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.

 

 

[modeller_masa]

Thank you for kind comments. Midnight is the most sentimental time to write an article. 😂

 

I'm sorry, but these are more excuses...

1. I wanted to upload "full" article here, including the youtube video. As I said, the gallery doesn't support video.

2. Most plastic projects finish within a week or a weekend. In this case, I feel writing a build log only delays the build time. It is ok to pass the rule by uploading only one picture of mid-building, but I don't want to tease other members with worthless picture. I'm in favor of serious build logs.

3. In some cases, I don't satisfy the current project and decide to make it again. In this case, I may build HMCS Buttercup with an expensive PE upgrades in a distant future. Therefore, I didn't want to expose the Snowberry project at the top...

 

I understand that the technical issues can't be solved very soon. It happens to many sites, including the Korean modelling community. They paid several years to fix some minor issues.

I may use some mid-building pictures next time. I always take a video when I build ships, so I can't give up the build log board.

 

Thank you again for watching my complaints, and happy new year~

 

----

 

* Korean doesn't upload a build log. All the posts in the Korean modelling community are completed projects. That was a big difference when I came here.

Edited yesterday at 04:20 AM by modeller_masa

[Knocklouder]

@modeller_masa building logs with lots of pictures help us members who have difficulty reading. When you see how it's done you can understand.  MSW/NRG  have set thing up so we can see how it's done not just the final ship

 They would be fun to look at but not seeing how they are done I would be lost.

 I know the Administrator  and moderators  have work tired  less Lee to set MSW up so we can learn how to build ships.  I can't thank them enough .

They are always open to suggestions, but I think the way they do it is  bang on.

My opinion only.

Bob M.

Edited 10 hours ago by Knocklouder
Guessing typos lol

[Gregory]

13 hours ago, modeller_masa said:

As I said, the gallery doesn't support video.

You can post a video in a build log.  Why would a video in the Gallery be more informative than a few well chosen pictures.

I personally don't care for a video, even in a build log.  You have to watch the whole thing to find an interesting view, then you have to pause and/or rewind to get a good look at what you are interested in.

 

 

[James H]

I'm not generally a fan of video.

 

I used some in the engine builds as that's the only way you can gauge the result. For static models, not so much.

[Justin P.]

I use both and appreciate the purpose of each. Many builders never create a build log but instead share their finished work in the gallery, giving those of us who are interested a chance to see and learn from their creations. Even without a build log, the gallery serves an important and informative role, as there is much to learn from how builders choose to "finish" their work, stage it, or display the final product. I’ve noticed that many build logs end without showcasing that critical final step of presentation and display. Additionally, the clutter of build log photography often detracts from the quality of the work itself. In contrast, the gallery offers a unique opportunity to declutter and focus the photography on the finished piece, free from the distractions of the workbench.  Ive never thought of it as repeating something from my build log, but an entirely separate contribution.

[Landlubber Mike]

15 hours ago, modeller_masa said:

 

 

* Korean doesn't upload a build log. All the posts in the Korean modelling community are completed projects. That was a big difference when I came here.

I'm a big fan of this site precisely because of the build log function.  I learn an incredible amount reading through build logs, and really enjoy the camaraderie that develops over a build.  If this site moved to just being a virtual museum of finished models, I probably wouldn't visit all that often.  You can get that on Facebook and other sites.  Where this site really shines is in the build log and community departments. 

 

Don't get me wrong, seeing pictures of a completed model can be inspiring and I certainly can appreciate the artistry in a well-made project.  I think the gallery function works great to alert people that a particular project is completed and give an overview of the project since I don't have the time to track every build log.  Often times though, it seems like those that only post pictures of their completed projects are projecting their egos in a "look at me" and/or marketing kind of way without really contributing to the community (Chuck's examples about abuses to the gallery system are unfortunate examples of this).  Again, I can get that on Facebook and other places that are not really designed to handle compartmentalized build logs.  

 

In summary, I think the build log and gallery functions serve good and independent objectives.  The rules around both seem fairly reasonable to me.

 

 

Edited 9 hours ago by Landlubber Mike

[Jsk]

I rarely visit the gallery section. While it can be inspirational I learn a lot more from the build logs. Can't say I'm a fan of videos in either place.