terriphill
Luke Skywalker
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????? I am confused.
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The Future of BCF
- Thread starter Basil
- Start date
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Steve_S
Yoda
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You're comparing the MG-specific forum to one other site in particular. There is actually quite a bit of activity on this site overall, but the MG forum isn't the busiest of the bunch. One thing I do like here over the "other" site you mention is the lack of drama, arguments and babbling. Sure there's babbling in the Pub section, but the MG-specific forum is all on-topic.
It's easy to become addicted to massive amounts of responses. The MG Enthusiasts' BBS used to be the same way, with topics falling off the main page in less than 24 hours. After 15 years of posting on M.G. forums, I've become tired of all that, not to mention answering the same questions time and time again when the answers are already in the archives, one search away.
It's easy to become addicted to massive amounts of responses. The MG Enthusiasts' BBS used to be the same way, with topics falling off the main page in less than 24 hours. After 15 years of posting on M.G. forums, I've become tired of all that, not to mention answering the same questions time and time again when the answers are already in the archives, one search away.
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74mgbgt4me said:
Yikes! are you sure you're talking about BCF? With over 100K posts, and usually over 100 new posts daily, it doesn't seem to have a lack of activity to me. However, I do think that some folks expect immediate gratification and their tender feelings are hurt when they don't get an answer within an hour.
I remember one guy who ended his question with "I'm sitting at the computer waiting ...."? Yeesh - talk about immature and self-centered. We try to help people out when we can; we're not hourly employees.
I agree with Steve_S. One of the reasons I stopped visiting "the other site" was the increasing number of posts (laughingly identified as "OT") that had nothing to do with the topic at hand, and which often descended into name calling, political diatribes, "old-timers versus newbies," and one-ups-manship. When one member changed her avatar to her own naked butt, and her signature line was a constant stream of racist idiocy ... well, that was the "end" for me.
Thank heaven for BCF.
Tom
GregW
Yoda
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It is ironic that this would be a complaint of yours. One of your posts asked a question about your ad. That was replied to only <span style="font-weight: bold">two</span> minutes later with a clarification question by a moderator, which you don't seem to have responded to for 15 days so far. Kettle black?74mgbgt4me said:
tony barnhill
Great Pumpkin - R.I.P
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Shawn - I think you're mistaking "quantity" with "quality"....yes, there are LBC BBS' with gazillions of posts, most which are out in left field & don't even relate to the subject of the thread, which are so off topic that they become jokes or contain so much incorrect advise that they're not worth following.....those sites where that happens are definitely 'quantity' sites...if that's what you're looking for, the BCF isn't one of those places.GregW said:
However, if you're looking for 'quality' answers to your questions, that's the BCF....many times I'll read a thread in the MG Forum & see that within 6 posts the problem has been solved....so, there's no reason for me to post a "Yep, I agree." To do so would be 'quantity'....however, if I see a question that's not been answered, I do my research & give the best answer to the problem that I can...that's 'quality'....there might not be as many posts but the ones there are usually are 'quality' answers to problems.
Another difference between the BCF & most other LBC sites is our "Pub Forum"....sure, other sites have what they call their OT areas but those are usually ramblings that are bait threads or just something somebody couldn't find a place for.....heck, there's even a major BBS that has copied the BCF Pub in its setup!
The main difference, however, between the BCF & <span style="font-weight: bold"><span style="text-decoration: underline">ALL</span></span> the other LBC sites is our moderators! Genteel society always relies on its members to police one another with one or 2 members of that society acting as the patriarch or matriarch, ensuring their clan maintains its civility & decorum, interacting with one another within the guidelines of genteel society....at least that's how it happens in Southern genteel society....our moderators are there as a release valve in the event somebody decides to start a flame thread, get into discussions that might offend other members, or slip with a bit of dry humor that could turn dark rather quickly. But, more than anything else, just having a moderator means everybody else watches to ensure they do their part in maintaining the genteelness of the BCF.
So, 'quality' posts in a genteel setting is the hallmark of the BCF...many want to be involved with such a site...few can maintain the composure to do so.
