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OverkillZJ
02-14-2014, 04:00 PM
I know that I kind of let this site go a bit over the last couple of years, but I intend to bring it back with a vengeance. My goal was never to make it a "club" or act like one (if you're ever been on a board, you know why) -- but be a general place for either other clubs to discuss, or people that are new to the community get to know other off-roaders. But with some that moved on, some serving overseas, and my life, well, insane, we've been pretty stagnant. Time to change that.

I've been looking into other forum software. We MAY end up staying on this vbulletin software, but for the small size of our group, it's pretty cumbersome and rough for me to maintain. I'm installing patches for hours a month, and it's frustrating. If we do migrate to something else, I'll make sure to honor current supporting memberships, and figure out a way to bring the old posts with us. If we stay here, I'll get some help to neaten it up a bit. I'm a server / IT guy, not a great web guy.

And, oh yeah, I promise I'll get another Jeep and actually start wheeling again! And I promise it's not my lawn tractor in my back yard. I won't be able to get monthly meet and greets going again as soon as I'd like with a newborn on the way, but I'll try to get that going soon enough.

I remember what this was group was like in 2000 when I joined up. It was great to have a wheeling family without the due's, little drama, and lots of wheeling. Let's make that happen again. :038:

-Matt

OverkillZJ
02-14-2014, 04:15 PM
That was my way of saying I'm open to suggestions and input, by the way!

MemorEsto
02-14-2014, 04:40 PM
We run IP Board at ErieJeepPeople, it rarely needs serviced. We get the occasional updates, but it pretty much runs itself. The cost's are probably higher than V bulletin though.

I just renewed and don't remember the price, I can check it out for you though. I know you're way more computer savvy than me.

OverkillZJ
02-14-2014, 04:58 PM
Thanks, Actually I think it was cheaper when I looked at it years ago -- the real reason we ended up on vbulletin is it was easier for me, since at the time I was running MallCrawlin.com for Dave. I'm actually starting to look at VB5 -- seems a lot better. We're on VB4 and it was a mistake... VB3 was a lot better IMHO, and 5 seems decent as well. I might play with some trials. 5 would make it a lot easier for pictures / photo gallery's. I tried that with this (4) and quickly learned why not many sites stay running on 4 for long. I just know that this sites 10-year anniversary is coming up, and it sucked a lot less 10 years ago!

OverkillZJ
02-14-2014, 05:02 PM
Another must is making this site work just as well as it does on Mobile devices as it does at a computer. More "surfing" is done on tablets these days than on computers. Tapaltalk is a start -- but I'm looking into things that operate closer to Facebook as far as uploads from phones go. Simple is good.

Super Scout
02-14-2014, 05:35 PM
Free donut fridays ?

Ragnorox
02-14-2014, 06:12 PM
Steve I will give you rolling donut you can take a flying f@@k in......!

MemorEsto
02-14-2014, 06:53 PM
Is there a mobile version at all currently? I know for EJP the mobile version pops up automatically

OverkillZJ
02-14-2014, 07:07 PM
Free donut fridays ?

And Taco Tuesday!

OverkillZJ
02-14-2014, 07:09 PM
Is there a mobile version at all currently? I know for EJP the mobile version pops up automatically

Not currently - but that is a must. I think we'd use a GOOD mobile version more than the website itself. Also looking into the *option* of linking your facebook account, for single sign on, but i don't want that to be a requirement. Just easier since that's something people are used to across the net now.

Powerguy37
02-14-2014, 08:54 PM
Steve I will give you rolling donut you can take a flying f@@k in......!


http://www.amazon.com/Remote-Controlled-Flying-F-ck/dp/B002P4J2P8

88wd21
02-14-2014, 11:00 PM
I was hoping it would be a remote control rolling donut...

The_War_Wagon
02-14-2014, 11:07 PM
Free tacos would be more useful than Tapatalk to ME... :025:

XJ_Sean
02-15-2014, 09:44 AM
Suggestion: get rid of the non-offroad talk and forums.
-As much of a gun nut as I am I don't come here to discuss guns and political views.
-get rid of the mountain bike section/hiking section lol
-Finally and I think most important, Get rid of the people that tear down and insult other people and their builds.... That is 100% the quickest way to get good people to walk away from this forum. It might be tough to do because some of these instigators are 10 year members, but it needs done.
-only reason I saw this post is cause it popped up on my Facebook thread, I haven't been to PGH-Offroad in almost a year, with good reason. It really started to suck balls. Which is sad cause this site and the community that it represents has tons of potential.
Hope things get better and hope to see everyone on the trails soon!

OverkillZJ
02-15-2014, 10:04 AM
Sean -- they were created out of necessity though: without them, they will only end up being mixed in with the offroad talk. I will look into if I can separate them better though, perhaps only having off-road forums showing up in the new-posts search, or spinning them off into a subsection that's not searched as much. I agree that off-road should be the main focus.

Who is tearing down other members builds? I don't think any of those folks survived...

