Maybe it's just me but I seem to notice that the number of people using this forum has dropped significantly since the changes were implemented? Are there numbers available comparing traffic from before to now? Aside from some new users and several long time members, I don't really see much happening here like I used to. Anyone else notice this?
peter help resolve my problems with the chat forum. i now get PM's and got my password problem straightened out. i have to give it to peter, he wasted no time helping me with my problems. mike
Ditto to Chevgene's post above. IMHO, it seems changes were made just for the sake of change, or, as they say, a new broom always sweeps clean! I served in the military for over 23 years and moved around a lot during those years and was confronted with change on each move as well as at my new job so I am not averse to change. However, in the case of this chat site, I feel it was a great site as it was; made so during many years evolving as changes and adaptations were needed and made. Then, in one fell swoop, it was all different. I do not spend nearly the time on it now as I used to. Beamer
I think going to a new server with new software and keeping all the 'old stuff" must be as challenging as putting a 194 engine in a computer controlled modern car. I am not very computer literate but from past experience I do know that unless things get updated on a regular basis the system will become quickly obsolete .
I too, have not logged onto this site like I used to. The site just does not feel right. It lacks the look, the feeling and the chatter it used to have. It is very cold and sterile - no warmth. Like it was taken off the shelf and just plugged in with no personalization. The big difference is that Bill Barker IS a member of the VCCA. Peter Gariepy is not a member. BIG DIFFERENCE! If I need some information now, I send an e-mail right to the person I know who can answer my question. That, however, does not help other club members who might have the same question. Plus, I won't get another side of the story that could be beneficial to me. Everyone looses.
The lay out of the new forum took some getting used to and I havent had the issues others have mentioned. Hawkeye may well have something considering Bill set up and maintained the original site as well as being a VCCA member and I suspect Peter has only joined since starting as admin if joined at all. Tony
Looking in the members search section, it tells me Peter has been a VCCA Member since 11-1-2016.
I like the ease of posting pics now, I like the ability to edit my posts, after one hour of time now.
I do NOT like the fact that I must log in each and every time, but I'm willing to do so.
I do not FACTUALLY know why BB and VCCA parted, not my concern.
I am certain PETER did not come to our VCCA site, representing THE MEMBERS SERVICES individual and FORUM ADMINISTRATOR, as a volunteer.
I know PETER is involved in other AUTO FORUMS, it seems the VCCA individual who gave PETER these positions at VCCA, also knew of Peter's other responsibilities. ....... or should have known.
1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan / purchased from second owner 6-19-2000.
Steve, You are absolutely correct. I work in a software shop for the Air Force. Things are constantly changing in the software world. A lot of times updates to one package will force changes and sometimes even cause the software to become obsolete. You can't expect software never to be updated, if it's not updated it WILL become obsolete.
I don't see the big problem with the site and I think some of you guys are being way too hard on Peter. What he has done is nothing short of amazing, the transformation without the loss of data is no easy task.
I think he has made folks aware of the known problems and why they haven't been fixed, and those problems are being worked. I think folks need to lighten up.
Jeff
1925 Superior K 4 Dr Sedan 1966 C10 2003 Silverado 1500 HD
Bob, There's nothing nefarious about why I handed over the Forum Admin role. The club sent out an RFP last year (2017) looking for someone to take over the MEMBERSHIP database and all of the duties such as delivering the mailing label info to the G&D publisher each month. This came about because Mike and Harry (who had been doing this for the past 7 years or so) decided to retire.
Also in the RFP they asked that the new database solution consolidate managing the CHATTER member information. Peter's offer to the selection board was to transfer our membership program over to a completely different product (which has been done now). http://vcca.org And, yes, it is the same software that the Buick club and Cadillac clubs use for their web presence. And --- Peter is also the contractor of the services for those two clubs.
Additionally, that same software includes a companion component which can be used for a CHAT FORUM. So when our selection Board chose Peter's solution and monetary offer, he was paid for BOTH jobs beginning around July 1st last year. As we continued towards the end of the year, I did not see a reliable plan on the horizon to hand off the CHATTER job to Peter, even though his contract was paying him to perform that function. I have been managing the Chat site and all software issues for the past 16 years for Free. So in December I announced that I would hand over all of the Chatter responsibilities to Peter so that he could follow up on the contract that was awarded to him last July. And in keeping with protocol, I have tried to remain on the sidelines since then letting him have complete control over the management decisions, software upgrade and user issues. For all of the changes, it has been a relatively smooth transition.
Having said that, there are now some issues showing up on CHAT such as lack of email notices that he is trying to resolve. It appears that we will soon be moving to ANOTHER new software program which is the one that is bundled with the membership software. And then we'll be totally in step with the Buick and Cadillac clubs - for better or worse.
So, this was a "simple" business decision by the club to find someone to manage the membership data, all G&D data, and the CHAT program. If you have any further questions about any of this, you can write or call 1) Your area director, 2) Peter (webmaster and Chatmaster) or 3) the Executive Board members.
What matters to me is the decline in usage. Just glad I was not the only one to notice. I believe it will be harder to help and get help unless we can find a way to get more people back to participating. How that is accomplished is not for me to determine. I am still here whatever the format. All with best wishes for everyone.
I was hoping the admin changeover was a friendly move and not a walk the plank situation. I also understand that Peter's involvement has a financial component to it where BBB was voluntary. It was suggested at the time of changeover that Chat would be undergoing some major changes and so far I have not noticed any major disruptions but I probably dont use all the possible features either (email notifications for example). Tony
I notice my other auto forum, AACA, seems slower, as well.
Perhaps the slower online activity is also related to the time of the year, when folks are out and about, rather than being "house bound", as many are, during the winter months.
1951 Chevy Styleline Deluxe 2 door sedan / purchased from second owner 6-19-2000.
Jim, Down below this post you see the Quick Reply window. At the bottom of this section there are three buttons. "Post Reply", "Preview Reply", and "Use Full Editor". If you click on Use Full Editor, it will give you the full array of editing features. In the Post Options section of this window there is an image of a paper clip and a link to the Attachment Manager. Just click on the Attachment Manager and you should be able to browse to your pictures on your computer and post. There is a file size limit, so if the file is too big you will have to resize it before posting. Hope this helps.
Jeff
1925 Superior K 4 Dr Sedan 1966 C10 2003 Silverado 1500 HD