Steve_S
Yoda
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Some good points have been brought up. I'm with Tony 100% on the "Yep" thing. I can't stand it. People just can't resist letting the world know that they knew the answer to a question, when they were beaten to the punch. If I see a question has been answered the way I would answer it, which is quite often on BCF, I move on to the next topic.
The only thing that bothers me more is the mass of people on some forums who know just enough to answer a question, but not enough to answer it correctly. At that point I have to decide if I want to let some poor sob take this bad advise to his garage, or spend five minutes of my life correcting a bunch of guys who will do the same thing tomorrow, but not before letting me have it with some nonsense about being a purist or telling me that using shortcuts saves money. Poppycock! I prefer to use that five minutes helping someone else who has not yet received a solid answer to their problem.
I'll sit and talk cars all day, and on occasion I've been known to sit and TYPE cars all day. But the web chatter on some forums just doesn't appeal to me. In my opinion it's a waste of the limited time we have on this earth. Besides, I can get better conversation by spending the same time with family and friends in person rather than sitting in front of a keyboard and monitor. It isn't healthy for the mind or body!
Ok, enough chatter. :wink:
The only thing that bothers me more is the mass of people on some forums who know just enough to answer a question, but not enough to answer it correctly. At that point I have to decide if I want to let some poor sob take this bad advise to his garage, or spend five minutes of my life correcting a bunch of guys who will do the same thing tomorrow, but not before letting me have it with some nonsense about being a purist or telling me that using shortcuts saves money. Poppycock! I prefer to use that five minutes helping someone else who has not yet received a solid answer to their problem.
I'll sit and talk cars all day, and on occasion I've been known to sit and TYPE cars all day. But the web chatter on some forums just doesn't appeal to me. In my opinion it's a waste of the limited time we have on this earth. Besides, I can get better conversation by spending the same time with family and friends in person rather than sitting in front of a keyboard and monitor. It isn't healthy for the mind or body!
Ok, enough chatter. :wink:
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It seems that the weather has warmed up and we are playing with the LBCs instead of talking about them. It's going to happen when schools out, cars are on the road and the winters projects need driving. Conversations and technicals will pick up as things happen and then old man winter comes again and everybody will be in the warmth drinking the Java and watching the posts. So, if you do not get an immediate answer, time will tell. Once things settle you will be answered, but you have to be timely when responded to. Everybody here is willing to help, but jobs, fun with our LBCs and families, will limit the time to when everybody is available to sit and log in and be in tune. Thanks Basil! I'm sure it will pick up. The economy isn't helping right now, but the older settled ins are more of the constants.
Steve_S
Yoda
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One thing that the internet is doing is taking away people's ability to problem solve for themselves. Heck, people don't even search the archives any more, they just ask the same questions over and over. The fastest way to get a question answered on a car forum is to use a search. Of course an even better way is to open a repair manual, but that requires thinking. 
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Steve_S: <span style="font-style: italic">The fastest way to get a question answered on a car forum is to use a search.</span>
Always amazes me how some folks say they "searched and couldn't find anything". Yet we search the same thing and find dozens of posts on what they were looking for. I wonder if it's too complicated to click the Advanced button in the search window?
Take a look at this recent article on how online searching has changed over the years, entitled "Web users getting more selfish":
https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7417496.stm
Onward through the fog!
Tom
Always amazes me how some folks say they "searched and couldn't find anything". Yet we search the same thing and find dozens of posts on what they were looking for. I wonder if it's too complicated to click the Advanced button in the search window?
Take a look at this recent article on how online searching has changed over the years, entitled "Web users getting more selfish":
https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7417496.stm
Onward through the fog!
Tom
Henri
Jedi Trainee
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I thought that the discussion at hand was regarding the "future of BCF"...have we not digressed enough now...it maybe that just these types of remarks are what get the "Bas" down...it's extremely easy to tear something down...it's altogether something else to build it up...the community here has done a wonderous job of doing just that...thanks in part to the vision of the "Bas"...the worry now is where to go from here...
What can be done to build this site up so it never goes away?
What can be done to build this site up so it never goes away?