Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Hi everyone!

From the time I first started running the group here the biggest complaint I received was "Why can't we have a signature that is always included in our posts?". The second most common complaint was "Why do we have to use Yahoo Groups from 1990?"

After over 20 complaints from members I put a little work (about a week) into an alternative and I'd like to get the club's input on what you prefer.

The options are:
1. Stay with Yahoo Groups, type your name/handle and city/state/location in each post you make to get it to show up in the group. Nothing changes.

2. Move to a forum and have a signature that you set up (picture or text), your location is always by your name/handle, and move to a daily or weekly email of new topics instead of getting each topic emailed to you directly.


To see the alternative visit http://6066gmcclub.com and click on "Go to the club forum". The other link of course directs to Jolly's site. :)

I'll tally the votes at the end of the week. Just email me directly or reply to the topic here (or on the forum) and let me know.

Have a great weekend everyone!

-Jeannie in OKC

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I'm all for a GMC V6 forum myself. That would make things easier.

Post your question/issue ect and only get notified to the replys of the post you made or subscribed too.

Way less emails than getting everybodys info over and over again.

Mike

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

While I'm not an active member on the group I'd still like to throw in my vote for the VBullitin Forum approach.
I am/have been a member on several other yahoo groups and every time I use one ask myself "Why oh Why does anyone still use yahoo groups?" when a real forum approach is so much smoother and easy to use. In the end I soon forget about the yahoo groups and instead use forums to share and learn about my hobbies.

Grigg Mullen

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

this site as is w/yahoo sucks /lets change it and get something w/ pics

WAHL4M

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I say change it, only reason Ididn't do it years ago is i just didn't know what needed to be done to do it.

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I'm for changing it. This seems so much more versatile!
-Christopher

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I have not been actively participating in this group for a while, mainly because my GMC project has stalled and I have it up for sale. I am a member of several other forums and think the format is lots better than the yahoo groups. I have no problem writing in my name and location on each post, but then I don't do it often. I would vote for the new forum hands down.

Tom Richardson
chiggerfarmer
Central Texas

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I'm all for moving. There are two concerns that I have.
1. Spamming/moderations. Will we be able to keep a clean forum and not have it fill with advertising/spam.
2. Old Content. There is a ton of good data on the old club.. 12 years worth. Is there a way we can save/move this data over to the forum..

MarkS
62 Stepside
Bremerton, Wa

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

It's already here under "Yahoo Groups Archive" forum located here:

http://6066gmcclub.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=6

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Would all of the information on the groups page still remain accessible if we went over to the forum method? I know i have been able to answer some questions, just by searching the messages here.

Jason M.
Nampa, Idaho

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Yes, Jason. I made all of the previous posts available on the forum. That's a bit of history I wasn't willing to lose in the transition.

-Jeannie in OKC

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I would prefer the new format,

Jake Groby
Lacombe, La.

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Jeannie,



My only concern with the new forum is that we may not get as wide of a distribution of readers for an issue that we do now when people route the postings thru their regular e-mail.



I vote for the old system, but I'm okay with the new system as long as we do not lose the archive already established.



Dave Boboltz, Waterford, MI 1964 K1002 Wide side long bed

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

David,

I am also concerned about this, however all members will receive a daily list of
new post topics so they will have a chance to respond.

If some members want to be auto-subscribed to ALL new posts I can probably make
that happen too. The great thing about a forum is that it's infinitely
customizable.

It might be a good idea to have our most active members auto-subscribed to all
posts so that they are updated instantly and can offer immediate help. If
they're interested I'll make it happen.


-Jeannie in OKC

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Jeannie,

I share Dave's concern too, as I like getting all the posts through my email.

Either way I am not going anywhere.

Kyle Phoenix, AZ

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Then I'm all for it, I like getting all of the posts, even if I don't respond to them

Kyle

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I like the forum layout. But that would come at a cost correct? What's the details with that ? I'm guessing enough paid memberships to cover the cost of the forum. Wayne.

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I think the poll says it all, I for 1 didn't like the old way it seemed archaic at best and certainly needed change. I like vBulletin very much, being able to post pictures easily will be a great improvement thank you...Vernski:-)

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Wayne, right now I'm just getting a feel for what everyone wants. We might put up a donation button in the future but I am very much against "paid" memberships to access the forums.

