Topic: Site Expectations (Read 5316 times)

Markie · « **on:** 14 July 2006, 15:24:44 »

I do hope this is the correct area and not too off topic..

So we all love the new place, and we all know who is responisble for the site.

So come on guys; Laidback, TheBoy, Mark DTM and Ronnie.......

You must have talked about your expectations for numbers of members and when you would expect to break certain barriers.

Is the uptake so far as expected, better than expected, beyond realistic hopes?

I am betting Sunday for Member 100!

Hope you all have some free time to sit back occasionally and marvel at your creation

TheBoy · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 July 2006, 15:39:48 »

3 days since launch, 70+ members and 1100+ posts. And thats before we're indexed in a search engine (though we have been trawled by Google, but not yet in its index).

I think that counts as your 3rd option

But remember, its you, the members that make a forum, so thanks go to each and every one of you - Laidback, Marks_DTM, Ronnie McB, and myself really do appreciate your support here

Admin · « **Reply #2 on:** 14 July 2006, 16:32:21 »

I don't think we did talk about expectations you know.

We just wanted to set up an Omega owners site.

Suffice to say we are rather shocked at the speed at which things are growing!

As Jamie says, it is you guys that make this place and we are very grateful of your support so far. [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]

Longer term aims?

2 fold.

1. Get the forum more established and supporting you guys as best as possble.

2. Develop the website itself.
We want to create THE place for all things Omega related on the internet.
This will take some time to design and build, but ultimately the aim is for the forum to be an integrated part of a larger site.

The site will have the complete background and history of the Omega with information on all models (including viewable brochures, etc), a better buyers guide, and a proper in depth explanation on how to maintain your Omega with step by step instructions and pictures.

Grand ideas, and they will take some time!

Markie · « **Reply #3 on:** 14 July 2006, 16:36:27 »

Sounds fantastic guys!!

As ever if you need any additional help in any way let me know.

Will do what i can if ever needed

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #4 on:** 14 July 2006, 16:47:20 »

I see so the guides will become HTML pages rather than served by the forum software.

Sounds good.

RonaldMcBurger · « **Reply #5 on:** 14 July 2006, 17:25:10 »

Yep, my feelings precicely. Without raking through old coals, and nobody start doing so either, we all know why the forum was started. Personally I thought it would be mega-successful, but not this fast!!!

I agree with what Jamie and Dave have said. It is YOUR forum, not ours. We are all doing this because we love Omegas and have (if I dare say) a very extended knowledgebase of all things Omega. With your help and with a little tweak here and there from us as and when required, this will become a superb forum.

Is it what I expected? BETTER.

Thanks again to all of YOU for making it a sucess already.

SMS01 · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 July 2006, 01:36:31 »

Thanks for all of the efforts so far - I think I can probably say for most of the members who have joined that it is being very well received and I look forward to seeing it develop over the coming months.

As for site development and ideas, the suggestions you have indicated sound great, if there is anything I can help with, let me know.

Steve

STMO123 · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 July 2006, 18:59:29 »

Ahh...another Steve...we've got to be in the lead,surely

Martin_1962 · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 July 2006, 19:34:58 »

I knew it would be big but not this big this quick - I also guessed to its existance about a week before it was live, after Ronnie left the other place I knew something would happen

Markie · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 July 2006, 08:27:20 »

Quote

Ahh...another Steve...we've got to be in the lead,surely

no no no no mate the marks are romping it!!!

markey mark · « **Reply #10 on:** 16 July 2006, 20:03:17 »

Quote

Ahh...another Steve...we've got to be in the lead,surely

doubt it have you seen all the marks on here

Doctor Gollum · « **Reply #11 on:** 08 January 2021, 15:29:01 »

Stumbled across this thread...

Twelve years later, I wonder if those expectations have been met, and exceeded? In if so by how much.

2008 doesn't feel that long ago, but it must be several lifetimes in the interweb scheme of things...

Sir Tigger KC · « **Reply #12 on:** 08 January 2021, 15:42:00 »

You need to go to Specsavers Al!

It's 2006.

