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Do youtubers contribute positively to railway modelling?


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20 hours ago, HonestTom said:

How is reading a book or magazine any better than watching a video on YouTube?

 

Sticking just with modelling, it depends exactly what is being covered by the written word or video. Some things work better on one, some on the other (and which probably varies from person to person). I usually find it easier to absorb statically presented information, although there are definitely things where a practical demonstration can make things clear in a few seconds that would take a lot of explaining by word or even picture, and still not be entirely clear.

 

But I get the impression that you were arguing against the idea that one's more worthy than the other rather than more effective (or has more reliable, accurate information).

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1 hour ago, woodenhead said:

Well my feed is now well and truly full of drain unblockers, there's a guy in Australia whose skills I am not so sure of, filling an already full toilet with a jet and watching it overflow into the bathroom and all over the furniture seemed a bit wrong to me.

Sounds like every Australian tradie I've ever encountered. Which is why I've spent a fair bit of both time and money, and considerable effort in arranging my life, to become as self-sufficient as possible so I don't have to depend on them. Or, at least, can fix the inevitable lethal bodges when legally obliged to engage a "professional". 

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2 hours ago, Free At Last said:

Is there any advantage signing in to YouTube when viewing content?
I only ever sign in to upload a video.

I think so, if you are happy with cookies on your viewing device it should remember who you are and tailor your feed, and also remember what videos you've watched in case you want to revisit it, useful on modelling videos for example.  I watch YT on the smart telly, but if I do go to the laptop it also has the same history and recommendations as the TV.

 

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In olden times (pre-internet), if I was considering undertaking some task, I would read up on how to accomplish it. This would often leave me scratching my head trying to translate the author's description of how to proceed with the chore, into what I was required to be doing.

 

These days I will search out a few YouTube videos regarding the subject, until I find one who's vlogger demonstrates competence and clarity at the given task. From my point of view,  I find this to be a huge improvement upon the method that I was employing "In the good old days".

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1 hour ago, rocor said:

In olden times (pre-internet), if I was considering undertaking some task, I would read up on how to accomplish it. This would often leave me scratching my head trying to translate the author's description of how to proceed with the chore, into what I was required to be doing.

 

These days I will search out a few YouTube videos regarding the subject, until I find one who's vlogger demonstrates competence and clarity at the given task. From my point of view,  I find this to be a huge improvement upon the method that I was employing "In the good old days".

 

But that's informative and instructive.

Not influential.

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Informative and instructive can be influential, if someone watches a good tutorial video and decides that a task perhaps isn't as hard as they feared.  Reading some articles can make the simplest task seem like trying to achieve a workable nuclear fusion device using a domestic cooker.  One example, I've become a bit of a weathering addict since my brother pointed me in the direction of a video by a military modeller using Tamiya* weathering make-up compacts.  Without that guy sharing his tips, I'd probably have shied away from the product and technique.

Thing is for a youngster who perhaps is a bit embarrassed, or bullied, about his model railway hobby (they do exist, I personally know of a couple through the Dolgellau group) seeing videos, even if they are unboxing and reviews, by enthusiastic youngsters on the "Choob will help them enormously, and will have a positive impact on the hobby by making them feel part of a community and not a freak.  We, more mature modellers may think such videos are pointless but to like minded members of the same age cohort who are dealing with the kind of peer pressure they will be getting for being a "nerd", they can be a real life-raft.  

* Other brands of weathering mascara are available.

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5 hours ago, wombatofludham said:

Informative and instructive can be influential, if someone watches a good tutorial video and decides that a task perhaps isn't as hard as they feared.  Reading some articles can make the simplest task seem like trying to achieve a workable nuclear fusion device using a domestic cooker.  One example, I've become a bit of a weathering addict since my brother pointed me in the direction of a video by a military modeller using Tamiya* weathering make-up compacts.  Without that guy sharing his tips, I'd probably have shied away from the product and technique.

 

 

I would venture to suggest that the video you watched was more aptly described as inspirational.

 

It is a sometimes a fine line between all these various "ins".....

