TDB participation

[Mark F.]

Re: TDB participation

Agree with you Don. Mark, nicely done. I really like that. One minor addition? Add a plus sign(+) after the "50" in "...been around for 50 years !" Rich

PS - I FIXED THE "STOCK OR MODIFIED" typo...

Thanks guys,
done as requested...

NCRS Technical Resources AD_001.jpg

[Joe L.]

Re: TDB participation

All----


I believe that the most important and valuable feature of the TDB is the archives. These will hopefully represent a permanent repository of information regarding Corvette restoration, repair, and HISTORY and, likely, the only such repository in existance. As Duke mentions, eventually all of the folks that lived with and had experience with Corvettes from the days when they were new will have "aged out" and everything they knew will be otherwise lost forever. The archives present a "bridge to the future" and, in some small sense, keep the folks that have "aged out" alive. For example, John Hinckley's knowledge and experience would be lost forever if it were not for the archives. And, I'm not just talking about the older generation Corvettes. Corvettes have an evolving history. So, for example, while we might all think of C8 Corvettes as being new, one of these days they'll be as ancient as 53's are today and the folks having knowledge of their repair, restoration and HISTORY will have all "aged out" and reside in "boxes".

So, folks, your only hope of "immortality" may rest on what you contribute to the TDB.

[Tim S.]

Re: TDB participation

Is there a tutorial of sort, as to how best to navigate the advanced search feature? That in my opinion, would make for a great sticky. There is a hypothetical warehouse of information and knowledge on the TDB. I hate to see it go stale due to a lack of understanding the site navigation.

First handedly I will say, some of my questions have been met with "search the archives", "look in the AIM", or some other deflective answer that periodically can have a condescending tone to it. People today, just do not tolerate it. Me included.

As to the traffic on the TDB and the C1-C2 portion of CF? Yes, there is the maturing of the hobby. But, one must keep in mind these cars have become monetarily out of reach for many people. Thus, less participation. In addition, there is a segment of people who have become genuinely interested in the early Corvette's (first time buyers), but do not care about getting a car judged. That needs to be considered and respected.

Hopefully I won't get tarred and feathered for responding like I have.

Tim

[Gary C.]

Re: TDB participation

Tim,

Yes there is. All you have to do is go to the FAQ and you'll find great "how to" use the boolean search function by Rich M.

Gary
....

[Tim S.]

Re: TDB participation

Tim,

Yes there is. All you have to do is go to the FAQ and you'll find great "how to" use the boolean search function by Rich M.

Gary
....

Thanks Gary! I must admit, in the amount of years I have been a member......I did not know where to find that. Shame on me. I would also suspect if I had the question, others would as well. A sticky worth consideration?

Thanks again Gary......you just made my searches much more manageable

[Keith B.]

Re: TDB participation

I agree attracting younger members is a big problem. I had heard discussion of how including newer cars in flight judging, like the C5s and now C6s, would attract younger people. But in my observations at regional meets of late, it is the older people who had campaigned C1s and C2s and C3s who are bringing in the C5s and C6s.

I guess I go to my experience in the Mustang Club of America. We had a national near my home in New Mexico last year I entered my '64 1/2 K code coupe in. There were over 200 cars entered in an outdoor venue and most of the people were under 60. Is it because the Mustang is a cheaper, more common car? Is it because MCA has 15 classes for judging that covers most every conceivable Mustang or interest? Hard to know, but their 60th Anniversary National sold out in 3 weeks after announcement with 400 registered judged cars.

the younger crowd how owns C5 and C6 didn't buy them new with the intent of parking them until they could be judged. those younger people who own the C5 and C6 drive them every day and mod them. just like the older folks did with C1, C2 and C3. but now those folks reversed their mods and have their car judged. the younger folks are not going to take what little vacation time they have and attend a car show where their young family is not welcomed. let's face it NCRS targets retired people with plenty of disposable income who have nothing better to do with their time then car shows. some make a career out of it and others do what's in the flavor of the month.

[Michael J.]

Re: TDB participation

In addition, there is a segment of people who have become genuinely interested in the early Corvette's (first time buyers), but do not care about getting a car judged. That needs to be considered and respected.

Hopefully I won't get tarred and feathered for responding like I have.

Tim

I agree, when I try to recruit folks from the NCCC type clubs they often say they have no interest in having their cars judged (and actually think that is ridiculous) and are not interested in learning about their cars as they think they know as much as they need from other sources. The social aspects of NCRS are not strong enough without the judging and knowledge base to interest many out there. I too hope I am not tarred and feathered......

[Richard M.]

Re: TDB participation

Thanks Gary! I must admit, in the amount of years I have been a member......I did not know where to find that. Shame on me. I would also suspect if I had the question, others would as well. A sticky worth consideration?

Thanks again Gary......you just made my searches much more manageable

Tim, If you have trouble or questions with the Search function, give a shout with a post it in the SF&S (Help) Forum as I frequent there and will try to help. Also, in there are some threads from other members I've assisted.

Rich

[Owen L.]

Re: TDB participation

I disagree that we are our own worst enemy by posting on CF rather than attempting to hold all knowledge within the walls of NCRS. I believe it's that type of mindset that leads the general Corvette community to see the NCRS as a bunch of secretive elitists. Providing information from knowledge or even the judging guides builds community and helps dispel the notion of the snobbish NCRS.

