Detailing Forums - I'm cranky today...

I

imported_User Name

New member
So, I have a bit of a bug up my behind regarding detailing forums and I'm going to vent. As you can tell by the amount of posts I put up, I really enjoy detailing forums (by in large) but they are not without their problems, so I am going to site the issues I have with certain forums.

I generally only post on three detailing forums, TID, Autogeek and MOL (I was given the boot from Autopia). I also post at Detailing world or detailing bliss but not sure which one, so I won't comment upon it.

TID - Right now, it is my favorite forum and I have very little beef with this forum, except that it is the slowest of all the forums. I feel like I'm using dial up on this forum. Anyone else have this issue? On the good end, what I like about this site is that even though it has an obvious Blackfire bias, I have never seen them discourage fair discourse about other products. The other negative about TID is that since it is new it doesn't enjoy the same traffic as other sites, but I think this is only a matter of time. I think this site is moving in the right direction. I will keep annoying all of you on here as long as it keeps moving in the right direction.

MOL - That was what I considered my "home" operating forum and LOVED it for a long time, but I have become disillusioned with it of late. There are a few MAJOR problems the way I see it.

First big problem is that I have a GREAT respect for guys who "detail", however, Meguiars seems to have been taken over by 16 year olds who "wash" cars and call it detailing. IMHO, washing and waxing your own car over and over and posting the pics of the same car is NOT detailing and is of no benefit to anyone (for learning purposes).

By in large I only do my own cars but I do NOT put up "shine and shows" if I've simply washed my car and waxed it. That is not really "detailing" per se. There has to be something more.... paint correction, new product testing, plastic correction etc...

The second big issue I have with MOL is since Mike left and even a little bit before he left, I see a lot of misinformation coming from there, some from very young members and some from older "seasoned" guys. I recently read that a PC is basically only used for applying waxes and it went uncorrected. What would Kevin Brown say about such a statement??? I go to detailing forums to learn from the top guns in the business and MOL used to do that for me, but no so much anymore.

Autogeek - I can't stand the product bashing against rival products. Let me give you an example... recently I tried WGDGPS 3.0 and reviewe it (positively) at TID. No negative comments from the moderators or PAC folks that post here. However, I have read COUNTLESS topics over there slamming products that are not on there roster. Not just PAC products but basically anything they don't sell. To me, that undermines their site because I just don't buy the notion that "only products they sell are any good". Logic dictates that can't be true.

Autopia - This was never the place for me because I found it very "snobbish". I found the notion that an OTC product could never be as good as a boutique brand pervasive at that site. My belief is that every product must be measured by it's merits and not how it is sold or distributed.

The other thing that bugs me about that site is that it is in some ways the anti-MOL website. Megs seems to be full of kids who are non-experts but Autopia seems to ONLY have experts. That is to say, if you post there, you "must" be an expert. Well, I posted there and there is no bigger detailing shmuck than me!!!

In any event, just felt like venting this morning because I'm grumpy... carry on! :out:
 
[Well, I posted there and there is no bigger detailing shmuck than me!!!]

I agree with everything you've posted (especially the quoted extract) ;)

just kidding
 
TID - Yeah bandwidth is low here. I imagine as TID grows they will upgrade their web hosting service. TID also doesn't have the storage space right now that MOL has to maintain a photo gallery. This means in a few years many of the upload pictures will be missing.

However, TID has become my second favorite detailing site right behind MOL and I login many times a day to catch up with what's going on.

MOL - You are pretty much spot on with your current discription of MOL and I don't post over there as much as I used to, but I still visit many times a day. Many of the old pros the that used to post don't seem to post much any more. Now that Mike Stoops is full time we may see some positive changes as to making sure mis-information is corrected. As far as the 16 year olds posting their wash and waxes, not much can be done on any polite detailing forum.

Autogeek - Jury is still out on Autogeek. I have posted on this site only a few times and I am axious to see what Mike Phillips brings.

Autopia - I too have picked up an anti-MOL sentiment there.

