Time for some questions and serious answers.

admin

admin

200 MPH
Speed Member
Messages
209
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Besides PPBB and Renntech...
  1. Which other Boxster related boards do you visit?
  2. Which other Boxster related boards do you post on?
There is a strong possibility that I will be relocating outside the Bay Area in the near future. Should that happen...
  1. Are there any volunteers to assume responsibility for the Babblers web site?
    • This includes hosting and maintaining the web site.
    • Hosting fees are pretty much covered by the Adsense revenue.
  2. Has the original concept outlived its usefulness?
  3. Should it be absorbed as part of another site?
  4. Does it fill a need? Would you miss it?
Roughly 50 registered members visit on a weekly basis with many more guests visiting. It would be terrific if all the registered members that visit would respond to this query. My best guess on this is that we'll have fewer than 10 replies...
 

Attachments

  • Site-Usage-s.jpg
    Site-Usage-s.jpg
    35.1 KB · Views: 80
Admin said:
Besides PPBB and Renntech...
  1. Which other Boxster related boards do you visit?
  2. Which other Boxster related boards do you post on?
Click to expand...

rennlist
 
Admin said:
Besides PPBB and Renntech...
  1. Which other Boxster related boards do you visit?
  2. Which other Boxster related boards do you post on?
Click to expand...

and the race board
 
moving on?

Admin said:
Besides PPBB and Renntech...
  1. Which other Boxster related boards do you visit?
  2. Which other Boxster related boards do you post on?

# 1 & 2 Boxster racing board
There is a strong possibility that I will be relocating outside the Bay Area in the near future. Should that happen...

Sorry, happy to hear that?

  1. Are there any volunteers to assume responsibility for the Babblers web site?
    • This includes hosting and maintaining the web site.
    • Hosting fees are pretty much covered by the Adsense revenue.

      Not my forte...not a techie guy!
  2. Has the original concept outlived its usefulness?

    NO
  3. Should it be absorbed as part of another site?

    HOPE NOT
  4. Does it fill a need? Would you miss it?

    Yes and yes
Roughly 50 registered members visit on a weekly basis with many more guests visiting. It would be terrific if all the registered members that visit would respond to this query. My best guess on this is that we'll have fewer than 10 replies...
Click to expand...

I hope you are not correct on that one.

Have always enjoyed the site and interactions with other folks, at least in cyberspace. I have met many members over the last couple of years that have the same basic interests in competitive driving. :o
Dan
 
Response

1. What boards to I visit -
I visit Babblers and Boxster Racing regularly; PPBB very infrequently.

2. Volunteers to maintain the board -
I'm probably going to have a tough time giving it the time it needs.

3. Concept outlived its usefullness -
NO!!!!

4. Does it fill a need? Would you miss it?

Yes and yes
 
Visits and posts: Babblers and Boxster Racing.... PPBB is like sitting in a living room full of people that have had too many beers.

Website volunteer? I was a newsletter editor, but not a very good one.

Concept is great - I feel at home.

It fills a need and I'll miss it.

kj
 
Besides PPBB and Renntech...

Which other Boxster related boards do you visit? NONE
Which other Boxster related boards do you post on? NONE

There is a strong possibility that I will be relocating outside the Bay Area in the near future. Should that happen...
Are there any volunteers to assume responsibility for the Babblers web site?
This includes hosting and maintaining the web site.
Hosting fees are pretty much covered by the Adsense revenue.

NOT AT THIS TIME

Has the original concept outlived its usefulness? NO
Should it be absorbed as part of another site? PROBABLY NOT
Does it fill a need? Would you miss it? YES AND YES

It's the contact with the people that I value most at this time. We need a few events to supplement the online communication.
 
Besides PPBB and Renntech...
Which other Boxster related boards do you visit? None
Which other Boxster related boards do you post on? None
Only check PPBB every few months now, Renntech much less. Believe it or not, this board is my main source for Boxster info.

There is a strong possibility that I will be relocating outside the Bay Area in the near future. Should that happen... Hope it don't...
Are there any volunteers to assume responsibility for the Babblers web site?
This includes hosting and maintaining the web site.
Hosting fees are pretty much covered by the Adsense revenue.
Has the original concept outlived its usefulness? No. Maybe just needs a little Viagra...and more informal gatherings like the one you initiated today at Claridges.
Should it be absorbed as part of another site? I wonder if PPBB could add special interest sections that could include "regional activities". The Babblers could be one of these.
Does it fill a need? Would you miss it? Yes and Yes
 
hi tom,

best of luck to you with your relocation/job/life decisions.

