WhatsApp

[conaero]

This is something that has been bugging me for a while now.

You will probably have seen that a lot of the the regular members don't post so much on here anymore. This is because of WhatsApp and these members are using this to communicate.

I feel that this is because they can post, shall we say, more adult stuff which is not restricted by the rules and confines of a public forum.

Its not been all plain sailing because of the lack of restrictions there has been some falling outs.

What I am open to is how to bring that WhatsApp traffic back on the forum.

The new forum software, XenForo2, is quite new, very powerful and there are a lot of developers out there extending it.

I would like to throw it out there to the forum for any suggestions on how we can keep the community closer together and not see it ebb away in splinter groups.

I do have some ideas but I wont share those yet as to not cloud any ideas our valued members might have.

Please discuss...

 

[conaero]

I would also just like to add the positives of WA. For a forum event like MOB or Le Mans, the WA proves invaluable and is a great way to keep everyone informed before and during these events.

 

[jasst]

Sadly, this is all to common in this age of social (or should that be anti social) Media, a lot of forums are suffering from this as people set up their own little cliques on fb or whats app, piston heads is a prime example, definitely dying, whats the answer? I don't really know.

 

[safrane]

As one who spends zero time on other social media sites I have no idea of who and what.

For me I believe we should do more for our own regions to keep the forum fresh as you only get out what you put in.

 

[zagatoes30]

Sadly, this is all to common in this age of social (or should that be anti social) Media, a lot of forums are suffering from this as people set up their own little cliques on fb or whats app, piston heads is a prime example, definitely dying, whats the answer? I don't really know.

Agreed.

When at Le Mans the Whatsapp group was extremely useful with its instant communication pushes but I find them onerous when back in the UK so disconnected myself however I do sort of feel that if we are a sharing community then all members should have access to those channels.

Is there any way the Whatsapp comms can be integrated into the forum as a feed similar to how twitter and FB feeds can be integrated into websites?

 

[CatmanV2]

WhatsApp has its place. For me, that does not coincide with the function of Sports Maserati for me.
Before we even start talking about proper keyboards halfway useful interfaces and threading.

Also, I'm rather happy that I can browse SM reasonably confidently from the office....

C

 

[daverichardson]

My point of view is I am very very happy with this forum.
Some may recall a small altercation I had about a year ago over a misunderstanding and it got a bit heated. So I stopped posting. I was persuaded back by another forum member and I am glad he did.
The other aggrieved poster has been absent for a while and so I learned to be a bit more careful in how I post my comments as forums can quickly turn into anti social media. Anyway I digress. You will not stop people forming cliques, indeed a PM is a type of exclusion of others but sometimes necessary. So I think it is left to the remaining people on here to just plug a way and keep it going as best we can. I am afraid I do not see a solution.

 

[allandwf]

Both have their place, and specific uses. This open forum is great, and friendly, unlike some others out there. As mentioned if a link was available to specific WhatsApp discussions, or a blanket invite, but with a warning regards content possibly?

 

[conaero]

Thank you for the comments. The content on the WA threads never really contains Maserati specific content.

I have been on many forums over the years and although some might say I have a vested interest but SM is one if not 'the' friendliest out there. OK, there will always been some locking of horns and I am a strong believer of discussion rather than banning and hence why the amount of members who have been banned (other than blatant spammers) you could count on two hands. Not bad for over 8 years so, well done to you all for playing nicely.

Safrane, yes, the district approach is one I have thought about and needs further thought.

My plan that I did not reveal at first was to build and App which mirrors WA but adds to the database and content of the forum. It would sort of sit half way between WA and the forum, sort of like FB groups where you would apply to join...but as I said, the content is not really relevant and would have to impose content restrictions....which would see the WA side of things still continue to flourish.

 

[BuckRog64]

Until recently I was one of c.20 members of a WhatsApp car group. I took myself off as I became fed up with my phone constantly pinging with stuff I wasn't interested in.

This forum has masses of advantages over WhatsApp. There are sections for those wanting to post jokes and other non Maserati topics. As a user I can easily choose what I want to read. It is brilliant for recording a permanent history of advice and problem solving for owners and potential owners.

For me, the downside to this and probably any forum is that there are two sets of users. There are (a) those that know each other through Ace and Le Mans etc and (b) the greater population of armchair owners and enthusiasts. It is apparent that posts made by those in (b) are often ignored or dismissed by the closer knit (a) community. That is fully understandable as it makes a difference replying to someone you know. However, if everyone respected each others posts per the forum rules I think a much greater number of members would post regularly.

As others have said, WhatsApp has its place and is good for mates wanting instant communication. To draw some of it back to the forum I think it's a case of encouraging greater use of the non Maserati sections and/or creating a couple of new "banter" sections.

