Scott's 500ecstasy.com site (partial)

[500Espot]

Postby a-man on Wed Dec 10, 2008 5:39 am

My interactions with the 500Ecstacy community were really positive, and as a newbie to this world it was a great resource to have. Recently it seemed that Scott did not have the time to manage it. It will be a huge loss to lose all the collective knowledge that was gathered there, but I think we need to look to the future. Where can we have a resource we can count on and be the central repository of information? I think the community needs an active and passionate 'community manager' who has the knowledge and maintains the site. I recommend that Gerry build out the Wiki on this site, and hopefully we can transfer some of the topics and info from the old site to the new board/wiki. I am staring at several 'must do' projects including a timing chain, and would really like to have a resource I can count on to be 'live'.

Allen Stephens
Portland, Oregon
1993 500E

a-man

===================================

Postby 500AMM on Wed Dec 10, 2008 10:31 am

Many good points coming up here, and it was very well said by Allen in his last post. I fully understand Gerry and his concerns for starting some kind of competition between the two forums. That is not a wanted situation by none I guess. It is no doubt that Scott and his 500Ecstasy.com was a high valued contribution and a start for getting us online and compiling important information about our cars. So, all credits to Scott for his initiative and efforts.

From my point of view did the high mass of information on 500ecstasy.com need a better categorization. This grew out of its proportion based on the Bulletin platform, which I also addressed in a thread there half a year ago. It is a lot of work put in 500ecstasy.com by several members and we can?t expect that everything will be repeated on this forum. It is now locked up and we need access to that material. Doesn?t Scott have, or feel, any commitment towards the members?! I hope so.

But we must be realistic, and based on the short time with 500Eboard.com and the prospected intention and security for the information, it is definitively the right step ahead. Let?s hope for a solution for either merging the information from 500ecstasy.com into this forum, or at least get it available as it is through a link here.


Regards
-arnt-
'94 E500 Limited, sapphire black, grey Limited leather, AMG mono II
'92 500E black/black, 6.0AMG conversion, K?nig supercharger w/intercooler

500AMM

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Postby sportline7 on Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:12 pm

The page cannot be displayed
The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your browser settings.


sportline7

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Postby gerryvz on Thu Dec 11, 2008 2:14 pm

There was a screen showing a couple of days ago saying that the board would be back up no later than December 12th, which was an improvement on the "error" that people were getting. Alas, looks like we're back to the errors.



Cheers,
Gerry

===================================

Postby Jim on Thu Dec 11, 2008 4:14 pm

It is really good to have a forum up and running again, thanks Gerry.

I know how much effort goes into managing a site so the best path for the two sites depends on that resource availability.

The simplest would be to get the Ecstasy site up and make a link. Otherwise it has to be the full monty with file transfer to the new site/wiki.

I think a half way between these two extremes would probably be chaotic and is likely to be programming/re-formatting intensive.

I agree we do not want competition between the sites.

Jim.

===================================

Postby sportline7 on Fri Dec 12, 2008 2:46 am

gerryvz wrote:There was a screen showing a couple of days ago saying that the board would be back up no later than December 12th, which was an improvement on the "error" that people were getting. Alas, looks like we're back to the errors.



Cheers,
Gerry


:worthy2:

All kidding aside THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS!

sportline7

===================================

Postby IBNR on Fri Dec 12, 2008 10:42 pm

It's so good to have an E500E board back up and running. Sincere thank-you to Gerry for taking this on -- and thanks to Dave/GSXR for pointing me here! As far as Scott's board goes, I think Jim's post from Dec. 11 has it exactly right.

Thanks!

Mike

===================================

Postby Pupsi on Sat Dec 13, 2008 12:52 am

I say keep this site up.

However, the 500ecstasy site has a lot of valuable information on it, whenever i needed some sort of help, i just used the search function.
Would it be possible to transfer all that available data over to this site?

P u p s i

User avatar
Pupsi

===================================

Postby sportline7 on Sat Dec 13, 2008 3:57 am

Hey, this is a clean slate, how cool is that? Imagine what it will be, I see great things coming.
All you have to do is ask, the info will be yours, look at the people with the know how who are posting now! Things change, go with the flow.

sportline7

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Postby gsxr on Sun Dec 14, 2008 3:43 pm

I wish Scott would use a full hosting service, instead of self-hosting... that would take care of the downtime. It would be tough to have 2 competing sites though. Oy, gevalt...

