farewell

[Mike_Pollock]

The way I look at it is that, if the format of the post makes me have to translate it - I don't, simple as that. I'm half of what the guys at talking about, I bought a 944 as they offer a great deal of motoring pleasure for a little outlay and as I don't have a budget, I do it all myself. However I'm 53 and never been atall fashionable. I'm am really sorry anybody feels they have to leave this forum because of a relatively few posts or posters and hope that both the guys will reconsider their decisions. Even if it is just to lurk and leave the door open for a possible return, something I'm sure everyone here would wish for. Peanut in particular will be missed for his detailed insights in the the workings of our cars. However, I have to say goodbye and thanks to you both. Mike

 

[WBray]

If you are off permanently then I would like to thank-you for the help and advice you have provided to me in the past while I still learn my way around my 944 with limited mechanical knowledge. I can also understand how difficult it is to care for you dad and take my hat off to you, as I have just come home from a week away to find my grandparents living with us and am already finding it difficult after a few days with my mum doing pretty much all the work. Best wishes to both you and your dad. Though as people have said please don't tar the "new generation" of owners with the same brush I am 22 and probably through age fall into this category, though have bought my 944 for the joy and passion of ownership that comes with owning one rather than turning it into the next "trouser snake" (or what ever it's referred to as) and attempts to act hard on internet forums. I will admit that I occasionally fall foul of the odd bit of text slang (and poor grammar though I struggle with this due to dyslexia) and don't like using it but I believe it is unfortunately a part of the development of the English language (though a lot is laziness and poor education), but think back to how we talk now and the change and use of words that have disappeared from how your parents and grandparents spoke/speak and what you use that they didn't, it isn't much different.

 

[924nutter]

Just to put the record straight, I am not stereotyping the twenty two and upwards age group, neither am I walking away from the entire forum , just the 944 register forum. I will still uphold my end of the bargain as moderator on the 924 and Region 19 forum and continue to contribute to the 996 forum, ( I don't have an issue with any of these fora as it just doesn't seem to happen to any great extent) as well as continuing to take technical enquires regarding the 2.0l 924 over the telephone and by email. I shall still come to the 944 track day in May. On top of that I will maintain my position as R/O for said region19. I have spoken to someone who is conversant with the guidelines on the Piston heads forum, and unless he has chosen to misinform me, PH sets higher standards, for the way members of that forum are allowed to construct their posts, than we do. With all the self-pride it deserves, are we all really saying that, let's be honest, the flagship Porsche club in the U.K.(admittedly it isn't perfect) is not going to stand up and say, "Do you know what? We don't particularly care for this sort of thing, please would you kindly refrain from such casual forms of contact because it may have escaped your attention, but with few exceptions, you do not know the posters in person intially, so you have not earned the right to speak to them in such a casual manner; in my humble opinion it shows a complete lack of respect for the person you are trying to talk to; furthermmore, you make the assumtion that we can all interpret and transl8(sorry couldn't resist it[].) your cryptography and hieroglyphics in the first place. To paraphrase somthing which is oft quoted, "for this situation to continue to deteriorate to the extent that you will need a degree in "facebook" or "twitter" speak it is only necessary for the good people of this forum to do nothing. If thy eye offends thee then pluck it out!

 

[944 man]

John, you are greatly mistaken if you believe that PH is in any way more polite, more formal, better moderated or more pleasant. It is grossly inferior in every respect to this forum.

 

[Copperman05]

John, its a valid argument but I don't see it's use enough to cause any significant concern. Unless you want to show examples to the contrary? As Simon says, PH is an example we do not want to follow. Edd

 

[andy watson]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

This is all a bit sad.

