OUR FORUM NEEDS A JUMP START

Hi Guys
It seems the Forum is dyeing a slow painfull death, Does anyone have any ideas for increasing content,
I've tried everything I can to revive the old girl short of hitting her with the defibrilator but it seems the end is near.

I set this forum up on the basis that the US Muscle forum is so succesfull with over 3000 members, and OZroders Forum with similar numbers, I figured classic car guys might like thier own place in cyberspace but it seems that's not the case,

We have the Facebook page which has been going for a while now so maybe it can just replace the Forum

If you've got any ideas as to what it needs let us know,

I'll give it another week.

I see what you mean Dave. I had a quick look and there seems to be over 2/3 of the members here have posted 0 to 1 posts since they joined. Got me thinking have they really got cars or they just join up to any forum just to see other's threads (just speculating). Also like other forums alot of people don't like change, maybe when it went from Thunderbirds Down Under to Thunder Down Under to attract more US car members was the catalist for the forums outcome. Maybe the departure of our Sydney members (Deano390, Damo64 & etc) after that fatefull altercation on the forum also placed another nail in the coffin for the forum. We don't know what it is but maybe all the above have played a role for it's slowness. I just hope it is just a temporary outcome, I don't want it closed.
Anyway that's my opinion.

Be patient everyone.
There have been plenty of events over the last few months with terrific weather which has had everyone maximising the enjoyment of their cars. It is probably true that not everyone works with computers - to be able to log on daily.
Sadly, it seems as if most Forum users are reluctant to share their stories and photos but perhaps log on to see and hear what others are doing. Perhaps this current 'thread' might encourage some more to upload some photos and share some experiences.
I wouldn't expect the exodus of a handful of users to dictate others' interest or use of this forum.
I am also guilty of logging on regularly but not 'posting' as often.
As the cruising weather slows down and 'car guys' start tinkering with their toys we might get a few more tech questions & answers.
I also don't believe that broadening the Forum's audience has detracted from what was...previously.
The TBird guys can still enjoy what was, as well as the opportunity to view other Customs & Classics.
It is not going to hurt anyone's eyes to look at a beautiful 56 Chev or a 59 Caddy...for goodness sake.
It is easier and more rewarding to be 'inclusive' rather 'exclusive' as we will always have the option to swing in and out of the Forum.
Dave & Gio, give it another year...not another week.
As the pool slowly grows, the percentage of contributors will also grow.
Still watching...

Very good comments guys, Thanks for taking the time to express your opinions

I agree with both of you except to say that I also believe widening the catchment and including all US Classics has not hurt us at all,
In fact it's my belief that the net needs to be cast even further by dropping the US requirement, It's great to cater to a particular group but if the traffic is not there it's just not there. Gio and I have made up Flyers for the Forum and handed out several hundred over the past 12 mths at Car shows. I believe this has netted us one regular user.

The forum as Thunderbird only was enduring repeated quiet spells, so I dont believe expansion is where the problem lies. In fact we wouldn't have (John The 65) or (Blackcoupe John) these guys contribute more than most to the Forum in terms of discussion.

Loosing the Sydney guys makes no real difference at all, nice guys but they had only contributed in the early days and were rarely on the forum.

I constantly monitor whose visiting the Forum even those who think they cant be seen, Ha Ha.

here are the real numbers we have 240+ members we have 20 members who visit each day of those on average we have 1.3 posts per day, that's not bad, the problem is we just dont have enough active members, By my reckoning looking at other Forums membership as opposed to activity for every 10 active (posting) members you need to have approx 100+ registered members. That's why Forums like USMuscle & OZRodders have lots of activity (posting) because they have approx 3000 members in each forum.

I believe for this Forum to continue on it needs to expand even further.

JP I take your point about giving it another year but looking at current growth rates another year will see us gain an extra 70 odd registered members meaning we'll have 6 or maybe 7 active members.

I think certain people join a forum visit a few times and if the interesting content is not there they simply stop dropping in, as we all know when Gio was documenting on this Forum the build of his car the traffic was 2 to 3 times what it is now.

I personally enjoy Forums and visit several daily, just to see what other guys are doing with thier cars whatever make or model it may be.

Maybe we are just being too selective.

Afternoon all,

The forum is slow at the moment, only time will heal her.

It is content - people need to share, post what you want, we aren't all masters at restoring cars > Just give it a go!

I by no means am special at what l do, l just give it a go.

Remember, the difference between a tradesman and a backyarder is the time it takes to do the job and the more time you spend and do, the craftsman emerges.

Also l haven't go the money to build a new project! I can't get Shaun's car out of the garage at the moment so l can expand it to fit 2 cars.

At the moment, "Bing" is in the driveway all wrapped up.

> Post your events, provide feed back and just have a laugh!

We are all here with a common interest.

Catch you all.

I think it will just take time. I do agree you need to cast the net further and make it all classic cars.

Hi John (The 65)
Yeah i agree, we'll see what happens in the next week or so. there are so many out there that we are missing out on.
as an example Chris Kev and I went on a cruise with the early Falcon club a while back, great guys and very interesting to talk to.

