I've been a reasonably regular contributor to this board for a while now, but I now think the time has come to move on.

Had the pleasure of meeting a few of you (Ian Cook, Richard Squires, Subie Gal) all great people.

Enjoyed a bit of banter with others (Mike R, Nightmare, Stef, Blubs) to name a few. Even raised a few laughs, eh Mike???

Even a bit of harmless flirting with others (you know who you are!)

My reasons? Simple. Much of the fun and helpful information has gone, to be replaced with too much sarcasm (going beyond the realms of funny) and unhelpfullness (not to mention way too much bad advice).

Not saying its all bad, though, far from it. I for one am indebted to everyone responsible for running and maintaining this site. Thanks to all of you for your time and effort.

Perhaps the BBS has become a victim of its own success.

Just my views, but it appears they may be shared by many, judging from the number of names that appear to have dropped off.

A sad time indeed

Cheers for now.

D

 

Adios D

I'm off as well, I will look in from time to time to go to events etc.

For those that have given me kind messages thanks.

SJD

 

Dear Scott / Diablo,
Surely you realise that it is the people on the board that make it what it is, so if you leave you are diluting the "good" content.

You must also know by now who is worth listening to and who isn't? I can understand how you feel, but I think it would be better if you just do what I do and be selective about the threads you join in on (i.e. only those that interest - hence the reduction in recent postings from me...).

Sorry to see you both leave. Only hope you change your minds.

It was indeed fun to trade banter with you Diablo....
Best regards
Mike

 

i have to agree with mike on this. i have been much less active of late with posts as i have found a lot of the content very juvinile. However, i have met some fantastic people through this BBS and had a lot of fun with lots of others i have not had the pleasure of meeting in person.

It is a sad day when people of the calibre of Diablo want to call it quits.

Do what i do Diablo, hang around when it suits you and join in with the subjects you feel apropriate, the place will be much the worse if you desert the site.

There is absolutely nothing we can do to stop the abusive/childish posting of some people, that's a price you have to pay for open access to all. Please dont let these minorities stop you from enjoying/benefiting/contributing to this comunity. It will be very sad if you do.

best wishes
john

 

so true

just become a lurker like I have and as John suggests and filter the crap.

 

I have been feeling the same for a few months, still persevering but for how much longer i dont know.

BTW Diablo, good of you to remember me was good to meet you to. I have made a LOT of very good friends on here, and its a shame to see it going downhill.

[This message has been edited by Ian Cook (edited 13-06-2000).]

 

Must confess that whereas I used to read every post in my lunch time, I am now far more selective with my posts.

Don't leave guys, just be selective.

Dave

 

A constructive suggestion, I hope not utopian:

Can we not agree some sort of code of ethics, to have up along with the search/faq/etc menu? Thou shalt be courteous is probably the all-encompassing one that we'd all agree with. Those of you who've been on this board longer than me, and so know what irritates you, can suggest others.

At least that way protesters could say "That's against the BBS code of ethics" neutrally, rather than "I think you shouldn't say that" subjectively. Yes, you'd have grey areas, but it would at least be guidance.

I know what you mean about BBSs going downhill; I watched another get taken over by a bunch of narrow-minded Americans. Then, when the owner tried to regulate them, they all started screaming about freedom of speech. A sad waste of a board.

Just a suggestion

BJH

 

I wouldn't say that the board is going downhill. Bits of it are going downhill; bits of it are going uphill. It's constantly evolving.

There are many infantile postings but the threatened reduction in quality a few months back by some posters from the RS board (Mike and some others excepted) was just a passing phase.

So, be selective and lead by example. Everything in life has its ups and downs.

 

I have never been a great contributor to this board, but also have noticed that the frequency and quality of banter are both on a downward trend. I don't pretend to have a magic solution to this, but I have recently tried to help others as much as possible as my way of contributing - even if it has only been to point them to the obvious!!

I ask of those who have had enough, what can be done to reverse the tide? I'll climb on my soapbox here and say "if you aren't part of the solution, you're part of the problem".

Back off my soapbox now, how about actively encouraging new posters to come to events? Naive perhaps, but a good way to meet others and breakdown some of the formalities that prevent quality banter.