I agree on the potential... Hence this post :)

OverkillZJ
02-15-2014, 10:07 AM
http://www.amazon.com/Remote-Controlled-Flying-F-ck/dp/B002P4J2P8

Oh that's up there with the banana slicer!

Mykal
02-15-2014, 10:13 AM
Suggestion: get rid of the non-offroad talk and forums.
-As much of a gun nut as I am I don't come here to discuss guns and political views.
-get rid of the mountain bike section/hiking section lol
-Finally and I think most important, Get rid of the people that tear down and insult other people and their builds.... That is 100% the quickest way to get good people to walk away from this forum. It might be tough to do because some of these instigators are 10 year members, but it needs done.
-only reason I saw this post is cause it popped up on my Facebook thread, I haven't been to PGH-Offroad in almost a year, with good reason. It really started to suck balls. Which is sad cause this site and the community that it represents has tons of potential.
Hope things get better and hope to see everyone on the trails soon!

This is the worst advice ever. All of it.
If you only "allow" off road talk here then every thread will have chit chat about other subjects in it. Having different topic areas takes away nothing from the forum. Its simply a delegated area to discuss those things. If you dont want to read about guns and political views then dont read the threads. Why should those of us that do lose the option because you do not like it?
Same goes for biking/hiking section.
You need to realize that the "insults" are not always insults and grow up. Not every single comment needs a candy coated sugar wrapping on it. This is real life some of us are a bit more brash and forward then others. If it looks like shit and smells like shit then it must be shit. Dont post "your" half assed attempt at "fabrication" and expect us to tell you that you should have your own shop. Grow some thicker skin.
You also need to realize that a lot of ball busting comes with this sport. It attracts Type A's. Whether the person knows each other or not.
A lot of people here know each other really well, an outsider would think that our site is full of hate but an insider sees the humor.
Either get on board or jump ship. Either way stop your whining about your feelings and get on the trails. No one cares.

MemorEsto
02-15-2014, 10:24 AM
Pgh-Offtopic

OverkillZJ
02-15-2014, 10:29 AM
This is the worst advice ever. All of it.
If you only "allow" off road talk here then every thread will have chit chat about other subjects in it. Having different topic areas takes away nothing from the forum. Its simply a delegated area to discuss those things. If you dont want to read about guns and political views then dont read the threads. Why should those of us that do lose the option because you do not like it?
Same goes for biking/hiking section.
You need to realize that the "insults" are not always insults and grow up. Not every single comment needs a candy coated sugar wrapping on it. This is real life some of us are a bit more brash and forward then others. If it looks like shit and smells like shit then it must be shit. Dont post "your" half assed attempt at "fabrication" and expect us to tell you that you should have your own shop. Grow some thicker skin.
You also need to realize that a lot of ball busting comes with this sport. It attracts Type A's. Whether the person knows each other or not.
A lot of people here know each other really well, an outsider would think that our site is full of hate but an insider sees the humor.
Either get on board or jump ship. Either way stop your whining about your feelings and get on the trails. No one cares.

I don't disagree with you overall - but you also don't have to slam people down to communicate your opinion, either. Thicker skin is fine and dandy, and some folks may get their panty's in a bunch too much, but I don't see any benefit in slamming someone down as hard as they have been. We're all here to talk about wheeling and raise each other up helping in it, right? That doesn't mean we can't say "Hey, dude, that tow hook probably isn't safe the way you mounted it, I wouldn't pull you out with that. Why don't you try this instead..."

Mykal
02-15-2014, 10:32 AM
Tap A talk is a must. I dont use websites from my phone or tablet unless they are on tap a talk.
Its so much easier to browse the gajiliion forums Im on in the same app versus switching apps to do so. #FirstWorldProblems
If they are not tap a talk accessible I dont visit them on a regular basis. Im not sure why more people dont use it, its a breeze to setup.

Super Scout
02-15-2014, 10:34 AM
So back to free donut fridays ? I like the donut chef on 22. The pretzel donuts are so good you would slap your mama.

OverkillZJ
02-15-2014, 10:39 AM
Good point on Tapatalk to visit multiple sites. I don't see why I can't have it installed, and also have a separate app for folks like me that are usually on a tablet on one site. It shouldn't conflict and you should be able to use whatever you like.

OverkillZJ
02-15-2014, 10:40 AM
So back to free donut fridays ? I like the donut chef on 22. The pretzel donuts are so good you would slap your mama.

No donuts. Mostly because I'm mad that Dunking Donuts won't let me open up a franchise down here. There's none around here and I want one!

Mykal
02-15-2014, 10:40 AM
I don't disagree with you overall - but you also don't have to slam people down to communicate your opinion, either. Thicker skin is fine and dandy, and some folks may get their panty's in a bunch too much, but I don't see any benefit in slamming someone down as hard as they have been. We're all here to talk about wheeling and raise each other up helping in it, right? That doesn't mean we can't say "Hey, dude, that tow hook probably isn't safe the way you mounted it, I wouldn't pull you out with that. Why don't you try this instead..."

I knew you were going to say that. I agree with it.

