Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » New GMC Forum
| New GMC Forum [message #348868] |
Thu, 03 October 2019 18:13  |
UND_Sioux
Messages: 14
Registered: February 2018
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Let me first start with saying how invaluable the members of this forum are, and the amount of collective knowledge here is amazing.
With that said, I've often felt that the presence of the internet of the GMC Community is a bit behind the times when it comes internet formatting. We moved from a world of desktop computers to iPads and smartphones. From what I can tell, when the internet was growing rapidly, many here in the GMC Community were ahead of the game with websites developed, blogs before they were even called blogs, and the photo site which is utterly amazing. However, I think it is time for a few updates. I understand that many in the group are very set in their ways, and I understand that. I understand that many of you get their communication from this site directly from email. I also know the further we get down the line, the more of the original and second owners will be stepping away and new generation of caretakers will be preserving these motorhomes.
I sent and email to Billy Massey earlier today outlining my "vision" for what the future could be for the online presence of the GMC Community. My thought was that it should be comprised of four basic parts:
First, a website entry point. Very similar to what GMCMI uses as their main page, but a little more streamlined.
Second, a central document storage location. Basically, what Billy has on his Bdub.net site, but more integrated.
Third, an update to the photo site. With cheap storage available now, I think we can justify higher resolution pictures.
Fourth, an updated message board that is simple to navigate, post, search, etc...
With regards to the forum; I've already built one. It is located at www.gmcrvforum.com. I'd love for you to come take a look. You don't have to sign up, but you can look around at the format and give me your thoughts. If you do sign up, you can remain completely anonymous if you so choose. I borrowed a lot of the ideas from the Airstream folks.
Finally, and maybe the most important part of all of this is that it needs to be "mobile friendly". Modern websites and forums scale automatically depending on if you are viewing on a PC/Mac, a tablet, or a smartphone. A lot of the older sites are hard to use on newer devices. As an example, on the new forum, if I want to post a photo, I can just take out my iPhone, hit the upload button and a familiar pop-up box appears that allows me to take a new picture right then and there, or go through my camera roll in my phone and find a photo I took previously.
I really don't have time to run with all of it. After all, I have a GMC Motorhome to restore. It doesn't have to happen overnight, but I think we as a group need to think about where the future lies for the GMC on the internet.
Ready. Fire. Aim. 
P.S. I would have attached a screen shot of my iPhone taking a picture to upload here, but I guess there is a 1 megabyte limit. The new forum is currently set to 9 mb I believe.
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| Re: [GMCnet] New GMC Forum [message #348875 is a reply to message #348870] |
Thu, 03 October 2019 19:49  |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Many of us, myself included, have an intense dislike for both the forum and
Facebook. They both are plagued by interlopers from outside the GMC
community, and continously alter the subject string with stuff like
grandkids pictures and other subjects like "The Chevy forum guys all put
this cam in, or that special widget that allows for ??? who .knows what.
The photo site I will admit could benefit from some upgrades. It is
difficult to navigate. But, my opinion is only that, one man's opinion.
But, I rarely respond to the GMCnet by any method other than my android
cellular phone. You make some valid points, and they deserve to be
considered. Don't get discouraged.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Oregon
On Thu, Oct 3, 2019, 4:49 PM Mike Perez via Gmclist
wrote:
> Kevin F wrote on Thu, 03 October 2019 18:39
>> I know Im a newbie here and have explored only a tiny fraction of all
> the stored info that this site is comprised of, but having a mobile app
>> would be very useful. Also it really would be very informative to be
> able to post a pic directly to the forum in the feed. Perhaps I havent found
>> the proper instructions yet but I havent been able to upload any pics to
> the photo site due to size of the files, even after Ive compressed them. I
>> know theres a secret formula out there but I have yet to figure it
> out..........LOL ( BTW any help with that would be great, just
> sayin........ ;)
>> )
>>
>> Thanx
>
> The short term plan is to have an Android and an iPhone app for the
> forum. I already have the software. In the meantime, the new forum formats
> automatically when you view it on a phone.