Besides PPBB and Renntech...
Which other Boxster related boards do you visit?
box racing board

Which other Boxster related boards do you post on?
none other than ppbb

There is a strong possibility that I will be relocating outside the Bay Area in the near future. Should that happen...
Are there any volunteers to assume responsibility for the Babblers web site?
no, sorry

Has the original concept outlived its usefulness?
maybe

Does it fill a need? Would you miss it?
yes. yes.

Hold'em? (ok, i added that question)
anyone interested in driving to cameron park? :)
 
1. Which other Boxster related boards do you visit?
The main one is PPBB.

2. Which other Boxster related boards do you post on?
Just PPBB.

3. Has the original concept outlived its usefulness?
Perhaps it needs to be changed.

4. Should it be absorbed as part of another site?
No

5. Does it fill a need? Would you miss it?
Yes and yes


First off, it was a pleasure to meet you and some of the others at Claridges on Saturday. I really enjoyed it.

My thinking is that since this is a small market forum, perhaps you have it setup a bit too grandly. It certainly looks much better than PPBB and it has a feel to it that definitely does not go with the number of users/members. Now, don't get me wrong. I really think you are doing a fabulous job and the site is very well laid out and highly professional. But my point is, does it have to be so?

Being a webmaster myself, I know that the more items you have for people to look at, the more time it takes for you to revise/update and of course, you would like to see users flock to these capabilities.

What about going to a more basic (totally free) type of forum? Without as many categories? Without a gallery? Without a calendar? Without the news updates? Just a plain message board.

Perhaps also with the new 987 out, there will be an upswing in people posting questions on keeping their "old" Boxsters up to date looking. You never know... and with maintaining a forum, that's always a problem.

Rob
 
Rob makes some good points...especially about the get-together at Claridges. Good cars, company, coffee, and food.

Expanding on Rob's 987 theme, there will be a fresh new crop of "second generation" Boxster owners in the Bay Area. I suspect that many of them will share the same enthusiasm for gathering together with other Boxster owners and comparing cars, taking drives, swapping information, etc. that we saw at the beginning of the millennia when the 986's were new and scarce. The Babbler Forum can serve as a key resource for this kind of local interaction.

I'm not sure about the best ways to actually reach new owners. Maybe a promotion of this forum on PPBB or thru Bay Area dealers (who will be selling 987's to current and potential Babblers). In the spring or summer, I think it would be cool to gather together as many 987 owners (plus current Babblers) as we can for a "casual" event (like a parking lot "show&tell", short scenic drive, and lunch).

Just my 2 cents.
 
Don't go!

No, I don't think I am capable to do what you have done. I will miss this site if you choose to close it. I feel like the people interacting on this site are friends and nice people. I go to PPBB every so often, but not nearly as often as I come here. I do favor the idea of going back to a simpler board. I like the idea of just looking at what stuff people are posting.

I started my own message board and even tho I don't have to do any of the IT work I have yet to find a good way to promote it.

Andrew
 
CatalogGuy said:
I do favor the idea of going back to a simpler board.
Click to expand...
A couple of people have mentioned "simpler" or variations on that theme. Would it be possible for you or the others to expand on that? Would a more condensed format make people post any more than they are now?

The reason I ask is because Babblers actually gets quite a lot of traffic. Both in the number of visits as well as the bandwidth used. One question that repeatedly goes unanswered, however, is regarding the volume (or lack thereof) of posts.
 
Tom M said:
A couple of people have mentioned "simpler" or variations on that theme. Would it be possible for you or the others to expand on that? Would a more condensed format make people post any more than they are now?

The reason I ask is because Babblers actually gets quite a lot of traffic. Both in the number of visits as well as the bandwidth used. One question that repeatedly goes unanswered, however, is regarding the volume (or lack thereof) of posts.
Click to expand...

The "simpler" version that I thought of is something like those free forums that you can setup on any website that offer a very basic look and feel.

