Model Ship World attacked by hackers

[Jimsky]

Not only did he build original models of vessel types of his own choosing, but through his research and modeling he has created important and valuable contributions to the historical record. While people throw around the term "museum quality" with reckless abandon, this scratch builder's seemingly simple and relatively small models are in fact important works that are numbered among the few extant models of these vessel types and thereby are truly worthy of preservation and exhibition in a museum that addresses these types of indigenous watercraft. At the same time, for thousands of dollars more, any number of models of Victory and Constitution and the rest of the popular kit model "usual suspects" were built. None contributed anything new to the historical record (and in any event quite possibly exhibit multiple historical inaccuracies) and none offered anything of real value beyond their serving as an object of their builder's personal pride and perhaps exhibiting some questionable decorative value. This isn't to say the kits shouldn't have been built. They have their purposes, but the reality is that there is a real qualitative difference between the two and therein lies the difference between a ship model kit and a "high quality fine art scale ship model." Nevertheless, the kit manufacturing industry continues to create a false impression of what is a truly valuable scale ship model in an effort to keep beginning modelers buying kit after kit as if that was the only point and the pinnacle of the craft.

Bob, you as well, as Roger, what does this have to do with Model Ship World being attacked by hackers????? I asked Roger to stay away, yet you want to respond. Come on, guys!

 

[Bob Cleek]

Roger, with all my respect to you, we are not discussing which way to build better, scratch versus kist. Please..., we have had enough of this in our past discussions.

Jimsky, be not afraid! It's a very enlightening topic for many kit assemblers who have previously been indoctrinated with the "building kits is the only kind of ship modeling" commercial propaganda. There's nothing wrong with building kits if that's somebody's thing and there are many justifiable reasons for doing so, but nobody's doing the novice kit modeler any favors by concealing the existence of something more to ship modeling than just assembling kits if they are so inclined. It's not a question of which is the better. Kit modeling and scratch modeling are two closely related but very different things which appear to, and do, have much in common but simply don't live in the same zip code. Kit-built models and scratch-built models are judged separately under all of the established model judging criteria with good reason and should not be judged against each other in forum discussions, either. This, however, does not necessarily preclude comparative discussions of the practical merits of the two things for a given modeler in a given instance.

 

[Bob Cleek]

Bob, you as well, as Roger, what does this have to do with Model Ship World being attacked by hackers????? I asked Roger to stay away, yet you want to respond. Come on, guys!

He was one of the guys whose build log was lost in the MSW system crash. Not relevant to much of anything beyond that. See my other post on this subject.

 

[johnlattanzio]

Jimsky, be not afraid! It's a very enlightening topic for many kit assemblers who have previously been indoctrinated with the "building kits is the only kind of ship modeling" commercial propaganda. There's nothing wrong with building kits if that's somebody's thing and there are many justifiable reasons for doing so, but nobody's doing the novice kit modeler any favors by concealing the existence of something more to ship modeling than just assembling kits if they are so inclined. It's not a question of which is the better. Kit modeling and scratch modeling are two closely related but very different things which appear to, and do, have much in common but simply don't live in the same zip code. Kit-built models and scratch-built models are judged separately under all of the established model judging criteria with good reason and should not be judged against each other in forum discussions, either. This, however, does not necessarily preclude comparative discussions of the practical merits of the two things for a given modeler in a given instance.

I discussed this with the guy in my local shop who builds both (and served on HMS Victory...as a guide, he is not 200 years old). He said "Warning - you build wooden models, you assemble plastic ones." But in either case, it is the after-market rigging etc that makes the plastic ones look so good
I am happy with either or both. I am avoiding wooden models (for now) because I would need a new set of tools and skills! I have enough trouble with one set...
The aim is to enjoy the modelling and the model. However you do that, is the right way for you. And congratulations on your build

 

[DAWarden-(Jaager)]

Teaching isn't what you fall back on when you can't build; it's rather an entirely different skill, and frankly, not everyone who builds well can do it, IMHO.

Where did I say that or even imply that. I used an old saw insult as a starting point for a different riff. I was not even addressing what goes on in the kit forum. Kits and those who build them are part of a universe in a parallel dimension to mine.

I am more than happy to aid a kit builder who asks for help the open forum. The help will be from a scratch perspective and if it about actual wood.

I am only talking about hardcore scratch builders when I write: "Those who actually DO seem pointedly disinterested in sharing their skills and knowledge."
By hardcore scratch, I mean - starting with a design or as built plan [or (in deference) a table of offsets] and developing a POF or solid hull build.

what does this have to do with Model Ship World being attacked by hackers?