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19 hours ago, rocor said:

In olden times (pre-internet), if I was considering undertaking some task, I would read up on how to accomplish it. This would often leave me scratching my head trying to translate the author's description of how to proceed with the chore, into what I was required to be doing.

 

These days I will search out a few YouTube videos regarding the subject, until I find one who's vlogger demonstrates competence and clarity at the given task. From my point of view,  I find this to be a huge improvement upon the method that I was employing "In the good old days".

 

I think this is the great advantage. There are a lot of basics that really aren't obvious to the beginner. Obviously magazines don't have the space to write the absolute basics in every article, or to take you through the author's thought process, or show you every single stage of the process. You'd wind up with a magazine the thickness of a telephone directory that would quickly become boring and repetitive for regular readers.

 

But with videos, you can see exactly what they do and what tools they use. Many of them will explain their thinking in using a particular method and often, they'll even include their mistakes. A lot of channels I follow include "basics" videos that they'll link to when needed. It was videos like these that convinced me to take the plunge into scratchbuilding structures, because they showed me that you don't have to be an expert or spend a lot of money to get a pleasing result.

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Possibly not in the same vein as the topic of this thread suggests, much prototypical information can be found in the more historical content of the “Tube”; this in turn fuelling our modelling minds. Rather a case of “random viewing” than searching for the specific, it enables those who can remember to rekindle sights and sounds of yesteryear. Modellers of all ages might glean an occasional idea or two from some of these clips.

From Pathé, BTF to the more modern instructional productions aimed at the railway professional, there’s quite a bit of info that might find its place in the model world. History can never be changed and to that end, what we see is what they had and not an opinion.

 

This isn’t to say that today’s modelling contributors have little or no place on YouTube. Their efforts should be judged on accuracy and relevance, with which the viewer can feel free to make up his/own mind; instructional workshops probably being the most useful.

 

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I'm a firm believer in create the content you want to see. I remember the wild west days of Youtube in 2009-2010 were everything was a lot less regulated. Watch time  was more important then clicks or views back then which suited gaming channels. Now things have moved on but quality content is more likely to get people coming back then some of the stuff the mind-numbing "popular" channels post. 

 

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On 29/06/2021 at 08:23, Right Away said:

Possibly not in the same vein as the topic of this thread suggests, much prototypical information can be found in the more historical content of the “Tube”; this in turn fuelling our modelling minds. Rather a case of “random viewing” than searching for the specific, it enables those who can remember to rekindle sights and sounds of yesteryear. Modellers of all ages might glean an occasional idea or two from some of these clips.

From Pathé, BTF to the more modern instructional productions aimed at the railway professional, there’s quite a bit of info that might find its place in the model world. History can never be changed and to that end, what we see is what they had and not an opinion.

 

 

100% agree. I've found plenty of prototype footage that fills in a lot of gaps in my knowledge. It's also very useful for getting a real feel for a setting. I can read all about a period in books, but if I can see actual footage of the time and place I'm researching, I can see what it was really like

 

18 hours ago, Paleopotato09 said:

I'm a firm believer in create the content you want to see. I remember the wild west days of Youtube in 2009-2010 were everything was a lot less regulated. Watch time  was more important then clicks or views back then which suited gaming channels. Now things have moved on but quality content is more likely to get people coming back then some of the stuff the mind-numbing "popular" channels post. 

 

Fun fact: advertisers actually prefer channels that are more specialist and less "popular." Specialist channels tend to get a more interested and loyal viewership. Obviously they do want channels with a lot of viewers, but they'd rather have someone with a lot of viewers who actually pay attention.

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On 29/06/2021 at 08:23, Right Away said:

Possibly not in the same vein as the topic of this thread suggests, much prototypical information can be found in the more historical content of the “Tube”; this in turn fuelling our modelling minds. Rather a case of “random viewing” than searching for the specific, it enables those who can remember to rekindle sights and sounds of yesteryear. Modellers of all ages might glean an occasional idea or two from some of these clips.

From Pathé, BTF to the more modern instructional productions aimed at the railway professional, there’s quite a bit of info that might find its place in the model world. History can never be changed and to that end, what we see is what they had and not an opinion.

