Format unpopular?

A global place for general discussion (Volvo, V3M or non-Volvo related topics).
Please introduce yourself here, your Volvo 300 hobby...
NO technical support, parts requests or car advertisements here
Ride_on
Posts: 2262
Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Format unpopular?

Post by Ride_on » 17 Jun 2014 12:17 pm

I'm not seeing so many posts on the site now and finding the new format unfriendly to use. I'm wondering if this is the reason, or is it just there are more 300's turning to rust?

You can call me lazy, but the more effort that is required to use something the less likely it is to be used. The site sections are too numerous and your subject does not always fit into one or the other. Is this discouraging posting?

Dispite the huge effort I think there has been a mistake in turning the site into an FAQ database. There are not enough posts to justify seperating out the subject areas of engine, suspension etc. If you want to do this a proper database is more applicable, a forum is for discussion. I did think even the old format was too complicated. Perhaps a FAQ article section might be more appropriate.

I havn't tried search lately, but the old search was not very good and part of the reason for the many repeated requests.

Perhaps the complicated format is useful for finding old data once it has been entered in the correct place, but it results in less posting activity. People get tired of answering the same questions, but once all the questions have been answered what is there left to justify keeping the website going? Is this a case of 'be careful what you wish for'?

I would suggest the following;
main forum
FAQ articles (can be broken down into technical sub sections)
techncial resources
buy/sell
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by bogbasic » 17 Jun 2014 01:24 pm

Hello, I am pretty happy with new site - to be honest, it doesn't seem all that different to the old one to me, sorry Aymat ;-) but I noticed that it has gone a bit quiet lately (I blame the autosh*ters). I don't have a problem with repeated questions - I'm probably responsible for most of them and they're the only ones I can answer. Without much traffic on here I love the odd chance to help, now and again. When I joined the forum there were tens of thousands of our cars on the road, now its a few hundred. There is quite a lot of sections to look through though, so I can see where you're coming from, but its fairly easy to keep track of where the new posts are - just have to remember today's date. Anyhow, to cheer you up, here's a trip down memory lane.... a newspaper cutting I sent to Aymat in 2004... already 10 years ago....

Image

... I'm always amazed at what it did to that house. Hope this forum isn't heading the same way or we will have to re-launch as Honda Jazz mania.

Sorry ride-on, still ultra-quiet on here (maybe footie?) but my posts have always been the death-knell for any thread, so at least some things don't change ;-)
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

User avatar
Hell Driver
Posts: 1415
Joined: 18 Aug 2009 09:58 pm
Location: Doncaster UK

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by Hell Driver » 18 Jun 2014 01:07 am

Maybe quite a few of us are lurking in the background but overtaken by other events?

I must admit that I don't post as much at the moment. I have a few problems both this and last summer with my transit and have spent 99% of my time available for vehicles working on it and a back up Q reg one I bought last year.

Basically my main tipper has had in the last 13 months...engine replacement, gearbox replacement, tipper body removed, underside shot blasted, and resprayed, as well as rear chassis, wheels shot blasted and resrayed, re-connection and cleaning of all lights, replacement of wings and bonnet, welding up of inner wings (my me) and I still have the cab to prepare for a re-spray. (recently it also needed front discs, pads, both front wheel bearings and track rod ends!). The other week the starter motor jammed in the flywheel, that alone took a day by the time I'd got it towed, got the motor and fitted it.

On top of that I've just got the Q reg through an M.O.T. after extensive repairs to the tipper body by me and welding by the garage. I've not done all the work myself by any means but I've still spent many hours on them both.

This has not only meant less time for 300 stuff but less to post about and less time to post!

I do log in almost everyday and have noticed the quietness, although I think many of the regulars or still out there!

I hope to get chance to be more active in the next months....I have been quietly collecting many parts in the last year or 4!

Is the facebook page attracting folks away?
360 GLE Saloon (D 86)
360 GLS (A 84)
343 DL (W 80) :-)
340 GL 1.7 (G 89)
360 GLS (Y 83)
440 Turbo (J 92)
Transit Tipper 125 T350 (02)Alive Again!
Transit Tipper Smiley face Q reg
Mitsubishi Colt 1.1 (54)
R.I.P. 77 343 DL vario :-(

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by bogbasic » 18 Jun 2014 04:09 pm

Hello, Hell-driver, is there anything you haven't done to your truck? Sorry to hear you've been to hell and back with it (or them) indeed, I seem to remember you kindly offered to help get that blue 340 from Hull, which is now almost ready to go, bar the strut which Dai has just welded-up and the wing mirror. I searched for a volvo 340 or 300 facebook page and found a 300 one which looks to be mainly continental in nature, at least judging by the photos.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

classicswede
*** V3M DONOR ***
Posts: 5461
Joined: 25 Apr 2005 06:52 pm
Location: Anglesey North Wales
Contact:

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by classicswede » 18 Jun 2014 10:40 pm

There is a lot on the 300 mania face book page and the trend is moving towards facebook and away from the forums. It is not just this forum that has suffered in this way. I use the facebook page but I find a shame as you can not search facebook for an answer.

The shocking thing is when you point out to some of these young uns that the answer to their question is on the forum they have no idea how to use it!

