Autopia 2004 Compass

[Bobby G]

This March marks our 5th year on the internet. While many things have changed, a lot remains the same. With our 5-year anniversary looming, I want to take the pulse of our community to make sure we are still serving in the community’s best interest.



I was recently reminded why our hobby and community are unique. Quite simply, we transcend the typical car enthusiast group, which gathers around a make, model or type of car. We gather around perfecting car appearance, where success often lasts but a few hours. Like all other aspects of the car hobby, we are passionate about successes, failures and minute improvements.



I ask that everyone please cast your vote and speak up in the thread if you have constructive feedback.



David

 

[imported_Aurora40]

Hmm, I've personally been more busy the last year so I haven't spent as much time on Autopia. But I've also found less of interest to read. I don't know, it seems like there are fewer reviews of products and such and more and more of the intro questions. The thing is more and more of those questions are things like "which is better x or y?" or "which product is the best for z?". Questions that no one could really answer, but which someone could answer for themselves if they just read some of the opinions/reviews about the products in question and thought about what criteria were really important to them.



I can understand why people would come here with questions, but maybe a FAQ (seems the e-book doesn't cut it as people would rather just pump the board for info) or something would help? I dunno... :nixweiss

 

[stilez]

I have been a member less than a year. This site offers soo much priceless info. I love everything about it.



However, the only thing I could ask for is use of a picture for our sigs. I think showing off our vehicles in our sig's would be cool. Obviously, within size requirements and even if it would only be posted once per page...For instance, if I had 3 posts on the page, the sig would only be posted on my first post. Just something to think about.



Overall, I love this site, especially with the addition of www.bettercarcare.com

 

[Bobby G]

I know that images in signatures is a big issue for some, and I'd like to get more feedback. If the majority want an image in their signature block, I will look at the impact.

 

[tangix2001]

I know that images in signatures is a big issue for some, and I'd like to get more feedback. If the majority want an image in their signature block, I will look at the impact.

David,

If you do allow pictures in the signature please put a limit to size. Some sites I visit let it get out of control and I personally find it very annoying when reading through posts. I go to the gallery to look at pictures. No offense GSRstilez, I also see your point and it would be nice but with limits.

 

[ntoddalbert]

most boards allow you to turn off sigs if you dont like them, I turn them off since im on dialup when traveling.

 

[Scott P]

I like the way the site is set up currently. The vast majority of members treat each other with respect. Flame wars are few and far between. I even like the limit on signatures. Pictures in sigs are overrated IMHO. Autopia has a pretty clean look. Signatures lead to clutter.

 

[Spilchy]

If you want a pic of your car in your signature, place it where the avtar goes instead.



What I like about Autopia is the clean look of the page unlike other forums that seem to be populated by juvenilles that load up their signatures with pics of cars and mods, etc... that go for like 10 lines!



If you have a website of your car or a site where you post your pics, then you can include tht in your signature with a title prompting members to check it out. I'd love to see them and any mods done to the car. I, like many others, often follow links on folk's signatures to see their stable of pictures.



However, I should be one to talk, with my oh, so mature signature But, ain't it the truth! Thanks for letting me get my $.02 in with it

 

[samiam513]

David,



No clue if you remember me or not. If so, Whats up? if not, Howdy. My name is Sam.



When I came here forever ago the forum was a small intricate group of in depth discussions about a widee variety of topics. This got me into detailing. Unlike other things in life, I could see the facts, why they were the facts, and how they could be applied. Over time the forum got larger, ,and soon mandatory joining came to post (or read, not sure which one) the forums. A large influx of people came, asked the allready spent questions and I was driven off.



I still check the forum now and again for one reason. The info is still here, just not regularity of indepth threads as there used to be.



The forum serves its purpose. You have given millions the place to look, learn, and teach about all types of automotive stuff. To this I give you kudos. not many others could have made a forum like this one with the cool temeredness (is that a word) as you have.



Keep up the good work. I will be checking back often.



P.S. What happen to the quizes? I need to fail some more quizes!

 

[Scottwax]

I really like Autopia and the general direction of the board in the 2 1/2 years I've been a member. My only request would be to *slightly* loosen the posting rules in the Hot Tub. Not suggesting nudity, pr0n or grossout pics, but maybe a little more leeway with regards to language and subject matter....maybe PG 13 instead of PG!



I do like that you and the mods have allowed heated discussions to continue longer (provided they stay on subject and don't get too nasty) before stepping in or locking the threads. Sometimes everyone needs a chance to vent.

 

[Bobby G]

Hey, Sam, you bet I remember! The quizzes are still here. I've been thinking of a new series called "Stump the Wax Zar"...



