Menu toggle

Is anybody out there?

Lancerlot

Lancerlot

PCGB Member
Member
This R15 forum seems to have died! [:(]

There have been no new topics since August, no Members Only topics since July and the pinned organisers' posts seem stuck in 2020!

Is more happening in Instragramland then? :rolleyes:

I wouldn't know because I don't subscribe to social media. [8|]

Regards,


Clive
 
I'm still here but nobody else in the Region seems to use it. No Instagram but the closed FB group has some activity.
 
Thanks Alan,
So when you said on 14/02/19 :-

tscaptain said:
You're not being denied access, you just need to be registered on FB to join the group, as far as I can tell, as it is a closed group and the content is visible to group members only. I think it will mainly be used for folk to stick up photos of their cars and stuff. Certainly, as Ralph says, all the Region info will still be on the website, forum and newsletters.
Click to expand...


and later:-
tscaptain said:
As far as I'm concerned there won't be anything happening in my Region that is only promulgated via FB.
Click to expand...


You didn't really mean it then. :rolleyes:

Clearly if the forum is being ignored and not updated, people will not be wanting to use it. I think it's down to the organisers to promote it and maintain the interest. [;)]

Facebook is a third party resource, the forum is our own in-house facility and it's a pity to let it wither on the vine. [:(].

Regards,

Clive

 
My view, for what it's worth, is that I'd use the Forum for any technical queries, but for anything social or events, I find FB much easier to use. Could be my age! Mind you, we don't get a lot of traffic on FB either, but that's not for the want of Alan trying. I think there is still the "pandemic" effect as well.
 
The monthly newsletter is the key source of information on what's happening in the region. That is opened by around 65% of members and covers all news and events. If I can't get more than a half dozen replies to my request for feedback regarding a Dinner Dance then I don't have a high expectation of getting more to use the forum. What's that old thing about a member's club? You get out what you put in?
Maybe it's time for a change of organisers to breathe new life into everything?
 
We had a very busy 997 Register when we were running it, Alan and still managed to maintain an active forum alongside our PP column and newsletter. It's social media that's debasing our Club's resource. The forum is a Club benefit and without it, we're being short-changed.

Unfortunately, 992 Register seem to be heading down the same path and thinking it can cover both effectively. But as R15 has shown, it can't - it's too much work and one has to give way. My point is, our own in-house facility should be the one supported not some commercial third party resource..


Mike realised the Macan Register forum was dying when he asked for help to liven it up and, lo and behold, a few month's later, it's now one of the busiest forums in the Club.

As a Club asset, it just needs a bit of attention. I'm sure if you ask the question, someone out there in R15-land would be honoured to help buck things up. [:)]

Regards,


Clive
 
Hi Clive

I am afraid in our region only myself use the forum and that is mostly on the 992 forum. Most of our region members are on our FB page. The forum was ok when you had machines running MSdos etc, but it is not friendly to use for pictures where you have to use another software such as Imgur etc. With majority these days using Smartphones it is a lot easier to access.




 
As Rob and Hugh have said, the members prefer the ease of use of the social media platforms compared to the relative faff of posting on the forum, photos in particular.
If you're offering to give the R15 forum a bit of attention, Clive, then it would be me who would be honoured to have the assistance. There are well over 200 members in the FB group, so there's plenty of scope for getting some to migrate.[:)]

 
There were fears the forum would be neglected when the Facebook page was announced, but we were assured everything there would also be on the forum. This has not happened. Members who do not wish to join the herd on social media, but nevertheless pay their subscriptions for full access to Club facilities, are now becoming disadvantaged.

This particular topic has raised more interest than there's been in this section for months and indicates there is an appetite for useful discussion here - which rather makes the point, doesn't it?. It only needs support and attention, populating it with interesting content and it works! In spite of smart phones and social media, a number of forums (fora?) are flourishing and diverting content to third party commercial sources just dilutes the impact. It's not the way to go IMHO.