:?:
Dave M.
Boise, ID
1995 E420 (W.I.P.)
1994 E500 (Q-ship)
1993 300D (Sportline)
1987 300D (Sportline Stage 2)
1987 300D (R.I.P)
Click here for my website photos, documents, and movies.

===================================

Postby Glen on Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:34 am

www.500ecstasy.com is back online.

Glen Tokuhara
A few cars...

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Postby 124036-009 on Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:39 am

But not workin' the forums have database error :-/

Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit Mk1 1,6D Aut. '83 220kkm / Mercedes-Benz E500 Limited '94 83kkm

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Postby battlecat714 on Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:43 am

124036-009 wrote:But not workin' the forums have database error :-/


Roger that, I got the same message.

Jorge
1994|040|W124.036|E500

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Postby 124036-009 on Mon Dec 15, 2008 6:48 am

although I got a mail from Scott saying that it was 100% complete :-?

Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit Mk1 1,6D Aut. '83 220kkm / Mercedes-Benz E500 Limited '94 83kkm

===================================

Postby Aki on Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:25 am

I got message too. ...but it?s not working.

1992|199|124.036|500E

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Postby sportline7 on Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:15 am

The page cannot be displayed
The page you are looking for is currently unavailable. The Web site might be experiencing technical difficulties, or you may need to adjust your browser settings


sportline7

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Postby sportline7 on Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:31 am

The 500Ecstasy.com | everybody get your ROLL on database has encountered a problem.

sportline7

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Postby need2speed on Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:14 pm

nt

need2speed
500E500 owners motto: "Lead, follow, or better yet, get out of the way."

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Postby Glen on Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:06 pm

I guess the database issues aren't resolved...

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Postby 2phast on Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:44 pm

Given the lack of commitment from Scott to keeping the site running and the inherent problems with self hosting, it might be best to consolidate into one site. Scott should hand the reigns over to Gerry, whom could be the owner of the site going forward.

2000 CLK32k & 1993 500E

==========================

Postby gsxr on Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:55 pm

I'm not sure Scott would be receptive to that suggestion. Perhaps there could be a (temporary?) co-ownership, or possibly allowing Gerry to take over 500Ecstasy until Scott has time to maintain it?

Dave M.
Boise, ID
1995 E420 (W.I.P.)
1994 E500 (Q-ship)
1993 300D (Sportline)
1987 300D (Sportline Stage 2)
1987 300D (R.I.P)
Click here for my website photos, documents, and movies.

==========================

Postby G Man on Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:48 pm

I tried to log on today and got this message....

Your submission could not be processed because a security token was missing.

If this occurred unexpectedly, please inform the administrator and describe the action you performed before you received this error.

Gary
'92 Mercedes 500E
'01 BMW M5
'04 E55 AMG
G Man's Site

==========================

Postby 2phast on Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:26 am

Scott's site still does not work, despite his recent email that it was 1005 :angry:

Gerry's commitment is solid and he is motivated to take a 500e specific site to the next level. Scott hasn't put in any effort for many years, hence the "lack of commitment" statement.

I for one, will follow the masses of course, but I prefer to be on a site that I know is going to be around for a while.

==========================

Postby gerryvz on Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:45 am

I am happy to do whatever is best for the overall owner community. It would be straightforward to import Scott's BBS to this one, or vice versa, in order to have only one.

I am also totally open to having a trusted person be the co-sysadmin for this site. It is a labor of love and of course only goes on a "time available" basis.

Cheers from 11-degree-Farenheit downtown Chicago...

Gerry

==========================

Postby 124036-009 on Tue Dec 16, 2008 6:40 am

Looks like the site is working now!

Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit Mk1 1,6D Aut. '83 220kkm / Mercedes-Benz E500 Limited '94 83kkm

==========================

Postby 124036-009 on Tue Dec 16, 2008 9:15 am

Out of order... Again!

Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit Mk1 1,6D Aut. '83 220kkm / Mercedes-Benz E500 Limited '94 83kkm

==========================

Postby She loved E on Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:53 am

I don't think that's a fair statement. I joined 500Ecstasy less than three years ago, and Scott was active most of this time. I can't imagine the amount of time and effort (never mind cost) that must go into maintaining a board as active as his.

Gerry has been an invaluable resource too, but lets not be so quick to jump off (or is it on?) the bandwagon. I will also use whatever board is active, and I hope Gerry and Scott both continue their activity in the global E500E community.

-Kyle

==========================

Postby TerryA on Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:48 am

I too like both sites and will use both of them. Scott and Gerry both have put in their time.

