Reputation

[Duncan Grimmond]

If it ain't broke, fix it till it is...

[JonE]

Facebook people seem to have limited attention span and look for quick fixes- forums are for a proper exchange of information . 

I agree, but ironically the very positiveness of the original forum incarnarnation IS facebook-like... it encouraged regular discussion of the same old things, much like being in a goldfish bowl, as you couldn't easily return to them from any form of structure beyond the first page. Some occasionally would search to reinvigorate an older thread. We have the same thing now in the revised forum and its simplicity I'm sure brings many users in who don't otherwise do too much on computers if they don't have to. It's like picking up an old Readers Digest whilst on the loo - easy, informative and pleasureable.

The considerable discussion about forum functions is as Timothy has shown us how powerful and flexible it is, over the months, with this and that. And I'm sure because we are able to intelligently start to think about things, rather than just accept. It's just like debating changing a master controller box thingamybob on a big community trainset. Not actually needed, but then are any of these thing actually "important"? We just can. (To think what we could do with a proper information filing system, if we actually wanted to, which we don't!)

However, I think we do all seem to like tweaking this and that on a Seven to see if it results in an improvement, with the healthy debates that ensue and the back stop of "keep it standard and if it aint broke don't fix it". Thus "the forum" just seems to be an adjunct to all that... but when you are back inside and wearing clean clothes. But there is no real standard spec here, and the factors of retaining - and extending of - the heart of an ageing Austin 7 community - the reason for the forum - is much, much more important.

[mk1-mark]

I am very new member of this forum, the thing that attracted me was the sensible no nonsense approach & excellent practical advice from people who were both very friendly & amazingly helpful. A place where I could learn about Austin Sevens in a wonderful supportive atmosphere.

I cannot be the only person who finds this recent bout of navel gazing pretty unedifying.

[Ruairidh Dunford]

Wise words Mark.

[Hugh Barnes]

Agreement here as well. I am so bored with this thread...

[Bob Culver]

From the meandering musings about matters of no or little consequence, one almost unrelated post is of interest, that from Mk1 Mark above.
He confirms the effectivenss of the Forum as a source of info for newcomers. I presume the major aim of the financial supporters of the forum is to encourage interest in Sevens into the future. It seems the Forum is very effectively achieving that purpose, although older hands must tire of the repeat basic questions and answers. The old men's social club aspect of a few years ago seems to have faded. Possibly  disappointing to those few original oldies remaining but probably better for newcomers.