>
> _______________________________________________
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| Re: New GMC Forum [message #348878 is a reply to message #348868] |
Thu, 03 October 2019 23:08 |
BRG
Messages: 10
Registered: September 2019
Location: Plano, TX
Karma: -1
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Junior Member |
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You have some valid points but, I feel a few things haven't been addressed.
1: This site is very, very niche. That preserves clarity and focus regarding the subject. "Easy Access" or more widespread awareness isn't necessarily a good thing. It functions effectively. You are talking style, not substance.
2: How do you stand to monetize the built in traffic stream from here on your new domain? This is a change that has no measurable benefit to anyone except the owner of the url you listed.
I'm 38. At most, this site needs a reformat. At no cost. Your tone was way off and you're leaving out about 95% of what you're really up to here; which is lifting a complete and organic click base to sell to advertisers.
Good luck.
“There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.”
----
'78 Eleganza II
Plano, TX
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| Re: New GMC Forum [message #348880 is a reply to message #348878] |
Fri, 04 October 2019 06:19 |
UND_Sioux
Messages: 14
Registered: February 2018
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Ben G wrote on Thu, 03 October 2019 23:08You have some valid points but, I feel a few things haven't been addressed.
1: This site is very, very niche. That preserves clarity and focus regarding the subject. "Easy Access" or more widespread awareness isn't necessarily a good thing. It functions effectively. You are talking style, not substance.
2: How do you stand to monetize the built in traffic stream from here on your new domain? This is a change that has no measurable benefit to anyone except the owner of the url you listed.
I'm 38. At most, this site needs a reformat. At no cost. Your tone was way off and you're leaving out about 95% of what you're really up to here; which is lifting a complete and organic click base to sell to advertisers.
Good luck.
1. I'll agree to an extent. It is a relatively niche subject, and because of the overall small number of these built, it will never be more than that.
2. Let's just put it this way. I'm an airline pilot by trade, if I wanted to make extra money, I could go pick up a few flights of overtime and make more money than I could ever make from a small forum. If any money is every made (which I doubt), it would be just to cover the expenses of the site. I'm just doing this because nobody has stepped up to do it yet and like I said, I think it is overdue. Secondly, I like learning new things. If I'm ever replaced by a drone, I'll need a backup job.
If it was so easy to reformat this site, I'm sure it would have been done already.
[Updated on: Fri, 04 October 2019 06:21] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: New GMC Forum [message #348883 is a reply to message #348881] |
Fri, 04 October 2019 08:08 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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Mike,
Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum....
I could not find where you were welcomed when first arrived, so let me do so now.
Before long, whether you have a coach or not, please go to the control panel and put in a sigfile. This is to benefit both you and us.
Years ago, I was trying to manage the chapter GMC Eastern States. I ran into problems because many members did not have high speed access and some even had no internet at all. (These days I equate that to indoor plumbing.) This made some communication difficult. I do not know the current status of this situation, but I would ask that you be careful to not cut out those that still have old technology. Yes, this forum could use a refresh, but when needed, I can access it on my android.
Welcome Mike
Matt - All Aboard
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: New GMC Forum [message #348887 is a reply to message #348883] |
Fri, 04 October 2019 08:55 |
UND_Sioux
Messages: 14
Registered: February 2018
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Matt Colie wrote on Fri, 04 October 2019 08:08Mike,
Welcome to the group, family, cult, asylum....
I could not find where you were welcomed when first arrived, so let me do so now.
Before long, whether you have a coach or not, please go to the control panel and put in a sigfile. This is to benefit both you and us.
Years ago, I was trying to manage the chapter GMC Eastern States. I ran into problems because many members did not have high speed access and some even had no internet at all. (These days I equate that to indoor plumbing.) This made some communication difficult. I do not know the current status of this situation, but I would ask that you be careful to not cut out those that still have old technology. Yes, this forum could use a refresh, but when needed, I can access it on my android.
Welcome Mike
Matt - All Aboard
Thanks. Haven't been active here. I've been active on Facebook, but I'm not thrilled with the platform. I have a 75 Palm Beach.