Scott, I'm happy to loosen the rules as long as people realize that when they get carried away their thread may get closed or zapped. My general rule of thumb is... one complaint warrants a close look, two or more complaints is a true problem. Members may not realize it, but I field a lot of complaints. Event though a forum may be "open", people have to be responsible for what they say. In the Hot Tub, we frequently have things posted that are potentially insensitive (or really insensitive).



db

 

[Lemonxxs]

No sig pics please............they make the site look well....not detailed.....a nice clean page is what should be here as we are all after a clean detailed vehicle why not a detailed web pages....



I am fine with the Pg rating.....as there are other places for that kinda stuff....



I do think what aurora said above has merit...too many what is best and which is better and similar subjective newby type posts clutter the product and detailing section when they belong in the university......



As the site ages people come and go and post a bunch and post a little but what makes it special is direction is the same....



Keep it pretty much as is if ya need to change take baby steps...and do it slowly...no reason to rush...



Peace

 

[Magellan498]

I agree with Aurora and Guess My Name, when I first joined, the forum was full of more in depth more helpful threads that helped me alot as far as all around detailing knowlege. It seems that many new people are not using the search feature and are content to ask the whole forum questions that are old topics.



Maybe more questions should be moved into the University and maybe the University, like the Hot Tub, should be removed from the "Current Topics" list on the main page. :nixweiss

 

[JoshABI]

I agree with BlackRegal and others...pics in the sig line make for a much longer load time and a thread that is difficult to scan quickly. The thread preview option is an excellent idea. A few other forums I visit use it and I must say that I've been spoiled by it now.



If you do implement a sticky for new users or some other solution to answer the most commonly asked questions, don't forget to mention the acronyms on the home page...people are constantly asking what all of the abbreviations mean. A tutorial on the search function and what it can do for you would also solve many of our issues.



Other than that, I have no suggestions. Few and far between are forums that are organized and run as well as this one. I have plenty of other places to goof off online, I come here to get serious (most of the time ) and as long as that continues, I'll be happy.

 

[tnoy66]

I've been a member only a short while and I have found the site to be a great source of info and inspiration. I wish I had found this site many years ago. I use the search function often and find it invaluable.



The main things I like about this site are......

1 The open friendliness, no matter what age, race, sex or car brand.

2 The random pics on the homepage (don't change that please, unless you put more pics up )

3 The lack of obscene words, you don't need to swear constantly to make a point.

4 No pics in the sig, makes page load quickly. (If people have an autopia gallery, put the link to their gallery either in the sig or under the avatar, similar to the journal)



A couple of other points

1 Make entering a location mandatory, even just the country will do for a start. People ask for 'local' outlets without saying where they are, that's sooooo annoying!

2 A few new smilies perhaps :nixweiss

3 Maybe make the acronym link stand out a bit more, I missed it when I first joined and others have done since too.



I, personally, don't think there's too much to alter. Whatever you decide to do David, I'm sure the site will remain one of the best :xyxthumbs

 

[TortoiseAWD]

If you do implement a sticky for new users or some other solution to answer the most commonly asked questions, don't forget to mention the acronyms on the home page...people are constantly asking what all of the abbreviations mean.

Originally posted by tnoy66

3 Maybe make the acronym link stand out a bit more, I missed it when I first joined and others have done since too.

I've given some thought about how we could make the definitions for acronymns and abbreviations more accessible without the need for navigating to a new page to see them . . .



OK, I don't know if something like this is possible with vB on the server side, but the HTML to make it work is pretty simple . . . what if, whenever an "Autopian" acronym or abbreviation was recognized in a post, the server slapped a link around it, and set the "title" property to the definition for the abbreviation. This would cause a "tool tip" box to appear containing the definition whenever the user hovers over the link. For a short demonstration of what I mean, check out http://members.cox.net/sborders/Demo.html.



The style for the link doesn't have to be the same as what we use for actual links to other pages (blue and underlined for IE, dunno 'bout other browsers). On the demo page, I removed the underline from the links, but made them bold and italicized to make them stand out. This differentiates them from links that actually navigate somewhere, and doesn't clutter up the page with a bunch of abbreviations that are underlined and in blue.



Pretty simple on the client-side (right-click and "View Source" on the demo page to see how it's done), but on the server side, vB would have to be hacked to scan new postings for recognized abbreviations and acronyms from an "Autopia lexicon", then create the anchor tag to surround the word.



Just a thought,

Tort

 

[JasonC8301]

I don't post often now. I just seem to skim. I have been pretty busy lately with school and work and such.



I still manage to visit this website almost daily. I skim past the new posts, take a peak at my gallery to see if it needs any changes and then hop and skip over to the flashlight forum (which I found on Autopia believe it or not.)



I don't really have a problem with the rules. They are somewhat strict but without rules there would be no order. This forum remains one of the most civilized forums I visit. No foul language, no obscene photos, just people enjoying what they like best, detailed cars.



I will make the general conclusion that most of the new questions are relatively simple and straight foward. More or less all intro questions with a few interesting subjects that are more indepth (I don't remember what they are, I didn't have time to type up a long reply, just read it and forget it.)