This economy isn't great and I know alot of people don't know what's coming in one month to the next so they wouldn't be able to do a recurring billing thing. Let's just have a forum for now where we can hang out and share knowledge and - best of all - pictures!

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I don't have a problem with the way it is currently set up...it is kind of nice to see where the person is from at the bottom of the post.
Jim
Scituate, MA

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Guess I'll vote for the 21st Century.
Thanks for all you do.
Mike Gurganus
Chattanooga, TN '62 Stepside.

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Jim,

All users will have their location (and truck, if they choose) right beside each post.

http://i48.tinypic.com/25a9c.jpg

:)

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

May I offer a third alternative?

Most email programs (perhaps all of them?) have a provision for
automatically inserting a signature. Using that and staying on yahoo
would be my preference


--
Ray Brown
San Francisco

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Jeannie,

First I wanted to thank you for taking the group over and like most every other member think this information should be kept safe along with openly exchanged, it gives active owners of these trucks/engines a place to converse and exchange ideas and parts.
Thank You for all the time you have and will put into this site/group/forum.

Second I'm not an active member but I look through most all the emails that I get from the group, I don't look inside the Yahoo groups because of issues logging in to that website. I also can't contribute with a donation to the group due to being a student at this time (36 and back in school).

Third is that with the customization of the forum for each member it will help them set it up how they will like and also give those coming onto the scene a better impression, hopefully attracting more members and encouraging donations.

Thanks again and I will become a member as soon as I can (full time job) because I own one of these great trucks, because of my Father and I hope that my son my one day too!

Thanks,
Richard Foley
Bozeman, MT
1966 GMC 351V6 Wideside 3/4ton

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Now that I was able to get in front of a computer and look, I think this looks great. I voted on the poll.


Another possible idea is to approach 67-72chevytrucks.com about a sub forum on their site? I have been a member over there for a several years, and there is a vast member base, worldwide. They have a 60-66 section, and just added a new sub forum for 60-66 suburbans due to popular demand. They may be open to a new GMC V6 only section, depending on responses. The forum is free over there, unless you wish to sell anything, and then only costs $25 per year. They do run a tight ship, they make sure it is all kept family friendly, and do bump heads with people occasionally though, due to the stringent rules. Overall, my experiences there have been positive!

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Hello Jeannie and 6066 GMC Truckers,

Jeannie, when you wrote, "let's have a brew and get back to wrenching", I figured some blood flows to your brain.

Your proposal to improve the forum shows us your circulation and your brain are in great shape--I'm without medical training but that's my strong hunch.

I'm in favor of your proposed change. I'm also thankful for your work.

Regards and Have a great day wrenching,

Culver Adams

1961 GMC K1500 in Minneapolis, MN (where the air is getting cool enough to wrench outside without mosquitoes: that reminds me I should cover the tomatoes in the garden tonight)

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I vote for switching to a forum format.

Andy Harman
Battle Creek, MI

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Howdy,

I guess I should say what's on my mind, I'm all for switching over!!! I have
wanted to switch to a forum for a few years but didn't know how or what to
do to get it done, if I knew my dumping this group on some one else would
have got that done I would have done it sooner.

This will give us a chance to reset the Club, the Yahoo! Groups shows 1435
members, but how many of those memberships are active? I'll bet a lot of
them are just dead membership that got dumped and no longer have anyone
attached to them.

We have done the Yahoo! Groups thing from back in the stone age of the
internet, before forums really became the way to do this type of thing. I
think will be good for the group and I have tossed my hat in the ring to
help Jeannie out over there if she want & needs my help.

"Jolly" Goodfellow
Northern Utah

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I like the Yahoo format because when an email come in that has a subject that I'm interested in, or think I MIGHT be, I drag the note into a subject folder ( Carbs, Tranny's, "Note with Part Numbers" ) and save them Then, when I'm working on a carb, or a tranny, I go to the proper folder and look for what I need.



The forum format is okay when the group is small, but as it ages, and the number of topics grows dramatically, I find it hard to find something that related to what I'm looking for at any given time.