Note also that Great Uncle STEMO features as well, way back in July 2006. He really is an OOF old timer!

STEMO · « **Reply #13 on:** 08 January 2021, 17:03:49 »

Quote from: Sir Tigger QC on 08 January 2021, 15:42:00

You need to go to Specsavers Al!

It's 2006.

Note also that Great Uncle STEMO features as well, way back in July 2006. He really is an OOF old timer!

Where's the depressed smiley?

TheBoy · « **Reply #14 on:** 08 January 2021, 19:41:49 »

Quote from: Doctor Gollum on 08 January 2021, 15:29:01

Stumbled across this thread...

Twelve years later, I wonder if those expectations have been met, and exceeded? In if so by how much.

2008 doesn't feel that long ago, but it must be several lifetimes in the interweb scheme of things...

Well, I think we have been the most informative Omega resource for English speakers out there. So from that respect, I think its been successful. Additionally, I think there aren't many technical issues that the forum finds insurmountable.

Along the way, we've had a hell of a blast, from our very first meet (Allenm's head rebuild in the morning, Santa Pod in the afternoon/evening) to the last meet I'm aware of at Brakkers Rugby club in 2019. And all the Newents, Lakes, cam belt meets and so on along the way. Many good friends and many fond memories along the way.

Dave had a plan for an associated site, which I was never convinced by (both for potential legal issues, and also because that wouldn't be interactive with members), hence I never progressed it, and when Dave left, the concept had no backers. I guess that counts as a failure not to achieve that.

We wanted a light touch moderation allowing free speech, within reason, for members. I think we have mostly managed that, although I am hugely aware we have had to restrict some subjects when passions on politics, tyres and so on run too high.

We set out that OOF would be free for anyone to access, and no tiered membership, and a concept of every member being equal. We so desperately closely managed that, with the only tiering being around a certain number of posts in order to sell here, initially 50 posts, quickly raised to 250 posts. With Paypal unilaterally cutting off our meagre income from the OOF Shop, we have significant challenges about that going forward, as OOF has purely been funded from the OOF Shop and the remainder from our silent sponsor.

I personally have a bucketload of regrets in various things I've said and done, which if I could re-live my time, would likely do differently, but we are where we are. But these pale into almost insignificance with some of the laughs and help I've had here.

How about everyone else?

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #15 on:** 08 January 2021, 19:57:16 »

I would echo the above. Ive been here most of the time since about a year after the forum started. Had many many laughs (particularly in the earlier days), took things to heart and too seriously at times and got into silly arguments that should never have happened, would definitely take back quite a few things Ive said, spat my dummy and left then came back,but for almost all of the time have thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a hell of a lot about cars and many other things.
I still think we could have an anonymous funding setup of some sort.
Still the best car forum out there.

STEMO · « **Reply #16 on:** 08 January 2021, 20:00:05 »

Quote from: Migv6 le Frog Fan on 08 January 2021, 19:57:16

I would echo the above. Ive been here most of the time since about a year after the forum started. Had many many laughs (particularly in the earlier days), took things to heart and too seriously at times and got into silly arguments that should never have happened, would definitely take back quite a few things Ive said, spat my dummy and left then came back,but for almost all of the time have thoroughly enjoyed it and learned a hell of a lot about cars and many other things.
I still think we could have an anonymous funding setup of some sort.
Still the best car forum out there.

I've meant everything I've said, Paddy

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #17 on:** 08 January 2021, 20:01:16 »

Far cough Scouse Git.

Sir Tigger KC · « **Reply #18 on:** 08 January 2021, 20:03:22 »

This site and it's members kept my Omega going for me for 11 years, where otherwise I probably would have let it go after a year or so.

Not only that, the banter, the varied discussions, the interesting project threads and everything else to be found here, not to mention the comradery, kept me going through a dark and difficult time a few years ago.

Many thanks to all involved!

Broomies Mate · « **Reply #19 on:** 08 January 2021, 20:08:16 »

I've been Omega-less for quite a number of years, but this forum (or rather it's members) have a certain way of keeping me entertained. The amount of times I start laughing at the laptop, only for the Missus to say "you on that stupid website again"......

