I haven't got my S2K any more but still visit the forum often even if I don't contribute much (sorry!)

.... I think, given I have a Scooby as one of our cars you will appreciate what I am getting at when I say I still think this forum is a much nicer place than some others with more objective comments and arguments made as opposed to people just abusing each other much of the time!

 

Some very interesting observations, and some very useful comments and ideas, some of which I had been thinking about myself for a few weeks, This thread seems to be the catalyst to making some of those reality.

One way I think the UK forum (UK Community if you please!) differs from other community forums, is that it is almost many fora in itself, few users visit the main s2ki forums and seldom contribute in them. For this reason I see why people are making the distinction between a CO and Moderator - but that is just semantics, actually I would beg to differ with those who have suggested we need more 'moderation' (I'm not saying we couldn't do with more help, I'll come to that later....) however, we do very little to moderate posts, the board is pretty self moderating, there are very few actions we have to take to remove things, or deal with people breaking site rules. Actually the CO role (and mine, although my responsibilities stretch the whole site these days) is all encompasing, it helps organise the community (not necessarilly event organisation, as we know we all have a shot at that) I mean organising things like keeping 'lists' up to date, useful information in the right place, helping people by moving things, answering PM's, help queries etc.

As for the question of more help, I think we'd welcome it. The way to do this is to have people proposed (and potentially seconded) and then vote for another additional CO (they would be branded a CO, whatever role they took on due to the way the permissions system works). Given the amount of work that needs doing on the board, I don't think we need 2 more, but could use 1 more. I'll post something in the next couple of days on how we go about that and start that process.

The other thought which I've had (which may well be more unpopular) is introducing more sub forums (not lots mind!) I have been monitoring topics in the main UK section (not the sub fora) and counting on a regular basis, and roughly speaking they fall into:

- S2000 Specific Talk (non tech) 50%
- Technical Topics 25%
- General Car Talk 25%

I'd like to guage some idea of what people think about adding a couple (at most) of extra fora to the UK Community. (Bear in mind that For Sale will disappear once the upgrade to a Classifieds facility happens). I think the benefits of this will be seen by less regular users of the site. Even one whole day away from the board (God forbid!! ) the number of threads with new posts extends beyond 1 page (on normal board settings). The average life of a thread is probably 3 days, far shorter than it used to be, because of this, and also as a result repeat threads or duplicate questions often appear. I think splitting some of the threads into sections like above may help this. Your thoughts and opinions are welcomed.

Ref the Guest/Member thing. (please note s2ki membership, NOT s2kuk). I think this is self fulfilling - make the place somewhere people value and membership will be taken up by those who feel like contributing. I am always discussing ways in which to improve things with Erik (he's not a born marketeer or consumer led businessman by any means). Again your thoughts are welcomed (not necessarily implemented, but not ignored, well not all the time )

Finally, thanks for those kind comments, Mark and I do spend an enormous amount of time here, not because we have to, but because we want to. I only do this because I enjoy it, and I have a passion for the car, and the community, it is your guys and girls that make it what it is

Thanks for all the input so far.

 

The poor english thing is a result of educational standards collapsing:

I have a friend who is involved in adult education. She is amazed that several people in her class accepted for teacher training are illiterate, bad-attitude drongos. Given that childeren are no longer usually taught to sit still and listen before school-age, the problem of illiteracy will not be a problem in the future, since no-one will know how to log on here.

I have been put off joining several webshites where guests are expected to pay before accessing all of the forums. So how is one expected to know if it's any good?

 

Bloody ell Budgie, THATS the longest response I have seen from you in years!!. You usually just string two words or a smiley together

TBH I reckon everyone is suffering from SAD, the S dosen't get used much over the winter so now we have more daylight and meets, commeradery (not sure of spelling) will improve.

 

Ian,

Agreed on the extra couple of forums!

MB

 

I have been posting on here for a long time now and wouldn't say things have got any better or any worse over that time. There seems to be more people posting on here and that can only be a good thing

I would be very happy to see a UK 'UTH' forum as I think that there are now more people on here interested in modding their cars than ever before and I think it would also encourage more people to become involved.

As for new mods I think they would need to be regular posters that know some of the 'personalities', are sensible and be prepared to take a bit of stick A few people come to mind but one thing I would like to see is any new mods having no involvement with the running of S2KUK to avoid any conflicts of interest.

I also think that it is important that guests are encouraged to post with membership remaining optional as they make up a large number of the community and help make it what it is.



PS Herts meet this Thursday night, everyone welcome

 

Agree with this

But if you can't see the value after say, a 30-day free trial, my sympathy is likely to wane

 

What sort of conflicts of interest do you have in mind....?

 

I really admire your dedication Ian.

I have had my S for nearly 5 years and in the early days I was a regular poster and attended many meetings. There is no doubt that with expansion of ownership the board has changed - and of course we all change too. Much as I still love my S the buzz I get each time I drive it has reduced and the need to be part of a group such as this has also reduced.

I must admit that I felt rather old and "out of it" at the last meeting I attended about a year ago. I decided then not to attend any more meetings but just enjoy the car for what it is and let others, more dedicated, show the public face. I still visit the board but contribute little and I even let my membership of S2KI lapse.

It would be interesting to see how many who were members 4 years or so ago and still have an S still post. There aren't many, with some honourable exceptions such as yourself Ian, rralston, shipley and the lawyer.

PS I hope my spelling passes muster Rich (trouble is the spell check is american rather than english)

 

bloody hell!

then stop attending those megameet things and come to Le Mans

you'll feel right at home with old gits like me