[Steve]

I have a suggestion. I don't care for the new format of this forum since it encompasses so many DIFFERENT models, but instead of crying about it, I want to try and improve it.

The posts are currently a jumble. It's hard to tell by subject line what most people want. So let's borrow from the IZCC mailing list example and put tags in our subject lines. Here is a possible list:
<all> for general information that would benefit everyone. Parts sources, shows, races, etc.
<L6> for general questions about the L6 motors
<Carb> for the carburetors questions
<FI> for fuel injection questions
<Turbo> for the questions on turbocharged motors
<V8> for questions on V8's and conversions
<240> for parts and problems directly related to the 240
<260> for parts and problems directly related to the 260
<280> for parts and problems directly related to the '75-'78 280
<ZX> for parts and problems directly related to the 280ZX
<Stereo> for aftermarket stereo conversion questions (I suggest that questions on original stereos be addressed under the model heading.)

What do you think? Additions? Too many prefixes?

 

[Unknown User]

> I have a suggestion. I don't care for the
> new format of this forum since it
> encompasses so many DIFFERENT models, but
> instead of crying about it, I want to try
> and improve it.

I tried to tell everyone that combining 70-83, along with poor subject lines, would be a mess, but no one would listen.

I like your idea, but I don't think people are willing to try hard enough to make it work. I like to help people with their questions, but if the subject line is vague, I just ignore the post.

 

[Steve]

(all) Re: Formatting Messages

> I tried to tell everyone that combining
> 70-83, along with poor subject lines, would
> be a mess, but no one would listen.

> I like your idea, but I don't think people
> are willing to try hard enough to make it
> work. I like to help people with their
> questions, but if the subject line is vague,
> I just ignore the post.

Well, there are too many people who don't believe there are differences. When I mentioned that in the General area, I met with rather rude opposition. This forum has a lot of potential, but I'm afraid this message is going to be buried under all of the other volume. We have to remember though, we don't own the site, so we can only suggest.

 

[Unknown User]

Re: (all) Re: Formatting Messages

> Well, there are too many people who don't
> believe there are differences.

1. I know there are differences however there are many many similarities as well.

When I mentioned that in the General area, I met
> with rather rude opposition. This forum has
> a lot of potential, but I'm afraid this
> message is going to be buried under all of
> the other volume.

2. Volume is Good! The more traffic ther more likely problems will be solved. Hearing other opinions is always a + in my book.

We have to remember though, we don't own the site, so we can only suggest.

3. Ah lighten up a bit. Derek is EXTREMELY responsive to our suggestions.

-This is a great site, lets be happy with what we have, I for one know that many a 240z owner has helped me out with my 77 280z, and many a zx owner has helped me out with my 77 as well.
This was not met to flame you guys you are both VERY important contributors to this site!!
Later-Travis 77z

 

[Steve]

Re: (all) Re: Formatting Messages

> 1. I know there are differences however
> there are many many similarities as well.

> 2. Volume is Good! The more traffic ther
> more likely problems will be solved. Hearing
> other opinions is always a + in my book.

I agree there are many similarities. I have a 5 speed that a PO installed in my 73. I know it had to come from a later model Z or ZX. I also agree that more volume is better than the absolute trickle seen in the 260 section of the old format. I was merely trying to put forward an idea to help filter the posts so many of us could focus on our areas of interest and expertise.

> We have to remember though, we don't own the
> site, so we can only suggest.

> 3. Ah lighten up a bit. Derek is EXTREMELY
> responsive to our suggestions.

No need for me to lighten up. I'm extremely calm.
I was trying to emphasize that no matter what we think, it is Derek who makes the decisions. (I was also reminding myself of that fact.) When I'm playing in somebody else's sandbox, I have to play by his rules. Derek has made some very good decisions in chosing the software for the site.

> -This is a great site, lets be happy with
> what we have, I for one know that many a
> 240z owner has helped me out with my 77
> 280z, and many a zx owner has helped me out
> with my 77 as well.
> This was not met to flame you guys you are
> both VERY important contributors to this
> site!!
> Later-Travis 77z
No offense taken. I want to help out my fellow Z owners like I have been helped on this site, the 240 list and the IZCC list. I think the IZCC list is successful in part because you can find the messages that interest you from the headings. (No, I'm not suggesting we get a moderator for this site like the IZCC list has.) If nobody takes up my suggestions, I won't cry. I promise.