Which is why I opened the opportunity to put forward suggestions. Personally, I hate posts where the writing is genuinely unreadable, barring people who don't have English as a first language, of course, but I think we see that pretty rarely here, and can always ignore the odd very badly written post. It's also rare that people end up arguing, I probably see it less here than when I had teenage stepkids at home! [&:] Leaving doesn't helpo anyone unless you're leaving because you need to take time out for a good reason. We can't have Club representatives leaving the forums IMO, in fact we need more to be pulling their weight here. If you care, then you do something about it. Giving up on something might be an "easy" option, but it's better to face up to a problem and talk about it. just like any other relationships with real people....[]

All a bit sad, unnecessary and dare I say a tad self indulgent. As most replies to the thread that was started by Paul indicated " don't change the forum" it would be obvious that this is a very good place to be, lots of advice, help, knowledge and friendship and the main two topics being Traders and time between posts, not about the odd text word or arguing amongst each other both which are pretty rare. The point of leaving the forum so you don't contribute anymore from your wealth of knowledge and experience of the 944 which has in the past and could in future help another fellow owner, would be what exactly? As I referred to in my post to Paul Ruddy, if a post is submitted or in reply that is offensive, rude or illegible because of "text speak" then just ignore that post, that is the way to stop it, by starting a thread about leaving and then keep popping back and posting certainly won't! I don't believe the new upcoming 944 owners are and will be all "Chavs" and if I was a younger owner I may well take exception to that statement, what are we trying to say here? Only old gits should drive and be part of the 944 forum? and if a few posts are made in a younger mans style of writing we should all leave to make a point where would that leave us? We should concentrate on arranging more casual meets, events to visit and drives than worrying about a few minor forum posts. Hope the 2 guys change their minds, but if not let's say goodbye, wish them well and move on

 

[944 man]

Sad bordering on feeble, in my opinion.

 

[simkin911]

I haven't posted on this subject but I do think it's actually a thoroughly decent place full of thoroughly decent folk. There was one idiot who is now long gone and we do have a couple of straight talkers and a couple jokers but all of this makes it a more interesting place to interact. Long may it continue.

 

[supersport]

PH isn't a pleasant place and is full of pedants who seem to spend their time pulling others up on their grammar, rather than contributing something constructive and useful. Not everyone is perfectly literate. I consider myself reasonably intelligent and have plenty of bits of paper that say so, but am buggered without a spell checker and find grammar confusing. It is a real shame that you feel that the odd use of c u 2morrow (I personally hate this too) is enough to make you give up, but it is not the Club's place to ban or censor members on their ability to string a sentence together. Each and everyone of us has paid a membership fee and we are entitled to express ourselves how we wish as long as we are aren't rude to each other. I have always found the 944 section to be about the most useful area of the forum, my Region aside, and should be a model for other sections. Friendly and informative with very little of the rudeness that is found else where.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

This is turning out to be completely bizarre, isn't it?

I have spoken to someone who is conversant with the guidelines on the Piston heads forum, and unless he has chosen to misinform me, PH sets higher standards, for the way members of that forum are allowed to construct their posts, than we do.

Sorry, John, and I'm sure you've spent plenty of time making sure you were correct there, but either I missed your irony (easy to do on t'internet, and I won't leave the forum coz I misunderstood your joke []), or you have been royally shafted by your "friend" there! PH is a very unfriendly place, I post there with a completely different hat on, and it can be truly hateful. That's on a good day! [&o] Do we now have to post our ages on this forum, and treat each other with "respect" if there is a higher number there? Laughable. Do we need to accept that language moves on, or should we all be speaking Latin? Whilst we have one or two people who can't use even basic spelling, ignore them and focus on the other 15000 or so? Guys, feel free to leave, although your input will be missed. But, these elongated "martyr" posts are too much. Bye, we'll survive without you somehow.....[8|] When I joined this forum it was largely the domain of one poster who knew almost everthing about 944s. When he threw his toys out of his pram (several times), we somehow came through it. We've had some trully nasty people on here; they've all left, and we've got over it. All respect to the well-qualified forum members with decades of knowledge. But, if you can't pass that knowledge on to the new, enthusiastic owners of the cars then IMO you've wasted your life learning things only to refuse to help the "apprentices". You probably had to come to terms with the change from quills, to slates, then to inkwells, the revolution that was the Biro, and now some people have "smart phones". Get over it, and help them, rather than storming off in a huff because of the odd split infinitive! People being aggressive, rude, swearing, that's not posting within the forum rules. Whilst the mods won't delete everything, they will deal with anyone who's been raised as a complaint. Pick up the phone if you have an issue. Sorry, but the people who are making these long posts about leaving might be better off doing it quietly, and with dignity. This self-flaggelation is unseemly IMO. The rest of us really are happy to get out and use our cars, and help the new guys. Whilst reminding them that we need to be able to read their questions, of course, but also treating them with the respect we seem to think is reserved for our "elders", as they are owners just like us. PCGB is about moving forward with the cars, as the ownership demographic changes. Not all 996 turbo owners are millionaires, now they are aging cars, so the 996 register should move on to accept the current buyers, even if they don't own a boat in Montecarlo. John, do you see what I did there, trying to show that you are just as entitled to buy a 996 turbo as anyone else, and PCGB and it's forums should accept and respect you? Please show the same understanding to the 944 buyers who only have a couple of grand to spend, as they are Porsche owners just like you. Not trying to be personal here, but I think this "farewell, I know go out into the wilderness alone, wearing sackcloth and ashes, because someone used 21st century abbreviations" stuff is a bit self-indulgent. Unless there is a political motive here, and we get a call at the conference next week from one or two people to say that "the 944 forum is now bringing the Club in to disrepute"? I hope that's not the case......[]