Just my Euro's worth (approximately tuppence at current rates)

Suresh

 

????
I have been debating leaving for good for the last week or so...

It's not the same as it used to be.. but I have met so many fantastic people...

*sigh* all because of a few small minded juvenile type idiots....

shame really...

j.

 

I still logon most nights and enjoy the site but I can sympathise with the disillusioned regulars.

As a newcomer, I find it quite hard to find useful info on my scoob amongst the dross.

I've only had my scoob for a month or so, and when I first got it I had loads of questions, to which I only got 5 replies (and many thanks to those who bothered). I had read the SIDC FAQ and all that stuff, I just wanted to get the latest take.

It seems that the humorous posts (which I enjoy) take precedence over posts seeking genuine Scooby info.

The problem seems to be that people asking questions that seem old hat to regulars are ignored. I know that you can use the search engine, but we all know how hard that can be to get the info you want. Makes it hard for "latecomers" to get the info they want.

When I bought the scoob I always had in mind that after a few months I'd treat it to a few grands worth of mods. I'd planned to put a post on the site for advice, not sure whether it's worth it now.

Feeling guilty now cos I do enjoy the site!

 

Good idea Gethin.
Perhaps even include peoples SIDC number in the profile just to prove you are a serious poster.
I realise the two are independant...

 

Diablo,

Its a shame for you to leave - you have always been one of those that can be counted on to be humerous when required and serious/helpful/knowledgable when required. I think MikeR is right - if everyone of that calibre left then the quality would go down.

I was concerned about all this a few months ago, but I think its generally picked up since then. I ignore the really anooying posts now and just try and be a bit helpful where I can.

I just ran searches on turbos, petrol use and on limit handling and found exactly what I wanted.

There is a huge wealth of information here for those who need serious help, and a good 'fun' atmosphere for the rest...

I will stay

 

Diablo,

It will be the communities loss if you decide to leave... maybe you could just lurk and get involved in the interesting stuff now and then?

Good idea on the newbie FAQ front.

How about a newbie forum where "newbies" can post any reasonable newbie style questions without fear of sarcastic response... some of the more knowledgable members could occasionally drop in and do the decent thing (e.g. answer the question, refer posters to the FAQ or another source of info.).

Things could go a little more draconian and limit newbies posting to the newbie group for their first N posts... then Half-Term Tearaways (TM) can be held in a safe quarantine area.

And then we can instigate thought control stratergies, so we can stop members thinking inappropriate thoughts whilst online... and barcode the members... and do stuff with DNA... and and and... (gibber)

Sorry, I'm ok now... but I was semi-serious about the newbie forum.

I would also suggest that maybe if more of the hotmail style "a new address instantly" anonymous mail addresses were dissallowed and persons were required to leave their e-mail address, and possibly other info, visible in the profile, then fewer time-wasters would appear and waste our time.

Moray

 

...Or we could prevent newbies from hiding their contact info before they have achieved a regular status, therefore allowing persons with a genuine need for discression to hide their e-address then.

 

D



What more can I say? Well unless its to cross over to where a certain Mr "Bail Bond" lurks. John can explain that one

Richard
<<Damned typos>>

[This message has been edited by rsquire (edited 14-06-2000).]

 

Guys,guys,guys and Gal between you all you have the book of Scooby Knowledge.It would be a shame to all the new members with serious enquires not to be able to get the correct answers and feed back that you've all supplied in the past.

I know for a fact that some of you have answered my questions in the past and put me right.

Lets get it back to the happy family it used to be, I mean without you and the BB i might be forced to do some work and we can't have that!

...Ian Sutton.

 

Could we not have something like the RS boys. i.e. a dedicated BB for the SIDC members ONLY.

It could mean forcing people to enter their real names and obviously some link with the SIDC Secretary for validation.

Other than that just filter the detritus ( did I spell that right Anders ? , see you can learn non scooby related terms from the BBS )

 

Although not a true veteran yet, I too have had a change of feeling, though not a particularly negative one. I think you get to a point where you learn all the main answers - what tyre, what oil, what upgrade, ecu reset, what exhaust, and so on. I now find myself searching the board for something different, the new mod or evolving problems, and skipping past the old dogs we all know and love.