 

[Lestat]

Re: (all) Re: Formatting Messages

> I agree there are many similarities. I have
> a 5 speed that a PO installed in my 73. I
> know it had to come from a later model Z or
> ZX. I also agree that more volume is better
> than the absolute trickle seen in the 260
> section of the old format. I was merely
> trying to put forward an idea to help
> filter the posts so many of us
> could focus on our areas of interest and
> expertise.

> No need for me to lighten up. I'm extremely
> calm.
> I was trying to emphasize that no matter
> what we think, it is Derek who makes the
> decisions. (I was also reminding myself of
> that fact.) When I'm playing in somebody
> else's sandbox, I have to play by his rules.
> Derek has made some very good decisions in
> chosing the software for the site.
> No offense taken. I want to help out my
> fellow Z owners like I have been helped on
> this site, the 240 list and the IZCC list. I
> think the IZCC list is successful in part
> because you can find the messages that
> interest you from the headings. (No, I'm not
> suggesting we get a moderator for this site
> like the IZCC list has.) If nobody takes up
> my suggestions, I won't cry. I promise.

Hay his chat is good I like to see what the other people are talking about like the 240z to 280zx but that me. Derek your doing good on this site

 

[Unknown User]

Re: (all) Re: Formatting Messages

> Hay his chat is good I like to see what the
> other people are talking about like the 240z
> to 280zx but that me. Derek your doing good
> on this site

If I were to read only posts on the ZX I would miss out on a lot of interesting discussions. It would be a pain to have to go to each area to read the posts. You would have to decide whether your question can only be answered by someone with a similar model or not, and someone who might have the answer might not ever read your posts, I think it is good how it is now. It is actually less confusing this way in my opinion. Simpler is better. Either way though this sight is great and has been MUCH help to me, so I try to help others if I can. Z ya later!!!!

 

[Unknown User]

Ok everybody that has owned more that one model of Z raise your hand. Ok there a bunch of you. Leave em up. Now everybody that has only owned one model raise your hands. Theres a bunch of us also. Leave em up. Ok then everybody that has helped out on buddys car of a differant model put your hands up. Wow everybodys hand,s are up. We all have differant exprience on differant cars so we should not have to go into another forum to see if we can help someone out. We are trying to keep a car that is over twenty years old alive and we need help.

 

[rob72]

You guys missed his point on filtering !

You guys focused on the merged/non-merged (dead) issue of the various model forums.
His suggestion is to improve the posting info on the subject line, so as you browse the message headers you have some idea of what the poster is requesting. I have posted a request to do the same some time back, and it was met with a big zero. No one had any responses.
What I suggested was (oh my god) a 'description of the problem' !
Instead of 'HELP !!!!!!!'
how about 'Need help installing electronic ignition in '72 240Z' ?

I am tired and annoyed at the laziness of some people. Like T-Rex, I don't even bother to read many posts now.

> I have a suggestion. I don't care for the
> new format of this forum since it
> encompasses so many DIFFERENT models, but
> instead of crying about it, I want to try
> and improve it.

> The posts are currently a jumble. It's hard
> to tell by subject line what most people
> want. So let's borrow from the IZCC mailing
> list example and put tags in our subject
> lines. Here is a possible list:
> for general information that would benefit
> everyone. Parts sources, shows, races, etc.
> for general questions about the L6 motors
> for the carburetors questions
> for fuel injection questions
> for the questions on turbocharged motors
> for questions on V8's and conversions
> for parts and problems directly related to
> the 240
> for parts and problems directly related to
> the 260
> for parts and problems directly related to
> the '75-'78 280
> for parts and problems directly related to
> the 280ZX
> for aftermarket stereo conversion
> questions (I suggest that questions on
> original stereos be addressed under the
> model heading.)

> What do you think? Additions? Too many
> prefixes?

 

[spot]

I'm guilty :-(

I will admit I am just as unrespecting to others time and patience. That is probably one of the main reasons that I get very few response messages. I for one(excluding what I have already put in tonight) will start to help everyone else that is trying to help me, by putting more info on the title. I believe I have wasted dozens of hours since the first time I found this site, which is about four months ago, looking through all the forums to find things that related to me and my '74. I do like the new forum. Instead of searching through all the forums, I can just goto 70-83 and sometimes general(why I don't know). Keep with what you have going Dereck, MO. I won't be guilty of wasting peoples time anymore with non specific headings. Inless I'm lost on something that is way to simple to be the problem . Or maybe this post :-( Z yall

 

[Unknown User]

Your right, I missed it.

Your right I missed it. And yes it would be time saveing to do what you suggest.

 

[Unknown User]

Re: You guys missed his point on filtering !

> What I suggested was (oh my god) a
> 'description of the problem' !
> Instead of 'HELP !!!!!!!'
> how about 'Need help installing electronic
> ignition in '72 240Z' ?

