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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 8, 2013 11:19:50 GMT -8
This is the place for your comments regarding the new organization of the "other transportation" threads.
- ie. the Planes, trains and automobiles.
The purpose of this is to better showcase our quality threads on these other transportation modes, on the basis that this forum has some high quality items in these non-ferry categories. - ie. We're really happy with our Trains thread (and this might get broken into a few separate trains threads, but that's another story)
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I've not included our threads on Navy & Coast Guard ships here, because they aren't "Public Transportation." - I'm open to your ideas on whether Navy & Coast Guard should be included here.
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Post by Mike C on Oct 8, 2013 11:23:30 GMT -8
A thought that I had was creating a sub-board for trains, below Cruise Ships. I'm posting this here to see how our top rail contributors react to this idea.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 8, 2013 11:30:03 GMT -8
Just from the threads that I've been moving this morning, I've noticed that we have various smaller threads on special transit issue, special roads issues, and some special planes topics.
This means that perhaps a sub-board for each transporation type would be a good idea. ie. Transit sub-board Planes sub-board
etc.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 8, 2013 11:47:04 GMT -8
And now I've moved all the threads over to this new page, and you can see that there are many.
- so sub-boards would be a good idea for better organization.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 8, 2013 12:16:55 GMT -8
One of our members suggested this breakdown for separate train threads, by Region:
We can expand the USA region into more specific regions, based on what our members thing (and of course we'd need content for each region - not just 1-off)
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 8, 2013 13:42:30 GMT -8
All threads are now moved to the appropriate sub-board.
Next task will be to organize the Railway sub-board into some new threads by region, and some other rail threads. - this won't happen right away (this will be a long term project of mine).
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Oct 8, 2013 14:14:29 GMT -8
One of our members suggested this breakdown for separate train threads, by Region: We can expand the USA region into more specific regions, based on what our members thing (and of course we'd need content for each region - not just 1-off) While I appreciate the effort to keep things organized, I'm not sure this is the best way of doing it. I tend to look at the train thread fairly regularly, as trains are a fairly regular discussion topic among my friends, but I'm often looking for a particular picture or description I've seen in the past. The problem with being this specific in the threads is that I can never remember exactly what it is I saw... ie I might know it's a CN train, but I'm not sure if it was in the Fraser/Thompson canyon region, ex-BCR, or CN North. My suggestion would be to lump companies together, and perhaps have a separate thread dedicated to the canyon routes. I don't really think there's enough outside-BC content to warrant splitting that stuff off into separate threads.
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Post by Mike C on Oct 8, 2013 15:16:08 GMT -8
One of our members suggested this breakdown for separate train threads, by Region: We can expand the USA region into more specific regions, based on what our members thing (and of course we'd need content for each region - not just 1-off) My suggestion would be to lump companies together, and perhaps have a separate thread dedicated to the canyon routes. I don't really think there's enough outside-BC content to warrant splitting that stuff off into separate threads. I would have the same suggestion, for the same reasons.
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Post by Kahloke on Oct 8, 2013 18:35:51 GMT -8
Nice job setting up this new board and sorting through all the threads! Having done this with other boards, I know what is involved, so I definitely appreciate you guys taking this on.
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Post by Curtis on Oct 8, 2013 19:11:57 GMT -8
First off, good idea! Considering most of us have interest in many modes of transit it just makes sense. (Funny it took this long though...)
That being said, I suggest we split up the Public Transit Discussion Thread. In particular, have separate Photo/Discussion Threads for Coast Mountain Bus, BC Transit, SkyTrain, West Coast Express, etc.
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Oct 8, 2013 20:04:23 GMT -8
First off, good idea! Considering most of us have interest in many modes of transit it just makes sense. (Funny it took this long though...) That being said, I suggest we split up the Public Transit Discussion Thread. In particular, have separate Photo/Discussion Threads for Coast Mountain Bus, BC Transit, SkyTrain, West Coast Express, etc. I actually was thinking this but much less separation. I would have done Photo/ Discussion for Bus, Light/ heavy rail, Commuter rail and etc.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 8, 2013 20:07:01 GMT -8
My suggestion would be to lump companies together, and perhaps have a separate thread dedicated to the canyon routes. I don't really think there's enough outside-BC content to warrant splitting that stuff off into separate threads. I would have the same suggestion, for the same reasons. x3
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SolDuc
Voyager
West Coast Cyclist
SolDuc and SOBC - Photo by Scott
Posts: 2,055
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Post by SolDuc on Oct 8, 2013 20:19:01 GMT -8
First off, good idea! Considering most of us have interest in many modes of transit it just makes sense. (Funny it took this long though...) That being said, I suggest we split up the Public Transit Discussion Thread. In particular, have separate Photo/Discussion Threads for Coast Mountain Bus, BC Transit, SkyTrain, West Coast Express, etc. I actually was thinking this but much less separation. I would have done Photo/ Discussion for Bus, Light/ heavy rail, Commuter rail and etc. How about just breaking it down by operator, kinds like we do with the BCFs, WSF and AMHS boards? I think this would provide the simplest use for now (of course, if an agency operates several types of service, we'd most likely have one thread for each. Like for TransLink we'd have a SkyTrain thread, a WCE thread and a bus thread). Thoughts?
