursor at the little pennant thingy, click once, watch the little pennant thingy do a 90 degree shift and lo! An index of the items appears by monthly entries - not very difficult at all really, but then some people would whinge if you were shoving diamonds...never mind.

Keep up the good work as frustrating as it must be.

Cheers,

Bob Alford
Lampang Thailand

Straggler 脱走兵 said...

Thanks George. I'll bear that in mind. I hope that I don't do dogma but taking my self too seriously might be almost as bad as being patronising ;-)

Bob, yeah, I know, that's me all over - an awkward cuss at the best of times and much disliked in certain quarters! KBO!

Best
Nick

Wily said...

I like this blog.

Thank you for producing it.

johnmollison (dot) com

Straggler 脱走兵 said...

Thanks Wily! I like your blog too.

Regards
Nick

Anonymous said...

Hi Nick!

So glad to see you posting again!

There are numpties on every board. They seem to labour under the assumption that a lack of knowledge can be compensated for by increasing the volume of their postings. These types are best ignored, please do not let them interfere with your efforts in any way. I am certain that I speak for others when I say I find your postings quite valuable, they do much to promote my understanding of Japanese modeling.

Thanks for all your efforts,
Jeff

Straggler 脱走兵 said...

Thanks Jeff - your comments are much appreciated.

Regards
Nick