 

[conaero]

For me, the downside to this and probably any forum is that there are two sets of users. There are (a) those that know each other through Ace and Le Mans etc and (b) the greater population of armchair owners and enthusiasts. It is apparent that posts made by those in (b) are often ignored or dismissed by the closer knit (a) community. That is fully understandable as it makes a difference replying to someone you know. However, if everyone respected each others posts per the forum rules I think a much greater number of members would post regularly.

This is very true and I try to discourage this for the greater good and not the first time I have heard this. How to fix it, I don't know but as said above, compared to other car forums I feel we do very well as you will never totally irradiate it. To show there is no favouritism, I recently had to pull up one such (a) member and upon reflection he did see the error of his ways, taking some time out to consider this.

 

[Saigon]

Basically the forum is splitting up to some extent, still a fantastic forum and none better in my opinion, there always has been and always will be cliques, nature of the beast. Just hope it doesn’t have any impact on what we have here. But it has been noticeable, it certainly won’t put me off nor the others who are not in a particular clique. The fantastic, and sometimes instant response for advice or assistance is still No 1. Thanks.

 

[Goodfella]

The knowledge I got from this forum/users before buying a Maserati was invaluable.

How can anyone choose WhatsApp over this forum?

 

[DaveT]

I honestly think that this is a by-product of a forum that has become, in a positive sense, a victim of its own success.

A well run and friendly forum means some people wanting to meet face to face more often, means closer bond between those people than the rest of the membership. As this group will always be a relatively small percentage of the total membership you have, by accident, a two tier membership - groups a and b as Buck puts it. Not sure you can do anything about that.

I'm not sure what can be done but let's bear in mind that those of us on here since the start have seen high profile posters/activists come and go year on year. I choose to stay largely at a distance - each to their own, but the forum has always flourished and will continue to do so I'm sure.

 

[philw696]

The forum works well for me Matt and glad to be part of it especially having been overseas for the last 4 years.
Yes people come and go either through life choices or buying the wrong car for them and getting their fingers burnt.
One thing for sure is the knowledge on here is second to none.

 

[conaero]

OK, I have an idea. The next forum mods should be selected from group (b) this way they can have a more relevant voice about day to day running.

As for group a&b, Dave, you have hit the nail on the head. The WhatsApp community are those who are now 'mates' and are always at the events on mass and are there for the social rather than the cars.

I suppose if you are a die hard Maseratisti and you have been on the forum for years, you have sort of 'done that' so look for other avenues to exploit.

 

[jasst]

Until recently I was one of c.20 members of a WhatsApp car group. I took myself off as I became fed up with my phone constantly pinging with stuff I wasn't interested in.

Same here, got fed up with constant notifications about stuff I had absolutely no interest in, so I removed myself from the whatsapp group, still a member of the group, but will log in and see whatever I like when its convenient for me

 

[conaero]

First rule of WhatsApp....set to silent with badge notifications only. It works well that way.

 

[FF1078]

TBH I don't think WA does take anything away from the forum
If I had a problem with my car then I would come here first as the knowledge base is amazing.
Now if I wanted to post something a little risque I would as I know from past experience on this very forum not to post it here as it may upset certain members, not a problem at all but as long as we all sing from the same hymn sheet.
Now what WA allows is for certain groups to share humour or videos etc that some may find offensive. I work for a Fire & Rescue Service as a hobby and we used to have a WA group for all at my station until a young lady joined, now we have a group for all and another group for us that like to have banter. Now I know banter is open to each persons interpretation but I'm pretty open minded and I see no problem sharing jokes or funny videos.
I'm very anti "nanny state".
It made me laugh the other day because we had the Police visit next door as they are a black family who's son had been ractially insulted which isn't right at all but If I'd been burgled I'd never get the Police round, they'd just give me a crime number over the phone.
Rant over.

 

[redsonnylee]

Until recently I was one of c.20 members of a WhatsApp car group. I took myself off as I became fed up with my phone constantly pinging with stuff I wasn't interested in.

This forum has masses of advantages over WhatsApp. There are sections for those wanting to post jokes and other non Maserati topics. As a user I can easily choose what I want to read. It is brilliant for recording a permanent history of advice and problem solving for owners and potential owners.

For me, the downside to this and probably any forum is that there are two sets of users. There are (a) those that know each other through Ace and Le Mans etc and (b) the greater population of armchair owners and enthusiasts. It is apparent that posts made by those in (b) are often ignored or dismissed by the closer knit (a) community. That is fully understandable as it makes a difference replying to someone you know. However, if everyone respected each others posts per the forum rules I think a much greater number of members would post regularly.

As others have said, WhatsApp has its place and is good for mates wanting instant communication. To draw some of it back to the forum I think it's a case of encouraging greater use of the non Maserati sections and/or creating a couple of new "banter" sections.

+1 I also removed myself from the same group.

Assuming it’s car related - I don’t know how it would work, can you create a closed group so instead of a WhatsApp group they can post on the forum much like a messaging chat/feature if it’s possible to do this functionality. Some of the WhatsApp groups I’ve left were due to some particular humour I didn’t like so I can understand why posting certain messages on an open forum could be an issue.