SLKWorld Future: the members' view

**ir-ops** · 06-10-2008

having read bill and dan's last locked thread on the future of this forum, i thought it might be a good idea for us members to post our ideas and comments on the subject.

bill, dan and mods reading, in case you do not like that, feel free to exercise yr right to remove this entry.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

my comments for a start:

some pros:

i feel myself as a supporting member who really enjoys spending a few $$$ per anno to keep this forum alive and be part of it. i consider it as a hobby, and i have no regrets for the money spent.

and please don't think that i am any super-riche freak who would not care about spending money around. believe me, i work my a** off to be able to afford an slk in my country, and i want to believe that i am not the only one like that around here.

nor must i be the only one to understand what it's like for bill to get this job done, AND have to put his hand deep into his pocket, for what really?

also, repeating our thanks to bill (and dan) is not enough guys, they know we are thankful to them, and they thanked us for thanking them numerous times so far, and they don't need that. it is our active participation (= funding) that is missing. so let us all act, before it is too late for this forum and save our thanks for later.

some cons:

discussing with a friend, the first question i was called to answer was, how i knew and was sure that this (or in fact any) forum is not some smart-crooks' business, smartly pocketing idiot members' funds.

this is why on the other hand, i can also understand the hesitation on behalf of many members to spend their money on a forum without really knowing what their money is spent for, and i mean exactly what for!?

the anonymity and the unknown is what probably keeps many potential supporters from freely throwing their money in, don't you think so?

don't really want to make this too long.
i will end with the wish to see this forum grow and last for long!

feel free to post yr comments, thoughts or questions, the exchange of ideas is what keeps forums together in the first place...

thanks
ir-ops

Bill T · 06-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by ir-ops

bill, dan and mods reading, in case you do not like that, feel free to exercise yr right to remove this entry.

thanks
ir-ops

Its you right as members of this forum to discuss it. Its in more ways the members site than mine, I just try to keep it on line because this is a very special group here. I do not have much to say about Mercedes Benz (that anyone would want to hear anyway). its more for the members that have helped to support it is why its still here. Its time for the members to figureout how to keep it alive.

I hope you all can understand my perspective,
Bill T

Please do not turn this into a thank you thread.

**-1-** · 06-10-2008

I've been a member since day one (June 25, 2006). Tons of information available just for asking, tons of great ideas just by belonging. I support this site as a premium member by choice. Platinum membership is $15 dollars per month, a meager .50 cents per day. My USA Today subscription is .70 per day. I'm a SLK fan and I want access to the best information available, and this site is that source. As long as I'm a SLK owner, I'll support his site. I encourage others to do the same.

**dltslk** · 06-10-2008

OK, I'm just going to stick my nose in it because my wife says that's what I always do and she loves me for it. No offence to anyone, First, what happened to the thread from Dan about trying to explain when I left work but now is gone? Second, remember what happened to open wheel racing in the US after the split, many years lost. Third, we have all met so many people of same views, OK more type A personalities than you knew existed, we can't let this die. Finally, people need to realize that if you enjoy something you support it! Thanks ir-ops! Once again, just my thoughts.

**alroumi** · 06-10-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by -1-

I've been a member since day one (June 25, 2006). Tons of information available just for asking, tons of great ideas just by belonging. I support this site as a premium member by choice. Platinum membership is $15 dollars per month, a meager .50 cents per day. My USA Today subscription is .70 per day. I'm a SLK fan and I want access to the best information available, and this site is that source. As long as I'm a SLK owner, I'll support his site. I encourage others to do the same.

Nicely said.

Ikarus · 06-10-2008

I hope I'm not going to offend anyone by saying this... we won't save this site just by praising its benefits to non-supporting members. This hasn't worked so far and it won't work in the future. There is just not sufficient incentive for people to pitch in. If you can access all the goodies and post all you want, why pay money? I'm not condoning this sort of behavior, but this is how most people think. It seems to me we'll have to find ways for how we can give people a more convincing incentive to contribute financially.

Now, the counter-argument for many will be that other car sites on the internet don't charge for membership. It's hard to argue with that, but we'll have to find an answer for why this site is different. If we fail at that, I'm afraid it cannot be sustained.