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| Re: New GMC Forum [message #348890 is a reply to message #348868] |
Fri, 04 October 2019 11:13 |
NextGenGMC
Messages: 146
Registered: December 2017
Location: Washington State
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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This is an interesting idea. Although I like the idea of a more "fresh" and modern looking site, the information here is much more important than the visuals of it. To that end, I wonder if it is possible to "populate" the new site with all the "old" content and discussions from this forum? You could try to cross link both sites, so that posts to one get reflected/mirrored on the other. That might help to organically move people to new platform while preserving this space for those who simply prefer word based idea exchange. After all, it would be counter productive to start new forum space from zero and to rehash all the "wars" and discussion on oil types, filter capacities, etc. One more note - I think it is important to limit posting ability only to the registered users. I've seen way too many forums devolve into an unruly mess of anarchy and sniping when you can just post garbage because you are Anonymous.
Great effort on your part though. Thank you for doing it.
P.S. I have a definite preference for the GMCMH vs GMCRV
Vadim Jitkov
'76 Glenbrook 26'
Pullman, WA
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| Re: [GMCnet] New GMC Forum [message #348892 is a reply to message #348891] |
Fri, 04 October 2019 12:28 |
GMC.LES
Messages: 505
Registered: April 2014
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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Emery,
While I understand and respect your opinion and reasoning, one big problem is the newcomers are not coming to GMCnet. Your desire to help is not reaching the majority of those that need it the most. As has been discussed many times in the recent past, main reason is the GMCnet is not user-friendly to them. Most of the older members here grew up with this platform, so we don’t necessarily see what the younger crowd is having difficulty with.
I too am concerned about changing to a new address. Updating and improving GMCnet would be much wiser, but the owner seems to be resistant and so are many of the members. What we need to sort out is what GMCnet’s priority should be. Future growth and sustainability with the main objective of supporting All TZE owners, or support of it aging gurus who don’t see the need to change what works.
Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'
> On Oct 4, 2019, at 12:28 PM, Emery Stora via Gmclist wrote:
>
> I guess I may be getting set in my ways but I don’t see a need to completely switch to a new site. In fact, if we do that I may just drop out and spend my time elsewhere. I have a lot of other things I can do with the years I may have left.
>
> I have been posting since almost the beginning of this site. At this point I mostly post to provide information to other, mostly newer, owners.
>
> If any other long time users feel the same way, I can see the impending end of this valuable site.
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Frederick CO
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: [GMCnet] New GMC Forum [message #348893 is a reply to message #348892] |
Fri, 04 October 2019 12:50 |
johnd01
Messages: 354
Registered: July 2017
Location: Sacrameot
Karma: -1
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Senior Member |
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I need it to still post to my email. I hardly ever access it outside email.
I have more than a year's worth of searchable saved email that searches
well.
On Fri, Oct 4, 2019 at 10:29 AM Les Burt via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> Emery,
> While I understand and respect your opinion and reasoning, one big problem
> is the newcomers are not coming to GMCnet. Your desire to help is not
> reaching the majority of those that need it the most. As has been discussed
> many times in the recent past, main reason is the GMCnet is not
> user-friendly to them. Most of the older members here grew up with this
> platform, so we don’t necessarily see what the younger crowd is having
> difficulty with.
>
> I too am concerned about changing to a new address. Updating and improving
> GMCnet would be much wiser, but the owner seems to be resistant and so are
> many of the members. What we need to sort out is what GMCnet’s priority
> should be. Future growth and sustainability with the main objective of
> supporting All TZE owners, or support of it aging gurus who don’t see the
> need to change what works.
>
>
> Les Burt
> Montreal
> '75 Eleganza 26'
>
>
>> On Oct 4, 2019, at 12:28 PM, Emery Stora via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> I guess I may be getting set in my ways but I don’t see a need to
> completely switch to a new site. In fact, if we do that I may just drop out
> and spend my time elsewhere. I have a lot of other things I can do with the
> years I may have left.
>>
>> I have been posting since almost the beginning of this site. At this
> point I mostly post to provide information to other, mostly newer, owners.
>>
>> If any other long time users feel the same way, I can see the impending
> end of this valuable site.