I agree too, it wont grow when it's so limited. I love OZ Rodders because it's got everything you can imagine FJ's, International Pickups, Pommie Classics Customs Even EK holdens with wild paint jobs. it's great. several of my mates are on there but tghey cany come on here

I think this forum could be great too if you open it up to all classic cars (Chrome Bumper) it'll take time but the pond is huge, plenty of fish in there you say you did flyers did you send them to the car clubs to be presented as incoming correspondence and put in thier newsletters. keep at it mate you've done well here build it and they will come. it's nice to hear a wide variety of opinions.

How long is a piece of string?
Becareful how far you cast your net. You might catch something you didn't want.
Include all types of classics with chrome bumpers? Now lets see: VB-VH Commodores, CM Valiants, UC Toranas, Trabants, etc etc etc.
Most of these types of cars have ther own car foums I know it from experience, I was with two of the forums mentioned above. Why would people join this forum when there is a great plethora of knowledge existing in those forums. For example I showed my friend (who is a Holden man and is also in the Holden forum) tonight this forum and said to him would you join this forum if it expanded and he just told me what I expected "NO". I remember Last year when I was on another Thunderbird forum, Gio told me all about this new "Thunderbirds Down Under" forum and I loved it. But within a year it changed it's name and maybe again soon, who knows. It's slow because most of our cars are running well with no problems yet, but it may pick up soon.
Myself I don't think expansion is the cure, there are a lot of members that have joined and not introduced themselves to us properly, that alone would kickstart conversation amongst each other.
The problem is you will still get the same amount of people posting all the time. You might get more members if you do expand Dave but if people just join for the sake of joining then it will die.
Anyway that's my 2 bob.

Hi guys it's interesting to read this post as i am on a number of forums inc ozrodders and have noticed that with the exception of the panelvan sites most are a bit quiet atm.i will try and make sure i post pics and a report when i go to car shows starting today with the susie harris show at brighton..remember guys it's your forum you get out of it what you put into it so enjoy!!!!

cheers john

Hi Fellas, trying to organise a Drive - In night over here in the west, just waiting for a semi decent movie to show. I 'm not really into all these digital animations at the moment, truth be known , I'm waiting for the latest " Arnie " movie to appear at the " Galaxy Drive In ". I'll get some photos in then.
Like everyone else , work gets in the way ( such an interruption ) & I 'm in the process of getting my '33 coupe through T.A.C. & onto W.A. rego ( man, we've certainly got a Nana State over here ). Hmm... don't think I've mentioned that car before here, I was going to wait till it was finally wearing its new rego plates, then taaa daahh.
So hang in there Dave, we all appreciate what you've done & still doing.
Oh yeah, the '33 , some of you Vics are going to be p*ssed to know that the ex Dick Bushell Rod is now getting a suntan in WA ( I think this will be the 4th state its been regoed in since being a rod way back in 69/70 ) . In reality, i'm just the custodian till the next generation comes along.

65bird wrote:....Maybe the departure of our Sydney members (Deano390, Damo64 & etc) after that fatefull altercation on the forum also placed another nail in the coffin for the forum.

Hmm, my 2-cents worth after visiting this and other Australian car forums is that some of you Aussies seem to get up tight and spit the dummy too easily.

And mostly over things of no consequence - often as simple as disagreeing with another forum members opinion.

Good observation Kiwibird.

Well, I have a feeling I'm the new guy here, but I'm also well known for being a tad outspoken or sticking my 20 cents in even when it may not be wanted.

So.......

I was a founding member of what is believed to be the worlds first car based board, The Rodder's Round Table, which is still going strong almost 30 years on.
Some of you may know it, others may not and even more may not care, but there it is, plugging away with a loyal band of followers.

I was also on the HAMB from day one and we all know how big that is now.

A few have mentioned Ozrodders, I wasn't there on day one but could have been, since I was good friends with the guys who got it started and eventually they cajoled me into participating there too.

So, where am I headed with all this?

Well, each of these most famous of 'boards' started with no members and grew from there, not one of them grew rapidly, it was slow going.

On the other hand, when they became well known they started to expand rapidly, some might suggest even too fast, coz that was the period for each, that the troubles started.

So, my advice? Be careful what you wish for.

In the other hand, I'm a lucky guy. I work in the same building as Gio and I have a bride who understands what I need from life and she gives me all the space I need to live my dreams.

My job requires me to travel, so whilst I'm away, I make sure to get out and see as much as I can fit in, during whatever limited time I have free.

I've always been happy to share my good fortune with anybody. So get ready for the onslaught, I've got millions of pictures and even more stories!
However, be warned, most of it is hot rod or kustom related, but because I'm a weird guy even in the hot rod world, there's also classics, vintage, veteran, sports cars, sprint cars, Indy cars and anything else on wheels likely to be thrown into the mix coz I have no automotive barriers or prejudices. I luvs 'em all!

The sure fire way for each of you guys to help bring this place to life (although it seems to me to be be alive already) is to join in and drag out your old pics of that first car you restored, the one you raced, or whatever else is likely to be relevant and of potential interest to the sort of folks you would like to have join you all here.

