madbaker
Member 
Posts: 802 
What I collect: (Mark) General worldwide collector (to 1975 or so) with a soft spot for Sweden and the rest of Scandinavia.
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Post by madbaker on Feb 19, 2021 15:28:21 GMT
My post count per year is closer to mdroth than Beryllium Guy, so I don't even know why I'm posting in this thread (post padding?  ) but I wonder how this place changes with 1500 members and 500 active members who post, say, weekly at least. What do we gain? What do we lose? I've been watching Exploring Stamps on YouTube a lot this month and Graham talks a bit about how the next wave of philately is on Instagram and social media. Evolving past forums all together. But if you search for #philately on Instagram what you will see is far, far different than what you see here. At best, it's like the Postmark Calendar thread here, but our Postmark Calendar has room for more detail and a permanent 'collection'. Instagram just scrolls on past. Not sure if folks have the energy for taking this discussion deeper (not sure that I do either) but digging into two themes from above make sense to me: - What makes TSF special to us (is it more than civil conversation or is that enough); - do we want to help existing members be more active (and how would we do that); - how can we more effectively invite new members to become active members? |
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angore
Member
Posts: 5,698
What I collect: WW, focus on British Empire
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Post by angore on Feb 20, 2021 11:52:48 GMT
I know some of these youtube personalities are on Twitter and appear to avoid forums. The Twitter posts in the stamp feeds are just brief show and tells along with a lot of commercial posts. It seems great for one way communication. The concept of discussion (a meaningful back and forth) seems unnecessarily complex. Imagine if a forum with an "ignore" function for every member and to see their replies you needed to remove the ignore to read their replies.
There is a Machin forum that has gone dormant as some of the key posters now post in separate Facebook groups. The idea of searching history seems to be a low focus for some social media platforms.
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Post by dgdecker on Feb 21, 2021 4:18:32 GMT
I cannot recall exactly how I found the Forum. I know it was via a Google search and it was an indirect landing on the Forum.
I joined because I took to time to look through the threads and read those that were of interest to me. What I found aided my decision to join. I liked the overall feeling of friendship combined with civility. Members were willing sharing knowledge and insights to the many facets of this amazing hobby/ interest/ obsession of collecting. I still use the many threads to look for informations and for the most part I found my answers there. For when I have not found the answer then I ask it on the Forum. So far I have not been unanswered. I try my best to welcome new members. I find it difficult to reply to comments or items of which I have little or no knowledge. So I post where I think I have a relevant and helpful comment. When it comes to looking at new threads, I will always go first to those of which I have an interest. Then I will look at some of those that I am least informed about. It is my way of adding a bit of new helpful information. I know my needs are being met as a member of the Forum.
As to how to engage and encourage new members for more participation,I am at a loss for ideas to aid in this. I can say it was extremely agonizing for me to do my note of introduction. I was afraid to put anything out there for a bunch of strangers to see. Even more terrified to post my comments about on something. What help get over this fear was reading responses others had left. I found that there was no judgement, criticism or hostility in those comments. A difference of opinions was not a problem., opposing views were well described. Generally those with opposing views accepted that they differ and move on to next subject.
i keep seeing the word « civil » as a description of this site. That is what brings me back. We have respect for each other and the respect to accept we can have differing views.
it is with pride I recommend the Forum to those who have asked me where I go for philatelic question.
David
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REL1948
Member
Posts: 785
What I collect: 1840-Pre-Decimal, GB and Colonies, 1840 1 penny reds, British Empire Postal History, Switzerland Postal History
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Post by REL1948 on Mar 4, 2021 2:41:44 GMT
I was searching for information on the Great Britain KGV Seahorses. One of the answers linked to TSF and I knew I wanted to join this group.
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fkarl
**Member** 
Posts: 19
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Post by fkarl on Mar 7, 2021 5:50:53 GMT
I found the board by accident. Glad I did!
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pattib
Member
Posts: 80
What I collect: Anything France but especially semi-postal. Worldwide to 1920.
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Post by pattib on Mar 7, 2021 22:28:48 GMT
I searched for a stamp forum and found this one. After looking at other forums and following the threads here, I found this one to be the friendliest, so I decided to join after many months of lurking in the shadows.
