New AMOC website
Discussion
RobDown said:
I have actually just checked it out, more from curiosity given the comments above. It looks quite slick and professional in many ways.
But has one monumental flaw which would lead me to question who built it and how much time they've spent on forums in the past. That flaw is that you can't see a list of recent posts (or not that I could find). I'm not a software developer but I imagine that should have been easy to include from day 1.
Why is that a major flaw (imho)? When you think about it, its being able to see a list like that that creates the forum "community" - by seeing recently active threads people can post their own thoughts on live and interesting topics, which then becomes circular and gives the sense of online conversation. Without that community, the forum becomes a dry and dusty archive.I don't want to search a whole series of sub-folders to find the latest threads and nor does anyone else.
PH has the benefit that, every time you log-in to the Aston Martin section it shows you the list of recently active topics as everything is sorted by date of last posting, rather than tucked away in sub-folders.
AMOC need to correct that urgently in the next few weeks or risk the on-line community there disappearing
Rob has hit the nail on the head. It is exactly what everyone on the AMOC is telling the new webmaster. It does indeed look as if he has very little experience of forums, he does not "get it" at all.But has one monumental flaw which would lead me to question who built it and how much time they've spent on forums in the past. That flaw is that you can't see a list of recent posts (or not that I could find). I'm not a software developer but I imagine that should have been easy to include from day 1.
Why is that a major flaw (imho)? When you think about it, its being able to see a list like that that creates the forum "community" - by seeing recently active threads people can post their own thoughts on live and interesting topics, which then becomes circular and gives the sense of online conversation. Without that community, the forum becomes a dry and dusty archive.I don't want to search a whole series of sub-folders to find the latest threads and nor does anyone else.
PH has the benefit that, every time you log-in to the Aston Martin section it shows you the list of recently active topics as everything is sorted by date of last posting, rather than tucked away in sub-folders.
AMOC need to correct that urgently in the next few weeks or risk the on-line community there disappearing
I have to say that I've given up on it, which isn a real pity. I simply never works, and crashes often - in fact too often to be bothered with.
Websites are crucial portals for all types of business, and AMOC is no different.
Without a working website, especially the forum pages, I cannot see myself renewing my membership next year - The magazines are fun, sure, but it's the forums that I'm personally interested - and I guess that's why I sepend so much time here, not there.
Websites are crucial portals for all types of business, and AMOC is no different.
Without a working website, especially the forum pages, I cannot see myself renewing my membership next year - The magazines are fun, sure, but it's the forums that I'm personally interested - and I guess that's why I sepend so much time here, not there.
I raised the problem of not being able to see unread posts with the Webby last week and he said it would be corrected this week. I have just been onto the site, went into My AMOC, clicked on Forums and the middle tab now shows Unread Posts. It appears to show my unread posts. Hopefully the same for others.
I do find it strange that whilst they seem to have had a lot of people testing the site they did not approach regular users of the forum to test it before it went live. If they had a lot of the issues now being highlighted would have been identified and corrected before it went live. Not sure why that didn't happen.
I do find it strange that whilst they seem to have had a lot of people testing the site they did not approach regular users of the forum to test it before it went live. If they had a lot of the issues now being highlighted would have been identified and corrected before it went live. Not sure why that didn't happen.
Some interesting comments by James and Brendon.
I think we who use forums/websites tend to think we are in the majority. In years to come we may be but you would be amazed how few AMOC members use the website let alone frequent the forum. You only have to look at recent vigorously debated topics there have been on AMOC to see how small the number of contributors is.
As an Area Rep I am pretty well placed to know how many of my members use email, the website and the forum. I can tell you the latter two categories are less than 15%. I have not had one complaint/comment about the new website from anyone in my Area and I can tell you they are not shy in coming forward if they have something to say.
Brendan asserts that members are leaving in droves and I would be interested to know if there is any basis to what he says. All I can say is that in my area membership numbers are at a record figures and have increased 18% in the last 12 months. The great thing for me is that most new members have Gaydon cars and want to participate in the events we are putting on.
I think we who use forums/websites tend to think we are in the majority. In years to come we may be but you would be amazed how few AMOC members use the website let alone frequent the forum. You only have to look at recent vigorously debated topics there have been on AMOC to see how small the number of contributors is.
As an Area Rep I am pretty well placed to know how many of my members use email, the website and the forum. I can tell you the latter two categories are less than 15%. I have not had one complaint/comment about the new website from anyone in my Area and I can tell you they are not shy in coming forward if they have something to say.
Brendan asserts that members are leaving in droves and I would be interested to know if there is any basis to what he says. All I can say is that in my area membership numbers are at a record figures and have increased 18% in the last 12 months. The great thing for me is that most new members have Gaydon cars and want to participate in the events we are putting on.
