Omega Owners Forum
Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: PhilRich on 11 May 2010, 23:15:10
-
Tb mentioned in answer to a recent post that he believed the OOF to be broken in certain respects? Well he may have a point to a certain degree since he and the other original & longstanding members have 'the good times' to ponder on & compare to how it is now. However, i'm a relative Newbie of just 1 year standing, but my opinion for what it's worth, is as good as the next (or last!) , and I believe that when i stumbled on this Forum by accident last April, I struck Solid Gold! The technical & practical help obtained here is in my opinion, second to none anywhere, and by & large, the membership are representative of that, being both helpful & caring without being patronising or dismissive of the non mechanically minded among us ::) No this place isn't perfect, but then nowhere is where humankind gather? I just know this.... I now know a lot more people than I did a year ago, and even though I have never met any of them, bar one, I like & respect almost all of them for what & who they are, & most nights I sign off here with a glad heart & a smile on my face, and I can't wait to sign on again in the morning! As Entwood always says when he signs off, 'Just my opinion' :y
-
...
As Entwood always says .....
Is he holding up some French Autoroute somewhere in France? :-/ I haven't seen him post for a while. :y
-
Totally agree Phil, this place is solid gold. I log on most days to do my banking and check mail etc, I have a Facebook account which has proved usual at times when the OOF has been down or haing the odd issue, as a lot of members have accounts on there, as well as MSN, Skype and YIM.
Would be lost with out the OOF and the nightly banter.
Just starting my 3rd years now after joining Mar 30th, 2008 :y
-
.....
Just starting my 3rd years now after joining Mar 30th, 2008 :y
Christ! I've just looked at when I joined ....... almost 4 years ago! :-? :y
-
not broken, just needs a tweak perhaps?
Seems to be a gap between the practically minded types, and the academics, if thats the right word/terninology? :-/
Been an interesting and positive discussion though, or so it seems to me at least.
-
Tb mentioned in answer to a recent post that he believed the OOF to be broken in certain respects? Well he may have a point to a certain degree since he and the other original & longstanding members have 'the good times' to ponder on & compare to how it is now. However, i'm a relative Newbie of just 1 year standing, but my opinion for what it's worth, is as good as the next (or last!) , and I believe that when i stumbled on this Forum by accident last April, I struck Solid Gold! The technical & practical help obtained here is in my opinion, second to none anywhere, and by & large, the membership are representative of that, being both helpful & caring without being patronising or dismissive of the non mechanically minded among us ::) No this place isn't perfect, but then nowhere is where humankind gather? I just know this.... I now know a lot more people than I did a year ago, and even though I have never met any of them, bar one, I like & respect almost all of them for what & who they are, & most nights I sign off here with a glad heart & a smile on my face, and I can't wait to sign on again in the morning! As Entwood always says when he signs off, 'Just my opinion' :y
I couldn't agree more Phil, as I said on another thread, I think it's easy to criticise and see certain things in a negative light. I've been here a year and quite simply, my car would not be running as it is now (i.e. well) or even at all if it wasn't for this site, and there'd be a lot of explaining to the wife about why I'd be having to spend money on this, that and the other on a car that I insisted on getting. The help I've had has been fantastic. The likes of James, Daz, MarksDTM and Welung are an absolute Godsend to people like me
The bit I didn't expect from the forum though was the sense of community. The type of person who chooses to have an Omega is not going to be your typical chav from the saxo forums for example, and this shows in the maturity (usually) and quality of the topics and posts
I also use Facebook occasionally to keep up with friends around the world but I much prefer to read through the threads when I've got a spare moment and try using my very limited knowledge to help with the simpler problems on General help.
Banter is easier to keep up with now that I recognise most people on here, this seems to be the main point of concern for TB. Don't know how to 'fix' this, I don't reckon it's broken tbh, there are plenty of characters on here who make the reading entertaining enough imho
Jon
-
....
.. The type of person who chooses to have an Omega is not going to be your typical chav from the saxo forums for example, .....
