|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:00:50 GMT
|
....is the forum increasingly full of inane blather nowadays. maybe I'm just a grumpy old man (32 now) but in my view the quality vs. quantity trade-off of posts has gone very much towards 'quantity' nowadays compared to the good old days, whenever they were. I see the forum has lost Spottedlaurel this week, this is a guy with a massive knowledge of J-cars and loads of photo and brochure scans which we have profited from in the past. He will join the likes of Ratdat, PhoenixC, Racer 86, James-the-mad-Prof, datsuncherry, DarrenW, Paul H and no doubt others who have loads of knowledge about their own field and have always made an ace contribution, and who rarely if ever post any more. Why do these guys hardly post any more? Take a look at the forum front page over the last couple of days. we have got: 'Show me your cool stickers', a 7-pager on 'silly things folk ask at shows', assorted 'tell me abouts', where the requester posts nothing of his own and expects everyone else to fill it up for him, 'look at this T-shirt', and so on. Spotted threads with K-reg BMW 316's in. 'I am thinking of buying car X, its sat for a few years like and needs recommissioning at the very least. Ignoring all that though, how many coils can you safely chop on these cars?' 'Look at the bodyfiller on this beetle' We also have an almost once- weekly 'daily mail' thread where travellers and doleys get it in the neck, and, until the banded steels sticky thread we used to get that topic at least twice a week. I'm afraid that more and more threads fall into what I class as 'inane'. What happened to the great photo-explosions that we used to get regularly, intelligent comments on old and new car designs and motoring in general. Snoozin started a great 'Sunny outlook' photo thread a few days ago, it got to 1.5 pages long then disappeared without trace after 24 hours. Any modern car appearing on here is given a right drubbing before it even gets out the starting blocks. I'm not 'blanket-dissing' forum users, there are still loads of legendary characters like Slater, Street, Pog, Nightmares and so on, chipping away at their projects and popping up now and then with questions and ideas. The atmos is still friendly and inclusive and the forum still has a sense of humour. Perhaps its just the volume of people + posts means it moves so fast that my creaky old bones can't keep up with it. Of course, 'If youre not happy bo11ox why don't you post up some stuff you think is appropriate?' Well theres not a lot I can say in response to that. I have tried to be fairly diligent about posting my own eBay/garage activities up and enjoy doing that. I have not posted up so much stuff lately as again, weight of numbers means a weeks worth of work will disappear off the board in 12 hours, especially if its just photos of a load of sills getting welded. Might as well wait till i have enough stuff 'saved up' to try and compile a decent post with plenty of progress in it. Anyway, carry on, I just thought I would stick my thoughts up, and now I have done. cgi.ebay.co.uk/1979-AUSTIN-MORRIS-PRINCESS-HLS-AUTO-BEIGE_W0QQitemZ110224011281
|
|
1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 Mazda 929 Coupé 1986 Mazda 929 Wagon 1979 Mazda 929 Hardtop 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 1989 Subaru 1800 Wagon 1982 Hyundai Pony 1200TL 2-dr 1985 Hyundai Pony 1200 GL 1986 Maserati 425 Biturbo 1992 Rover 214 SEi 5-dr 2000 Rover 45 V6 Club 1994 Peugeot 205 'Junior' Diesel 1988 Volvo 760 Turbodiesel Saloon 1992 Talbot Express Autosleeper Rambler 2003 Renault Laguna SPEARS OR REAPERS
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:15:15 GMT
|
I am by no means a well known or long serving member,however I do try my hardest to help people out who need it,if I have any knowledge on that particular subject. I know what you mean about some threads,however,in a way,that why I love this forum so much.On my usual VW forums and the like (was a founding member of decked-dubs.com) its all politics and glory hunting.However,no1s into that on here,its all about mates and people who are into the same things and "get it" havin a laugh Don't take this as being derogitory (sp?) bo11ox,i'm just havin my 2cents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:20:17 GMT
|
I struggled to find inspiring reading yesterday, but then stumbled upon the thread on restoring a Midget by BGTMIDGET7476 over on the reader's rides section. My faith was restored.