Looked at signing up for the AMOC when I had the SP10.....then decided against it (a bit too up it's own arse for me). I'm more than happy with the PH forum to be honest, friendly banter and informative about the models which mostly interest me.....plus some occasional rambling rubbish 
IanV12VR said:
As an Area Rep I am pretty well placed to know how many of my members use email, the website and the forum. I can tell you the latter two categories are less than 15%. I have not had one complaint/comment about the new website from anyone in my Area and I can tell you they are not shy in coming forward if they have something to say.
Brendan asserts that members are leaving in droves and I would be interested to know if there is any basis to what he says. All I can say is that in my area membership numbers are at a record figures and have increased 18% in the last 12 months. The great thing for me is that most new members have Gaydon cars and want to participate in the events we are putting on.
Going a little off-topic here, but one of the issues I had when an AMOC member was that there didn't appear to be an active London "area" (I think it's 00). So I was left contemplating driving out to Hertfordshire or Bucks/Berkshire which midweek after work just wasn't going to happen. So the club scene was entirely about the website (and one or two national events). Maybe I should move down to the South-West Brendan asserts that members are leaving in droves and I would be interested to know if there is any basis to what he says. All I can say is that in my area membership numbers are at a record figures and have increased 18% in the last 12 months. The great thing for me is that most new members have Gaydon cars and want to participate in the events we are putting on.
All I am saying is that I feel I have paid a fee to become a member which includes a forum. Then that forum should be working if it is part and parcel of a club that is subscription based.
Sometimes it works, and then at other times, for no apparent reason, it simply gives an error message.
When it works, I like to keep up with what's going on over there (as well as on PH).
I just wish it would work - at least for there majority of the time.
Sometimes it works, and then at other times, for no apparent reason, it simply gives an error message.
When it works, I like to keep up with what's going on over there (as well as on PH).
I just wish it would work - at least for there majority of the time.
RobDown said:
Going a little off-topic here, but one of the issues I had when an AMOC member was that there didn't appear to be an active London "area" (I think it's 00). So I was left contemplating driving out to Hertfordshire or Bucks/Berkshire which midweek after work just wasn't going to happen. So the club scene was entirely about the website (and one or two national events). Maybe I should move down to the South-West
It is a shame the Areas are so different. Our problems is getting the older cars to join us so probably we are a bit different to most Areas. We have 16 very different events planned this year which will hopefully means there is something for everyone to enjoy. If you are ever down our way you would be made most welcome, especially if you happened to be in your GT8 when it is built.
DB7 for ever said:
Ian, 6 members I have had the great pleasure of meeting over the last couple of years have all shared their own personal thoughts and experiences with me and they have sadly had to endure as members of the AMOC and now they are NOT members.
Their reasons ranging from snobby up their own arses folk, non replies to email questions from senior club officials ( Anne Reed for example ), over priced membership fees, students paying £30 when they drive a Aston V8 ( F Scaramanga for example )having to pay through the nose to attend events only to be marked down for having an Aston Teddy and Hat in their car, Pathetic, ignorance at the NP dealership, general Elitism and online forum ganging up on certain members namely Philmw aka V8LM on here and his clique having a go at myself and others. Double standards on the forum with a rule for them and a ban for others ( Me ) which is their pathetic way of thinking they are getting one over on me when they are not. A boring magazine with the same crap in it monthly, a club stand at the NEC with EMPTY bottles of champers on display,et al et al.
I have made some really nice new Aston owner pals too who come from all differing lifestyles and all they want to do is just enjoy their cars and to hell with all the Elitist black tie crap. I wont miss any of it and I certainly wont miss being a member either.
Its the worst club I have ever had the misfortune to have been associated with and I fully support those who feel the same and as to why they don't join or leave
Cheers and enjoy it before the ship eventually SINKS.
Their reasons ranging from snobby up their own arses folk, non replies to email questions from senior club officials ( Anne Reed for example ), over priced membership fees, students paying £30 when they drive a Aston V8 ( F Scaramanga for example )having to pay through the nose to attend events only to be marked down for having an Aston Teddy and Hat in their car, Pathetic, ignorance at the NP dealership, general Elitism and online forum ganging up on certain members namely Philmw aka V8LM on here and his clique having a go at myself and others. Double standards on the forum with a rule for them and a ban for others ( Me ) which is their pathetic way of thinking they are getting one over on me when they are not. A boring magazine with the same crap in it monthly, a club stand at the NEC with EMPTY bottles of champers on display,et al et al.
