SOLO2.ORG Ultimate Autocross

Alright, so we're coming up on the 7th anniversary for Solo2.org, on February 4nd 2008.

I want to revive this site, make it as "good" or better than it used to be in the past! What would you like to see with the site?

We have two options with the software (sorry Jeef but I can't switch back to UBB or other linux/perl/unix/php based software).

1. Stay with it as is, running on CommunityServer 2.*.

2. Convert to DotNetNuke (like the main site used to be) and convert the forums over to the DotNetNuke forums module. (DNN powers www.project240z.com, www.corvettez06.org and will soon power www.chrishammond.com)

I'm leaning towards option 2 because I work with DNN on a daily basis, and am what you might call an expert for the platform. The current software is called CommunityServer, when it started out it was free, but that has long since changed, and being of the opensource mindset as I am I like the thought of moving to DNN because it is FREE! It will also allow me to easily customize the site, add new functionality, and provide frequent updates to the software. The current software we're running on hasn't been updated in well over a year.

Beyond the software I want to do more. I'm going to pre-package/stamp Solo2.org decals up in envelopes so that when I get a request for decals all I have to do is throw an address on the envelope and stick it in the mail. I also plan to do something along the lines of a mini contingency program. Get your car, sporting a SOLO2.ORG decal of course, into a national or make/model specific magazine and you'll get $50 cash, possibly more depending on how much uptake there is to the program.

In the past this website has been THE place to go for Autocross, and there have been quite a few members cars features in magazines, mentions of the website in magazine articles talking about Autocross, and various other press. I want to see that come back! I want this community to thrive like it once did. While there were mostly St. Louis folks here, there were definitely other people from around the country that visited and posted in the forums frequently, right now it is just the core STL folks who still post.

I need your help, drive, motivation to get it done!

So, my question to you is: How can WE make this website better?

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ChrisHammond.com
1973 240Z
Project240z.com
Going2Colorado.com

I've had a few questions about the DotNetNuke Forum software. I'll try to get a sample site setup later this week or early next week so you guys can see how the software works before I even think about writing the conversion scripts for it.

If you think the site that I linked too is too "narrow" there are icons near the top that will allow you to change the "width" of the site, which will also change the width of the forums.

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ChrisHammond.com
1973 240Z
Project240z.com
Going2Colorado.com

I know the reason I started coming here was the feel of community there was then.  You knew if you posted something, by the next day or so, there would be a good answer to your question or a fun quick-witted jab to reply to.  If you didn't come here for a week, you missed out on all sorts of stuff.  You won't get that back til more people start coming back initially and I don't know the answer to that.

I know some of the loss came when the StL area forum was moved to Sccaforums for the Region.  People got confused, and  I think still are to a degree, on which place to come.  I think that site is well enought established now to support an increase in s2o users.  I know from a Region perspective, I'd like to keep the sccaforums site more region event focused.  There should be room for both to thrive, since, as you mentioned, this site should be more national.  Also there are more categories of areas to put info up here, vs. the one forum category on the Region forum.  What I'm trying to say is if you have comments or questions about the StL Region of SCCA, it's events, or business, use Sccaforum's StL Region page.  Otherwise put the info here.  Does that make sense or is that not what you want at all.

 

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04 WRX
84 RX7 IT7
99 Expedition
03 M5

I like that we talk about racing, but I also come for the off-topic stuff.  It's just like hanging out with my racing pals in real life; well b/c a lot of s2o regulars are my friends in real life.  Of course we talk about cars and racing, but the off-topic stuff is what keeps it fun and social.  Personally, I like that s2o is small and lightly subscribed.  When I post something up, I know that some random moron isn't going to crap on my post.  And when I come back a few hours laters, all the replys are from people that I know, and whose opinion/comments I value.  Also I feel like I can be myself around here because you guys know me.

So as far as I'm concerned Chris, s2o is great just the way it is.  True it doesn't get as much traffic as it used to, but is that so bad?

With regard to your choice of software, I'm all for DNN.

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James Elterman
Nukabe / P&L Motorsports / Nitto Time Attack Impreza STi
www.ShimmySideways.com
Tune your Subaru at P&L Motorsports

As long as I can keep gutter driving occasionally I'll be happy with what we do here at solo2.orgy. I have no site software preference cause its all greek/arabic/mandarin chinese/spanglish/yiddish to me anyway. I had a hard enough time figuring out how to post a picture!

