The H.A.M.B. and your opinion - a new index?

I would be game for a trial period to see how it really pans out. I can see it going either way... good or bad. The Chevelle site I go to is split up even more finitely, and sometimes it is tough to get a question answered because not everyone goes there as often. Is that any better though than a thread being 5 pages back in 12 hours? Hard to say.

The HAMB is as good as it has been really and that is hard to believe giving the size. It IS different than it was 4 years ago, but things change. The people are what make the board. I would like to see some of the senior members pop back in more often too. As the movement becomes more mainstream (and it IS) I hate to see alot of the guys who were at the forefront not be as vocal or visible. That's a shame.

I say try the test period. It seems like it will be better for long term growth. We are at a crossroads.

 

I've not been here as long as many others have but I do know this. The HAMB is the first place I go in the morning with my first cup of coffee. When I logged on this morning I saw this post right off so I spent 10 minutes reading the pros & cons of change. I didn't respond right away cause I wanted to think about it more b4 I opened my mouth. After exiting this thread I scanned all I'd missed since yesterday. Three other posts interested me so I looked at them also. My total time here was prolly 20 minutes including the 10 minutes I initially spent on this post.

I don't care for change but thorough planning b4 a change is a good thing and I appreciate the chance to add my two cents Ryan. My vote is to separate the models and art form the basic forum and then monitor the outcome for a possible revamp in a month or so.

Again thanks for allowing me my vote. Irregardless of what happens it's still the best garage in cyberspace

 

Do it! I think it would be a great idea.

 

I like it the way it is...

 

Change is inevitable, with everything brings change....

Kinda like it the way it is...plus, it's traditional.

 

Ryan,
Do it your way bud. I enjoy the site as it is, but I can see your reasoning for change. I believe either way you decide to go that most of us are here to stay. Thank you for your interest for our thoughts and input. Best of luck for you in making your decision. Thanks again, Fred

 

I miss the cycle posts. I know I know I guess that's my point.

 

Leave it alone. It's easy to use. If ya don't wanna look at it, don't click it.
FWIW, I think the new classifieds section is kinda.....not complete. Not that I spend alot of time there but, I don't care for the new set up personally.

 

Ive lost track of how long Ive been on here but it was during the first old RRT meltdown. The 286merc has been used for about 7 years I think, had some others prior.

It aint simple no more and size requires some change. Some will get used to it others wont and may move on; no biggie; thats life.
More of the traditional oldtimers from Fordbarn, FTE, Y Blocks, etc are showing up over here recently. Some are in their 70's and have finally succumbed to the siren call. Blame me for posting links on those forums to some especially interesting topic on here.

FTE is one example of explosive growth and the need to sectionalize the forums. I visit 5 of them regularly and dont see it as a chore or confusing. Yes I bitched like hell when it first expanded but I learned to roll with it. Probably comes from being married for 39 years to the same battleax!!

 

Dividing it up would be easier for the people who do not have alot computer time. I have plenty of computer time though so how it is right now is great. I dont like to look through 10 different sections. When I get on the hamb, I start from page 1, pick out every thread that looks interesting and open them up in a new tab. I go through the pages until the threads arent highlighted anymore. THEN, i read all of them, so its hard for me to miss something. Basically I like how it is.

 

I think that's a great idea. I am only a NFG and comming in green I think that it all would have made more sense.

 

Ryan,
This looks good.
1. Not too many forums, like some other sites, just enough to make it somewhat easier to go look for what you want. This breakdown will make searching easier.
2. A separate Art forum makes sense considering the number of artists we have here. It will make it easier for them to display their work.
3. A place to review businesses and their "service" will be a good way for us to check out who's good and who is bad.
4. I'm with Denise, on the Feature Cars. It will be a good place to see who drives what and what they are building.
5. Event coverage will be great!
6. A question: Would you include tech about garages in the Tech Forum or would you keep it in the General Forum?
I do not fear change. I like the current forum; but sometimes a little separation will help. Especially considering the way the H.A.M.B. has grown.

 

Ryan,
I just saw your post about doing a separate garage forum. That's a good idea.

A thought on the changes to the H.A.M.B.: With just one forum, sometimes I miss something because I don't have time to review more than one or two pages of posts during a visit. I visit several times a day, but they are usually short visits so when a day's posts run to 3 and 4 pages, I can miss something. By doing the different forums as you've suggested, that will reduce the daily posts ON A SINGLE FORUM, to a page or two. That will make it easier on a short visit to review the all the posts and not miss something. Make sense?

That's my nickle's worth.

 

i, too have been guilty of off topic posts, for example during tech week. this format that you present will minimize the silliness that goes on in the all inclusive general discussion... and in that i'm off to search for the best tavern in austin so i may plan my trip to the round-up. heck, and i don't even drink ...
nic

 

if we get a new "tech only" section, it and the classifieds will prolly be the only sections i get to regularly. these are the two main reasons i'm on here anyway. i've learned so much on here that i would never, and i mean NEVER, have gotten anywhere else. i don't have to do many searches for technical information 'cause i've already saved tech type posts to msword files anyway. i just go to word and look. i save under descriptive names and it's pretty easy to look alphebetically for the info i'm looking for.

occasionally i go to the intro section when i want to find out about someone. i like having the intros there where i can find them IF i want to rather than in the main body where they force tech threads to the next page too quickly.

i know that it's impractical to put every technical post into the tech archives, and i'm also sure that no one wants EVERY one in the archives. but, i have always wanted a place where all the technical information was consolidated. i think it would be nice if tech oriented posts didn't slide to the 8th page in an hour.

i like the new classifieds with the wtb & wts divisions.

my couple-a-cents worth...

