Forum direction.

Damon Theis · Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:15 pm Post subject: Forum direction.

First off, I like it. Very Happy

I would very much like to see this stay around and get solid use. What I would like to know is what direction is intended. Personally, I think that posting should be limited to members of the VJMC. Moderation is also a question. Will there be any? If posting is limited to memebers, I don't think that it will be much of an issue. If the forum is open to all there will probably be some folks that come along and rock the boat (so to speak).

vjadmc · Guest

Hi Damon,

First of all, thanks for looking at the new forum! The direction of this thing is wide open right now, we don't have a clear direction yet, other than a place to talk about old Japanese cycles. Ultimately, it should benefit the VJMC members and add some value to a club membership. Maybe that means restricting it to VJMC members only. I don't know yet. We'll see how we can control that without working someone to death updating a membership list. Until a problem comes up, it's going to run unmoderated for anyone who is interested in joining. Hopefully they will like it enough to buy a club membership and get in on the other benefits of the VJMC.

After we're off the ground, I'd like to turn over control of the Regional areas to any field rep that wants to step up and moderate it, kinda like a local gathering place for people to talk about local events, plan a group ride or a swap meet.

For now, the best thing is to just jump in and start posting great content. Write a tech tip, post a classified ad, add something about old Japanese bikes that you think we might enjoy. Anyone got any good stories?

vintage 1 · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:25 am Post subject: forum

Hey Jason;
Good job on your part Smile

forum seems like a good idea and I really like it. It seems to me though most members use the VJMC List to ask and answer questions. maybe an article in the VJMC magazine will help spread the word.
thanks
Mike

Steve Searles

Great forum. Let's do it! I am a motorcycle nut. I have a 1978 Honda Goldwing that I am selling for $1750?. Pics available. I just got back from Holly, MI Vintage bike show where Scott Timoff had the VJMC setup. The 160 scrambler was there. We sold raffle tickets and signed up more members. VJMC is growing!! So many guys "had this bike growing up and want to restore one just like it". I also have a repair shop called Mar-Creek Motorsports and I specialize in 70's & 80's Jap. bikes. Ask me any question and I should be able to help you. Collection includes: 82 Honda CBX, 84 Honda Nighthawk 700S, 75 Suzuki GT380, 74 Yamaha RD350, 84 Yamaha RZ350, 75 Kaw Z1900, 80 Kaw KZ1300, etc. Repairing a 73 Suzuki TC125 and a 72 Honda CB350 for a couple of guys right now. Yamaha Maxim 750 will be done soon. I can BS about bikes all day.[/b]

jonr · Weekend Warrior Joined: Sep 01, 2005 Posts: 6

I think that while the VJMC forum gets its footing that restricting it to members is not a good idea. THe forum could actually draw VJMC members if registration is left open and if restricted, it could turn potential members away. Moderating the forum usually keeps this all in check so things don't get out of control.

The GS Resources (www.thegsresources.com) is a very healthy and active forum devoted to the classic Suzuki GS line from 77-85. The tech forum is VERY popular as well as the "meetingplace" and "stories" forums. Most people who register a username have a GS, but there are people who do not own a GS and ask questions about GS's and other brands of Japanese bikesl. If one of the wise ones can't answer the question, someone always inserts a link to another site or forum that would be beneficial.

Steve Searles · Posted: Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:01 pm Post subject:

The forum is starting to take off. I would like to see the officers using this more. Maybe they can have an Officers-Official business topic and use that for important postings. Also, I see pictures can be added. Can you walk me thru the procedure on how to add pics? Thanks, this is a big building block for our club along with the colored magazine.

Steve Searles · Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2006 8:03 am Post subject: Forum Improvements

I have a pretty good idea, I think. (We are getting too spread out) Have specific topics according to make and years of motorcycle. Example: Have a topic group for 60's Hondas, 70's Hondas, 80's Hondas. 70's Kawasakis, 70's Suzukis, 60's Yamahas, 70's Yamahas, 80's Yamahas. Maybe we do not have to get so specific at first but then guys would know where to go talk with others of similiar bikes. Even if we start with Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki topics. What does everybody think????

longbow · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2006 4:53 pm Post subject:

Well, I'm pretty new around here, but I'll toss my hat into the ring.

I do not believe that the forum should be restricted to members only,not because I'm too cheap to fork over 25 bucks, but because I believe that such a restriction would severely limit the number of people on the board. Heck, you're on the World Wide Web, so use it. Advertise the forum. Get yourself to be on the first page of search engines. Welcome the world to participate.

"If we build it, they will come." ---P.T. Barnum

Let the forum blossom into a world wide community. The more people participating in the forum, the more likely they will purchase a membership.

