Back to basics

[badjez]

Is it just my opinion that this forum is beginning to be invaded by un-related subjects- today I see posts on German, Polish, & Columbian items. There have been posts on bayonets, firearms, webbing etc. none of which appear to be related to British or Commonwealth badges.

There are plenty of other forums to go to if you are interested in subjects other than that which this forum purports to relate to.

Stephen.

P.S. Can I offload any tomato plant seedlings to anyone or should I try the Soviet naval warfare site to dispose of them?

[2747andy]

Stephen,
A bit of a harsh comment! However I can empathise!

However what I will add is that everyone has a choice and nobody is forced to read any thread! There are many threads I find as dull as ditch water, but are probably enthralling to others?

If you don't like a thread or it does not interest you, then don't waste your time following it!

Andy

[Cribyn]

Hello Stephen

I take your point and to some extent agree that it seems as if more and more non-British and Commonwealth badge issues are being discussed. However, there are categories on this Forum for 'Foreign Badges & Insignia', 'Civilian Services', 'Other Militaria' and even 'Off Topic', so the subject matter to be discussed here is pretty wide.

This Forum may not be the best place to ask questions on foreign badges or webbing, for instance, but it may, for some people, be a better option than joining several other Forums (if that is the correct plural!) just to get an opinion on the odd item that turns up from time to time.

As has been said before, if you don't want to read about other topics then just ignore them, after all there is still plenty here to keep the British and Commonwealth Military Badge enthusiast happy!

Regards
Roger

[Tigerlily]

Roger beat me, just typed exactly the same thing, that in fact all those subjects fit into various forums on here such as other militaria, foreign badges, other military topics etc.

Agreed sometimes people post in the wrong forums, but mods usually move them.

I think as it's a strong community where often military/militaria subjects overlap, it would be a shame to put a stop to that great exchange of info.

Alli

[2747andy]

Stephen,
Are the tomatoe plants original or reproduced? Can you also confirm they originally come from Britain or the Commonwealth?

Andy

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by 2747andy

Stephen,
Are the tomato plants original or reproduced? Can you also confirm they originally come from Britain or the Commonwealth?

Andy

Can they also be verified as Military issue?

Marc

[Charliedog012012]

If you ask me, this argument is getting fruity and may end up giving people the pip! (Err..........shall I leave now?)

[davidwyke]

Originally Posted by badjez

Is it just my opinion that this forum is beginning to be invaded by un-related subjects- today I see posts on German, Polish, & Columbian items. There have been posts on bayonets, firearms, webbing etc. none of which appear to be related to British or Commonwealth badges.

There are plenty of other forums to go to if you are interested in subjects other than that which this forum purports to relate to.

Stephen.

P.S. Can I offload any tomato plant seedlings to anyone or should I try the Soviet naval warfare site to dispose of them?

Hi Stephen

Your comments are certainly worthy of debate and I do know for a fact that there are other Forum members of the same opinion as you, although I have to admit that I'm not one of them.

I occasionally contribute to a forum related to another hobby and they have a strict "Forum Subject Only" policy. If someone starts a thread which deals with another subject they will usually take it down and if a thread moves away from the forum subject they often close it. Personally, I find that frustrating as it's often the case that an interesting discussion comes to an abrupt halt.

This Forum is different in that the subject matter cannot be so easily defined, I think it would be a minefield to try and impose rigid restrictions and only include "British & Commonwealth Military Badges". Here are a few examples to try and highlight this:

Police Badges - no mention of these in the title, does this mean they should be excluded? I hope not as they are one of my main interests, but that's just me being selfish! If they were excluded, what about civil police forces with a military connection; for example many colonial forces which have had a dual police/military role at different times. Should these be allowed or banned?

Civilian Buttons - there have been several threads recently dealing with non-military buttons, none of which I've been "guilty" of initiating but to which I've contributed as best I could. I know at least one member has complained "off forum" along the lines of "what's this got to do with military badges?". What needs to be remembered though is that these threads started with the possibility that the button in question might be military. When this possibility has been eliminated should the thread be closed or should it be allowed to run it's course to a logical conclusion? Personally, I would much prefer the latter and I think most collectors would still like to know what the item is, particularly if they have one in their collection.

Foreign Badges - not something I have an interest in really (other than USA) but I certainly don't object to them being discussed on the Forum. How do you define a foreign badge anyway? If a Commonwealth country gains independence and subsequently leaves the Commonwealth, presumably the Commonwealth period insignia would be acceptable but not the later "foreign" insignia? As regards Polish badges - foreign certainly but inextricably linked to British insignia during WW2, as were badges and insignia from other foreign countries.

Items other than badges - for example, a sword. If the sword has a badge or emblem on the hilt or blade could that be included, or should it be excluded because it's a sword?

The list is endless. I'm not trying to rubbish your opinions, Stephen (or those of others with a like mind), I'm just trying to point out that enforcement of the Forum title would be virtually impossible. I also think that whilst many collectors have a main interest, they also have at least a passing interest in other aspects of militaria and find the diversity of the Forum interesting in this respect.

I think more effort could be made to place threads in the correct category but I don't think the inclusion of items other than "British & Commonwealth Military Badges" is a problem unless they begin to dominate the Forum, which is far from the case at the moment. Sometimes I just ignore sections/threads in which I don't have an interest, sometimes I read them out of curiosity and to broaden my knowledge. But, as has already been said, there is no obligation to look at them and I certainly don't object to them being there!

David

[Charliedog012012]

Originally Posted by davidwyke

Hi Stephen

Your comments are certainly worthy of debate and I do know for a fact that there are other Forum members of the same opinion as you, although I have to admit that I'm not one of them.

