Wow, Lotus 7 Club's quiet ... how can we help it recover
Discussion
Helluvaname said:
Please tell me all about this, and how the relationship with Speed Chills came about.
Current Club members seem to be happy with the present arrangements.
Well its just I don't recall how Speed Chills got access to all that space in Camping Bleu, I mean it was never the Lotus Seven CLubs to give away was it.Current Club members seem to be happy with the present arrangements.
What is the cumulative value of all those special discounts I wonder?
I left Blatchat because of the actions of a few self promoting dickwads (who didn't have chips on their shoulders) They were simply desperate to be liked and to create an internet persona markedly different to the reality. Their desperation spoilt my enjoyment of a forum that I'd belonged to for 14 years. An ignore function would have removed the problem.
My attempt at a humorous poke at one with id "Googletwit" was seen as a personal attack.
That and the increasing level of moderation to exclude pretty much anything beyond the banal, mundane or autistic made me exit.
I know others felt the same and the new website was the nail in the coffin for Blatchat. It's crap and they've all run round in circles saying that it isn't and trying to avoid individual blame.
If after three weeks they had acknowledged that the project had gone badly, that the site was shyte and they'd try again or at least get the suppliers to produce what they'd been asked for then I suspect it'd all be a lot happier now.
It's a great shame.
My attempt at a humorous poke at one with id "Googletwit" was seen as a personal attack.
That and the increasing level of moderation to exclude pretty much anything beyond the banal, mundane or autistic made me exit.
I know others felt the same and the new website was the nail in the coffin for Blatchat. It's crap and they've all run round in circles saying that it isn't and trying to avoid individual blame.
If after three weeks they had acknowledged that the project had gone badly, that the site was shyte and they'd try again or at least get the suppliers to produce what they'd been asked for then I suspect it'd all be a lot happier now.
It's a great shame.
AVES said:
I left Blatchat because of the actions of a few self promoting dickwads (who didn't have chips on their shoulders) They were simply desperate to be liked and to create an internet persona markedly different to the reality. Their desperation spoilt my enjoyment of a forum that I'd belonged to for 14 years. An ignore function would have removed the problem.
My attempt at a humorous poke at one with id "Googletwit" was seen as a personal attack.
That and the increasing level of moderation to exclude pretty much anything beyond the banal, mundane or autistic made me exit.
I know others felt the same and the new website was the nail in the coffin for Blatchat. It's crap and they've all run round in circles saying that it isn't and trying to avoid individual blame.
If after three weeks they had acknowledged that the project had gone badly, that the site was shyte and they'd try again or at least get the suppliers to produce what they'd been asked for then I suspect it'd all be a lot happier now.
It's a great shame.
I feel much the same and I'll be exiting when my membership lapses at the end of April. It used to be enjoyable but now it's about as exciting as reading the Guardian. The choice for the new forum was quite simply bloody bizarre. My attempt at a humorous poke at one with id "Googletwit" was seen as a personal attack.
That and the increasing level of moderation to exclude pretty much anything beyond the banal, mundane or autistic made me exit.
I know others felt the same and the new website was the nail in the coffin for Blatchat. It's crap and they've all run round in circles saying that it isn't and trying to avoid individual blame.
If after three weeks they had acknowledged that the project had gone badly, that the site was shyte and they'd try again or at least get the suppliers to produce what they'd been asked for then I suspect it'd all be a lot happier now.
It's a great shame.
AVES said:
I left Blatchat because of the actions of a few self promoting dickwads (who didn't have chips on their shoulders) They were simply desperate to be liked and to create an internet persona markedly different to the reality. Their desperation spoilt my enjoyment of a forum that I'd belonged to for 14 years. An ignore function would have removed the problem.
My attempt at a humorous poke at one with id "Googletwit" was seen as a personal attack.
That and the increasing level of moderation to exclude pretty much anything beyond the banal, mundane or autistic made me exit.
I know others felt the same and the new website was the nail in the coffin for Blatchat. It's crap and they've all run round in circles saying that it isn't and trying to avoid individual blame.
If after three weeks they had acknowledged that the project had gone badly, that the site was shyte and they'd try again or at least get the suppliers to produce what they'd been asked for then I suspect it'd all be a lot happier now.
It's a great shame.
I agree with the "ignore" suggestion, and thought the googletwit episode was humorous Matthew, but I guess the recipient didn't?My attempt at a humorous poke at one with id "Googletwit" was seen as a personal attack.
That and the increasing level of moderation to exclude pretty much anything beyond the banal, mundane or autistic made me exit.
I know others felt the same and the new website was the nail in the coffin for Blatchat. It's crap and they've all run round in circles saying that it isn't and trying to avoid individual blame.
