The Direction In Which The Site Is Going, And what to do about it Options

[Uppitycracker]

Personally I see off-topic as a medium for members of the site to get to know one another. I talk to many people from this site on a regular basis and Im sure in the future will have the pleasure of meeting them in person. I came here originally because I wanted to buy a 6th gen celica, though I've strayed from that path Ive stayed here for the community, the fact that the site isn't to large makes it easier to bond with people but at the same time makes it easier to single out and pick fights.

I know Im probably a small part of the problem, I know some of my posts can be border-line and/or offensive but thats just me, and the same goes with alot of people on this site, why should we suffer and lose an entertaining part of the site on account of sensative people that maybe should have the internet if so easily offended. I mean why should we be singled out as the wrong people, I can understand finding a happy medium but to take rash action is a little over the top.

This site is a community and everyone should have the right to express them selves within reason and I think you guys have done a great job thus far in deciding what is allowable and what isn't. While I find some of the recent off-topic threads to be useless and no more then a waste of band-width, I find it hard to take it upon my self and decide that. Its not in my place to say what is and what isn't, I think thats for the mods to decide alone, but when you offer an off-topic forum then you will get the odd boredom driven thread that just wastes space. I have noticed that over the last few months the off-topic section has been busy, and what used to be a a few threads a day about somewhat interesting topics has turned into a womens magazine survey.

So anyways I would vote to leave off-topic as it is, like I say to people that bitch about there work "you chose the job, it didn't choose you". So if you dont find managing a online forum with members of diverse personalities to your liking, then dont. After all it is your site Chris and yours to do with what you want. I for one am greatful for its existance, 8 months, and the following 5 months would be infinately more boring if I didnt look forward to seeing whats going on here, otherwise Id just be twiddling my thumbs waiting to start my life over down south.

6GC RULESSSS!!!!!1!!111!one!111!


Oh and just an after thought, a suggestion for the people that bicker about new people asking about engine swaps and other topics thay have been dicusted at length, ask for faq's! I know there is the feasible swap thread and what not, but no database of 3s information. If you search for it you'll find conflicting information, and people whining about reposts. And quite honestly if you dont think the thread is worthy of your seemingly endless knowledge than dont post in it period! Because one, you make people stupid and unwelcome, and two, in the time you take to write your self-righteous display of mental masturbation you could have answered the question.

This post has been edited by Uppitycracker: Jun 11, 2004 - 3:59 AM

[Hanyo]

I don't have much to say, since I have to admit I'm probably one of lesser active members of the site.

I think the off topic part of the site is great, sometime it can be annoying, but i just don't bother reading the posts. The off topic part of the site offers news flashes and current issues that have sprung up. It give members that post there personality and lets you know what they are thinking. It lets people vent when they have something bothering them. One of the suggestions I have is to limit the off topic forum to one page, once a thread has gotten old and pushed on to the second page it will be deleted. Another suggestion is about the warning system, i think it would be nice if the moderator PMs you with a quote of what you said and how it is unappropriate.

[sinner96ST]

There are no dyno sheets on this site, I see no discussion of serious legal racing. Hell, look at one of the stickies in the engine/performance section. It's pretty obvious that there are bunch of kids asking stupid questions, if somebody has to make a sticky entitled "QUIT ASKING ABOUT SWAPPING YOUR ENGINE WITH THE ONE IN THE MOVIE FAST & FURIOUS". That is a direct indication as to what is wrong with the forums.

Lack of GT-FOUR information. The GT-4 crowd seems to be more mild mannered, more technically inclined, and generally over in other countries. Some stuff they do will not apply to us, but some of it will. I think you should cater to these people as well. Getting them on here would help us, immensely.

Archives. Stickies. FAQ's I don't see any archive here of any information, posts that were supposed to be stickied, or anything like that. It would be a massive help if we had a repository of information on here to reference when we wanted to.

When you have 9 different tutorials explaining what to do with side markers / tail lights, there is a lack of good, solid information. I know aftermarket on our cars suck, but really, come on. What would make me come to this site? You need a hook, something that other sites dont have.

Thanks for reading, i know it was a long post but i don't want to see this site go down. Sorry for the BOLD, but I want to illustrate the points i'm trying to make, so you don't just skim over the thing.

This post has been edited by sinner96ST: Jun 11, 2004 - 8:48 AM

[sinner96ST]

oh, i'd also like to add.. since i was somewhat critical of the site, that i have absolutely no problem putting my money where my mouth is. if you need help, or whatever, feel free to ask.

the site is great, coomer. it really is. you've done a lot to help us out here, more so than anyone else in regards to 6th gen celicas. i'm just trying to help you guys decide what you want to do, and giving my 2 cents. i'm not bashing the site, or the general user population.. just a certain small minority of people who believe this is a study hall period.

[shid]

Oh god, the lack of how toos..

Coomer, I hereby volunteer to manage and do the approvals for every single how too0 with an emphasis on getting many many many out there.