It does seem that threads go much quicker than they used to, but hey, that's the nature of the busy forum.
Oh, if you're old at 32, there's no hope for me ;D
|
|
Peugeot 307sw - Suzuki SV650S - MX5.
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:21:43 GMT
|
No, you're right, the forum certainly cant be knocked for cliqueyness or wahtever as it has always been impressively welcoming and non-cliquey and remains so.
|
|
1974 Lancia Beta Saloon 1975 Mazda 929 Coupé 1986 Mazda 929 Wagon 1979 Mazda 929 Hardtop 1982 Fiat Argenta 2.0 iniezione elettronica 1977 Toyota Carina TA14 1989 Subaru 1800 Wagon 1982 Hyundai Pony 1200TL 2-dr 1985 Hyundai Pony 1200 GL 1986 Maserati 425 Biturbo 1992 Rover 214 SEi 5-dr 2000 Rover 45 V6 Club 1994 Peugeot 205 'Junior' Diesel 1988 Volvo 760 Turbodiesel Saloon 1992 Talbot Express Autosleeper Rambler 2003 Renault Laguna SPEARS OR REAPERS
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:21:57 GMT
|
Spotted Laurel left us? Is he OK?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:25:33 GMT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:26:05 GMT
|
Bo11ox, I'm definitely a grumpy old man (not even 30 'til friday!)... But I have had similar thoughts of late. Didn't realise Spottedlaurel had gone, that's a real blow as he's a friendly, helpful, knowledgeable bloke. Admittedly the time of year doesn't help for a lot of us, it's hard to get things done in the cold, there's no shows on, insert further excuses as applicable. But I do think a bit more focus wouldn't go amiss. I've given up on all other forums but this one due to the amount of inane moaning and pointless ranting littering the front pages. RR is the last bastion of hope for me! Anyway... Sorry for being boring, I promise to do the following: *Replace the windscreen seals in Mrs JS's Escort *Shred my GLSi *Fit new engine to the 3-door and pack it off to the bodyshop *Rebuild the ol' Sapphire (again) *Learn to weld *Have a go at the Escort's paintwork *Take lots of pictures of the above and make witty comments for everyone's entertainment I've also written a piece on the Ford Sierra which will hopefully make it into print later in the year provided all goes well.... Oh, and *Post random pictures of old cars ;D
|
|
My fleet: Suzuki GSX-R600Y SRAD with bald, melted tyres A borrowed Mondeo
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:30:45 GMT
|
It is full of inane blather. Ebay disputes. Transport requests. Software help. Drivel. Definitely not what it used to be.
Charlie
|
|
|
|
filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:32:48 GMT
|
I don't think it's too bad at all.
Sometimes you have to scan back a page or two to find more good stuff, or remember to check one of the other areas, but to me that's a small price to pay for openness and variety.
|
|
'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:36:04 GMT
|
Good points Mr.B. I wonder if it's just that it's going in cycles, I can certainly remember having similar conversations before (I think I've been the grumpy man, actually!) and we've come out of the other side again. The last time we did this is just before we locked the *ooff* thread and I think that worked.
I haven't posted very much recently and I usually make an effort to post some crackers, start an intelligent discussion or find something new, but unfortunately I've been a bit busy with personal stuff lately and have been putting my free time into helping with the Retro Scene Magazine project which will hopefully prove worthwhile.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:44:42 GMT
|
Yeah I`ve had the same rant before...... its a collective conciousness thing and we all need reminding of it as we are the ones responsible for the content... Been a bit busy "Out in the real world" to go web surfing for cool stuff lately as well I will endeavour to find something cool to post to help the situation........ Maybe we as members should post on the inane ones reminding them to keep it retro and "Its ALL about the cars" might get labelled as a Grumpy old man but I`ve been called worse on here I have been ignoring most of it in the hope it will drop and go away, but that doesnt seem to be working either
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:48:04 GMT
|
We need to get a few good threads in to inspire people. I created a Volvo thread with some pretty cool stuff (I hope) to get people going just before this thread appeared.
