Athearn and N Scale

[Kisatchie]

...for every person making a comment here or trying to be clever, there are 40 readers who can't be bothered but probably wish they had something to say.

Hmm... I don't have
that problem...

[packers#1]

They do say 58.48% of all statistics (including this one) are fictitious 

[sirenwerks]

They do say 58.48% of all statistics (including this one) are fictitious 

That quip is so oft repeated it's not funny anymore except maybe to juveniles looking for attention.  I was making a rational point based on informed sentiment and can cite my references.  Yours comes from your  . 

[Cajonpassfan]

Okay, I'll contribute:
Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
And when I wake up, maybe I'll go do some work on the layout
Otto K.

[packers#1]

That quip is so oft repeated it's not funny anymore except maybe to juveniles looking for attention.  I was making a rational point based on informed sentiment and can cite my references.  Yours comes from your  .

my apologies then sir

[Scottl]

As an academic, I'm actually interested in seeing that citation to read for myself.  I've often wondered what the numbers of the "silent majority" are and how they might go about quantifying it.

[eric220]

My research, based on a glance of the viewing statistics, suggests that for every person making a comment here or trying to be clever, there are 40 readers who can't be bothered but probably wish they had something to say.

OK, I'll stop lurking.

I like the Athearn products that I have, and I hope that there are more to come. When Athearn officially announces that they are pulling out of N Scale, or when they actually do it, I'll believe it.

Other than that, I think this thread was pretty well spent several pages back, and I'm morbidly curious to see how long it will continue limping along until it dies or is locked.

Lurking resumed.

[sirenwerks]

As an academic, I'm actually interested in seeing that citation to read for myself.  I've often wondered what the numbers of the "silent majority" are and how they might go about quantifying it.

Don't quote me on it as I'm not in the office to double-check but my memory says Goodman's “Treat Your Customers as Prime Media Reps”, which was in a 2005/06 issue of BrandWeek.  If not that, I am certain it's a TARP number.

[Scottl]

Thanks.   That should be good to track it down.  I really am interested in it.

[Philip H]

There's also a great little book I have called "How to Lie with Statistics" by Darrell Huff that you both might like.

And with that I think we have officially crossed the Thread Drift threshold.  Tom?  Ian?  Someone?

[GaryHinshaw]

I believe the most recent research shows that for every one person who takes the time to complain about something, there are 26 more who remain silent but feel the same. 

Since we're now taking up the subject of statistics, I'd just like to point out that this one conveys very little information in isolation.  All you can really infer from this is that there is a silent majority, which is hardly news.  If I were a manufacturer, I'd also want to know: for every person who praises something, there are X who don't.  If X is equal to 26, then my vocal customers are a fair sample of the total; if not, I should use the study results to correct my sample for potential bias.   Only then can I respond accurately to my customer feedback.

On the subject of Athearn specifically: I love their newly-tooled rolling stock and I buy their (now-hard-to-find) tank cars and Auto-Max's every chance I get.  That's the only customer feedback I've given them.  If they drop out of N scale I will take the Walk of Shame, but I'll have these awesome little tank cars to show for it.   

[CBQ Fan]

All that I know is that I have had a very pleasant interaction via Facebook regarding their future N products.  Based on the time of the posts they are on someone's personal time so I have to give that some wieght.  It is just not some guy killing time at the office during the work day!  If you want more products feel free to comment along with me on Facebook.