If after three weeks they had acknowledged that the project had gone badly, that the site was shyte and they'd try again or at least get the suppliers to produce what they'd been asked for then I suspect it'd all be a lot happier now.
It's a great shame.
I personally think the level of moderation is perceived to be a lot more than it actually is, and I've suggested ways to alleviate that, although nothings been taken up (yet)
Several of the MT (me included) have said what we think of the implementation of the new site, and it wasn't favourable!
I still think it's better in some respects but lacking in others, and I continue to say so.
As for "them" running around trying to avoid individual blame; I think you know me well enough to know I will say what I think
I wasn't involved in the design and specification of the new site at all (it was instigated under the previous Chairman's tenancy) and I'm not about to accept "corporate responsibility" for it until such time as the whole MT are actively involved in it, which I don't feel we are at present.
BUT I do think that it is now considerably better that when launched, and SOME features are better than before, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to continue to seek improvements
As always, I'm sure you'll be welcomed at your local club meet, even if you're no longer a member, and I hope to see you there next month.
As for you Mr. Smollet, I thought you weren't renewing your membership because you'd sold your seven and weren't planning to get another one?
If the forum was the same level of fun and usability as it was when I origiinally joined and before it changed to the new format I may well have stayed as it's a useful resource but the way it's gone no way would I stay. Also if I'd kept my 7 I still would have left such is my disenchantment with what's happened to it.
Edited by Smollet on Saturday 21st March 19:59
Smollet said:
If the forum was the same level of fun and usability as it was when I origiinally joined and before it changed to the new format I may well have stayed as it's a useful resource but the way it's gone no way would I stay. Also if I'd kept my 7 I still would have left such is my disenchantment with what's happened to it.
Sorry to hear that, but although the forum is very important (IMHO), there is a lot more to the Club than 'just' the forum. Edited by Smollet on Saturday 21st March 19:59
I think you enjoyed Shoreham airshow, and I'd guess other club activities, but of course without a seven then shows etc won't be of much value either
Ian did not say it was a club activity, but as a club member he or someone in the club did organise a get together at Shoreham. I think this constant sniping at the club if getting really tedious. Mistakes are made and it has implications but life moves on for most of us. Is the new site as good as the old one, forum content wise no but functionality seems more up to date, not perfect but I am not sure it matters much with the choice of Facebook etc. I do not think any forum would replace Blatchat of old as with all things nowadays the days of flaming people on any site can lead you into a courtroom, stupid but possible.
The Lotus 7 Club is for getting to know other like minded people and enjoy Lotus and Caterham Sevens. Yes you can not be a member and still meet other seven owners but the club has people who put time into organising monthly get togethers, visits to shows, Motorsport events plus more, but if you want to do it alone or with a group of friends/ Facebook friends then get on with it and leave the Club to do its own thing.
Martin B and the management team have and continue to put in countless hours to run the club and I think they do a fantastic job and for no reward. Good luck to them.
The Lotus 7 Club is for getting to know other like minded people and enjoy Lotus and Caterham Sevens. Yes you can not be a member and still meet other seven owners but the club has people who put time into organising monthly get togethers, visits to shows, Motorsport events plus more, but if you want to do it alone or with a group of friends/ Facebook friends then get on with it and leave the Club to do its own thing.
Martin B and the management team have and continue to put in countless hours to run the club and I think they do a fantastic job and for no reward. Good luck to them.
So, how can anyone build a forum and it be so s
te? It's been done a million times before. So, go to blatchat/chitchat. Pick a thread, press back and get a completely different list of threads. Then you pick a thread and it can't find the page. My kids could write better software. And why did they get someone to write any software in the first place? There is an almost infinite supply of opensource forum software anyway.
I assume the muppets who did it work in Govt IT so have different expectations from normal tech people.
Sorry for the rant, but how hard can it be?
Bert
te? It's been done a million times before. So, go to blatchat/chitchat. Pick a thread, press back and get a completely different list of threads. Then you pick a thread and it can't find the page. My kids could write better software. And why did they get someone to write any software in the first place? There is an almost infinite supply of opensource forum software anyway.I assume the muppets who did it work in Govt IT so have different expectations from normal tech people.
Sorry for the rant, but how hard can it be?
Bert
Thanks Mr. Blackbird, but sadly (for him) I don't think life will ever move on for Bob since leaving the Club, as his fixation with it keeps burning away inside 
For anyone interested, by "Shoreham Airshow" I meant that I think Smollet enjoyed the hospitality provided by the Club at the airshow: the Event Support Vehicle with refreshments for members; the excellent value-for-money entry tickets (compared to public prices); and being able to drive into the showground and park his seven with a load of others on the Club display stand
, the forum software IS opensource 
I understand it was chosen to integrate with the rest of the Club's websites (the Club is more than just the forum for most); which incidentally was a regular complaint before (that the Club's sites were all different and had separate log-ins).
