First off, I've got to say I was pretty disappointed with the way the last O/T ended. Way too much speculation about why it was moved created a storm that I don't think Ken or I either one deserved. To me it's water under the bridge at this point, but if y'all still want to vent, the O/T is still the place for it.

Now as for the why it was moved. That's my fault. With the o/t thread drawing nearly 1000 new posts per week, a couple of things happen. It defeats the purpose of being able to search by section for tech info with the FTE search, and it is counter productive to search engine optimization. In other words, our own search engine is being diluted, and other search engines (google etc.) are drawing off topic threads instead of the tech people are looking for. I know that doesn't mean much to most of you, but tech info is what drew most of you here in the first place, and continues to be one of FTE's primary goals. At the end of the day this is still a technical forum.

So, how I do I fix the problem that I created. Well, I actually have several options. The easiest (for me ) and ultimately I think best way to do it would be to go ahead and move it in the general non-auto forum, with a permanent redirect in this forum. That way you still come here to make your posts, and it keeps the tech searches on tech subjects. All said and done you guys would end up owning two forums. GNA is way down the page, and doesn't get much play, so your threads would dominate that forum.

I can also leave the o/t's in here......but they will have to be drastically shorter. To the tune of locking it up on a weekly basis. Not an overly bad option, but there are times when I just can't get to it every week. That's pretty much how this mess started. My life got in the way.

The least attractive option would be to go back and delete the o/t's. But that's not going to happen. Some of you would lose hundreds or even thousands off your post count.....then I would have a full scale riot on my hands. I'd have to delete my RHN account to keep from getting mobbed.

My question for you guys is: Would it really be so bad having the O/T in the GNA forum if it stays linked here? We're only talking about a handful of "strangers" looking in. Probably mot many more than drop in here anyways.

I'll probably leave this one in here for the time being, but honestly I think redirecting it is best for FTE.

Now I want to know your thoughts knowing that your were not getting slapped down, nor was anybody in any trouble.

Let 'er rip.

 

Scott, I don't post or read much in the OT threads. I am unaware of what went on in the last one to start a problem, but I can infer some from your description above. I think that your solution would work, but like I said, I don't post much in them anyway. They take too much time to follow for me. It isn't one of my big concerns who is looking at the thread and I am pretty sure we all realize that anyone can see them anyway. It shouldn't be a big deal.

 

I guess the re-direct thing might work. It is true that the tech aspect was the magnet that drew us together. We here all have a great hunger for knowledge and not having the info on what was actually happening might have caused some of us (me) to commit a typo of some sort.

Let's go fishin......

 

Scott, I think most here will respect your decision on this. You are very much part of our forum. You and Jim can keep this under control, I have no doubt. Try keeping it here and see if it works. If not, do what needs to be done. You stretched your neck out for us, I for one will do what you think is best.

 

I was right in the middle of responding to my supporter thread when it got locked, so I am going to put my responses here:

lol. Chris - point well taken. BUT, if I am going to properly play a female in distress, I am going to have to change all of the type in my signature to pink and purple fonts, and I don't think I want to do that.

Scott, you rock. Sorry, I don't mean to tell you things you already know.

You may have covered this already and I was just too blind to notice: but can we (7.3 section) have our own 7.3 non-automotive section?

Our main reason for wanting an O/T here is because we have all grown so close, we want to talk to one another, and really have no desire to socialized elsewhere in the non-automotive threads. We know we'll get clobbered by non-7.3 folks if we post there. We sorta just want to hang out with our own little family.

I do think we are really good at governing ourselves, too. If we know we need to stay away from a certain post count, we can start our own OT threads if we see that the one we are using is getting too big. I think the main problem with the last OT thread is that we didn't really know what that magic post number was.

 

My first gut instinct is to agree with Rick. I would like us to give it another try but, if ultimately it does not work with the parameters set in place then do the redirect route. My .02

Edit: And because I type slow I agree with Lisa also. LOL

 

Nobody knows that better than I do. I've been here for a very long time. And thank you for the compliment.

That was one helluva typo Joe. I'm glad the boss has thick skin, I've seen people disappear for less.

 

Scott I feel that a O/t redirecting link from here to the GNA would work best.

 

I'm here.....reporting for duty.....sorta

 

Here's a non - 7.3 person to clobber you right here in the 7.3 section

Did you notice that the O/T thread sat over there all day long today and no "strangers" (with the exception of myself) posted in it?

Could be that the folks you are worried about are not all that interested in "bothering" you.

Not trying to start trouble, just adding another perspective.

 

I vote for keeping it here so we can continue to be one big happy family! Can we just pick Sunday night as the magic time to start a new one that way we dont wind up with a 5k post thread?

 

I think Scott's re-direct idea sounds like a good compromise if it's going to keep us our OT......all we need to do is just name it "7.3L OT" and it will get the point across. I think we are starting to sound like elitists or something along those lines........it's a good compromise guys/gals. Steve makes a good point also, not like they don't have a ton of threads of their own over there. We might just have to roll with the changes a bit........just my .02 cents

 

Man, there is so much going on in the 7.3 forum. I have to go to bed, I hope I can catch up tomorrow morning.

Good night all.

 

Just messin with ya Steve.

Valid point.

 

lol. Point well taken. I'm not trying to hurt anyone's feelings, you must know what I meant to say.

Any solution that works best for most folks is fine with me.