NMB Community Newsletter - Please Read

[Brian]

Hi all,

This is the first of what decided will be a semi-regular newsletter where I get to address issues, give current news, and generally make a few points. Apologies, but these will be mandatory reading as they will contain info and issues than need addressing. I promise to make them infrequent and informative if possible. Here are a few points I need to emphasize

 

• I am still seeing people replying to the notification emails they get when someone sends them a pm. In other words, you get a forum email saying "you have a private message from someone..please respond via the pm system" and then they hit reply and reply to the email. Folks, the recipient will NEVER get your reply. Email addresses are private here, so you can't email someone or reply to a notification. Go into your pm inbox and reply to them there.
   
• You CAN edit your posts for a certain time. I don't know why we get people posting, and then immediately replying to their post to correct something. Go to your post and click the 3 dots top right, and click edit. Then correct your post or spelling or layout or whatever and click save, bottom right.
   
• Layouts. Oh my goodness. When you attach pictures, they will automatically insert themselves at the bottom of your post. Please don't click "insert into post" unless you want the picture placed where the cursor is or specifically placed between sentences. Otherwise just click post.
  What we are seeing is that people type a sentence and leave the cursor in a random place. They then upload attachments and click "insert into post" which puts the image somewhere random at the cursor and has the text all over the place, or wrapping around the image. If you want to insert the picture somewhere, hit return after the sentence. THEN insert the pic. It will appear on the next line at least.
  And again...refer to the point above...if you see your layout is messed up, click edit. Go to the end of the sentence, hit return. This will fix the picture placement by adding a line down. Looks neater for everyone. Don't be lazy! Proof read your posts after placing them, and fix things that need fixing.
   
• Image sizing. There are file upload restrictions. Images don't have to be huge to be clear. But if you are uploading directly from your phone, they probably are. Find a free online image resizer. There are plenty. Resize down to less than 300kb...your image will be plenty big. No need for images that are 3 megs big. Also...please watch what format your phone uses. Don't upload Apple .HEIC files. Google how to take pics in regular jpeg. It's not difficult. If the uploader says your file is too big..it IS. Don't give up, this is 2023. Google image resizers, scale it down...upload again. Find a 10 year old to explain. They are good at this.
   
• Folks, this is not Facebook. And I am very glad about that. And unfortunately the reality is that everyone's opinion is NOT equal. That's life. If you are a beginner and you post a reply that says "X is definitely Y" then there will be other novices that take that as fact. Your statement does NOT hold as much water as the 40 year student of Nihonto that replies after you. So please bear that in mind when you make statements. Please remember to clarify it's a (novice) opinion. And consider that sometimes the person you are arguing with is 80 years old and knows a lot. It's funny to see people advising advanced tsuba collectors of 30 years what they have, when they are experts in the subject. Expect to be put in your place. Undoing the false info that is stated as fact takes time and energy and muddies the water. I'm not saying don't post opinions or challenge theories, I'm saying be careful how you do it.
   
• We have youngsters and ladies on the forum. Please watch the language and off-colour jokes. I'm as bad as the next guy, but I'd like this place to be a step above the usual bawdy bar. Let's all pretend we are more sophisticated than we are?
   
• Gold memberships: These greatly help the forum. Your $30 or $60 really helps to maintain this place, and allows everyone to get free info and to continue doing what we do. Please consider a membership. It's not a lot of money, and comes with decent benefits. You can find the options here: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/subscriptions/ Your support really is hugely appreciated. There are donations links at the top for people who wish to contribute via either Paypal or credit card. You guys rock! If you need any help donating or buying a subscription, just pm me. And if you are a Gold Member, please consider renewing when it expires.
   
• Newcomers: At the top of the forum is a FAQ section. Please check it out. It will be of help. To the right is a section that will assist people to translate things. At least give a try before you ask for help. We all started knowing nothing. Its a great way to make progress. There is also a ton of info in the 'Nihonto Info' section. Browse!
   
