VBD2 is closed. Please go to https://vbd3.co.uk instead.

A few thoughts as I have grappled with Facebook and the whole social media movement for quite some time.
While I resisted joining Facebook for YEARS, I finally relented and signed up a few months ago. So far, I have no regrets and view the website almost daily which includes about 75% of my time reviewing Matchbox related stuff. I've also reconnected with many friends from decades ago -- mostly pretty cool.

The biggest plus for me is the ease of posting photos on Facebook. I always thought VBD was "clunky" when it came to posting photos and now days, if it isn't "one click" and it's there, then most folks won't waste their time............. What I don't like about Facebook regarding Matchbox (diecast) is that it doesn't really have much structure and most stuff is pretty random. Maybe I'll figure out more about that over time. Most posts are folks showing new finds or interesting models and I don't think the real "educational" element is near as prevalent as Forums such as VBD. When people "comment" on your Post, then you are advised via the "Notifications" button so easy to follow.

I still check-in on VBD periodically and have truly appreciated what I've learned from this site over the years and connecting with so many knowledgeable collectors and truly hope it continues. I also use the other parts of VBD a LOT such as the regular wheel variation catalogue and Pat's Box website --- they are both invaluable to me so REALLY hope they continue and stay relatively current.

One early observation from Facebook (w/ individual photos of members on profiles) is that it seems a fairly large component of those posting are of younger generations than the 60+ old Senior crowd. While the older crowd is still prevalent on Facebook, it gives me encouragement that some younger folks are interested in the great Matchbox hobby and seem to be taking root. Some have posted where they bought a few random Matchbox and then caught "the collecting bug" --- quite interesting and hopeful for the hobby in general.....

Thanks for asking about this one and hopefully VBD can somehow use Facebook as a complimentary benefit in the long run and retain all the positive aspects while pulling in additional people and expertise. Good stuff............

P.S If VDT can correct the photo posting snafu's and move towards a "one click" posting of photos, I think the benefits will be huge for this site!!
Bill

As the photo hosting/posting issue has been explained, correction is likely improbable to impossible.

The effort to post a pic is minor and my love of the hobby is not defined by everything having to be one click.

The closest we can get to 'One Click' picture posting is by 'Drag N Drop'.

This image was dragged from my pictures folder (open in a second window on the laptop), to the file box in the add attatchment section during the reply for the comments posted above.

So, drag the image, drop it into the attatchment box, click on...Add file. Add your comments and click submit (or preview to check your spelling etc).

Ghosthunter.

Post something on Facebook and it is buried within a few hours.
Folk may not ever get to see it.
Leave it a couple of weeks, you'll never find it.

AJR wrote:Post something on Facebook and it is buried within a few hours.
Folk may not ever get to see it.
Leave it a couple of weeks, you'll never find it.

Very very good point..

Nothing wrong with facebook but I have to admit horses for courses...

Yes you can go hunting items down but it is a whole lot easier on here to find stuff when your in a hurry or got a restoraton on the go and need information fast...

The search function on facebook is pretty good but on my own group I usually title the main postings with a keyword such as Matchbox and once you type this into the search box, all postings connected to Matchbox will be presented to you.

Ghosthunter.

I like that as well..

I believe that I have managed to turn on a form of auto-resizing.
Oversize photographs should now be reduced to a standard, maximum image size which, when clicked on, will open as the full-size image (see exhibit below)..
Please let me know if there are any issues with the Board as a result of today's tinkering/tampering.

TEST PHOTO