That's always the hardest part. That and technology requires maintenance. It would be nice if the hosting website were in charge of all of that part. Otherwise, what happens when someone, like yourself, goes away? I think most users would want this to be "appliance like". Reliable, easy to use and "just there".
Interestingly enough there was a PBS broadcast this morning from a round table discussion that occurred at the Press Club in D.C. about this very topic of Wikipedia and who's in charge etc. They had the Wikipedia founder on there defending how it's all handled and others who did not quite agree. It would seem it's an issue that causes constant strife. More generally they discussed the impact and state of the internet.
well, that is exactly what I described above. An open source CMS application that can be re-installed anywhere and at any time. same idea as having your car serviced, some people don't care about the mechanics and just drop their car to the dealer and others who DIY just about everything at their home garage. those who don't care about the technical details can just receive the whole thing in their email and if they want it "online" then can ask a friend of theirs with technical skills to do it for them (eg "the service guy") and those with technical skills can do it on their own. At the end of the day, all data is shared and can't be destroyed.
well, you are talking about something that anyone can just "plug to the wall" and press "power" for it to work, I understand that much. unfortunately, that doesn't exist for the web, so the next best thing is an open data and open source solution, which can be installed on the web by just about anyone with the technical background. Which means, that the whole thing must be portable for those non-technical people. it is like sharing the same car to everyone, but only a mechanic can do the servicing. the important thing here, is that it is a shared car! each individual can service the car at his own mechanic. that is the best the web technologies can offer us right now. Such an example is Google Docs (controlled by Google of course) but offers similar features.
I've been using one like this for over 10 years unfortunately is just too dated for most people's taste now and I don't know about it's viability for the future. But no matter what is utilized it will be an external link from this forum. Having the forum discussions linked to the database entries is a very valuable thing. At least it would be linked in one direction should any discussions arise about a particular entry. Finding them on here is another matter. The ability to store reference files is another thing to think about.
all that is possible, both Wiki and Wordpress software can do links and file attachments. It is also possible to do pingbacks, RSS feeds and other "sharing" features. I don't think technology is the issue here, more like you guys getting together and actually making it happen. For example, one guy who made things possible is Marc! Has a great love for K and took the time to invest in all things K. Sounds like he can do just about anything, even organize a whole event about the K! So there are people here who have the "momentum" to create something unique. As I said previously, technology is not the problem, the same way you can choose your car mechanic you can choose your software developer and get things done. Once things are shared, anyone can use his own developer if he doesn't have the technical background to move things along, same thing he does with his own car mechanic.
Hi Mark Thanks for the article. I am fully aware of the issues with ethanol and cars like the Khamsin of the 70's. Until just last month NSW had mandated the use of ethanol in 91 octane fuels but they have bowed under pressure and stopped it. Now there are still companies who sell it for environmentally conscious but its a requirement to mark the bouser, well at the name brands any way. The other sad part about ethanol fuels and its been tested many times its a waste of money as you get better mileage from Higher octane fuel, but its main advantage it is renewable. May be Mr. Branson Cellular ethanol will be better Cheers Graeme
Hi all: Carmine, Maserati blue thanks for the kind words but le'ts focus on the cars, it is about them, and gather existing and new data, I will be happy to put it in my site if desired. best regards, Marc
Perhaps you could set up or point to a small example of what you're talking about, a demonstration? I don't understand where the the data is going to reside and who would be in charge of maintaining it or responsible for it always being available. Here's that internet and Wikipedia discussion program I was talking about earlier. It's long and about more than Wikipedia but worthwhile. http://millercenter.org/public/debates/internet We could also move this out of the Khamsin thread.
Sure, here is an example of what you can do. In this example I am going to use a Wiki engine (something like Wikipedia) called "moinmoin", which is open source and at the same time it can be run either online or on your personal computer. All data are stored in a single data file, which can be shared via email, web or other methods. It requires a little knowledge of computer stuff, but nothing too technical. The following procedure works for Windows computers: 1) Download "moinmoin" from: http://moinmo.in/MoinMoinDownload 2) Download Python Windows installer from: http://www.python.org/download/ 3) Run the installation for Python that you downloaded in step 2 4) Extract the moinmoin archive from step 1 into a directory on your computer 5) Double-click on the file "wikiserver.py" which is in the "moinmoin" directory 6) Point your browser to the following address: http://localhost:8080/ There, 6 easy steps that even a non-technical person can follow, with limited computer knowledge. You just need to know how to download a few files and install/extract them on your system. I can describe the above procedure for those using a Mac or a Linux computer, if anyone is interested. You can even create your own "moinmoin" archive, with nice Maserati logos, for your own distribution Please let me know what you think. I'd appreciate some constructive comments. PS: possible problems that might arise: the moinmoin archive is not a regular ZIP file that most people are used to work with, so they might not be able to open it. We can of course just supply it in ZIP format, so that is not an issue.
