General Discussions

There has been much discussion regarding the lack of traffic on the once very active M-100 group forums, both here and on social media.

I've started this thread in response the CTH's post below on another thread with the aim to move the conversation to it's own thread.

Charles post

The choice of forum software made several years ago was a poor one in retrospect. This is the third incarnation of the forum. The first one was managed by a CTO who had the support of his office IT staff to keep the technical end of it up. The second incarnation was the same software, different IT staff (I was a less member of that second group of IT people), when my term on the board expired and the real IT guys had to step back too, the board went with this based on promises made by the vendor. It has been less than thrilling.

No clue what the board is doing on getting out of it at the moment. Since I don't much to contribute to that discussion, I can't praise or fault whatever deliberations are going on, other than to wonder when they'll act.

-CTH

My Response

Charles, I'd like to start a conversation here, in general discussions which is accessible to financial and forum only members so we can ask what the punters want in forum software, canvas platform suggestions and recommendations, outline the process in migrating the old content etc.

I'll copy your last post and this on and start a new thread.

Basically begin the process of delivering the product the consumer wants and will flock too.

Unfortunately, as is evident, we on the board either don't have the knowledge to go it along on another forum, we need someone with that skill set, and the motivation and passion to deliver.

I'll message shortly on that last point 👍

Over to you members, please, have your say, I know it's a cliche but its YOUR club, YOUR forum.

And please believe me when I say we want to deliver for you.

300SEL

6.3 #2723, my first classic Benz

W220 S500L 2001

W202 C240 1999

There are a bunch of different issues to consider. In no particular order:

• Who's adding content? It's one thing to read the forum, it's another to post. I have been working on rebuilding my 600's rear end. When I have a good story arc with pictures, I'll put them here for all to see and read. You don't have to wait have an epic like this before you post. Post questions, comments, pictures here.
• This isn't just an arm-chair based club. Go out, have fun, post pictures and words here. I would love to know how you guys experiencing warm weather are doing while I am sitting in 18F weather. Live anywhere near somebody else with an M100? Visit and share face to face, even if you meet up at the local coffee shop/pub/gas pump.
• Technical hurdles, like porting the old forum threads to a new one can be resolved with some blood, sweat, caffeine and time (not to mention focus and determination). Some of that will translate into one-time-costs of buying software and expertise. Some of that will translate into a recurring cost to keep it going.
• Who here has enough technical expertise do setup website with a forum? There are lots of moving parts, not to mention security and operational details to pioneer. None of it is cutting edge computer science. But it's more than a unix hack like me can make happen without a few ringers on the team.

-CTH

those problems were caused by the switch to the new website when only paying members could read and write here.

Many interested people had no access anymore and the posting dropped to very few new ones. When the reading of posting were opened the readers and posters did not come back so the webside is dying ... Also very knowledge posters searched other enjoyments and did not return .... Neighter will posting of our registery bring back the old webtraffic .....

It's an interesting and timely discussion. A couple of observations : The lack of web traffic indicates that active membership has shrunk. Perhaps this is due to some members selling their cars, taking up other interests and/or perhaps many of us are just getting on in years ( same as our cars ).

If this is the case we need to get those of us who are somewhat engaged more active and ideally we need to recruit new members. In order to achieve more active engagement we need to generate and rekindle interest in these great M100 cars. A potential opportunity to generate interest may be the upcoming 60th anniversary of the 1963 launch of the 600. This anniversary presents an opportunity to celebrate and promote the 600's heritage and history among both the already converted and the wider public. In doing so it also presents an opportunity to promote this M-100 International Club and its forums.

Active membership has definitely declined, I think mainly as a large cohort of very active and enthusiastic members have either sadly passed away, retired their car collections or simply moved on to other less hands on interests.

It is important we remember the constant and voluminous activity of the old site was driven by, at the very most, 6-10 very engaged and knowledgeable participants. Each post by these 6-10 resulted in 6-10 responses. And that's all we need this time as well.

Paul is correct that the transition to this new website and forum with the requirement to be financial to post was a factor, but not the only reason.

The board decision was actually to keep the forum free from the outset. This was not a straightforward process on launch so it went live with this damaging restriction. This was a surprise to some of us.

There is still a sentiment that "some people just want things for free" with some.

I believe in the concept that people want to contribute their knowledge, and resent having to pay for the privilege.

One of our tasks is to identify the demographic that has procured the M100 Automobiles let go by the cohort in my first sentence. Then we need to engage them, offer them unbeatable value, and retain them.

300SEL

6.3 #2723, my first classic Benz

W220 S500L 2001

W202 C240 1999

Alright. I just renewed my membership. The reason was the latest issue of Lodestar. It made me feel like I belong to a club with cool people doing cool things. The worst Lodestar magazines are the ones after Lodefest with half the magazine devoted to people in a restaurant setting and nearly no automotive content.

I was really on the fence about renewing. Why buy the cow when I can get the milk for free on Facebook.

The change to the Forum software was detrimental to the club. The old forum allowed non members to post and every such post brought great responses from Club members.

Why can't we change to another forum that will make everything easy again. I would not mind paying into a fund to facilitate that.

Also Club merchandise. Mercedes-Benz inspired radiator badges. Uhlenhaut Portraits. Waxenberger commemorative mugs. Everything to bring members together and give them a sense of belonging.

Anyway vintage Mercedes are hot right now. There are beautiful cars posted on Instagram every day. It would be easy and free to create an Instagram account where our kind of cars are shown in settings that reflect their pop culture value.

I really think that Salvation starts with abandoning this horrible software and starting new.

MERCEDES-BENZ

Ihr guter Stern auf allen Strassen

I'm sorry, but this forum system is a disaster. I'm not an expert on forums (although I am a regular user on several, including some with probably just as limited a user base), and this software is by far the least user-friendly and ugliest.

If you want to see what a modern, dedicated, small-marque site could look like, take a look at the Porsche 928 Owner's Club. I don't know what software they use, but their site looks decent, they have a very useful registry function (with almost every 928 ever made, along with options, delivery information, etc) and generally a usable site.

To be fair, what the 928 guys don't have is a magazine, so kudos on that. I just got the latest issue and it looks great!

Incidentally, the 928 forum allows you to read for free, but requires you to be a paying member to post. I think that's reasonable.