I also dont think that when someone makes fun of some one for something completely asinine that its a bad thing. 12" exhausts threads and such deserve what ever they get. In a real life situation Im not monitored and told "Hey! Be nice and dont laugh at the guy with giant balls hanging off his bumper." Why should a forum be any different? If "you" cant handle some ribbing on a forum "you" have much larger issues.

Over all this community has done a great job at policing its self over the years. Its pretty much weeded out the morons for the most part and no one has ended up dead; that we know of.

Mykal
02-15-2014, 10:42 AM
Good point on Tapatalk to visit multiple sites. I don't see why I can't have it installed, and also have a separate app for folks like me that are usually on a tablet on one site. It shouldn't conflict and you should be able to use whatever you like.

Accessibility is key. The easier it is to use and the more comfortable it is for everyone the more use it will get.


No donuts. Mostly because I'm mad that Dunking Donuts won't let me open up a franchise down here. There's none around here and I want one!

They just opened one in Morgantown outskirts. If they can do it so can you.

OverkillZJ
02-15-2014, 10:44 AM
You can only do it in PA if you're already a franchisee. By their current franchisees no one like me can go in and purchase a new franchise to start fresh. I could approach a current franchisee, but in business I don't play well with others!

Super Scout
02-15-2014, 10:45 AM
This place is like a ball, I insult all my friends its how I roll. And I have even better insults when my friends are doing me a favor. Its the way I do things. Some people just can't handle it personally I like coming here, it and pirate are like the last corners of the internet where you can say what you really want to see. Weaver FREE DONUT FRIDAYS. I am not letting this go, ill be at your place friday afternoon. Ill buy this week.

justin'sbig7
02-15-2014, 12:09 PM
FWIW, shooting, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, etc. are not done on the road, and many of these can be enjoyed by vehicular offroading as well to get to your spots. I am obviously not as active in the off road vehicular aspect as I used to be but I still come around because I have met many good friends here, and if I can help someone with something well, bonus.

also, I have never used tapatalk. I like browsing full site on my phone and find mobile sites to be friggin annoying and lacking of the regular features.

ultimately its your site, sorry it seems to have sucked (I haven't thought so) but there seems to be a steady decrease in the interest in wheeling lately as our crowd buys houses, gets married and have kids... it seems like most of the off road clubs and forums have been declining in activity lately. It may just be the off topic and lax regulations on getting off topic keeping this site more active.

SirFuego
02-15-2014, 06:58 PM
I have never used tapatalk. I like browsing full site on my phone and find mobile sites to be friggin annoying and lacking of the regular features. [\quote]
Same here. I like to queue up the threads I want to read in separate tabs and there is nothing equivalent in tapatalk. Then again as long as I don't get a popup that this forum supports tapatalk every time I come here, tapatalk has no bearing on my browsing experience.

[QUOTE=justin'sbig7;295988] its your site, sorry it seems to have sucked (I haven't thought so) but there seems to be a steady decrease in the interest in wheeling lately as our crowd buys houses, gets married and have kids... it seems like most of the off road clubs and forums have been declining in activity lately. It may just be the off topic and lax regulations on getting off topic keeping this site more active.
Even pirate hasn't been the same in terms of Offroad discussion. Everyone seems to be using general social media sites like Facebook and Instagram these days which is decentralizing the tech and other related discussion.

Deadman 94 xj
02-15-2014, 10:04 PM
That's the nail in the head....Facebook and facebook alone is the reason for the decline on the forums. That's obviously just my take on it but that's what I believe to be the reason. Its a wide spread thing, not just Pirate or here or where ever. So, finding a way to incorporate this with Facebook is a good idea I guess. I just recently "Liked" PghOffroad on FB again and it seems to work pretty good. I never would have saw Mykal's insult to my build thread so fast otherwise.... kidding.

That said, facebook has a lot of women folk and I can only take so much. Coming over here is a nice break from all that. We can BS about....things. I do realize there are a few women here also...but they're cool.

As far as the other sections....I don't venture too far. The build threads I like to read and I stick mostly to the offroad stuff because that's why I'm here. I don't give a shit about guns but its nice to keep that stuff in one place. If I have a question about camping spots, there's a place to go without cluttering up other stuff, etc, etc. Structurally, I don't see room for improvement. I don't think anyone cares.

I've just kinda started coming around here again for no other reason than I missed it. This site and the people I've met have been a huge part of my life and one that I hope stays around. I've just been busy with "the real world" and it's about to get busier...but that makes me realize that I need this place even more.

Improvments? Here's a real world take on it and what I've gathered from talking to people over the years....people don't like the cliques. I guess there's a group of "regulars" that seems to run things and new folk don't feel welcome. Or, there are certain personalities that grow tiresome. I know...highschool shit but take it for what its worth. I don't have any advise on that one. Maybe keep the off topic shit where it belongs....and that's constructive criticism not a personal one. Think about the effect it might have...

