"For sale" section thread missing

[Terry M.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

OK then we should not publish the Driveline then if members only want the Restorer. Seems you are quoting %'s for the Restorer that have nothing to do with the for sale site/Driveline which we are discussing here. I woud still like know why ads from venders on a for sale site are different that thwe ones we have in the Driveline.

I said: "I wonder how many NCRS members belong solely for The Restorer and have no interest in buying or selling parts. One can extrapolate my sentence to mean the folks who belong only for The restorer have no interest in The Driveline. I guess I have to draw pictures with Crayons to be clear.

BTW: Ken it was great seeing you in Scottsdale.

[Roy S.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

OK then we should not publish the Driveline then if members only want the Restorer. Seems you are quoting %'s for the Restorer that have nothing to do with the for sale site/Driveline which we are discussing here. I woud still like know why ads from venders on a for sale site are different that thwe ones we have in the Driveline.

I know, first hand, that the IT team would love to put their teath in building a for sale classified ad solution ;-)

[Greg C.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I think its unfair... and misleading, to base anything off the total number of members... for or against. What percentage of the total membership actually went/goes to the national convention?

If its less than the percentage that use the forum... should we get rid of it?

The numbers that make sense to me would be, "what percentage of active users of the forum want a classifieds section"? If 89 percent of the people want it... then well... sounds like a pretty good idea.

John Doe of Whatziehoozie, WI, that doesn't want to be a part of the technological age IS the Dogs TAIL.... the NCRS dog has a very big tail. But John Doe doesn't care one way or another i suspect... but follks telling us How upset John is are the real noisemakers... no?

Nobody has said, "get rid of the Driveline". It doesn't have to be one OR the other.

[Roy S.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I think its unfair... and misleading, to base anything off the total number of members... for or against. What percentage of the total membership actually went/goes to the national convention?

If its less than the percentage that use the forum... should we get rid of it?

The numbers that make sense to me would be, "what percentage of active users of the forum want a classifieds section"? If 89 percent of the people want it... then well... sounds like a pretty good idea.

John Doe of Whatziehoozie, WI, that doesn't want to be a part of the technological age IS the Dogs TAIL.... the NCRS dog has a very big tail. But John Doe doesn't care one way or another i suspect... but follks telling us How upset John is are the real noisemakers... no?

Nobody has said, "get rid of the Driveline". It doesn't have to be one OR the other.

My point Greg has been very simple and I remain on that point. This is not a chat forum it is a discussion board that is part and parcel to NCRS and it is the responsibility of the Directors of this organization to oversee the treatment and service to the membership. That membership is 15,800 families; don’t lose sight of that in this quest. As has been posted if a business model can be developed that will support whatever loss of revenue there is, if there is any, and more importantly continues to offer the services to those members it now offers, without providing preferential treatment to a few, the Directors will be all for it. As I stated early on, after setting on the board for a lot of years I have seen how they function, concern for and equal treatment of the membership is a big part of those Director meetings. Makes me no difference either way, I have never advertised in the driveline and its free, just have never done it, can’t remember buying out of the driveline either.

[Donald H.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I am a relatively new NCRS member, about 3 years, and joined when I bought my 1960 to restore. I now also have a 66 and will be doing some restoration work on it. I'm not a young guy, 67, but I am very tech savy and use the computer a lot. I find this forum and the Corvette Forum absolutely essential to a newbie like me to tap the minds of those of you who have been there and done that. I am also actively looking for parts all the time. I look at the electronic and paper driveline in hopes of finding things I need, but do find it not to be the most user friendly.

Could it be that the vast majority of NCRS members do not use this forum as they either don't work on their cars, or are not working on them currently. This forum as titled Technical Discussion Board is of interest to members either working on their cars, or have a desires to stay up with technical discussion. I suspect that is a small subset of the total membership. So, those most interested in the TDB are also more likely the ones looking to buy/sell stuff. Sort of stands to reason. While I personally would love to see an online buy/sell site, I doubt a poll of the larger membership would support it.

Seems there is some concern that NCRS is graying rapidly, and me joining didn't help. But if we want to attract younger folks, then seems like we need to make a effort to keep up with technology. Most young people very seldom look at anything in paper form!!!

