Forum sterf/ or what is it ,cold and rain?

[IndianaJones]

First off, I would like to say, we can debate this till we are blue in the face, what matters is what Tiaan has to say.

Secondly, Shaughn in my mind, which doesn’t matter, you make some valid points, and gracious offers, thank you.

There are various external reasons which can be attributed to the forum slowing down, the fact that the economy has a big impact on the affordability of muscle and classic cars, which are essentially toys, must be the biggest contributing factor. It is much easier, and cheaper to get into a different hobby.

Now please forgive me if I come across harsh, and allow me to be blunt. I don’t think it is a content problem, the number of posts isn’t as important to me. I don’t think anyone can be interested in every topic on a forum. The quality of the posts carry greater importance with me. Or from another perspective, the latest muscle car magazine has awesome content, but it is not a forum where you can interact.

I think the problem is a participation problem. My perception is this, the aspect that would boost this forum the most, is getting the genuine, died in the wool, old skool car guys in the industry/hobby, and associated industries and clubs, to post. How does one get the likes of guys like Mike from Rocket 88, Ralph from Motown, Warren from Stealth, etc, etc, you all know whom the go-to guys are for V8’s and classics, how does one get these guys to actively post? Most are already members, it is just a matter of getting them back regularly and participating.

I would like to see the guys with the years of experience help out the little guys, starting out in this field. Unfortunately I see very little of this happening, I can name on my one hand, the guys with experience, actively participating on this forum, helping out junior members. And to those guys, a huge THANK YOU.

I can name examples from other successful forums in SA, where experienced members in that particular field offer heaps of assistance, on overseas forums I have even seen that the guru’s team up to help a junior member, or see specialists in the industry, disagree in a discussion, on a technical aspect, in a public space, which is to the benefit of anyone reading the topic. If this happens, automatically the quality of content is lifted.

Where are the guys, which actually go on street rod runs, post’s? Where are the guys that went to Speedweek, that are drag racing at official events, that are track racing in classics racing classes, and their team members or mechanics, or speedshop, or club posting? And here I don’t mean rivalling Facebook, with what did you do this weekend type posts, I mean participating in the forum, and cultivating/assisting junior members.

I have empathy for the situation, I understand that these kinds of people often don’t have the time to spend on the forum, between work and personal commitments. Which is why I would ask again, how does one get them here? How does one make it worthwhile for them to spend time on the forum?

Another area of participation problem, is how to get the older generation folk, whom where directly involved in the motor industry and motorsport of earlier years, to participate and share stories, pictures? A more difficult prospect perhaps, but the stories, 993 Kadett shared, are some of my most favoured topics on this forum.

Just my 2c.

[Waterhond]

First of all...I am one of those people that do not participate a lot.

However, it is for a reason...

I do not own a Can Am, Fairmont GT, Monaro or SS. But, I have had many memorable experiences with these cars. My friends, and even myself, owned of these cars from time to time. I had a perfect Capri Perana, SS and several smaller engined cars. Johan (my friend) had several GTs, Monaros and even a 350 manual SS. He currently owns around 11 cars, all of them having v8 engines in. In his two storey garage at the back of his house a 61 Impala rests on the four post lift. There is a v8 Escort, several BMW v8 cars, a CSL as well. There is also one of the AFRICAN muscle cars being restored.

We know a lot about especially Chev v8s. I have a passion for performance building them, and Johan and I are always talking about different cam specs, cylinder heads and the things that make for serious horsepower.

However, it has become very difficult to talk only about the above mentioned muscle cars that were sold in South Africa, on this forum. They are few and far between, and very expensive. Most of our cars are in Australia and New Zealand. This resulted in many enthusiasts moving to American engine and cars. Others swapped v8s into available cars in SA, but little of them being AFRICAN muscle cars. GTs are selling for up to R650 000, and then I am not even talking about Can Ams.

What I'm trying to say is...there is little info to share on GTs, etc., as the remaining South African owners of them are just as few and far between. And when one tries to enquire about, for instance, a Can Am or Perana, everybody goes into silent mode, almost as if I asked a question about where to get drugs... When a Can Am is discussed on this forum, the details are handled with a sort of a secrecy, and there's always someone saying stuff like " Not for a public medium, send me a PM and I will explain". When this happens, it makes me feel like I'm someone not belonging in the "circle".

The several times that I posted about a v8 Escort or looking for a Camaro driveshaft or asking about a 700R4, I got NO reaction. Is it because the other participants do not know about these things, or is it because I am talking about stuff they do not want to respond on ? Once I was asked "since when is that a Hot Rod", after I called a car that. When I mention that Fairmont owners should refrain from exporting the cars, I am told that "I piss everybody off".

