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[cem_devecioglu]

Maybe we should have a poll "Is OOF cliquey?"
I must be honest, a hell of a lot of members I have spoken to in the last year or so believe strongly that it is,and becoming more so.One chap I spoke to last week said he had stopped posting a year or so ago because of it but had come back for another look and it had got much worse.
Its a subject which rears its head often - so smoke/fire etc? :-/

So how are members on here that have met and known each other for a long time supposed to act in order not to be classed as "cliquey" then? :-/ In my humble opinion, anyone that deems to refer to the forum as such is doing so because they are not prepared to join in and interact as friendly human beings. If "cliquey" = helping out others, friendship and fun, then I'm all for it.

good question 

same applies wherever you go.. not only for the net forums..

[hercules]

he cant be that bothered,he hasnt pushed the button yet.and M that isnt a nudge its just an observation(cos im pretty sure your lurking )

He wants an admin to do it 

the lazy lil bugger

[TheBoy]

The cliquey thing, as Albs has said, has been mentioned before.

There is no easy answer to that, as as bob.dent and others have said, many long standing, active members have made the effort to go to various meets, including the usual 2/3 big camping meets each year.  Naturally, many members have become good friends with other members.


I think the friendship thing is a really good thing - its handy to have a similar Omega enthusiast nearby, in case you need a hand, or just advice. Or even just a chat over a beer and a pint.

The downside is an apparent closed circle, with newbies feeling that they can't get a look-in. 'We' active members need to do all we can to make them feel welcome, and make them want to join in.

I do feel that you get out of OOF what you put in.  If you never join in, never offer advice, and just come on to get help on your car, I don't think you will get much out of the site.  I know people who just take - those who are just me-me-me - do nark off a lot of regular, active members.

[JamesV6CDX]

Or even just a chat over a beer and a pint.

I must admit, I do miss coming down to Brackley, working my nuts off on cars, and then getting the p1ss ripped over a few beers!!

[Sir Tigger KC]

I wonder if M knew he was about to spark off 6 pages of cliquey twaddle? 

[hercules]

Or even just a chat over a beer and a pint.

I must admit, I do miss coming down to Brackley, working my nuts off on cars, and then getting pissed with a few queers!!

no need for that james :-?

[Entwood]

Just my 2.4p worth (inc VAT)...

Gen chat can, and does, get a bit "cliquey" in-as-much as groups of folks tend to post in the same "style" as each other with often similar topics, - some serious, some light hearted - from a newbie point of view this looks like a "clique". Strong banter between small groups also gives that impression.

However, and this is the most important point IMHO ....  outside of gen chat there are no cliques, just people trying to help with tech advice, assistance, parts etc etc.

OOF is far far more than gen chat, IMHO gen chat is actually the weakest part of OOF ( many will not agree ... fine .. you are entitled to your views.. just as much as I'm entitled to mine     )

So the desperately announced "I'm leaving" (read .. please beg me to stay) in gen chat should probably be totally ignored rather than a 6 page thread discussing it ........ M has generated more comment in this one thread than in 6 months of other drivel .. 

[Terbs]

The cliquey thing, as Albs has said, has been mentioned before.

There is no easy answer to that, as as bob.dent and others have said, many long standing, active members have made the effort to go to various meets, including the usual 2/3 big camping meets each year.  Naturally, many members have become good friends with other members.


I think the friendship thing is a really good thing - its handy to have a similar Omega enthusiast nearby, in case you need a hand, or just advice. Or even just a chat over a beer and a pint.

The downside is an apparent closed circle, with newbies feeling that they can't get a look-in. 'We' active members need to do all we can to make them feel welcome, and make them want to join in.

I do feel that you get out of OOF what you put in.  If you never join in, never offer advice, and just come on to get help on your car, I don't think you will get much out of the site.  I know people who just take - those who are just me-me-me - do nark off a lot of regular, active members.

I am a 'nearly newbie' on here, and have to say was in awe of the knowledgeable people on the forum. I thought I would not be accepted as 'one of the gang' as such. But I have to say, after setting up the Bucks meet, which was attended by 'the knowledgeable' I found them all to be so friendly, and the day was full of banter.
However, taking up TB's point about advice, I am in no position to offer advice on Omega repairs. I have nothing but praise for all those who have helped me and especially TB who finds me on his doorstep I expect there are others in my position, who would love to offer advice, but just do not know mechanics or electrics.
And one does not want to make a tit of oneself in such talented company

[jonnycool]

Just my 2.4p worth (inc VAT)...