I have made some really nice new Aston owner pals too who come from all differing lifestyles and all they want to do is just enjoy their cars and to hell with all the Elitist black tie crap. I wont miss any of it and I certainly wont miss being a member either.
Its the worst club I have ever had the misfortune to have been associated with and I fully support those who feel the same and as to why they don't join or leave
Cheers and enjoy it before the ship eventually SINKS.
Edited by DB7 for ever on Wednesday 25th January 19:22
IanV12VR said:
Brendan asserts that members are leaving in droves and I would be interested to know if there is any basis to what he says. All I can say is that in my area membership numbers are at a record figures and have increased 18% in the last 12 months. The great thing for me is that most new members have Gaydon cars and want to participate in the events we are putting on.
We have got a lot of new members in South Wales too, same as you Ian, mostly Gaydon era cars. I'm not sure about the Elitism thing, as we ran a Crazy golf tournament last year My favourite bit of the Membership is the free hospitality and parade laps at race meetings. I've not met anyone elitist at those events, perhaps it attracts a different crowd?
Edited by GingerMunky on Wednesday 25th January 21:55
DB7 for ever said:
and online forum ganging up on certain members namely Philmw aka V8LM on here and his clique having a go at myself and others.
This seems to be the way on so many forums these days. Nearly every forum I'm on, PH included, has degenerated over the last few years, its a shame 
Maybe stronger moderation and rules are required?When I was first looking for my car I visited there exclusively. Didn't really think to branch out as they were the "official" Aston site. I considered joining but didn't think being state side I'd get much for my dues. While there is a lot of knowledge available from members, I learned that threads died quickly and the old guard ran a tight ship. Except for a couple of contributors there wasn't much humor. After a bit I searched and found Piston Heads and 6Speed were the places to be. Very friendly, even when telling each other to p
s off.
I belong to a local(60 miles away) British car club, as there aren't any local Aston clubs(about 250 miles away), and have asked other members which forums they visit and am surprised to hear most reply - forums? So I can see AMOC members enjoying the club and it's events but not the forum. I will continue to visit the site now and again as I'm sure they will weather this storm. And as an owner and enthusiast I wish them the best.
If you Google Aston Martin Forum they are number 5 below Pistonheads and 6Speed.
s off. I belong to a local(60 miles away) British car club, as there aren't any local Aston clubs(about 250 miles away), and have asked other members which forums they visit and am surprised to hear most reply - forums? So I can see AMOC members enjoying the club and it's events but not the forum. I will continue to visit the site now and again as I'm sure they will weather this storm. And as an owner and enthusiast I wish them the best.
If you Google Aston Martin Forum they are number 5 below Pistonheads and 6Speed.
I joined AMOC who I bought my first Aston (a DB7 Vantage) in 2000. I found some snobs but I also found many interesting, jovial, welcoming and helpful people - and some very good friends - just like real life. The secret is to ignore the snobs and idiots - just like real life.
And also to remember that it is just a fking car club and doesn't mean that membership or owning an Aston makes the others (or you) special in any way whatsoever (though some people find that bit very difficult). You tend to get out what you put in - approach it with humour and openness and you will, in my experience, get many positives from it.
I was one of the earliest contributors to the AMOC Forum. It went from being small, intimate and collegiate to a more all encompassing format. It spawned the Area 00. Originally it was the Forum's area, used for forumites to meet up usually in London and welcome global travellers as they passed through. It was taken over to become the London area.
And also to remember that it is just a f
king car club and doesn't mean that membership or owning an Aston makes the others (or you) special in any way whatsoever (though some people find that bit very difficult). You tend to get out what you put in - approach it with humour and openness and you will, in my experience, get many positives from it. I was one of the earliest contributors to the AMOC Forum. It went from being small, intimate and collegiate to a more all encompassing format. It spawned the Area 00. Originally it was the Forum's area, used for forumites to meet up usually in London and welcome global travellers as they passed through. It was taken over to become the London area.
Good to see progress with the AMOC forum.
Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a snob. Just a working class northerner. I joined AMOC just for the racing (Intermarque is a great championship) but now I enjoy both the racing and the forum (well, until it was changed). Some of the humour on there is priceless. Take it too seriously or personally and you're missing the point. As AZ said earlier, it's just a car club and a bit of good fun. Let's hope they keep improving the forum.
Anyone who knows me knows I'm not a snob. Just a working class northerner. I joined AMOC just for the racing (Intermarque is a great championship) but now I enjoy both the racing and the forum (well, until it was changed). Some of the humour on there is priceless. Take it too seriously or personally and you're missing the point. As AZ said earlier, it's just a car club and a bit of good fun. Let's hope they keep improving the forum.
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