Replies Not expecting many

[Mr.F]

Mr. Mike Feeney.
Your interest's in the Forum are buisness related,as you are a
trader, & You get free exposure & free publicity from this 'top Forum'.
Your buisness sense's are finely tuned & you make a lot of money
selling auto-part's. You also post to attract member's & non-member's to track
related event's etc.
Don't be 'Selfish' or 'fuddy duddy' as you too were a previous 'top
poster' (Do I sense begrudement? Poor loser Mr.F?).
I own A Z, & I too am entitled to post in my own way, I have had
Z's since they came off the production line & I dont tend to talk about printed
technical information as you do that quite well.
I love Z's,& I love the club, & I have heard the word 'Inane" before
on the Forum. I've met you a few times & realise you lack in the 'Humour'
dept,but we all cant have the same personalitie's, 'GOM' is a term which is
familiar also as the word 'inane', so don't be a 'Boring old git' & Don't have an
indirect dig at me,as you have done above in your post.
Say it to my face DJZ 60.

indeed! I am flabbergasted that you can interpret my post about OTHER forums as a dig against you! Where does this paranoia come from?

re. "business" - my posts are NOT entirely business based. If I have a part or a service to offer, then I'm not afraid to mention it. Maybe we should have a specific "Trader's Section" as per the 300zx.co.uk and 350zuk.com forums. I try to avoid any blatant advertising as I am very aware that my position in the Club could easily be miscontrued as being abused. I am, first and foremost, a Z Club member and have the interests of this Club at heart.

There has never been a posting competition as far as I am concerned (I made a few "fun" comments about a prize when I passed 1000 posts) - only other members have hyped this up to the point where you might think so. It was mildly amusing at the time you made a concerted effort to overtake my post count, but now it's over. If I were that concerned about it I would be splitting this post into separate answers rather than doing it all in one!

I am the Club's Technical Advisor and, as such, might be seen to present a more serious side to the Club, but I resent your comments re. "boring old git" and the implication that I lack a sense of humour. An apology would be acceptable and we can leave it alone - no "digs" were intended in your direction, but in one post you have made this personal!

For Steve's research - well done! I am happy that you have demonstrated that the 300zx forum has turned around. However, you will find that many serious posts are spoiled by "fun" personal insults between members who know each other well, which then present a less than savoury appearance to a new member. Just in case: "DJZ, I am referring to another forum here!".

 

[DJZ 60]

" I am more concerned about this Forum & this Club.Best of luck to the other
club's & Forum's,that's their 'show'.
We've had one or two comment's in the past about 'Spam' & 'Inane"
comment's & post's Each to their own, As a part's dealer you don't cater just
for 240z's,you cater for a wider cross section of potential customer's.
My point is, a little bit of variation in the post's give's those new poster's,.
a bit of an incentive to add & involve in the Forum,whereas, it would otherwise be difficult to get a look in.
Agreed, Sometime's concern may be relevent in the serious side
of thing's, but I'm geared up to perform,entertain, & I am known for that.
Paranoia, comes from a trait of mine,which doe'snt suffer fool's
gladly. I act 'thick', I am self-mocking, but behind that I am an intellectual.
I will, take back 'De-personalise', any previous attack on Mr.F,& this is in context to this overall Thread. 'Apology to Mr.F'..............
If anyone,'Worldwide", has an issue with 'DJZ 60, let's meet up and sort it out personally. DJZ 60.

 

[qunvat]

bloody 'ell.....i dunno...maybe the banter stuff should be kept seperate so the ..er...technical stuff is, well seperate too...then, when anyone posts a...'banter' type thang he or she gets 'struck off' the forum for say 24 hours!?...God knows...i;ve found it a very very helpful forum from both DJ60 AND Mr F...STOP counting the 'most posts' that'll help...who gives a wank anyway!!


Simon.

 

[DJZ 60]

Hi,Simon.
I think 'banning user's for 24 hour's' would be commercial suicide,&
eventually the site would fold. I've maintained, Mr.F's information & Technical
support is appreciated & valid but Let user's post, what they see fit to...
THIS Z CLUB & THE Z FORUM PROVIDES ADVANTAGES TO ALL THAT
JOIN & ENROL. I THINK THAT THE SUBJECT MATTER, THE VARIATION & THE
DIFFERING PERSONALITIE'S COULD'NT BE BETTER FOR WANT OF TRYING.

" I LOVE THE Z CLUB & THE Z CLUB WEBSITE FORUM" DJZ 60.