Gen chat can, and does, get a bit "cliquey" in-as-much as groups of folks tend to post in the same "style" as each other with often similar topics, - some serious, some light hearted - from a newbie point of view this looks like a "clique". Strong banter between small groups also gives that impression.

However, and this is the most important point IMHO ....  outside of gen chat there are no cliques, just people trying to help with tech advice, assistance, parts etc etc.

OOF is far far more than gen chat, IMHO gen chat is actually the weakest part of OOF ( many will not agree ... fine .. you are entitled to your views.. just as much as I'm entitled to mine     )

So the desperately announced "I'm leaving" (read .. please beg me to stay) in gen chat should probably be totally ignored rather than a 6 page thread discussing it ........ M has generated more comment in this one thread than in 6 months of other drivel .. 

Some great points there Mr Entwood 

[TheBoy]

However, taking up TB's point about advice, I am in no position to offer advice on Omega repairs. I have nothing but praise for all those who have helped me and especially TB who finds me on his doorstep I expect there are others in my position, who would love to offer advice, but just do not know mechanics or electrics.

You misinterpreted what I meant (ie, I made a pigs ear of explaining ) - some people do come on here just to 'take'

You do not get 619 posts without 'giving' - giving does not have to be Omega advice, after all, not everybody is in a position to be able to help. If they were able, then there would be no need for OOF .

619 posts shows you have joined in, become a part of OOF, and even took the time to organise the fantastic Bucks meet .  Even ignoring the posts associated with the Bucks meet, you would still have well over 500 posts.  500 posts in a subject, by you own admission, that isn't your specialist subject, shows you have been more than willing to 'take part'.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Martin, sorry to see you feel that way.

It is Admin policy not to delete accounts for people, that is something that only a user should do.

As for the give, I feel pretty much everybody gives, including the original poster of this thread.

As somebody who likes to help with problems when I can, the fact that a member has even posted a fault for me is a little gift as it allows me (and many others)  the opportunity (which sadly is not as often as I would like myself at the moment) to do what I enjoy.....solving problems and helping. In addition, I am sure the information posted in helping is also an education and small enlightenment into how a modern car works for others even those that read and dont post.

Although we can not all answer and solve the problems, it takes the original post of a question from the newbies and those less knowing in this field to start the ball rolling for all.....so never consider yourself to not be a giver because you cant solve the faults.

As for the general chat debate, we are all (thankfuly) different, some will enjoy general chat and the odd bit of banter, that is good (this is not question time on the bbc so should not be stale). Hence why we have general chat, car chat, help areas.....hopefuly something for all.

And there ends my 2p worth 

[Terbs]

However, taking up TB's point about advice, I am in no position to offer advice on Omega repairs. I have nothing but praise for all those who have helped me and especially TB who finds me on his doorstep I expect there are others in my position, who would love to offer advice, but just do not know mechanics or electrics.

You misinterpreted what I meant (ie, I made a pigs ear of explaining ) - some people do come on here just to 'take'

You do not get 619 posts without 'giving' - giving does not have to be Omega advice, after all, not everybody is in a position to be able to help. If they were able, then there would be no need for OOF .

619 posts shows you have joined in, become a part of OOF, and even took the time to organise the fantastic Bucks meet .  Even ignoring the posts associated with the Bucks meet, you would still have well over 500 posts.  500 posts in a subject, by you own admission, that isn't your specialist subject, shows you have been more than willing to 'take part'.

That, if I may say so, just about sums up all that this forum is about.
Great response TB

[Kevin Wood]

The other thing worth saying on the matter is that an organisation as large as OOF is always going to have members in close circles and others more loosely associated. There are always going to be aspects of it that seem impenetrable at first. This is true of online forums as much as it is workplaces, clubs and societies and other places where people meet face to face let alone with the typed word as the main form of communication.

I tend to judge such places by the welcome I receive as a newcomer. If you get a friendly welcome, you can bet that you'll become a part of it, given time, and enjoy your time there.

[TheBoy]

The other thing worth saying on the matter is that an organisation as large as OOF is always going to have members in close circles and others more loosely associated. There are always going to be aspects of it that seem impenetrable at first. This is true of online forums as much as it is workplaces, clubs and societies and other places where people meet face to face let alone with the typed word as the main form of communication.

I tend to judge such places by the welcome I receive as a newcomer. If you get a friendly welcome, you can bet that you'll become a part of it, given time, and enjoy your time there.

Thats always been my view, which is why I fought for, and have always backed a Newbie Welcome area, so members can genuinely welcome new members.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Interestingly, I hardly ever post in Newbies (I hang my head in shame)