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Blog vs. discussion forum thread, sharing multiple layout efforts MRH forum help
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New member 26 posts MockingCard New member 26 posts
MockingCard

A couple related questions:

  1. I’m considering starting either a blog or a discussion forum thread to document the planning, design and construction of a small layout.Is there protocol or etiquette about whether I should use a blog or a new discussion forum thread to do this?Pros / cons of either approach?

  2. I am actively building my first layout – tracklaying is complete and I am beginning structures and scenery.Meanwhile, I’m concurrently designing my next layout (layout brainstorming, planning and design is one of my favorite parts of the hobby).I want to share thoughts and progress and solicit feedback on both projects.If I want to blog on both of these, is it possible to have two blogs with one user name / subscription?If possible, would it be recommended to have two separate blogs – or should I combine all my efforts into one blog?(If I go the discussion forum thread approach, presumably I would have separate threads for each layout project).

Both layouts are HO scale and set in the mid-1950s.  The first, under active construction, is a 5’ x 4’ Maine backwoods themed layout.  The second I’m planning to be an HO traction exhibition layout, to be built in sections using TOMA.  The theme will be streetcar and interurban service in the downtown and suburbs of a large New England metropolis.

Thanks for any feedback,

Aaron V.
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jeffshultz MRH Staff 8,023 posts
jeffshultz

Go Blog

There is is no practical difference between a Blog Post and a Discussion Forum thread. Both come up on the Recent Posts page, and both allow comments.

The differences are largely attitudinal - a blog post is considered to be under the control of the poster/owner. If they want to shut it down, with limitations, we're okay with that. It can be hidden by the owner (which has the added advantage of letting a person working on a blog post create it, and add additional comments to it, before publishing it for all to see and comment. A good tool for getting your thoughts organized, or setting up several comments worth of photos without interruption. A discussion thread post belongs to the world - once it's out there it's out there, open for commenting by everyone subscribed to MRH.

Oh, and blog posts get mentioned in the "Recent Blog Posts" lists on the right. Discussion forum threads don't.

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Jeff Shultz - MRH Technical Assistant
DCC Features Matrix/My blog index
Modeling a fictional GWI shortline combining three separate areas into one freelance-ish railroad.
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joef MRH Founder 17,599 posts
joef

Blog please

Yes, please do a blog if it's to be a personal journal. Forum threads are more for round-table discussions where nobody has the floor. When you use a blog, we can give you a personal URL you can easily share -- for example: mrhmag.com/blog/AaronV

Joe Fugate​
Publisher, Model Railroad Hobbyist magazine

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Read my blog
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railandsail Prolific poster 8,876 posts
railandsail

More Widely Distributed?

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't the material (including photos) more widely distributed thruout the internet if it is contained in a discussion form rather than a blog?

I know I have found some RR discussions on certain subjects while searching  IMAGES that I might not have discovered otherwise. And I believe those images might NOT have appeared in the images pages had they been posted in a blog rather than a discussions format??

 

 

Brian

1) First Ideas: Help Designing Dbl-Deck Plan in Dedicated Shed
2) Next Idea: Another Interesting Trackplan to Consider
3) Final Plan: Trans-Continental Connector
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