Anyway the biggest reason for the lack of posts in Redline and VND have gone!
Dai

Please email me directly on dai@classicswede.co.uk

http://www.classicswede.com

phone/text 07824887160

Web shop http://www.classicswede.co.uk/

Image

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by bogbasic » 18 Jun 2014 11:05 pm

Maybe we need a facebook ambassador, but it better not be me or they'd just think I was a jimmy.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

Ride_on
Posts: 2262
Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by Ride_on » 19 Jun 2014 02:07 am

Facebook page?
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

macplaxton
Posts: 3283
Joined: 09 Feb 2008 02:29 am

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by macplaxton » 19 Jun 2014 03:04 am

Okay then:


"Oi, Lazy!"


:mrgreen:


Unfortunately, when I'm on nightshift, I've got a steering wheel to attend to and can't be on t'internet. Anyway, I've been too busy driving Mrs MacP's Honda Jizz while I should be fixing my BB headgasket. :oops:


Facebook?....meh.
72 DAF 44 Estate 78 Volvo 343DL Black BeautyImageImage
82 Volvo 343DL CVTImageImage 88 Volvo 340DL Diesel

User avatar
Chris_C
*** V3M DONOR ***
Posts: 9600
Joined: 18 Jun 2004 11:53 pm
Location: South Coast, UK

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by Chris_C » 19 Jun 2014 06:59 am

I just havn't had as much time for forums recently. Plus haven't driven my 300 for the last.... 18ish months.

The one thing I have found with the new format is it runs slowly on both my home and work PC.
'89(G) 340 GLE B172k
'03 S60 D5 SE, '91 (J) MX5, 1954 Cyclemaster
Ex:
'89(F) 340 GL F7R (ex B172k) - Fake -> SBKV 300 Runner Up 08, 12; '91(H) 340 GL B14.4E - Kar; '88(F) 360 GLT B200E - Jet -> BKV 300 Runner Up 09; '89(G) 360 GLT B200E - Beast

User avatar
Speedy88
Posts: 4057
Joined: 04 May 2009 11:52 pm
Location: Bristol

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by Speedy88 » 19 Jun 2014 09:14 am

Something similar was posted on RR a few days ago. Facebook and other social media is making posting pictures and discussing things much easier than the forums of old. Unfortunately, (and this isn't a dig) if you've never had to make the effort to learn something new BEFORE posting the thing you want to show off online, you're just going to give up. Especially with the way Facebook gives you instant gratification. It's the way things are at the moment.

A big advantage to forums for me is, everything is archived for years. I can look back in 10 years time and know that all my build threads will still be here, so I can see how shit was welding was... is.
'88 340 Williams (Sold)
'85 360 GLS - Drift project (Sold)
'77 Colt Sigma
'96 940 Drift project

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by bogbasic » 19 Jun 2014 09:59 pm

Anyway, I've been too busy driving Mrs MacP's Honda Jizz while I should be fixing my BB headgasket. :oops:
sm4 sm4 sm4 sm4

Man, you're truly ahead of your time - I thought my mentioning the same said Honda touched a nerve ;-0
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

Ride_on
Posts: 2262
Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by Ride_on » 19 Jun 2014 10:39 pm

yeah, the instant easy is always an attraction, but I have always liked the specialist threaded nature of newsgroups. Harder to setup and ISPs started to charge for the privalage. I reluctantly moved to the more confusing and unstandardised web forums, now facebook provides free service in exchange for buying stuff they advertise.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

Ride_on
Posts: 2262
Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by Ride_on » 19 Jun 2014 10:39 pm

yeah, the instant easy is always an attraction, but I have always liked the specialist threaded nature of newsgroups. Harder to setup and ISPs started to charge for the privalage. I reluctantly moved to the more confusing and unstandardised web forums, now facebook provides free service in exchange for buying stuff they advertise.
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

User avatar
Hell Driver
Posts: 1415
Joined: 18 Aug 2009 09:58 pm
Location: Doncaster UK

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by Hell Driver » 19 Jun 2014 11:59 pm

classicswede wrote: Anyway the biggest reason for the lack of posts in Redline and VND have gone!
VND posted only on the other day...he's back!

I remember at first it took a bit of used to, having to ask how to do photos etc. but I though tthat was just me being thick.

Don't tell me now even that is beyond most people now?

I use the facebook page but don't post much if at all at the moment. It all just seams to vanish into a black hole after a few days anyway. I can see it being usefull to sell stuff and let people know what you up to that instant though. I see people from here on it plus lots of new ones that not on here, its good to see what they are doing.

What I hate is the way it all appears on the screen a bit at a time and I have to scroll up and down, very irritating and a bit of a jumble when trying to find somthing from a couple of days ago.
360 GLE Saloon (D 86)
360 GLS (A 84)
343 DL (W 80) :-)
340 GL 1.7 (G 89)
360 GLS (Y 83)
440 Turbo (J 92)
Transit Tipper 125 T350 (02)Alive Again!
Transit Tipper Smiley face Q reg
Mitsubishi Colt 1.1 (54)
R.I.P. 77 343 DL vario :-(

User avatar
SteveP
*** V3M DONOR ***
Posts: 7933
Joined: 21 Sep 2004 12:45 pm
Location: Coventry, UK

Re: Format unpopular?

Post by SteveP » 20 Jun 2014 01:21 pm

I think unfortunately the new structure does affect the number of posts - quite a few click throughs and slightly too many sections so users probably don't know exactly where to post. Perhaps we'll get used to it.

As others have said, the Facebook group is actually pretty popular of late - particularly for sourcing spares and cars for sale.
1989 - Volvo 360 GLT
1985 - Volvo 360 GLS
2008 - Volvo S60 SE Lux

Post Reply