Which is the very reason for OOF's existance ;) ;)
-
....
and there'd be a lot of explaining to the wife about why I'd be having to spend money on this, that and the other on a car that I insisted on getting. ......
Many years ago we argued about me getting an A series Senator, she won ....... But ever since I decided that as I was the one who'd be driving & paying for it I'd decide what I'd drive ..... & that's what's happened. Silent meals only last for so long! ;D ;D ;D
-
....
.. The type of person who chooses to have an Omega is not going to be your typical chav from the saxo forums for example, .....
Which is the very reason for OOF's existance ;) ;)
whats wong with tavs in saxsuits ::)
-
My experience of OOF is always so positive.
Below is just a little list of members I can think of right now, off the top of my head who regularly help me out...or who have offered help etc;
JamesV6CDX
Wellung666
TB
Tunnie
Entwood
Kevin Wood
Sixstring
Mr Skruntie
Kai
Nitro
ChrisGixer
Darth-Loo-Knee
I've yet to meet two of those members...but hopefully will soon.
Hopefully I won't bore you all to much, but a few stories of fellow OOFers helping out.
Entwood - He was up for towing a dead MV6 on my behalf with his lovely 3.2 Elite a fair old distance, with no concerns about doing tihs, and he's never met me.
Sixstring - Offered to help me out if I need any assistance with car electrics...again he's never met me.
Daz - Just generally a damn nice guy, who always reminds me he'll help me out whenever.
James - Well, without James I would be broke I expect ;D His knowledge is amazing, and he's a true friend.
Kevin Wood - More than happy to go over and take a look as the MV6, to try and see what was wroing with it, again...never met me.
Tunnie - Same as James, great guy and always willing to help, as he did for many hours the other night in the cold.
TB - Same as Tunnie, gave up his evening to help me out, using his tech 2 expertise and knowledge of the Omega to great effect.
Mr Skruntie - After he'd heard about the death of the MV6, he PM'd with great advice, and was a real support.
Kai - I've met him loads of times now, but before I did he heard of the minor accident I had with a Range Rover...he was straight in with a PM asking if I needed any help etc.
ChrisGixer - At the Oxford meet, we weren't sure if the jack that was there would be good enough to raise the Omega high enough..his response was 'Well, there's only one way to find out'...showing how he was more than willing to spend his time helping me out. He's also offered me great advice in the past
Wellung666 - Lee is a star, he really is excellent...nothing is ever too much trouble for him. He's helped me out on many occasions.
Nitro- Ken, met him for the first time at the Oxford meet no.1...he's a great guy, get along wiht him very well. He sent me a link to somewhere that provided very cheap cats for Omega's.
And there's hundrend of other members who provide you with that part number you want, or bit of advice.
And, if things aren't going so great just generally in life...people on here really support each other.
I posted that my '55' plate Range Rover had been involved in an accident. Every single reply was supportive, and every PM an offer of help.
Some on this forum are afluent, and others not so...but that's never an issue.
Some people think if you've got a Range Rover you're an (unspeakable word) but not on this forum. I can imagine posting on other forums about that accident, and getting a very different response.
I'm 20, I know some members are in thier 70's.
I live in Oxford, some members live in Scotland, Cornwall...N.Ireland, Republic of Ireland and even the USA.
We have such a vast array of skills, and interests on this forum, and I feel at times it can get a bit heated when it need not, but I'd say I don't think OOF is broken, maybe dented in places...but not through any fault of a single person.
I'm not going to be alone in having such a positive experience with OOF...I know many others do aswell.
-
I picked Marcin K up from the tram station in Bury to take him to collect a car not far away, 20 mins in the car but god knows how long on pubic transport.
The wife of the bloke selling the car was amazed that we'd never met before that day! ;D
-
brings a tear to my eye :'(
what about the jokes..
pics from scruntie..
educated chat from.. them others..
