How should XMTS grow and improve?

[GDub]

When I'm considering a new kilt, I want to see it being worn, so I would like to see the "Photo Gallery" improved. In it's present state it only functions well with recent uploads and albums. It should have a sections like "Tartans", "Contemporary", "Accessories"... etc. that can be easily searched. Keywords should be required to post. In "Tartans," for example, --"Gordon Modern, wool", "American Heritage, PV"... etc. Drop menus could be added for fabric types and weights, and styles.

[Buckskin]

I think most everyone agrees that we need to stay a forum. There is some discussion about newbie questions, especially the ones we have seen 811,721 times. I can see the advantage of some tutorials, but people ask questions to get human response, not to be shuffled off to an encyclopidia. I have always admired those who realize that the tired old question being asked is fresh and new to the asker, and answered it as such. There are those who have the patience to do that, so let them. If you don't, then move on and resist the quick tart comment about, here we go again! These new people are our new blood, cultivate them.

I have read enough to know that there is a group who would cultivate a Forum for Non-trad kilts, accessories, and the stories that go with them.

I have no desire to know about what shotguns are being made in Scotland these days. Hunting pics on a link the way it has been offered would be enough if I cared to explore it. I would like to see a place for Celtic weapons in an historic/re-anactment setting.

I have learned a lot in the year plus that I have been a member. Like many, I read more than I post, but I am here twice daily. With my morning coffee and in the evening after work.

One last thing. I remember reading about a possible gathering someone suggested. I think New Mexico. I wish that would be persued. Many couldn't or wouldn't make it. But I think it would suprise you how many would. It would take a lot of work on someones part to set it up and pull it off. Please, go for it!!

[RockyR]

When I'm considering a new kilt, I want to see it being worn, so I would like to see the "Photo Gallery" improved. In it's present state it only functions well with recent uploads and albums. It should have a sections like "Tartans", "Contemporary", "Accessories"... etc. that can be easily searched. Keywords should be required to post. In "Tartans," for example, --"Gordon Modern, wool", "American Heritage, PV"... etc. Drop menus could be added for fabric types and weights, and styles.

There was a suggestion SIMILAR to this in the 'forums suggestions' section. I brought up the free (or VERY low priced 'gallery' software) that's out there. If we can do an Alphabetical list of tartans, people could post pics of themselves in each tartan. When people upload the photos, ideally they'd be asked the following questions:

Name of company that made / sold kilt
Done to Sett or Stripe
Material weight

I think it's a GREAT idea. People would be able to look up pictures by company name, tartan or sett / stripe.

[Riverkilt]

Sorry, can't help it....I'm solid with Buckskin on being nice to newcomers with basic questions and not blasting them for failing to use the [occasionally difficult] search feature. Thunking newcomers for not using this site as an information site defeats the fellowship of the rabble.

Be nice to the new folks, no matter how basic their questions are...

Ron

[SteveB]

On thread.
I like the idea of Traditional Highland Attire, But I would also like to see an area that is friendly to modern/contemporary kilts.
I also believe that we need to be the discussion oriented site that is Clan X-Marks. I hope to see discussions about kilts as the wearing, designing, manufacturing, and accessorizing evolve. We do get into some heated discussions about some of these things from time to time, but in a very family way. We each have our sacred opinions on certain things and let our feathers get ruffled over them a wee bit easily. I hope we are not sending newbies away by some of these discussions. I certainly do wear a baseball cap, or my tartan flat cap with my self colour Utilikilt.
I may be an old kilt wearer, but I do see and associate with many people that are a third of my age, and are wearing kilts, or considering wearing kilts. The younger people are starting out with the T-shirt, new wave solid color kilt, socks, sneakers, and ball cap. There are many thousands of young men going to the office in a button down shirt, tie, Utilikilt Mocker or Freedom Kilt, coloured socks and black leather sneakers. This is spreading all over the cubicle farms here in the U.S.A. I have met many of them at Irish Festivals, Modern Music Concerts, and business conferences. Some are now regulars on XMTS, and a few are now in tartan Highland attire, and using the forum to get their kit up to spot.
We need to welcome all to our forum and make them feel at home. At the risk of ruffling a few feathers of our Scot members, I hope we honour the members in their Alpha Kilt, Freedom Kilt, Union Kilt, or Utilikilt as much as we honour the person in full Highland kit. There is a place for everyone here.

BTW: Jamie it is bobdunsire for us bagpipe types. There are many X-Markers on that forum.

[Canuck]

edited by Canuck

[Panache]

BTW: Jamie it is bobdunsire for us bagpipe types. There are many X-Markers on that forum.

My friend Andrew Lenz is going to get me for that goof I'm sure!



Cheers

Jamie

[Zardoz]

Here are a few of my ideas

Under the "General Kilt Talk" forum I would like to see sub forums for

"Traditional Highland Attire" (Where people can get really detailed information about the history and conventions of traditional Highland wear)

"Historical Highland Apparel and Accessories" (Re-enactors rejoice!)

After mulling over the "Changed" thread from the other day, I was thinking along these lines as well, though I saw "Traditional Highland Attire" replacing the "Traditional Kilts" section, and the "Contemporary & Non-Traditional" changed to "Contemporary Kilt Attire" or some thing like that.

It might also be nice to include kilt related Ren-Faire garb in the Historical Apparel section, maybe call it "Historical, Re-enactor, & Ren-Faire Apparel" etc.

[David Dalglish]

I have been a member of this Forum for a few years now, & think that there is nothing wrong with it as it stands. I for one dont want to look at pictures of dead animals on this forum, or hunting in any way. I am not anti hunting, but this is not the forum for it as it has nothing to do with wearing a kilt.

[NancyMan]

Here are a few of my ideas

"Traditional Highland Attire" (Where people can get really detailed information about the history and conventions of traditional Highland wear)

"Historical Highland Apparel and Accessories" (Re-enactors rejoice!)

"Better Living through Kilting" (For all those great stories / anecdotes about our kilted adventures when we strap on our kilts and sally forth out into the world.)

Cheers

Jamie

And I would add:

"On the Knife Edge" (Being the discourse of those endeavoring to bring kilted fashion into the 21st century and create a contemporary kilt aesthetic.)


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