Covid 19 and the benefits of forums.

[magnet]

Mark has already alerted the forum to the cancellation of two events including Drive-it-Day.

Pessimistic view perhaps, but as I see it, there is a strong possibility that all? such events will be cancelled - for the classic car season? 

If that happens, then the frequent face to face chats at shows, and keeping in touch will obviously cease. 
If this is going to be the case, then forums such as this will surely become a vital means of maintaining links with fellow enthusiasts.

In effect, it should come into its own, as we say, and I guess we will need to keep in mind the fact that a high percentage of enthusiasts are likely to fall into the ‘vulnerable’ grouping - sobering ageist thing, but true!? 

Let’s hope we can encourage regular forum users to keep in touch via. this medium, and promote its use and benefits to others who don’t currently use it much, if at all. 
Kind regards,
Gareth. 

[markaren76]

Spot on Gareth

This forum could really do with being promoted and supported far wider than it is at the moment. It really is invaluable to anyone trying to look after their Standard vehicles.

Our current participants are amazingly good at responding to all aspects of repair, maintenance, provision of parts, location of further assistance.

The question (sorry for raising it) is how to increase interest and participation? That’s a big question. I’m not sure I have the answer.

Maybe to include , as has been done previously, diiscussions from the forum. Maybe the most currentlypopular discussion under each section should be included in the Standard a Review each month. Just an idea

Smilalot Mark

[magnet]

Hello Mark,
It’s an ill win as they say, and this wind is potentially very ill.
My thread was thrown open to hopefully actively encourage current contributors to use it as a means of keeping in touch in these times of potential lock-down of the classic car ‘world’, and of course encourage more folks to come on board. Being realistic, the word potential can really be substituted with mandatory, as non essential movements are likely to be curtailed.

I really, really want to be positive about the benefits of the use of this forum as a substitute contact medium, but as you indicate Mark, it needs to be encouraged - from the top - or indeed discouraged from the top - if it is felt that this is not what it should be about. Please excuse any critical inference, but on a constructive note, I think it would help if there was some ‘official’ response to this idea, and indeed support or disproval from those who regularly help others by sharing their knowledge. I don’t see it possible to move forward or to abort, without viewpoints from others.

Appreciating that hopefully the club magazine will continue as normal, despite the fact that there will be little to report on in terms of activities. But, as always, magazines are retrospective, whereas an active and encouraged forum is dynamic, or whatever a better word may be.

I’m sorry to read things have not been in top gear with you you Mark. Let’s hope it’s now onward and upward from here.
Kind regards,
Gareth.

[magnet]

As I understand it, used car values have plummeted, and advice is to be sitting down before entering registration numbers into the We Buy any Car website - yes I know they are always lower than actual, but they do have a significant effect on the used car market.

I wonder how this unfortunate set of circumstances will affect the value of classic cars, and if we are likely to see a market drop in the ‘investor’ side of the business. Appreciating few of us will be affected in this side of the market, if it does have an adverse effect, but things usually filter down into the more bread and butter end of the scale.

Interesting times ahead, and I believe historians are already categorising this period in time on a BC, AC timescale - Before Coronavirus and After.
Kind regards,
Gareth

[nfavell]

I know this forum is invaluable to some members, and long may that continue.
But for better or worse many people now use 'Facebook' rather than these type of internet forums.
This is not just a 'Standard Club' issue, but is across all interest group forums.
I still have a foot in both camps, and find a value and different 'flavour' in each

Nick

[markaren76]

Likewise Nick. Both have positives. Not least the ability to share current activity pictures in real time

Mark

[marshman]

Nick, In my experience the big problem with facebook groups for "technical" type information is it is just one massive list of "conversations". Impossible to search for specific problems and very easy to lose track of a particular "thread". I am not an active user of Facebook or any other social media site but have had a look in the past when links have been posted to topics on facebook. When I have followed these links to look, may be only a few hours later, they have been swamped with new posts on different things. OK for a social chat and keeping in touch but in my opinion close to useless as a "searchable technical reference" on faults with cars.

I don't think Facebook was ever conceived to be a forum type place, it is literally a way for people to chat about anything and everything. People have then "bent" the format to form groups on specific topics e.g. Standard Cars, Triumph Stags etc. I have also found that there seems to be a lot of sniping and generally unnecessary and unpleasant posts, in some cases I believe that is called "trolling". It happens on forums like this as well but usually gets shut down quite quickly. Facebook is not for me I'm afraid. Not saying it doesn't have it's place and if it works for you then great.

I also prefer the "smaller" community feel of car forums. This is one of the smaller ones I frequent and I think it would be good if it could be expanded - just not sure how to do it other than than putting an article in the magazine.

Roger

[marshman]

Mar 24, 2020 14:17:20 GMT 1 markaren76 said:

Likewise Nick. Both have positives. Not least the ability to share current activity pictures in real time

Mark

I think you are correct Mark, it is what Facebook and others are good at. One frustration with a lot of forums is the difficulty in posting pictures. Still doesn't alter the fact that once the "current item" has disappeared down the list it is hard to find again and I really use forums to look for and share specific technical information or projects. Unless I just don't know how to drive it - which is quite likely.

Roger

[markaren76]

To be fair Roger, while it’s not clear, a subject search is available within any individual FB group.

All you need to do is click in the search bar once you are in the Standard Motor Company page

Mark

[marshman]

Thanks. I might have another look. To be honest I do have a bit of a prejudice against Facebook and Social Media in general as I have seen the harm it can do in certain circumstances - everything from spreading "fake news" to online bullying of young kids - something my wife had to deal with a lot when she was teaching. Perhaps I should put that aside and try to find "the good bits"

Roger

[markaren76]

Takes a bit of practice but FB search can be done.

I still prefer the forum approach for heavy specialised tecky stuff. However, to be fair to FB, it can turn up some interesting results and comments. After all it takes all sorts to fix the world

Mark