New Users....

[Eddy Matthews]

Can I just make a quick plea on behalf of new users....

Remember when you first went along to your model boat club, as the new kid on the block.... Would you have joined the club if everyone ignored you on your first visit? No, of course you wouldn't - You would have walked away to find a friendlier bunch, and rightly so!

So can I ask that you take the time to make a quick reply to the first message posted by a new user - Even if you have no interest in what they wish to model, or you cannot answer their question, just say "hi" and welcome them to Paddleducks...

Hopefully that way they'll feel welcome, rather than feeling ignored - As I said, remember your first visit, and treat them as you would wish to be treated yourself...

Okay plea/rant over

[Dano]

Thanks Eddy- I was replied to right out of the chute, and you're right- it is heartening.

[scotfriend]

Hi Eddy,

you are right, i had this situation when i went to the Winterthur model boat club, on the phone the chairman was so friendly but when i meet him only a short hello and, that's it. So i went on to another club and these guy's were much friendlier, since then i am am member of the MSZN at Zurich.

Regards Hans

[Daryl]

Same here, my local model boat club is not exactly children friendly so my son and I went to Yate and Sodbury MBC and what a warm welcombe we had. We find them one of the most helpful and friendly boat clubs around and we recommend Yate and Sodbury  to anyone.

Daryl

[andy]

Hi,

I remember, that my welcome here was very, very friendly. So I will join this forum in future.

Here a little story of a model club and a "welcome"

Some years ago (about 30) I was a member of a model boat club at Frankenthal/germany. I always had my tug model of the PELZERHAKEN and the LEVIATHAN. One weekend, they made a public model exhibition, and someone of my "friends" said something like "Andy and his slow tugs"...

The others all had fuel driven raceboats on our lake in the weekend and in the exhibition.

This words were working in me.

So, the following weekend, I was visiting my brother near Munich, and there I went to a special shop of OCTURA boats. This were special race boats from an American manufacturer. I asked to show me the fastest boat, the seller showed me the WILDCAT, a model catamaran with air foil profile. Then I said OK, I will buy the hull. Then I asked him to show the biggest engine to me, he had available. He said, OK, that´s the WEBRA 15 cubic centimetres with an output of about 4,5 hp, but this would be too big for the hull of the WILDCAT. But I did not hear, I took the engine and proved it in the hull, and there was at once an idea in my brain to combine the two components. Then I bought an Z- drive, and at home I made a new model. It did work. And instead of an exhaust system of a motorcycle on the boat like my "friends" I developed a 5 tubed chromed exhaust system to both sides of the model, one was sourced with an hidden exhaust silencer in the boat (integrated) and the other side was the exhaust of the cooling water.

Ok, next model exhibition- my friends were quiet, nobody said anything about my tugs any more. And when I started this boat the first time: 180 km/h, and when laying in the water with running engine and exhausts under water, the sound was like a 7.2 big block corvette.

This model was the result of some unfriendly words. it is still a member of my collection.

Andy

[tonyh]

This is the one area where the RTR really comes into its own.
When anyone first approaches a club it can obviously be a daunting experience, when everyone else is sailing/discussing their projects, a newcomer is unfortunately left out, and has to 'find their feet'. The newcomer is left with many months of work, before having anything to show.
Despite the criticisms the RTR, such as the Graupner 'Southampton' fits the bill in giving the newcomer, not only a model to have on the water, but also, confidence and an ability to 'join in the fun'. This RTR can be sailed whilst the main project is under construction.
This is my thoughts from being in that position some 30 years ago.

Tony

[ronhk]

I'd like to reply to all that. My first time on this site - 28th July - and four constructive, friendly replies on the same evening!
Made me feel very welcome and not as though I was hung out to dry waiting around like a lemon. I belonged to a couple of other forums and had noticed on one that were a few newbies who had still not got a simple "hello"! Me being one of them
The difference it makes to someone who has not been modeling for long, who wants to "show-off" their hard-worked piece of kit and who is proud of their results, only to not even get an acknowledgement or hello could put some newbies off for life. Or at least to keep their results to themselves. It does not take much to keep the membership happy and thanks go to Eddy for reminding people of that.
Again, thanks to everyone and look forward to completing my - unmotorized!! - paddle boat and downloading photos when done.

Ron.

[Eddy Matthews]

I always remember my first visit to a model flying club when I was into radio controlled aircraft - I had every intention of joining, but I may as well have been part of the scenery for all the notice the members took of me!

After half an hour I thought I'd try chatting to a couple of the guys - As soon as they realised I was a newbie they didn't want to know! So needless to say I walked away, after telling them what I thought! And joined another much friendlier club!

It doesn't take a huge amount of effort to be friendly, so why be nasty and ignore people? We all had to start somewhere, and being pleasant and offering a little advice costs nothing.... Wether the recipient takes that advice is another matter 

Anyway, thanks for the comments Ron, and I'm glad we made you feel welcome.

Regards
Eddy

[Fred Graham]

Hi Eddie,

You must be getting through to folks 'cos I feel welcome already and I've only just joined. Anyway thanks to all who have welcomed me but I do have a question about pictures. I have raised a thread about LPG and had some responses already but I have tried to put pictures into the document. I think I was successful as they are showing in the thread (albeit Duplicated !!) However when I tried to look at them, the magnification feature seemed to make them immense and I could not view the entire picture.

Please advise me if I am getting it right or is there a way of modifying the picture before inclusion in a thread. What I have done thus far is use Adobe photoshop and shrink the file size to the lowest resolution then save this copy for inclusion on the website. The pics are less than 200 kb

Anyway, I'm sure I will get there eventually but meantime thanks for making me feel at home.

All the best, Fred Graham


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[Eddy Matthews]

Fred,

Clicking on the image will open the picture to full size, but that may well mean you have to scroll left and right, up and down, to view the image..... Lets face it, with a large image that isn't ideal... But there is a solution.

Instead of clicking on the image, click on the filename (below the image), and then select "Open" - That will open a seperate window in your browser and the image will display in that instead - if your browser is setup correctly, the image will automatically be rescaled to fit - Voilla, no more scrolling!

Once you've viewed the image, just close the window to drop back to the forum....

Hope that helps?
Eddy

[karl]

Mr Mathews. Having just joined I hope to give few kind words to others in the future.Sharing ones knowledge and encouragement brings a good feeling.

[Red_Hamish]

Welcome Karl, we hope you enjoy your time on Paddleducks along with the others in the motley crew. Watch out for the antipodeans they can be a bit rowdy.    That is the beauty of this site in that no matter where you are in the world there are like minded people. Looking forweard to your questions and input.

cheers

Jim