VOTE - Leaders Board - Remove it?

[Parisien]

John, all opinions welcomed.......no need for coat retrieving on here....part of the "social " side of it all is there are so few Maserati owners out there and getting together, banter and chit chat ultimately suits this forum.

No one knows everything about marque......especially the main dealers at times, but still lots of useful and money saving nuggets on this forum, as there are on the other forum.

Do stay...we welcome all opinions and contributions!


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[ENZ525]

Ok, I will be in the minority whose opinions won't count but I feel the site has developed into one of those 'social networking' things - not my cup of tea at all. Whilst SM has a lot of relevant Maserati items posted by knowledgable people there is also a lot of dubious material. If that's what the majority want and if that view is supported by the site owners then so be it - but not for me, and perhaps a few others who haven't expressed an opinion, judging by the small number of voters in the poll.
Right, I'll get my coat!

No need to get your coat alfamaserman...unless you want to of course,
This is a public forum and every member is entitled to have and express their opinion, provided it is done within the rules of said forum...
I actually think you make a very fair point, and I sometimes think the same...then at other times I quite like the off-the-wall banter that goes on,
I guess it really depends on my mood...
Regards,
Enzo.

 

[dem maser]

John i disagree with you

The social thing you mention is often between members who have a friendship on here and feel confident to post certain things about each other...something that other forums want but dont have

All the newbies or those wanting adcice get it very uick and are treated very different...

 

[reservoirfrog]

fair points john. but as the forum is a community its only natural to socialise.
that socialising between strangers on line has led to some excellant meets, both regional & organised trips, and had produced real freindships and camradery.
as the other guys have said, no need to get your coat, I think the forum would be less without you.

 

[Andyk]

I have just been trying to find a half way house, trying to make the leadership and post count less in your face and concentrate more on more posts.

Not saying it will stay this way, but we have some big plans to add more to the home page including some paid sponsorship as I cant keep funding the site out of my pocket, especially as last month it cost me £350. This was mainly due to Google adwords, which I have reined in now.

Matt you have done a great job so far and what ever you do I will back you all the way as I know you have the forum and members at the front of any decision making .... If we can help at all please just say.

 

[dem maser]

I echo robs words and andys.....

 

[conaero]

John, I am aware of the social networking thing, it has been pointed out to me by a couple of members now and a reference was also made on MF.

This is what brought this vote onto the site. What I have done is reduce the leadership table on the front page, and increase the active threads listed in an attempt to ease this.

Now, talking to the other site leaders, they all point out that there is only so much you can talk about Maserati, hence why it does tend to wander.

Is this a bad thing, well, you have made a valid point in your observation, but as others above have said, we have evolved in to a bunch of mates really, and we back this up with high attendance for our forum outings.

To give you an idea of the void between the two forums, Peter/Safrane organised the Autumn France trip across both forums and all bar 1 or 2 were SM members.

Also, Miles/Emtee has put a massive effort into our Xmas doo, and the support shows as we have 30 plus attending. Now if you go over to MF you will see they have also organised their own doo, well, it appears to be Peter/Safrane doing all the organisation as usual, and you can count the numbers on one hand. We also wanted to offer our xmas party to MF owners, but were told to shove it.

I think as the MF forum evolves without Brian on board, I think they will start to claw back some of the traffic, and I am pleased for that, believe me I am. Once this happens, we can all move on from the politics of forums and I myself will post on there again (if the new members agree to un ban me, Brian's parting shot that was totally unprovoked), and yes, for technical issues only, as the social side of that site is pretty much none existence.

 

[Andyk]

This is more than a Maserati forum ... You can get tech advice or sit back and pass the time chatting to like minded car enthusiasts ...I talk to people on other forums and get along well but on here I do feel I have friends ..Poeple I want to spend time with when the opportunity comes up.......This forum is a way of life ... That is some achievement.

 

[dem maser]

Well said matt...i feel amongst friends on here because of the banter and theres always good material for people wanting to know about maserati... We do big events because we can and others envy why change?? I dont want it to

 

[alfamaserman]

Thanks for your comments folks but I must point out that I'm not against the social element [been to a few meets] or indeed the banter between like-minded souls. I just feel that the forum posts are getting somewhat top-heavy in the 'chat' department with the emphasis on 'who posts the most'. As has been pointed out by Matt I do agree there is only so much we can say about the cars.
Regards J.

 

[dem maser]

right well get rid of the board then if thats how everyone feels....

its funny this...i go top of the leader board and everyone has problem with it but for time with other people up there and no probs at all....

i dont care either way..being 1st on this means nothing to me...just come on to have a laugh and catch up with people i trust you will all do the right thing for the cars.....

 

[conaero]

Thanks for your comments folks but I must point out that I'm not against the social element [been to a few meets] or indeed the banter between like-minded souls. I just feel that the forum posts are getting somewhat top-heavy in the 'chat' department with the emphasis on 'who posts the most'. As has been pointed out by Matt I do agree there is only so much we can say about the cars.
Regards J.

Fair comment John, we will continue to strive and cater for everyone. Remember we have only been going 8 months, so it will take some time to hone the site.

All of what you have said has been taken on board, and to be fair, already was on my mind.

 

[conaero]

Dem, the top poster board stays, remember, this is not directed at you, your input is really appreciated.

Everyone is welcome to their opinion.

 

[Parisien]

Hey Dem......you can stay at the top of any and all boards/stats for as long as you want, I think maybe its a red herring issue.

The strength of this forum is its common and multiple aims........not just about the technical aspects of the Maserati marque.....to promote a bond of Maserati kinship not commonly found, to fulfill the needs of the vast majority of net savvy Maseratisti in the UK.....to provide an alternative to other groups....to be inclusive and non-judgemental.

These needs have been met surprisingly early in the forums life...the mere fact that as this forums stats and members numbers and active posting members was going steadily upwards, was only matched by the steady downward spiral in all theses areas on the other forum....what conclusion can one reach in light of these facts?!

People will always find fault.................nothing in life is ever quite perfect.....................everything can't be rosy in the garden all the time.....but I can state that this forum is as near to a an internet motoring single marque valhalla as we all could have possibly wished for.

I'd like to thank Conaero again for his vision, leadership and measured pragmatism in bringing this forum to life and nuturing it through its first ten months.


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[dem maser]

yes if it wasnt for matt this wouldnt exist and thank you matt i do appreciate the time and money you have put into this...this is your baby and ill back you all the way....

i dont want to come across like im throwing toys out of the pram...but it is funny...im top and this starts but never a prob before...anyway im here for the good of the forum so dont matter where i am...honestly..i dont care...

i have wedding and career to think about and the health of my family so being on here is just a bonus...i dont wake up and think i must beat everyone to it....

this is the beest forum ive known....can be real special and its young...i have made many friends so well done every one....

 

[conaero]

Ok, I think we have taken on board arguments from both directions, time to leave this thread for now and revisit it in the new year.

Just for the record, I am overwhelmed at the input by its members, and has exceeded my expectations. I suppose I strive for perfection, and am probably guilty of trying to please everyone.

SM Xmas party just round the corner, lets all focus our attentions on that for now, and am sure the future forum direction will be a strong topic of conversation.

 

[Parisien]

.......onwards and upwards.............................good times around the corner....lots more things to do.....enjoy...experience!!




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[Andyk]

People will always find fault.................nothing in life is ever quite perfect....

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I am ......

 

[reservoirfrog]

I am ......

Modest Andy, come on now , dont be sheepish

 

[Andyk]

Hehehehe ... Just thought I would go off thread ... Sorry,.