 

I am in the same camp as Big E because I too, know, trust, and respect the opinions of those who choose to communicate here. It was/is "our" little community and I liked that. I know most of the participants are autocross oriented and I do not do much of that anymore but I still like hanging in the 'hood here.

 

And another thing! You guys and gals must try a PDX track day for a little variety.

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SLUF

bewbs

 

 

 

'nuff said 

I agree with a lot of the comments mentioned above. S2O is part of a no-holds barred community which is shrouded in secrecy, violence, vulgarity, low-blows, profanity, fast cars, and , of course, bewbs!  This is where we come to post stuff that would not be appreciated in sccaforums.  Additionally, almost all of the usual suspects here know each other on a personal level.  The only change that can be made is to increase traffic, but that is something that has to happen organically.  We can not artificially create that through site changes/updates.  Last, but not least, I agree with Nick - we need more bewbs and we should also try to see if we can ban that Chris Hammond guy from the site.

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Save a tree, eat a beaver!
'05 STi Sponsored By Nukabe / Cusco / Carbotech
Petter Solberg Groupie!
I would have had a good time if it wasn't for those 9 cones!

SerNick:

bewbs

Agreed, lets see some hot female models wearing the nothing but the S2O thong.

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I'm moving to Theory, everything works there.

No trees were killed in the making of this post.... However, a large number of electrons were horribly inconvenienced.

Terec
2000 Cougar
1985 MR2, what have i done?

Like others said, I come here for the people I know.  All the people I hang out with ever are on here.  But I'm all for bewbs and thongs.  I don't really have any ideas of how to get more traffic here but if it helps the solo2.org stickers are the only ones that have stayed on every car since I got started around here. 

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Christopher

23 STU 2006 Black STi "Ballz"
AutoADD
I found one I like.

Maybe a section for people to post their project builds on

a dedicted gallery section

 

Im with the others, I come here to see whats up with my friends and racing associates, bewbs are cool but bewbs and thongs lead newbs and stupid newbie posts about bewbs and thongs....maybe a "Gutter Drivers Only Section" moderated by the King himself, The Bud'ster, where such frivolity and mayhem can ensue without being in the public eye..unless the public likes a shot in the eye.

 

Years ago when this place was hoppin, it was the ONLY spot for us to go, there were no SCCA forums or other STL specific subforums anywhere to sweep people away from here.

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Smart Ass.. All Day.. All The Time

A "Go to first new post" icon would really be nice

 IMHO Forums with it ROCK those that like here and SCCA.com's make coming back every couple weeks painful.

note I expect it from SCCA.com but......
 

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Mark Hirt
2007 MX-5 MS-R
Bowman Race Kart - rented
Webmaster Chicago Region SCCA

Shawn M.:

Years ago when this place was hoppin, it was the ONLY spot for us to go, there were no SCCA forums or other STL specific subforums anywhere to sweep people away from here.

 Exactly. 
 

Wait a sec, how the hell did I log in under a different account?

 

Hi my name is Bud, king of gutter drivers, and I approve of thongs and boobies with bounce.

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SLUF

It needs to have a different edge than the SCCA Forums.

SCCA Forums = business and information about the sport

solo2.org = fun and camaraderie  Maybe we need to give it kind of a Top Gear feeling. A place where "bloks" can come and talk about cars, be irreverent and rude but still be respectful. An internet race car bar.

I think James summed up what is nice about this site pretty well. I also think that could/should expand and expansion would not  negitively affect the mood if everyone knows what to expect. I don't come here much simply because I don't have as much time to surf as i did a few year's ago. In fact outside of the region forum on sccaforums I hardly participate on any of the other forums I was a member of.

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Bryan Sechrist,
Thanks Jan for the 06,07 Mini codrive
ES '91 Miata, out of the garage for this season?
Past Region BoD
Course Chief
Novice School Chair

I like this site as it can be lude and crude or just plain honest and direct.  You guys make it what it is and you do not have to be watched as the SCCA forums are.  Besides it isn't to hard to go back and forth, but you always have different items on this site.  A new posts hit might be nice and the pic's gallery as suggested.  Thanks to Chris for keeping the site and to James. Arshad, Chris, Muggy, Bryan, Terec,  annndddd Jeef for making things interesting and actually worth looking into.

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Larry Kronemeyer
O3 MINI Cooper S