My recommendations? Bring back the logo...lol

Deadman 94 xj
02-15-2014, 10:51 PM
Oh, another thing. Keep in mind, I don't know if you're quest is to attract more people, but this is related to that... You know how when you browse the forum without logging in, the only section you don't have access to is OT? Well, I think making other, more "attractive or offroad relevant" sections private will encourage more people to create accounts and log in. As it is I get everything I want out of this forum without ever logging in. Just something else to think about.

RalphDogg
02-15-2014, 10:58 PM
I appreciate Matt making the big step up in the early 2k and inventing forum. Before pgh off-road it was dial up internet, with mark posting when the club would meet at McDonalds.

Mykal
02-15-2014, 11:04 PM
Oh, another thing. Keep in mind, I don't know if you're quest is to attract more people, but this is related to that... You know how when you browse the forum without logging in, the only section you don't have access to is OT? Well, I think making other, more "attractive or offroad relevant" sections private will encourage more people to create accounts and log in. As it is I get everything I want out of this forum without ever logging in. Just something else to think about.


Thats tricky. A lot of people will shun a forum that hides all of its content. Some forums show text and hide the images to unregistered members. That sucks to.
People that are searching for something and come across a link will not take the 2 minutes to register when they can just click the next link. They will join if they read something interesting and feel the need to comment or stick around.

They key to bringing in new people is easy. Spreading the word, staying an active community (lots of rides and meet & greets on a REGULAR basis), lots of relevant posts from active members. Good luck.

Deadman 94 xj
02-15-2014, 11:13 PM
Thats tricky. A lot of people will shun a forum that hides all of its content. Some forums show text and hide the images to unregistered members. That sucks to.
People that are searching for something and come across a link will not take the 2 minutes to register when they can just click the next link. They will join if they read something interesting and feel the need to comment or stick around.

They key to bringing in new people is easy. Spreading the word, staying an active community (lots of rides and meet & greets on a REGULAR basis), lots of relevant posts from active members. Good luck.

True enough. You just see 25 guests all the time and one member signed in. But I get what you're saying too. I know Jeepforum...which I've always hated, restricts alot like you're saying but they're usually wanting $$ for memberships. Either way, you're right, it's tricky.

Rig of the month and pic of the month was fun.

beat1078
02-15-2014, 11:14 PM
Matt,

I will be back soon and the Meet and Greets will pick up again.
You and MyKal have valid points about "tone" of replies. Sugar coat, no, but do we have to throw gas on a new guy because his/her perception of offroad is what the rest of the world throws down their throat? If all they know is the Fast and the Furious with lockers then they were never taught the right way. Isn't that what we are here for? To teach the responsible way to do things? My first impression of this place after trolling for a couple weeks was MFSteve's reply to me when I replied to a M&G. If we want people to come here and enjoy it and be a part of the group we need to be a little less rough. If you feel the need to go off on little Johnny because he wants to put stacks on his S-10 then do it in a PM or something and maybe try and drive home the facts. Sure we would all like to say "you dumb ass" but what is little Johnny really learning other than he is a dumb ass? They joined PGHOR, not Pirate.

So anyway...May will be the epic return for the M&G and hopefully at the same grove we had been at for a couple years in South Park.

OverkillZJ
02-16-2014, 03:05 PM
True enough. You just see 25 guests all the time and one member signed in. But I get what you're saying too. I know Jeepforum...which I've always hated, restricts alot like you're saying but they're usually wanting $$ for memberships. Either way, you're right, it's tricky.

Rig of the month and pic of the month was fun.

The "guest" are usually bots that are attempting to register and spam. There's usually a minimum of a dozen on the registration page. It's usually peope's computers that have viruses and are turned into a bot-army, and for whatever reason, PGH-OR is on its list of targets. As no one is there to actually enter the rep-catchya thingy majigger, they never get past the registration page. There's very few real people on as "guest" looking at content. The other aspect of this is: with it being locked down, Google, Bing, etc. can't index the site - and that means someone looking for, lets say, "Awesome people around Pittsburgh to wheel with" or "Why is overkillzj such a tool some times" would never really find the site. That's why I hid OT though -- I don't want the political rants and general BS to bring in others just for that section and make it a free for all. I guess I could've just said that's a fine line to walk. Or x2'd Mykal. But I didn't. Because I like to type. Now back to cleaning the garage! Finally unboxing the tools I move over here 14 months ago...

OverkillZJ
02-16-2014, 03:09 PM
Matt,

I will be back soon and the Meet and Greets will pick up again.
You and MyKal have valid points about "tone" of replies. Sugar coat, no, but do we have to throw gas on a new guy because his/her perception of offroad is what the rest of the world throws down their throat? If all they know is the Fast and the Furious with lockers then they were never taught the right way. Isn't that what we are here for? To teach the responsible way to do things? My first impression of this place after trolling for a couple weeks was MFSteve's reply to me when I replied to a M&G. If we want people to come here and enjoy it and be a part of the group we need to be a little less rough. If you feel the need to go off on little Johnny because he wants to put stacks on his S-10 then do it in a PM or something and maybe try and drive home the facts. Sure we would all like to say "you dumb ass" but what is little Johnny really learning other than he is a dumb ass? They joined PGHOR, not Pirate.