-
i have only been on this a month have only met lee aka wellung666 and mr iceman who both proved to be very helpful. I started here knowing nothing and oly just passed my driving test, i fact the only reason i got this car was because its 11yrs old and done 21k!! but I am sold and have learnt loads and expect to learn a lot more and with the experts on here how can you go wrong. glad I joined and glad to got to know you. :y
-
Broken might be the wrong word.Its just that those of us who have been here for say a couple of years or more can remember coming online most nights and laughing so hard that our families thought we had taken leave of our senses. I can remember some nights of having sore stomach muscles from laughing so much. It wasnt jokes posted but people having hilarious banter with each other, which everyone was welcome to join in with.
The atmosphere was fantastic imo, although just like a family I suppose, there were occasional arguments as well.
That spirit seems to be lacking these days. There probably isnt a simple answer to why this has happened but I know that some of the people who were regularily in the thick of the hilarity dont get involved much in Gen. discussion these days.I also know that in certain cases this is due to the amount of posts on politics/ global warming etc. which is why it might be worth trying a politics sticky as a possible solution so that those of us who like talking politics know where to look , and those who dont like it find it easy to avoid.
I dont think it is the whole answer, I think part of it is the fact that people have come and gone and therefore the forum has changed to a degree, but it might help, and the only way to find out is to give it a go.
-
Broken might be the wrong word.Its just that those of us who have been here for say a couple of years or more can remember coming online most nights and laughing so hard that our families thought we had taken leave of our senses. I can remember some nights of having sore stomach muscles from laughing so much. It wasnt jokes posted but people having hilarious banter with each other, which everyone was welcome to join in with.
The atmosphere was fantastic imo, although just like a family I suppose, there were occasional arguments as well.
That spirit seems to be lacking these days. There probably isnt a simple answer to why this has happened but I know that some of the people who were regularily in the thick of the hilarity dont get involved much in Gen. discussion these days.I also know that in certain cases this is due to the amount of posts on politics/ global warming etc. which is why it might be worth trying a politics sticky as a possible solution so that those of us who like talking politics know where to look , and those who dont like it find it easy to avoid.
I dont think it is the whole answer, I think part of it is the fact that people have come and gone and therefore the forum has changed to a degree, but it might help, and the only way to find out is to give it a go.
My opinion exactly, after being away for.....well nearly 2 years i find it very difficult to find my way back into the community, never the less i still think that this is a great place, just not the same as before, or is it me?
-
Still the best forum on the net, but not what it once was imo, but everything changes I suppose. Thats life as they say. Maybe the fun element will return in time. :-/
-
Personally, I think the forum has changed but I couldn't say how or why, but I know I have made some good friends over the years and I really look forward to seeing them at the Lakes or Newent. I was gutted last year when I missed Newent.
Just like to add, I don't think the forum is a bad place, I still have a laugh and enjoy being on here ;)
-
...
As Entwood always says .....
Is he holding up some French Autoroute somewhere in France? :-/ I haven't seen him post for a while. :y
Hhe'll be on his annual caravan camping hols!!!
-
Like a gang of old women. I'm the only one who's normal.
-
Is OOF broken ? ..... i dont think so ...... However i would say it HAS changed in the nearly 2 years i been on here (15. May 2008 ). There has been a dramatic increase in bitching in some areas which i never bothered to get involved in because some of it was really childish and pathetic .
There are always going to be people that will never see eye to eye .
Having said that this is by far the best forum for our cars by a long long way and the vast majority of people are very friendly and helpfull . Whe i log on my pc this is the first place i look and the last place before turning off .
The help i have given on here has been invaluable and i always try to help someone who is having the same kind of issues i have had , i just wish i was a bit better or more confident with the spanners :-/
It would be a very sad day if this site ceased to be .
I think the people that run this site should be applauded for there efforts .
I dont often get involved in topics like this but its just my tuppence worth :y :y
-
Of course it isn't broken. While the general tenor of many topics in the GD area has undoubtedly changed over the years - change is inevitable and indeed necessary - the core reason for this forum to exist remains the promotion and maintenance of GM Omega cars (and their variants).
