Can I just clarify that I did not post this as a criticism of the moderators. The site is well run.
Can I just clarify that I did not post this as a criticism of the moderators. The site is well run.
2008 R56 COOPER S, Pepper White, Black Roof, 'John Cooper' Signature Side and Bonnet Stripes, JCW 'Stage 1' Tuning Kit, Forge Intercooler, Milltek Downpipe & Sports Cat, ALTA Induction, Chris Knox/DNA Remap, JCW/Brembo Brakes, Limited Slip Diff, JCW Suspension and Front Strut Brace, 17" Crown Spokes with Non-Runflat 205/45x17 Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres, JCW/Recaro leather Seats, JCW Sideskirts, Chili Pack, Front Spotlights. Still got my old Hendrix Badge blu-tacked to the dash!
I say a wee bit off topic and banter style posts within a thread are all good for the social and friendly image that this club portrays. Nobody wants to come on here and be policed and told what to do, and in general I don't think that happens on here. Striking a balance is what's its all about. I personally love the wee off topic bursts of banter and humour or even innuendo that the likes of Mr Elfman adds to almost every thread. That to me adds to the appeal of this friendly forum and I for one would like to see it stay that way.
Yes I would agree that this forum/club has become a little quiet of late and perhaps a way to deal with that is for us all to start leaving fliers in the dealers (with their permission) and leaving fliers under mini windscreen wipers
yep I agree with everyone else! and not a lot else to add.
the bullet points:
- for me, the site is very nicely run by friendly people who hit a great balance of banter and control. I have never found any over-modding and when this issue came up last year I PM'd several of the admins to say that and to say thank you and declare my appreciation for the balance that they hit.
- I also remember talking to Craig a long time ago (I can't remember when but I've been a member for a bit over a year and it was many months ago - last autumn maybe?) about how I was sad that it had gone a bit quiet. His answer was that it always had cycles of activity and it would come back up. And it did. I expect that all sorts of things affect that - the time of year and what people are spending their time doing in particular.
- the wee bits of banter get self policed most of the time and what they do is add a lot of humour and enable people to get more friendly. In my experience someone always pulls it back on topic if it gets a bit too far off. I'd say that the friendly banter encouraged me to go along to my first events and I've been to loads of events now because the more people I know the more I go to. If it was all confrontational slagging I wouldn't have wanted to at all, but it isn't. I suppose I've put a fair amount of time in on the forum and therefore I get a lot back.
- I don't show and tell quite as much about my own car since the forums were opened up a bit more, so in that way I am perhaps guilty of being quieter. But I think I say a lot about a lot of other stuff and I have a feeling that quiet wouldn't be the first word some others may use!
Good discussion folks, thanks for taking the time to air your thoughts.
I'd certainly agree the site is quieter now than it was a couple of years ago. But I don't think it has anything to do with over/under modding.
What I do think is that the proliferation of alternative social media like Facebook is partly to blame - certainly I'm a FB junkie I fully admit it. But I suspect one of the main reasons the site isn't as busy as it was is because the social side of the site (the MINI runs & events) are few and far between these days. And I suspect the main reason for that is because fuel is so expensive. A moderate run of 120 miles (maybe 200 or 250 when you add in commuting to run start point) is going to set you back £50 or £60. It's basic maths that 3 or 4 years ago when fuel was half the price "we" (NMS Members) could do twice the runs. When you consider the organiser would need to do the run an extra once or twice before the actual run itself and it's no wonder there is not a line of people waiting to organise runs.
A.
R60 Light White / Red Countryman All 4 John Cooper Works Auto
R57 Chili Red Convertible John Cooper Works Auto
Also, Mini's are no longer as expensive or unique as they once were - decent R53's can be had for the £5k mark these days. With members naturally moving on to other cars, the people buying Mini's may not be as obsessive about them as we all are, as they are less expensive to buy; ergo, less members on the site
Feet were made to fit car pedals. If we were meant to walk, we'd have pogo sticks for legs
What he said! Well, the on-topic bits anyway... It hadn't even crossed my mind that would put people off the forum. As more of a peripheral member than one of the "nms clan" I'm mostly amused by the waverings from topic, and once the banter's been had, someone always steers it back to the matter in hand. don't see it as an issue.
Well, it seems I am in a minority of one
Thanks for posting your thoughts. Could I please to ask a mod' to close this thread as it has clearly reached a fair conclusion.
Cheers.