**webslinger** · 06-10-2008

The offer still stands to help from me and/or my friend running legacygt.com. His fan base is (no offense to the folks here) way bigger and has been able to run it on the cheap. Between the 2 of us we're professionally involved 2 of the biggest sites around so I would hope we'd have something to contribute. In his case, he doesn't want this site, wants to offer feedback (because I asked him to) and in the ugly end, knows somebody that might be interested in taking over the site if it gets there. I just want the site to stay here and doing what it does for the SLK enthusiast.

The bigger question is: Does Bill *really* still want to run the site even if it breaks even? The "vibe" I got from the forum feedback last night was no. It's possible it's a constant reminder of bad thoughts past. To add to the odd happenings last night, right in the middle (no kidding) of my trying to renew to a platinum member the site pretty much shut down for the night!

So... is the ultimatum that we as members just need to send money or the site goes away, or is there a broader call for other forms of assistance?

There seems like varying degrees of help "out here" being offered amongst the gang, we just need to know if it's wanted or needed....

-Webslinger

Gayle280 · 06-11-2008

I haven't decided to join up yet and one day in the near future I just may because I like this forum. In the meantime I'll make a donation from time to time.

**billh556** · 06-11-2008

It is my observation that this is the highest signal to noise ratio auto forum I've found anywhere. The active contributors here are refreshing in their candor about the cars and their enthusiasm and encouragement of one another. Without malice toward anyone, I'm sorry to read that some folks are a bit crosswise with one another right now. Up to now I've find this a unique place, well worth my support.

That said, if I were Bill and didn't have an SLK anymore, I don't know how long my heart would be into the hassle and expense of maintaining the forum. I don't think I'd want to, even if it didn't cost me anything financially. I'm not going to thank you Bill, because you asked that we don't - but know that at least some of us empathize with your position and appreciate what you've done to enable this forum. If it goes away tomorrow, no hard feelings from here. Just appreciation for what was while it was available. Heck, even today I learned about a new source for parts for my car - and from a new member. And if the site does close, I'm certainly interested and willing to join any group of long-time members here in supporting whatever new form our online presence might be.

I've got no axe to grind with anyone here. I'm far too new to the group for that. I'm hoping the site continues in the same tone and level of participation as before. I'll do whatever I can to help that happen.

'nuff said.

**etyu** · 06-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by -1-

I've been a member since day one (June 25, 2006). Tons of information available just for asking, tons of great ideas just by belonging. I support this site as a premium member by choice. Platinum membership is $15 dollars per month, a meager .50 cents per day. My USA Today subscription is .70 per day. I'm a SLK fan and I want access to the best information available, and this site is that source. As long as I'm a SLK owner, I'll support his site. I encourage others to do the same.

I echo -1-'s sentiment.

The information and how-to's or tutorials alone are worth the platinum membership. They save time and money. Knowledge gained is always beneficial and the professional service people also respect you for it. There's also a fun factor in being able to do some of the mods.

Moreover, new friends are made sometimes in person and sometimes just via PM and mail.

Twisted · 06-11-2008

I do intend donating as well but not at this current point. Like webslinger i have offered alternative reliable hosting which would be much cheaper than the current monthly bills.

With regards to costs, i can understand some forum software costs quite a bit but there are free and cheaper alternatives where this whole archive can be exported to.

This is a great site and it would be sad to see it go, so before it gets to that, hopefully we can come to some sort of solution.

**beverage** · 06-11-2008

I've been a member of this forum since it's creation and must admit I do tend to dip in and out of it, but I do subscribe and donate as the information I have received from the other forum members is outstanding

Any question or query I have about my SLK - this is my one stop shop and I will be very sad if SLK World has to close.

If we could just get each member to donate $5 then we (as a community) would be laughing!!

Hats off to Bill, Dan and all the mod's for keeping this site going as I appreciate how much time and effort it takes up.

So come people, do your bit and donate a couple of dollars to keep SLK World up and running

Bev

**SLKman** · 06-11-2008

Is it possible to send out a mass member e-mail about the future of the site?

