[critter]

Interesting. I used to run a forum on our car club's web site. I finally gave up. Lack of participation didn't make it worth the work of keeping it updated and secure. I never threw away the DB though. There was some good information in there. I'm not sure what to do with it to this day. Good luck on the merger. As you noted, social media doesn't archive a damned thing.

[bird72]

You asked for input..... To keep a format and website alive into the future, look at what is fine for the older generations and look at what is appealing to the younger generations also. They inherit this hobby, us old dogs are old guard

I agree the format and archive ability and sectionalized areas on PY are king. Tidy and navigate well.

What does facebook have that appeals? For myself:

A lessor level of anonymous. Most people are who they say and visible. I believe it helps with forthright and posting issues a bit. It is nice seeing real people not handles.

Ability to have big pics in posts. And videos with play button, and preview screen.

Link and share ease of stuff.

Networking capability and business page stuff. People seeing my post can see I have a business page and click boom to that site, so it is a business exposure benefit.

The international and even in US crossing more social spectrums, of people that post. I see Firebird owners from all over world posting on FB bird site and that is way cool. I know we have international here, but it seems nowhere near the scope.

What I don't like is the transitory "for the moment" nature of FB. A big scrolling screen where yesterday fades quick. It is more a "social" aspect of hobby than real reference, expert stuff as here. Although I see some same people and some high level knowledge mixed in the huge rookie pool.

You can incorporate some from with worlds. Some web forums allow a posting with FB log in. Incorporate some feature that people like in FB. People are expecting this stuff more and more. Make an anti FB stand and that is ignoring that most people utilize it these days, for business and reference and information look up, in conjunction with Google. I thought FB was silly, was forced into it for business reasons, people asking / expecting it. Now that I am on it I see cool features, also negative aspects. Combine some of two formats (old school website and FB interactive style) and you have a winner, IMO.

[Ccass]

Originally Posted by bird72

You asked for input..... What does facebook have that appeals? For myself:

A lessor level of anonymous. Most people are who they say and visible. I believe it helps with forthright and posting issues a bit. It is nice seeing real people not handles.

Ability to have big pics in posts. And videos with play button, and preview screen.

Link and share ease of stuff.

Networking capability and business page stuff. People seeing my post can see I have a business page and click boom to that site, so it is a business exposure benefit.

The international and even in US crossing more social spectrums, of people that post. I see Firebird owners from all over world posting on FB bird site and that is way cool. I know we have international here, but it seems nowhere near the scope.


You can incorporate some from with worlds. Some web forums allow a posting with FB log in. Incorporate some feature that people like in FB. People are expecting this stuff more and more. Make an anti FB stand and that is ignoring that most people utilize it these days, for business and reference and information look up, in conjunction with Google. I thought FB was silly, was forced into it for business reasons, people asking / expecting it. Now that I am on it I see cool features, also negative aspects. Combine some of two formats (old school website and FB interactive style) and you have a winner, IMO.

These observations about the merits of Fb are spot on. We are currently looking into ways to take advantage of some of the convenient and attractive features of FB.

Remember guys, I never said that I wanted you to boycott FB. It has it's place. My appeal is to have everyone take a step back and think.

[Firedup6975]

Well, I don’t get out as often as I once did. I can touch base with former co-workers, family and friends, who want to discuss other things besides cars.


Also I found my dream Bandit TA on FB.


To each his or her own!

[Ccass]

Originally Posted by Firedup6975

Well, I don’t get out as often as I once did. I can touch base with former co-workers, family and friends, who want to discuss other things besides cars.


Also I found my dream Bandit TA on FB.


To each his or her own!

All good reasons to participate on FB!

[tharkun8]

I am a member of a few Pontiac groups on Facebook.. but they are pretty
lightweight.. ( as is most of FB anyway)

If I am looking for answers to technical questions or how-to type things..
I definitely start here on the Ames ( ex-PY) forums.. the boards here
allow for more in-depth talk about issues, clearances, things to look out for..etc..

The biggest benefit of the FB forums is a bigger pool of users to find someone
that might have that unusual part I might need for one of my cars.. ( just got
a mast antenna and base for my 66 Ventura for example)

There are also people on there who obviously dont know crap about pontiacs
specifically and it can be nice to nip some idiocy in the bud before it gets nuts.