I occasionally contribute to a forum related to another hobby and they have a strict "Forum Subject Only" policy. If someone starts a thread which deals with another subject they will usually take it down and if a thread moves away from the forum subject they often close it. Personally, I find that frustrating as it's often the case that an interesting discussion comes to an abrupt halt.

This Forum is different in that the subject matter cannot be so easily defined, I think it would be a minefield to try and impose rigid restrictions and only include "British & Commonwealth Military Badges". Here are a few examples to try and highlight this:

Police Badges - no mention of these in the title, does this mean they should be excluded? I hope not as they are one of my main interests, but that's just me being selfish! If they were excluded, what about civil police forces with a military connection; for example many colonial forces which have had a dual police/military role at different times. Should these be allowed or banned?

Civilian Buttons - there have been several threads recently dealing with non-military buttons, none of which I've been "guilty" of initiating but to which I've contributed as best I could. I know at least one member has complained "off forum" along the lines of "what's this got to do with military badges?". What needs to be remembered though is that these threads started with the possibility that the button in question might be military. When this possibility has been eliminated should the thread be closed or should it be allowed to run it's course to a logical conclusion? Personally, I would much prefer the latter and I think most collectors would still like to know what the item is, particularly if they have one in their collection.

Foreign Badges - not something I have an interest in really (other than USA) but I certainly don't object to them being discussed on the Forum. How do you define a foreign badge anyway? If a Commonwealth country gains independence and subsequently leaves the Commonwealth, presumably the Commonwealth period insignia would be acceptable but not the later "foreign" insignia? As regards Polish badges - foreign certainly but inextricably linked to British insignia during WW2, as were badges and insignia from other foreign countries.

Items other than badges - for example, a sword. If the sword has a badge or emblem on the hilt or blade could that be included, or should it be excluded because it's a sword?

The list is endless. I'm not trying to rubbish your opinions, Stephen (or those of others with a like mind), I'm just trying to point out that enforcement of the Forum title would be virtually impossible. I also think that whilst many collectors have a main interest, they also have at least a passing interest in other aspects of militaria and find the diversity of the Forum interesting in this respect.

I think more effort could be made to place threads in the correct category but I don't think the inclusion of items other than "British & Commonwealth Military Badges" is a problem unless they begin to dominate the Forum, which is far from the case at the moment. Sometimes I just ignore sections/threads in which I don't have an interest, sometimes I read them out of curiosity and to broaden my knowledge. But, as has already been said, there is no obligation to look at them and I certainly don't object to them being there!

David

I think that you have made your argument in a very fair manner, making some significant points and achieving a delicate balance which I would say deserves to be complimented.

[Marcus H]

Originally Posted by Charliedog012012

If you ask me, this argument is getting fruity and may end up giving people the pip! (Err..........shall I leave now?)

I thought I'd just Ketchup with this thread too

Best,

Marcus

[2747andy]

Stephen,
sorry if this has left you "Red Faced"!



Andy

[Peter Brydon]

Whilst seeing where Stephen is coming from, some very interesting points have been made.

It is interesting that ( fingers crossed ) we have not had any major bust ups or long time members leaving for some time so perhaps we are doing something right.

There seems little point in repeating what has been said about police and non military buttons but I can recall in the last few weeks both badges and buttons which were put up for identification turning out to be non military and I wonder if they would have been identified if there were no members with an interest in these fields on the Forum.

I also think that if the Forum was restricted to only threads about British and Commonwealth Military Badges, there might well be quite long periods when no new threads were put up.

Another aspect to the Forum is the social one, I have made some very good friends through being a member of the Forum and it appears that reading about members meeting up at Militaria Fairs, so have other members. In my opinion the Forum would be a far less friendly place without the off topic threads.

If its not broken...............

P.B.

[badjez]

I'm glad this topic has generated debate, which I think is useful. I am still unsure that including items on weapons, or German insignia has any place on this forum, and stand by my thoughts.

This forum has its uses in identifying unknown items, and I realise that sometimes these unknowns turn out to be civilian. However, if I want to pick experts' minds on webbing I might be better informed by going to a specialist webbing forum (if such a thing exists) in the same way as if I have a Great War query my first choice might be the Great War Forum. I don't expect the best advice on repairing my car from a greengrocer (but he does like my tomatoes!).

If the object of this particular forum had been to identify unknown items, trade webbing, or sell tomato plants then it has been misnamed.

Stephen.

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

Firstly let me compliment all who have participated in this discussion, although differing views and opinions have been expressed it has been done with great respect for all involved. I for one think that this is a credit to the membership on this forum and applaud the gentlemanly (and ladylike) behavior.

As for myself I must confess to being a guilty party where other none badge related topics are concerned. My personal expertise (and full time profession) is in the Fairbairn Sykes knife but my own personal militaria interests are broad and not only include insignia but also firearms and accoutrements. So I will confess that from time to time I do enjoy seeing some variety, as long as it is posted in the appropriate section.

I certainly here, understand and respect the various comments in regards visiting other forums that may be more appropriate, as I have been and are a member/moderator of some. However I often find myself much more drawn to 'chatting' on this forum simply because the ladies and gentlemen that are members are (in my humble opinion) just really decent chaps (see my first paragraph) and enjoy the banter, be it lighthearted, expert or educational on here more than most other places I frequent. To me this is a compliment to the members that I prefer to spend my time here rather than go elsewhere.

Well, that's just a few of my thoughts. But I will say it again - I think it is wonderful that such topics like this can be raised, discussed and occasionally disagreed with and done so in such a decent manner.

Roy.

[RCN]

Perhaps sometimes we can get too serious & focussed........

I LOVE the Music topic that's currently running, lightens things up a bit on board.....

Br