Mike
 
Just wanted to put in my two cents on a few of the observations here.
With respect to the storage space and pictures vanishing...this forum is backed up so routinely that the situation described will not occur.
As to bandwidth, we are always monitoring the traffic and yes, we are in the process of upgrading the servers to allow for the increase in traffic. This will also allow for new features, bells and whistles in the future.

Regards
 
admin said:
Just wanted to put in my two cents on a few of the observations here.
With respect to the storage space and pictures vanishing...this forum is backed up so routinely that the situation described will not occur.
As to bandwidth, we are always monitoring the traffic and yes, we are in the process of upgrading the servers to allow for the increase in traffic. This will also allow for new features, bells and whistles in the future.

Regards
Click to expand...
Admin,

Just to clarify, the only reason pictures will vanish is because they are not hosted / stored on your servers. They are stored somewhere out on Photobucket or like in my case on my own Cox.net ftp site. If someone closes their free Photobucket account or I lose my ftp site, then the pictures are gone from the forum web page.

Good to hear about the upgrades you have planned in the future.

Mike
 
my .01

My 0.1 on the post is you are right. The site needs a tune-up but thats not a huge deal imho.

Some on other boards look to jump there stature in post counts and talking about the weather,lunch,face care ect. We all are looking for wisdom from people in the know not some kid or fool wanting to act like he or she knows because of there accumulated post count.

AG is a big co. they gotta sell sell sell to stay on top. They posted a new wax on another site with a 175.00 price tag WOW. I don't know about others but I will never ever buy a wax that costs like that.:rolleyes:

Its easy to bad mouth your competition but whats that do over time? It will just make them look bad.:StarWars:

I buy from several sources I am in fact loyal to the people that deserve it. This said the better the service and price the more I will try and purchase.

This is a good clean business and hobby so lets lighten up and spend some time giving and receiving valuable info about the biz...:hurray: Overall this is a good site with good people helping others. Rome was not built in a day so lets enjoy what we have. The prices are good and shipping is fast its a great place to be...Director:thumbup:

Thanks Guys...:D :thumbup:
 
Thank you Bill :thumbup: All we try to do is have a great forum for everyone to join and talk about and learn about taking care of one's vehicle and provide great service to our everyone!
 
Just to let you know that the man behind the curtain is always listening, I'd like to pose the question to the rest of the forum members and ask if they are also having an issue with the speed of the forum.

As to the speed, in which manner is the speed an issue? Page loads, post updates, etc?

Now, I know that page loads may not be lightning fast, but I have checked our page load speed against other boards and we are definitely in the same ballpark. Actually compared to a few others we are actually faster on page loads.

So, wanting to keep all our members happy, I'd appreciate any feedback.
You can either reply here, or PM me.

Regards
 
Jokeman said:
I think you hit the nail on the head UN.
Click to expand...

Why thank you good sir!!!

I was just over at the MOL site and today is a perfect example of what I'm talking about where someone is recommending to a relative newb that "wetsanding is no big deal"!!!!

Are you kidding me?

I wouldn't wet sand my lawn mower, let alone my car!!! Moreover, the guy giving the "advice" posted his own thread (months ago) about how he wetsanded through the clear! What?????

Am I nuts, or what? Picture this...

Newb comes to TID and some schmuck (like me) tells him to go out and get a rotary + a wool pad + M105 + 3000 rpm over a 12" x 12" area for 4 minutes and he does it... what is the value of TID as a learning tool if that doesn't get corrected?
 
User Name said:
The other negative about TID is that since it is new it doesn't enjoy the same traffic as other sites, but I think this is only a matter of time. I think this site is moving in the right direction. .......In any event, just felt like venting this morning because I'm grumpy... carry on! :out:
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Great comments! I agree that TID will get more traffic with time. I also agree that you're grumpy. Carry on.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
 
Luster said:
Great comments! I agree that TID will get more traffic with time. I also agree that you're grumpy. Carry on.:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Click to expand...

