"Where to next" discussion

[tac]

Hey guys and gals -

I know I haven't done a good job of keeping new people coming here over the past year - there haven't been nearly enough new questions to really keep you guys challenged like you used to be.

So where do you think we should go with this board? What kinds of things do you think would make it different, something that would fill a niche that isn't being filled? I don't really need to make money with 10w30, so I'm not interested in doing anything that would be subscription or anything. I just want to make it interesting enough to start bringing back some of the traffic that used to be here so it's fun for you guys.

A lot of the traffic used to come from the 10w40 site, and when I sold it that all seemed to dwindle away. The old 10w40 site had lots of mini-reviews of different products like touch up paint, etc, plus links to repair articles on other sites, and mini-reviews of repair manuals. There was nothing in the sale that said I couldn't rebuild that kind of thing on 10w30 again. There are other sites that already do that too - lots of them in fact - so it might not be all that unique and would be difficult to grab any kind of traction in the search engines. Do you guys think that would be a reasonable thing to spend my time on - or is there some angle any of you could think of that might make it attractive to people looking for advice?

I also know that a lot of you like just hanging out and shooting the sh** with fellow mechanics to bounce ideas and such. I haven't really run across any free, open sites for the small-shop mechanic to hang out - do you think there might be a need for something like that? Maybe something like that should be the focus, while still keeping the general help sections open for people who wander in with questions. If we did try to target small-shop mechanics, what kind of forum categories would be most appropriate? A few sections about the business side of things - how to keep track of invoices and billing systems, ordering and stocking supplies, etc? A section just on what kinds of equipment you've found most useful, and where to find it - especially used perhaps? Regional issues - a place where you could get in touch with other small-shop mechanics in your region to compare notes, moan about taxes, maybe even get together for coffee once in a while? And of course, areas about tips and tricks you've found on different models, procedures, new equipment, trade shows, whatever.
More importantly, if we did go down that route, where would we find our members - how would they learn about the site?

Or any other ideas that might be appropriate to keep what we have going and growing again. I really want this place to continue to be fun and challenging for you guys, and hopefully more folks like you. Give me your ideas - just post 'em up in this thread. If you see someone else's idea and have a thought on how it might work even better, add that on.

I really want to hear from you guys.

(BTW - you'll notice that I've dropped the pseudonym I've been using all these years and I'm using my real initials now - TAC)

[re-tired]

I went to answer this under the auto repair banner but you had locked it ?? I happen to notice a copy down here . No problem .GEE tac you already have a pretty good assortment of departments to go to . only thing i can think of is articles dealing with the up and coming green cars i.e. fuel cell, hybred , bio fuels , pure electric (battery) ,etc . their just around the corner . theres a lot of misinformation out there. I remember when electronic ign came out ,then fuel injection and ECM's . computers started controlling everything , from dome light dimming . to transmission controll . people were saying it was the end of mechanics as we know them .Cars were going to diagnose themselves and go hundreds of thousands of miles with little to no maintance. we would be reduced to parts changers ,,,well,,, I"M still waiting for that shoe to drop . the techs who are on the front lines , with shops or working for a shop would centainly gain from these articles ,plus ,people looking for a straight non commercially endorsed place for info . everybody ,even us old farts , come across info that we can pass along and weed out the B/S . IMO [smilie=pdt_al.gif]

[gacyota]

I think you are headed in the right direction tac. Aim this website towards the small shop owners and techs as a 'hangout' and get ideas off of eath other. And when the DIYs do come in with a question, we will take care of them like we always do.

[crank.it]

oooohhhh hear you guys are hangin around hiding from cranky [smilie=pdt_alc.gif] [smilie=pdt_alc.gif] well that answers my question whos this TAC guy....I wish I wasnt so busy with work and the shop but gotta make hay while the sunshine is up...still working on the 67 lincoln the 64 stang and my poor cutlass...the 4555 is ready from my local race shop but havent even had time to pick it up yet....I keep telling myself someday someday......but good to see you guys bangin around some ideas for the web site...iam starting my own site for my shop...but cant even find the time for that.....keep up the good work.....illl be watching :wink: :wink: crank.it

[Harvester]

I don't have any ready answers, but I found that a quick search on "auto repair" produces quite a list of sites that offer prepared information on selected topics, but only a few that allowed posting questions. And those required registering with the site, rather than entering as a "guest." I think that requirement to register might discourage some from continuing. One site I found offered tutorials also. There might be some possiblity with that option, although producing them would be time-consuming. I've done some of that in the past if you want to consider that possibility. As for a 'small shop' site, that might work for comparing notes, so to speak, but there are, or used to be, a large number of shop management packages for the business end of the business. I don't know if there is much potential there, but it might be worth more thought.

What does it take to get a link from other sites? Ask.com has links to sites, and I think they permit users to post questions. I didn't notice if that site requires registering with them.

No more ideas at the moment.

Harvester