The fact that a vibrant membership was likely to develop to this degree as a result was, perhaps, not uppermost in the minds of those who formed the Forum - but developed it has. This can only be a force for good as I feel that the depth of diversity within the membership can only strengthen and maintain any bond to it.
As a result of my present circumstances I'm unlikely to have the privilege of meeting many of the membership, but I'm gratified by the fact that I’m able to participate in a group comprised of so many fine people, therefore on each and every occasion I log onto this site I consider myself fortunate indeed to have the opportunity to do so.
On the point of the segregation of topics this is, in my view, unnecessary as there is sufficient scope already available in the General Car Chat for those who prefer to discuss motoring matters unconnected with the wider range of topics presently seen in the General Discussion area.
The reason that this Forum stands above many others, in my view, is the ability of the membership to turn their collective thoughts to the very topics aired here on a regular basis. These should remain active in the General Discussion Area so that the maximum number of members can have the opportunity to state their opinions and contribute to the greater understanding of diversity and learning.
To conclude, this Forum is in many aspects falls victim to its own success, this is not a bad thing; it should celebrated and built upon. This success, in part, results from having such a simplified structure in the layout, to complicate matters by segregating topics would be, in my estimation, a retrograde step - but whatever decision is made, I will continue to consider myself lucky to be allowed to participate.
So, to those who created and maintain the Forum, to those who nurtured it in the early years and to those wonderfully diverse people who presently contribute in such a varied, amusing, well-informed, thought-provoking and sometimes frustrating way, I thank you.
-
Ive been a member for about 2 years now and whilst there have been times -due to work mostly-that I havent been that "regular" on here, being a member of the OOF is one of the few things I get chance to do outside of work and I really enjoy being on here. Yes, there probably have been more examples of "bitchiness" in some threads than I had noticed in the past but these have been few and far between. I joined because I got a mig and felt it would be useful (particularly as I'm not very mechanically minded!) in terms of advice. I was not dissapointed. Everyone quickly proved more than willing to help and everyone seemed most welcoming and friendly. Ive learnt quite a bit from people on here about my car and in the process saved myself more than a few bob and I am most grateful to the generosity and knowledge of those members-not least for their patience with someone like me who only has the barest of understanding of all things motor related. But its been the "vibe" of the forum thats kept me coming back, the banter, the jokes, the links ,the discussions (serious or not), the empathy and really the general feeling of care and support of oneanother. The forum-like all forums-is an organic thing, it grows and changes as people drop out and new ones come in but the "spirit" of the thing seems to have remained much the same as it was when I joined, and for that Im grateful and give thanks to the admins and all the regulars on here that make the OOF the great forum it still is :y
-
Oh, come on. Where else would you find a thread about sewage? ;) ;D
-
Is it broken? No, not really.
I have made some good friends through this forum, some of whom I have never met (and quite possibly never will!) Not so long back I decided to help Tunnie with his LPG conversion... I'd never met him in person before I pulled up outside his house but after many long evenings of banter and taking the mick I felt like I knew him reasonably well... A sign that there are people on here who are more than just a screen name :y
Likewise at Newent last year... I knew a few of the people attending from the East Anglia meet earlier in the year but the majority of people were "strangers" to us. That said, within about 5 minutes of meeting Daz we had started some banter like old friends :y
It has changed considerably in the 2 years I've been a member and there is a little less of the banter a lot of the time. That said, I remember an evening (not long back) when a certain member of the Admin team was "playing" with our titles and it provoked a bout of the old banter :y
That proves that it's still the same old place (in the nicest possible way) but, IMO, people have been a little more careful in what they post because there was a bout of some very rude remarks from some members.
Just my take on it :y :y
But it's definitely not broken... Just quiet at the moment!
Perhaps a bout of "Post Count Culling" will result in the normal hive of activity ::)
-
Is it broken? No, not really.