All, Note that Marc has started a new thread: "Consolidating & safeguarding Maserati technical information". Please repost this stuff there so we have one place to look at and consider it all. Carmine
If I may add a preamble to the parts list. The Khamsin Parts book actually has some unique info in it and I am sure the other Classic Maserati's have the same. The Parts book has lots dimensions for basic items in it. Bolt sizes and hose sizes etc. Some of the parts supplies to Maserati, there original part numbers make up part of the Maserati designated part number. Even the perfix to some Maserati numbers give a indication as the earlier model Maseratis the parts originate from rather than giving it a whole new number. Regards Graeme
Hello all: My co organizer Doug Blair and I are happy to announce that we will exceed 20 Khamsins and a couple of days ago I received a particularly pleasing entry from Germany: AM120.014, a very early car, the 7th built on which I had no information, zero, it will be there alongside AM120.016 and other early cars as well as very late ones and everything in between! Official entry deadline was yesterday but we will still accept entries this week however we ask you to really get around to it now as organizing an event is very time consuming and requires deadlines. Payment can be made by paypal or bank wire, whatever is convenient for you. Remember there won't be a "KHAMSIN QUARANTA UNO" this is a one off event so make sure you take part and do not forever regret sitting idle once you see the event photos! This is a non profit exceptional event never to be repeated by enthusiasts for enthusiasts so join us! We are at your disposal to facilitate your participation so if you have any questions, queries, concerns please don't hesitate to contact us, we are at your disposal. best regards, Marc
If AM120.010 and AM120.012 also show up, the first weeks of production will be together for the first time ever. Best regards Marius
Hi Mark, Gee. Haven't heard of any racing Khamsin. There was a (pair of?) Bora(s?) campaigned briefly. Search the Maserati forum for it. There was some discussion within the past few months. Regards, Carmine
-Good monring again Marius: Very happy you are coming all the way from Norway with 008! Well among existing cars 004, your 008, 014, 016 will be there. Unfortunately 010 sold new in the middle east now lives in a remote part of Canada (Mark I will put you in touch soon) and 012 lives in...south Africa so I doubt those will show up at K40! -Mark: No, no K ever raced, not intended for that and would need a fair bit of re-engineering. In track days however they can mingle with 1980's Ferraris, have amazing balance change directions at will while remaining very stable and those brakes just do not fade. best regards, Marc
Hi, As long as we are on the topic of racing, I am enclosing pictures of Armaz's Khamsin at the Tehran Classic Car Rally held in February. It was a one day time/distance rally covering Tehran. Enjoy ! Ramin Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Hi Ramin, Very nice looking car. Is it a very early production model? What build number? The smooth hood is cool. The grill (covering the spare tire tray) is original or replacement? Carmine
Hi Carmine: We discussed the car a numnber of times, it is AM120.130 sold new via the Rome dealership. Here is an idea for you: since you stated your eagerness to consolidate and safeguard data and since you also mentioned that you have time and apparently have not read the entire thread, why don't you: 1 read the forum little by little from start to end. 2 safeguard it at the same time. Doing it bit by bit it would not be that big a task and it would certainly be a worthwhile one because yes these forums can crash and data can get lost. Needless to say all of the forum is not worth saving there are redundant posts but still there is a lot there now. 3 last but not least you could index things for them to be more easily retrievable: some like to talk about tech details, other about history... Again it is about content moe than methodology about goes in the glass and not about the glass (although Maseratiblue's input is certainly intersting and appreciated let's keep that discussion in that other forum to concentrate on K's here). Marcello Gandini Khamsin Quaranta In other news I called the Khamsin's designer for Bertone Marcello Gandini yesterday about his attending Khamsin Quaranta or us filming him at his home around a Khamsin describing it which would then be showed for the first time at Khamsin Quaranta. Either one will happen no problem but it is still a bit too early for him to commit to which of the two it will be, however we had a great conversation, he was surprised that we will exceed 20 cars (exact count is some weeks away) and is certainly keen on coming. He is a very pleasant person, initially reserved but once you have broken the ice he is quick to laugh, a very gracious modest man. Here is a photo from the November 2007 interview for the book at his home near Turin. best regards, Marc Image Unavailable, Please Login
Application submitted on-line and email sent with credit card information. Not sure about anybody driving from London (Chelsea, or the UK in general) but looking to catch Eurotunnel probably around 9:00. Pascal
