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I don't know since when theme and fluff were immediately connected with "happy fairy rainbow feelings".

But erm, if I remember correctly the subject of this discussion was on how to improve DakkaDakka and more specifically the P&M blogs, not a "lets bash Warseer" discussion. I dunno...don't want to sound like an annoying smart ass, but lets keep this discussion somewhat productive.

But Malika, bashing Warseer is more fun damn it!

Malika2 wrote:
But erm, if I remember correctly the subject of this discussion was on how to improve DakkaDakka and more specifically the P&M blogs, not a "lets bash Warseer" discussion.

Yes totally. If anything the depth and quality of Warseer is an inspiration in this context.

migsula wrote:
Yes totally. If anything the depth and quality of Warseer is an inspiration in this context.

I agree that Warseer has had some great examples of wonderful work, however how much feedback or discussion has actually led to the artist or modeller developing their ideas from feedback within the community?

I think personally that Dakka has an edge here in this respect.

I think there are two very distinct catergories:

1) Galleries of great work (Cool mini or not basically)

2) ideas sharing and skill development amongst modelers and painters (community growth and expertise)

Perhaps its Dakkas reputation for older and more experienced members that helps with regard to the second point.

Let's please not get into the Warseer bashing. They are a quality site that is reflected in their massive number of visitors and they are part of the overall community that we should celebrate instead of insult.


But back on topic:

Migs, I think one easy way to improve the quality of views and responses to the blogs on this site would be to publicize them on the front page of Dakka.

I had been planning on doing exactly that, but time constraints has meant that I don't get to looking at the blog forum as often as I'd like and I don't get around to updating the front page nearly as much as I should.

Soooo, if you (or anyone else) wanted to step up and become the Dakka P&M blog 'publicity manager' we could make regular front page updates on some of the better blogs a reality.

Basically, whomever took this position (or several people could actually contribute) would be responsible for every week or so (or it could be every day or every few days or only once a month, whatever you wanted) writing up a recap of some of the best blog updates, or just writing up a feature about a particularly great blog.

This would need to be written using basic html, which is what we use to post to the front page of Dakka (it is pretty easy, and I could help you out a bit if needed) and then I would just take that write-up and post it on the front page.

If these updates contain some teaser photos and links to the blogs I guarantee that more eyes will be driven to those threads which will invariably lead to more comments and an overall better forum.

So is anyone interested in stepping up and doing this?

I like Warseer. Its because of Warseer we started the background section. I've been a poster on there about the same amount of time as here.

I've been through their P&M blogs and have the opposite view. Maybe I am biased.

EDIT: I think the tutorials section is an excellent eddition.

Here's a Q: How is the P&M section itself in comparison? Personally I want to see the finished product, more often than the blog itself.

Yakface thats a great idea.

A monthly "summary" would really help as it would allow you to see all the highlights even when topics get pushed down the list due to ongoing updates. It's easy to miss great work becuase of the amount of posts going up.

yakface wrote:


Soooo, if you (or anyone else) wanted to step up and become the Dakka P&M blog 'publicity manager' we could make regular front page updates on some of the better blogs a reality.

...
So is anyone interested in stepping up and doing this?

I'd like to volunteer Grey Death for this (Sorry mate if you are busy )!! Aaron would be the perfect person for this, talented modeler, English is first language, he's well on top of what happens here, a mod and an active blogger.

I agree with the highlight on the front page, but I wanted to ask a question: How many people (especially regulars) go through the front page, rather than directly to the forums? I know I do. At the same time, sufficiently advertised, I think it is a GREAT idea.

Regarding postage vs. views. I am a long time lurker, and I am as guilty as anybody of this. But I have to say that Dakka's P&M blogs are one of the regular features I read. The quality is extraordinay, and there is less... chaff. I tried Warseer and (after Dakka) lost the patience to go through 10 pages in one sitting. Though the gems I did find were almost worth it.

I can also say that the Dakka blogs are highly inspiring, and the only reason I got back into modeling after a 3 year GW hiatus (migs - I blame it mostly on you and your group's =I= madness!).

I think adding requests for feedback (to make it, you know, obvious) in P&M blogs, as well as more thought process from the author may encourage us to repond more.

Piousman

I second Grey Death for president of whatever it is we are voting him in for. He has a good eye for cool things, and far more attention than I will ever have.

I think a front page blog update every once in a while would be excellent. Not many forums (none that I can think of anyway) post "highlights" on their front page. I for one always visit the front page first, it's my browser home page. I like seeing the recently upped photos and whatever info/contest/spotlight is on the news page.

I might be shooting myself in the foot being an ork player, but the chance to showcase non-ork or non-40k items in the occasional highlight post would help break the name-induced stigma of being a "just orks" or "just 40k" forum. That, and I know how exciting it was to have my deffkopta on the front page when it won the Mekboy challenge. I think it would be great to give other folks a chance to have that kind of proud moment.