So, if you're game enough to cut me loose here, I'm ready to play

Are you ready to roll up your sleves, get your hands dirty, have some fun and help the board grow?

Bring it on Carps,
I've copped a bucket load of SHIT!!!! over expanding this Forum and I've just seen a post on this Topic which I had noticed before and my blood is boiling.

i make no apology to anyone for expanding this Forum, comments like you may get VB - VH commodores on here, truly amaze me I'd have to ask ...... are you really better than the guy who owns a VB - VH commodore,

The comment that it was a Thunderbird Forum now t's changed well you need to know there are several reasons why it's changed mate maybe ask the Club that you are a member of they might explain it to you. Whether you'll get the truth is another matter

The bottom line is I like people like Carps, guys who are not narrow minded and who have years of experience and are willing to share. You know I was speaking to a very knowledgeable mate of mine Today and his comment was that Carps is like the godfather of Hot rodding in this country. Now if this Forum had not expanded we wouldn't have guys like Carps, Blackcoupe, BigVic, The65 these guys dont whinge and whine they get on the Forum and make it a good place for all of us. Because of guys like these this Forum will grow I wonder if the shit canners will still be here.

Lots of the original Thunderbird Members still contribute to this Forum and we love having them they enjoy it regardless of what the car is, All i can say to those narrow minded arse holes whove spat the dummy and dont post up any more is that the door is to your left use it and dont let it hit you in the arse on your way out.

DaveG
that's my 2bobs worth

Hi Guys,

The Forum has changed, as a number of members may miss the exclusivity of 'Thunderbirds Only' but try to remembers it is more than just your bit of sheetmetal.

It's about the love we have for our cars what ever type, age, model it is. We started to 'stall out' like a bird with a wing clipped, the change has bought new blood/ energy to the forum, people with different cars, views, skills and experiences to stare.

So embrace it !

Through life the only constant is change; the ones who embrace it grow from it and the ones who don't well

Remember, it's always YOUR CHOICE

Well Dave, I think guys like yourself are never going to understand how others don't share your passion. But that's ok, the people still here, are the ones that appreciate your drive & generosity. And although we all probably wouldn't follow you into the gates of Hell, we'll come along for the Cruise.

bring it on I am enjoying it

Hi Paul
I'm afraid passion is something i dont lack, sometimes a good thing sometimes bad. not looking to upset anyone but those who choose to shit can me for trying to make things a little better.

Hoping not to cruise to Hell in the near future but i'm sure when I do there will be room for whover wants to join me.

cheers Dave

Hey Carps where are you, we need some more reading material, I'm still waiting for the Riddler stories.

Here you go Dave .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pp_9FEWgmFA

A trip down memory lane.

Ha Ha Very good Paul. Not sure we'll see Troy Trepanier in there thou mate.

I know I am super fresh to the forum and have not been around the aussie hot rod scene as long as you guys but thought I would give my 2 cents anyway haha.
Forums can be a good and a bad thing and there are always growing pains. I think Carps put it pretty well in the above post in saying "be careful what you wish for".
I am a long time member of a forum called oldschool.co.nz that has no real criteria but started with a focus on steel bumper cars, mostly english, euro and japanese. It has since grown and now caters for newer cars, bicycles, motorcycles an practically anything else mechanical. There are a lot of people that join purely for the social aspect of the forum so it is a pretty interesting place with never a dull moment!
I really like the direction that DaveG has taken will support it as best I can.
I think that the layout of the forum can be the key to growing it and keeping everyone a bit more happy. I suggest if you have some free time head over to the forum I listed above and see how they run it, they have members from all over the world and most of the time it seems to work pretty well. They also have a good team of moderators that keep that place in check haha.

Anyway, just my humble opinion. I'm glad I stumbled onto this place and will see you guys at a meet in the near future

Ok seeing as everyone else is having a say, here's my Penny's worth
I think those who wanna critise Dave and this Forum should have a re-think, (Have you seen the size of Dave)

Seriously tho I've been in the custom car game for 30+ years and I can see exactly what Dave is doing, he's just trying to give this place the best possible chance of survival and opening it up is the way to do that, if you look at any one make Forums they dont stick around long members come and go until eventually it's dead, the Mustang Forum is the exception to the rule.

This place will be huge given time but it must be rememberd that as a rule of thumb guys who own Classic Customs Rods etc are the baby boomers most approaching or over 60 we were not schooled on computers and getting on a forum can be pretty daunting. so it will take time but whatever you do big fella dont stop, this will be huge. maybe we dont need pushbikes tho Buzzard

From Dave's post

Now if this Forum had not expanded we wouldn't have guys like Carps, Blackcoupe, BigVic, The65 these guys dont whinge and whine they get on the Forum and make it a good place for all of us. Because of guys like these this Forum will grow I wonder if the shit canners will still be here.

Geez Dave, My Camaro needs a bigger head, I don't. Thanks for the compliment. It's not rocket science - just treat people the way you would like them to treat you. Pretty basic really.