How should XMTS grow and improve?

[Riverkilt]

Haven't had much luck in this area to date, so gonna just listen. Do want to affirm that a "10th Step" [group inventory from time to time] is a VERY good thing.

Ron

[Bugbear]

If I can make a suggestion to improve the site and still keep within both the letter and the spirit of the forum rules.

If some one wishes to have other members see photos that would not be within the rules a simple PM to the Duty Mod requesting that they look at an outside link to the photos. If the Mod finds that the photos fit within the rules of family friendly but are possibly gray in the area of Guns then that link would be allowed to be posted as a link only. Not the photos themselves.

An example would be something like......

Hi Rabble, I just got back from my Elk Hunting trip. Here I am in my new Tweed Kilt on the stalk. [img]

If you would like to see other photos of the trip which include the weapons we used, and the elk that we shot you can visit this site.

linky-linky

Please be aware that some photos in the album may be disturbing for some children, some old ladies, and some ancient Kiltmakers.

Thanks for looking

Kilted hunter.


That way no rules are broken, everyone who wishes, gets to show off their hobbies and interests and every one remains friends.

Don't forget that one can set up a private picture album, found in the profile, that only the Mods and member's contacts can view. Also, pictures can be displayed through the PM system.

[Rob Wright]

I would like to see a modern kilt wearing section. Something that is in between non-traditional and traditional. Hamish' pin stripe kilt suits, Freedom Kilts dress model are good examples. Kilts that do not fit either of the two main camps. I love the country gentleman look bit i also like the possibilities for the modern setting for the expansion of how the kilt is capable of being worn.

Rob

[sathor]

2) Have a way, by having a paid administrator perhaps, to keep this site up to date. For example we currently have a comparison in the tutorials section on the different Kiltmakers. This article was written over four years ago and has never been updated since.
Timely information in this internet world is very important.

I can't find that, but I have thought of trying to make such a chart. I would love to be able to quickly see the 'shipping' times for different places, ie SWK is really fast, but USAK is custom, so would be longer. It also would need to state if the kilts are custom or OTR, (perhaps 2 different charts) and tartan choices, as well as pleat choices. I am thinking of getting a BW box pleated, but many of the places are knife or Re.K. style.

[Raphael]

Xmarks should be a discussion forum, and I can't see the reason to morph into a information board.

Although there are only so much to talk about the kilt, but Xmarks is more than that. Aside from learning about the kilt, we make friends in the cyber space. We exchange our life stories and share our thoughts. I have learn about how people live in other parts of Canada, the U.S, and Europe. I love looking at pictures fellow members posted. People are inspiring.

Kilted fashion is dynamic. Many members had influenced others to change their styles and their colour palates. For example, Stillwater's Nightstalker Sporran changes many people's view on how sporran should look and feel. Without discussion, we may not have Freelander Sporrans.

Wearing the kilt is a complex experience as many people have different views on how it should be done.

Xmarks should also continue the ban of talking of firearms, because it is a very controversial subjects and not every one is comfortable with the subject. We have had some serious discussions in the past and they didn't end well. There are forums for that and Xmarks is about kilted living.

"Better living through Kilting' sounds like a great section as the threads will not be lost in the general kilt talk section. It will be very inspiring. Wearing the kilt have improved my life and I would to share it with other members once this section is up.

[Raphael]

I would like to see a modern kilt wearing section. Something that is in between non-traditional and traditional. Hamish' pin stripe kilt suits, Freedom Kilts dress model are good examples. Kilts that do not fit either of the two main camps. I love the country gentleman look bit i also like the possibilities for the modern setting for the expansion of how the kilt is capable of being worn.

Rob

Well Said.

[Nighthawk]

Apart from the odd touch on the tiller from time to time,I think things will change of their own accord.I can see why the Mods. and of course Hank want to keep off the "tricky" subjects, we only need to see the "flat hat,white hose" discussions to demonstrate that even on these very minor items,things can get very heated.

I find the firearms embargo more than a little frustrating as I know that there are a lot of people on this site that would love to see a part of our Scots lifestyle that I cannot show. Deer stalking, grouse shooting in magnificent scenery, for example. Now I quite accept that firearms and "dead things" are not to every one's taste, but no one is forcing anybody to look at the pictures and read the words, every one has the right to ignore it and click onto something else. I am not being given any option, if I want to stay here. However I do accept that is the way it is. I just wish it could change a wee tad.

Thank you for asking.

On this subject, I had an idea. There are a lot of reenactors on this board. I would think that a specific forum for weaponry and weapons demonstration would be something to think about. That way, those who are offended by that kind of thing can easily avoid seeing discussions on it, and those of us who, like myself and Jock, enjoy martial endeavors will have a place to post about it. I haven't posted any pictures from the sword combat that I so enjoy for this reason in particular- there is no good place to put it! So what about a forum specifically set up for the weapons- using members?

[IRISH]

back in december i posted in comments and suggestions, suggesting a kilt photo gallery (link below). my idea was a single destination for members or visitors to view as many different tartans and styles as possible in one location of the xmts site. it seemed to generate a bit of interest from others replying to the post (2 pgs of replies and a 5 star rating from someone out there). in the end i dropped it with the logic being that there is nothing stopping anyone from posting pictures of their kilts on any of the boards of xmts, specifically show us your pics. it was also suggested in the thread that there could be an additional cost involved in implementing my idea, which i hadn't considered and certainly didn't expect the owners of xmts to immediately assume new expenses.

i still think it would be a good idea and useful to members and visitors alike. i just don't feel the need to pursue it any further for the reasons stated above.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/s...552/index.html

[GMan]

As an old timer here, I feel that things are going fairly well. Busy yes, so much that I cannot really keep up with many threads, which I do regret as I too have a busy life.

I am glad that the threads in regards to religion, politics, and firearms are deemed unacceptable here. I am a moderator on one forum that is dedicated to one of those topics, so I do know why discussion is limited. I do have many ideas in that regard but I feel that many would not understand my position. So limiting is good.

I have seen so many people come and go and miss many who do not post here much anymore, but also am glad to see so many new people here. I am finding that I too am glad to see them here. We are a grand community with many growing pains which does sometimes hurt but as a general rule a good thing.

[Barb T]

I hope that we don't become just an information site. I really love to see the things that people have made or are making, as well as the things people post about what others have made/done, the delight they show in the things they make or buy, and the pride they take in all aspects of their Celtic heritage. I love the generosity with which people on the forum share their knowledge and give praise and "high-fives" for what people do. These kinds of posts are how I get to know people, and I really value that. If we just think of this site as a way to inform people, we'll lose that.

I'm all for more tutorials that are easier to find, even an FAQs section. But I hope we don't lose all the rest. We are a _community_ more than anything else. And friends who like to chat and see what each other is up to.