Site Growth Discussion (Pared from spotted thread)

hard top

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Spoiler Alert......

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the Zorg community.
It was obvious to a few comrades in this community why the OP started this thread.
The OP's OP was all about the fact that a comrade has left the community (and if I was an oligarch like Putin, the defector would receive a dose of polonium-210 for defecting)

(Above comment is a comment on a funny comment, I thought, made by Oldcarman)

But, in all honesty, the OP has started a lively debate, which, in my humble opinion, makes this a forum.
Gaz finds the word 'forum' to be too 1990's (Christ, I loved the 90's, what fun I had) but the word/name can be traced back to the Romans, probably even the Greeks, so I say to you all, do not hide in the cupboard under the stairs, but enter into the Amphitheatrum Flavium.

Christ, I need another pint after all of that..........:beer
 

t-tony

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Christ, I need another pint after all of that..........:beer
Well I think I need several Mike, having just read this thread from end to end. I think I will consider replying tomorrow, tonight probably wouldn't be a good idea.:)

Tony.
 

('_')Z3

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I've been a member from pretty much the start, the .net site went down and Gaz kindly stepped up to the plate so to speak and .org was formed. Surely you're not going to please the whole demographic of members but you have to look at the 90th percentile, 5% of hardcore and 5% of the other extreme will possibly always have an issue with some aspects. This is gaz's baby, as a thoroughly nice, helpful guy he has to make judgements and I for one think he's doing a great job.:thankyou:
 
Z

zedonist

Guest
i find it funny that a lot of the posts are about defending Gaz's honour or assimilating my character, it has not been called into question here one bit, in fact I was with him on Saturday at Lee's and yes he is a top bloke, the discussion point is has the forum dynamic shifted, it is not hinting at any personal innuendos or hidden agendas, and I have not called into question any moderation decisions, they are between the moderator and the moderatee. i am simply asking a straight question, you will see above that a number of people have agreed with my observation, if people are making this personal, then they need to have a chat with their inner chimp, and calm it down.

Where I would like to see this go is as a member to have more input into the shape and direction of the forum, Gaz has already said he is open, and indeed welcoming to these discussions, and I will follow up on his invitation, I can do it publicly and invite other points of view, or if it is too adult a conversation to have without looking for insidious reasons, I will do it in private with him, it's up to you guys?
 

Brian H

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I've read this thread a few times, my 2p worth is that I think that forums (aka communities ;)) constantly evolve, they are organic, unpredictable and that can make for interesting times, sometimes good, sometimes not so good, the seasons can dictate the topics discussed and if we were to trawl through a few years of posts we would find a trend.

Summers are generally busier than winter as already stated and as groups of people meet up at events throughout the year, these groups do tend to form a kinship and the craic can sometimes be localised to the group. Nothing wrong with this BTW, it's great to see events up and down the country and people enjoying themselves. I'm a bit out of the way and do try to get to at least one event a year, the people I have met have been great :)

I'm all for new members and find that at the moment the forum is on a roll, as a new member it is easier to start you first post and say Hi when you can see other posts on the same subject have been received warmly, for some newbies, posting is quite daunting, I remember my first post on a forum, sounds stupid but I was really nervous. People like being accepted.

Members do come and go over the years for various reasons, some join for a specific problem, get the problem sorted then move on, some members maybe get a sense of belonging by using the forum and stay, I do. My Z would have been down the road years ago had it not been for the Forums. Ultimately there is no pressure on anyone to post or stay an active member, if you do not like what you see, stop looking.

I do not envy the mods one bit, they are between a rock and a hard place, personally I think they do a great job.

After all this drivel, what direction is the site going in....... I do not know, for now I'll enjoy it for what it is and contribute when I can.
 

oldcarman

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Spoiler Alert......

Comrades, Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the Zorg community.
It was obvious to a few comrades in this community why the OP started this thread.
The OP's OP was all about the fact that a comrade has left the community (and if I was an oligarch like Putin, the defector would receive a dose of polonium-210 for defecting)

(Above comment is a comment on a funny comment, I thought, made by Oldcarman)

But, in all honesty, the OP has started a lively debate, which, in my humble opinion, makes this a forum.
Gaz finds the word 'forum' to be too 1990's (Christ, I loved the 90's, what fun I had) but the word/name can be traced back to the Romans, probably even the Greeks, so I say to you all, do not hide in the cupboard under the stairs, but enter into the Amphitheatrum Flavium.

