Do you like TM3???

[3GFX]

Just out of interests sake I\'d like to see some fellow members vote on whether or not our current forum is fine, or if we should change it.

I really don\'t care in the end, but I for one am very happy with our current forum.

Please vote, this is very much appreciated by me, and I\'m sure the moderators and administrators.

[FLIPDADY]

Will the 6 people who voted they don\'t like the current forum please stand-up

[Broli]

i am one of them

i think it is not a matter of not liking
but seeing oppurtunity to improve

dave mentioned that there could be oppurtunity to improve on this platform without a change i will call a meeting in sept and we can discuss!

[Cardinal Fang]

Just to clarify I don\'t think that the Forum is necessarly bad. My beef has always been with the software used to guide us through it.

[3GFX]

As broli mentioned, I believe that there might be options available to admin to improve/upgrade the site that we may not know about, or explored.

For a small example...8 smilies?

I\'m sure there are packages to help this current site.

A general meeting between those who\'d like to see a change or voice their opinion will be called sometime in the coming months.

PS I voted I like the site just fine, but of course I am open to any possibilities for improvement.

[Xerox]

I\'m happy with the \"community\" that is the forum (resource, group buys, people).
The forum software is fine but I wouldn\'t mind an upgrade.
Either way, I\'ll continue to stay active in the forum.

[b]

I enjoy the forum. Some features from new software would be nice... but I am just as happy with the current setup. Mind you... I don\'t post as often as most people here do... So my input shouldn\'t really count. ;)

[SABIO]

I think it should be the same forum....simple and easy to use. Just update it with some snazzy new features.

[Jeff-TheBiz]

Originally posted by John


I\'m happy with the \"community\" that is the forum (resource, group buys, people).
The forum software is fine but I wouldn\'t mind an upgrade.
Either way, I\'ll continue to stay active in the forum.

+1 ^ What he said.

[Broli]

what if it is not upgradable?

[S.F.W.]

I like the community and the people. There are some concerns I have though. Not so much on the SW side, but more from an accounting side.
I would really like to see an open accouting of revenue that has been generated from the members fund, and what has been spent. I see various projects sitting in limbo due to lack of funding, yet I know we are selling some merchandise,and we sold out of decals. So I wonder where the money goess...

[Broli]

we should really get a bank account, instead of the lock box!
but to get this account, we will need to have some sort of funds to start it!

hence the donations i will be asking for at the meets

[3GFX]

That is actually the most valid point I\'ve seen!!!

Broli is starting to collect $ for more projects.

I almost wanted to post an idea of a membership fee, but that would push away a lot of people, and if this site originally would be paid membership I might not have joined myself.

Having said that, a membership would be nice, and would bring a lot of us closer together on the forum as Mazda 3 owners.

For example, paying 50$ one time fee (optional, forum would be free), gets you a shirt (40$) where 10$ would go to the club. Or so on. Problem is no one seems to like that overhead.

I know that stickers in the dirtbike racing scene cost loads of money. A regular fox sticker the same size as our TM3 stickers runs about 20$ plus tax.

A membership beyond the forum (optional) costing 20$ would cover a 5$ cost for one TM3 sticker and leave 15$ for the club. 100 Members paying 20$ would clearly have a club revenue of 1500$ and 5000$ going to stickers!

...

As for the accounting...I am a 3rd year Business student and would gladly offer up some time to run a budget for our club. I know xenon handles the funds well so I have no worries about that.

A public (yearly maybe?) budget would be a good idea.

Our club is not a business, but funding for projects/dinners/events would be nice.

...

I think the best idea would be to start a TM3 commitee.

A commitee of regular posters (high post count obviously), regulars at meets, admin and moderators.

This is something that should be discussed and I am looking forward to a meet so that we may hammer out some details.

...

I believe that MOM sparked interest throughout many of our members who want more action from the club side of things, rather than just the forum.

For example a key group of people who could help, or lend support/suggestions for major events like MOM.

...

[Broli]

nice post dave!

i have suggested a membership in the past as well!

it is not a mandatory membership, but if you want to get discounts at the various affiliates we have, you would have to have a membership, otherwise the board and the info is still free if you don\'t want to pay anything!

membership would be yearly, and not much, we would start with 10 a year!

budget should be discussed at every meeting
and updated monthly or at least quarterly on the board
there could be a committee meeting minutes thread
or a report thread or whatever

[Cardinal Fang]

Just a few thoughts.