Getting grumpier by the minute...

Zaino'd my car on Sunday and now it is pi$$ pouring rain (but my car is parked in an underground garage).

Contemplating sleeping at work tonight if it means keeping her clean (rest of the week is supposed to be great in Botswana).
 
User Name said:
Getting grumpier by the minute...

Zaino'd my car on Sunday and now it is pi$$ pouring rain (but my car is parked in an underground garage).

Contemplating sleeping at work tonight if it means keeping her clean (rest of the week is supposed to be great in Botswana).
Click to expand...

Rain is good. That means you get to wash it and Z8 it again!!!:thumbup:
 
Admin, the slow part for me isnt really page loading because as you said it is right at if not close to other forums, but the one thing I find slow is posting. When I click to post it almost seems to freeze for a sec. Maybe its just me?

UN, I agree with all your statements. This has become my favorite detailing forum, well I only am on two actually but I love this one. My "home" as yours is MOL because thats where I started but here I like the wide range of products, I feel as if I shouldnt be discussing other products over at MOL and like to see what else is out there.

Regarding MOL I really do agree, there are also some guys that are in a car forum im on also from MOL and they are giving out advice like experts and its not good advice at all. One guy especially (wont mention names) will say what to do when questions are not posted to him give a wrong solution and really thinks he is a know it all! Really digs under my skin. Now I am 19, and I know when I first joined MOL I fell under the catagory of idiots trying to recomend things, now I really read the OP and posts after to see if there is any one thing I know I have done and just share my experience.

One reason I came here was the fact that MOL has dropped in quality since Mike left, posts starting coming up that had nothing to do with detailing and there were hardly updates. So I was told to come here and found even more knowledge from you guys, so my goal here is to share the very very few things a hack like me can, and get the tips from all you experts here! Hopefully Mike Stoops can get things back on track over there because my posting has definitely gone down from what it used to be.
 
This site is definitely slower than the others, but not so slow that it will keep me from posting.


I think your were pretty accurate with the other sites though UN. I have found myself visiting MOL less and less than I used to now that Mike is gone. :redface:
 
admin said:
Just to let you know that the man behind the curtain is always listening, I'd like to pose the question to the rest of the forum members and ask if they are also having an issue with the speed of the forum.

As to the speed, in which manner is the speed an issue? Page loads, post updates, etc?

Now, I know that page loads may not be lightning fast, but I have checked our page load speed against other boards and we are definitely in the same ballpark. Actually compared to a few others we are actually faster on page loads.

So, wanting to keep all our members happy, I'd appreciate any feedback.
You can either reply here, or PM me.

Regards
Click to expand...

Hi Admin,

I've been pretty frustrated by the speed of the forum since I joined a while back. I've never experienced anything like it. I'll click on a link to read a topic or a new post within a topic and then have to wait aproximately 12-15 seconds before the topic will display. It's strange because if I look down to the taskbar, I can read the topic heading in my window as it would be if it were already loaded but then I have to wait a while for the load time. This part could be my imagination but I find that if I minimize the window and then bring it back up again, it seems to load faster than if I don't do that. In comparison, any other forum link I've ever clicked on comes up in approximately 3-5 seconds. Other than that problem, I think this forum is great.

-J
 
I have no problems with page loading either. It's posting that seems to take forever. It really is no big deal though. It gives me time to go do #1 (not slow enough for #2!;)) and come back.:D

This is definitely my favorite detailing forum right not. I really like the fact that there is no people/product bashing over here. Same thing can't be said for Autopia or the AG forum. The MOL site doesn't do any bashing either, but since it is the official forum of Meguiar's, most people seem to be reluctant to even mention other products they would normally recommend on other sites.
 
Yeah, posting takes a very long time as well.

I'm wondering if it is related to my issues of not being able to log on at all? When I go to post, it seems like the site is trying to resolve my IP address (if that makes any sense at all).

Almost like it is taking time to think if it wants to let me post or not (in which case it is not very smart - because it does let me post). :devil:
 
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