Christ, I need another pint after all of that..........:beer
So do I!! Amphitheatrum Flavium makes me thirsty!! Guinness please!
 

t-tony

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I think Brian has hit the nail on the head.
That's all for tonight.

Tony.
 

TaffZee

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To help clarify my original question, it was "do you think the forum dynamics have changed, and do you think it is detrimental to the forum" and I have as an example which related to hello posts and my opinion on them, there are others obviously.........
My response were not a direct reply to your original post, my points were that some of the Terminology that you used in your subsequent posts was I feel inapropriate on an open Discussion and reading these posts new members may get the wrong idea regarding the community in general. Waffle and Tedious were used which in my opinion were the wrong terminology to use as people would get the wrong idea of your perception and future of the site, It went from a question (which I believe was a valid point) to a whinge (your second post) about the content, and lack of technical posts, When questions are raised by a member as you have done you must be prepared for the answers that are given and not get defensive in your replies, as you have said every one is entitled to an opinion.
 

Ashbandicoot

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I think it is down to how you use the site, as newbies posts are in the introduce yourself section. If you navigate from the forums page rather than viewing all new posts by clicking Whats New, you won't see the introductions.

As an idea, For sale posts could be left out of the whats new feed - it is a valid point that some people join solely to sell parts - many of which I have bought :) Perhaps a traders licence? Then some of the running costs are covered

I personally read all introductions but don't always respond. I think it is a good discussion as it shows people care about this community. I joined .org as I liked the feel of the site @GazHyde
download.jpg
On bimmerforum alot of newbies post questions to get the response 'search is your friend' or moaning that an old thread already covered the subject (definitely not a community) whereas I have always got great advice.

This ramble isn't really a response to anybodys post, just my thoughts

Cheers

Ash
 

pgunter

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Hmmmm

Well all I can say is... I have always felt welcomed on here and there is a community spirit which you can sometimes find lacking... I have always found help from new people I have met and discussed many topics on here. @GazHyde @hard top and all the others including @Lee @BMBabe ( yes we have had a few choice words.. ) @Shortie_gal and all the others I have had the pleasure of meeting. and yes, I do like organising meetings and meeting up for a coffee. Its the best way to have a laugh and open discussions...

Should the forum not evolve it will die and become extinct !!

Right who wants another New Forest run organised soon. Same type of run through the Forest and out to Lepe beach for a coffee / tea then back through the Forest again..
 

GazHyde

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OK, here is an open question... How do you want to see the site developing over the next 6-12 months?

This is everyone's chance to guide and shape this site, so give me specifics that I can work to. For example, shall I start looking out for a better classified ad system? Do I need to look at ways for people to filter out updates from sections they aren't interested in.

Although to the untrained eye it would seem unlikely, I do have a development plan which I work to for the site. I have one small project I'm working on at the moment, with another queued behind it. There is always room for additional items to be added to that list. If I can find a way to do it, then I will do my best to implement it.

All this is dependent on cost, so if I need to invest more than the total spare in the sites PayPal account then I may need to have a public "whip round" for that specifically.
 

pgunter

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Ok people.. Just a thought.. The only way I would love to see an improvement is to have maybe a email daily or weekly rather than telling me I have an item on the forum I am watching to view. I know you can turn them off.. but a digest style email would be a good touch. Any thoughts. ?

@GazHyde Has thrown the floor open for discussions.. we all use the forum so we all should have some ideas on what we would like to see.
 

POG

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My mate founded an Internet cycling club just over 10 years ago... Yep sounds a bit silly but it works... You join, you get a free jersey and access to the members forum. There are members all over the country who meet up much the same as you guys...

As a regular member of the forum (the old guard) I noticed that as new members joined they would ask the same questions that others had asked a year or two ago... This still continue to this day... There was also the issue the the old guard (long term members) know exactly what to say the start a heated debate and a ruck (light the blue touch paper and retire).

My view is things only grow or die... Nothing stands still so you have to go with the flow... You will lose some of the old guard, which is always sad but thing will continue.
 
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Lexybhoy

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It's more like being down the pub with your mates,only there from Canada,USA ,England,Holland,Austrailia,Romainia New Zeland,Ireland Scotland ........the list goes on, I quite like it
Lagavulin please.
 
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