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Oct 8, 2013 20:25:15 GMT -8
I actually was thinking this but much less separation. I would have done Photo/ Discussion for Bus, Light/ heavy rail, Commuter rail and etc. How about just breaking it down by operator, kinds like we do with the BCFs, WSF and AMHS boards? I think this would provide the simplest use for now (of course, if an agency operates several types of service, we'd most likely have one thread for each. Like for TransLink we'd have a SkyTrain thread, a WCE thread and a bus thread). Thoughts? For example like: TransLink, BC Transit, Washington County Transit companies, Sound Transit and other transit companies. I see this could work for easy finding of the company.
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 8, 2013 21:29:35 GMT -8
I would have the same suggestion, for the same reasons. x3 So are you guys saying that where we now have one bloated thread with railway discussion and photos we should reduce that to just two? I don't think so. With all due respect we have threads for each individual BC Ferry. Breaking the rail thread into at least half a dozen new threads is the way to go. I have probably five times as much railway stuff on Flickr as I have shared directly on this forum. I will share much more of it here if we choose to organize the transportation threads better, as has been proposed. If we are not willing to have these non-marine transportation threads more finely organized then it would make better sense to just stick with ferries & discontinue the rest.
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Post by Mike C on Oct 8, 2013 22:28:31 GMT -8
So are you guys saying that where we now have one bloated thread with railway discussion and photos we should reduce that to just two? I don't think so. Wow, I can't say I was expecting such a strong reaction. I think you misunderstood - I also don't think just two separate threads are adequate. Here is how I would break it down, by thread: SVI/SRY CN Rail Canadian Pacific Railway Passenger Rail (VIA Rail and Rocky Mountaineer) Fraser Canyon Routes Other Rail Lines I do not reference photos based on location, but rather the operator. This is also how most modern rail photo websites organize their content, so we would be going with the tried-and-true approach. All of this being said, I deeply respct your opinion, since you are one of the primary contributors. I would ask that maybe some of our other rail fans (Mike H?) (Ernie?) weigh in.
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Post by Mike C on Oct 8, 2013 22:36:50 GMT -8
I actually was thinking this but much less separation. I would have done Photo/ Discussion for Bus, Light/ heavy rail, Commuter rail and etc. How about just breaking it down by operator, kinds like we do with the BCFs, WSF and AMHS boards? I think this would provide the simplest use for now (of course, if an agency operates several types of service, we'd most likely have one thread for each. Like for TransLink we'd have a SkyTrain thread, a WCE thread and a bus thread). Thoughts? Regarding Public Transit, I would remain consistent on my opinion of breaking it down by operators (factoring in geographic areas with multiple operators), with these threads: TransLink (Metro Vancouver) BC Transit (Other BC Communities) Seattle Operators (KCM, Comm Trans, Sound Transit) Other Canada/US Operations Other World Operations
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 9, 2013 6:14:59 GMT -8
Regarding the rail threads, I would like to see multiple threads. We just need to figure out the best allocation, and we've had some good ideas posted on this. So I'll be taking those ideas and I'll be starting to create some new threads (slowly, not all at once).
I really think that specific threads will work, and that they will improve the presentation of our rail content. And they actually will make it easier for us to find a specific item, most of the time.
Like I said, the actual allocation categories are the issue, not the concept of doing allocations. - We will not be keeping the status quo of having 1 large "rail photos" thread. It will get broken into multiple threads.
And WCK, thanks for your response to this, because you've taught us all plenty about different rail lines and companies and locations. We just need to find a good allocation balance that will serve both the serious and casual rail fan. (and we all know that there are many options for this, and that we need to just implement one plan).
