scb
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Post by scb on Aug 18, 2013 5:07:26 GMT
IMHO it's all about the difference between running an organization / business vs. doing it just for fun.
An organization / business strives to make some money so that they can pay their employees, organize their healthcare, have insurances etc. stuff. I took a quick look of APS financial records (publicly available), and they spend somewhere between 250-400,000$ a year on salaries & expenses alone. So no wonder their membership fees are what they are.
Forums like this... Well, they're a labor of love of their owners/admins/maintainers. There's no pay, no insurance, no sick leaves, nothing (except some expenses and piece of good mind)... If they're having a good year, then the the admin/owners can buy a pizza slice or something (but only once a year, LOL). Seriously speaking, I do have lots of tribute and understanding to all admins/mods (not just here, but on all stamp sites) to all the 'free' work they do.
just my 5cents worth,
-k-
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 14, 2013 14:22:49 GMT
I try and get a screen capture on my computer, all I get is a black image, any IT professionals explain why? That's the way it goes because video is presented in so called 'video overlay/interlacing' which goes on top of the actual screen image. If you want a screenshot of the video, you have to use the tools most media/video players provide. I know Austria produced a Stamp of the venus, anyone have a copy? I believe it revolves Please post if you do. I have a used copy It's really one of the most amazing stamps to look at because each direction/angle provides a different (very realistic) view.
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 13, 2013 18:21:40 GMT
I wouldn't characterize these "ordinary" member benefits as such: Actually I meant the benefits that 'ordinary members' of this forum (TSF) could receive if TSF became a chapter of APS. Based on Ms. Johnson's response there's not much in there IMHO.
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scb
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
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Post by scb on Aug 13, 2013 15:00:24 GMT
Excellent tomiseksj. Great to see a firm response on this topic....So basically the benefits to 'ordinary member' are next to nothing. Well, somehow I guessed that.
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scb
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
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Post by scb on Aug 11, 2013 16:11:22 GMT
Yep...
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scb
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 11, 2013 13:04:25 GMT
My bad... I forgot that I haven't (yet) added an exclusion to 'image hotlink prevention script' for TSF at my blog... Here's one image of Venezuelan specimens I'm blogging this time.
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 11, 2013 11:01:22 GMT
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 11, 2013 10:56:06 GMT
Maybe a stupid question, but what are the benefits of getting a forum as a chapter of APS or some other organization?
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scb
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Post by scb on Aug 10, 2013 13:11:12 GMT
There you go two completely opposite (almost) points of view in just two answers. Nope... The goals are not the opposite. We are reaching for the same goal but from two different directions
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 10, 2013 12:03:14 GMT
The best advice I can give is very simple: 'It's all about the quality content. Build it, and your server will crash' I would not worry too much about SOME, or banners, or similar... All this forum needs is quality discussion. Lots and lots of it.
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 9, 2013 6:51:36 GMT
Actually the script that enhances the inbuilt image preview could be easily enhanced further to make all uploaded images load on original size without any kind of user action.
But it's important to realize that use of small size preview images (& click to make them open full size) make this forum a whole lot faster to load. For example I'm writing this now on mobile broadband, and the board is already dreadfully slow to read/browse).
And secondly, full size images = increased bandwidth consumption = increased costs (at least to ProBoards providing the forums; and very likely some of it would come to Jack too).
Just my 5 cents worth, -k-
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 5, 2013 7:05:53 GMT
Hi Mitch, nice to see fellow worldwide collector joining the boards -k-
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 4, 2013 4:50:00 GMT
I'm surprised Equatorial Guinea isn't there...did they clean up their act? When I was a kid, I seem to remember being awash in EG stamps. Yes... Since early 1980s EG has officially issued only about 500 stamps (though there is a largish number of bogus items circling around). Here's on overview of the 1970s 'crazy years' many collectors think / associate with Equatorial Guinea: www.stampcollectingblog.com/equatorial-guinea-a-country-with-lost-reputation.php
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 4, 2013 4:46:06 GMT
I wonder how many actually got stamps from these countries (in any form) at their collections? As many know I collect worldwide used & CTO (but not mint); and have somewhat largish collection (with well over 80,000 face different stamps). But I have to say I've got very little - if at all - items from the "top countries": 1. Grenada Grenadines – got very few (almost all cto) 2. Grenadines of St Vincent – got very few (all postally used) 3. Nevis – nothing 4. Palau – nothing 5. Antigua & Barbuda – got few (all postally used) 6. Grenada – got very few (almost all postally used) 7. St Vincent – got very few (all postally used) 8. Dominica – got very few (all postally used) 9. Marshall Islands – nothing 10. St Thomas & Prince – got something (all cto) And If I limit the years to 1880-2012 era, then the number of items I have would go down by 90%. So if you ask me, I think this kind of statistics are trying to create a 'non-existing' problem about the 'stamp flood'. These items may be available for 'new issue' subscribers, but other than that they are simply not 'out there'. just my 5 cents worth, -k- PS. If anyone is suffering a flow of these (used or CTO), please do feel free to PM me. I'm sure we can work out a satisfactory swap/exchange
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Aug 2, 2013 10:08:11 GMT
With generous acceptance of our Admin, I'll be updating this topic whenever I've got some new entries on my blog. Considering my update/writing cycle, it should not happen more than 3-4 times a month. But on with the first new post... Few more unusual stamps from the 1970s Trucial sheikdoms - basically this blog entry displays some more or less unusual items from the 1970s Trucial sheikdoms. And what makes the below fauna stamps 'unusual'... Well, you'll just have to visit the blog find the answer
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 31, 2013 5:54:37 GMT
Big Blue blog gets my vote too. It is a really outstanding resource
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 31, 2013 5:45:00 GMT
I just noticed there's a section to represent our blogs, so here's mine www.stampcollectingblog.comBasically it's a collection of my writings/opinions about stamps in my collection, and stamp collecting in general. Additionally, the blog houses my stamp exchanges, as well as inventory/statistics for my worldwide collection, and... All in all there's roughly 400 pages of stamp related knowledge. Please do have fun with it.
