Use of the Forum

[Roger Holman]

I had always thought that a Forum was, by definition, a place where people, likeminded or otherwise, held discussions.

What is it about this Forum, or is it this Club, which seems to avoid entering into discussions? One only has to look at the 'General Discussions' section to see the numbers of posts which remain either totally unanswered, in spite of multiple 'views', or, remain unanswered for months on end. Technical questions? possibly not worth asking the question in th first place. I don't think I am the only one who fels this way.

Perhaps a discussion will result?

[noddy]

Forum used to be busy and active - but over the last few years seems to be dying a slow death. It appears as though only a few of us want to contribute.
Could it be that the large majority of the members are not that interested in keeping in touch or sharing views? or is it using the iternet that scares them off?
A real shame the way things are going.

[Roger Holman]

Agree Noddy. I also belong to the RM Club and have done for many years. Their Forum is vibrant and active, demonstrates a vast wealth of knowledge, and a great willingness to share that knowledge.

We even have an ongoing thread about Coronavirus, spanning both serious and humorous matters, always trying to maintain a sense of proportion.

Speaking personally, I have tried to post answers to questions asked on here, but there is no indication whether those answers have even been read. I have also asked the odd question, and the important ones remain unanswered.

Nevertheless, we have a conversation going! pleased to meet you.

Roger

[rileyrob]

It's a strange one, I had begun to think that maybe the older age profile of Riley owners and the resultant lower access to or familiarity with the Internet was behind it but if the RM Club site is more vibrant that points to other factors. Could it be that the RM club is focused on a single model range whereas this club covers a much wider range of cars? Or should that very fact mean that there is more to discuss?

I've also noticed that on other sites, such as the two Wolseley club sites for example, there is more focus on providing a marketplace for cars and parts for sale and also the facility, via an 'Owners Cars' section, to post and discuss photos of the cars we own or are restoring which generates more interest and footfall.   I did suggest to the Webmaster last year that maybe we could go down that route and make this site more user friendly and feel more personal but was told that the site licence limits the ability for posting lots of photos etc.   The current limits on adding photos seems to me to be quite antiquated and out of date with the wider Internet capabilities and protocols (just three and with only a 1GB limit) and must put people off surely?  Perhaps it's time for a site makeover and enhancement of its capabilities.

I personally would like to be able to post details and pictures of my cars and see other people's cars too (after all isn't it the cars themselves that draw us into this club) and I feel that would open up more conversation between members, enable people to get to know each other better and thereby engender greater use of the site generally.  For instance, several members do that sort of thing on the Wolseley 1500 /Riley One Point Five Facebook group, which is far more lively than this forum, so why not on here? 

I'd be interested to know what other people think?

Rob

[Roger Holman]

Hello Rob.

In my humble opinion, it has nothing to do with age, but I am not sure what it does have to do with. Having made the comparison with the RM Club forum, I can safely say that there are octaganarians using the site, and posting detailed photographs which depict technical aspects of the cars with suitable annotations as necessary. I am not one of those; my IT expertise is very limited.

When I was about to have a new hood made for my RMC, I asked, on the Forum, if anyone had any dimensions of the original, my hood having been long destroyed. I was amazed at the responses, from as far away as Australia, which included dimensions, photographs suitably dimensioned, details of worthwhile improvements, etc. all of which enabled me to go to my upholsterer with a sheaf of papers, and the car, and say, "Build me one like that", and he did.

I cannot help but think that the range of options for discussion on this forum should be much greater than that for the RM Club; gretaer range of cars, larger demographic, but people do not seem to want to talk, and talking furthers knowledge.

Speaking purely personally, I have an issue with the engine in my RMC. I have been in discussion for the best part of a year with about 10 or 12 members of the RM Club who have all passed on knowledge and wisdom, and experience. In an effort to broaden the knowledge base, which has already been fed back into this forum, I have asked a question within these pages. Knowing the range of engines covered by this Club, the fact that there has been not one response is a tad disturbing.