(not to mention it will push me to paint my trukks faster for a shot at the highlight post myself!)

Wehrkind wrote:I second Grey Death for president of whatever it is we are voting him in for. He has a good eye for cool things, and far more attention than I will ever have.

Are we gonna have another election? Does the rest of the Kyonads party know about this?

Gundam-Mecha wrote:

migsula wrote:
Yes totally. If anything the depth and quality of Warseer is an inspiration in this context.

I agree that Warseer has had some great examples of wonderful work, however how much feedback or discussion has actually led to the artist or modeller developing their ideas from feedback within the community?

I think personally that Dakka has an edge here in this respect.

I think there are two very distinct catergories:

1) Galleries of great work (Cool mini or not basically)

2) ideas sharing and skill development amongst modelers and painters (community growth and expertise)

Perhaps its Dakkas reputation for older and more experienced members that helps with regard to the second point.

I remember Warseer used to have galleries as well. However, the galleries aren't that relevant since this discussion is about the P&M blogs.

As for getting more constructive posts. I know that at the Anargo Sector Project (oh boy, here we go again) we included a rule which prohibits the posting of simple one liner posts such as "oh cool model". It kind of forced people to be more constructive in their posting. However...the forums have been quiet lately, probably due to the fact that the big contributers are either too busy, losing inspiration or a little bit of both.

I think this P&M Blog section would really attract stuff if Migsula, Apologist and Synapse combine their pre-heresy True Scale forces...sort of like captain planet, or in our case captain dakka!

I concur with Yak's idea of a frontpage blurb about P&M.

May I suggest a weekly, "Featured P&M" Blog highlight?

(also joining in the chorus of "GIVE GREY_DEATH MORE WORK!")

First, glad you all still like the smileys!

Second, I'll help out where I can, so once a name is decided upon for this endeavor, I can create a graphic that will hopefully catch some eyes and attention and lure them to the Dakka Modeling Blogs. I'm sure Grey Death would appreciate having something taken off his plate! :lol

Third, I completely agree with Migs on this - I've found that while Dakka is growing stronger once more in terms of the modeling aspect of things, Warseer has us still beat in that area, an has for a while. Just brushing them off as "oh they're Warseer, they're just kids" or some other equally unhelpful or elitist comment still doesn't hide the fact that they have a amazing amount of skillled modelers over there, and they have something Dakka can aspire too.

What about actually promoting the whole =][=munda thing some more. Some people over at Warseer are taking over the trend that has started here. In other words, add some sort of article/interview/column on the front page about it, add some cool cover (I remember somebody made something really cool for that on one of Migsula's threads) and then a bunch of pictures (ala gallery) of the best stuff and links to the threads. Maybe some small interviews with Migsula, Col Hammer, Xanthos and Northern who basically started with this whole trend!

Another one of these "items" could be the true scale pre heresy Space Marines, but that might be considered "stealing from Warseer" since Synapse and Apologist where posting there first with these amazing projects.

I second adding an =][=munda section to the site/gallery/article system. Give it a "cover page", some art work, maybe we could hammer out a slightly more "definitive" ruleset. I understand the point is to have an open based skirmish game system, but people who haven't gone through the Shades of Grey thread are often confused about what it actually is. Perhaps throw in some new gangs(I've posted a WiP Ork gang list in the discussion thread, started working on an Eldar gang now that I've found my 2nd ed Eldar book), some new equipment lists, etc. Of course, have people do coverage on their Gangs, with links to P&M Blogs of the gangs being build and painted.

Platuan4th wrote:I second adding an =][=munda section to the site/gallery/article system. Give it a "cover page", some art work, maybe we could hammer out a slightly more "definitive" ruleset. I understand the point is to have an open based skirmish game system, but people who haven't gone through the Shades of Grey thread are often confused about what it actually is. Perhaps throw in some new gangs(I've posted a WiP Ork gang list in the discussion thread, started working on an Eldar gang now that I've found my 2nd ed Eldar book), some new equipment lists, etc. Of course, have people do coverage on their Gangs, with links to P&M Blogs of the gangs being build and painted.

Anyone can go in to the articles system, set up an article on the topic and start on it. Once there is enough there we can tie it in to the rest of the site closer (be it through a header link, front page area, or whatever). So whoever wants to volunteer, just dive in

Well if I'm going to officially announce my candidacy for Front Page PLog Guru, I'll need a proppa campaign poster!

I actually like that Dakka and Warseer are known for different qualities.

If Warseer suddenly started 'using tactics', and Dakka got quality information to fuel up quality ranting we would all be poorer.

I agree with you that they shouldn't become exact copies. However, this does not mean we can't learn from each other. See it as a bit of (I hope) friendly competition which will benefit both sites/communities!