why this forum?

[neRok]

hi, just wondering why this forum was started. dont want to cause trouble or anything, but really, why? as far as i see it, it's in direct competition to p4x4, it has the same content. but patrol4x4 has got history, its got most of the answers there already. having multiple forums on the same topic isnt really helping anyone, it would be much better off having everyone helping in 1 spot. but now youve got a few knowledgable people here and a few there, whats the point of that?

ps- im talking about tech, not chit-chat.

[gec]

The way I see it is, Why not. If nobody started anything just because somebody had already done it then we would all be in a lot of trouble and Nissans would still have leaf springs if they existed at all. Now I know this is not the real reason for starting this forum but what the hell my post count is low so I did it anyway hehehe.

[AB]

Hi mate, for starters this forum is not in competition with anyone. It's a free site that does not make any money so there is no competition to be made?

As GEC stated, why not?

I like Patrols, I love our land and I know a lot about websites. This forum has brought in a great network of good people and we have made many new friends as a result of this.

I have had the best fun running this forum and we now have a great network which anyone can freely join in.

Unlike other forums, this one is moderated heavily to keep out smartass attitdues and abuse. We encourage less knowledgable people to ask questions without being ridiculed and making them reluctant to ask further questions and stopping newbies from learning the most important things such as safety awareness and training.

Hope you enjoy it!

[Bob]

Whilst I have not visited Patrol4X4 I have found this site to be extremely friendly with lots of knowledge and expertise in all areas. In my opinion if you only had one Forum you would have to fit into the culture of that Forum . With more than one you have a choice.

[Timbo]

hi, just wondering why this forum was started. dont want to cause trouble or anything, but really, why? as far as i see it, it's in direct competition to patrol4x4, it has the same content. but patrol4x4 has got history, its got most of the answers there already. having multiple forums on the same topic isnt really helping anyone, it would be much better off having everyone helping in 1 spot. but now youve got a few knowledgable people here and a few there, whats the point of that?

ps- im talking about tech, not chit-chat.

I'll try and answer your question.

There is a lot of bitching and carrying on over on the other Patrol forum. Frankly, I know a lot of people were sick of it. Nissanpatrol.com.au tries very hard to be a family friendly site without the elitist jerks that tend to pop-up on Patrol 4x4. We also try and be as "beginner" friendly as possible. Someone asks a question which seems quite obvious to others, doesn't really need to be met with "USE THE SEARCH NOOB" or other derogatory remarks. It's nice if everyone uses the search feature, sure, but there is a mature way to go about telling someone.
I've noticed people here to say, "Try the search mate.. but here's your answer anyway".. this kind of mentality is what I think this forum is about.

As for having answers in both forums.. where is the actual problem? I'm confused. More resources for everyone is a good thing. Both sites don't share every single piece of information. You will find something new on either site and you can bounce between them. Sometimes you might ask a question on one site and not receive a reply. So if there was only one site, you're stuffed. Also, if something happens to one of the sites, people can jump on the other one for a browse. I don't see the harm.

People stay here because we're a friendly bunch and are willing to help. We have a wide age range here and I think that simply strengthens this site. I haven't see one bad post on this forum yet (apart from a few spammers, but AB fixed them good and proper.) Everyone tries to be constructive instead of flaming someone for their lack on knowledge.

The best part about this site, people meeting each other and having a good time. We've had a couple of forum meets in Vic so far and I'm sure there have been or will be some in other states. We are planning a big forum meet up in a yer or two which we hope many members will rally for and come along. This is the kind of community we seek to build here and I believe it's coming along nicely.

You will always have people who are one-eyed. Look at Collingwood supporters lol! People will either come and stick around, or they'll leave. We have people signing up everyday and many of them stay and become an active member. What AB has done with this forum is truly remarkable in my opinion. I was on Patrol 4x4 for quite a while and I never felt as comfortable there as I do here. The site has grown pretty big in a relatively small time frame which goes to show you that there was/is plenty of room for 2 patrol sites.

Lastly, there is far more to this site than "Tech". People come for the Tech but stay for the "Chit-chat" too.

Cheers

[rkinsey]

Well said Timbo.

"Community" is a very big key ingredient here and its that sense of "Community" that keeps a lot of us around. Not only from here in Australia but this is also a global community with members from the Middle East, Brazil and I think I have even seen a few from the US.

So neRok, although you may not see any reason for this forum, we all do and all of the members here will welcome you no matter your background or beliefs. Thats the Aussie way of helping out your mates and I can think of no better reason as to start an online community than that.