• Those people in charge of societies dealing with Nihonto or related: I am considering offering private areas where these societies can allow their members to communicate or share info etc, that will only be available to their member list. Please contact me if you have any interest in having a private section where you can share info or discuss society business and can have your own moderators etc. These can be done in various ways, from password protection to only having certain people access it. The software here is set up for that and there are various advanced ways to have "clubs"
   
• Please guys...support our dealers. Most of them are here because they can be generally trusted, otherwise they would have been called out. Also, if you list something for sale, and mark it sold, it is nice if you would mention if you sold it here or to a member, or somewhere else. Just helps us gauge how far we reach. Same...if you buy something from an overseas dealer, mention you are a member here and heard about them here, and ask if they have a NMB discount. Something I intended to investigate further.
   
• I am attending the San Fran Sword Show for the first time ever, in August. Will have a table on behalf of a local collector. It would be great to meet as many of you as possible. Maybe arrange a dinner or gathering. I am really looking forward to it. If you are going, please post here: https://www.militaria.co.za/nmb/topic/44379-san-francisco-sword-show
  I will also be in New York for 3 days around the 9th...so if anyone is near Manhattan and wants to meet up, please let me know. First vacation in over 10 years. I'm putting a lot into this, and hoping to make it both a successful trip for that collector, and also a bit of a much needed vacation for myself and Nicky who is coming with.
   
• With the above in mind, and considering our local currency in South Africa is approaching toilet paper status, I am shamelessly asking anyone who is willing to contribute a few bucks towards making this trip a success, to please use the link in my signature, or use this one: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/japaneseswords if you are willing to assist with any expenses. Yes...I am really embarrassed to ask, but I want people to know that these funds will be used for the trip and not the forum expenses, for complete openness. Even 5 or 6 days free time is expensive on an SA budget. I really hate to ask, but asking is what I am doing. Anything is appreciated.
  I am also wondering if anyone would like to donate any items such as tsuba or fittings or similar that don't take up much space, that can be sold at the show and the funds used for the annual forum fundraising. This would be similar to the old days of a raffle, but instead they will be available at the SF Show. Please message me in private if you would consider this. Items can be shipped to a location in SF anytime from now, and held until the show. Happy to list the donors here with huge thanks. Please consider any items of reasonable value that would be worthwhile for NMB fundraising.
   
• I think we are going to need another mod or 2 to assist with this place. I hope John is doing ok, but there is a lot of work for Jean. I think I will appoint a mod or 2 that only handles their own specialty section. Like someone for the military section, someone for Katchu (is it possible to find someone impartial there??) and the translate section needs someone. There are obvious choices in each category, but need to check they are willing. It's a thankless job.
   
• Lastly (for now) I want to thank everyone here for their participation, patience (with me) and for all the help, support, information, uploads, kind words and everything else that we see here. Can't do any of this without you and there are a LOT of you that deserve far more than a simple thanks. Oneday I'll work through the list and properly thank you all.
  Remember that this is an online forum. It's all pixels on a screen. Don't let people stress you out. Treat people with respect, even if you disagree with them. Allow them their opinions. Use the report feature if something is grossly wrong. Let myself or the mods handle it. Let's keep on keeping on.

 

- Brian -

[Brian]

Oh, and I've left this thread open to replies, so feel free to swear at me, tell me I'm spamming you...I'm money hungry....I shouldn't do this... etc etc
Or even if you find this sort of newsletter useful or you don't find it too objectionable. Any constructive comments and opinions are welcome. thanks.
I'd also like to know if the feature works ok..in other words were you successfully directed here when loading the forum and does it work without hiccup?
Should only show to everyone once.

[Luc T]

I think this newsletter is usefull.   Thanks for the good work Brian.

[Miura]

Hi Brian,

Thank you. Thank you for all the hard work, supporting the community, and doing your best to be fair.

[Oaken]

I think this newsletter is wonderful. Thank you, Brian.
I was successfully directed here when opening the forum.