The RM Club has recognised a number of issues for instance; The original workshop manual had mistakes. The original workshop manual had omissions. The pool of knowledge available is vast, but in danger of getting smaller as we all age. Consequently, the RM Club has talked about it, has pooled knowledge and resources, and has produced a range of Workshop Manual Suppliments which deal with specific sectors of the cars; The 2 1/2ltr engine; The RM Gearbox; Electrical Equipment, the list goes on, and is still growing, the point being that it has been achieved by virtue of people speaking to one another, exchanging information, recording that information before it is too late, and rejoicing in so doing. It has been a totally voluntary exercise.

I dispair when I see people, sometimes on other continents, who ask questions of this club, and get ignored. That is not what a Forum is about. That is not what a Club is for.

[deltalimamike]

I've been on here for a few years now and most of my questions get answered and sometimes provoke further questions for which I am really grateful as I dont know the Riley One point five in great detail so needed to ask a fair amount at the beginning.

Some may think that some of my questions are a little "simple" however no one has ever said as such and replies are always polite and helpful.

That said,the forum does seem quiet and theres not many project threads and even my own looks a little tatty since the photobucket issues a while back.

Its tricky though, I actually moderate on two other car forums (not Riley related) and both are much quieter than they were a few years back mainly, we think, due to facebook.

Although the RM club seems busy I wonder if even that is quieter than it was a few years ago?

I'll try and post more, currently waiting for sills to be completed and given the current Corona concerns not sure when that will be now.

[Roger Holman]

Hello Mike.

I don't think the RM Club forum is any quieter, I know some members also do the facebook thing, I dont, but even the current difficulties have been used to effect in that we have a thread going related solely to coronavirus issues, both serious and humourous, working on the principle that, as all our meetings and get togethers are on hold, we need to talk, to maintain contact, even to maintain sanity,

I don't think it has been felt that the use of facebook has lessened the worth of the RM Club forum; with the exception of 'The Clubhouse' section, posts are maintained and archived so that the information contained therein is available for the future. It is felt that that is not so certain with facebook, I think.

[grommitt]

I agree, this forum is underused. In fact the whole Club is underused. I have had to give up driving but remained a member as I have been a member, with an everyday One Point Five, since the mid 1980s. At that time members met most weeks, drove many miles for a get together in the evenings and had regular area meetings/rallies with a large participation. There is virtually nothing now and when we responded to requests to organise events few members would come.
As an old member, lover of Rileys who enjoys social events and long standing committee meber this has pretty well broke my heart.
I have used both RM Club and Motor Club forums and the RM one has always been interactive and well used.
I find this version of this forum display/software paricularly off-putting with the large banner screening out most of the screen.
While I am on my soapbox let me take the opportunity to critisize the Club website. A lot of money and time was spent on it 3 - 4 years ago with a promise for it to be a vibrant Riley resource with up to date news, a photo gallery of Club events and Riley. It is very rarely updated, go and have a look.
I apologise to all the hardworking Club officers, its not your fault there are just not enough volunteers to deliver.
Only Harris is administrator, why don't a few of the regular posters be pro-active and try to start discussions, be sociable and talk over Riley achievements,jobs you are doing and any provocative subject reated to Our cars. I see someone has dug up my old Lister engine post, fun and of interest even if not Riley. Go on, don't just moan do something.

[Roger Holman]

Well said that man!

I know, I am an RM man, and have been off and on for about 50 years (frightening) that is not to say that I don't appreciate the other cars, it's just that the RMC is where my heart lies, she has kept me poor and occupied for most of that 50 years, outlasting my marriage, children, working life, and all that.

My brother used to have a wolseley 1500 which had been 'Rileyfied' and that was fun. I could never afford a prewar Riley, plus it would need yet another garage, and at my stage of training, one hobby car is enough, well, she says so anyway.

Still, we have a conversation going on, the first one I have seen on here, I think. These days talking is even more important.

[Roger Holman]

One thing I find particularly irritating is the stupid little profile heading. It seems we are encouraged to post a name which is essentially a nickname, and a picture which probably has little or no relevance. Were we to post our real name, and at least a general location, we might feel more interested in entering into discourse with other like minded people in our area. It could be that, if one of us has a problem, or even needs a second pair of hands, members in the general area might offer assistance, or is this a step too far.