Are you a Club member, and logged-in, when you're experiencing the problems you mention? The reason i ask is I haven't seen those issues, even when not logged in
And unfortunately, when the Club asked for anyone with expertise to volunteer to help with development, no one offered to (or offered their kids) help, despite several people saying since that they could have done a much better job for 5 pence, etc.
For anyone interested, by "Shoreham Airshow" I meant that I think Smollet enjoyed the hospitality provided by the Club at the airshow: the Event Support Vehicle with refreshments for members; the excellent value-for-money entry tickets (compared to public prices); and being able to drive into the showground and park his seven with a load of others on the Club display stand
BertBert said:
So, how can anyone build a forum and it be so ste? It's been done a million times before. So, go to blatchat/chitchat. Pick a thread, press back and get a completely different list of threads. Then you pick a thread and it can't find the page. My kids could write better software. And why did e? There is an almost infinite supply of opensource forum software anyway.
I assume the muppets who did it work in Govt IT so have different expectations from normal tech people.
Sorry for the rant, but how hard can it be?
Bert
Just for the record Bert, "they" didn't "get someone to write software in the first place" te? It's been done a million times before. So, go to blatchat/chitchat. Pick a thread, press back and get a completely different list of threads. Then you pick a thread and it can't find the page. My kids could write better software. And why did e? There is an almost infinite supply of opensource forum software anyway.I assume the muppets who did it work in Govt IT so have different expectations from normal tech people.
Sorry for the rant, but how hard can it be?
Bert
, the forum software IS opensource I understand it was chosen to integrate with the rest of the Club's websites (the Club is more than just the forum for most); which incidentally was a regular complaint before (that the Club's sites were all different and had separate log-ins).
Are you a Club member, and logged-in, when you're experiencing the problems you mention? The reason i ask is I haven't seen those issues, even when not logged in
And unfortunately, when the Club asked for anyone with expertise to volunteer to help with development, no one offered to (or offered their kids
) help, despite several people saying since that they could have done a much better job for 5 pence, etc. Edited by Helluvaname on Sunday 22 March 00:58
To be honest Ian I think it's not all bad when ex club members comment on how things are and express what they see as failings in the way things have turned out, it shows they still have an interest, and for many if not all it's a genuine interest. Not everyone wants to see it fail, in fact I doubt anyone does. I myself was going to and probably still would rejoin if I could justify it, but something is not quite plumb.
We've spoken offline and made our thoughts fairly clear to each other last year, Am I right in saying nothing much has changed on the forum front as of yet?
One of the things I always feel is a slight put down is being told that there is lots more to the club than the forum, that may well be the case for some but for others it's not.
There are many events I often see advertised where I'd love to go, however being in the NW of England sadly they all seem to be hundreds of miles away.
Our highlight here (personally speaking) was the once great Woodvale Rally where the club ESV and a great turnout always made it a weekend to look forward to, that coupled with a lively ,active, entertaining and very usefull forum did indeed make the membership worth paying for.
As it stands now, Woodvale as we know it is no more, there are precious few other big events to get fired up about locally (unless Tatton takes off) and as already said the forum seems dire from a "none logged in" point of view and not much better when logged in according to the real life members I speak to in the flesh, what is the point of a 50 quid spend to rejoin I then wonder?
I still have and see a lot of my local 7 mates, I still own a 7 and still meet up with local lads for a tyre kick.
So yes, maybe Blatchat isn't the be all and end all but it did become a big part of the package.
It was great to come home from work, have a natter about anything and everything and glean how to change a faulty oil pressure relief valve whilst there was dross on the telly on a stty winters night.
So back to the forum, it's a mystery to me and I know for a fact many, and I mean many others feel the same. It is simply not up to the task and flawed.
I also know it's very awkward for you taking over when it was not your doing and having to fend off these criticisms, but it's gone on far too long now.
In the real world the forum as it is would have been junked, the money would have been asked for back and a Mark 2 version would now be up and running.
What's wrong with a PHPBB forum like most lifestyle sites use...........easy to post on, easy to search , pretty well easy to do everything and a doddle to set up, why not use one of these for the "club forum" and tweek the other if you must for the main site?
As it is now it's a mess to a none member dipping his toe in, in fact it'd probably be better being "none view" until you join, as per the TVR club........providing it then performs as well as the TVR site when you've paid your dosh which at present it apparently doesn't. As I say I'm baffled by the whole switch over, and the lack of comeback the club seem to have on the product. What sort of money did all this cost do you know? Is that an issue why we can't just scrap it?
Why in this day and age has the club not got a 100% functional site?
A site that works would render Facebook pages redundant as they are a "for today" only sort of thing with no continuity. However and as proven the mess that is Blatchat has seen them flourish, sadly IMHO it's no coincidence.