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drblade
Member
Posts: 847
What I collect: GB Unmounted mint & Machin definitives Q.E.II Used commemoratives
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Post by drblade on Oct 16, 2021 13:23:42 GMT
I was surfing the web looking for info on stamps & also deleting some previous forum memberships I had been a member of, due to their unhelpfulness & "in house" conversations. Checked out TSF & liked what I saw.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Nov 25, 2021 15:06:54 GMT
Post made by former member @ajchurney
I am searching for a rather rare and elusive catalog of Swiss Soldier Stamps, and helpful info was linked to this forum. One thing led to another, and now I'm happy to be here myself!
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Post by daniel on Nov 25, 2021 17:30:57 GMT
I am searching for a rather rare and elusive catalog of Swiss Soldier Stamps, and helpful info was linked to this forum. One thing led to another, and now I'm happy to be here myself! Hi Andy, Welcome to the forum. I've responded to your message. Hope it helps. Do show some of your stamps. All the best, Daniel |
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Post by sahana on Dec 31, 2021 10:31:41 GMT
Was recommended by a member in a local stamp club
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masamir
**Member**
Inactive
Hello y'all! I am interest in stamp collecting and philatelic study.
Posts: 4
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Post by masamir on Jan 10, 2022 14:17:28 GMT
google
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daveg28
Member
Posts: 1,062
What I collect: U.S., Canada, Great Britain & Commonwealth, France (esp. 1950-80), DDR, USSR
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Post by daveg28 on Jan 10, 2022 14:28:20 GMT
I found this board in a Google search. I'd been following another board mainly to keep up on U.S. stamp releases. Fighting among members and being personally insulted drove me away and made me search for a new venue. I found a number of forums to check out, but this one has been far and away my favorite.
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bart1941
**Member**
Inactive
US retired Navy Vet. Living in Danmark, with my Danish wife.
Posts: 5
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Post by bart1941 on Jan 23, 2022 19:46:38 GMT
I first heard of this forum from an email I received form somebody I did not know, but must of known of my life long interested in collecting stamps. It sounded like a good idea to join, however I am finding it very difficult to use. I am a senior citizen from the old school and do not understand all these abbreviations and jargon. I see a lot of post which have nothing to do with the hobby. I understand that I need to make 50 post, but finding it difficult to find anything to comment on.
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Post by daniel on Jan 23, 2022 21:18:39 GMT
Hi bart1941, Sorry to hear that you're not finding much to interest you. You're probably viewing the forum via Recent Posts, as many of us do, so you'll find all kinds of topics, not all directly related to stamps. There is an existing thread for Irish Overprints here (click on the word here) which you should find to be of interest. You can scan some of your stamps and post them there to encourage further discussion or just to show off your collection. Also, by clicking on HOME, top left, you can look for stamp topics that are of particular interest to you. TSF Google Search, at the top, is useful for a more specific search. It's a fun place to be once you've found your way around. I hope you stay and have a good look around the forum. All the best, Daniel |
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tomiseksj
Moderator 
Woodbridge, Virginia, USA
Posts: 6,385
What I collect: Worldwide stamps/covers, Cinderellas, Ohio Prepaid Sales Tax Receipts, U.S. WWII Ration ephemera
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Post by tomiseksj on Jan 23, 2022 21:54:39 GMT
bart1941 , Don't let your age hold you back. If you have a question about how something works or what an abbreviation stands for and can't find an explanation in the Frequently Asked Questions About Using the Forum category, just ask and someone will help you out. If you can't find something of interest in the now 8,025 threads and over 132,000 posts on the Forum, start a discussion in an area of interest to you and others will follow. I agree with daniel , don't confine your viewing to the Recent Threads or Recent Posts views -- they are only useful in seeing what has been posted since your last visit here. We've also got two search functions to help you find something that may be of interest to you. Lastly, clicking on Help in the navigation bar appearing at the top of the screen will take you to a User Guide that provides a fair amount of info about using any of the ProBoards'-hosted forums.