My thinking is that if you spend 20 hours (an example) a week to sustain a board that has a lot of bells and whistles (and looks and drives great, I should add) and it does not receive the number of posts you expect... why not downsize the number of "extras" and then maybe the smaller number of posts won't sting as much.

You know, regarding what Barry said might just be the key. Yes, there will be new 987 members in the area. If those members decide to join the PCA, then at least some of them will be sent over to the Diablo Region. As webmaster and Vice President, I certainly can give these owners leads on where to find information on Boxster related info.

Rob
 
Besides PPBB and Renntech...
Which other Boxster related boards do you visit? none
Which other Boxster related boards do you post on? none

Has the original concept outlived its usefulness?
I love the fact that Babblers is "local". Getting advice on shops and pricing is much more relevant than other sites. While I may not post very often, I definitely visit daily.

Should it be absorbed as part of another site? Not sure, the allure of Babblers is its local nature
Does it fill a need? Would you miss it? It's a great place to find out about local events. I'm sorry I couldn't make the Claridges get together. I think that's the most powerful aspect of a local-centric site. I would certainly miss it. :(
 
Admin said:
Which other Boxster related boards do you visit?
Click to expand...
PPBB daily. Renntech only if something catches my eye on the Babblers front page.

Admin said:
Which other Boxster related boards do you post on?
Click to expand...
PPBB infrequently. Renntech even less. I'm just not a big poster.

Admin said:
Are there any volunteers to assume responsibility for the Babblers web site?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately not me. Too much web site work volunteered for already.

Admin said:
Has the original concept outlived its usefulness?
Should it be absorbed as part of another site?
Does it fill a need? Would you miss it?
Click to expand...
No, no, yes, yes, strictly speaking. It's great to have a "local" board with truly familiar faces. But if there are only a couple of posts a day, if that traffic migrated to PPBB, personally I would still see it. As far as getting the word out for local events, there are other venues (PPBB, PCA, etc.) that could substitute and already do carry some of that load. I just mean that, as nice as it is to have the Babblers board, we'll still be here (somewhere) if it isn't.
 
only the Babblers!

Tom -
The Babblers site is my one and only for Porsches and I would hate to see it go but all things must change. I do wish you the best of luck.
s
 
Besides PPBB and Renntech...

1. Which other Boxster related boards do you visit? RennTech
2. Which other Boxster related boards do you post on? none

There is a strong possibility that I will be relocating outside the Bay Area in the near future. Should that happen...

1. Are there any volunteers to assume responsibility for the Babblers web site?
* This includes hosting and maintaining the web site. Likely. I would like to get more involved and this would require it.
* Hosting fees are pretty much covered by the Adsense revenue.
2. Has the original concept outlived its usefulness? No
3. Should it be absorbed as part of another site? No, it stands alone.
4. Does it fill a need? Would you miss it? Yes, I would miss it. I start all my 986 queries here. During the first 30 months of leasing my Porsche I've been in school. But, I'm almost done.
 
I just joined this forum (Midnight Blue 2005 Boxster S, less than 8 days old!) but as a Bay Area resident, I'd hate to see a local board like this go. Sure, there are other boards, but speaking as someone who also haunts a number of Harley-Davidson boards (I like 2 wheeling too), there's nothing more frustrating than reading an invitation to what looks like a really cool activity and then getting to the bottom and seeing "Iowa" on it. We have some great roads in the Bay Area and I was rather looking forward to getting in on some group rides to Alice's restaurant or along Hwy 1. What better place than this board to plan such things?
 
robert986 said:
My thinking is that since this is a small market forum, perhaps you have it setup a bit too grandly. It certainly looks much better than PPBB and it has a feel to it that definitely does not go with the number of users/members. Now, don't get me wrong. I really think you are doing a fabulous job and the site is very well laid out and highly professional. But my point is, does it have to be so?
Rob
Click to expand...

I suppose it depends on whether or not the software in question requires a lot of upkeep. The UI on this board looks very familiar, so much so that I think it's essentially the same software used by http://www.cyclespot.com/forums and numerous other popular boards I've been on. Perhaps this board is a few revisions more up to date, but unless I'm mistaken, there are going to be some number of folks out there who are more familiar with running this kind of board than they would some completely home-rolled solution, even if it were less superficially intricate. Perhaps the admin can enlighten us a little on the details of where the board software came from and how easy/hard it is to admin?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top