Don

[Terry M.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Roy has outed what I have been watching all week. Whether the daily member ship on this board is 300 (Dick's numbers) or 500 (Rob's numbers) that is a small percentage of the total membership. As Roy says -- just look at how many have voted in the poll. It is just over 200 today and how long has the poll been up there? 5 days -- Monday through Friday. That makes me think Dick's numbers are closer to reality, but I don't want to get into a urinating contest over members viewing v page counts. Anyone can fudge numbers to suit heir agenda.

Any way you cut it the members on this board are a very small percentage of the total membership. That has been my point from the beginning of this discussion. The BoD has to decide how much time, effort and cost has to be spent to service this small population of the membership. That is their responsibility.

[Greg C.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I still can't understand how an electronic classifieds, that pays for itself (and probably more), and is under the NCRS umbrella will hurt "the greater membership". That hasn't been articulated clearly by any of the "no classifieds" proponents. We are hearing noble stuff like, "what is best for NCRS families" and such... but nothing substantial about why its a terrible idea.

All I am suggesting is that the BOD be open minded and transparent about a decision. And lets bring it out in the open... What is clear, is that "not that many NCRS members use the TDB"... so do we get rid of it altogether?

Is it a burden on the purse strings of the NCRS membership? Sounds like you are making a better case for getting rid of the the TBD entirely... so you better fine tune your argument about "lack of participation by the membership"... Really, if only 200-500 of a 25,000 "active member" organization are using it, why have it at all? Think of all the money it would free up to update the 65' Judging Manual.

My approach is diffident all together.. which I am sure you have picked up on. Instead of putting our lamp under a bushel, lets let it shine! Lets figure out how do we make the web presence more accessible to ALL members... I mean really, we got to think about ALL the family members right? Maybe that means making the TBD as smaller part of a greater forum.

the BoD has to decide how much time, effort and cost has to be spent to service this small population of the membership. That is their responsibility.

Exactly. So if it takes NO TIME (as people have already volunteered to do the work) COSTS NO MONEY, as a classified section can pay for itself with Advertising/Listing fee...
Then why not?

[Roy S.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I still can't understand how an electronic classifieds, that pays for itself (and probably more), and is under the NCRS umbrella will hurt "the greater membership". That hasn't been articulated clearly by any of the "no classifieds" proponents. We are hearing noble stuff like, "what is best for NCRS families" and such... but nothing substantial about why its a terrible idea.

Somewhere in these strings you have the numbers, Gary Chesnut is the IT facilitator if you will, he communicates with the programmer(s), web master, finance manager and business manager.

All I am suggesting is that the BOD be open minded and transparent about a decision. And lets bring it out in the open... What is clear, is that "not that many NCRS members use the TDB"...

[Kenneth B.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I still can't understand how an electronic classifieds, that pays for itself (and probably more), and is under the NCRS umbrella will hurt "the greater membership". That hasn't been articulated clearly by any of the "no classifieds" proponents. We are hearing noble stuff like, "what is best for NCRS families" and such... but nothing substantial about why its a terrible idea.

All I am suggesting is that the BOD be open minded and transparent about a decision. And lets bring it out in the open... What is clear, is that "not that many NCRS members use the TDB"... so do we get rid of it altogether?

Is it a burden on the purse strings of the NCRS membership? Sounds like you are making a better case for getting rid of the the TBD entirely... so you better fine tune your argument about "lack of participation by the membership"... Really, if only 200-500 of a 25,000 "active member" organization are using it, why have it at all? Think of all the money it would free up to update the 65' Judging Manual.

My approach is diffident all together.. which I am sure you have picked up on. Instead of putting our lamp under a bushel, lets let it shine! Lets figure out how do we make the web presence more accessible to ALL members... I mean really, we got to think about ALL the family members right? Maybe that means making the TBD as smaller part of a greater forum.


Exactly. So if it takes NO TIME (as people have already volunteered to do the work) COSTS NO MONEY, as a classified section can pay for itself with Advertising/Listing fee...
Then why not?

GREG That was very well said. It was my point also. I think the real reason is that some want to just have this site a dissuction site about nuts & bolts with the same few people using the site. For some to say that that we don't need more content on this site as in for sale ETC which would in my opinion, would increase usage a lot because no one uses it, make no sence to me. As like Roy NO MAS

[Dick W.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Roy has outed what I have been watching all week. Whether the daily member ship on this board is 300 (Dick's numbers) or 500 (Rob's numbers) that is a small percentage of the total membership. As Roy says -- just look at how many have voted in the poll. It is just over 200 today and how long has the poll been up there? 5 days -- Monday through Friday. That makes me think Dick's numbers are closer to reality, but I don't want to get into a urinating contest over members viewing v page counts. Anyone can fudge numbers to suit heir agenda.