I know I have been on vacation and not visited the site for awhile and came back to this news. I suspect many members may never know what is happening because they seldom visit but would help if they knew about it. Most only come here when they have a problem.

A simple email stating SLKWorld closing down in 15 days unless more members come and support the site financially.

A mass email may do the trick!

SLKman

**alroumi** · 06-11-2008

Thank you irops and all of the members for these comments, honestly SLKWorld is a website or a hangout space that I would extremely miss in my daily tasks. Its like your commute were you tend to pass by your favourite stores to enjoy a cup of coffee, pickup the newspapers and so on.

The members over here are outstanding and are open minded, there might be some disputes rarely which is a good thing compared to other forums in which members call out each other and put in their disputes nearly ever day.

I would like to thank Bill who created this outstanding forum which turned the SLKforums in another direction making it more interactive with daily quality posts, reviews, parts, modifications and the passion for our cars.

Getting to know all of you is a pleasure, I am truly honored to have friends that I enjoy talking with about the R170 & R171's all the time.

Lets look at it in a good way even if we lose the forum, lets go back to two years ago when we were newbies in this field. The threads are still amazing and fantastic, there are many good and funny posts.

Thank you members, moderators, dan and Bill.

**alroumi** · 06-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLKman

Is it possible to send out a mass member e-mail about the future of the site?

I know I have been on vacation and not visited the site for awhile and came back to this news. I suspect many members may never know what is happening because they seldom visit but would help if they knew about it. Most only come here when they have a problem.

A simple email stating SLKWorld closing down in 15 days unless more members come and support the site financially.

A mass email may do the trick!

SLKman

That could work, will just have to wait for bill to chime in and see this proposal.

Bill T · 06-11-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by dltslk

First, what happened to the thread from Dan about trying to explain when I left work but now is gone? Second, remember what happened to open wheel racing in the US after the split, many years lost. Third, we have all met so many people of same views,

There is a rule Dan and I broke by posting that public.
know nothing about that one
friends

Quote:

Originally Posted by webslinger

The offer still stands to help from me and/or my friend running legacygt.com. His fan base is (no offense to the folks here) way bigger and has been able to run it on the cheap. Between the 2 of us we're professionally involved 2 of the biggest sites around so I would hope we'd have something to contribute. In his case, he doesn't want this site, wants to offer feedback (because I asked him to) and in the ugly end, knows somebody that might be interested in taking over the site if it gets there. I just want the site to stay here and doing what it does for the SLK enthusiast.

The bigger question is: Does Bill *really* still want to run the site even if it breaks even? The "vibe" I got from the forum feedback last night was no. It's possible it's a constant reminder of bad thoughts past. To add to the odd happenings last night, right in the middle (no kidding) of my trying to renew to a platinum member the site pretty much shut down for the night!

So... is the ultimatum that we as members just need to send money or the site goes away, or is there a broader call for other forms of assistance?

There seems like varying degrees of help "out here" being offered amongst the gang, we just need to know if it's wanted or needed....

-Webslinger

As I told you by pm slkworld owns its own servers (the monthly bill to dell is not going to change till its paid off)
We also have tride shared and dedicated hosting in the past (original members will remember that) had many issues with the site off line or them saying we were over our bandwidth or hardware failures
13 months ago we moved to our own new servers and split over 3 servers as a colo. I do not think we have had any unplaned down time since. as far as bandwidth we have a dedicated 10MBPS. only when we go over do they charge, we do not have a fixed data amount of data that we can not go over just speed (Mbps). most time we stay 1-5mbps
We have a 3 year contract with the data center 23months to go. I did shop around and found 2 things depending on where you were and the quailty of the bandwidth there was a huge price range. I looked from miami to jacksonvill. went to vist many data centers. most I would not leave my car in the parking lot if I was able to get to it alive with out getting carjacked. others had crazy charges for remote hands access fees to the dc if 24hr notice was not given. we are colocated at atlantic.net if anyone wants to check. we have
Half Secure Cabinet + 10 Amps 120V Power + Bandwidth, we own our own 1GBPS switch, APC Remote PDU and a KVM-IP. it was less expensive to go this route in the long run
eddy can you chime in on the cost, its been shown to him in the past when racercub started that thread stating that I'm ripping every one off. He host his servers in miami. yes it was cheaper there but by much also was 1/2 the bandwidth we have
the down time was planned I had asked Dan to post a thread about it a month ago. I was removeing the image hosting and garage sine we do not need 3 redundant types of albums. I also removed some other items that got very little use or took up vast amounts of harddrive space. Just changed the closed msg. I was looking to see the response. only mtide contacted me, guess dan said every one else contacted dan and plans of there own forum gre