 

This isn’t to say that today’s modelling contributors have little or no place on YouTube. Their efforts should be judged on accuracy and relevance, with which the viewer can feel free to make up his/own mind; instructional workshops probably being the most useful.

 

This is by far the better end of youtube "content" in my opinion. The old BR training vids are really good for us "outsiders" and the BTF stuff is brilliant. 

 

None of this stuff was made for the youtube format, which I think is where the appeal is for me. 

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On 07/06/2021 at 10:58, JohnR said:

I started my YouTube channel to share my modelling journey, and both get feedback from others, and hopefully to inspire others, that anyone can do Railway Modelling, no matter the skill level. I'm always trying to get better.

 

Thankfully in just the last 6 months, I have attracted a lot of followers, and I hope I am providing them with value. 

 

I dont really follow the likes of Sams Trains - his style of modelling isnt for me. But my You Tube analytics data shows that many of those who view my channel, are subscribed to his - along with others that have been mentioned here such as @Jenny Emily, as well as including the likes of "Mouldy Raspberry" and @That Model Railway Guy - I guess it takes all sorts.

 

You Tube's "algorithm" is designed to recommend to the viewer content that will keep them watching. And its interesting to note that while I am subscribed to Sams Trains (and I watch the odd video by him), it doesnt recommend to me that I watch lots of his videos. Instead I get ones by Everard Junction, Chadwick Model Railway, Hornby Magazine  etc, which I of course, enjoy watching. 

Your right about the algorithm....I don't understand it .....I'm constantly bombarded by suggestions to watch very attractive ladys in yoga pants doing unthinkable things with there body!....honest wife  .....YouTube made me look!

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1 hour ago, bradfordbuffer said:

Your right about the algorithm....I don't understand it .....I'm constantly bombarded by suggestions to watch very attractive ladys in yoga pants doing unthinkable things with there body!....honest wife  .....YouTube made me look!

 

I always thought that the algorithm was based on viewing history amongst other seemingly random ingredients, your defence may not stand up in court!

 

Mike.

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4 minutes ago, Enterprisingwestern said:

 

I always thought that the algorithm was based on viewing history amongst other seemingly random ingredients, your defence may not stand up in court!

 

Mike.

Oh dear?

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4 hours ago, bradfordbuffer said:

Your right about the algorithm....I don't understand it .....I'm constantly bombarded by suggestions to watch very attractive ladys in yoga pants doing unthinkable things with there body!....honest wife  .....YouTube made me look!

 

Your browsing history probably means you need glasses as well.......

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  • 2 weeks later...

As others have said there are many out there who I cringe at the presentation or way things are done and tend to avoid them in the future.

 

For those who like inspirational and instructive I watch quite a lot of the MRH coverage from USA.  Ken Patterson "What's neat this week" and the monthly MRH one are at times fun.  TSG Multimedia does USA prototype and model videos that many in the UK should take a look at as they are well lit, damn fine sound and edited to be of a sensible duration.

Toy Man Television is also in USA and Dale has a lot of fun with models and prototype videos.

Ron Marsh of Ron's trains n things is also worth watching especially the monthly railroad wrap with Tony Cook, Lionel Strang.

 

A comment was once said by Ivo Peters - let the trains do the moving not the camera.  This holds true for video as it did with film cameras as need to have them on a tripod.

 

I mention many from USA even though I model items from UK as I think they are a few years ahead of us here for style, content and quality.

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On 13/07/2021 at 15:20, AMJ said:

A comment was once said by Ivo Peters - let the trains do the moving not the camera.  This holds true for video as it did with film cameras as need to have them on a tripod.

 

Hadn't heard this quote till now, but looking at my own and others work, it rings very true. To add to that, let the sound tell the story too.

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On 15/07/2021 at 17:30, Coldgunner said:

 

Hadn't heard this quote till now, but looking at my own and others work, it rings very true. To add to that, let the sound tell the story too.

 

Unfortunately the cameras at the time didn't have sound.

 

Fortunately Ivo usually had Peter Handford (and Jack Newton) with him.

 

Not many people making railway films got an Oscar and a Bafta.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Handford

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