Of course, many folks will elect not to join. That's OK, so long as those who do join receive *some* benefit which is not available to those who do not join. The magazine subscription, of course, but there could be other "member's only" benefits as well. (Apply imagination here.)

As to the direction of the forum itself, I offer as a model the other forum in which I participate, Intruder Alert. This forum ha been in existence since 2002 or so & currently boasts some 5,000 members. Dedicatd to fans of the Suzuki Intruder ( & now the Boulevards) it is, arguably, one of the best motorcycle forums on the web. Heck, it's one of the best forums of any kind, as far as I'm concerned.

In my opinion, the sucess of Intruder Alert is attributable to a number of factors, among them:

Open door policy. Everyone is welcome. You needn't own an Intruder, or even a motorcycle, for that matter. Yes, there are several active members who don't own bikes.

Open Format, Intruder Alert is divided into several sub forums. The largest & most active of these is called General Discussions, where there is no restriction on subject matter. As a result, people from all walks of life, from literaly all over the world, gather & swap stories, plan meetings, & generally socialize. Heck, several folks have met thier spouses on Intruder Alert. The social impact of this forum has been overwhelming. Since people get to know each other, gatherings are well attended & lots of fun for all.

Sub forums. The smaller areas of the forum are dedicated to Tech Talk, Rides & Events, Safety Talk, & Lay Intruders. The latest adition to the family of sub forums is The Back Room. What goes on there is the type of stuff you'd find in the back room of a speakeasy establishment.

I know this sounds like a commercial for someone elses site, but that is not my intention. I am merely responding to the querry about the direction of this forum. In fact, I won't post a link. Interested parties will find the site with little difficulty.

Well, that's my .02

Steve Searles · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 11:59 am Post subject: Forum Direction

Thanks twice, longbow. First for walking us through how to post pictures on the forum. Look for some of mine soon. And second, to help guide us in the right direction with forums in general. I have limited experience. I agree to leave it open. I don't see a problem with that. We are discussing some things members only would get that others would not. I think we need a main topic titled general discussion. That is a good idea. Then I still like Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki main topics and Tech Talk. The difference we have is we are not just focusing on one bike like IntruderAlert but many, many bikes. A compromise combination of ideas may work the best for this forum. Opinions anyone???

Biquetoast · Posted: Mon Jan 16, 2006 2:51 pm Post subject: Re: Forum Direction

longbow · Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2006 7:13 am Post subject: Re: Forum Direction

Steve Searles · Posted: Sat Jul 08, 2006 9:13 pm Post subject:

Well, I am disappointed with the forum so far but I suppose it is still new to everyone. We never did get anybody to suggest how to organize so it is a free for all. No catagories, no tech tach, etc. The VJMC officers do not seem to be reading this forum very much. Minimal responses from officers to this point. Let's keep trying. I think it could be a great tool for the club. Crying or Very sad

NMAXXS · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 1:07 pm Post subject:

I can't see the "Last Post" date which is grey against a black background. Am I the only one? Is someone moderating this thing?

Biquetoast · Posted: Tue Jul 11, 2006 7:32 pm Post subject:

[quote="Steve Searles"] Well, I am disappointed with the forum so far but I suppose it is still new to everyone. We never did get anybody to suggest how to organize so it is a free for all. No catagories, no tech tach, etc. The VJMC officers do not seem to be reading this forum very much. Minimal responses from officers to this point. Let's keep trying. I think it could be a great tool for the club. Crying or Very sad

[/quote]

It's all good Steve! Here's a list of comments I have so far:

- I don't like the SSL redirection for authentication with a "Test" certificate. I don't think a forum like this really calls for SSL, unless it's public cert root so it's already in our browsers.

- For some reason the "Log me in automatically" doesn't work for more than a few minutes.....

- I don't know if it's set-able, but the "posts since last visit" link goes away too quickly. For some reason, when I click my "back" button after using the link, all the unread post links are now gone. So I'm having to open all the links in new tabs so they don't disappear on me.

- What should the niche of the VJMC forum be? There are so many other specific forums (I belong and actively participate in 3 others) to certain models, that I believe the VJMC forum should be the fill-in for what the others don't offer. Unfortunately, I don't know what that is. Wink

But you get my point...

- It's true that the categories could be a little better, but I'm not sure about that either. Most people just want to go with the flow. How about you just tweak it here and there... people will complain if they don't like it... Wink

By the way, I pop in when I can to participate.... I'll keep visiting as long as others do...

1st. Turbo · Posted: Sun Sep 17, 2006 11:07 am Post subject:

I think this forum should stay with Japanese only. Opening up to non members would help bring more into the Club. Their are many forums for American cycles and cycles from Europe, let this be only for Japanese cycles.