[Shogun8]

Thank you for all of the work, effort, time and blood, sweat and tears you put into the forum, Brian. We appreciate you.

[shakudo]

Hi Brian, opened forum and was directed to this page. Great idea to keep us on the straight and narrow. Wish I could catch up in US but not possibly this year- maybe next!!

Have a good one and many thanks for all you do for this forum.

Regards

 

[uwe]

I echo the above, Brian!

Was successfully routed here and like to thank you 😊 

BTW, I’m sure you will find an unbiased mod for the katchu section….

[Gilles]

This newsletter is fine with me. Thank you very much for your outstanding work.

[FrenchBreadPrime]

Haven't been here since long although I've lurked for some time. Good points are made here. Thank you for providing this place, Brian.

[Mark]

If you are planning dinner keep in the show hours, some dealers may not want to be away from their tables for an extended period during show hours. Also the show organizers sometimes provide food (at great expense -thank you) so keep that in mind. I look forward to seeing you

 

mark

[Mark S.]

Worked for me and a good idea!  Maybe every once in a while, highlight an article or reference, and include links to the above mentioned ’reference and resource’ areas that I think a lot of our newer members should use?  There are books, research, and articles that really need more exposure and are totally free!!!  I will work on getting the image re-sizer.  Being technologically stunted is a curse…

[Chishiki]

The news letter is good and great to hear you are heading to the US.   I'm sure the locals will look after you well because you are appreciated.

 

[waljamada]

Small thing I've learned on the photo resizing bit is if the picture is too big of a file size and it's on your phone then take a screenshot of it to decrease the file size.  Quick easy and painless.

[Katsujinken]

Great update Brian. Happy to read these whenever you post them!

[Brian]

I wanted to post for 2 reasons. Firstly to say thank you for the kind words and positive reactions to the newsletter. I've been hesitating about it for weeks, and I am really glad to see it has some positive reception.
And then secondly, I want to send a HUGE thanks to those of you who have sent contributions both for the forum and some for my trip. Guys, I am really humbled that we have members like you all.
I wish I could post a list of names, but I know people are horrified at the thought. I'd like to reply to everyone personally, but need to see if I can get contact details from PP etc, and please don't think me rude if I don't thank you in person. Believe me, you have my thanks and more!
Thank you, thank you...and thank you

[BrentC]

Really appreciate your time and efforts!  NMB, truly is special.  thank you!

[b.hennick]

👍👍 keep up the great work!

[Stephen]

For the military section I nominate Bruce because he's a constant there, that said there are many great translators and collectors there too....hard choice.

Can i still do my naughty pic once a month grin grin wink say no more. I promise no more camel toe. 😎

[Moley]

OSSSU

 

[Tom Darling]

Brian, you're the best.  Can't thank you enough.  Gold is for me!

 

Tom

[Stephen]

  On 5/13/2023 at 6:04 PM, Moley said:

OSSSU

 

Expand  

Means what?

[ChrisW]

Thanks for the heads up Brian!

 

Wish I could make it to the SF show to shake your hand. If you're ever in Indiana, let me know!

[Moley]

  On 5/13/2023 at 7:39 PM, Stephen said:

Means what?

Expand  

OSS it’s a  pretty generic term derived from Japanese martial arts. It is a  particularly enthusiastic way of saying “yes” or to acknowledge  something or someone, 

[Stephen]

What i thought you were going for, wasn't sure what the su on end changed it to.

Tks

[Volker62]

thank you very much

[Toryu2020]

nicely put, Brian.

[MHC]

Brian,

You've gone above and beyound...as usual. Keep up the good work!

 

Mark

[dirtvictim]

This is your forum and your rules, I respect that. Lots of good and helpful information and respectful members. Keep up the good work. 

[DTM72]

I have been on the fence about going to the San Fran show. I honestly want to go more now that I hear you @Brian will be there. For me, going out to dinner (and drinks) with the guys @mdiddy is one of the highlights of any show.

 

Dan