I will make a start then, putting my 'money' where my mouth is;

My name is not Jollyboatman; that is a pseudonim used in the past on a website which required annonimity (nothing illegal, I hasten to add) My name is Roger holman, I am 72 years old, I own an RMC, and have owned it for about 45 years, yes! 45 years. The 'Jollyboat' thing relates to one of my other passions, sailing; I sail a classic dinghy, a 'Jollyboat' built in about the same year as the RMC. I live in South East Cornwall, in a hamlet called Narkurs, which is one of those places where everyone has seen the sign pointing to it, but few people have atually been there. My grasp of modern technology is such that I have no idea how to put pictures on the internet, and I don't particularly care. If anyone is particularly interested, I do respond to e-mail; [e-mail].

I have a reasonable well equipped garage/home workshop, another car sized bay would be useful, but would probably get full of other 'stuff'.

Take care, and keep smiling, it might never happen.

Roger

Anyone else care to joint the conversation?

[noddy]

Wow Roger,
You might court controversy by putting your details on the open forum - some might start wittering on about data protection and security.
My take on it is that it is your choice to put your personal info on here - not anyone else. The only thing I wouldn't put on is my e-mail address - I use the Private Message facility for that. Anyway - in for a penny, in for a pound.

I'm Roger too - 'Noddy' comes from the name we gave out racing 1.5! I've owned 1.5s for over 17 years and look after the 1.5 Register (which has at least 400 cars listed). I am 49 years old and live just outside Chichester - and on a good day can hear the cars at the Goodwood Revival! As well as Rileys, I also have the hobbies of bellringing and beekeeping - both of which I haven't quite mastered yet!
I currently have a 1.5 that have just started a full rebuild of - it used to be Grommitts car in the 80'sand is affectionately known as 'Cybil'

Lets see if anyone else joins in the conversation!
Roger

[grommitt]

I've used grommitt as a username on a number of forums and its stuck. Real name is Chris Aldis, I used to be membership sec and Centre sec for the southern centre.
I owned Cybil from about 1986 to 1999 as an evertday car and brilliant it was. I shall be over the moon when Rog gets her back on the road. I also had an RMC inherited from my uncle who bought it in 1956. I enjoyed it and even drove to John 0 Groats with a group of Rileys, but it was very thirsty and heavy to drive. My last Riley was a 4/72 which I swapped out the engine for a 2l Ford Pinto.
If I remeber the RM Club forum was restriced to members only. The 4/72 qualified for the Cambridge-Oxford owners Club which has the most active forum I have experienced. They even hold an annual Virtual Rally.

[Roger Holman]

Well, Roger and Chris, glad to make your aquaintance, how many others will take the plunge?

I take the view that it is my business whether I want people to know who I am and where I am,or not, it is no business of any forum administrator.

Yes, the RM Club forum is open to members only, but that gets over the 'privacy' business. After all. if you belonged to a club which met in a Pub you would exchange names, wouldn't you? Anyway, if you ask a question on the RM Forum you are liable to get an answer within minutes, not months.

Stay safe and well.

Roger

[rileyrob]

My name is Rob Burns, I'm 66 and live in Leamington Spa.  Not sure why I'm classed on here as a 'Junior member' but at my age I'll take it. 

Had my first ride in a mate's One Point Five in 1969, it was a 1965 car so it was only four years old but seemed like it belonged to another era. The smell of the leather, the shine on the wood and the induction noise from the pancake air filters he'd fitted did it for me and I've loved them ever since and must have owned over 20 of them over the years including a couple of fast modified ones and a pickup.

Currently own six, two on the road and four more needing love and attention. But always on the lookout for more, especially in either Arianca Beige or White to replace two of the many I now wish I'd never let go!  I think I may have a problem .........

All the best to everyone

Rob

[2robert4]

To each his own.

I am sure that that the administrator is not trying to stifle individuality merely trying to protect the users of the forum as he has a duty of care to protect all those that use it. That said I have not listed anything recently nor have I contributed but this has been largely due to to me not having anything constructive to say. I am of the opinion unless you have something constructive to say or useful to contribute to an item then keep quiet it does not matter to me what the identity of some who needs help is I just give it if I can. Others may feel that they do not have the courage to respond to any particular item due to fear of being ridiculed who knows? just knowing what someones name happens to be is not going to stop that kind of thing i fear.

I have a small project on the go at the moment and will be on the forum to share info or ask for help if required long my this font of knowledge continue.

Keep up the good work everyone.

NP