These Q&A's discuss topics that have been frequently brought up on SMRF, but are considered to either generate too much controversy while not being helpful, are too marginal to be considered acceptable topics, or are just dead topics where discussion of the options have been exhausted and most people on the list are tired of hearing about them.
Food, NMRA, Railroad Historical Society X, Flames,
Q: What is Krispy Kreme?
A: Krispy Kreme is a chain that sells what appear to be a unanimous choice among
southeastern railroad modelers as the best doughnuts you can find. Nothing can be
better than a dozen fresh glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts sitting in front of you, unless it
is a mostly empty box of fresh glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts sitting in front of you after
having eaten the rest (leaving some to provide that heavenly fragrance and for later
snacking). No need to mention this on list. It's a given :-)
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Q: What's the best barbecue?
A: Simply put, this question cannot be answered in a manner that satisfies all.
If you need to ask about good barbecue establishments in a region to which you are
traveling, make sure you tell people to reply OFF list. In the future, individuals
who favor one type/style over another are welcome to add a Q&A to a separate BBQ page,
but for now let's keep the debates off the SMRF list.
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Q: What's the Waffle House?
A: When Krispy Kreme doughnuts aren't filling enough (mostly due to time constraints
since you COULD eventually eat enough to be filled), then the Waffle House comes to the
rescue. Choose the pecan waffles and you can't go wrong. Other options are
fine too. Needless to say, this is how and where SMRF meetings should be convened
when models are safely stored. Not needless to say: Waffle House is another issue
that needs no discussion ON list.
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Q: What kind of foods must be sampled to understand the southeast?
A: Many foods are typical of the southeast experience. Again, the topic varies by
region and taste and discussion should be kept off the list. Wait until you've found
some subscribers who seem to understand you, then ask them off list. You won't be
sorry and you won't bore the rest of the subscribers :-)
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Q: Should I join the NMRA and is it helpful for modelers of southeastern railroads?
A: This question is best directed to the NMRA rather than discussed on SMRF.
There are ardent supporters and vocal critics of the NMRA who subscribe to SMRF. The
question of the NMRA can be debated on the newsgroup rec.models.railroad, the letters to
the editor sections of magazines, or can be directed to the NMRA members and officers.
Past discussions about the usefulness of the NMRA or NMRA membership on SMRF have
generated more heat than light. For that reason, please do not bring this particular
question up on the SMRF list.
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Q: Should I join the X Historical Society and is it helpful for modelers of southeastern railroads?
A: This question is best directed to the Historical Society in question or
it's members rather than discussed on SMRF.
There are ardent supporters and vocal critics of most southeastern railroad
historical societies who subscribe to SMRF. The
question of a particular historical society can be debated in the letters to
the editor sections of magazines, or can be directed to the historical society's
members and officers. For that reason, please do not bring this particular
question up on the SMRF list. Announcing the presence of a new historical
society, an item of interest to southeastern railroad models for sale by a
particular historical society, or a request for information about a particular
historical society is acceptable on SMRF. Just remember to post your
opinion once, and take debates off the list.
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Q: What is a flame?
A: A flame on SMRF is a needless and/or baseless attack/criticism of another individual
in a post to the list. SMRF is designed to support modelers and their efforts. To
that end, respect of individuals is important. Others may have differing viewpoints
regarding what constitutes quality in models, layouts, manufacturing practices, or
perspective. In order to have a reasonable discussion when two people disagree,
there needs to be respect for the people involved. In other words, assume that the person
disagreeing with you (whether a subscriber or not) has the best of intentions. It
could be they disagree because they are misinformed or because they have different
opinions. You can inform people and change their positions sometimes. But in
many cases, you will just have to agree to disagree. There is nothing in modeling
that is so important that everyone has to believe the same thing. Repeated statements on
the same issue do not convince anyone and can only lead to others' becoming frustrated or
worse. Follow the "Golden Rule" when in doubt: treat others as you want
others to treat you.
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Q: What should I do when I've been flamed?
A: Take any response offlist and if necessary email one of the SMRF list managers.
Responding on list only legitimizes the original post as something worthwhile and will
likely cause more problems than it solves.
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