Should we start over from scratch?

[ElSupremo]

Originally Posted by tdc

Then provide us with some ideas you think may help rejuvenate the site. Anyone and everyone can complain about things. Few are those who will actually take action for the better.

For me it is both Yes and No. Some things are great on this forum, other things would be better changed.
#1 is going to be the attitude the board is given by the Admins and Mods. They set the tone for people feeling welcomed and valued here. I've seen threads sit in the questions and comments forum for a long time without any reply from Admins or Mods. Sometimes a quick simple replyis all that's needed to let people know things are being responded to.
Each forum should be moderated by an active and respected member on the board. By active I mean someone who has shown a propensity for helping members out with problems and questions. Someone who shows an enthusiastic attitude about what this site and our hobbies are about. Moderators should not show the attitude of "I'll ban you because I can, or because you've questioned me". It sours the whole experience here for more than just the affected member.
What works best on this forum? The regionals are excellent, at least for the PNW. The DTM Northwest regional has always been the most active and helpful of the NW regionals on other boards. I've noticed more activity on other forums NW forums due to some of the things I've mentioned above.
How about Vendors? Having respectable Vendors here would also give people more reason to post here. Every time a person has to go to a different forum so they can get deals, or participate in GBs is less time they spend here. Think of it as a store: Do you go to a store that has everything you need in one stop, or do you run all over town and waste time getting what you're after?
I'm sure I can come up with a lot more suggestions if you should want to hear some more.

[downsbs]

Originally Posted by tdc

Then provide us with some ideas you think may help rejuvenate the site. Anyone and everyone can complain about things. Few are those who will actually take action for the better.

More active moderators, fresh sponsors, more care and/or concern shown by forum mods/amins.... That is off the top of my head but I will post more when I think of them.

[downsbs]

Originally Posted by j3asays

who cares about the post counts....

Says the guy with 32 posts......

[NakedM3]

I vote to eliminate post counts all together.

[tdc]

Originally Posted by NakedM3

I vote to eliminate post counts all together.

I'm not even paying attention to anyone that mentions post count anymore.

[EEEEeeee36]

I think this is being WAAAAY over-thought. Do we REALLY need to re-start the entire site to trim the fat? A forum isn't being used? Delete it! A member is here for reasons other than contributing to the BMW community? Ban them. The format needs to be updated? Update it. Unless it is more about logistics than practicality, I'd say just make the changes and start enforcing the policy that this is a BMW enthusiast site, and not just another BS GTG site.

I vote NO.

[danny522]

I didnt even really hear any talk about the site being so shitty til nakedm3 came around and asked where are all the "og's" and now all the sudden the sites crap? I also voted no and like the idea of updating without completely resetting the forum. But i guess if you guy's do ultimately decide on starting over fresh i guess i'll have to be fine with that to.

[CyberianKnight]

Starting from a clean slate will have massive benefits. As I see it the forums aren't doing DTM justice in representing its true core members who contribute and attend meets. We have too many keyboard warriors and disgruntled hangers on who are here simply to stir trouble and give DTM an undue bad rep.

Most of my experience is from the Australian side so I can't speak for the US, however, if the whole forum were to be revamped with a new members database etc, I believe that will benefit all the serious members of DTM who actually give a shit about the reputation and well being of the club.

Another suggestion would be allowing major overseas arms to have their own regional websites with links to the revamped forums and perhaps a greater level of autonomy over the governence of those forums as there are regional specific issues and members that need to be dealt with in order for those chapters to be able to clear THEIR dead wood every now and again. A clear charter of forum behaviour on top of a club charter of acceptable behaviour that governs meets and cruises would also benefit if enforced with a level of common sense.

When the DTM Aus rep position was handed down to me, I made a commitment to build it up as the foremost BMW club in Australia for the 18-30 demographic (beyond that we have the official BMW Drivers clubs that caters for 30+ etc) and in my view, a forum revamp would be a great first step in making that happen.

Just my 2 cents here.