I have made some good friends through this forum, some of whom I have never met (and quite possibly never will!) Not so long back I decided to help Tunnie with his LPG conversion... I'd never met him in person before I pulled up outside his house but after many long evenings of banter and taking the mick I felt like I knew him reasonably well... A sign that there are people on here who are more than just a screen name :y
Likewise at Newent last year... I knew a few of the people attending from the East Anglia meet earlier in the year but the majority of people were "strangers" to us. That said, within about 5 minutes of meeting Daz we had started some banter like old friends :y
It has changed considerably in the 2 years I've been a member and there is a little less of the banter a lot of the time. That said, I remember an evening (not long back) when a certain member of the Admin team was "playing" with our titles and it provoked a bout of the old banter :y
That proves that it's still the same old place (in the nicest possible way) but, IMO, people have been a little more careful in what they post because there was a bout of some very rude remarks from some members.
Just my take on it :y :y
But it's definitely not broken... Just quiet at the moment!
Perhaps a bout of "Post Count Culling" will result in the normal hive of activity ::)
Yes, I think some people are a bit wary of taking the banter a bit far because they know that someone or other will take issue with what they've said
STMO excepted of course ;)
Jon
-
Oh, come on. Where else would you find a thread about sewage? ;) ;D
Keek, as it's known in the trade :y :y
-
The forum has matured as all forums do.
It will be nice to see the back of the election for sure even though we all had strong opinions on the subject.
I think the General Help section has changed dramatically since I joined all those years ago. Then if I posted a paperclip test code query the ratio of "sages" and replies was much higher than now. The one I posted yesterday with code 135 was a good example. In otherwords there are too many postings for folk to follow. I know I don't read all the General Help questions anymore just the ones that I think I might be able to contribute to (e.g. ABS ECU, self levelling shockers, gearbox thrust washers....)
Having said that it is a brilliant forum and without doubt has prolonged the life of my car depite it being terminally ill!! :D :D :D :D :D Long live OOF
-
Like a gang of old women. I'm the only one who's normal.
:D :D :D ;D ;D ;D ;D
PMSL ;D ;D ;D
-
Oh, come on. Where else would you find a thread about sewage? ;)
Keek, as it's known in the trade :y :y[/quote]
Spent 5 years working for a company that makes pumps to move sewage about. The boys used to call it that, too, but mostly they called it "mum's gravy" for some strange reason.
(I just called it SH*T)
-
I've read all the (one-sided?) comments above with interest, and thankyou for all your opinions :y, though we need to see, and understand the critisisms as well.
So it would appear that nobody thinks its broken, but most feel something isn't quite right?
Please post your ideas, publically or privately (I'll clear down my inbox in a sec), as I think we all believe something has gone amiss in the past few months....
-
....
and there'd be a lot of explaining to the wife about why I'd be having to spend money on this, that and the other on a car that I insisted on getting. ......
Many years ago we argued about me getting an A series Senator, she won ....... But ever since I decided that as I was the one who'd be driving & paying for it I'd decide what I'd drive ..... & that's what's happened. Silent meals only last for so long! ;D ;D ;D
who had the couch ;D ;D :y
-
I've read all the (one-sided?) comments above with interest, and thankyou for all your opinions :y, though we need to see, and understand the critisisms as well.
So it would appear that nobody thinks its broken, but most feel something isn't quite right?
Please post your ideas, publically or privately (I'll clear down my inbox in a sec), as I think we all believe something has gone amiss in the past few months....
This forum, being composed of ordinary and unpicked people, merely reflects broader society. Where broader society waxes and wanes, so too will this forum.
It is only natural, then (in my view), that he recent political turmoil has caused heated debate. It is only natural, too, that with our membership as high as it it is, that there will be a few members who act in a manner which is deemed "strange, rude or hostile" to the majority. It is also only natural that some of the older, established members drift away, either through giving up Omega ownership or personal reasons.
When I first joined here, there was a very forthright member (chickens anyone? ;)) whom I liked and for whom I had a great deal of respect. Nevertheless, there were, even in those early days, some acrimonious exchanges and toys thrown out of prams.
In other words, we have been here before.
It's no big deal, IMHO, and the forum will right itself (if, indeed it is broken, which I don't believe it is). However, this cannot be engineered.