1. Membership fees are charged to all or they are not charged at all. You can\'t have it both ways because some will feel put upon by the others, in which case they will find ways around it.
2. I have issues with membership fees being charged at all. Not the least of which is that it would be a stumbling block to growth. It\'s that whole exclusive vs inclusive notion. Not to mention if the cost of the membership is worth the benefits.
3. Once you charge memberships and depend on them, it becomes a crutch you will have to have. The push therefore becomes getting new members to drive the club forward. If the membership fees dry up the club could be gone in the next breath.

[Broli]

i agree it is a hard place to go!

but membership fees would be yearly
and therefore the club finaces would not dry up

but, really the club can probably get by with just a 1000 dollar start up

then merchandise sales can accumulate cash, and so forth

it is nice to have some capital to support games and events


why would they need to be charged to all,
lets say i guy in ottawa is on this board
why should he pay a membership fee,
he cant reap the benefits

it is not really different if you live here is it
if you like the boards for the banter and the info
u don\'t need to have a membership

or maybe we could work on the naming so
it is just another level of membership


really i don\'t think there is any pressure on people who wouldnt want to donate
no one has to know, we can keep it quiet

[3GFX]

Originally posted by Broli

really i don\'t think there is any pressure on people who wouldnt want to donate


+1

There will be no differance in level of membership. Maybe an exclusive meet once year (dinner, lunch or something) and a sticker or something.

10$ a year times lets say just the top 50 members would be 500$ a year, plus revenue!

Like I said, this should be discussed in person though.

[TheProfessor]

Originally posted by TheBiz



Originally posted by John


I\'m happy with the \"community\" that is the forum (resource, group buys, people).
The forum software is fine but I wouldn\'t mind an upgrade.
Either way, I\'ll continue to stay active in the forum.

+1 ^ What he said.

+2 ;)

[KenYork]

Originally posted by blackman


I enjoy the forum. Some features from new software would be nice... but I am just as happy with the current setup. Mind you... I don\'t post as often as most people here do... So my input shouldn\'t really count. ;)

As long as it\'s constructive, you\'re input counts.

[Skarbro]

I haven\'t read the thread but things I would change...

- Add image upload
- Allow forum to mark viewed threads no matter if you login from a different computer

[wtom]

Originally posted by Skarbro


I haven\'t read the thread but things I would change...

- Add image upload
- Allow forum to mark viewed threads no matter if you login from a different computer


+1 for new software system :D

[3GFX]

Originally posted by wtom



Originally posted by Skarbro


I haven\'t read the thread but things I would change...

- Add image upload
- Allow forum to mark viewed threads no matter if you login from a different computer


+1 for new software system :D

Image upload would cost money, because we would have to rent out extra space on the server. That would diminish funds very quickly. You can upload images at the moment, but of course they have to be under 200kb.

As for forum marking from different marking from a different computer. I am pretty sure that is dependent on your computer not your login. The viewed threads are based on cookies if I am not mistaken and a modifaction of the cookie file each time you look at a thread.

My suggestion for now, take your cooking with you, just don\'t eat them ;)

[majic]

Originally posted by 3GFX


As for forum marking from different marking from a different computer. I am pretty sure that is dependent on your computer not your login. The viewed threads are based on cookies if I am not mistaken and a modifaction of the cookie file each time you look at a thread.

My suggestion for now, take your cooking with you, just don\'t eat them ;)

in THIS software.. yes.. on others, it doesn\'t matter.. it rmemebers when you logged in last and then logged out and any posts from then on are marked unread..

why bring cookies with you when it\'s a feature of another software?

[DrunknFoo]

The TM3 forum is serving its purpose; a forum. The content is great, lots of useful information.

I like it and see no real difficulties in navigating the forum. OBB functions are fine, it\'s just a matter of preference and desire from what I\'m reading.

There are alot of other BBS proggies out there, but what can you do? OBB is up for sale so the assumption is there is no advancement/development for it, next option would be an overhall of the DB to a new bbs. (which is entirely upto TM3)

I\'m taking the forum for what it is, no less and no more.
:D

EDIT: ok the security loop holes is quite annoying. ><;;

[Effin Itai]

3GFX, are you becoming a post whore like Broli! LOL! Dude, I joined up 2 years ago and I have 1/3 the posts. LOL! Keep it up all you post whores out there. To the ones that want to be, you\'ve got quite a few mentors. LOL!:p

[3GFX]

I'm going to reply to that, just to have another post. lol.

My motto is, if you even you're the slightest bit board log on!!!