 

[Mr.F]

Apology accepted DJZ - we are all only trying to work out how to make this forum a better place and I accept, in turn, that not everyone's idea of a "better place" is the same. Only by reasoned discussion can we make the steps towards improvement.

 

[STEVE BURNS]

Apology accepted DJZ - we are all only trying to work out how to make this forum a better place and I accept, in turn, that not everyone's idea of a "better place" is the same. Only by reasoned discussion can we make the steps towards improvement.

you both get a big hug from me for bringing this thread back on line

A big problem that I see is how do we encourage users to join in the reasoned discussions to take the club and forum forward.
how do we get the 40ish people who have been on line recently to take part in this discusion
When 37ish of the users are paid up members of the Z Club and out of them only 10 have bothered to post their thoughts on here Do the other 27 at this time realise that we need help in finding a way of using this website/forum in a serious way to boost membership of the main club

I know its a bit like me at a previous AGM having a go at the people and being ask why are you having a pop at us as at least we are here but we do need your help in making this place interesting for others and in that way more and more Z Owners will take part

the future is web orientated and its no use trying to ignore it
the future is instant news and some meeting being arranged ad hock at the last minute
the future is an active website to supplement the excellent off line services the club offers

 

[qunvat]

yes Steve....intenet is da future...when i find my credit bloody card i WILL join the club!!!....(just make sure you keep me the latest mag!!)


Cheers Si.

 

[STEVE BURNS]

yes Steve....intenet is da future...when i find my credit bloody card i WILL join the club!!!....(just make sure you keep me the latest mag!!)


Cheers Si.

Send me your address and I'll come and help you look for it (just Joking)
Did Geny pm you re help on his Z?

sorry I am not being a good example

 

[JEZ 280ZX]

Hi,
Personally I don't think you will create many more full club members through the website.Apart from the magazine, most people can get all the help, advise and banter they need from this web site, without becoming paid up members!
Cheerz,
JEZ

 

[zedache]

After a number of years away from the club, I rejoined last year. The main reason for doing so was because of this web-site. I thought it was fantastic. A variety of members with different personalities all linking together to further the 'Z' (whichever model!). A great combination of information and humour.

It also bought about the purchase of my latest Z.

I am not a big 'poster' although I view the site virtually every day. When I feel I have something to add (whether this be humourous (just about possible), technical (highly unlikely) or to ask a question (most likely)) I will try to do so.

Meeting a few other members will no doubt help - I have not met anyone else from the club yet, but hope to rectify that this year. Over the past 6 months I have found that there are at least 6 other 240Z/260Z/2602+2 cars within a 15 mile radius of me and a number of newer Z's. BTW I saw my first 'live' 350Z recently - what a car!

You / we have a great club for an impressive range of cars, a superb magazine and some very enthusiatic members.

However, bear in mind that being a member of a club is not always to everyone's taste though, no matter how good it is.

Cheers everybody - and a Happy New Year!.

Zedache
240Z '73

 

[JEZ 280ZX]

Hi,
You may have to decide in the future if this site is going to remain merely an offshoot discussion forum of the "Z Club" or become an internet based Z Club like those of other Japanese marques!
Can..the posting of a quarterly magazine out to "members" really be called a "Club" anymore?!
Cheerz,
JEZ

 

[DJZ 60]

Thank You Mike, I understand too,that everyone has different requirement's be
it the Forum or the daily newspaper,Your point has been absorbed.
Jez, you have a good point, In that, Free access to this Forum is like
walking into a cinema without attendent's or an admission fee.
The Forum,like the Club is showing promise & growth & the attraction is
The car's, the information & contact's & the detailed input of member's.
I fully acknowledge that the perk's that one get's being a member far
outweigh the perk's of being an non-member.
I am passionate about the Z & this club,& will stand tall & proud for
my passion. DJZ 60.

 

[zedhead260]

A big problem that I see is how do we encourage users to join in the reasoned discussions to take the club and forum forward.

By keeping the discussions "reasoned" and stop them drifting into banter (no matter how friendly). Lots of chirpy quips make the site look clique-ish. New users / low posters that haven't met any of the board in real life may find this intimidating and could shy away. Once a thread has drifted off topic into banter, it's very hard to bring it back into line again unless moderators get heavy with the DELETE button.
We're all guilty of a bit of topic slip but I want the serious threads to stay that way. Let's keep the banter to "News Views & Chit Chat" or "Anything & Everything".