So anyway...May will be the epic return for the M&G and hopefully at the same grove we had been at for a couple years in South Park.

Totally agreed! A lot of us forget that you can't hear sarcasm over the Internet. The bottom line is we scared a lot of good wheelers away - just to make a joke out of it. And the group has stopped growing because of it, as others have moved on in life. I'm not saying we can't bullshit -- but we don't need to be dicks. And we *SHOULD* be helping the newbies that are generally clueless. I admit to being first in line to jump on them sometimes -- but frankly I remember when I was like in 2000 when I got my first ZJ -- I was one of the newbie idiots -- and if I'd gotten the response we've given in the last few years, I never would've gotten into this great hobby, met so many great people, and had so many awesome adventures that honest to God shaped my life more than I ever could have imagined.

The bottom line is this: off-roading is a dying sport around here. I know there's several clubs that are very active - but for those that just bought some Rubicon or used Jeep -- there's no longer the Jeep Jamboree's and other easy-to-access wheeling there was 15 years ago. Let alone 30 years ago. I realize I can probably never make this the group it was 15 years ago, nor do I want to, but I want to make it the best it can be now. There's a lot of good people around here that aren't working together any longer. If we do, I think you'd be amazed how much private land we could get permission to wheel on without the worries of insurance, club meetings, etc.

Deadman 94 xj
02-16-2014, 04:41 PM
The "guest" are usually bots that are attempting to register and spam. There's usually a minimum of a dozen on the registration page. It's usually peope's computers that have viruses and are turned into a bot-army, and for whatever reason, PGH-OR is on its list of targets. As no one is there to actually enter the rep-catchya thingy majigger, they never get past the registration page. There's very few real people on as "guest" looking at content. The other aspect of this is: with it being locked down, Google, Bing, etc. can't index the site - and that means someone looking for, lets say, "Awesome people around Pittsburgh to wheel with" or "Why is overkillzj such a tool some times" would never really find the site. That's why I hid OT though -- I don't want the political rants and general BS to bring in others just for that section and make it a free for all. I guess I could've just said that's a fine line to walk. Or x2'd Mykal. But I didn't. Because I like to type. Now back to cleaning the garage! Finally unboxing the tools I move over here 14 months ago...

Nah, its cool. It was just something else to think about. I didn't know that about the spam and stuff. Carry on.

Azzy
02-17-2014, 09:05 AM
True enough. You just see 25 guests all the time and one member signed in. But I get what you're saying too. I know Jeepforum...which I've always hated, restricts alot like you're saying but they're usually wanting $$ for memberships. Either way, you're right, it's tricky.

Rig of the month and pic of the month was fun.

Even JF is dying off.. The owners sold it to company that owns lots of other forums. They make their money by selling to vendors. I was a vendor over there, even through it was pricey, but it paid for itself. When the new change happened, they jacked the price up (IIRC, its about $800 a year up front).


Perhaps a way to make this forum more lively would to be to see about having local clubs roll their forums into this one. It would give them all places they chn chat, but also meet local members and not worry about admin tasks.

OverkillZJ
02-17-2014, 09:07 AM
I just deleted several posts that didn't need to be made.

There's plenty of forums you can be a jerk on if you want to.

Please don't make this one of them.

I'm tryign to do a good thing here with very little time and very litte resources. I'd appreciate it if you didn't make this so difficult. Truly.

OverkillZJ
02-17-2014, 09:08 AM
Even JF is dying off.. The owners sold it to company that owns lots of other forums. They make their money by selling to vendors. I was a vendor over there, even through it was pricey, but it paid for itself. When the new change happened, they jacked the price up (IIRC, its about $800 a year up front).


Perhaps a way to make this forum more lively would to be to see about having local clubs roll their forums into this one. It would give them all places they chn chat, but also meet local members and not worry about admin tasks.

That was one of my original ideas a few years ago, but it never really happened. It would be easy for me to give each club a subsection if they request it though.

OverkillZJ
02-17-2014, 09:42 AM
I appreciate Matt making the big step up in the early 2k and inventing forum. Before pgh off-road it was dial up internet, with mark posting when the club would meet at McDonalds.

Ohhh the good old days! I'm still trying to hunt down those pictures... that was my first run with this group - Mark told me about it on JeepsUnlimted, when even that was new. Now I'm feeling old. Many web-wheeling years are turning my hair grey.

DMG
02-17-2014, 09:46 AM
It seems like this forum goes back and forth between a ball-busting thick-skin forum and JU style ultra-polite forum where even reasonable criticism is moderated. This is not a sport for the thin-skinned.

This is a local forum where people have inside jokes and talk shit then wheel and wrench together on the weekends. That will be pretty hard to change. And if it does change it will destroy the appeal to most of the people that are here and bring other members to the site.

We are a wheeling site in a place where wheeling is almost completely illegal. There is literally hundreds of times more wheeling land available in most western states. We need to focus on opening up public land to off-roading in this state. Make that a forum goal.