At the end of the day, I see this as a pub.* We can't (and shouldn't) control or direct the conversation. We should be prepared for the odd fight and step in if necessary, but only if things really get out of hand.
*Older members may recall "The Nag's Head" which ran for a while as daily thread. Totally daft, it nevertheless did allow members to spout total crock for a couple of hours each night! ;)
My view is to leave things alone and let the forum realign itself naturally. It will! :y
-
Should the Nags Head return?
-
I don`t feel anything`s really broken.....but I observe that there`s a 'sharpness' to many posts and a distinct feeling of intolerance has crept-in, especially towards members whom prefer and exhibit polite/courteous posting behaviour.....There are many 'Gentlemen' (in the true-sense) here on OOF and yet they often get harangued for questioning any pejorative, harsh or unfriendly posting.
The all too common: "I`m free to say what I want; so deal with it" approach.......sadly, it`s the modern way, I fear. :'(
Recently, there have been disruptive and downright rude new-members; but, they seem to implode and disappear with the same rapidity that they arrived.....The trolls, snipers and P.M hecklers are surely here too; but that`s as with all forums.
But, with such brilliant 'car-saving' knowledge and advice on offer and a variety (and majority) of kind, interesting personalities with whom to cyber-socialise, 'meets' to attend and the occasional OOF 'gender-swap' hilarity session; I`ll be here for a while yet. :y
Just my 2d. worth.....'no names, no pack-drill' :-*
-
Should the Nags Head return?
Hmm. One member (called Dent if I remember) drank all the profits, while another chap from Yorkshire always turned up the worse for wear, and smelled a bit.
;) ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Seriously, though, why not? It did allow people to be silly and get involved, because there was no thread subject, just jocularity, joke-telling, ribbing and a sense of all-round pointlessness.
Like a real pub, actually!
;) ;D
-
I wouldn't say oof is broken it's more like a runaway train with failed brakes plus there is times when i'm like what the hell am I doing neck deep in oil and crud in your eyes.
if oof wasn't here well loads of these great cars would have ended up at the big shredder.
eveyone has there own limits to what they can do as said previous most of us have never met but will help out where possible.
Me I haven't got a clue about the petrol migs diesel is more my thing.
oh jamie I found the G/B ecu, petrol one nae good ;D
Ive noticed that more and more posts are hijacked or wander from the original fault or help request.
why not put in a hand-bag section for the bitching ;D ;)
-
Should the Nags Head return?
Sorry, TB, couldn't resist it! :y
-
I don`t feel anything`s really broken.....but I observe that there`s a 'sharpness' to many posts and a distinct feeling of intolerance has crept-in, especially towards members whom prefer and exhibit polite/courteous posting behaviour.....There are many 'Gentlemen'[/i] (in the true-sense) here on OOF and yet they often get harangued for questioning any pejorative, harsh or unfriendly posting.
The all too common: "I`m free to say what I want; so deal with it" approach.......sadly, it`s the modern way, I fear. :'(
Recently, there have been disruptive and downright rude new-members; but, they seem to implode and disappear with the same rapidity that they arrived.....The trolls, snipers and P.M hecklers are surely here too; but that`s as with all forums.
But, with such brilliant 'car-saving' knowledge and advice on offer and a variety (and majority) of kind, interesting personalities with whom to cyber-socialise, 'meets' to attend and the occasional OOF 'gender-swap' hilarity session; I`ll be here for a while yet. :y
Just my 2d. worth.....'no names, no pack-drill' :-*
Thanks Debs.... :y
-
I've not been here long but I will say from what I have seen this is a cracking forum. The wealth of technical knowledge available on the cars puts a lot of forums to shame. The fact that we do have members that will go around and help each other out is great.
I'm a man of few words anyway but I do enjoy catching up on the forum (mainly through working crazy hours).