The fact is that the 'Next Generation' are coming through and need to learn the basics. We cannot deny them this and simply refer them to the search facility as they may, like we did, also wish to discuss it aswell.

I don't think the board has changed that much. I just think you get to a point where you need more from it.

Stick around guys you may miss out on something. Just lurk as suggested above, after all we do have the new Impreza to get our teeth into when it lands!!

 

It is a shame, I have noticed a few names disappearing from posts recently. I bought my Scooby about a year ago having lurked for a good six months and the information I gained from here was invaluable.
People are complaining about the posts but it seems that only the ones in the general section are attracting the drivel.
Each time I have needed information and posted in the technical sections I have usually had sensible answers and I don't really recall any sillyness.
I have just looked down the list of posts in the general section now and a large majority of the posts could(should) have been posted in the technical questions section.
It seems a shame to lose the senior members wealth of knowledge simply because of a few peoples desire to interfere.
So come on guys, just keep an eye on the technical sections.

 

Just another quick thought. Why not develop a BBS FAQ that can address the basics at a glance. This would hopefully address the problem of the usual questions coming up. I know there is the SIDC version, but something not as in depth that could cover the absolute basics. The home page of the BBS could then be laid out with a link and a request to consult the FAQ first. If then anyone wants further information they can either refer to the search facility or discuss it on the BBS.

Just a thought.

Otis.

 

Dear All

This site is a fantastic resource and it would be a shame to see anyone with expertise go. I do not possess a great deal of technical knowledge about the car so this site often helps. I appreciate the help!
Jason

 

I agree with RichB

There is still a lot of good stuff in the Technical sections, and some good stuff still in the general section along with a lot of drivel!

I think one of the problems is that 6 months ago there wasn't the huge amount of information that now exists on the board, this information can easily be found by searching and so there are less technical questions because they have already been answered! However people still feel the need to post to become part of the community and so the posts have become a little less focused.

We also seem to be getting an increasing amount of posts by people from outside whose sole intention is to stir and antagonise.

So don't leave guys, just be selective in what you read and post to - if we all only responded to the more sensible topics then the others would soon disappear

Paul

 

Having joined the BBS approx 6 months ago,I am really sad to see people considering leaving. I have had my MY99 Subaru since Jan 2000 and nearly every upgrade I have made, track day I have attented etc etc have all been researched via the BBS.

Mike and John have the right idea,if the good people leave, the idiots will take over, we need to club together and selectively filter, as many other's have suggested.

 

For me, this bbs has been a godsend. If I'd not initally found and stayed on, then I certainly would not have got a scoob, and even if I had I would not have gone for an import.

As has been said by others, this bbs is a goldmine of information, and knowledge is power.

OK, so some idiots come along and spoil things, but after a while they'll go away and hassle someone else.

I do agree that a SIDC only area would be good, but apart from us knowing that no idiots would frequent it, I question it's theoretical existance, what would be discussed there that could not be discussed openly?

For what it's worth (there's a man with a gun over there - sorry, could not resist ) I'm staying put, and unless the BBS desends into total anarchy, which I doubt, then I'll be here for a long time. Maybe one day I'll be one of the wise men/women of Scoobynet.

 

How about a WISE MAN identity instead of "Scooby Regular" or "Scooby Newbie" so that people on the BBS know who the gurus are???

Possibly a poll/vote or given out by the admins......

Just an idea.

 

As Lard would say -No Need !!

Just Lurk !!

Tal

 

I too have seen an alarming change in the BBS in the relatively short time I have been participating (6 months or so). In fact without the enthusiasm of the people on the site I probably would not now be the proud owner of a P1-my first Scoob. I sincerely hope that those of you true enthusiasts thinking of leaving all together change your mind for all us beginners out here who need and value your help. Dont let the morons win. Be selective, recognise those of us who are serious-don't bite on provocation and they'll sod off in due course. To all you old-timers who have already left(hopefuly still reading), please remember what started you on this BBS and helped to make it what it was no too long ago. We need you.

Phil (I'm staying!)

 

Suresh

"Just my Euro's worth (approximately tuppence at current rates)"

ROFLMAO!

BJH