IMHO, The staff has done an outstanding job maintaining this site and I am proud to be a member of BC. Keep up the good work gentlemen.

I'm a fairly new member and also don't drive a Bonneville, but part of the reason I like it here is that bad attitudes aren't allowed to run wild for long. You guys do a great job of researching and keeping track of what'* going on here. Maybe you're more strict than other clubs and that makes you subject to ridicule, but you are running the place according to the owner'* standards, and it'* nice to have a place to come to learn about the workings without so much rude name calling (unless we're joking :P) and reactionary bull. There are plenty of forums out there (electronic and otherwise) where people can be rude for fun, and I think it'* a refreshing change to see one that'* doing its best to prove it is possible to question someone without being rude to the point where you make yourself look like a jerk even if you're right.

I think the admins and moderators all have done an outstanding job. They are always available to offer advice and to interact with the members. You are all just doing your jobs by keeping us in line. Sometimes members might tend to get off topic or make comments without fully thinking about the impact those comments might make. It is bound to happen but you all do a great job of putting us back in line and not being ugly about it.

Thank you one and all and keep up the great job.

First off, I would like to thank all that have dedicated their time to the Bonneville Club. As the site owner, an Admin, a Moderator, a Gearhead or someone who is just willing to help, you should know that your efforts are much appreciated. It'* a tough job when you have such a diverse membership to ensure that everyone is treated fairly.

I'm fairly new here so I'm still feeling the landscape, every site has it'* own objectives and style. There'* also a pace and flow to posts that makes each club unique. With this mind, perhaps I could offer some input, either to consider or dismiss as you please.

I understand BC has a vigilant approach to flaming, meaning it'* not tolerated. I happen to agree with that, but if this is the rule then you need other supporting rules or policies in place to provide the right environment for this. I enjoy nothing more than a good debate done with civility and respect. I'm ok to disagree with anyone, or be disagreed with, provided it'* done with good intentions and the intent to get to the bottom of it. Once this discussion has played out, I expect people to accept the facts and move on.

Example: Given the recent events surrounding the horsepower claims of a member, I think there'* room to learn from this and adapt. Clearly, if something is claimed that could be controversial, and if we expect people should be civilized without giving them the basis to possibly flame, then the bar MUST be raised as to what is accepted as fact. If the premise is to trust people, we should have some reasonable expectation of facts first. Specifically, for such things as ¼ mile times, either time slips or video should be required in order to make such claims. In short, if you prohibit flaming (a good thing) then you should have a higher burden of proof.

I think it'* also a good thing to encourage people to be as thorough as possible also. I've seen plenty of threads where either the initial post was made because someone was lazy in not looking for the answer, or some of the responses were a little lacking.

Certainly things like being more respectful of staying on topic within a thread would be nice too. I say this in the context of not being overly vigilant in enforcing it, but giving people nudges and maybe a little joke or something like that.

Differences of opinion are a good thing, we just need to constantly adjust so that we can provide the proper forum to accomplish that. I might also suggest the Admins and Moderators might want to consult more frequently on matters that effect policy. I say that in the context that they should not feel they need to 'come clean' with members whenever there is a majour issue, only to seek regular input rather than having some rigid structure.

I would also suggest adding more functions to the site. I would love to see a members photo gallery. This would be a great way for people to show off their cars in the right environment, meaning without all the added stuff from Car Domain. This would be helpful in providing a reason to make even smaller images in signatures. In my view, signatures should not have images larger than 200 pixels high. I do like to see them included, only a smaller size, and if there is a gallery to link to for more pictures all the better. I'm willing to help out with this if needed or wanted.

The Tech Info section would be nice to broaden out also. I think a nicer format could be used and the relevant articles increased. It'* a great place to look for info now and could be even better.

These thoughts are just my $0.02 so take them for what they're worth. Thanks to everyone for the energy and hard work done here.

Cheers,

Yea it a pretty cool site. Makes my life easier whenever I have a question. I think the admins and mods do a really good job in between their busy times of the day.

In addition, I think the way the staff handles intense situations is excellent. Contrary to what another ... particular website ... believes, I think that if someone has a problem, take it up with the staff privately, and not publicly, which causes all sorts of problems as we have seen recently. It doesn't take away our freedom of electronic speech. It is a more mature, professional setting like in an office building. If you have a problem, speak to your manager privately, and don't cause a scene. This is how it is done here and I think the staff has done a great job of implementing that.

Foghorn, you make some really good points. To give you a little more background, Turtle has been here since WAY back, before I was an Admin. He'* sort of been 'accepted' and grandfathered in. After so much time, many just take it all for granted.

We will be re-thinking our verification of claims in the very near future. We HAVE in extreme cases in the past, asked members to remove ridiculous claims from their signatures to prevent them from being attacked over them.

Exactly! It'* not a matter of control, it'* a matter of those in charge choosing to keep their site as decent as possible. They do a good job of trying to stick to the rules (in this case no flaming) that are right there for everyone to read before they join. It'* not as if anyone is forced to join here or stay here.

Very well thought out and written. I also think that debates or expressed opinions are fine as long as someone is willing to participate in a civil manner. Maybe what constitutes a flame should be posted in a policy. As for the way the "keepers" of this site behave and treat people and their posts I believe for the most part they are top notch, and for the rare times they fail, well, they are only human. Keep up the good work guys, SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ROCKS! (sorry)

I had a long winded post earlier, but decided against it. Basically said this place is getting to happy, and almost feels like a friggun support group for cars. It seems the no flaming policy, kinda makes people say they like everything, and don't argue, or disagree over things that should be. Some frictional, structural stuff is always fine, if you don't think someone'* right, say why. Don't just accept whatever you see, or read to be fact.

That being said, the no flaming policy is good, but needs to be defined. Someone could just claim that flames were going on, and ban/delete/edit etc.