I know that Scott has been very busy and has probably not had the time or maybe the $ to get things straightned out. I am sure if he wants to shut down that he would announce it on one of these forums.

Until that happens I plan of keeping up.

Take Care

Terry
==========================

Our info is held hostage...

Postby need2speed on Fri Dec 19, 2008 4:19 pm

The only troubling issue re 500ecstasy is that many of us have invested research and data into the site, and built a network of contacts that are very helpful. Now all that is unaccessible and, worst case, may never be again. Any IT manager would recognize the vulnerability in lacking a back-up storage site. The best would be that these two forums back each other up BUT human nature is that users would likely participate more on one site than the other.....

need2speed
==========================

Postby 500AMM on Tue Jan 06, 2009 1:35 pm

Hi.

Any news about the "resurrection" of 500ecstasy??

This is frustrating and a bit anoying too. First of all have many members supported the site financially to allow for development and maintenance. Next they have supplied masses of information which is the real value of the site. Where is the commitment laying here!?! Can someone get that man in talk!

-arnt-

 

[need2speed]

500Ecstasy Down Again?

Been trying past two days....

 

[rip]

Re: 500Ecstasy Down Again?

Been trying past two days....

Seems so... :deadhorse2:

 

[gerryvz]

I think Scott changed his place of residence, and also his Internet provider from AT&T U-verse to Comcast.

He had put up a notice on his board about a few days of downtime, but it's pretty much been 5+ days now -- longer than he had originally said it would be down.

In any case, this site is up and running. I'm hoping to get some time this weekend to upload some more of the "old" threads from the old BBS.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[need2speed]

In any case, this site is up and running.

Cheers,
Gerry

And thank-goodness for that! Thanks Gerry

 

[gerryvz]

As of Monday morning 17-AUG, it appears that Scott's www.500ecstasy.com site is back up and running, fully functional.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

Not only is it functional, it's FAST... I mean, REALLY fast. Guess Scott finally poured some Drain-O down his broadband pipe and cleared out the clog, lol!

 

[gerryvz]

He upgraded to a 50mbit Comcast business connection, yes. I think he was using AT&T U-Verse at like 12 Mbit before.

I still think it's a mistake not to just have a hoster do it.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[T-500]

Is 500EX down again?

Nov 5th 2010

 

[gsxr]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Yes - it is down at the moment, since early this morning (Friday, Nov-5). I contacted the owner earlier today (Scott) and he said he'd look into what the problem was. No update since then. Stay tooned...

 

[gsxr]

Re: Is 500EX down again?



It's back up now.

 

[T-500]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Gracias

 

[gsxr]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Drat, it's down again (Sun, Nov-7).

 

[T-500]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Yes, started late yesterday, Sat afternoon.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

It's times like these when it's nice to have the alternate spot (here) to gather.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[KarlC]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

It's times like these when it's nice to have the alternate spot (here) to gather.

Cheers,
Gerry

Yes thanks Gerry

 

[wonetwofour]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

just breaking in my my name over here with my first post. i'm snaffy at 500EX.

Yeah some weird college buddy gave me that odd nickname snaffy 20 years ago which means absolutely nothing as it's not a word or anything close to my name...and only he used it.....so I use it everywhere as a screen name as it's always available and easy to remember. but I decided to get away from it cause it's sort of goofy sounding for posting .

my 400e is still in the dog house but smells better than the '99 M320 I'm borrowing. Tennessee's finest!!

There are two of those same vintage M class around me right now in the extended family....one has 136,000 with dash lights on and one has 175,000 with weird things wrong with it and massive rust. BUT...they still drive and they were not treated too well. Both have lived near salt water and have actually been submerged in salt water many times pulling boats.....but they really don't behave like an 18 year old w124. Poor maintenance and salt I guess for one....and that weird ODOR!! We thought they were OK when new and pulled some pretty big and weird stuff with them like huge Vermeer wood chippers, heavy Boston Whalers, etc. but they have not lasted well in a rattle sense.

Well thanks for the alternative site Gerry.

Chris

 

[gsxr]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

500Ectasy is back up & running as of Thursday PM.

BTW, Chris, welcome aboard!

 

[mistermiata]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Down again!

 

[need2speed]

Down today Nov. 13

nt

 

[mistermiata]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Is 500ecstacy ever coming back???? Been down for several days now!

 

[gsxr]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Update from the owner:

"Something elusive is causing a system shutdown; I need to comb through the hardware for the rest of the week.

I apologize; I am very frustrated!"

Stay tooned...