OverkillZJ
02-17-2014, 09:48 AM
We need to focus on opening up public land to off-roading in this state. Make that a forum goal.

That I agree with.

But when someone has skin thinner than you like - there's no need to tear it more. Busting your friends balls is one thing. Making sure *NO ONE* wants to hang around here is another. And if that's what keeps up, I'm just done. What just happened with someone giving INPUT, that I asked for, was crap. Just plain crap.

Mykal
02-17-2014, 10:09 AM
Over moderation is a good way to make sure no one wants to hang around as well. You will always hurt someone's feelings.
I've ran quite a few forums in the past. A few larger then this. These problems always weed themselves out. Granted it's a fine line.
The only thing you have going on this front is that you may not lose members due to over moderation because you have a monopoly on the areas largest forum and they have no where to turn.

OverkillZJ
02-17-2014, 10:11 AM
Honestly -- I shouldn't need to moderate like I just did. And I think you know that. There's no need to attack people. As you implied, things tend to work things out. There is no reason for this site to have the reputation is has -- but we've earned it. You want to bus your friends balls - like I said to DMG - that's one thing. But here's a guy who came in giving me his opinion after a ~1 year hiatus -- and you jump on him for it. He responds. Then you jump on him again.

That's not cool . Not at all.

MemorEsto
02-17-2014, 10:26 AM
I realize EJP is a little different because we are a "Club" that collects member fee's. We've reduced member fee's to just $10 a year, and really all that does is just pay for web and portal hosting fee's. And then there's a little extra in the bank so I can pay the screen printers for T-shirts with club money, instead of having to pay out of my pocket and then try and get reimbursed by people that said they would take one, then when it comes time for payment.....they gone.

We got rid of the whole President, VP, Secretary, Trail Coordinator thing about 3 years ago. People were getting burned out, I was getting burned out and I made the suggestion that the club become like PghOR, no officers, just a website. Members didn't seem to want to do that, yet no one wanted really wanted to help out. A lot said they'd help, but when it came to having meetings to get things done, no show.

So we decided to just become a Triumvirate and have 3 Presidents essentially. We all have access to everything, but each has his own specialty, (ie bank account, forum updates, moderating, trail and member meeting coordination)

So just something to keep in mind, maybe you appoint a couple of people you know have the same point of views as you when it comes to directing the site and moderating unnecessary bickering in what's suppose to be a Q&A post.

Alley
02-17-2014, 10:27 AM
I just miss my Chicken.... Kyle, poor poor kyle.

Plus, YeY! for the return of our M&G coordinator ...its not soon enough sir! I will also be planning a big huge fabulous Graduation party for Austin in Late June/Early Julyish. We are planning to party/camp/swim at Shenango lake up here in Mercer. I'm hoping most of y'all might decide to come since y'all know Austin!

SirFuego
02-17-2014, 12:41 PM
That's the nail in the head....Facebook and facebook alone is the reason for the decline on the forums.
The thing that I don't get is that Facebook, Google+, Instagram, etc absolutely suck for "interest" groups. A single "page" is typically only good for one, maybe two, discussions at a given time. Any more than that and it's borderline impossible to keep track of. Heaven forbid you want to search for a discussion that happened 4 months ago on a really active page, either.

The advantage to Facebook, Google+, Instagram, etc. is that everything YOU do is in a central location, though. So there is no need to post a build thread in 3 different sites -- nor check three different sites for any questions.

IMO, the next big social network site is going to be one that bridges that gap. I'm not talking about integrating VBB with Facebook. I'm talking about a social media site with forum-like capabilities built into it. So, for example, you create a single build thread, tag it with the pages/classifications you want it to appear on, and that'd be equivalent to posting that same thread on each page. Each page can be organized in a timeline or a forum format, making it easy to find not only new activity, but also past activity. The page owner can control content and users similar to how it's already done in forum software.

Or maybe I'm just an old-disgruntled 32 year old computer programmer that prefers social media (of which I include forums) for learning about topics I'm interested in than telling everyone what type of sushi I had for dinner.

Deadman 94 xj
02-17-2014, 12:53 PM
For what it's worth, I agree with everything that has been posted... haha

Here's my take on the shit talking, and I think Matt, you have a pretty good take on it.

One extreme is what you see in the "Jeep Community" where you have guys that are sooo thin shinned that if you use a 4 letter word, they get all butthurt like you just killed their daughters cat in front of her. These people use what I like to call the "jeeper morality" argument, as if they're holier than thou simply because they all happen to own a chrysler product. As if they're going cure cancer or something. This mantality makes me want to puke and thankfully it doesn't exist too much around here.

That's one side.

The other side is knowing when to SHUT THE FACK UP. This difficult because most of us just want to have fun. But exessive shit talking gets annoying. Its fun if there's a reason for it. I don't think moderating some of that ourselves will take anything away from the forums. I remember when I had something to say to someone, just to bust balls, I'd start a separate thread in OT just to have at it. I don't think anyone cared. I think the OT is taking away from some of the more "readable" content, and causing new people not to want to participate. New guys don't want to chime in on Jimmy's distributor problem when little Alex is talking about Jim's coke whore addiciton.