Also being in the middle of winter doesn't help me detail. Almost all of my supplies sit unused in their spot. I did get the chance to Z6 the hood of a 99 Corolla last weekend. the Zaino is still very much intact under all that dried salt and ice I took off. Then it got too cold and the Z6 started to freeze on contact. A shiny clean hood and the rest of the car was all dull and coated in winter conditions, looked weird. I will most likely come out of ghost mode once this weather clears up and I get more...well back into detailing.



I like the Gallery Autopia offers. I like the easy to use format of it. the limit of 2MB is kinda small though. I will be willing to pay for a larger size though. I doubt thats an option though.



Right now looking at the snow outside and temperatures in the teens, I will revert back to studying, shining my flashlights at a white wall to comment about the beam, playing video games, and watching my DVD's.



This forum is great in general David B. I wouldn't change the whole idea of it, just the minor details. The one minor thing standing out right now being the search function. I doubt it gets used often with some of these new questions I'm seeing. I am only 19, well 20 in a month and a half, and should be able to type a lengthy post to reply to a question but after 2 or 3 times; all interest is lost.



I still remember back in July of 9 when I found this forum. It was on old Bravenet and only a handful of daily posters. The forum favorite was 3M IHG/Blitz. I used #7/#26 and then a while later got 3M IHG/Blitz. I really liked #7/Blitz but it didn't last terribly long because its a carnauba wax. Klasse was introduced a while later and I jumped on that in March of 2001 (gosh weird I still remember all these months and years but no dates, well I can if I pulled up all the bills.)



Anyway, it has been a fun and pleasurable experience to see the forum grow so large and in depth. I just hope this weather gets better soon.



Jason

 

[Pats300zx]

No sig pics please............they make the site look well....not detailed.....a nice clean page is what should be here as we are all after a clean detailed vehicle why not a detailed web pages....

I agree on this 100%. If you start allowing pics in sig posts the next thing is people are posting moving images, flashes, etc in their sigs and it takes forever to read through posts. If you have a pic that you want everyone to see..put it in your Avatar or have a link to it in your signature.



I think the Thread Preview option would be a great idea. I know on other forums I frequent it makes going through threads so much easier. It would be something to consider. I know we are planning to move to a newer version of VB and I think that is incorporated.



I think this is one of the most mature and well managed forums that I have been apart of. There is limited bickering, flaming etc. At times we do tend to have our "arguments" but people all have different opinions. Since this is the internet its to be expected.



Some of the other forums I know of have constant flame wars that make you not even want to return to the site. I have always found everyone on this site to be extremely helpful in my questions no matter how simple they may seem.





Autopia=

:bow :bow :bow

 

[99323ic]

Hmmm...I wasn't going to post my thoughts, but I see a lot of old-timers chiming in, so...



Pics in the signatures. Noooo please. As stated above, too much confusion on the page and for us poor dialup users jsut wasted bandwidth. Links are fine. If your ride sounds cool, I'll go there without a doubt.



The rules that have developed over the last 3 years seem to serve the community well. They were developed for a reason. Take a gander at VWVortex. There's a lot of good information there that's hidden by so many "mine's better/bigger/faster/cooler than yours" that it's a drag to go there. Don't get me wrong, still an excellent place to go when you have a VW question problem.



David - You've also handled a very touchy situation extremely well. That's the inclusion of sponsorships. You have been able to successfully walk a tightrope of allowing sponsors to be included (and help fund Autopia) without making it appear that they've taken over.



Like Jason, I just don't seem to have the time to devote to being an Autopian citizen, but the Autopian blood runs deep in me. I can either use my time to detail my car or sit and read/writes posts. I've found that there are a lot of more simple questions that are out there, but the community is still quite vibrant and useful.



I'd like to think that all Autopians have had an impact on the detailing industry and those that supply our needs. Turtle Wax used to be most common brand on the shelf, along with Armor-All. Now I see microfiber in places I never would have expected (can someone say Publix supermarkets?!?).



Keep up the great work. This is still a great place to come and share some knowledge and enjoy some time with other god people.



Thanks for a great community!

 

[boywonder]

Being an old schooler of sorts, I have seen Autopia evolve over the nearly 3 years that I have been here. But during its evolution, one thing remains constant - The politeness and civility we show toward one another.



However, I do wish we could get more space on the gallery because I have had to remove pics to add others (Case in point, the Grand Prix Concept required me to take out a couple of pics).



But like many of the old timers, I do miss the indepth discussions on products so that I can learn what to use on what vehicle in order to get the best results.



Another thing we could use is a Detailers Directory to alleviate the threads asking where a detailer is in a specific city. I know the possibility for spam exists, but we would have to come up with some extremely stringent rules to prevent them from spamming the place up.



I also agree on the pics in sigs. They do take a lot longer to load up especially for those on dialup.