As I say Ian, you can't start slagging off or commenting on the former guys who made this decision and I'd think less of you if you did, but a snapshot of where things are at the moment and a guess at when the club might have a proper and fully functional Blatchat back would be appreciated, whether it be this one properly sorted or a new one. It really isn't a big ask.
We've spoken offline and made our thoughts fairly clear to each other last year, Am I right in saying nothing much has changed on the forum front as of yet?
One of the things I always feel is a slight put down is being told that there is lots more to the club than the forum, that may well be the case for some but for others it's not.
There are many events I often see advertised where I'd love to go, however being in the NW of England sadly they all seem to be hundreds of miles away.
Our highlight here (personally speaking) was the once great Woodvale Rally where the club ESV and a great turnout always made it a weekend to look forward to, that coupled with a lively ,active, entertaining and very usefull forum did indeed make the membership worth paying for.
As it stands now, Woodvale as we know it is no more, there are precious few other big events to get fired up about locally (unless Tatton takes off) and as already said the forum seems dire from a "none logged in" point of view and not much better when logged in according to the real life members I speak to in the flesh, what is the point of a 50 quid spend to rejoin I then wonder?
I still have and see a lot of my local 7 mates, I still own a 7 and still meet up with local lads for a tyre kick.
So yes, maybe Blatchat isn't the be all and end all but it did become a big part of the package.
It was great to come home from work, have a natter about anything and everything and glean how to change a faulty oil pressure relief valve whilst there was dross on the telly on a s
tty winters night.So back to the forum, it's a mystery to me and I know for a fact many, and I mean many others feel the same. It is simply not up to the task and flawed.
I also know it's very awkward for you taking over when it was not your doing and having to fend off these criticisms, but it's gone on far too long now.
In the real world the forum as it is would have been junked, the money would have been asked for back and a Mark 2 version would now be up and running.
What's wrong with a PHPBB forum like most lifestyle sites use...........easy to post on, easy to search , pretty well easy to do everything and a doddle to set up, why not use one of these for the "club forum" and tweek the other if you must for the main site?
As it is now it's a mess to a none member dipping his toe in, in fact it'd probably be better being "none view" until you join, as per the TVR club........providing it then performs as well as the TVR site when you've paid your dosh which at present it apparently doesn't. As I say I'm baffled by the whole switch over, and the lack of comeback the club seem to have on the product. What sort of money did all this cost do you know? Is that an issue why we can't just scrap it?
Why in this day and age has the club not got a 100% functional site?
A site that works would render Facebook pages redundant as they are a "for today" only sort of thing with no continuity. However and as proven the mess that is Blatchat has seen them flourish, sadly IMHO it's no coincidence.
As I say Ian, you can't start slagging off or commenting on the former guys who made this decision and I'd think less of you if you did, but a snapshot of where things are at the moment and a guess at when the club might have a proper and fully functional Blatchat back would be appreciated, whether it be this one properly sorted or a new one. It really isn't a big ask.
Edited by kenny.R400 on Sunday 22 March 08:49
Helluvaname said:
And unfortunately, when the Club asked for anyone with expertise to volunteer to help with development, no one offered to (or offered their kids ) help, despite several people saying since that they could have done a much better job for 5 pence, etc.
I'm no IT expert but I did post a link to another forum that I use and this was acknowledged by whoever was asking for ideas of other formats that could be used. Sadly it wasn't as its way better than what we have had forced upon us now. What really gets my goat is that no options were shown to the members who use it a lot more than most of the MT do nor was there any beta testing done. It was just thrust upon us and we were used as guineas pigs. That to me is the worst thing as had we had a say in what forum was available I'm certain we'd never have chosen the one we've got. ) help, despite several people saying since that they could have done a much better job for 5 pence, etc. Edited by Helluvaname on Sunday 22 March 00:58
Btw well said Kenny.
I would say that the events I've been to that the L7C organised have always been well run and highly enjoyable. The Shoreham one being a highlight. I'll miss it and meeting the other members there. I may sneak in one day as an outsider and say hello.
Edited by Smollet on Sunday 22 March 10:08
Orange Blackbird said:
The Lotus 7 Club is for getting to know other like minded people and enjoy Lotus and Caterham Sevens. Yes you can not be a member and still meet other seven owners but the club has people who put time into organising monthly get togethers, visits to shows, Motorsport events plus more, but if you want to do it alone or with a group of friends/ Facebook friends then get on with it and leave the Club to do its own thing.
So what's the difference between "club people" who organise things, and a group of friends/Facebook friends who do the same?Perhaps it's time to admit the average Seven owner no longer needs a club (any club) to introduce him or her to others?
I guess it doesn't help that the whole "Parking in a neat semi-circle for the day" thing just doesn't flick any switches for me.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 22 March 12:43
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