IMO this site really needs a framework as to why it is here, and a statement of the purpose that the administration intends for the direction of NYSpeed.
When this site first started, we didn’t have any problems because everyone knew why Howie created this place and his original (and I believe same) intentions. We all wanted this place to succeed and grow - and it did. (as we approach the 1000 member mark)
But now that more new members are joining, they don’t have the same connection to this intention as the people who first supported this site. They need to be made aware of this and, if need be, agree to this before they can become members / stay members. Before anyone enters the forum, they need to see it to be reminded of it.
Some people have the perception that this forum is a “safe haven” from being banned, and safe from “communist” moderators. Someone needs to tell them this isn’t the case before they join / stay.
Just use the old site as a case study; It lost its original purpose. New members allowed the site to grow and expand exponentially, but this brought in people who were further from the idea that the original members had. It also brought in too many people who didn’t even care about automobiles. These two things caused conflict between the “Old Guard OGs” and the “Locust n00bs” who signed up for who-knows-what reasons and demanded change. Sure some of the change was good, but only that which followed the original site framework. Some of them meet the “Old Guard” in person, learned about their ideals and became the “New Guard.” The rest ate away at what we once had as a community and forum until there was nothing left. There are more of “them” than there are of “us” it seems… and now they are here…
That site lost its vision and reason for being. This site is starting too. The majority of the “Old Guard” left that old site and came here for what we all though was going to be like the place we had before but better. With new leadership we could rebuild what we had. But now those “Locust n00bs” are starting to follow. Most of them don’t even realize it, maybe they even have good intentions - but they will kill this site. We’ve got members who don’t give a shit about automotive anything. OT has more than twice as many threads as GenAuto. They’ve joined IMO not for the reasons this site was created. I’d rather see this site stay the size it is, than keep growing and die like the last.
I consider myself “Old Guard” since my vision of this forum is a parking lot at UB - where everyone shared the same reason for being there - automobiles. We all connected and became friends. That’s what I want to preserve.
There are way to many people who sign up here who either dont give a shit about cars at all or claim to yet make no effort in it. I think some people who signed up on here and back on ubrf did just so they could feel cool and belong to something. They treat this place like its myspace. And these people need to go.
A lot of people on here beat up on new people when they sign up because they might be into body kits and car audio more then performance…and if they don’t meet the “all go” image most of the people on this forum go after they get bashed.
I think people need to be more accepting of people who have the similar intrests…everyone is on here because in someway they have a intrest in cars…modding…racing…showing them…
theres alot of good points in that post onyx, and i’m gonna have to say that on the whole i totally agree with it. “being here just to fit in” seems to be happening way too much…
But it is still a community, and communities need rules and govt. to work. This place was created as an alternative to UBRF and in recent history has become almost a clone of it, I think a statement as to the purpose and reasoning of the creation of NYSpeed would make for a solid constant reminder of the original intent of the forum.
Understanding that its main purpose is auto related, auto consists of styling, audio, performance etc. so I think the big thing with the board would be to constructively criticize instead of all out bashing something. Remember to each is own, and if someone is bold enough to express their likes publicly, then they shouldnt be fodder for bashing.
I think the board would be a much better place if everyone could simply say…i like it or i dont heres why in dealing with the topic at hand, not I hate your wing and you are :gay2: because of it.
I really have to agree with Josh on this one. I think that if there was a detailed statement providing the direction of the forum, not just rules and regulations that it would really shape the type of people involved, and the posts on the forum
I am so sick of people bitching about where this site is going?
What do you people want?? If you wanted it to be all about cars then why even add and OT section? Also, the nature of OT is collect everything that doesn’t belong in sub forums. Since we have about 20 or so sub forums, that leaves a lot of Everything else people talk about to be collected in OT. Who cares if OT has more posts? If you want car information go to the Automotive section and don’t worry about OT.
Also, to say that new people are ruining the site is just silly. What is the point of starting a forum if you don’t want new people to join. Everyone brings something new to this forum and those who don’t are ignored and/or ridiculed to the point that they don’t show up again. Its the natural order of things.
I am fine with site the way it is now. I dont see many new faces from the time that I joined here in August. The majority of the people who frequent the site are those who were here before me, so common sense would dictate that if the site is going downhill, those are the people who we should look at.
Point is, if all we do is sit here and complain about what we wish the site was and how its going downhill (pretty fast since it only started in June) then what the fuck is the point of even having NYSpeed.com??
I like this place. I like the people I speak to. Those who are not liked are usually not liked by the majority and are usually processed out.
It’s not something to keep out assclowns, it’s a frame of reference so we can support our mission statement in our actions. Right now, we are sort of shooting from the hip.
