Death of a Forum

[GJUK]

Stumbled on this thread so, okay here is my input.

"Car guys are not good with IT, IT guys are not good with cars."

In general anyway. - Facestalk (Facebook) enables anyone with internet access to create an account, upload photos, browse 'forums', chat in real time, buy, sell and stalk.

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This forum is very much an answer to those who love these cars and want to connect with the owners of this specific type of car, only. No French plastic here.

Each different forum has its own feel, I don't think I'm out of place saying most on here have a few spare pennies, don't mind the membership cost and enjoy the periodic meet ups.

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Don't try and 'Facebook' the site, there are already Mopar related groups on Facebook - already doing their thing. They are more interactive, with videos and real time links but hold fast to what this forum is. INDEX content better - How to sections are gold.

Hot Potato - Perhaps look at the magazine format?
> Why is there a section in their about the forum?
> How about making it super retro with classified adverts in the back of the magazine?
> When was the last time there was a 'How to' in the magazine also? How do you wire up an MSD ignition? How do you replace your steering box? It's all been on here - pop it in the mag?

Ask members on here to write an article for the mag.

I want to read about how Blue takes his tea while contemplating which hole saw to use on his car.

I want to read about how Cannonball works out his stock levels

I want to read about how Dave999. Well, knows so much!

(I can imagine the magazine is quite a lot of work already though)

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*In a way, with the type of cars this forum covers, you limit your 'customer base' due to the selective nature and relative high cost of the cars. But then that is why people are on here, right?

Most of the people I've met on here are really nice guys and super helpful. The ratio of good to bad here is sound.

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What have I got from the forum and site membership this year?

Well, I've not been to the Mopars, so no cheaper tickets for me. (my bad)
I've flicked through the magazines that land on my door mat with a "oh cool" reaction.
I've found Brentacre as an insurer - who appear awesome and are cheap!
I've bought items on here - some don't fit but that's a personal learning curve! Met great people in the process
I've advertised and sold stuff on here.

All the above while only popping on once a week ish now. I'd post more but wary of looking like a spambot.

/thoughtful.

Jon

[db]

I've glanced at this thread a few times but not had the time to read through it properly and respond.
Firstly, thanks for raising the issue. Like any relationship the forum would die if we didn't discuss the difficult issues!
I still check in at least daily and comment if I have something useful to contribute, but if i'm honest, I rarely start a thread these days unless I have a question.
The biggest issues for me-
Pictures. If I'm lying under my van and want to show off the new gearbox mount I just made or moan about the hole in my trans cooler pipe caused by a spark from my starter cable... To post on FB takes 15 seconds. To post on here, I have to save the photos, email them to myself, go in the house and fire up my laptop, open the email, save to desktop, open in edit, resize, save, check size, resize again as they weren't quite small enough, save again, open up the forum and attach to a post. By which timer I've been roped into some sorry of parental responsibilities and the job I was getting on with is buggered till later! This is such a pain in the ar53 I have almost given up posting workshop updates.

The other issues the forum can't do anything about unfortunately - if I post on FB, my non-car mates can see what I'm up to and I've actually got several of my friends to come to Santa Pod and to the Nats. These include female friends with no previous interest in cars, and their kids- the next generation of Mopar nuts! The other problem I have is simply time, my personal life had gotten very busy recently so it's rare I can dedicate even half an hour to composing a workshop update.

For people who need a 'like' to encourage posting- the number of views on your post is easily visible- I admit this used to encourage me to post on my Belve thread as it was one of the most watched threads for a while. It was nice to know my efforts were being enjoyed by others.

[DaveB]

Exactly Paul,hence Ive never posted a pic,I would sooner spend my spare half hours building cars,than posting pics,that said I do look to see what everybody else is doing.
I dont do the face book thing unless Annette says to me,have you seen this

[Lincrafts.com]

Exactly Paul,hence Ive n,ever posted a pic,I would sooner spend my spare half hours building cars,than posting pics,that said I do look to see what everybody else is doing.
I dont do the face book thing unless Annette says to me,have you seen this

Robin is the same, doesn't do Facebook but sits looking over my shoulder if I'm looking on the pad and says what was that, scroll back, that's nice along with....there is smome crap on here
But then he doesn't look on here either. If, sorry when, we need help he gets me to post and I pass on the news. Technology is not his strong point.

[db]

My lifter arrived by the way Dave. I'm hoping to measure up tomorrow and see if any of my pushrods will do. Expect phone calls...

[Motorama]

i've been on here a few years now, sometimes i have Mopars and sometimes i dont but i always stick around for the knowledge and banter. Didnt think the forum was overly quiet of late given its the summer holidays and everythings quiet anyway

[Gas for GOSH]

This started as a forum based thread so I don't want to hijack it, but it has broadened out to a reasoned discussion on costs and this has included content of the magazine. That in itself can be a separate thread but as some questions have been raised here are my current answers.

It would be great to have a technical section in the magazine but that requires someone to write it. I am not a technical minded person so as Editor what I offer is someone who can take reasonable photos and write up accounts of shows. You would not want me writing detailed technical how to guides...I've done it on installing 3 point belts in my old Charger and decals on the current one but that's it. So if anyone wants to send me write ups and photos of how to guides I would love it.....less for me to have to create. But people don't. Either because they do not have the time, do not think they are good with words or are worried that if they have a how to guide printed and then there is a problem when someone follows it they will then be sued or complained about.

