Well, if someone wants a formal forum with topic cops and strict adherence to rules, they're easy enough to start. P'raps you're the progenitor thereof? Go for it. As to multiple logins, I've not seen any here but I've not been looking... nor has anyone else. Anonymity is certain;y antone's right, but the accompanying pokes at anticipated paranoia come with it. You pays your money and you takes your choice as they say.

Again, without rancor, in a volunteer operation such as this the 'why don't you...' can only be met with 'go for it.'

--johnny

I have been wondering about that for a few days. It is also obvious that these people would not join the Black list to help others.

Tain't me either. I figure if I have balls enough to post comments here,
that the least I can do is sign my name to it.

I busted my knuckles making an income for myself, a wife, and 2
children. Many times working more than one job at a time. When my skills
were lacking, I went to community colleges, 4 year college specialty
courses, General Motors Training Centers, Apprenticeship centers,
VW/Porsche/Audi schools, Diesel School at Blue Mountain CC, etc.
I went into partnership with a very talented automotive machinist,
(who also happened to be an alcoholic, binge drinker, womanizer, liar, and
cheat) That mistake cost me all my personal savings making it right. Taught
me a whole lot about human behavior, though.
All this and I found time to build hot rods, and help raise my kids.
Finally, was recruited to become a Vocational Instructor in a Prison.
I worked there until my retirement at age 56. Then I went to work for my
wife at her flower shop. She said that I could work 1/2 time, I didn't know
that meant 12 hours a day. Sold that shop in 2010. Bought a GMC in 2007 as
a getaway vehicle. Been working on them for myself and others since then.
GM training came in very handy many times. Love these old coaches. Not the
smartest or the dumbest GMCer out there, but I value the collective wisdom
and helpful spirit of the GMC community.
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or

G'day,

Can anyone tell me:

1) how much it would cost to create a "modern GMC internet?"
2) if they have the ability do that?
3) would be willing to do it?
4) how long it would take?

Regards,
Rob M.

Let's see, a bunch of old fogies, driving 40+ year old coaches, want a
"modern" internet forum??? What's wrong with this picture?
(Grin) We shouldn't even be buying green bananas.
Jim Hupy

Jim,

Well in my opinion if we want the GMC to "live on" after us old fogies are gone GMC2000 is right.

Regards,
Rob M.

I oftentimes wish for the ability to post photos on the gmcnet. I fully
understand why we can't. Bandwidth and cost. I do not participate on the
forum, because of the format. Can't find crap. Facebook is more of a
chatroom than anything else. Handy for some things, but doesn't lend itself
well to technical stuff.
A GMCer owns the photo site. And the net. That means a whole bunch
when it comes to longevity and finding stuff when it is needed.
Much non GMC information through the years has evaporated into
nothing, never to be found again. That shouldn't happen.
What makes this net great and unique is it's permanent nature, quirks
and all. Worth a few bucks once in a while to me. But Patrick and Billy
both should have someone standing in the wings, as understudies. Sounds
like a job for 2000.
Jim Hupy

2-K,

I personally don't give a rip whether you use a real name or not. The reason it is important to some of our members is that it is nice to know who we are dealing with and when we eventually meet them in person we have a little better feel for who they are.

There HAVE been 'bad actors' show up here from time to time and they have either quietly gone away, or been banished by the moderator, or have gone off in a flurry of name calling and telling the rest of us where to go. One of them is big on Facebook now. The problem with them is that they have succeeded in running off some of the really good resources we have had over the years. My solution to dealing with them has always been to just ignore them and let them fend for themselves. Otherwise, I try to help to the extent that my limited ability and experience allows.

Personally, I am also satisfied with the forum the way it is, even though the split and/or hijacked threads can be annoying and sometimes makes it hard to find the post I am trying to respond to. At 62 years of age, I am probably way behind the curve on high tech, but this works for me. I have been using this forum and/or the email digest for about nine years now and I guess I'm just used to it. That makes it easy for me to use.

wrote on Thu, 12 July 2018 10:26]What I find a bit funny is how we praise the GMCNET and the photosite for being reliable and permanent places to store our TZE related info.

We then go on to complain about how it can be difficult at times to search those places for the info we are looking for.

To make things worse, we have GMCNET, the photo site, Genes list of valuable info, etc. These are all strewn across the web in multiple different locations, only tied together by links to each others websites.