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crisger
Member
Artist and Digital Creations
Posts: 112
What I collect: Japan 1890s -2012
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Post by crisger on Mar 8, 2022 22:51:31 GMT
I found this site by search online, i was feeling like it would be nice to have knowledgeable and experienced collectors to discuss my collection of stamps and ongoing collecting with others who have similar interests, and concerns. I found once i looked around that the community here seems very knowledgeable indeed, and also courteous and generous with sharing and posting. It makes a big difference to have quality input into our shared interests...and I also much appreciate the detailed intro information that the Administrators provide and the prompt process for entry. thank you to all.
To bart1941, who posted about feeling a bit adrift here as a new member, dont hesitate to share about what interests you, esp if you have a speciality among stamps you follow. I had to learn computer world and internet things at a late age myself as I am probably older than 60 percent here myself, and come from a very old school of interests, and concerns and work, i dont own a "fancy cell phone" or do texting or meddle in much modern news....my eyes look back to history and older times most of the time as well. But I have found if one reaches out a hand in honest and sincere sharing, many other hands will reach back with kindness and generous interest as well. Good Luck and give that a try.  Chris |
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sudbury12000
Member
Posts: 360
What I collect: Canada, Great Britain, Germany, World Pre 1925
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Post by sudbury12000 on Mar 11, 2022 2:47:48 GMT
Was very active on Stampboards for 10 years . Finally got fed up with the abusive Australian site Sheriff , one more rude email and I quit . Was twitchy and looking for a home so Googled and came here I felt exactly the same, and also had a run in with an India specialist. That site should be called Stamp Collectors with abrasive personalities. How do they expect to add new people to the hobby when they get treated like crap! So in 20 years their collections or stores will be worth nothing as they scared newbies like me away. I am so glad I found this site and you good people! |
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Post by gstamps on Mar 11, 2022 7:01:29 GMT
Heard about it on a different stamp forum
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oskar1
**Member**
Posts: 23
What I collect: France, Bavaria
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Post by oskar1 on Sept 3, 2022 16:53:08 GMT
Hi-
Found this forum on an internet search. Having an area dedicated to French stamps sealed it for me- lots of new information for me to digest.
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Post by dankir on Sept 3, 2022 19:47:32 GMT
Was looking for advice about different stock books to buy, then noticed some more interesting topics being discussed here and thought this would be a good place to expand my knowledge, motivate me and allow me to learn from others.
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sharonb
Member
Posts: 63
What I collect: Used only - Australia, Great Britain, Canada, Ireland, Western Europe, and Scandinavia, from 1900 to date. That keeps me busy. To be honest I am trying to avoid becoming a WW collector.
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Post by sharonb on Sept 4, 2022 1:15:34 GMT
I think I found the forum via a stamp ID search. I inherited an accumulation a few years ago that had me googling this and that. I was just trying to sort it out a bit. In enjoying that process I returned to stamp collecting. I am sure I found the forum via the rabbit warren that following a trail about a particular stamp can be. I don't think I ever directly searched for stamp forums as I had encountered an Australian forum that treated new people very badly. It seemed to be populated by a lot of grumpy old men so for a while there I was not keen to be involved with forums let alone speak up and participate in conversations. I am pleased I found this forum however as I can remember thinking 'THIS lot are not like THAT lot' and joined. I would say a welcoming friendly atmosphere is crucial to a good forum.
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brookbam
Member
APS 236261
Posts: 235
What I collect: US...everything until I decide what I don't want to collect! And now thanks to a TSF give-away I'm adding Space topicals!
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Post by brookbam on Feb 2, 2023 0:43:32 GMT
I found the forum through a Google search for DIY stamp album pages. After seeing the 33 pages posted here on the subject, I knew I needed an account!
I think I made it to page 16 now. I was on page 14 last week when I joined. But now I'm adding to it and getting all the constructive criticism that I've been looking for! So much helpful info I've been getting and lots of great ideas!