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

It's times like these when it's nice to have the alternate spot (here) to gather.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[T-500]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Update from the owner:

"Something elusive is causing a system shutdown; I need to comb through the hardware for the rest of the week.

I apologize; I am very frustrated!"

Stay tooned...

Thanks, Dave.

Gerry;

Already, your "E-spot" has made itself felt. I was negotiating a purchase with a fellow Ex dude, and it would have collapsed but for this forum's Members list. Thx

 

[sheward]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Having two forums is good. One can never have enough E500E facsination! btw...it's up again.

Drew

 

[gsxr]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

btw...it's up again.

Back down again.

 

[wonetwofour]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Has it been asked/covered that maybe some additional maintenance $$ could be sent over there this time around (and here)? It's a big undertaking. I have only donated once there for my lifetime membership. These sites are such a good resource I'm sure folks wouldn't be opposed to helping out.

Without an official request it's sort of like bystander apathy...everyone wants to help but thinks someone else will. In this case if all members were to Paypal a simple $1.00, $5.00 or $10.00 it could really help out. Just a thought as I hide behind this 14" screen .

 

[J-Sauce]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Has it been asked/covered that maybe some additional maintenance $$ could be sent over there this time around (and here)? It's a big undertaking. I have only donated once there for my lifetime membership. These sites are such a good resource I'm sure folks wouldn't be opposed to helping out.

Without an official request it's sort of like bystander apathy...everyone wants to help but thinks someone else will. In this case if all members were to Paypal a simple $1.00, $5.00 or $10.00 it could really help out. Just a thought as I hide behind this 14" screen .

I would sign up for that. Dave, care to ask Scott if any $$ would help the situation?

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

I don't think money is the issue for Scott. I think it's just a focus on other things in his life, coupled with a significant database/forum recovery & rebuild process that will take some time to accomplish successfully.

It really doesn't cost much money to operate a forum like this. I'd say $100 annually for the vBulletin software, plus either the (incremental) cost of taxing one's home broadband connection, as in Scott's case, or about $60-100 a year in third-party hosting costs (the model that I use). Scott also has hardware costs although IIRC he purchased a new server and hardware a couple of years ago to run his forum.

With the hosting model, hardware, back-end software and bandwidth costs are included in the monthly hosting fees. This phpBB forum software is 100% free, although I've been threatening for a long time that I will be moving FROM this software TO the vBulletin software, which I have already installed over at www.500eboard.com/forums

I will tell you that as long as I own and run this forum (500espot.com/500eboard.com), I will not solicit, nor will I accept, donations of any kind from any member. I will also not "accept" sponsorships from third-party businesses.

I am happy to make this resource available to everyone in the spirit of my own enthusiasm for ownership and longevity of these cars.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[J-Sauce]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

It's times like this that make Gerry look super extra smart for migrating some of his old threads over from EX.

 

[gerryvz]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

It's times like this that make Gerry look super extra smart for migrating some of his old threads over from EX.

You know, I've never really directly migrated anything I've done over from Scott's site to here. Perhaps a couple or five threads out of many thousands of posts I've made over there.

A number of people (including GSXR) have simul-posted the same threads over here and there, and that is appreciated.

But in reality, there is a very very small amount of real content that has been shared between the two sites. Other than some cross-linking.

The last time 500EX was down, it was down for about 9 months. That was from the summer/fall of 2008 through the spring of 2009. This event is what led me to pull the trigger and make this site happen. 500E/E500 users deserve a place to call "our own" on the Internet. It is a big enough and worldwide-enough community that it warrants more than a sub-bulletin board on an MBCA web site or an occasional thread on a Benzworld or Peachparts.com MB forum

I'd already had this site's domain reserverved, and the software uploaded, installed, and ready to go for some months, just never "started the engine." I'd privately let Glen and GSXR know about my intention months before I actually did anything. They'd previewed the software and checked it out. Then I moved cross-country from Portland, Oregon to Houston, Texas in August/September of 2008. Once I got settled, and my power came back on after going out due to Hurricane Ike, I looked around and sort of realized that Scott's site still wasn't back up.

So when I realized that it [500EX] probably wasn't coming back at least anytime soon, it was easy to just let a few people know about the new URL and then people started coming here. It got up to about 249 users until I had my own site failure in June of 2009 (my hoster deleted the forum database, the wiki, everything, accidentally). I had to make the decision -- because Scott's site was back up by that time -- as to what I wanted to do. I decided to rebuild from scratch and use Google archives to recreate as many of the old threads from my site as I could.