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Here's a skeleton of what I propose: - separate threads by major rail player ("major" to our region - don't get hung up on that word, please. I remember the grief I got over "major" and "intermediate" ship classes in the retired ship thread, haha. This is just my word for purposes of this discussion). ie. CP, CN, Rocky Mountaineer, VIA, BC Rail (for that historical good stuff), others that I've missed, and then also 1 or more for the USA (depending on what we need re content that we've already got). Oh, and also the Vancouver Island railways all in 1 thread. These would be "Photos and Discussion" threads, meaning that rail news and discussion about Hunter Harrison would go into the same CP threads as my photos of a train at Morant's Curve).
also
- extra threads for special things: ie. For track photos without trains. Or for General rail news & discussion.
I don't like the "by-location" idea, including Fraser/Thompson canyon, because it breaks up company photos between 2 threads. ie. If I'm looking for Rocky Mountaineer photos, they could be in the main Rocky Mountaineer thread or in the all-company Canyon thread. So I think it's better to stick with threads-by-company.
Also, and this does sound defensive, but we'll all think of possible situations that won't work under this scenario. Let's not let those possible situations de-rail (pun intended) this plan. There's always going to be unusual or unexpected items that we need to determine where they best fit. We already do that with our ferry threads (especially retired ship items) when this happens: ie. we'll figure out the most logical place for it, when the situation arises. And if it appears that we need to start a new thread for expected continuing content, then we'll do that.
And we know that not everyone likes the concept or the fine detail, because that happens in any group of any kind. So we'll hopefully all do our best to adapt and make it work.
I'll start creating new threads and moving old posts, slowly. I'll start with the obvious & easy ones. So I beg your patience on this.
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Nick
Voyager
Chief Engineer - Queen of Richmond
Posts: 2,078
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Post by Nick on Oct 9, 2013 7:45:46 GMT -8
Regarding the rail threads, I would like to see multiple threads. We just need to figure out the best allocation, and we've had some good ideas posted on this. So I'll be taking those ideas and I'll be starting to create some new threads (slowly, not all at once). I really think that specific threads will work, and that they will improve the presentation of our rail content. And they actually will make it easier for us to find a specific item, most of the time. Like I said, the actual allocation categories are the issue, not the concept of doing allocations. - We will not be keeping the status quo of having 1 large "rail photos" thread. It will get broken into multiple threads. And WCK, thanks for your response to this, because you've taught us all plenty about different rail lines and companies and locations. We just need to find a good allocation balance that will serve both the serious and casual rail fan. (and we all know that there are many options for this, and that we need to just implement one plan). ----------------- Here's a skeleton of what I propose: - separate threads by major rail player ("major" to our region - don't get hung up on that word, please. I remember the grief I got over "major" and "intermediate" ship classes in the retired ship thread, haha. This is just my word for purposes of this discussion). ie. CP, CN, Rocky Mountaineer, VIA, BC Rail (for that historical good stuff), others that I've missed, and then also 1 or more for the USA (depending on what we need re content that we've already got). Oh, and also the Vancouver Island railways all in 1 thread. These would be "Photos and Discussion" threads, meaning that rail news and discussion about Hunter Harrison would go into the same CP threads as my photos of a train at Morant's Curve). also - extra threads for special things: ie. For track photos without trains. Or for General rail news & discussion. I don't like the "by-location" idea, including Fraser/Thompson canyon, because it breaks up company photos between 2 threads. ie. If I'm looking for Rocky Mountaineer photos, they could be in the main Rocky Mountaineer thread or in the all-company Canyon thread. So I think it's better to stick with threads-by-company. Also, and this does sound defensive, but we'll all think of possible situations that won't work under this scenario. Let's not let those possible situations de-rail (pun intended) this plan. There's always going to be unusual or unexpected items that we need to determine where they best fit. We already do that with our ferry threads (especially retired ship items) when this happens: ie. we'll figure out the most logical place for it, when the situation arises. And if it appears that we need to start a new thread for expected continuing content, then we'll do that. And we know that not everyone likes the concept or the fine detail, because that happens in any group of any kind. So we'll hopefully all do our best to adapt and make it work. I'll start creating new threads and moving old posts, slowly. I'll start with the obvious & easy ones. So I beg your patience on this. In defense to WCK, I wasn't advocating two threads, one for CP and one for CN. The original idea posted had both the CP and CN mainlines spit up into separate threads, and I didn't think that was a good idea. The reason I suggested an all encompassing Fraser thread is because there are so many opportunities there for trains of different operators to be in the same shot, as we have seen with Flugel's recent posting spree. I would also argue that there isn't really enough content as of yet for there to be separate passenger train threads. I'd think that the Rocky Mountaineer, VIA and the Royal CP can coexist in a single thread.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 9, 2013 8:19:51 GMT -8
I started down the path of separate threads for CP and for CN. After starting to move some posts over to those threads, I soon realized that they really should be in 1 combined thread. So I've created a combined thread.