Mike
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renden
Member
Posts: 9,162
What I collect: Canada-USA-France-Lithuania-Austria--Germany-Mauritius-French Colonies in Africa
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Post by renden on Feb 2, 2023 13:21:06 GMT
brookbamMike, nice to see your participation/involvement on TSF since you started being a new member (17 posts !!) We have so many new faces on TSF - keeps us busy - wish everyone would participate like you ! Thanks René
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brookbam
Member
APS 236261
Posts: 235
What I collect: US...everything until I decide what I don't want to collect! And now thanks to a TSF give-away I'm adding Space topicals!
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Post by brookbam on Feb 2, 2023 15:24:20 GMT
brookbam Mike, nice to see your participation/involvement on TSF since you started being a new member (17 posts !!) We have so many new faces on TSF - keeps us busy - wish everyone would participate like you ! Thanks René Thanks. I've been trying to input without being space filler and actually getting quality posts to my 50 posts when I become a "real" member. I'm probably at 20 posts now with this one...maybe 21. I knew once I got on, the DIY album page would keep me busy here but now I found "Today's Mail." I've been buying auction buys on SAN to get my collection a jump start to at least get some of the common stuff going. Then I'll start focusing on the stuff I really want. Actually, I'll probably focus on getting an album page finalized and start figuring out how to start mounting some of this.
I didn't realize how much I missed collecting until I got back in.
Still wish I hadn't sold that old jr high collection... Mike
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dorincard
Member
Posts: 1,623
What I collect: My focus is on Wild Mammals on maximum cards. Occasionally, I get or create maximum cards with other animals, or any other topic.
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Post by dorincard on Feb 2, 2023 16:27:44 GMT
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Post by forth on Feb 2, 2023 20:28:15 GMT
As already mentioned on this thread I had enough of an Australian owner and the abuse he gave to members so looked for another forum.
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JeffS
Member
Posts: 2,842
What I collect: Oranges Philately, US Slogan Cancels, Cape of Good Hope Triangulars, and Texas poster stamps and cinderellas
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Post by JeffS on Feb 2, 2023 22:08:49 GMT
renden I believe he was tired of the infamous sheriff from down under and went looking elsewhere, ended up happily here
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brookbam
Member
APS 236261
Posts: 235
What I collect: US...everything until I decide what I don't want to collect! And now thanks to a TSF give-away I'm adding Space topicals!
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Post by brookbam on Feb 16, 2023 17:44:41 GMT
Just to update my post from 1 Feb 2023...
Something that is KEEPING a new member to the forum are the fascinating discussions. Back in junior high school I used to collect worldwide and US but it got to be too much and I think I gave the worldwide album away and just focused on my US collection. One of my favorite stamps though was this side profile of QEII. I never knew...as a 14 year old kid...that these were called "Machins"...at least until I got here. And now with King Charles in place, there has been another discussions on what to call his profiled stamps and that name so far has been "Jennings." Then there's been the discuss on whether his profile should have faced right instead of left. Yes...all very fascinating. All little facts/pieces of stamp history that I've learned since joining TSF.
Toss in all the beautiful artwork done on these WW stamps. Just...magnificent!
And let's not forget the help that I've received in the DIY thread on making my own stamp album (which brought me here in the first place) along with a nice comment from the creator of AlbumEasy (which made me blush and say "awww shucks"). The advice and constructive criticism has bee GREATLY appreciated!
And lastly...I've become a full fledged member! So now I feel I have at least a measure of responsibility to the forum to continue to support it.
Again...thanks so much for the help!
Mike (brookbam)
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2023 19:38:36 GMT
A few weeks ago, I searched for stamp forums in DuckDuckGo, and joined a forum I won't name. Reading various threads there, I noticed a lot of sarcastic interventions by moderators, and decided to bail out before I received the same treatment. I've had a good look around TSF before joining, and it looks like a much friendlier place.
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gbcc
Member
Posts: 1,067
What I collect: GB First day covers, event covers and postmarks, GB Slogans
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Post by gbcc on Mar 25, 2023 20:53:24 GMT
Had been posting on another Forum which was then being closed so an Invite was posted up to join the TSF family which i readily and with pleasure moved across to. Geoff (GBCC) www.gbcovercollector.co.uk |
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) but I wonder how this place changes with 1500 members and 500 active members who post, say, weekly at least. What do we gain? What do we lose?