I feel that there is not enough available news about these wonderfull cars we had in South Africa, and the people who own them do not talk about them...

That is my 0.000005 c.

[Shaughn]

I have empathy for the situation, I understand that these kinds of people often don’t have the time to spend on the forum, between work and personal commitments. Which is why I would ask again, how does one get them here? How does one make it worthwhile for them to spend time on the forum?

you wont, but with a little effort a better set up can be put in place where all they have to do is email the content and it can be loaded for the greater community.

Maybe a alternate site needs to be put together to try a different approach and that way we can have a old and new representation available online.

[ZA Perana]

I have empathy for the situation, I understand that these kinds of people often don’t have the time to spend on the forum, between work and personal commitments. Which is why I would ask again, how does one get them here? How does one make it worthwhile for them to spend time on the forum?

you wont, but with a little effort a better set up can be put in place where all they have to do is email the content and it can be loaded for the greater community.

Maybe a alternate site needs to be put together to try a different approach and that way we can have a old and new representation available online.

So the V8 experts in SA are going to e mail their expertise to someone to post on a forum.....

[Shaughn]

No, you seem to be missing the general point.
Not everyone wants to post or talk on a Forum , let alone a forum like this that is unsecure and shares all your info whether you a member or not.

They may not share expertise, but they sure will email some pics of their builds or whats app their race videos and stuff to be loaded into a gallery or other format of content delivery.

This is really a very strange "discussion" to be having in 2017 when you are watching your site die and it is a cause for concern amongst members.
At the end of the day when your car is screwed you go to a mechanic, when your site is screwed you go to web pros.

The OP of this entire chat was why is the site / forum DEAD. I have made my points pretty clear as to why i think it is dead.
My opinions come from experience in web sites, hosted forums far bigger than this that had an average of 2000 people online at any given time.
Learnt a big lesson in what ONLINE people want as i watched the site die and failed to move with the times.

When you all talk cars i shut my mouth, read and learn. This is the one topic i feel i can at least offer my input

[Shaughn]

ha ha typical....just spent 15mins posting a reply and somehow it didnt post...

Anyway what I was trying to say is-
I think it would be awesome for someone like Shaughn to help promote the forum. Interest in cars is definitely on the increase - look at the attendance at the gauteng bigger car shows, the amount of car TV shows and the prices of classic/muscle cars

I dont think forums are dying - just look at one of the other forums I frequent - 4x4forum. This forum has 60,000 members and is increasing with several posts a day. The power behind these forums is also great as there is often group discounts, they help encourage good service, help with advice and even sometimes offer free counselling from fellow members

Imagine some AfricanmuscleCar promotions, discounts etc....I am in!!!

this forum has Total members 3955

of which at least 35% - 50% is going to bots, crawlers, and spyware. #Fact

Not true because I went through the member list last night in detail.....having said that we do have a lot of members on this list who did post but stopped posting.

Here is an example this is a SPAMMER bot DavidMSoper his spam posts are deleted but the user account is retained to keep user numbers ?

[ZA Perana]

ha ha typical....just spent 15mins posting a reply and somehow it didnt post...

Anyway what I was trying to say is-
I think it would be awesome for someone like Shaughn to help promote the forum. Interest in cars is definitely on the increase - look at the attendance at the gauteng bigger car shows, the amount of car TV shows and the prices of classic/muscle cars

I dont think forums are dying - just look at one of the other forums I frequent - 4x4forum. This forum has 60,000 members and is increasing with several posts a day. The power behind these forums is also great as there is often group discounts, they help encourage good service, help with advice and even sometimes offer free counselling from fellow members

Imagine some AfricanmuscleCar promotions, discounts etc....I am in!!!

this forum has Total members 3955

of which at least 35% - 50% is going to bots, crawlers, and spyware. #Fact

Not true because I went through the member list last night in detail.....having said that we do have a lot of members on this list who did post but stopped posting.

Here is an example this is a SPAMMER bot DavidMSoper his spam posts are deleted but the user account is retained to keep user numbers ?

Banned. Thus the account is inactive.

[Shaughn]

But still part of the 3956 total count in the stats.

[neresh]

I also don't feel part of the forum any longer due to the fact I don't drive a GT , canam, perana , SS ,XR8 and the likes .

I do check in almost every day though , and still read every post but when I contribute the post goes dead , so I don't chat as there is no need to.

[Shaughn]

I also don't feel part of the forum any longer due to the fact I don't drive a GT , canam, perana , SS ,XR8 and the likes .

I do check in almost every day though , and still read every post but when I contribute the post goes dead , so I don't chat as there is no need to.

It is a "private club" more than a community here.