 

The HAMB just moves so fast these days, it's impossible to keep up with but I guess that's what can be expected when something becomes this huge.

I'm just sentimental, that's all.

 

i didnt read all of these responses so excuse me if i am repeating what someone has already suggested. why not add a chat room. i think that is what a lot of people are here to do. that leaves to forum open for more of a sharing of information.

 

I like it the way it is. If there were less OT posts, things wouldn't disappear so quickly.

 

Ryan, I haven't been on here long and my opinion probably doesn't count for much but I think this change sounds like a good idea. Everything moves so quickly, I can tell a big difference just since I started. Really like the new classifieds, takes very little time to check 'em out. Just my 2 cents.

 

I have been on sites with a number of seperate forums (layitlow.com is one example) and it is harder to navigate and see it all. In the end you get cross over (folks who do not know which forum to use) aplus it just becomes a bigger burden for you to police and keep clean..

I vote to keep it the way it is, even if something falls off in the front page in 30 minutes, ...... that the price of having a large board.

 

I'm new to the HAMB, but the first thing I noticed was how quickly it rolls over, a new post/thread can be on page 5 within hours. I like the idea.

 

It would definatly be a great idea. It would mean more work on the Mods part though.

One of the best sites I can think of with a great forum is http://www.thesamba.com/vw/ But it's pretty complex.

There is also a HUGE photo gallery as well.

I would be willing help in any way in order to expand the Hamb.

 

No, No and No! Please NO.

I would'nt ever check out some of the forums and would miss out. As it is there are too many and I just never remember to go there. With as many posts as there are anymore I do just scan the pages quickly and only open what sounds interesting...but I like it that way.

 

I like the way it is BUT change can be good. I like all different types of things and this forum provides that. On the other hand stuff gets push back fast. If the new forum will open up that problem than great. Some of the O/T I like. It makes it a little bench racing time. I like the rockabilly music stuff but don't care if your dog brought you the paper. I hope I made sense.
Mick

 

I vote to leave it as is.

Seems perfect when the threads are On Topic.

Maiki

 

InDaShop summarized a lot of my perspective on the new classifieds. They are just way too sterile now... lifeless. I like the seperate WTB/FS areas. And it's cool that new classifieds stay up top, till newer ones come along (but aren't pushed to page 3 by "bttt" posts). But isn't there a way to prevent bumping posts down, and still allow replies?

There is a ton of knowledge that gets embedded in the old-style classified ads, beyond just the item(s) being sold. Information about what parts can be interchanged, what years/models they came from, what years/models they will work on, etc. Someone's WTB/FS post can also trigger other deals, like when folks "get in line" for an item should the primary deal fall through. There may be other people reading the same ad who also have an extra of whatever the part was, and can offer it for sale to the other guy's in line. HAMBer A gets the part he needs and HAMBer B reclaims some space in his shop and generates some funds to put in his own project. With the new-style ads, these mutaully beneficial deals will never materialize.

Hell, just seeing who replies to what posts gives you an idea of who's working on what. And depending on whether they're looking for frame rails or interior vinyl, you can guess at what stage their project is in. This in turn can trigger dialog via PMs, threads in the main board, tech posts, or even phone calls to share ideas and information.

And the HAMB definitely serves as an "on-line community" of sorts. If someone has a car for sale in California, and a guy from New York is interested in it... the feedback from local HAMBers who have actually seen, touched, driven, or even worked on the car can mean a lot. I suspect that more succesful deals are made than broken with this sort of input. With the "closed door" nature of the new classifieds, the "unsolicited testimonial" feedback loop is broken.

I can understand the want/need to eliminate the drama and superfluous posts to the classifieds (and the whole board for that matter), but maybe there is a way to achieve that goal and still permit a free-flow of valuable/pertinent information? Likely easier said than done.

-murph

 

I only read about half of the responses, so I apologize if I'm repeating someone else's thoughts. It appears to be a 60-40 split in favor of changing. I can see the benefits of both ways. I'm sometimes amazed at the things I learn from posts I accidently read. I would hate to miss something just because I happened to be in the wrong forum. For example, I usually ignore events because they aren't nearby. But if I saw a subject line that said Leavenworth, Ottawa, or Blue Springs, I'd investigate since I'm in KC. If it's in an "events only" forum, I might miss it entirely.

Would it be possible to select "view all" or "view only this forum". That way everybody would have it the way they wanted. Your system seems to be remarkably robust, but I don't know what it would take to do it.

I'm mostly glad there's someone out there that supports this sickness and provides the service you do. Thanks for asking and keep up the good work. My vote is I'm happy either way.

 

To tell you the truth, I agree with murph and InDaShop 100% about the classifieds, maybe we are the only 3. The old classifieds provided a lot more information than just something for sale. Of course I can see it will cut down a ton on drama, but almost seems too cold and lifeless. The ads are still flying by, and things on page 3 will never resurface.
Just my opinion, I know the majority likes the new style so I'll deal with it. Thanks for this place Ryan and letting our voices be heard.

 

Ryan. I just went to a forum that I hear a lot about. Just thought I would check it out. I wont be back there. To complicated to find an answer, or the proper forum that might have an answer to what you are looking for.

I Like the H.A.M.B.

 

O K enough talk lets put it to a vote.
NEW
OLD
check one.
only on vote per member.
then do what you got your in mind to do anyway.
it's your game so you get to make the rules.