New Forum: "Off Topic"?

[MikeD]

OK, so I just posted a thread here in general that was off topic (i.e. not at all Porsche related). But I thought you all might be able to help answer the question...

Which got me thinking about the possibility of having an "Off Topic" forum. A place where you could talk about things you want to talk about the have absolutely NOTHING to do with Porsche's, PCA, or PCASDR. Would you find that valuable? Would you use it at all?

[Dan Chambers]

Mike:

On the one hand I think an off-topic forum would be great for the "Thread Hijackers" that like to start the smack-talkin' - junk'o'thons that some serious posts sometimes wind up being. For them, an off-topic area would be a good location to 'vent' and generally be smack-talk silly. However, I would be afraid it would get out of hand too quickly, and .... as the saying goes ....... it could get ugly. For me, it might be "light" entertainment, and I'd go there occasionally just to read the smutchsma. But, beyond that........

On the other hand, I'm not sure how much popularity a "Non-Porsche, Non-PCA, or Non-PCASDR" forum would be on a PCA website if you wanted that forum to be available on the PCASDR website (Seems a little bit of a conceptual and theoretical conflict? ). Seems like there are other places to go to talk "non-Porsche" stuff, like the BMW website (just kidding). Seriously, I'm not sure how popular it would be, and I'm sure it's a lot of work to set up a forum. Good question.......

Just my 2-cents.

Dan'o

[fmendoza]

Not to hijack the original thread... but.. how about a "classified section forum" for new/used parts. I know there is a classified section to the site, but I'm talking about an online section where sellers and buyers can interact, post items for sale, respond to questions, etc. There are other online classified forums such as pelican and rennlist, just wish we had a "local" one to San Diego. Any thoughts? It's there a conflict with sponsors? or?

Thanks for listening.

- Fernando

[MikeD]

Dan'o, I see what you are saying. I guess I did leave it pretty open and vague. What I was thinking was that it would still be primarily* for PCASDR members only. But I was thinking we have a very extensive and valuable pool of resources within the club. Many, many, many different backgrounds and areas of expertise and interests. What if I have a question about the law? I know there are a bunch of lawyers in the club. Some willing, some not-so willing to share their knowledge. What if I have a health related question? I know there are many doctors in the club. Some willing, some not-so willing to share their knowledge. I have a particular expertise in Software and Technology. Maybe there's someone in the club who is having issues with their computer. I might be willing or I might not be willing to aid them in their time of need. Right now if we have questions like that we can send email, sure. But we would have to know someone who has a particular knowledge set. And they may have time to answer and may not. But if the question/topic was posted to the forum, anyone with an interest can join the fun.

Anyway, just more bable about what I was thining when I presented this topic. Not necessarily disagreeing with you, just providing more info on the subject.



[*] Primarily, because the forum is not now restricted to just club members, but the majority of the forum members are also club members.

[MikeD]

Not to hijack the original thread... but.. how about a "classified section forum" for new/used parts. I know there is a classified section to the site, but I'm talking about an online section where sellers and buyers can interact, post items for sale, respond to questions, etc. There are other online classified forums such as pelican and rennlist, just wish we had a "local" one to San Diego. Any thoughts? It's there a conflict with sponsors? or?

Thanks for listening.

- Fernando

Fernando,

I do see that sort of stuff on other forums I visit. Most of the time it seems to be there because they do not have a classified section. I don't really have a horse in the game (i.e. don't really care one way or the other). If you can convince the folks in charge the classifieds, and there seems to be a demand, we can set it up.

[Dan Chambers]

Dan'o, I see what you are saying. I guess I did leave it pretty open and vague. What I was thinking was that it would still be primarily* for PCASDR members only. But I was thinking we have a very extensive and valuable pool of resources within the club. Many, many, many different backgrounds and areas of expertise and interests. What if I have a question about the law? I know there are a bunch of lawyers in the club. Some willing, some not-so willing to share their knowledge. What if I have a health related question? I know there are many doctors in the club. Some willing, some not-so willing to share their knowledge. I have a particular expertise in Software and Technology. Maybe there's someone in the club who is having issues with their computer. I might be willing or I might not be willing to aid them in their time of need. Right now if we have questions like that we can send email, sure. But we would have to know someone who has a particular knowledge set. And they may have time to answer and may not. But if the question/topic was posted to the forum, anyone with an interest can join the fun.

Anyway, just more bable about what I was thining when I presented this topic. Not necessarily disagreeing with you, just providing more info on the subject.



[*] Primarily, because the forum is not now restricted to just club members, but the majority of the forum members are also club members.

Mike:

Gotcha. I wasn't sure where you were going conceptually with OT forums.

I actually like your idea a lot. Tapping the resources of the members and their respective expertise is a great idea. As an environmental and hazardous materials guy, I'm sure I could offer some basic info to members: disposal of household haz. mat., how to identify mass-movement/soil creep on properties, etc. I like the idea a lot.

[Curt]

Yeah those "thread hi jackers" need a place to go. Oh wait, did Dan Chambers say that? He may "go there occasionally for some light entertainment"? ROTFLMAOPIMP

"An old man turned ninety-eight
He won the lottery and died the next day
It's a black fly in your Chardonnay
It's a death row pardon two minutes too late
And isn't it ironic...dontcha think

It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought...it figures

It's like a traffic jam when you're already late
A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams
And then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic...dontcha think
A little too ironic...and yeah I really do think..."

[Brad Roberts]

I personally beleive that a classifieds section would work well (I have one on my site) and it gets used BIG TIME. I know it takes a whopping 10min to create new area's under the forum index

I also use the calender to schedule events.. I also use a locked down admin area that allows myself and the admins to make decisions without public knowledge (until we are ready for them to hear it/see it)


B

[TheStig]

Mike you've seen off topic on Rennlist....do you want something similar??? Political mudslinging, grid girls and relationship problem threads??

[martinreinhardt]

The pay classifields with the ads in the Windblow Witness has it's purpose and is great for cars and bigger items. But, I think a 'Classifields' or 'Off Topic' section would be very popular on this forum, especially for quick turn around for sale or wanted parts etc.

I vote 'YES'

[MikeD]

Mike you've seen off topic on Rennlist....do you want something similar??? Political mudslinging, grid girls and relationship problem threads??

Actually, I knew they had one, but never really looked at the contents. I will try to spend some time checking it out in the next few days.

[Dan Chambers]

Yeah those "thread hi jackers" need a place to go. Oh wait, did Dan Chambers say that? He may "go there occasionally for some light entertainment"? ROTFLMAOPIMP

"An old man turned ninety-eight
He won the lottery and died the next day
It's a black fly in your Chardonnay
It's a death row pardon two minutes too late
And isn't it ironic...dontcha think

It's like rain on your wedding day
It's a free ride when you've already paid
It's the good advice that you just didn't take
Who would've thought...it figures

It's like a traffic jam when you're already late
A no-smoking sign on your cigarette break
It's like ten thousand spoons when all you need is a knife
It's meeting the man of my dreams
And then meeting his beautiful wife
And isn't it ironic...dontcha think
A little too ironic...and yeah I really do think..."

Curt: you're off topic here. Start another thread regarding your complaint about me. It would be a new topic.

[Curt]

So when I quote your previous comments in the thread, mine is Off Topic but yours isn't? Very interesting, but I'd disagree that mine was off topic.

What'd the pot call the kettle?

[Jad]

I think the last few posts are on topic, answering the question with a strong YES