> I am tired and annoyed at the laziness of
> some people. Like T-Rex, I don't even bother
> to read many posts now.

Very well stated! It looks like some folks have the time and interest to read every message, no matter what's in the subject line. I did that when I first found this forum a couple years ago. If you want people with answers to stay around, you have to make it easy for them to get quickly through the list after the excitement of browsing this site wears off. I've seen too many knowledgeable Z enthusiasts (including those who own Z repair shops) disappear from here out of frustration with poor subject lines that require them to read the message to find out the question. The question should be in the subject line.

What I propose is to include a post once a week or so about the need for detailed subject lines. Does everyone agree that's a good idea, or do you have a better idea?

 

[Chris Behney]

REMIND PEOPLE WHEN THEY POST A RESPONSE.

> I have a suggestion. I don't care for the
> new format of this forum since it
> encompasses so many DIFFERENT models, but
> instead of crying about it, I want to try
> and improve it.

> The posts are currently a jumble. It's hard
> to tell by subject line what most people
> want. So let's borrow from the IZCC mailing
> list example and put tags in our subject
> lines. Here is a possible list:
> for general information that would benefit
> everyone. Parts sources, shows, races, etc.
> for general questions about the L6 motors
> for the carburetors questions
> for fuel injection questions
> for the questions on turbocharged motors
> for questions on V8's and conversions
> for parts and problems directly related to
> the 240
> for parts and problems directly related to
> the 260
> for parts and problems directly related to
> the '75-'78 280
> for parts and problems directly related to
> the 280ZX
> for aftermarket stereo conversion
> questions (I suggest that questions on
> original stereos be addressed under the
> model heading.)

> What do you think? Additions? Too many
> prefixes?

Prefixing, sounds like a great idea. People might as well put a (?) in the title too, to let us all know it's a question.

I say that if you catch someone putting a response up, that doesn't state what type of Z they have, take a second to remind them. Don't post your response onto the forum, otherwise it will be completly filled with these reminders. Instead, use their e-mail to remind them.

Everyone has posted some great ideas. Lets see if we can incorporate a few of them. As this sandbox gets bigger, the rules just have to change a little along the way. Seriously, it would not be that hard to type in a few extra charectersinto your title. Right?

Chris Behney
Redline Autosports

 

[rob72]

Re: REMIND PEOPLE WHEN THEY POST A RESPONSE.

I think posting reminders on the board would help everyone to keep this idea fresh in their minds. Let's not be aggressive, but just let them know how much better their responses will be with a meaningful description.

I've also seen a FAQ or 'How to use this board' section on other sites to advise new users how to effectively use the site. I like these because I'm anal and like to play by the rules. I hate to waste anybody's time. That's one reason I ALWAYS search the site (if possible) to see if the answer has already been posted.

But I also know that many knowitalls are too good to review 'the basics'.

> Prefixing, sounds like a great idea. People
> might as well put a (?) in the title too, to
> let us all know it's a question.

> I say that if you catch someone putting a
> response up, that doesn't state what type of
> Z they have, take a second to remind them.
> Don't post your response onto the forum,
> otherwise it will be completly filled with
> these reminders. Instead, use their e-mail
> to remind them.

> Everyone has posted some great ideas. Lets
> see if we can incorporate a few of them. As
> this sandbox gets bigger, the rules just
> have to change a little along the way.
> Seriously, it would not be that hard to type
> in a few extra charectersinto your title.
> Right?

> Chris Behney
> Redline Autosports

 

[Chris Behney]

Re: REMIND PEOPLE WHEN THEY POST A RESPONSE.

> I think posting reminders on the board would
> help everyone to keep this idea fresh in
> their minds. Let's not be aggressive, but
> just let them know how much better their
> responses will be with a meaningful
> description.

> I've also seen a FAQ or 'How to use this
> board' section on other sites to advise new
> users how to effectively use the site. I
> like these because I'm anal and like to play
> by the rules. I hate to waste anybody's
> time. That's one reason I ALWAYS search the
> site (if possible) to see if the answer has
> already been posted.

> But I also know that many knowitalls are too
> good to review 'the basics'.

I agree. With as much traffic as this page gets, not every guest is aware of what it will take to get thier question answered.

Granted, I don't think that everyone should be drug out into the steet and severly beaten about the head and shoulders, who doesn't list a year number, but I do think we should kinda get onto them. Nicely of course, but firmly.

I myself am going to start listing year of my car, (280ZX), if I have a question, I'll put a (?) in the title.

Take it easy.
Chris Behney