 

[944 man]

Some people's temperament simply isn't suited to forums, even here, let alone PH. I have seen posts from both before which leave me unsurprised at this.

 

[944 man]

With regards to the sub-forum bringing the forum into disrepute: easily solved by deleting this pointless thread (along with the 'changes' thread and the stupid swear words thread too), drawing a line under it all and carrying on as though nothing has happened (and nothing has happened, really).

 

[JamesO]

I would lock the thread and let it fade from memory.

 

[andy watson]

ORIGINAL: 944 man With regards to the sub-forum bringing the forum into disrepute: easily solved by deleting this pointless thread (along with the 'changes' thread and the stupid swear words thread too), drawing a line under it all and carrying on as though nothing has happened (and nothing has happened, really).

+1 to that Simon, The pointless and most unhelpful (at this parricular time) swear word thread should have been deleted as soon as it was started Maybe if you add your agreement we could get rid of these threads?

 

[pauljmcnulty]

We don't do deleting threads here unless they break the rules; people have a right to say, and be seen to say, what they like. It's a lightly-moderated forum, after all. I've had some great feedback, and can raise the points made. If you want to see these threads disappear, simple don't post on them, add some new topics that are more interesting, and they will be on page 27 in a few days. []

 

[chrisjcoe]

I think it's quite insulting to suggest that the wrong sort of people are buying 944s and joining the club. I was brought up in a Victorian terraced house by working class parents, so that category probably includes me. Even though I am now degree educated with a decent job (although only a semi-detached house with no drive/gatehouse/moat/etc) it hasn't changed who I am. However, despite my humble roots, I am polite and courteous, and value any advice or knowledge from those more knowledgeable than me, younger or older. I am now 39, so probably too old for the 'chav' tag, but would have probably been described as the equivalent in my youth. Yes, I bought a 944 because it's about the best value sport car around, and I could only afford to spend a few thousand, but I don't think it detracts from it. Today's younger owners will be tomorrow's experts.

 

[Veerzigzag]

wrong sort of people are buying 944s and joining the club

A few semi-literate "streams of consciousness" and pressing keyboard before engaging brain, certainly does not indicate a general view - so suggest you disregard it. Says a lot more about the person posting, than it does about the target. Remember the good Dr P's philosophy: he wanted to make cars that meant everything to some people, not something to everyone (or similar words..) so IMHO the only qualification is based on enthusiasm for your own Porsche, be you young or old, chav or toff.

 

[chrisjcoe]

Everyone has bad days, stress in life makes it worse. I have huge sympathy for anyone who cares for sick relations, as I found myself nursing my terminally ill mother for her last 6 months when I was in my 20's. If Peanut, or anyone who leaves, come back when they're ready, they'll be welcome and we'll all benefit from their knowledge. If anyone has non-flattering views about young/chav/poor owners, it's up to us/them to change that view.