Fast forward 16 months, and we're up to 350 registered users and have heartily eclipsed where we were at before. In the meantime, Scott's site had an upgrade to a very difficult-to-read and non-user-friendly version (or configuration) of vBulletin 4.0. Now Scott's site is down again and we'll carry the torch until his site is back up again. I've no doubt that it will be back up again in the future. Let's hope sooner than later.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[need2speed]

Re: Is 500EX down again?

Gerry, my slippers are by the door and my favorite chair is waiting...this is home

 

[Christian_K]

Hi, i aked Scott mid-december about returning of his forums over at facebook, this was his reply, just in case anyone is interested in this info (see attachment!)

 

[sheward]

Thanks for the update, Christian. It would be a terrible waste to lose all the valuble data there. Thanks to everyone for their efforts here as well.

drew

 

[gerryvz]

I spent about 2.5 hours (and numerous beers) last Monday night together in positive fellowship with Scott (the proprietor of 500Ecstasy.com) and his mechanic, Benny Lui, who is taking over the 500Ex site.

I think we together hashed out a plan and threw around some ideas relating to the 500Ex site and this one. No immediate changes will be made nor will any sort of merger be taking place anytime soon. I will continue to operate this site for the forseeable future as a totally independent site that doesn't require any subscription, payment and that maintains no commercial ties to any business, supplier or other for-profit interest. In short, this site will continue to be 100% owned and run purely by E500E enthusiasts, FOR E500E enthusiasts.

I do not know the specific details or plans that Benny and Scott have for 500Ex, but it seems they are planning to get that site up and back up running soon, and Benny will own and run it although with ties to the Mercedes independent repair shop that he owns and runs. There is some potential for integration or strong collaboration in the future between that site and mine, and we talked to some extent about this, but the main thing is to get that site back up and running so that you all, the users, get a sense of trust that it's back up and running.

Scott is alive and very well, although busy with life and job and other things that for the time being have seemed to take much of his focus. He said that many of you have reached out to him over the past year or so and that he appreciates the concern and thanks you for reaching out.

As I said, this site will continue to carry on as it has, in an unflagging manner. Thank you all for your support over the past two years.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[tuttebenne]

Thank you Gerry for hosting, and for all the good will. It can't be bad having a second site but having one that's not affiliated with any advertisement, or secondary interests is a real plus.

Andy

 

[ToyCollector]

Gerry, thank you for hosting and doing what you have always done for the 500E community. I look forward to checking in more often.

 

[gerryvz]

Every once in a while I like to look back and reflect on what we've built together here.....it's really an amazing community !!

I just looked at the last site capture of 500Ecstasy, dated August 20, 2008. This was when that site's vBulletin software was not operating correctly, and the site was only partially operative. It was also about 3.5 months before I pulled the pin and started the 500Eboard that December.

The site statistics are interesting. From its inception in August 2003 until that point in 2008, the stats show the following:

Total threads: 5,985
Total posts: 49,575
Total members: 3,284

Our current totals here (in about 3.5 years of operation, although this site has hockey-sticked in growth since I migrated to the vBulletin software in July 2011):

Total threads: 2,654 (or 44% of 500Ecstasy)
Total posts: 23,684 (or 47.8% of 500Ecstasy)
Total members: 1,175 (or 35.7% of 500Ecstasy)

A bit of nostalgia about...

Sad times (toward the end of its run in 2008...)



And happier times (2006)



And a bit of 500Ecstasy goodness that I have carried over to this site, as a subtle salute to Scott and all of you and what we originally built...


Cheers,
Gerry





500Ecstasy.com RIP

 

[Jelmer]

To be honest, seeing that 2008 screenie would've made me turn away immediately. The 2006 look also scares me a bit - first register, and after that start blabbing about financial support? After I just arrived? And then pulling the plug, even with people being "Lifetime VIP members"?

I know it's before my time, but it all looks kinda odd to me.

That said, I'm very happy you've created this place, and I'm very sure you'll keep it running much longer

 

[jano]

I sent support in for myself and a new member who went above and beyond to help me when my e500 got t-boned. Within a few weeks sending in $400, the site was down. I wasn't particularly happy about that. So much for charity.

 

[gerryvz]

You know, the colors and template used with the 500Ecstasy were never a big hit with anyone, but it was how Scott did it, and it was consistent for many years so that's how it was. And people got used to it.

The main thing is that it coalesced the 500E community together, worldwide, from 124 forums and sites like Benzworld, and from a few "reference" sites pertaining to the 500E (like need2speed's site from way back in the day) and it REALLY advanced the overall knowledge of the 500E and stimulated/broadened interest in the cars. This was a great thing.