GMC2000(Fred) is correct. We need a more modern and user friendly place to keep this info IN ONE LOCATION.

If that happens, then we will have genuine reason for praise!

Les Burt

Many of us are members of other automotive message forums that may provide
the modern functionality requested. Does anyone have an example that they
would like to share? Something that demonstrates the newer features this
medium lacks?

-Persistent image storage?
-Active administration?
-Topic archival and search capabilities?

FWIW, i'm a longstanding member of a Pinzgauer forum that uses *free *phpBB
as its foundation. phpBB started in 2000, but recent versions integrate
with Tapatalk... allows for wonderful functionality on a cell phone. The
interface should seem familiar. Are you looking for something more advanced
than phpBB?

-Will

Les

Having all those sites you mention on one site may sound good to you but it is never going to happen.

First there are several individuals putting time into collecting information and maintaining their site. Would you expect that they would all continue to do this if it's on someone else's site?

Also, what happens if the site goes down as often happens on the Internet? That would mean that all information is cut off. With it on more than one site much would still be available even if one source goes down for a while.

Also, this could get expensive and also require a lot of knowledge of one person to maintain it all. It could take several hours of time a week for someone to do it on a volunteer basis. Much more than the individuals managing separate sites do now.

The present set of systems is working well. It might have some quirks and imperfections but so would a new system that might take months or years to develop

As someone said before "are you volunteering to do it?" If so, you'd better start soon if you want it done in your remaining lifetime and don't plan on doing much else with your spare time.

Emery Stora

I loved Jim's comment on green bananas...

I'll offer some attributes of any new system for GMC technical discussion and info retrieval.

- Accessible via email (mail list)
--- When bandwidth or company security issues issues prevent use of the full forum. Bandwidth is in short supply on the road or in campgrounds when help with problems is most needed.
--- When users aren't comfortable with a web-based forum (Especially those with the most experience)

- Incorporates all existing GMCNet posts.

- Supports sub-forums and images

- Incorporates all existing Photo Site photos.

- Converts Photo Site links in posts to Photo Site images

- Converts embedded photos in posts to links for email users.

- Converts GMCMH EFI Google group to a Sub-Forum

- Each sub-forum has a Sticky with links to additional GMC info.

- Curated and moderated by subject matter experts.

- Vendor independent.

- No targeted advertising, no harvesting of user data.

- Owned and managed by an institution supported by GMC owner dues (and that can finish up their green bananas).

As an aside, I helped convert and now manage the website and write PHP programs for a car enthusiast site. In the process, we converted (with a developer's help) a VBulletin forum to one compatible with our new site, including migrating all photos, sub-forums, etc.

The software (FUDforum) currently supporting the GMCNET site is free, open source, and feature rich. A developer familiar with FUDforum software, CSS, HTML, MySQL, and PHP could integrate most or all of the items above, I believe. Whatever organization takes this on would need to step up to the issues involved with the curatorial and website management functions of this approach.

wrote on Thu, 12 July 2018 22:10]For the record, I don't have any issues with continuing to use the GMCNET as it is now. I've gotten used to it's quirks and am confortable with how it works.

We do need to realize that to survive for the long term will require accommodating the newer TZE owners. We have previously commented here numerous times about the newer/younger crowd and how they expect/demand that online info be easily obtained. They are the future TZE owners and if we don't figure out how to attract them to the GMCNET, then we will just dwindle away and die due to lack of caring.

Les Burt

GMC2000said..... yep, and its more than location that is needed though, its an everlasting foundation behind it but Im starting to see how tricky that is with the way the GMCs are under the FMCA umbrella as another poster put it.

GMC Motorhomes International is an organization dedicated to promoting the legacy, enjoyment and use of GMC Motorhomes. Our goal is to provide fellowship and technical information through continuous improvement of communications & conventions.

Thanks, Emery (Delbert, Jerry), for the clarification.

In any event, it seems like GMCMI is the only non-commercial organization whose scope includes just the GMC Motorhome.

Quote:

GMC2000said..... yep, and its more than location that is needed though, its an everlasting foundation behind it but Im starting to see how tricky that is with the way the GMCs are under the FMCA umbrella as another poster put it.

GMCMI is the obvious organization. Best way for you to get involved is buy a coach, join a local club (local clubs are GMCMI members), do some repairs, attend some national (GMCMI) rallys, let folks get to know you, and convince them of your vision.

do you think running a forum would be a full time job