Nothing can be done from here - or by those here - to fix the damage.

MSW refugees have posted. There will be - is already - pressure for this site to adapt and cater to MSW prejudices. This is drifting into an open discussion of the implications that are attendant to vocal NSW refugees joining. Refugees from what was well on its way to becoming a personality cult where only one point of view is allowed. Many will have valuable contributions, especially in the majority kit zone, if they can adapt - .

OR this site can catch their plague and follow the new NRG credo - All kits, only kits, all the time, and nothing negative about kits. Plus - even if a kit developer has it wrong, it must be accepted as being correct.
There is a deadly price for that. Except for maybe kit logs (I never looked) the MSW forums were dying -slowly.

The part that seems to make you uncomfortable is also the part that is the necessary oxygen.

 

[Bob Cleek]

I discussed this with the guy in my local shop who builds both (and served on HMS Victory...as a guide, he is not 200 years old). He said "Warning - you build wooden models, you assemble plastic ones." But in either case, it is the after-market rigging etc that makes the plastic ones look so good
I am happy with either or both. I am avoiding wooden models (for now) because I would need a new set of tools and skills! I have enough trouble with one set...
The aim is to enjoy the modelling and the model. However you do that, is the right way for you. And congratulations on your build

True that! Plastic modeling has its very own skill set, too. Plastic modelers focus on painting and weathering, for one thing. Given the smaller scales of larger prototypes in the plastic model kit market, the plastic modeler must also emphasize working on very small parts and details.

 

[Heinrich]

@Jimsky I sent you a PM.

 

[Bob Cleek]

A community can absolutely create a safe, encouraging space, and there's real value in that. But a bubble that only stays comfortable by keeping certain conversations out isn't really a community finding its confidence. It's a community avoiding one. What do ya think?

BINGO! Spot on!

 

[Charlie1805]

Oh weia, wenn ich das alles lese…..

Ich bin hier ausschließlich wegen des Modellbaus und der weltklasse Gemeinschaft hier. Hier fühle ich mich sehr wohl und freue mich,daß ich immer mehr dazu lerne. Tolle Menschen kennen gelernt zu haben. Mich ohne Sorge austauschen kann und immer freundliche Unterstützung bekomme. Die Admins machen einen genialen Job. Die Bauberichte sind einfach klasse. Was will man mehr, wenn man sein Hobby liebt.Danke dafür.

 

[Dubz Modelling World]

To me, the following seems to be the most likely reason for the demise of MSW:

The Sorry ransomware group is currently targeting cPanel and WebHost Manager (WHM) instances. According to security researchers, there have already been more than 44,000 successful attacks worldwide. Administrators must install the security patches immediately.
Background

The Shadowserver Foundation is warning of the ongoing attacks on X. According to its statistics, more than 4,000 instances of the server and website management software have already been affected in this country. The ‘critical’ vulnerability (CVE-2026-41940) has been known since the end of last week. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has also issued a warning about the attacks and ordered US government agencies to install the security updates without delay.

If attackers successfully exploit the vulnerability, they can bypass authentication and gain access to systems. It is currently unclear exactly how the attacks are carried out. Once attackers have gained access to computers, they download the Sorry ransomware, which encrypts data and demands a ransom.

Victims of the encryption trojan are sharing their experiences on the forum of the IT news website Bleepingcomputer.com. At present, there is no way to decrypt the data.

I would strongly advise MSW/NRG – I don’t think they’ll think of this on their own – to ask their hosting provider to send them the encrypted disks, in the not-unlikely hope that the encryption might be cracked in a few months’ time. Tools for this purpose are released regularly.

 

[Peter Schaap]

For those of us who posted on MSW and spent a considerable time on our build logs- why would we post fresh logs here on SOS? Many of us at MSW were working on kits, thoroughly enjoying it and being proud of our what we were achieving- and enjoying discussing it with our fellow builders. Yet here on SOS, some of the most knowledgeable and experienced builders eloquently pour scorn on us for not being naval experts or for not building from scratch, find fault in every detail for not building "high quality models" and sneer at us for "just doing paint by numbers".
Having got to know the community here over the last few months, there is no way I'd post my kit-build log here.

I have only been with SOS for a short time and am not familiar with MSW, but I feel that the discussion is now at risk of heading in the wrong direction. I personally experience the comments from the top builders as constructive criticism and do not get the impression that they look down on us mere mortals.
As far as I'm concerned, there is no problem at all with MSW members joining us here.
So, if members of MSW sign up for SOS, let’s welcome them with open arms, just as I was made to feel welcome. And let us not be tempted into polarization regarding the management of MSW.