' Great Build ' awards, a good thing or ....

[Guest]

Hi all,

Something that's been on my mind for a while is the ability to award great builds. The reason for this is that I think they are getting in the way of constructive comments & therefore holding back the development of people's skills.

Also, they're an easy way to interact with a completed build, without really looking at it. So the hours people put into

small yet vital areas which elevate a build to something really special go unremarked. I know that I've done this myself!

Lastly, the gongs add a sense of competitiveness, which can lead to haste - that's never helpful in producing good work.

So I'm wondering what people think? We didn't have this option when I first joined the forum, & we got along just as well!

Cheers

Patrick

[Guest]

Good point, of course, I can only simply state my opinion though

[Alan 45]

I've voted for yes as it's an appreciation of the builder and their work , I give a constructive comment if needed if I cant I stay quiet it's the old if you have nothing good to say then don't

Sometimes I will give a great build gong because of the effort given or someone trying something new

It's not always about how good a build looks

[Ian M]

Before we had the Great build gong, we had a five star system in which you could ward from one to five stars. 99,9% gave five stars all the time.

This was not an option after an upgrade of the soft ware and seeing as the vast majority gave 5 stars or none, it was not seen as a problem.

The bottom line is simple and probably not to every ones liking:

If you do not like them do not use them but post a written comment instead. (this applies to all the buttons and not just the Great Build one.

I also think that the 'value' of the gongs is greatly reduced when all give and get them for a completed build. I have not counted but I recon the number of builds with out a great build gong can be counted on both hands, if not on just one.

So lets talk about it. do we need them? I don't even know if they have any real function in the gubbins of the forum.

Ian M

[Guest]

As someone new to this forum, I found my first great build gong incredibly motivational, please keep them

[eddiesolo]

Patrick picks up a good point.

But here is my take on it. I have always thought this forum a more informal forum than many 'hard-core' sites. It caters for all manner of modelers, basic beginners to the darn amazing, this I like. I give a great gong if I feel the modeler has tried hard to get something to come together-it may not always be pretty but compared to earlier works or is something unusual then I will go for this award-I also find it an encouragement as I have had the gongs but also the valued crit. This is what I think is the confusion-a gong and then some crit-both have valid values I think. The gong shows you appreciate the piece and the time spent and in my case, a better result than I could have achieved, and the valued crit-I have had crit on most of models regarding washes, paints etc and I am grateful for that. If you don't want to be upset then don't join-however this forum is a far more friendly place with a more relaxed attitude to building-of course we want to get better-but the way we do it is in a more subtle way. Most of us have been on forums were newbies and their builds are shunned or ignored or blasted down-the gongs and even the likes are a good visual tool that at least someone likes your efforts.

Right, that's me rant-er, measured discussion do-da over with.

Si

[eddiesolo]

As someone new to this forum, I found my first great build gong incredibly motivational, please keep them

Interesting, glad you found them useful Mike.

[Guest]

I really appreciate the great build awards I get. When awarding one myself, I try to post to the thread as well, and mention something I particularly like about the build. I do feel we're a bit weak on constructive comments (in the sense of suggestions for improvement). I guess we'd all improve more if there were more such comments, but I think we're all very wary of posting anything which might be demotivating. This is quite right - if you've got to err on any side, let's be too positive rather than too negative. This forum is known for being friendly, after all.

It might be a good idea, if anyone's really keen to know how they could have improved a build, to ask that explicitly, and maybe to point out areas of their own build they weren't to happy with. That should provoke some friendly advice which could be really useful.

[The Migrant]

It's a dilemma. We all want to be recognized for our efforts, and also to give recognition to others. However the 'Great Build' gong has become somewhat ineffective through over-use: it's easy to use and seems to have become the default response (maybe because it seems uncongenial to award a lesser 'like', especially when others are awarding a 'GB').

The other thing it doesn't address is effort, and Si has alluded to that. There are modellers of all abilities and standards on here, and it's unlikely that a raw beginner is genuinely going to produce a 'great' build in the true sense. However he/she may have made a great effort, and may make significant improvement with each build, yet the 'Great Build' award doesn't quite seem applicable. In those cases I guess it makes more sense to post an encouraging and constructive comment. To be honest the written responses that I get for my own models mean way more to me than the 'GB' gongs (although I do always appreciate them).

It wouldn't bother me to see the 'Great Build' gong disappear. The 'like' button could be kept as it's more versatile- we can 'like' a particular technique, the effort invested or the finished product, and if it's something really outstanding we can still recognize that in our comments. Unless you're the kind of person who collects trophy points/ratings, I think the 'GB' award is somewhat redundant, although I realize YMMV.

[eddiesolo]

if anyone's really keen to know how they could have improved a build, to ask that explicitly, and maybe to point out areas of their own build they weren't to happy with.

You have hit the nail on the head there Doug.

We maybe lacking in the direct crit of a thread-but very open in techniques and options even telling of our own misfortunes and what we did to try to rectify them if folk post in the 'HOW TO' sections.

If advice is sought then we certainly do answer and give pointers in how to achieve a better look/build.

Si

[rickoshea52]

Well compare it to an IPMS club night; at mine, everybody who wants to, takes their effort(s) along once a month to show them off. There's a little vote for each category with the best three in each category being placed and a certificate for the winner.

Of course, the really talented modellers win or are placed regularly, this usually depends on the popularity of the category. But, everyone has a go and gets the opportunity to learn new things and talk to the more experienced and talented modellers.

I'm rarely lucky to get placed let alone win, so this forum is my chance to revel in a bit of glory from all of you guys who are the most gracious in praise and criticism........and get a medal!

[tanktrack]

I personally like them if a fellow modeller wants to give 1 then thanks , we have to be careful that things are not sanitized to much and new builders get a buzz when awarded 1 , I am getting a bit uncomfortable at the moment with things being stripped out of forums I was on the ipms facebook page and there were comments about models having to be of a certain standard before displaying/showing this is playing into the rivet counters hands , I build first for myself then the forum and i am trying to move forward with my level of builds and do appreciate the comments and build awards .

[Guest]

Agree with Mike.

[tr1ckey66]

I agree with Patrick and Mike. I think their meaning has been lost with over use. I've awarded you a great build for this though.

Paul

[john i am]

I like the great build medal I think it encourages people and they always bring a smile to my face when I get them and equally when I award them were deserved.Any model I build I always try my hardest to make it somewhat better than the last this doesn't always work thoughIf a model as being posted I think the builder who posted it knows themselves what's wrong with it deep down and doesn't always need it shouting from the roof tops and I would imagine the majority of people think I'm going to do that better next time.i think we all set the bar high in the level we would all like to attain and feel if someone wants help they should ask for it as knowledge is power cause if you have an understanding of something then with practice you will eventually achieve the level you are looking for.i class myself as an improver and I am always trying different things to make my models look better also research on the net of how to do things also DVD books mags at the end of the day you only get out what what you put into something.i really don't take the medals to seriously though to be honest but it's still nice to receive/give them.At the end of the day it's modelling a nice relaxing rewarding pastime shared with some great people on here.Below is the official banner of the great build medal award button I'm all for keeping it and anyone who takes it away I'll be sending Dick Dastardly and the dog round you've all been warned [ATTACH]96658.IPB[/ATTACH]