>>
>> Emery Stora
>> 77 Kingsley
>> Frederick CO
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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--
*John Phillips*
_______________________________________________
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Johnd01
John Phillips
Avion A2600 TZE064V101164
Rancho Cordova, CA (Sacramento)
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| Re: [GMCnet] New GMC Forum [message #348895 is a reply to message #348892] |
Fri, 04 October 2019 13:28 |
Emery Stora
Messages: 959
Registered: January 2011
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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On what do you base your statement that “one big problem is the newcomers are not coming to GMCnet. “
Do you have any facts to support that or is that just your “feeling”?
Also how can you say that this site is not supporting all TZE owners but only “aging gurus”? I seem to recall providing information to you a few times.
If the owner of the site doesn’t see the need to change how do you plan to move all the content of the site to another one? Could that be called theft?
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick CO
> On Oct 4, 2019, at 11:28 AM, Les Burt via Gmclist wrote:
>
> Emery,
> While I understand and respect your opinion and reasoning, one big problem is the newcomers are not coming to GMCnet. Your desire to help is not reaching the majority of those that need it the most. As has been discussed many times in the recent past, main reason is the GMCnet is not user-friendly to them. Most of the older members here grew up with this platform, so we don’t necessarily see what the younger crowd is having difficulty with.
>
> I too am concerned about changing to a new address. Updating and improving GMCnet would be much wiser, but the owner seems to be resistant and so are many of the members. What we need to sort out is what GMCnet’s priority should be. Future growth and sustainability with the main objective of supporting All TZE owners, or support of it aging gurus who don’t see the need to change what works.
>
>
> Les Burt
> Montreal
> '75 Eleganza 26'
>
>
>> On Oct 4, 2019, at 12:28 PM, Emery Stora via Gmclist wrote:
>>
>> I guess I may be getting set in my ways but I don’t see a need to completely switch to a new site. In fact, if we do that I may just drop out and spend my time elsewhere. I have a lot of other things I can do with the years I may have left.
>>
>> I have been posting since almost the beginning of this site. At this point I mostly post to provide information to other, mostly newer, owners.
>>
>> If any other long time users feel the same way, I can see the impending end of this valuable site.
>>
>> Emery Stora
>> 77 Kingsley
>> Frederick CO
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] New GMC Forum [message #348896 is a reply to message #348894] |
Fri, 04 October 2019 14:17 |
sgltrac
Messages: 2797
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Sounds like a call for a forum rally.
Sully
Bellevue wa
On Fri, Oct 4, 2019 at 10:41 AM Les Burt via Gmclist <
gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
> I am also truly wondering what issues make many of us so resistant to
> improving GMCNET to make it more attractive to our newer owners? This is a
> subject that really needs more focus and discussion so we can choose the
> right path.
>
>
> Les Burt
> Montreal
> '75 Eleganza 26'
>
>
>> On Oct 4, 2019, at 12:28 PM, Emery Stora via Gmclist gmclist@list.gmcnet.org> wrote:
>>
>> I guess I may be getting set in my ways but I don’t see a need to
> completely switch to a new site. In fact, if we do that I may just drop out
> and spend my time elsewhere. I have a lot of other things I can do with the
> years I may have left.
>>
>> I have been posting since almost the beginning of this site. At this
> point I mostly post to provide information to other, mostly newer, owners.
>>
>> If any other long time users feel the same way, I can see the impending
> end of this valuable site.
>>
>> Emery Stora
>> 77 Kingsley
>> Frederick CO
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
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Sully
77 Royale basket case.
Future motorhome land speed record holder(bucket list)
Seattle, Wa.
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| Re: [GMCnet] New GMC Forum [message #348897 is a reply to message #348892] |
Fri, 04 October 2019 14:51 |
BRG
Messages: 10
Registered: September 2019
Location: Plano, TX
Karma: -1
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Junior Member |
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Les Burt[1 wrote on Fri, 04 October 2019 12:28]Emery,
While I understand and respect your opinion and reasoning, one big problem is the newcomers are not coming to GMCnet. Your desire to help is not reaching the majority of those that need it the most. As has been discussed many times in the recent past, main reason is the GMCnet is not user-friendly to them. Most of the older members here grew up with this platform, so we don't necessarily see what the younger crowd is having difficulty with.