I have referred people to this site for more reading.. dont know if they ever took it up..

Thanks again for the knowledge here.. its still one of the most valuable Poncho sites..

John

[Ccass]

Originally Posted by tharkun8

I definitely start here on the Ames ( ex-PY) forums..

John

Not to jack my own thread but...….

Just for the record, it's always been and still is the 'PY Online Forums' We still own, manage and run the forums.

As part of our merger agreement, Ames has been the title sponsor since Performance Years and Ames merged a little over 3 years ago.

[Baron Von Zeppelin]

if a new merger takes place , can you also change the URL back to Performance Years ?

Or URL of just PY.com

Almost everyone still calls/refers to it as PY , or some now PY / Ames

No one has adjusted to maxperformance or uses that moniker.
Its basically an unknown entity amongst the hobby.
PerformanceYears Forum was well known and a long living legend in most circles.

When giving suggestion to others to check it or out , or referencing something about a topic on another site - back to this site .... i don't think folks are finding it.
Or not finding it easy enough.

Have had some say to me in recent years what a shame the PY site went down. lol

[tharkun8]

Originally Posted by Ccass

Not to jack my own thread but...….

Just for the record, it's always been and still is the 'PY Online Forums' We still own, manage and run the forums.

As part of our merger agreement, Ames has been the title sponsor since Performance Years and Ames merged a little over 3 years ago.

Oops ... Sorry.. should have known I guess because I had wondered why
the name was never changed to Ames forums..

Anyway.. still great work and keep it up..

John

[68 461 Bird]

Another thing that turned me off from Facebook is all the advertising. It seemed that half of my feed was ads. If I looked at something on eBay, it would appear in my feed over an over again as if they were forcing me to buy it.

[GT182]

I wouldn't use FB, or the others, if they paid me to. It's trouble with a big T just waiting to happen.

Don't keep us in suspense, what's this merge? Could it be The Ultimate GTO website? I heard it's having a bit of a problem.

[RocktimusPryme]

It’s a fair point. I do try to google my automotive issues before I come and beg for help with a new thread. I’m often referred to old posts. Only issue being important photos and dead in my cases. So maybe that’s something for our PY hosts and other message boards to consider. If we are trying to preserve, we need to preserve all the content, not just the text.

That said I’m active on both. There is faaaar more misinformation on the FB groups. A lot more people who don’t even have a car, which shouldn’t be the bar for entry, but crap info is more likely to come from someone who isn’t an owner.

Facebook marketplace is taking over craigslist in many areas. Which I like. It’s harder to make troll accounts I think and you can direct message the person you are trying to buy from.

[Firedup6975]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

It’s a fair point. I do try to google my automotive issues before I come and beg for help with a new thread. I’m often referred to old posts. Only issue being important photos and dead in my cases. So maybe that’s something for our PY hosts and other message boards to consider. If we are trying to preserve, we need to preserve all the content, not just the text.

That said I’m active on both. There is faaaar more misinformation on the FB groups. A lot more people who don’t even have a car, which shouldn’t be the bar for entry, but crap info is more likely to come from someone who isn’t an owner.

Facebook marketplace is taking over craigslist in many areas. Which I like. It’s harder to make troll accounts I think and you can direct message the person you are trying to buy from.

I agree and like the Market Place too!

[mgarblik]

Not a facebook user either. I will poke around with my wife's page now and again. I am a Pontiac guy, Pontiac info is here. So are many very knowledgeable people. This works great for my needs and interests. Thank you for the forum.

['ol Pinion head]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

Not a facebook user either. I will poke around with my wife's page now and again. I am a Pontiac guy, Pontiac info is here. So are many very knowledgeable people. This works great for my needs and interests. Thank you for the forum.

X2, lol, have in the past quickly scanned a few FB Pontiac sites on wife's FB when we were roadtripping & wife was driving. Just don't have time for the nonsense that FB brings. Also do my best not to use Google. Longtime held belief here is Google & Facebook are both beyond evil. Thank You Chris for continuing to provide the best Pontiac site on the Net!