I personally have thin skin days and thick skin days. My last build thread I deleted because it turned into something I liked to read to a bunch of monkey's coming in and bullshitting about what they had for dinner and "shit talking" about Jon's penis size and Superscout not being satisfied. Deleting that thread was a thin skin day. I never claimed to be all that tolerant in the first place. I agree that it was dumb but I also went through a "Im quitting the internet" phase soo...

So that leaves me to believe there is a time and a place. Just my opinion. :)

Deadman 94 xj
02-17-2014, 12:56 PM
The thing that I don't get is that Facebook, Google+, Instagram, etc absolutely suck for "interest" groups. A single "page" is typically only good for one, maybe two, discussions at a given time. Any more than that and it's borderline impossible to keep track of. Heaven forbid you want to search for a discussion that happened 4 months ago on a really active page, either.

The advantage to Facebook, Google+, Instagram, etc. is that everything YOU do is in a central location, though. So there is no need to post a build thread in 3 different sites -- nor check three different sites for any questions.

IMO, the next big social network site is going to be one that bridges that gap. I'm not talking about integrating VBB with Facebook. I'm talking about a social media site with forum-like capabilities built into it. So, for example, you create a single build thread, tag it with the pages/classifications you want it to appear on, and that'd be equivalent to posting that same thread on each page. Each page can be organized in a timeline or a forum format, making it easy to find not only new activity, but also past activity. The page owner can control content and users similar to how it's already done in forum software.

Or maybe I'm just an old-disgruntled 32 year old computer programmer that prefers social media (of which I include forums) for learning about topics I'm interested in than telling everyone what type of sushi I had for dinner.

That's a lot of insight. Who know what will happen but if Facebook and the like is sucking the wind out of interest group forums like this one, something's gotta give. Hopefully Mark whatever his name is, doesn't catch on first. I'm sick of facebook being central to everything. I tried to quit that too...LOL.

I agree that the groups do suck though. I hate searching the net and coming accoss Google+ discussions. They're terrible.

DMG
02-17-2014, 01:45 PM
I have quit Facebook and reduced time on forums so I have more time to be productive and interact with other human beings in person. I suspect that this will be more common as people realize there is no privacy online and that the net is full of idiots without boundaries.

Deadman 94 xj
02-17-2014, 01:58 PM
I have quit Facebook and reduced time on forums so I have more time to be productive and interact with other human beings in person. I suspect that this will be more common as people realize there is no privacy online and that the net is full of idiots without boundaries.

I know this isn't exactly helping this thread...lol...but thats what I was getting at. There was a time when I was living every day on the forums, etc and it was getting weird. Walking away was refreshing but I still like to check in from time to time and hopefully people will be scheduling rides and stuff this summer.

OverkillZJ
02-17-2014, 02:59 PM
. New guys don't want to chime in on Jimmy's distributor problem when little Alex is talking about Jim's coke whore addiciton.

:082:

OverkillZJ
02-17-2014, 03:02 PM
The thing that I don't get is that Facebook, Google+, Instagram, etc absolutely suck for "interest" groups. A single "page" is typically only good for one, maybe two, discussions at a given time. Any more than that and it's borderline impossible to keep track of. Heaven forbid you want to search for a discussion that happened 4 months ago on a really active page, either.

The advantage to Facebook, Google+, Instagram, etc. is that everything YOU do is in a central location, though. So there is no need to post a build thread in 3 different sites -- nor check three different sites for any questions.

IMO, the next big social network site is going to be one that bridges that gap. I'm not talking about integrating VBB with Facebook. I'm talking about a social media site with forum-like capabilities built into it. So, for example, you create a single build thread, tag it with the pages/classifications you want it to appear on, and that'd be equivalent to posting that same thread on each page. Each page can be organized in a timeline or a forum format, making it easy to find not only new activity, but also past activity. The page owner can control content and users similar to how it's already done in forum software.

Or maybe I'm just an old-disgruntled 32 year old computer programmer that prefers social media (of which I include forums) for learning about topics I'm interested in than telling everyone what type of sushi I had for dinner.
I agree 100%. Absolutely. In the meantime, I'm hoping to work on allowing this forum to "link" with facebook better. I'm not talking about anything post here crossing over, but if people can link their FB login with their screename here and/or use their facebook credentials to login, it becomes more accessible. There's SO MUCH forum software out there now it's shocking - and VB once once the best, but it's gone downhill since it was bought. And at almost $500 for the features I want, probably not the route we're taking.

I wish I was smart enough to invent the site that could bridge the gap as you said.

OverkillZJ
02-17-2014, 03:04 PM
I have quit Facebook and reduced time on forums so I have more time to be productive and interact with other human beings in person. I suspect that this will be more common as people realize there is no privacy online and that the net is full of idiots without boundaries.

This.