Off to find inspirational goodies now....
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:50:49 GMT
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:51:23 GMT
|
I think that reason that there are all these threads starting constantly,is that the atmosphere is so good on here its formed proper friendships,and this in turn leads to random babbling. This,to be fair,is something to be proud of as you havent got the usual political bollcks and gloy hunters,everyone gets on and gets on with it
|
|
|
|
Nathan
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 5,649
Club RR Member Number: 1
|
Is it just me or.........Nathan
@bgtmidget7476
Club Retro Rides Member 1
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:52:04 GMT
|
I have noticed the same, but like Rmad says we have had this before and usually everything goes right.
This is still the only real forum I attend as I feel its the online mecca, TBH it will all start to kick back in when the shows start and people can get out there and work on them motors.
RR is like Bill and Ted everything in the world including San Demas will be based/stylised from.
WHOOOHOOO My thread is famous lol, happy t help wagoneer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 14:55:48 GMT
|
See, I'm fairly new here so have no idea of what things were like "in the old days" but what you describe happens on all forums to one extent or another as they get more popular. The spreading popularity attracts many more users, so genuine knowledge inevitably gets diluted to a certain degree amongst the general postings. The thing is - the influx of new members is vital for the forum to survive. If we didnt get new people signing up, then the existing membership would stagnate and eventually die out as people move on to other things, loose interest or whatever. Another forum I used to use a lot from its early days has turned to pish recently as all the "oldskool" members have moved on to other things and its now infested with kids who generally have the enthusiasm, but have much less technical knowledge and experience, so as a result, the forum has changed from a very technically informative and enthusiastic group towards a chat-room for kids, with the odd basic tech advice thread thrown in. In that case, it is definately a change for the worse. Here on RR, Although things are changing (I cant comment as I havent been here long enough to notice the change) the over-all attitude of the forum users seems to be holding, and that counts for a lot here.
|
|
1986 Panda 4x4. 1990 Metro Sport. 1999 Ford Escort estate.
|
|
RetroMat
Posted a lot
Column Shifting!
Posts: 3,444
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 15:44:23 GMT
|
I've noticed it a bit, i think the main reason as said is that RR moves so fast these days, post some thing in the general board and it could be on page 2 or 3 by the end of the day. The good stuff is still there but i often miss things because its disappeared on to page 2. I just wonder could the general board pages show more threads? I've found a few interesting galleries recently i keep forgetting to post them up.
|
|
|
|
Odin
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,406
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 15:44:43 GMT
|
I would unfortunately agree that it hasn't been up to the 'standard of old' recently. Unfortunately I think RR has become a victim of its own success, and the original network of hardcores has been diluted somewhat by lots of other people joining (and, in some cases, posting rubbish). This may be because some posters are used to other forums where the general section is mostly a waste of bandwidth or little more than a chatroom. The original mantra whereby everything in the General Board was about cars was awesome, but not so attractive to folk joining up for the 'community' as much. Although I am not keen to point it out, most of the disputes on here I have seen have been from newer members too.
All that said, I much appreciate RR being here in whichever form. I also doubt enforcing rules on people will work or indeed help, but I agree there is far more posting on here compared to when I joined - and yet the same amount of quality posts if not less.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 15:50:04 GMT
|
As infuriating as it is having to sift through all the curse word sometimes,this is genuinely the only forum I'd ever even think of paying to be a member. Just thought I'd share
O and hey Pud
|
|
|
|
rod
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,953
|
|
Feb 13, 2008 15:52:52 GMT
|
Havent been on here for a while due to doing other things(decorating etc) Havent even washed my Merc in ages ,just cant be bothered .Today I worked on it for the first time in months. Thinking about giving up on cars TBH ! Cant find any inspiration lately.There seems to be a lot of 'winter blues ' about,but is worse for me this year for some reason .Think I must be winding down ,as Ive only got a nother 10 yrs before I def pack in the cars ,retire ,and we go travelling (well thats the plan anyway) Hey Ho!
|
|
|
|
|