-
Tb mentioned in answer to a recent post that he believed the OOF to be broken in certain respects? Well he may have a point to a certain degree since he and the other original & longstanding members have 'the good times' to ponder on & compare to how it is now. However, i'm a relative Newbie of just 1 year standing, but my opinion for what it's worth, is as good as the next (or last!) , and I believe that when i stumbled on this Forum by accident last April, I struck Solid Gold! The technical & practical help obtained here is in my opinion, second to none anywhere, and by & large, the membership are representative of that, being both helpful & caring without being patronising or dismissive of the non mechanically minded among us ::) No this place isn't perfect, but then nowhere is where humankind gather? I just know this.... I now know a lot more people than I did a year ago, and even though I have never met any of them, bar one, I like & respect almost all of them for what & who they are, & most nights I sign off here with a glad heart & a smile on my face, and I can't wait to sign on again in the morning! As Entwood always says when he signs off, 'Just my opinion' :y
Bloomin Monkeys, get everywhere... :D :D
Klicked on the wrong bit and caught you age, and along with your avatar, did you go to Ganges?
-
I've been lurking in the background of OOF for a while (August 2006) so fairly near the beginning I think - can't remember the day OOF was born - when should the birthday bash be booked for?
I think the forum has grown in both good and bad ways. The help on offer through the community that frequent the forum is second to none. I've met some members, made an all too brief visit to one of the lakes meets and even though I'm no longer an Omega owner I still visit almost daily. What draws me back is the mixture of mechanical knowledge, to sometimes to incredible depth, that is shared up on these pages. I certainly wouldn't own half the tools I have, and would know even less how to actually use them. The offer of help from within the community seems boundless, and it goes some way to restore a little bit of faith in human kindness. I've really enjoyed reading about the various cars that have been saved from the edge of the scrappers and brought back to life with little more than sound advice and a helping hand.
So, that's the good side. The bad side? Well it would seem the community has grown, and grown quickly. I think that has made the job of administering this place probably much more difficult. I suspect threads got locked/deleted/etc faster in the past, and perhaps because the content didn't explode daily.
The General Chat varies enormously, as you'd expect with such a wide and varied community. I'm glad the election is over and done with. I hope the politics chat fizzles out now as I think it's had an overwhelming presence for the last few months. The thing that drew me to the forum was car mechanics, and that used to be the common ground that sparked the majority of the general chat off - mechanics, engineering, construction, design. The bus/train threads are fascinating btw :y On these subjects there seems to be much less confrontational posts. As soon as people move on to the more subjective areas of life - politics, justice, principles then it's usually just a matter of time before one or two posts become obviously targeted towards other members. I'm not so sure that this used to happen quite so frequently.
So it's changed - good, bad, worse, better? Well, different - and the good outweighs the bad by a ton. This still remains one of the best forums I've encountered, and I'll continue to visit, daily, and my next car will be another Omega - purely because I know the support here is worth so much more than any service manual or dealer network.
Long Live OOF :y :y
-
good, bad, worse, better? Well, different - and the good outweighs the bad by a ton
I believe this sums it up nicely - the forum is a mix of all social spectrum's, from not just the UK, but any country that the Omega has been sold, which from memory is most of the developed world (apologies if i have missed you're country out - but add it to the thread to show the diversity) - i recall posts from mainland Europe, the US, the Middle East, and Oz
-
haven't been here long, but it seems all-right to me.
people join for different reasons, and these are linked to the cars themselves. Let me explain, a forum for "new" cars will have devotees who will have bought them new and won't carry out any of their own maintenance. As the cars get older, the average owner will change and you will eventually get a mix of people who either want just to keep them running or who want to modify, etc. Then eventually, you'll be left with the people who are really devoted or who want to preserve the cars.
At the moment, we're right in the middle, so we have a mix of people all from different backgrounds. There's no way that they'd all get on in normal life, so it's perhaps unreasonable to expect them all to get on on here.
For reference, I joined to get access to people breaking cars and to buy bargains - I currently have five Omega Bs, three Omega As and a closely-related Holden to look after. And the supply of decent cars from breakers is beginning to dry up. I might also be able to help out some other people, mainly with the real technical and legal stuff ( I design vehicles for a living ). I fully expect everyone else to have joined for completely different reasons
just some ramblings, really