[orvillescelica]

[hioctane]

Most of the new members are annoying and never use the "SEARCH" tool. Some of the current members love to talk about their life in the off-topic section like single everyday; go use livejournal for that Then we have members who bash on other cars like celicas are god's gift. They go on talking about how slow hondas and disrespect other car communities. It's a pretty much a bad rep for the 6gc.net community because you never know when other car enthusists post on their forum on how much our celicas suck.

[sinner96ST]

[slipgun]

I certanly feel the nonsearching newbies need to stop being bashed... when I first came here however long ago it was a year or something, I had no clue what a search function was for forums. This is the first forum ive ever been in, and im addicted to it. Yes its not the same as it used to be, but I think this also stems from the lack of new information comming out... which since there isnt always something new to find out, its hard to find stuff to post about. The off topic keeps the forums alive while we wait for new info, though I agree half of it is utterly useless, but I found the rasor thread funny . Also I think what contributes to the lack of topics is no one wants to mod their engine, because everyone says its not worth it unless your gona swap. Some of us dont want to swap! Let them research, let them get info without your waisting your time and money, hell I wana turbo, anyone wana know the research ive gone through the last year tryna figure that out whats right for me? There is no ultimatum on that question, so let people figure it out for themselves!

[celicarocker]

i love the site, its a great place. like everyone else said, this is mild compared to other threads. i think being overly rude and disrespectful should be dealt with though... nobody likes an ass... as far as O/T goes, well thats what its there for... its meant to be a meaningless forum, where you just go to chat and whatnot... ive made some cool friends from the forum, most of it stemming from O/T threads. while i have disagreeded with some of the stuff being deleted in the O/T forum, ive never really said anything just becuase i keep the mindset of "its coomers site, he can do whatever he wants...." make some stricter rules for the O/T if you dont want to see that stuff there.... but man, dont change the site too much... its a great place...

[jgreening]

Is it me or does it seem like alot of the knowledgeable members are not posting here anymore? If so, why?

[uzthedentist]

This forum seems quite pleasant in general but one thing always annoys me and its the way that some people cut down others with the lower spec engines/ autos etc. I havent been on this website long but I have seen a few people laughed at for trying to modify their lower spec cars and told to get a 3sge instead. WHY? Do the GT4 boys go around telling the GT boys their cars are crap? NO. Also other posts like 'the celica is not a sports car' etc dont really have any benefit.

Im all for healthy debate, but outright insulting our own cars puts the reputation of the 6GC down

[Tressa95]

I saw this topic and thought that I would throw some input into it. Although I just joined the board I have been reading on it for a while. I decided to start posting when I was ready to start on my engine. I thought it would be the best way to find out information since there is really nobody or any shops that modify these cars. I think the majority of everyone on here are all really nice and want to help. The problem that I see is that everyones questions turn into a debate on if they should do it or not. people are asking questions for answers not for approval. I just think that eventually the people who have questions are going to think twice about asking. Also I'm sure it does get old having the same questions asked over and over agian but if you attack someone the first time they post they wont post again and they most likely will not tell people about the site. Remember first impressions are everything and if one person comes off as an irrigant a** it's hard to reverse it. Sorry the post is so long and I really want to make it clear that I think the site is great and just very nice overall but just wanted to point out what make someone not want to come back

Tressa

[97Celica]

For the most part I get along with everyone,yet,like in any community there are going to be fights here and there..It's really not a big deal..and as far as how females are treated.. I think it's cool if chicks are into cars.. I am just getting my girl into them..too bad she drives a 2003 Saturn ION ..ehe

[madmods]

Guys the solution is to close down the whole site

[shid]

The Lori Ann thread...

[Jdog1385]

just modify the off topic section. strictly celica info. if you wanna chat about off topic stuff, just instant message someone.

[Andason]

[mikew04]

Im never in OT, but what i do see is bashing, and girls and coomer being treated like gods. I agree with the others who have commented about posting a link if you tell someone to search, and those who have suggested FAQ, and leaving comments on parts and what not. The bashing and inappropriateness of things annoy me the most, but the way coomer and the girls are being treated is almost as bad. Yes, coomer, you've done alot for me and others, i thank and applaud you for that. But it seems like everyone has to suck up to you (and every female on the site.) People need to think about what they say. Its the internet, yah, but still we need to act mature and talk to others as we would face to face.

[Eddo456]

I know I am not too active of a member, in the sense of replying too often, however this is probably the site I visit the most on the internet, and I have read hundreds of posts. My 2 cents: In regards to the bashing comment on cars and their stock specks, I remember when I first got my celica and soon after found this site, I had a limited edition 97 st, and I was some what embarrassed to post that under my membership info, just the fact that it was an st. However after reading the site for about a month and seeing how people freely gave out this information, and were only given respect, I soon followed and posted the info, feeling confident in my car and my status on the site as a legitimate member. This was a little more than a year ago. However currently it has seemed to me like the disrespect for everyone, no matter their car or their intentions for it, is a bit too much. It reminds me of a friend of mine, who has a Camaro, and bashes on any import just because it is an import and regardless of what potential it has. It is just a complete display of ignorance, and that is that. I doubt that this helps to your decision, Coomer, or any of the other moderators for that matter, but I just figured that as a member I should give my contribution. And again, thanks for a great site that I have been always able to rely on for good information.

-Eddie