Cheers,

Rob

[patch697]

Hi mate, for starters this forum is not in competition with anyone. It's a free site that does not make any money so there is no competition to be made?

As GEC stated, why not?

I like Patrols, I love our land and I know a lot about websites. This forum has brought in a great network of good people and we have made many new friends as a result of this.

I have had the best fun running this forum and we now have a great network which anyone can freely join in.

Unlike other forums, this one is moderated heavily to keep out smartass attitudes and abuse. We encourage less knowledgeable people to ask questions without being ridiculed and making them reluctant to ask further questions and stopping newbies from learning the most important things such as safety awareness and training.

Hope you enjoy it!

Couldn't have put it any better old mate...............

I would like to add:

With each different forum comes a different atmosphere which makes that forum unique even when talking about the same subjects.

A forum isn't just about its subject matter either its about the community off ppl behind it, ppl with a common interest talking to other ppl with the same interests which brings about friendships that would had otherwise never need found from all corners of our Great Country & not to mention around the world.



As AB has already said its free for all including you so why not stick around & get to know us, you never know you may find you like it here as we have.

All the best & I really do hope you enjoy the forum.

Paul

[Bigrig]

Hey mate - some good points raised above - the point of why not? the point of not starting something just because someone else has already done it (not that this is a paid service, but talk to any entrepreneur and 80% of their money comes from existing ideas that they have grabbed and made better), the point of sociability and friendliness, the point of culture (a big one), etc, etc

Let me put it this way - do you have a favourite restaurant? A favourite mechanic? A favourite place? Why? Why do you like them? You more than likely drive past 10 other restaurants to go to the one you like, you more than likely drive past plenty of other mechanics and service centres to go to the one you trust, and you definitely at some point drive past dozens of places that OTHER people would list as their favourite place only to get to the one you feel best about - you get my point?? Different strokes for different folks mate. I am a member of Patrol4x4 (and others) and no doubt there is good people and heaps of good information on it, however there is a definite element at times that is restrictive and not conducive to free flowing banter like this one, and a lot of people are turned off by that. It really isn't meant to be all so serious.

Just to put things in perspective, I am 115kgs, I have multiple tattoos, I drink, I smoke, I swear, I used to do amateur boxing, I am by NO means a prude, and most importantly, I am extremely easy going (and funny, did I mention funny?? LOL) and I stopped using their site about 3 months ago - my point being it was not because I'm a fairy and because I couldn't 'hack it', it was just because it wasn't for me based on some things I saw and the general feel at times - and that's actually OK - I don't go round bagging that site by any means, but I won't be held to ransom on not casting a truthful, unbiased opinion of my personal experience on there though - it was very hard to crack into it and feel a part of things (did nearly 500 posts, so not like I just dipped my toe in the water - they had a major crash and my account only shows about 50 posts now though - all that information was lost - another thing that sh!t me), it had a bit of a "big boys club" feel to it, and certainly didn't make me feel as welcome as this one did (maybe it was just me, maybe it was just timing - who knows, as I'm sure others would ridicule me for my opinion as they have had a quality experience over there - again, different stokes for different folks). People come here and generally speaking, the atmosphere of the forum is very relaxed, very friendly (no, we're not losers who need to find friends online - just have a simple common interest and aren't overly dogmatic in displaying our knowledge at every chance), very informative about multiple topics, and has a strong sense of making all and sundry feel welcome irrespective of their technical knowledge of all things 4WD.

Good question you posed though mate - one that is discussed on here often in general banter. I've been on here for about 4 months, I've since met 6 of the members from here face to face and had a few beers (didn't meet any from the other forum even though there are literally mulitple in my direct area - not through lack of trying either) and I am now organising a trip that is the thick end of 7,000 klms early next year to meet up with more - what more can I say than that regarding the character of the individuals on this forum and the value I place on them and their advice/comments in such a short time.

[Timbo]

Well said BigRig

[jaxt]

well said big rig.
first impressions mean alot to some ppl and for me....
it's a lot more friendly in this forum therefore I'm more inclined to stay and be involved. no doubt I'll find the knowledge base good too.
the welcoming party once you intro yourself is one example that is conducive to a more relaxed atmosphere
as to why this forum was started...well that's been answered.
Also I don't know if it was my setting too but I got sick of the timing out after I log in at the other site and having to log in each time was a pain.
oh yeh and the site's more user friendly and more intuitive to navigate.