Tom

[SirTony76]

I don't think a forum overhaul will change anything.

What is everybody going to talk about just because of an overhaul? How the porn thread is not able to be added too?

I think DTMPower.net was in its glory days when the teckademics crew was more active around here. I think when they got their own forum it started to decline. I think a new teckademics movie would get the forum bumping a little more though.

TP

[motorsports_3]

I think renovation is due, but i dont think everything else should be started from scratch. I.E haveing to re register. I also feel it would me more of a hassle to have to search for something in the archives. I think the colors and logo should be changed and we need to promote dtm. The key is the regional forums and classified areas. We also need too look into the future and give cars like the e90 their specific forums, not clot them in with e46. Thats just my .02 as more thoughts come i will post

[CyberianKnight]

I believe that the changes to DTM as a whole need to be more than just cosmetic in order to revitalise it.

[downsbs]

Originally Posted by motorsports_3

We also need too look into the future and give cars like the e90 their specific forums, not clot them in with e46. Thats just my .02 as more thoughts come i will post

I do agree with that. I hardly go to the car forums much because it is too broad of a spectrum. For me at least.

[fire4adrymouth]

I like the look of this site, but for the love of god this forum is kinda dead and we need to draw back a following and get it back on top.

[tubby 17s]

Im with Tom.. Cybernight

I dont think rebooting the server is the anser to the problems.... If somone sat down an wrote out in point form what the problems are in each section they can be addressed step by step.

If after every cruise or event we had a event section that a regional mod would start a post in (linked back to the regional section) and posted pics of the cruise, a movie ect other people from around the world could see other region's cars and cruises thus giving ideas and insperation.... this is one of the reasons why everyone is here.... isnt it?

I know for Australia (cant speak for the other regions) that it would be hard to find the australia section (when you do manage to get through the gauntlet to post) for a new beemer fan... so if we introduced starter pages linked to the regional pages such as www.dtmpower.net.au and www.dtmpower.net.jp and so on it would be easy to find and post in the correct section.

I think getting rid of the gallery was a bad idea and makes it slightly harder and less willing to post pictures.

Bring back car reviews or mini battles where regions have car of the month and they compete each month against each other.. to include everyone in voting, this will also draw out some new cars...

mods have to start cracking down on misbehaviour and if this cant be one wiht the amont of mods we have get some new ones or include some mroe mods.

as motorsports_3 said, if you want to look at a e90 youd probably want to go look at an e90 nto sift through e46's as well... they might be a small section but plan a head for once because e90's will become more popular

anyway cant be bothered to type anymore.. just what ever you do think abou it from all angles

Josh

[zcghost]

Originally Posted by tubby 17s

Im with Tom.. Cybernight

I dont think rebooting the server is the anser to the problems.... If somone sat down an wrote out in point form what the problems are in each section they can be addressed step by step.

If after every cruise or event we had a event section that a regional mod would start a post in (linked back to the regional section) and posted pics of the cruise, a movie ect other people from around the world could see other region's cars and cruises thus giving ideas and insperation.... this is one of the reasons why everyone is here.... isnt it?

I know for Australia (cant speak for the other regions) that it would be hard to find the australia section (when you do manage to get through the gauntlet to post) for a new beemer fan... so if we introduced starter pages linked to the regional pages such as www.dtmpower.net.au and www.dtmpower.net.jp and so on it would be easy to find and post in the correct section.

I think getting rid of the gallery was a bad idea and makes it slightly harder and less willing to post pictures.

Bring back car reviews or mini battles where regions have car of the month and they compete each month against each other.. to include everyone in voting, this will also draw out some new cars...

mods have to start cracking down on misbehaviour and if this cant be one wiht the amont of mods we have get some new ones or include some mroe mods.

as motorsports_3 said, if you want to look at a e90 youd probably want to go look at an e90 nto sift through e46's as well... they might be a small section but plan a head for once because e90's will become more popular

anyway cant be bothered to type anymore.. just what ever you do think abou it from all angles

Josh

Yep. +1