Jack,
<The> negative characterizations <by others> of the NCRS are nonetheless true amongst a segment of Corvette owners; I'm sure there are others here who have seen this <and read this type of criticism>.

Owen-

Get to know me before you categorize me as a secretive elitist snob.

I think my snob comments have been misunderstood: I am not labeling you or anyone else here an elitist snob. The replies had to do with a vocal segment of non-members' view of the NCRS, not my own view. I apologize that you, and apparently, Harry, read this as a personal attacks, I should have been more clear.

[Owen L.]

Re: TDB participation

the younger crowd how owns C5 and C6 didn't buy them new with the intent of parking them until they could be judged. those younger people who own the C5 and C6 drive them every day and mod them. just like the older folks did with C1, C2 and C3. but now those folks reversed their mods and have their car judged.

I wonder if reversing mods, or just maintaining C4-Cx Corvettes, will even be possible with each passing year from the car's production date. C1, 2, & 3 are just about completely mechanically driven – not sure about the '82 Crossfire. These cars were of an era where everything in the world worked off the same basic technology and troubleshooting procedures. Once you introduce electronics and computer control modules you are going down a path of specialized parts that likely have a very limited and narrowly applicable production run. One of the YouTube repair channels I watch repaired a radio control module that is no longer available for a 2014 Chevy Impala — that's only 10 years old! Had to get a salvage part and go through specialized 3-4 hour reprogramming so the VIN would be accepted by the module.

Just don't see a rosy continuation of what we enjoy with our C1-3 cars.

[Michael I.]

Re: TDB participation

Mark,

I like your draft ad very much. I think it captures the essence of what the NCRS has to offer to the Corvette enthusiast unfamiliar with us. I am going to share it with the rest of the Board.

Thank you,

Mike

[Mark F.]

Re: TDB participation

Mark, I like your draft ad very much. I think it captures the essence of what the NCRS has to offer to the Corvette enthusiast unfamiliar with us. I am going to share it with the rest of the Board. Thank you, Mike

Hi Mike,


Thank you for the compliment - I appreciate it !

I sent you an email and if you can respond to that, I'll send you the original Word file...

I corrected a typo and re-spaced some text to make it look a little better.

[Richard M.]

Re: TDB participation

Mark,

I like your draft ad very much. I think it captures the essence of what the NCRS has to offer to the Corvette enthusiast unfamiliar with us. I am going to share it with the rest of the Board.

Thank you,

Mike

Mike, Nice that you're keeping an eye on this. Thanks for your input.

I have a few ideas that may help increase our member count. I talked it over with Gary C last week, and he thinks some of it may be worth a listen. When I get some time I'd like to talk about it with you and the board crew.

Rich

[Louis T.]

Re: TDB participation

I haven't been active in posting or regularly reading the TDB for years (the fault is mine, not the board's), but I have stayed active in my local chapter. Here are my two cents:

First, I'd like to say that the TDB is second to none in its utility. I come to it every once in a while with a question, and rather than post, knowing my question has likely been answered many times before, opt to instead search. I always find my answer. I may have to try a couple of search criteria attempts, peruse a few threads, and read a few posts, but my time is never wasted. The conversations are thoughtful, respectful, and appropriately brief with respect to the information contained. I tell new and prospective members that the TDB alone is worth the membership fee.

Some may feel the site and its search tool are clunky compared to Google and other search engines and sites, but those have their own issues. They are often biased by sponsors and politics and other forms of manipulation, and often give you the illusion of quick accurate responses when the responses are, in fact, incomplete or one-sided due to omission. No such biased moderation here.

There is no advertising to have to scroll through, FB-style chit-chat, or uninformed posters masquerading as experts. In fact, one quickly picks up on the level of earned respect certain posters have on certain topics from the subtleties of the discourse between members on the site. Rarely have I seen rancor on this site, and especially not relating to technical issues. No raising of voices via all caps, bullying, or showboating. It's friendly, but all business. (Our legislators could learn a thing or two, but I digress...)

YouTube is also a fantastic resource - nothing compares with visuals coupled with narration when you need to learn how something, for example, is disassembled, assembled, or repaired. Brevity, however, is not YouTube's strength and many will attest to spending 30 minutes for 5 minutes worth of info. (Video editing should be a mandatory requirement for content creators.)

In addition to the other excellent recommendations made here on this thread, I'd like to suggest TDB promotion in the chapters. In my interactions with fellow members in my local Metro-Long Island Chapter in NY, I have found few use, much less participate, on the board. Some of it may be age-related tech-fear, ignorance of its gold mine of information, and some of it is laziness and lack of guidance/encouragement to research. We spoil members with judging schools, tech sessions, chapter newsletters (I edited ours for six years), a Smithsonian-quality national magazine (shout-out to Vinnie Peters) and comprehensive and ever-expanding/improving judging guides. Of course members will get complacent. Have a question? Open your guide, wait for an article about it, or just wait to ask someone at the next school or meet.

The TDB is rarely ever discussed, much less promoted, at the chapter level. Why not a slide show, or better yet, a live-access, real-time, projected-on-screen navigational tour of the entire national site with emphasis on the TDB and a demonstration of its search capabilities. This could be a 15-minute segment added onto a judging school once a year as a refresher for existing members and introduction for new ones.

[Mike M.]

Re: TDB participation

Well stated Louis. Mike