Re: Your opinion on SCS forum.
Okay... lets get serious here...
Generally, i hv nothing against this pool of folks here. Just that we can soften the mood of the atmosphere here sometimes, by going a little off... the orthodox track.
First of all, let me clarify, i'm not from HWZ forum, i'm not a member there all the while. So whatever i see the discussions there, besides the word "elites" keep popping in my mind, "snob" is another word that always appears in my thoughts. Comparing the various local forums, SG-ROC, SWX, HWZ or even some other which i doesn't know, SCS is the one where i feel more like living in a old HDB estate where neighbors can call up one another for tea/coffee session or even games of MahJong.
Why? That's because most of the members here starts from budget grails till they can afford the "elites" and they still goes back to the budget grails again. Snobbishness is something that's barely seen here than other forums.
Another reason for me that felt the warmth here, is the frequent "suaning" aka "mocking" at one another, which yet does not ends up in serious fights that the 2 parties or more quitting this forum at the same time, or getting membership terminated when the heat gets more hotter. The most was the threads gets deleted off, when situation gets out of control.
So without further ado...
[size=133]What will you do to attract more members ?[/size]
We can't advertise, we can't tout... we can only influence.
[size=133]Language.[/size]
And influence, local style Singlish or formal English should be the 2 medium of language where we can have wider approach since majority of the members are Ch5 goers.
Had we forget about those who doesn't speak english? Hence i would suggest to set up another section where Mandarin are encouraged, where we can get in more members from the non-english speaking locals as well as new immigrants(from HK, TW, MY or CN). Certainly, some members or even the moderators might disagree to this idea as majority of the members here are made up of Chinese, Malays, Indians and some caucasians as well as foreigners where in some occasion, doubts and suspicion on the Mandarin discussion threads may spark misunderstandings.
However, i would like to point out, although we're a local forum, not comparable to WUS in certain way... If WUS can get a certain response from their German, Dutch or French only language section, i don't see why a Mandarin section cannot be created.
Or... we can still stay status quo, where Chinese texts should be allowed to be posted, but when upon request, translation can be made with certain level of acceptance.
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[size=133]Specific Interest.[/size]
At the current moment, from the categorization of the watches origin, we see that the Japanese makes have it's own section while those from other origins are squeezed together in another. Okay... in a certain way, i agree that the Japanese makes can be classified together as the population of the Japanese brands are more in local playground. However, the SWISS makes are not less either. So i propose, instead of having all discussion threads on Chinese makes, Russian makes as well as SWISS makes jumble all together, re-categorize the forum to reflect the actual market or local interest in reality as:-
EUROPEAN makes in a section that cover discussion topics on watches and technical topics that surrounds on makes from Germany, France, Switzerland or all other European countries, inclusive of England.
RUSSIAN and Chinese makes in a section that covers discussion topics on watches and technical topics that surrounds on timepieces from
Russia or Mainland China.
No specific brand section should be created. Which shall minimize the potential growth of snobbishness among certain collectors.
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[size=133]Name of the forum, theme of the forum, atmosphere of the forum.[/size]
When a new WIS google for local forum, most likely, he/she will get 2 of the most commonly mentioned forums here, "Singapore Watch X-change" as well as "Singapore Horology Club"-- which ends up as Rolex Club of SG after clicking.
Personally, i feel that we're losing out to these 2 as SCS will give others an impression that this forums' discussions will always falls on majority... Jap makes. So i propose, perhaps we could consider changing the name of this forum to S.T.I.G, not the driver from Top Gear program, but when expanded, the Singapore Timepiece Interest Group. This name is not cocky, not snobbish, not over pride... but rather a like a kampung that's populated with folks with hidden treasures. And in this Kampung, little words used that goes a little off track, be it slightly offensive(no racial or religion remarks) or with sexual references, should not stiffen or dampen the mood of this forum. We're all adults, we should be able to take certain levels of joking and mocking without any pisses or agitated easily. Certainly, i like the idea of making this a family oriented forum, but we're living in the world/society where some offensive remarks, in a humor way are often come in touch, either from TVs, Movies, Magazines, or even tabloids.
The atmosphere of this forum should be light hearted. Not stiff and dull and moody in Military camps as well as Government offices.
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[size=133]What will you do to retain members ?[/size]
SCS is a non profit, non advertisement sponsored playground for folks to share their common interest, knowledge as well as opportunities(lobangs)in the watch hobby. Hence, there will not be gifts, perks or rewards of ice creams or candies in this play ground. What we see is what we get, the sectioned forums of discussion topics and threads.
People come, people goes. Kids come to this playground, kids goes. How fun the game can be, depends on the challenge, as well as the atmosphere of the playground. If one kid/adult cannot take a certain level of other kid/member poking fun at one another, one of the kid will leave this playground for good. This will be the challenge. How one kid can control himself/herself poking fun with unknown offense, also pisses another kid off. Hence they should be able to discipline themselves before poking fun at one another. Such as, finding out the facts before using that particular subject to touch on others, which may eventually ends up in fierce fights. When the atmosphere of the playground turns bad, no kids will wanna play there.
So... i propose to all... lets keep this forum light hearted, low profile and simple. Arrogance and Snobbishness should not be encouraged.
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[size=133]What will you do to make SCS fun ?[/size]
We're like players playing different games in a sport arena. We will eventually need referees to prevent fights breaking out in such a stiff, moody atmosphere.
But we still need some light hearted moments. So... moderators, please exercise your rights in flashing the cards of warnings or alerts depending on how the atmosphere situation develops.
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[size=133]What will you do to make SCS the default watch forum to go to ?[/size]
Whoa... this is the most difficult one! Let me think...