I'm still on FB to interact with colleagues and friends that aren't local- but it's easy for me, I spent 8-12 days in front of 4 computer monitors, and that is my office chatter. Other than that, I avoid it now. Life is nice without it some times!

SirFuego
02-17-2014, 04:31 PM
I wish I was smart enough to invent the site that could bridge the gap as you said.
Unless it's a truly distributed solution (hmmm -- a decentralized social media site?) it doesn't matter if you are smart enough or not -- you'd need to have the resources of Google, Facebook, etc. to actually deploy it.

OverkillZJ
02-17-2014, 04:54 PM
Facebook started with nothing, and Google started with computers that were built out of Lego's as enclosures -- anything revolutionary will find funding fast. And it's that idea / plan that I'm not smart enough to get :)

Deadman 94 xj
02-17-2014, 05:04 PM
Facebook started with nothing, and Google started with computers that were built out of Lego's as enclosures -- anything revolutionary will find funding fast. And it's that idea / plan that I'm not smart enough to get :)

I don't think its a problem of brains. I think its a problem of over population. LOL

The_War_Wagon
02-21-2014, 06:37 PM
Yeah - my default board style changed this afternoon!!! THAT was UN-expected!!!

Deadman 94 xj
02-21-2014, 11:47 PM
Diggin the color scheme fwiw. :icon_super:

highlandercj-7
02-22-2014, 11:44 AM
I like PGH, it's one of the handful of forums I visit several times a day. I like the shooters section and the fact we can talk about anything and everything round here. It's a good forum about wheeling and life in general. I hate the pansy internet thugs on Pirate, so I rarely go on it. I only go there when I cannot find the info I need else where.

Bax
02-24-2014, 08:38 AM
I like the site. I am on here just about everyday looking at what everyone else is doing while my truck sits in my driveway.

dcarr1971
02-24-2014, 09:55 AM
I like PGH, it's one of the handful of forums I visit several times a day. I like the shooters section and the fact we can talk about anything and everything round here. It's a good forum about wheeling and life in general. I hate the pansy internet thugs on Pirate, so I rarely go on it. I only go there when I cannot find the info I need else where.

x2. This is a good forum and it's nice to interact with local people who drive something different from what most of the other forums I frequent.

Change is good. (Except for me...I'm slightly color blind and have trouble seeing some of the new colors used to show that certain forums have new messages...sucks to be me.)

OverkillZJ
02-24-2014, 09:59 AM
Change is good. (Except for me...I'm slightly color blind and have trouble seeing some of the new colors used to show that certain forums have new messages...sucks to be me.)

Check out the bottom left hand corner of each page, there's a drop-down box where you can choose other themes I've installed as well!

oros35
02-24-2014, 10:16 AM
Check out the bottom left hand corner of each page, there's a drop-down box where you can choose other themes I've installed as well!

This is the best post I've read on here in a long time! For more than one reason, including being color blind myself, this is a great feature!

dcarr1971
02-24-2014, 10:32 AM
Check out the bottom left hand corner of each page, there's a drop-down box where you can choose other themes I've installed as well!

Perfect. Fixed it! Thanks!

Azzy
02-24-2014, 03:59 PM
Here's a question... how do we get rid of that "do you want to leave the page" thing that pups up all the time?

OverkillZJ
02-24-2014, 04:53 PM
Here's a question... how do we get rid of that "do you want to leave the page" thing that pups up all the time?

Sounds like a problem with your browser - that will only happen if you're started typing something, and didn't finish. But unless you started making a post, you should never see it. Whatever browser you're using, try another!

Azzy
02-24-2014, 10:04 PM
Happens even if I make a post and then try and go back to "latest posts", and happens on multiple computers and browsers.

OverkillZJ
02-25-2014, 09:19 AM
Weird. Is anyone else seeing what Azzy is? I believe you, just need to figure out why. I use Chrome on my Mac and PC, tested in FireFox and IE on 3 computers at my office, I can't replicate that at all. I figure it either needs to be something specific to your account, or some software that's installed on all of the computers you're trying it on.

PatF10
02-25-2014, 10:30 AM
Didn't the site a while back used to be black and gold colored. It's been a while but I seem to recall this color scheme.

OverkillZJ
02-25-2014, 10:42 AM
Yes, the guy that wrote the theme hasn't updated it for new versions of vbulletin that we're on though. Eventually I'll get back there, but I'm not buying any more color themes until I'm sure I'm sure what software we're staying with.

SirFuego
02-25-2014, 11:43 AM
Weird. Is anyone else seeing what Azzy is? I believe you, just need to figure out why. I use Chrome on my Mac and PC, tested in FireFox and IE on 3 computers at my office, I can't replicate that at all. I figure it either needs to be something specific to your account, or some software that's installed on all of the computers you're trying it on.
Not seeing that problem either. Chrome here.

I only get it when I typed something but didn't post it before leaving/closing the page...

J.M.
02-26-2014, 11:17 AM
I would volunteer to help out a bit on web/computer related items. I have some experience with html,php,css and wordpress and a long time of system administration and break-fix for a living.

J.M.