 

[STEVE BURNS]

Maybe we should have a specific "Trader's Section" as per the 300zx.co.uk and 350zuk.com forums.

Mike do you think this would work as would have thought we would have had to have a lot better hits total to make it work
would also need someone to do a job like the guy from the 300zx forum does to make it work don't supose he would do it for us as well

responces are great fellas keep them coming as there is a committee meeting on the 16th January and we need to make some sort of decision

 

[Tony 260Z]

Hugs all round. Happy New Year everyone.

Ahem... right...

I'm not a big poster (apart from my waistline, arf arf) but I do visit once or twice every day. I like the website, I enjoy the technical advice, I occasionally go goggle-eyed as people take stuff to heart that shouldn't be. I don't read every single post as (a) I don't always have time and (b) not every one interests me. I hope that isn't heresy BTW...

I think we might get a few more club members courtesy of the website, but not many unfortunately. It's owning (or wanting) a Z/ZX of some variety that makes people join up and shell out their cash. Like JEZ said, why would someone subscribe if they could get all the tech knowledge they wanted for free online? No answer to that one unless we make the tech side of the site 'members only' and I think we ruled that out before. I think we could do with more tech articles in the club mag though. Doesn't need to be rocket science, but just helpful stuff.

I do think we need to make a bit more effort to keep 'on topic' here though. Goodness knows we need banter to maintain some levity and stop us all getting old before our time, but I do think it gets on top of things sometimes

How do other car clubs across the world get new members? Do we have much contact with them? Do many of our members travel and have the opportunity to cross-pollinate? (and no, that doesn't mean taking your Z on a sh*gging break to Amsterdam). It's an uphill battle because as much as we love them, our cars are getting older and more difficult to maintain, and cars these days are getting more reliable and more comfortable than ever. How many 'youngsters' these days actually have to work on their car other than bolting on acres of GRP and shoehorning in monster stereos? Do they even know where the spark plugs go? And even if they did, you can't fiddle with modern cars without a PHD in electronic engineering. Oh yes, and a healthy disregard for the makers' warranty too!

Point is, the focus has changed. Older cars are seen less and less as desirable 'characters' and more as a pain in the a*se. In a modern, disposable world, everything has to be new and shiny. Extreme example, but how many people would want a fifteen year old washing mashine even if they knew it would get their whites whiter and colours brighter than a modern equivalent? Not many I suspect.

So, new members. Hmmm.. publicity I guess. Show the Z's and ZX's in a positive light. Joe Public knows that the 350Z is a desirable car (although I'm sure many 350 owners haven't a clue about its history), so we need to publicise the earlier cars too. The Clarkson vid can't do any harm in that respect. Classic car shows are great but the majority of people there are already interested. How can we get some new converts to the cause?

Anyway, more later. I need a cup of tea now.

TL

 

[pmac]

Traditional car clubs are all facing the same falling membership issues as ourselves.
The very success of the forum (and itIS a SUCCESS) has only added to the problem.
Revenue will continue to fall if we dont find a way of using the forum as a source of revenue.
Ive just recently joined 300ZX.co.uk and soon discovered that I couldnt do any contacting ,editing profile etc without becoming a "subscribed " member. So I just paid up £20 and now I can access the whole site and take part in group buys etc. I saved more than my subscription on my first purchase.
It obviously works for them. Why not us????

 

[qunvat]

yes he did mate....ta...i'll help as much as poss...credit card 'look for' tom!

Si.

Send me your address and I'll come and help you look for it (just Joking)
Did Geny pm you re help on his Z?

 

[Russ]

Ahhh group buys....

 

[grolls]

i do think the way the club allows everyone and anyone to view all posts and research any tecnical information without being a member is crazy, WHY PAY FOR IT WHEN ITS FREE!

Hi,
Personally I don't think you will create many more full club members through the website.Apart from the magazine, most people can get all the help, advise and banter they need from this web site, without becoming paid up members!
Cheerz,
JEZ

Steve, as i said before we need more tecnical headings and maybe as Mike said a traders section. offering discounts of course, im sure if the traders in here wouldn't mind giving a little extra discounts to club members as they would be getting free advertising (at this point i duck so the knackerd old hitachi carb thrown at me misses)

how about a teaser when you come in the site ie; free access for 30 days?

 

[Tony 260Z]

Realistically, £10 or £20 isn't a huge amount of cash, and I'd happily pay it for access to a good technical articles & advice section. Or even increase club subs a bit and make techie bits members only.