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 31, 2013 4:51:51 GMT
Howdy Bob, Nice to see you around here too
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 31, 2013 4:50:12 GMT
Howdy Jim It seems we worldwide collectors are taking over
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 30, 2013 4:49:59 GMT
I agree it's likely to be Superman stamp (especially with movie boosting sales). I just hope they'd do the honors to original comic art (from different decades). The Jersey stamps for 'Man of steel' were IMHO such a disgrace (pic taken from Jersey Post website, hence not an upload): Mod -Please follow Forum rules when posting images, thank you
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scb
Member
Inactive
Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 30, 2013 4:35:02 GMT
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scb
Member
Inactive
Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 30, 2013 4:26:29 GMT
Thanks for the votes. Keep 'em coming... I just realized that I didn't describe my preferences in any way (though some may know of them already, LOL). These days I'm committed to using stock books with occasional odds & ends (for swap/exchange) on stock pages. So far I've got 160+ stock books of varying sizes (most being 32 pagers) housing my worldwide collection. Before becoming a worldwide collector and a 'stock books guy', I focused on Finnish stamps, and I had my Finnish collection on set of album pages. Few years back I (finally) moved the non-specialized parts of it to stock books (though I must admit I created a set of digitally mounted album pages in the process). Only the specialized pages (for definitives series of 1885, 1889, 1917 and 1930) remain on DIY album pages as transferring them would be too much work...Additionally, I did have few side collections (classic Hungary, Russian Art, and First Flight covers) on album pages; these are now merged into stock books as well.
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 29, 2013 15:51:12 GMT
Inspired by the discussion on excellent Filling Spaces blog, I'm doing a poll with very simple question: stamp album or stock book - which do you prefer. Vote for stamp album if you use either commercial pages (by Scott, Davo, Schaubek etc), or printed set of Steiner pages, or 100% DIY pages. Vote for stock book if you use stock books or stock pages. The remaining options, both or neither should be pretty obvious A similar topic/ poll was run at the Stampboards early 2012, and back then stock book won by 40% share, the hybrid solution (both) came close second with 33% share, and the rest of options got just the scrapes. But I'm very interested what the results look like when most of voters are from the North American area (as it seems to be with this board). I have a hunch that a far larger percentage will vote for stamp album. But that's just my speculation. Anyway, let the voting begin
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 29, 2013 5:18:40 GMT
... It was probably banned because they have a stamp forum also on that site. When will forum admin's realise members are always a member of more than one forum. I going to spend a little time later checking it out. Thanks And while on topic of Colnect.... In defence of SCF admin I have to say that I'm not putting Colnect high on my 'favorites list' either. I don't know the reasons why SCF prohibits Colnect, but my personal 'negative' opinion is mostly because of 'stuff' that's happened in the way back in the past. And there's a bit of personal chemistries clash too between us website owners. IMHO it's just a 'personal response', not much different from folks walking out from SCF (or BidStart/VSC; Or StampBoards, Or ...) It's very hard for 'community admin'/website owner to walk out of their own community/website; whereas members can always flee to another community/website, or start their own (and I'm not criticizing anyone here; just stating a fact) . But I agree that in communities people using & creating the community, and especially the content should matter more than their leaders, which is why I do have some links to Colnect on my blog (though every time I think of it I get shivers ) Just my 5 cents worth. -k-
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 29, 2013 4:33:23 GMT
Every time I do a search on Google, SCF always comes up at least #2. That could be because Google uses 'personalized search' settings: It remembers what sites you've been visiting before (those are given preference) It remembers what have you searched before (those themes/topics are given preference) It knows where you live / are (sites operating in the area/country are given preference) It tries to provide search result that please you. Not necessarily the best ones! ... For example those living in Australia will see a whole lot more of StampBoards in their Google Search results than those in US (based on geolocation preference alone). Here's a same data in 'fun & illustrated' chart by one of the most popular 'alternative' search engines: dontbubble.us/
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 28, 2013 3:59:11 GMT
That's great news ... But please do drop me an email. It would be great to catch up.
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 28, 2013 3:06:20 GMT
Howdy khj,
nice to see you around.
-k-
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 24, 2013 6:07:25 GMT
My pleasure
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 24, 2013 3:50:23 GMT
Thanks everyone
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scb
Member
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Now at 100,000+ worldwide stamps, and progressing one stamp at a time towards the 200K
Posts: 313
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Post by scb on Jul 23, 2013 20:02:23 GMT
Hi everyone And greetings to all from darkening night of lake Sumiainen. Nice to see so many familiar names/names. Shortly of me... My name is Keijo, I collect used (including CTO) worldwide stamps from 1840 to date. Some of my collection can be seen at my blog www.stampcollectingblog.comThanks. And looking foreward to some nice stamp talks. -k-
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