Any way you cut it the members on this board are a very small percentage of the total membership. That has been my point from the beginning of this discussion. The BoD has to decide how much time, effort and cost has to be spent to service this small population of the membership. That is their responsibility.

Both numbers are probably correct. I use Google Analytics on my web site and come up with conflicting numbers that I do not understand and don't have the time to read about them. All I want to know is that someone is looking at my site and auctions.

[Tracy C.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

I still can't understand how an electronic classifieds, that pays for itself (and probably more), and is under the NCRS umbrella will hurt "the greater membership". That hasn't been articulated clearly by any of the "no classifieds" proponents. We are hearing noble stuff like, "what is best for NCRS families" and such... but nothing substantial about why its a terrible idea.

All I am suggesting is that the BOD be open minded and transparent about a decision. And lets bring it out in the open... What is clear, is that "not that many NCRS members use the TDB"... so do we get rid of it altogether?

Is it a burden on the purse strings of the NCRS membership? Sounds like you are making a better case for getting rid of the the TBD entirely... so you better fine tune your argument about "lack of participation by the membership"... Really, if only 200-500 of a 25,000 "active member" organization are using it, why have it at all? Think of all the money it would free up to update the 65' Judging Manual.

My approach is diffident all together.. which I am sure you have picked up on. Instead of putting our lamp under a bushel, lets let it shine! Lets figure out how do we make the web presence more accessible to ALL members... I mean really, we got to think about ALL the family members right? Maybe that means making the TBD as smaller part of a greater forum.


Exactly. So if it takes NO TIME (as people have already volunteered to do the work) COSTS NO MONEY, as a classified section can pay for itself with Advertising/Listing fee...
Then why not?

Greg, I appreciate your logic and comments. I've been struggling with myself wanting to make the same point regarding the "numbers" argument, but didn't want to plant a bad seed and risk loosing the TBD. As a working sap who is restoring a 63 on a shoe string budget, I find this palce invaluable.
tc

[Gary C.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Greg,

I must've missed seeing the volunteer sign up list, a copy would be appreciated.

Who's working on the business case for the Board of Directors?

Not trying to be picky, but these are two important things the Board will want to see before any decision is made.

Gary
....

[Greg C.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

No sign up list yet... want me to make one? (But that is ANOTHER problem.... is that considered "technical"? If I started a new thread on the TDB saying, "Who wants to help with the FOR SALE Section IT?" would that meet "technical" criteria?

But to your question

I must've missed seeing the volunteer sign up list, a copy would be appreciated.

I was referring to folks that have stepped up in THIS THREAD to help...

Gordon in Post #128

Yes, I can help. I have degrees in computer science and write code for Android devices currently. But if you all are spending 300-400 hours a month maintaining this website you are doing something horribly wrong. Send me an email and we can talk.
Gordon Warren
Milton, GA

Bill in post #134

Gary,

I would be happy to volunteer.
I have owned a computer IT consulting and Services company for nearly 20 years. I have a degree in Computer Science and was a long time programmer
before stepping into the manegment role. Mostly C++ VB and some JAVA, but not to much HTML and WEB services stuff.
But know my way around WEB developement using NetObjects 12.


I have plenty of free time available and could give you all a good 50 hours a month if you need.

Please let me know.

and
Rob in Post #165 says the NCRS IT folks are ready to jump on it

I know, first hand, that the IT team would love to put their teath in building a for sale classified ad solution ;-)
Rob.

As far as the business case, I agree that that is the most critical part. I'll do what I can... but would love help if anyone out there has Web business/MBA experience... I am just a lowly physical scientist.

[Gary C.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Gordon & Bill are IT guys and NCRS put their skills to good use. Gordon's already developed a free Android OS Corvette birthday calculator.

Moderator(s) will also be needed as each individual ad/photo will need to be reviewed before allowed to post. This will require at least 2 PC savvy persons.U

Lastly, which Regional Director(s) are going to commit to sponsor and support implementing a for sale ad system?

Gary
....

[Michael W.]

Re: "For sale" section thread missing

Moderator(s) will also be needed as each individual ad/photo will need to be reviewed before allowed to post.

Really? Since only bonafide current members using their real names could post an ad, this discourages/eliminates spammers and trolls. Sounds like an unnecessary burden. If someone does post an ad that's unacceptable, delete it and pull that person's privileges.