I too am concerned about changing to a new address. Updating and improving GMCnet would be much wiser, but the owner seems to be resistant and so are many of the members. What we need to sort out is what GMCnet's priority should be. Future growth and sustainability with the main objective of supporting All TZE owners, or support of it aging gurus who don't see the need to change what works.
Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'
> On Oct 4, 2019, at 12:28 PM, Emery Stora via Gmclist wrote:
>
> I guess I may be getting set in my ways but I don't see a need to completely switch to a new site. In fact, if we do that I may just drop out and spend my time elsewhere. I have a lot of other things I can do with the years I may have left.
>
> I have been posting since almost the beginning of this site. At this point I mostly post to provide information to other, mostly newer, owners.
>
> If any other long time users feel the same way, I can see the impending end of this valuable site.
>
> Emery Stora
> 77 Kingsley
> Frederick CO
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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I'd like to offer an angle on what Mr. Burt said.
I'm 38, with a family, and a new owner.
My generation of owners faces three issues - none of them relating to access to technical information, which this site is.
And thinking of it now, a new forum - maybe a complementary one - could help out a little.
1: Price vs. Value
Economy has changed. These coaches are priced entirely on value. Rationally, 80% of them should come with an envelope with 20K in cash just to get the inside normal and the wiring stock. That's not going to happen. There is a vanishing minority of coaches worth the asking prices; the best of the rest are vaguely road-worthy, and the majority simply not a good proposition to a family.
2: Outreach. The local club, of which I attended two meetings, is....insular. Nice folks. Can't remember a name. Sat at the table and was ignored. Twice.
There is a huge opportunity to reengage with families, campgrounds, rallies....if some effort is made to just say "Hi. What do your kids like doing and how could we make our rallies more attractive"?
Vintage is huge. Americana is huge. Return to family values is huge. Advertise and identify as that and people will come.
Right now the community is a late-eighties Never-Never land. Sorry if that's rude. I love this place. But you're advertising (sort of) a retired lifestyle to people who want to take their young families and grow them on the road in the Coaches. It's a wrong angle if you want to grow a new base.
3: A decent, modern, drop-in re-engine option. Not one that pleases the gearheads and wizards and the conservatives. One that will turn on and run like a suburban.
My generation does not have the mechanical and engineering grounding most of the current owner base does.
It's not that it's too technical. These are simple machines. It's that the discussion of the tech has become impenetrable and opinion-oriented. Which adds even further to the sense of confusion your average new owner will feel when asking "What does it take to get this running right?"
This went further than I thought it would, and I basically pulled a 180, I realize. But after thinking about what it took to find and buy a good coach that wasn't a total reno or a total pile, I shifted. This place could benefit from a little more air.
- Respectfully
“There he goes. One of God's own prototypes. A high-powered mutant of some kind never even considered for mass production. Too weird to live, and too rare to die.”
----
'78 Eleganza II
Plano, TX
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| Re: New GMC Forum [message #348898 is a reply to message #348868] |
Fri, 04 October 2019 14:56 |
traveler1980
Messages: 24
Registered: September 2019
Location: Gettysburg, PA
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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I am a new owner and will share my 2 cents (for what it's worth). I'm 39, so maybe that still makes me a young'un for the GMC crowd. When I purchased my coach, I did some research and found this forum. I think other new owners could easily find it as well. It is full of useful and extremely helpful information and also supported by a great group of knowledgeable folks that have worked with these machines for many years and understand how they work. The site itself is in an older format and is difficult to search. It's also not easy to post or view photos (which are so helpful for those of us just getting started). I checked out the new forum and like the format.
That said, if folks decide to stick with this forum, I'd really like to see:
* Improved search
* Improved ability to post and view photos
* Improved usability on a Mobile device
These are all "wish list" types of items. If the consensus is that nothing needs to change, that's fine, too. But please don't stop contributing. Us newbies need your experience and help!
Jamie
Jamie Sharp
South Central PA (Gettysburg area)
'76 Palm Beach, AKA "Grumble"
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