Happy 5th Anniversary Comment Time Word Press
Happy Fifth Anniversary Comment Time and Word Press., Comment Time has been going on for over 30 plus years in several different formats printed list and the internet. In March 2011 we move to Word Press as our old program Front Page had been discontinued. I had been recommended this program and I glad I went over to it. Not only Word Press has allowed me to continue my comments on the hobby, it has allowed me to let you share your feelings on a topic. It has also given me access to thousands of plug-ins to help make my site even better.
The origins of Comment Time go back to when I started a list selling plastic figures. I want a section where I would talk about the hobby and other things. I felt this would stand out from other lists. I learn this from Stan Lee and Joe Hehn. Stan Lee as you know is co-creator of many of the Marvel characters we love and enjoy. While there is much controversy on how much Stan did on the Marvel characters, there is one thing Stan did alone Stan’s Soap Box. This monthly column made us feel a part of the Marvel Universe and we look forward to reading it each month.
Joe Hehn lived about block and half from my house and sold old time radio show on cassette tape. He put out a monthly list promoting various old radio shows. He would give a section over to explaining the episodes he was selling. This helped Joe in his sales and I learned much about mail order.
So when I started my list, Comment Time became an important part of the list. Comment Time was not only just to push product I had for sale, I posted hobby news, talked about various shows I attended, personal triumphs and loss of family. I still remembered one reader saying he lived through my reports on the shows he knew he would never get to one.
The internet added a new perspective to Comment Time; I could do pictures lots of pictures on Comment Time. Now I could share photos of Laurie and me at various shows we attended. We could show photos of people you had read about. We could show you actual photos on items that were coming out. One thing I am proud of is how I have been able to showcase over the years many of the new products from various makers for you to see.
As I mention earlier Word Press gave me something that I had in only a limited aspect before. That was for me to have your comments and feelings on a topic. Prior to that I would have to cut and paste a comment into the existing program. Now with Word Press people can respond to a topic after it is posted and not wait for days for response. This new features has not come without its problems. One is the amount of spam that comes through trying to post. I have been able to stop it with a program called Askimet. This is a powerful spam blocker that has blocked over 113,000 pieces of spam since I installed it. The other problem I have had is people who have been jealous of me allowing comments on my site. They feel that comments should be on only certain sites. I have ignored them and continued to do what I do best sharing information on the hobby.
I would like to thank those who have contributed articles and photos to help make my site great. I would to especial thank Greg Liska, Bill Nevins, Denitz, Ed Borris, Erwin Sell, Peter Evans and Mathias. They have helped in bringing interesting articles to this site. I would like to thank those for making comments on subjects. Those comments have come from around world. Lastly I would like to thank my wife Laurie for her love and support. She has come up with many great thoughts and input about my articles.
What will the future holds for Comment time and Stadsstuff? One thing I have been doing is taking courses to improve Comment Time. Where it has been used so far is on the articles. You will notice the use of headings, etc. I am making the articles more visible for Google’s search engine to find. I have seen an increase in the number of people coming to site from search engines and it has increase the traffic here. In the future I will be putting a market place to sell items along with my Ebay listings. I also want to get video up so you can see some of the videos I have found on You Tube. Some of it also may be some of the comedy I am hoping on doing in the near future.
So in conclusion, I would like thank you my readers for making Stadsstuff one of the important web sites for our hobby. We will continue to keep that standard up.
Happy anniversary and here’s hoping to many more years of Comment Time. It’s been fun and a good ride. I for one can say it’s been a great addition to the hobby and my life as well.
When I used to get the print version of “Stad’s List” back in the 1980s and 90s, the first section I always turned to and looked at was “Comment Time”. I enjoyed it then, and I enjoy it now. Thanks.
Happy anniversary and thanks for the awesome job.!!!
Way to go and support our hobby
I remember first buying items from your list around 1999, so it’s been around 17 years that I’ve been in some form of contact. This forum is always a fun part of my day and I really feel like I’ve gotten to be friends with some of the other participants. So, congratulations on your important contribution to the hobby, Paul. Please keep up the good work. Would love to see the market place addition when you get it going.
Congratulations on your anniversary! I used to buy from your mailing lists back in the 80s and 90s. You’ve always been one of the most important, informative and most community oriented people in our hobby. The people posting on here are astonishing in their knowledge (Erwin in particular) Here’s to many many more years of Stad’s Stuff!
Mark T
The lists were a moment in time and now they are gone replaced by the internet for good or bad.
It’s been a long ride with Comment Time for me. I still have the entire run of printed
Comment Times. A few years ago, I started editing them and re-posting them here on the site. I really should get back to that.
In any case, congratulations on your anniversary. For me, this is the place to go to learn or share information. The knowledge contained here far outweighs any other toy soldier site. If Paul, Kent or Erwin can’t help you, then you can’t be helped.
Paul, can you believe that it’s been 30 years? It seems like yesterday that we would all gather at the shows and scour the metal dealers stands for plastic. Early parking lot trading saw a gathering of the most familiar names in the hobby, sharing prized pieces and telling tall tales of unusual discoveries.
We would meet at Schutzen Park or at the Ukrainian Church (NJ Military Modelling Club) in NJ and really enjoy what the day would bring. Collectors came from Boston and points West, just to enjoy the company and put faces to all those phone calls and letters. It’s sad to think that some of those early collectors are no longer with us. People like Ed Watts and Bill Hamilton spring to mind.
I just hope that the next 30 years is as much fun as these have been.
Yes Bill it has been a long ride. I did not realize that I would be in it for so long. Those old days were fun. I only really get that thrill again when I am at PW show. Yes we have lost some of those early people and they will be missed. The shows are still fun having Laurie at most of them has made more rewarding as she enjoys the toys.
Congrats Paul, I remember looking forward to your mailers. Really enjoy the site and agree your move to WordPress and the ability to comment has enhanced my enjoyment of the site.
I will said Stad stuff is a lot fun ,much better than any other.
Pure plastic ,most other are a mix of metal,resin,plastic and all over scale
I barely look in to others blogs. If I do are most foreign or my Facebook linken connection.
Guys thanks x appreciation of my help here;but I like to add that I do not consider myself a good in knowledge ,just probably a bit fresh.
Like I said my self before .I may be strong in Asian ,Spain and few others .In US I’m way back .
I read often and educate myself with magazine, blogs and other site from foreign because few languages manage help me and else.
From 70 to 80 because my young age.
Here and anywhere in this hobby the eldest are the best in expertise ,I’m not were near.
Just that I like talk a lot so you guys get confused with my English.LOL!!