Forum Suggestions

[Canadian Turbo]

With the clubs diversity growing it has been proposed that we make new sections in the forums to break up the variety of cars out there to better organize discussions.

For example we would have VW and Audi, BMW, Volvo & Saab, Mercedes & Smart etc. So I am looking for input from everyone to see what you all would like before we go with any changes.

Thanks for your help

Blair

[Mr. Burns]

Re: Forum Suggestions

I dont know that the forum is large enough for that many categories.... but I don't care either way.

[Smarty39]

Re: Forum Suggestions

^^Agreed.....it would just make for more sections with even LESS content lol, but hey, I guess it doesn't really matter

[Tuna]

Re: Forum Suggestions

^^Agreed.....it would just make for more sections with even LESS content lol, but hey, I guess it doesn't really matter

Well the idea is, there are people I meet on the volvo forums, Simon meets people on the Saab forums, others meet people on the BMW forums that are from Calgary or edmonton and we can't really say "hey, come check out our club we welcome all Euro's" and when they come here they see "a Volkswagen and Audi Community" with no mention of any other vehicles or where they might find info on their type of car.

I see your point about content as it may be a little thin for a while but I think we need to think about future expansion and bringing some more traffic. Also, I think we are still small enough that most people that frequent the boards read and comment about everything anyway (which is a good thing) so even though I post something about Volvos and there are no other Volvo owners around, I still get input. And since we've changed our look we HAVE brought more people to this site and I think this would only make it easier.

That's my ramblings.

[R_Ethug]

Re: Forum Suggestions

yea exactly jason.. i really don't want this to drag on for four months like the name change, banner change did.. that got annoying after 25 pages of whining..nevermind i'm rambling now

[nismodrifter]

Re: Forum Suggestions

#1: Get rid of the VW/AUDI Community from the banner. ASAP. Perhaps consider changing the banner. I got mad pshop skills and wouldn't mind designing a new banner to cater to the Euro's in general rather than slapping a bright yellow VW up there.

#2: The sub forums are actually a decent idea to attract people but the issue of traffic does come up. I agree that if people see BMW forum/MBZ forum they will feel like joining...but if the forum is empty then it won't really work out. So there is both a positive and a negative aspect with this idea. If you guys really think that you can attract people from other forums who are in need of a local forum then by all means go ahead and create some sub forums.

I'm doin my best to get the word out on places like vortex..tdiclub and especially Beyond. Hopefully some changes here would welcome new members.

[Tuna]

Re: Forum Suggestions

#1: Get rid of the VW/AUDI Community from the banner. ASAP. Perhaps consider changing the banner. I got mad pshop skills and wouldn't mind designing a new banner to cater to the Euro's in general rather than slapping a bright yellow VW up there.

I agree, a change to the banner could be made, but you may or may not remember that we asked if someone would be willing to work on one for over a MONTH and no one even responded so, I'm glad we just HAVE a banner at this point.

And as for content, the current members will have to keep the threads moving in those areas.

For now I agree with removing the VW/Audi but again, that was what the CLUB wanted at the time.

And yes, I know of several Volvo owners on swedespeed from Alberta (just in the s40/v50 forum), they may or may not come to this site but it's hard for me to tell them about it if there's no relevant content.

[kuhli]

Re: Forum Suggestions

Two sides to this:

1. Its easier to find/solicit info on your specific interest if you're in the right 'bucket' of people. Otherwise you're forced to ask questions of a larger group whom the majority of which willl know nothing about your topic.

2. What I like about everybody being in one main forum or nom-make specific forums is I get to learn about Saab's and Beamers without looking for it.

To me the question is do you want to become the multi-make Vortex or do you want to run a 'community' site. The community aspect of this site is probably the only reason I come here over Vortex. I can get a sense of what everybody is about and view their responses with that knowledge. Trying to get huge and Vortex like, and splitting into make specific groups will inevitably turn into a bit of a pissing match.

I say if we need to split into further groups lets do it, but keep them non-make specific.

My 2 cents.

Oh, I know it was in the long range plans anyway...but lets remove the Audi and VW thing...

[nismodrifter]

Re: Forum Suggestions

I agree, a change to the banner could be made, but you may or may not remember that we asked if someone would be willing to work on one for over a MONTH and no one even responded so, I'm glad we just HAVE a banner at this point.

I was probably in school then..have no time to work on it during the school year.

I'll whip something up in the near future and try to make it work with the current color scheme. I'll make a couple different ones and you can vote/decide on which one you like best.

[Tuna]

Re: Forum Suggestions

I was probably in school then..have no time to work on it during the school year.

I'll whip something up in the near future and try to make it work with the current color scheme. I'll make a couple different ones and you can vote/decide on which one you like best.

That would be great Nismo, I look forward to seeing what your skills can bring. I believe there may be a couple others in the works ATM also.

[VAG_Tech]

Re: Forum Suggestions

I think it's a great idea to have maker specific areas. No beefs here.

[Chris]

Re: Forum Suggestions

I was thinking about this a little more today and I think we should just change the banner at the top for now (I already made one that we can use) and keep the forum sections generic for a little while.

Then, once more people come to the site and there is higher traffic, we can then expand the sections as they warrant it. I really don't think there are enough Audi / BMW / Merc / Volvo / Saab guys on here to justify entire sections. Not right now at least.

In the meantime, I think we need to also address the lethargic server as well as the mysterious forum gremlins that give me the 404 error every once and a while.

my 2 cents.

[Khyron]

Re: Forum Suggestions

Section splits come after traffic, not the other way around. Change the banner etc, but it should be noted we had virtually 95% VWs for the last 2 big shows. Club non-vag owners really need to step it up.

Khyron

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: Forum Suggestions

Good points I think the banner change is a big priority and then we can work on modifying the sections as we go, maybe start with a VW/Audi and a Other Euro and then expand that out as content and users grow.

I will look into the hosting issues and see what can be done to improve the site's performance too.