Of course, this is primarily a Vauxhall Omega forum, with a wealth of knowledge on everything from *cough* tyres, to cambelts, but what makes this particular place special, is the overwhelming desire of everyone (except Uncle Steve) to help with problems from Washing Machines to Washing Lines to Boilers to Fish Keeping to PC Technical Support.

I wouldn't be without this place...... it's the first tab that opens, and usually the last one I close down.

I agree with Albs, there really should be some way of contributing a few pennies as and when they are available.

Migv6 le Frog Fan · « **Reply #20 on:** 08 January 2021, 20:16:33 »

I found the site after having to scrap my beloved Senator and buying my first Omega. It turned out it had all the usual Omega issues, plus a knackered AR25.
I was on the point of admitting defeat and deciding I had wasted £1200 ( more than I usually spend on a car, even now) when I decided to search the new fangled interweb for some answers.
I discovered OOF and over the course of the next few months rekindled my interest in working on cars and had the old girl running like a Swiss watch. Even replaced the gearbox by myself with a £45 one from that new EBAY thing I knew nothing about. I then amazed myself the first time I changed a V6 cambelt, with the help of the OOF DVD. When I first joined., I swore I would never buy another one.
Ive been driving the damn things ever since.

dave the builder · « **Reply #21 on:** 08 January 2021, 20:21:30 »

I can only agree with what has already been said

a fantastic forum

which is rare these days ,many forums have died due to constant spammers and the time and costs involved in keeping them alive

so a big thank you to Jamie and the moderator team for all the work they put in

I rarely even see spam on here

I'd be happy to contribute ,not everyone will want too ,or can afford too in these "unprecedented times"

but surely the forum could remain free to view ,regardless of any contribution

Rangie · « **Reply #22 on:** 09 January 2021, 08:13:20 »

Great forum discovered when I purchased my Omega 2010 I think provides a host of useful info + plenty of amusement..😃
Happy to provide financial support.

Shackeng · « **Reply #23 on:** 09 January 2021, 08:35:43 »

All the above, doubled, in spades. I have recently, reluctantly, sold my last Omega of two, having run them for 21 years, only because, as my wife’s carer, I am,sadly, no longer able to spend time tinkering in the garage, however I still enjoy this encyclopaedic forum, and have tried and failed previously to persuade Jaime to allow us to contribute to its running costs.

Kevin Wood · « **Reply #24 on:** 09 January 2021, 10:47:31 »

Yep, I remember finding this site in early 2007 having bought a 2nd hand Omega and wondering what on earth I'd got myself into buying such a potential liability.

Shortly afterwards, I attended a cam belt party at TheBoy's garage (V1.0), met a load of great people who knew the car inside out and realised that I shouldn't have worried.

12 Years and about 200,000miles later the Omega moved on but the great people remain.

Looking forward to another meet once this nonsense is behind us.

henryd · « **Reply #25 on:** 09 January 2021, 11:58:45 »

I sold my Omega about 18 months after I joined but still here as haven't found anything close elsewhere

TheBoy · « **Reply #26 on:** 09 January 2021, 17:32:22 »

Quote from: Kevin Wood on 09 January 2021, 10:47:31

having bought a 2nd hand Omega and wondering what on earth I'd got myself into buying such a potential liability.

More than your earlier Morris Ital ?

Raeturbo · « **Reply #27 on:** 09 January 2021, 19:16:30 »

Yeah, been here five years and without this forum I would not have my Omega. Simple as that. I mean I’ve had plenty of help even James rebuilding my engine for nothing!👍 good place for a bit of fun and discussion too.

pscocoa · « **Reply #28 on:** 10 January 2021, 11:03:52 »

Really impressed with this site - joined in 2007 when trying to sort out the colour display. Met up with Jamie and Tunnie and Kevin to get a handle on screen set up and then managed to source part from Germany - vx wanted mega money of course. Many thanks to you all kept Omega for 12 years but have moved on now. Site now helping with other Astra issues and Tunnie helped out on vw codes.

News:

Author Topic: Site Expectations (Read 5316 times)

Martin_1962

RonaldMcBurger

STMO123

Martin_1962