I find forums more difficult to just read, because some topics have new postings, but others don't and it is difficult to find the ones with recent additions. I sometimes do a lot of scrolling, then don't see anything new.



Ray is correct on the signature block. I use Outlook and have several different ones. Then just before sending a note, I use a shortcut ( ALT, then the "H" key, then "A" and then "S" ) to open a box with the names of my signatures. I select the one that I want, hit "enter" and in it goes.





Take care, all,



JBP



Jim P

Rush, ( Rochester ) New York

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Hi,

May I toss something out there to you all? Personally, I'm a '60 - '66 nut before anything else. I've had a '61 GMC fleetside in the past, and currently own a wonderful '61 survivor. This truck is the easily the most unmolested truck I've ever come across, right down to the original, working tube radio, original air cleaner and stamped-with-matching-numbers front fenders. The only problem, from a group standpoint, is that it's a 235 I-6 powered Chevrolet longbed stepside. I adore the GMC V-6s, have busted plenty a knuckle working on them, but just currently don't have one. I'd hate to leave the best '60 - '66 group on the net just because my ride is not GMC V-6 powered. Can there be room on the new forum for members like me?

Chris
Shawangunk, NY
1961 235 I-6 powered Chevrolet longbed stepside
1961 305 V-6 powered GMC longbed fleetside (former)

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Chris,

Do you mean an 'other rides/projects' section?

I'm sure we can do that if enough members are interested.

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I would be interested in an "Other Rides" section of the forum. I personally have other classic cars that people in the group might find interesting, but aren't 60-66 GMCs. On that same note, I would be interested to read what other GMCers are wrenching on(as long as it is classic, not something modern, as there are plenty of forums for projects like that). I have a 1937 Studebaker Dictator with a big 6, just a different kind of big 6, it is a flathead I-6 out of a 1959 White Super Mustang(big rig). I also have a 1968 Impala Sport Coupe with a 496ci Big Block Chevy(snore), but it will be receiving a custom chassis and a Detroit Diesel V8(8v71) when I have the work space to bring my projects up here from Texas. I'm a "Hot Wheels" style of hot rodder, in the sense that I like disproportionately large engines in my classics.

David Chadwell
Redmond, WA (was San Antonio, TX)

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Sure, that works, Jeannie. I'm not suggesting a change in the character of the group, just a bit of horizon broadening...

Chris in NY

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I use both formats.
So I will go with the flow.

I have the Yahoo. mail handled on my end.
I've had a Yahoo email account for quite a few years.

I set up a "filter" on my Outlook email account that files the GMC messages in a separate folder.

My old neighborhood has been using Yahoo as a group email account for about 10 years.
Get about 25 a day from that, prompted me to set up the filters for them.


Jesse W Walter
Millsboro, DE 19966

64 GMC 3/4 Ton Fire Truck

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I agree. I love the group but I have a 66 gmc w/ an inline 6.

Ron Boyter
Marietta, Ga

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

Personally I'd like to get a vintage Studebaker too for fun so I guess that makes what, 5 of us?

I've added an "Other Projects" section here:

http://6066gmcclub.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=13

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

I think that is an awesome idea Jeannie. Think about it, even if our trucks are not powered by the V-6, they still are basically the trucks we all love, the 60-66's!!! And as I have found, there are people out there with the parts
we all need for our trucks.
Dave Dewey/classikknut

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

As with the other two gentleman, my truck does not meet stated bylaws. I have a 66 GMC 1500 3/4 ton. It has a 83 305 v-8. I have not become a "member" of this group since I feel "ostracized" due to my truck not meeting the requirements/bylaws of the group. I have found some of the info posted on this site interesting and useful. Also have obtained parts from members. I do plan on becomming a member, pay my $25 and all that. I think that the proposed forum as is being dicussed. For what it is worth.
Classicknut
Oceanside, California

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

yes please move and i also vote other rides as well

Re: Yahoo Groups Alternative
 

All,

I hate to be the "fly in the ointment". But this group was started to "preserve" the V6/V8/V12 group of Big Block GMC engines, and their respective applications. I am not in favor of including the Chev I6. Nothing against it, if I am not correct there are already several Chev 6 groups. Sorry, but I think we need to keep this to Big Block GMC applications.

Rick Rusconi
Elk grove, Kalif