Alan, I am very flattered you think I would be able to aid the cause. However, I am currently involved in overseeing 2 other forums, overhauling some webpages for the Club site, creating some new photo galleries and news content as well planning a WOTI tour for next Spring, so my plate for Club matters is rather full atm. But I'm sure there will be someone out there R15-land able to provide a more focussed approach and I am heartened and encouraged that you are now thinking along similar lines and I look forward to seeing the result and improvements to this forum once someone has been appointed. [;)]

Regards,


Clive
 
Well I don't know about generating more interest as there's only one other member from R15 commenting. I also don't think it's reasonable to compare a register forum with a region one as they serve a different purpose and demographic. I would be interested to hear what region appropriate content is likely to woo members to use this area of the forum that isn't a regurgitation of information available elsewhere. As you no doubt will have seen, I have asked for a forum assistant and will do so in the October newsletter. I'm not holding my breath.

If any other ROs are reading this I would be interested to hear your views on region forums - their purpose and use.

On every occasion we have asked "What do you want in your Region?" it's pretty much a case of sit back and wait for the tumbleweed. Maybe we get a "We would like more organised drives". Ok, we organise one in N Devon and 9 members turn up.

During lockdown we had regular Zoom meetings - the regular dozen turned up.

Even in non-Covid times I doubt more than 10% of the Region involved in any event. Getting 21 cars and 41 members out on our Cotswold run was a real result.[:)]

But in terms of generating more R15 forum traffic I fear it's a case of "You can lead a horse to water...etc".
We'll see.
 
Starting with a hill to climb often becomes a mountain later if you let it! [;)]

BTW - Regional and Register members are the same people, aren't they?

Regards,

Clive

 
I feel I am very well served by the PCGB website for national events and socials and by Alan via his monthly email newsletter and our FB group for local events etc. I might as needed, search the Forum for technical info or raise a thread myself, so that to me is a register ( national) thing. I understand that some don't like FB, but it's just like MS Windows and Android, the vast majority of the world uses them so one just has to make that personal decision.
 
Rob,
I have nothing against social media, but personally I choose not to register for it.

So why, as full Club member, should I be compelled to do so in order to access all available areas and commutate with fellow members or else be excluded completely?

Regards,


Clive
 
Lancerlot said:
BTW - Regional and Register members are the same people, aren't they?
Click to expand...
Indeed they are but the Regions and Registers serve different purposes. For example, I don't see any point in posting Porsche model specific technical discussion in Region forums.
 
So, out of more curiosity, I asked these questions on the Facebook group, just for starters, ahead of asking the same questions in a newsletter.

Feedback required, please.
So, why does nobody use the forum?

Secondly, is there anything we could change/improve on the forum that might encourage a greater use of this Club benefit?

I have compiled a word doc (attached) of the reply so far. It would appear content is not the issue here nor maintenance but a wider problem that the Club needs to address?
 
Alan, the work you are putting in on this is greatly appreciated. [:)]

I think we're all aware of the shortcomings of this forum, but unfortunately we have to play the hand of cards our Club had dealt us.

Many people (including my kids) love Facebook and whilst I don't use it myself, I'm sure those that do, find it a most valuable resource.

But my point is, once you've decided to stray outside of Club perimeters and use third party media, the genie is out of the bottle and you've now created 2 tier membership - those with and those without Facebook. So, unless you treat both equally, one side is always going to feel aggrieved and excluded from proceedings. It's not a problem if content is reproduced in both, but this is hard to do and that's our problem in a nutshell. [&:]

I'm sure others out there can make equal cases for Instagram, Reddit, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr, SoundCloud, GoodReads, deviantART and TikTok etc but with all these alternatives around, is it not better to just stick with our own in-house system and make it better?

You are on the Committee, maybe in due course, you will be able to suggest our Club looks at improvements.

Regards,


Clive
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Archant Dialogue
Back
Top