Idea about the gallery function.

[modeller_masa]

Hello,

I have some ideas about improving the completed gallery. The ideas are not organized yet, so I apologize for nonintuitive post.

 

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/37869-hmcs-snowberry-by-modeller_masa-finished-revell-1144-plastic/#findComment-1083231

 

The idea came from the Chris Coyle's comment. I thought the post wasn't a good place for continuing discussion, so I moved it here.

 

I'm here for productive discussion, rather than a dirty debate between explicit and implicit rules of the boards. Let's shortcut to the past 'culture' of this site and please focus on better user experience.

 

Issue 1. Did members who wrote formal build logs use the completed gallery after they finished the projects?

Issue 2. Should the finished project without a full build log go to the completed gallery?

Issue 3. How can we improve the gallery board?

 

Issue 1. Did members who wrote formal build logs use the completed gallery after they finished the projects?
From the past experiences, it is clear that many members who wrote build logs didn't upload the last pictures to the completed gallery. Most members tend to finish the build logs without using the completed gallery.

 

Why? Uploading the same pictures to multiple boards on the same site seems rather pointless.

 - People don't like to upload the same post again.

 

Are there any technical issues? Yes. 

 - The completed gallery has limited functionality. It doesn't allow uploading video or Youtube.

 - Posting photos in a desirable sequence is a bit complex. On the contrary, I can manually and freely arrange photos in the other boards.

 

What are awkward factors to post in the completed gallery?

 - It is inconvenient to upload the same post double time. Where is the "copy and paste" button?

 - The completed gallery shows every photo at the headline! Every member investigates and grades my project with an electron microscope!

 - The headline section spreads every photo I posted in an album. I don't want to monopolize the top of the site for a week. I hope to share the limited headline space with other members. It is a reason I upload only 6 pictures per album in the gallery. It will be better to show only one title picture of each gallery post at the headline.

 - There are so brilliant neighbors next door - a gallery of contemporary models and scratch build models. I feel burdened by the greatness. It is easier to cut in among crowded build log boards rather than standing between two great men. - Self-censoring.

 

 

Issue 2. Should the finished project without a build log go to the completed gallery?

I would like to respect the terms of service of this site. However, the technical and mental barriers of the gallery make me hesitant to use it frequently. I think I should upload only selected projects in the gallery or nothing.

 

Issue 3. How can we improve the gallery board?

I have some ideas to improve usage of the gallery board. Unfortunately, most of the ideas need modifications to the board system.

 

(Source: https://mmzone.co.kr/ )

This is the top screen of the famous modelling community in South Korea. The top screen shows only the first image of each gallery post. Some members use the title screen wisely, so they select an interesting picture or add letters on the first image. It also gives additional chances to showcase previously posted albums. Each row shows 5 different projects. Thanks to the board system, I don't hesitate to upload 20 photos at once.

 

If people don't like it, a carrot will help to accomplish the goal. A simple magic - transfer button to move the selected photos of the finished project from the build logs board to the completed gallery will be very helpful.

 

 

 

There is no reason to always be the best. I don't think we need to fix everything and make every site the same shape. Each site has a service agreement to achieve a specific goal. It can be called "a culture". However, when some site design factors reduce user experience, so they make it hard for members to reach the goal-terms of service, action will be better to make members swallow the goal smoothly.

[ccoyle]

I think you are missing the main point I was trying to get across in the other thread. The issue there was not the use of the gallery but rather the use of the build logs area. The function of the build logs area should be self-evident: it is an area in which members create logs of their builds in progress. Showing images of a finished model by itself, without any log of the build process, is not a build log and sidesteps the intended purpose of the build logs area. Members go to build logs expecting to see how a model is built.

 

Making use of the gallery is entirely optional. A modeler who finishes a build may exhibit images of the finished model in his or her build log, in the gallery, or both. There is no requirement that images of finished build log subjects be displayed in the gallery only.

 

The question of the functionality of our gallery is a subject that can be discussed, but the questions of when to use the gallery versus using a build log is not at all difficult.

[Chuck]

Its rather simple.  Build logs are for the purpose of documenting your progress as you work through a given project.  As Chris explained.  Yes this also logically would end with photos of the project completed.   But it doesnt make sense to use a build log to post only photos of your completed model.  If you dont show “build photos” it should not really be there.  It isnt a BUILD log then.  
 

And separately
 

The gallery is entirely separate and shouldnt be confused with the build log area in functionality.  It is there for the sole purpose of adding albums of your completed models.  Simple enough.  They can be of a model you also used a build log to document during its construction.  It is your choice.  The reason we limit it to only photos of a completed model should be obvious.  
 

In the early days…Many folks were abusing having two areas to post construction images and placing them within their logs and also in a gallery album.  Many in fact would always bump photos of other members models off the top of the forum (gallery banner) in order to always have their own models prominently displayed across the top of the forum every hour of every day.  We have had Some very self serving members

in the past.  I am not kidding when I say we had two guys that wouldnt let another member have their gallery images posted for more than an hour before they would just bump them off with more nonsense build photos from about ten different angles of their own work.  Hence the rule of only posting pictures of completed models.  It is not a second opportunity to create two build logs on the same site.

 

Both are absolutely optional.  They serve different purposes.  Create a build log if you like…and create an album for your completed projects if you like.  Or both.

 

In addition…the display of our gallery as it stands is limited to our forum software capabilities, unfortunately.  So what you see now with images across the top of the forum are how it works.  As well as other album viewing details.  These can not be changed.  It is better to have a gallery than not have one so …it is what it is.

 

But build logs should contain construction photos…if not…use the gallery for you completed model photos please.