Call me a slow-learner on this, but I realized after looking at our posts that:
- They have many common issues.
- We have many photos and videos of both companies in same frame.
- They have that track sharing agreement in the Ashcroft-Mission corridor.
I don't think that combining these 2 companies in 1 thread would be overload.
My preference generally is separate-thread for separate-company, but the above issues convinced me that in this case a combination is a better solution.
Stubborn Mike
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Post by Mike C on Oct 9, 2013 11:48:25 GMT -8
I interupt this program to begin a skeleton for Public Transit Discussion. The following threads will be created, pending consensus from contributors and frequent readers:
- TransLink (SCBCTA and subsidiaries) - BC Transit - Victoria - BC Transit - Other Communities in BC - Seattle (Comm Trans, Sound Transit, KCM) - Other Washington Systems - International Systems
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Post by compdude787 on Oct 9, 2013 14:14:02 GMT -8
I really like this new "Other forms of transportation" board. It organizes discussion for these topics much better than before. Re Mike C's above post about organization for the Public transit discussion, I should note that Community Transit doesn't really operate in Seattle, except for a few express routes. It's Snohomish County's transit agency, just as Metro is King County's. Perhaps instead of having the thread be called "Seattle," it should be called "Puget Sound" in order to include transit agencies in the general Puget Sound area. Each county has its own transit agency; in fact, Everett even has its own bus system called Everett Transit.
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Post by Dane on Oct 9, 2013 14:36:11 GMT -8
Is there any tangible benefit to a ferry forum having all this when much more active communities exist for other transportation forms? This ks not a critique per say, and I don't really care, but stretching the forum too wide costs us our specialty and seems like a step towards a photography forum. The generalist RR and mass transit discussion are great...
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Post by Mike C on Oct 9, 2013 14:36:49 GMT -8
I really like this new "Other forms of transportation" board. It organizes discussion for these topics much better than before. Re Mike C's above post about organization for the Public transit discussion, I should note that Community Transit doesn't really operate in Seattle, except for a few express routes. It's Snohomish County's transit agency, just as Metro is King County's. Perhaps instead of having the thread be called "Seattle," it should be called "Puget Sound" in order to include transit agencies in the general Puget Sound area. Each county has its own transit agency; in fact, Everett even has its own bus system called Everett Transit. I like this idea better than my own. And if things get weird, we can always go back and change them. Because I have a busy afternoon-evening, I am going to get this set up now. Modifications can be made fairly easily.
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Post by Ferryman on Oct 9, 2013 15:08:30 GMT -8
With all due respect:
Last time I checked, this is a Ferry Forum. For the past decade, I've always appreciated this place for what it was intended for, a Ferry Discussion and Photo forum, and I think most of you can agree since this is why we're all here. I was okay with the idea of basic transit and rail discussion and photos, and actually appreciated the convenience of being able to find updates with other transportation systems here. To all of a sudden go off on this tangent with sub boards for other forms of transportation, I feel as though we're forgetting why we're here. There are other forums dedicated solely to those forms of discussion, though possibly not as regimented as ours is with our Ferries. After all, we are the West Coast Ferries Forum. I remember when we used to be called the "Ferries of British Columbia", with little to no outside discussion from BC Ferries. It was wonderful when we expanded to other Ferry systems outside of BC Ferries, and in fact, I think there's a stronger WSF Fan base than BC Ferries now.
So are we changing the name to "West Coast Transportation Forum" now, and will there be banner contests for trains, planes, and cars now? Sorry to shoot this idea down, but I feel that we need to think about this. Are we becoming so bored with Ferries, that there's a shifting interest now? Does everyone need to follow along with that notion? Are we trying to attract more members to suit everyone's transportation interest? Or does everyone prefer to have the forum shift towards a blog like entry system where everyone has a column for everything they take photos of or do in their everyday life?
[/end rant]
-Ferryman, disgruntled forum veteran against change...also speaking partially tongue in cheek, but seriously
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