The issue that I always had with Scott (and I was a multiple donator of perhaps $200-250 total) was that he never expanded the site to be more than just a collection of forums. It could have been so much more, but his vision was limited I guess. What I've done is what I always pushed him to do -- put a CMS "front end" on the site, add a wiki, and add articles, value-added information, photo galleries, and I always promised him my VIN database too if he would have implemented it correctly. But he never pushed this envelope and I guess eventually he lost interest, which is too bad.

The other thing is that Scott went commercial (taking donations and also soliciting advertisements). In my view this skews the fundamental goals and aims of the site away from being a pure "enthusiast" site (for, about and of the cars and their owners) and brings other audiences into the picture, who probably don't have the same goals and aspirations as the owners and why the utilize the site. I've always striven to keep this site "pure" and non-commercial.

But yes, I've always tried to make this site more attractive than his design/template, and easier to read. Watch this space ... as we'll be adding more templates to this site and you'll be able to select from a variety of them to customize your own 500Eboard experience.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[need2speed]

The main thing is that it coalesced the 500E community together, worldwide, from 124 forums and sites like Benzworld, and from a few "reference" sites pertaining to the 500E (like need2speed's site from way back in the day) and it REALLY advanced the overall knowledge of the 500E and stimulated/broadened interest in the cars. This was a great thing.

It's a bit embarassing to think back to that amateur effort, but thanks to the continued developments of guys like Lee Scheeler at Mercedesshop, Scott and yourself, the flame still burns brightly Today is when we should be planning for tomorrow!

 

[gerryvz]

Today is when we should be planning for tomorrow!

I'm all ears !! Tell me what we should be doing !!

 

[need2speed]

In my past life as a civic planner I found it useful to stress that the success of any initiative will be measured by its sustainability after the intial visionary (LOL, that's you Gerry) has transitioned out. When the first generation of participants moves on, any forum is extremely vulnerable. I think one way we can all ensure a successful future is by continuously safeguarding the positive culture we've built here. Sounds pretty fluffy I know, but forums are really about social connections between people and, regardless of the technology, its the "feel" that makes people stay.

 

[gsxr]

Wait. This is a social network? Uh-oh. I QUIT!! (I'm allergic to Faceplant, MyTweet, and pretty much any other social networking junk...)

 

[gerryvz]

Both Dave and Glen have full admin privileges and capabilities here (same as my gerryvz account) although there is a "master" account that is the founder/ultimate God of the site -- this account would be the equivalent to root access on a Unix/Linux server and is NOT used with any regularity. I administer the site 100% through the "gerryvz" account and both GSXR and Glen can and do the same, if/when needed.

The weekly reports on site usage/access are shared with Glen and GSXR as they are received (usually on the weekends) from the hoster.

As I envision this site, it will eventually have the following:

a) my VIN database up and running, and query-able for members (newer members get bare-bones information; longtime members get full information)
b) a regularly updated (perhaps quarterly) MB parts price database that is query-able through a front-end
c) a significantly more robust site front-end that much more fully utilizes the existing CMS front-end (which you can see at URL www.500eboard.com)
d) continued updates to press/magazine articles about the 500E
e) a highly robust wiki -- this portion of the site needs an owner who can be an ongoing editor for these entries and who can format them appropriately
f) links and affiliations with other MB enthusiast sites -- perhaps AMG related sites, 124 stuff, and even other E500E sites that are out there
g) top search-engine ranking -- my goal is to be first-page and then top ranking for 500E and Mercedes 500E keywords at some point in the future.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[2phast]

Wait. This is a social network? Uh-oh. I QUIT!! (I'm allergic to Faceplant, MyTweet, and pretty much any other social networking junk...)

I second that! Although I do have token accounts on some of those sites, I refuse to use Twitter. Total waste of time IMO.

Tweet; Going to the bathroom now.....

 

[Glen]

Social networking sites are simply tools and you can choose to use them or not. If you don't want to use them that's perfectly fine. I mean really, do you avoid hammers because they can be used to dent your car?

 

[szvook]

You guys are lucky...I "have to" use Facebook and Twitter for work.

wned:

 

[gerryvz]

do you avoid hammers because they can be used to dent your car?

LOL ! There are prominent folks here on this board who also eschew cellular phone ownership, too (true).

Indeed this is a very typical example of a social network, just centering around a relatively singular topic, and using a different software platform than Facebook.