[61-63]

I tried facebook for three or four months and then got off it wasn't for me. It won't go away through and there is nothing we can do about, and yes it does dilute this site some I suppose. I log onto this site every day and probably will until I pass on or it does. Best Pontiac enthusiast site bar none.

[dhcarguy]

I totally agree with Ccass. I will go even further and say I think facebook is a cancer. It was a neat thing in the beginning, and I can see how people have become addicted to it. When my immediate family gets together(3 daughters, 3 sons in law, and 8 grand kids 10 to 24 yrs old) No one pays much attention to anything except their smart phones. Last Xmas dinner, I finnally asked everyone to put them down until after dinner. The adults (red faced) apologized and put them down. The young ones did not until their Dads told them to. I still have a flip phone and I love it, but this year I will be getting a new smart phone. I will still use it to CALL people and not text them.
I will also bet that in the work place, because of people using them for PERSONAL reasons, productivity is down to close to 50%.

[The Boss]

No Facebook here either although I am afraid I'll have to join as I launch a new endeavor - we'll see.

Chris you have been a valuable part of this hobby for a very long time & we all applaud you for that. I think there are very few people, maybe a handful, who could claim to have done more. Thank you!

[Steve C.]

Facebook ? I don't even carry a cell phone !


.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by Steve C.

Facebook ? I don't even carry a cell phone !


.

Smart man!

[Jack Gifford]

Originally Posted by Steve C.

... Facebook ? I don't even carry a cell phone !...

Ditto. My phones are screwed to the walls of the garage and barn... and have ROTARY DIALS.

[ponchjoe]

I’m not a FB’er either and totally agree with you Chris. The message is received. The problem is the younger generation isn’t as into the forum side because they don’t know any better. The “Matrix” is swallowing us all up and only us a old fogies are resisting. How do we reach the next generation of hobby?

[ponchjoe]

I’m also curious about the merge and the benefits.

[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

[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!