Please take it outside
Rick, no worries - yeah, this thread has raised some issues, but it's certainly not your fault! I think what you're doing is GREAT, and strongly encourage you to keep it up. Unfortunately, it does conflict with an FCA event already on our schedule, otherwise we would have included it/promoted it, as we did last year. So don't worry about it! vty, --Dennis
LMAO... Well, first off, Dan is a big boy and he can certainly defend himself if he sees fit, or ignore it if he'd rather. I'll only say that he is incredibly swamped right now working on a pretty cool thing that you'll hear about shortly, so that may be why he hasn't weighed in here. As for what happend with Manolis, thx to Darthnefas for his clarification. Lastly, Michael, are you really complaining about the fact that FCA events aren't posted that often on FChat? You know what? If you ponied up the money and actually joined the FCA, you'd read about all the events in our publications, or receive the emails I send around on a nearly-weekly basis. If you haven't paid, and simply want to free-ride off the rest of us, well, you can always read about the events on the FCA/NER website. Remember, Fchat <> FCA (though the new sponsorship deal I've worked out with Rob is a step in the right direction). If you're not a member of the FCA, why are you complaining about the lack of FCA event notices on Fchat? Speaking of which, any and all FCA event organizers should feel free (and encouraged) to post more event details on FChat. Some events are open to members only, while others are open to all. Sam Hallowell, our new RD, is a regular poster here, and I will try harder to talk up events. Personally, though, I've got less time to spend at events (FCA or not), as my daughters are now 4 and 6, and I spend plenty of my "free" time doing lots of FCA admin stuff. Do I wish I could do stuff like attend the BBQ? Sure. Do I wish I could go to Tutto? Sure. But life happens. The FCA/NER is very active, and Fchat is very active; I'd hope that those who are active only in one or the other would take more steps to enjoy what the "other" side may offer - that'd be a great thing. But please don't complain about the lack of FCA event postings on Fchat... (and hint - one of the pics has you, Michael, in full on Don Johnson mode!) vty, --Dennis
Thanks Dennis. Appreciate it. It really is too bad that our schedules conflict this year. Was hoping to meet some members of your group. I'll just have to try to make it up to one of your events this year and check out some of the awesome rides. Thanks again, Rick
Thanks for your input here Dennis. I see little point in engaging in a debate here, but a few comments - Manolis was banned by Rob himself directly, and then Rob and I worked through the situation with Dennis' help. I flagged this thread to Rob also, but its been left for now. The point here is that there are scales of gray. Its worth noting that Manolis thread looked for all the world like a new business launch from a brand new user. Let's face it all manner of spam is put on this board which the moderators have to tidy up. That means some stuff just goes that some people think shouldn't have. I personally think there should be a regional sponsorship option so that cars & coffee etc can pay to sponsor the regional forum and then freely post events locally, the same would apply to FoNE etc. I've suggested this to Rob but its complex to administer and may not happen. The event posting by non-sponsors is something that's being looked at by Rob and I suspect the policy will become tougher rather than less tough. M James for some reason has a problem with me personally, that's his problem if he wants to keep up the insults on a public forum I do of course have the power to ban him And I guess that's the point, this is a moderated, forum, run by a bunch of unpaid enthusiasts who try their best to set a consistent tone - that means we essentially have to avoid debate since there are a bunch of idiots out there who live just to yank moderators chains. We do what we do, offer a simple explanation and then move on.
well even though I am making NO money on it... would do it if it meant a higher draw from some of the exotic owners of this board... possibly a certain moderator with a very AMAZING collection of cars
Huh? Perhaps I'm misunderstanding here. So all of the "get togethers" that are merely social, or might be 100% charity driven such as: The Groton crew's BBQ Tutto Italiano The AB show And the next "Boxerfest" at my home You're now proposing that we all have to pay for "Regional Sponsorships" to post such events. Perhaps one migh look at what actually drives traffic to F-Chat. It's not the Sponsors, but rather folks that have meaningful contributions to the technical and social aspect of Ferrari ownership. On the other hand, if you're talking about "purely for profit enterprises", then that's a different story. David
hmmm. And if a group of you guys were to meet at the RH Starbucks the morning of the show, I might be able to pull some strings and get you guys a police escort into the show. Would look pretty bad ass.
Sadly, between that type of thinking and a thread from last year was left open that dragged a Consulant's financial past troubles through the mud in this section is why have not and will not renew my membership here.
"The event posting by non-sponsors is something that's being looked at by Rob and I suspect the policy will become tougher rather than less tough." Ya know Dan, I yearn for the days that go back to the early North Beverly Sunday Mornings. We had 10 cars on some Sundays, and Porches and Lambo's as well. Will never forget Mark's Diablo, and Ira's Porsche. Spivy, early on, brought some serious Ferrari iron to our events, as did you. Brandon had a Platinum 328 and Brian brought his English racing green 308. Birdman was there. Greg joined us with his 348 SS and his Porsches and A Ferrari bicycle no less. Of course there was always Spyder 348 and myself. Actually spyder 348 is now a Spyder 355. But we're the only two left.Talk about a diverse group with a common thread.We held together and didn't attempt to "muscle in" on muscle car events or places we didn't belong. We simply kept to ourselves and enjoyed the company. In the end, we did manage to hang together and now have our own group, complete with forum, a calendar, and regular events. Just a quiet group of Ferrari owners who do their own thing. There's an old aircraft pilot association known as the QB's, the Quiet Birdmen. You can not join that organization, it's by invitation only. That's kinda where we are with our own Ferrari group. We are truly quiet Ferrari owners. We have true camraderie and go to great lengths to help each other out. It was Fchat that brought us together. It's a shame that type of group will probably never again be brought together by Fchat, simply because of all of the rules. What went wrong with Fchat? I don't expect an answer, but at this point being banned would be a badge of honor. i do not believe in paying for access to this forum, I do however believe in supporting sponsors which I have done on numerous occasions. How do we get back to the good old days?
Rich, I think you are misinterpreting. This is about commercial events, but the line as to what "commercial" is is grey. Is the event organized at some college raising money for them a charity thing? (more likely its funding their beer fund). As you have so correctly spotted Fchat is not invitation only, so we have to have rules, especially since its now a major deal internationally, with the associated idiots to wind us all up. The intent is not to stop BBQs and the like, although I'm sad to have as yet been unable to attend Verell's generous BBQ. I do think your attitude on not paying for access is instructive. When a service is provided you have to pay for it somehow. The two major options are sponsorship of actual hard currency. Your attitude of "everything on the web is free" is far from uncommon, but that's why sites have to have sponsors. Those sponsors get pissed off if the site is a free for all for other non-paying parties to freely advertise. That's the core issue, hence the rules.
We've done the same in CT, check the 'CT Gathering' threads. Core group of Ferrari owners met here on FChat. 348's, 355's, 328's, 308's...and we've been graced with an Enzo, 430 Scud, and others. Some FCA members, some not...some of our core group aren't even Ferrari owners but their company is enjoyed just the same (heck some of their cars are much faster too! ) Granted I'm a relative Fchat newbie of 2.5 years, but I don't see it as 'what went wrong'. Fchat allowed us to all make a contact, arrange a weekly gathering, and post pics of it every week! Any tightening of rules for advertised car shows, etc. won't impact us one bit. To us, the 'good 'ole days' are here and now...get out and drive!
Your post, in full, is the most impressive, heart-felt, truly most wonderful thing i have read online in a forum in a long, long time. You, kind sir, are a blessing. Thank you.