It was the same when we had a suppliers section many years ago - it was great to have articles about people who brought cars over or did specialist works etc but I have tried to relaunch that twice in the last few years and again people do not have the time or are not interested because the magazine only goes to a few people who already know about them.

I am a very flexible editor - if you want something in Connected send it to me

[Gas for GOSH]

Sorry forgot the other question about why is there something in the magazine about the forum. That's there to try to highlight the forum and encourage more use of it, same aim as this thread.

Some people do not know how broad the forum is and might have missed something of interest. So WoTF is just a way of taking a page to show what is on the forum and hopefully encourage more usage.

Simon

[Duster70]

Hi Guys...........and Gals

I regularly visit the forum to get an idea of what is happening and who is doing what to their cars. I will sometimes add to a post of welcome but would only add to a specific thread if I had something to contribute......this being my first Mopar a lot to learn but little, so far, to contribute.

I enjoy this forum, as I enjoyed the MOCGB forum whilst a Mustang owner, and I will always support and join in as appropriate.

I have found the forum users friendly and helpful when I need assistance and learn a lot from others workshop and repair threads.

I know, more lurker than contributor but that's just how I am.

Regards Arthur

[Slowhand]

................who else uses a similar club forum, be it tennis or ferret fondling? is it better laid out than ours? suggestions on a postcard please......

Generally I think forums are being affected by Facebook in a big way. There is a Mustang club called SMUK (yes really! - Simply Mustangs UK) complete with SMUK T shirts, SMUK caps, etc available to buy and its entirely FB based....and thriving......even with that silly name. This 'club' seems to appeal to UK spec S550 RHD Mustang owners who have scant knowledge of the history but, they are still owners nonetheless.

The MOCGB forum had a similar thread to this one......questioning if the club & forum would survive. As a mod I changed the title, mostly to annoy the instigator but also to switch it around to have a positive spin https://www.mocgb.net/forums/showthread ... o+strength

I believe the fact that MMA is a closed 'members only' forum is a huge plus. FB has its place but is so BS heavy.....Gavin totally nailed it with his :

.........unlike FaceAche of course, where the idea is apparently to contribute when you have nothing to say

I'm a relative newbie to MMA but have found this club & forum friendly & helpful: no complaints at all here - I look forward to putting more faces to forum names in the future.

[cadboy]

Been away for a week and come back and see this great topic.

Like many others I look every day and contribute a little when I can and have knowledge to.

Without this forum I think my car would have been without MOT when I got her going, as hand brake mechanism inside the drums were missing, and a simple request here sorted it, thanks

I am on FB but hardly use it just notice what is going on, it has its problems but accessible all the time make it easy to use.

Improve this forum with ease of use on mobile, and photo insertion then we should have no problem.

Thank you to all involve in running the club and the hard work involve, I know as I have done it before, making decisions and look after the cost is not easy, but it has to be looked into and the best way forward has to be found.

KEEP THE FORUM.

Ali

[Rebel]

Pictures. To post on FB takes 15 seconds. To post on here, I have to save the photos, email them to myself, go in the house and fire up my laptop, open the email, save to desktop, open in edit, resize, save, check size, resize again as they weren't quite small enough, save again, open up the forum and attach to a post.

Not sure if this will help, when uploading pics, I find that if the size is 640 x 480 they'll upload no problem. My camera had a setting that would allow all photos to be taken in 640 x 480 size, so just down load to pc and upload to the forum, job done.
My phone doesn't have that ability, but I have a resize / cropping app that comes with a host of preloaded sizes to choose from. One of which is 640 x 480. Takes seconds to resize and then just upload. Having said that, I don't mind using my phone as a camera but prefer something bigger for posting on the forum, take photos with my phone camera and resize and post them on the iPad works best for me

[db]

Thanks, I have a work phone and it allows very few apps. I don't have any editing facility so my laptop is the only option. P.i.t.a!

[TyreFryer]

Don't worry Paul, this is top of the list!

[Dave81]

Great thread......

I have also noticed the slowdown of traffic on here, but put that down to many like me lately, having hectic life's and limited spare time to do anything.

This is a fantastic place and I try to keep my babble posting to a minimum. I will only post in the tech forums if I've experiance the issue or know the answer for certain, I don't wish to lead anyone down the wrong path or post incorrect info.

As has been said I think all forums are suffering from the ease of social media. Hopefully the upgrades will make it easier to use as I'd bet that the lack of posting for many is to do with photobucket being dicks and photo sizing. I take photos on my phone upload to photobucket and post from there. Not had a PC for years due to the fact that 95% of what I need I can do on a phone or tablet.

People just want to be able to click and go (me included). As time is a premium spending 20 mins messing around with photo sizes etc......just can't be bothered.

The forum is gold for me so long may it continue. Made good friends through it and it makes many of the events a must attend due to this very comradery.

As for places like simply mustangs. Went to join as I fancy a SN95 as a daily. They looked at my profile on FB and said love the Mustang, what year. Pointed out 'it aye no Ford', and got told I can't join as it's for mustang owners only. That was enough for me and shows that FB can be just as clique like as any forum.

Never felt unwelcome here or that it had any sort of Clique. Never seen any nasty posts really. Think only two posters have ever managed to get me to bite over 7 years and one of those has long since been banned I believe.

Thanks to all that do the hard work behind the scenes.

Should hopefully have work thread stuff to post soon as the Dart starts it's next round of mods!