06-10-2008	#1 (permalink)
ir-ops Lifetime SLK World Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Athens, Greece Vehicle: happy owner of a black on black R171 200K Sport since 07 July 08 Posts: 541 Country: Thanks: 149 Thanked 58 Times in 35 Posts	SLKWorld Future: the members' view having read bill and dan's last locked thread on the future of this forum, i thought it might be a good idea for us members to post our ideas and comments on the subject. bill, dan and mods reading, in case you do not like that, feel free to exercise yr right to remove this entry. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- my comments for a start: some pros: i feel myself as a supporting member who really enjoys spending a few $$$ per anno to keep this forum alive and be part of it. i consider it as a hobby, and i have no regrets for the money spent. and please don't think that i am any super-riche freak who would not care about spending money around. believe me, i work my a** off to be able to afford an slk in my country, and i want to believe that i am not the only one like that around here. nor must i be the only one to understand what it's like for bill to get this job done, AND have to put his hand deep into his pocket, for what really? also, repeating our thanks to bill (and dan) is not enough guys, they know we are thankful to them, and they thanked us for thanking them numerous times so far, and they don't need that. it is our active participation (= funding) that is missing. so let us all act, before it is too late for this forum and save our thanks for later. some cons: discussing with a friend, the first question i was called to answer was, how i knew and was sure that this (or in fact any) forum is not some smart-crooks' business, smartly pocketing idiot members' funds. this is why on the other hand, i can also understand the hesitation on behalf of many members to spend their money on a forum without really knowing what their money is spent for, and i mean exactly what for!? the anonymity and the unknown is what probably keeps many potential supporters from freely throwing their money in, don't you think so? don't really want to make this too long. i will end with the wish to see this forum grow and last for long! feel free to post yr comments, thoughts or questions, the exchange of ideas is what keeps forums together in the first place... thanks ir-ops
	http://www.slkworld.com/

06-10-2008	#3 (permalink)
-1- Don Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Virginia USA Vehicle: SLK 55 ///AMG The MON55TER on the block Posts: 2,207 Country: Thanks: 50 Thanked 55 Times in 39 Posts	I've been a member since day one (June 25, 2006). Tons of information available just for asking, tons of great ideas just by belonging. I support this site as a premium member by choice. Platinum membership is $15 dollars per month, a meager .50 cents per day. My USA Today subscription is .70 per day. I'm a SLK fan and I want access to the best information available, and this site is that source. As long as I'm a SLK owner, I'll support his site. I encourage others to do the same. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *----------------1-----------------* --------SLK 55 ///AMG--------- THE MON55TER ON THE BLOCK

06-11-2008	#12 (permalink)
beverage Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cumbria, UK Vehicle: R171 2005 SLK200 Kompressor Other Toys: Cars & Computers Posts: 103 Country: Thanks: 9 Thanked 4 Times in 1 Post	I've been a member of this forum since it's creation and must admit I do tend to dip in and out of it, but I do subscribe and donate as the information I have received from the other forum members is outstanding Any question or query I have about my SLK - this is my one stop shop and I will be very sad if SLK World has to close. If we could just get each member to donate $5 then we (as a community) would be laughing!! Hats off to Bill, Dan and all the mod's for keeping this site going as I appreciate how much time and effort it takes up. So come people, do your bit and donate a couple of dollars to keep SLK World up and running Bev __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-11-2008	#13 (permalink)
SLKman Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Houston Texas Vehicle: 2000 Copper Designo Sport Posts: 1,047 Country: Thanks: 265 Thanked 73 Times in 35 Posts	Is it possible to send out a mass member e-mail about the future of the site? I know I have been on vacation and not visited the site for awhile and came back to this news. I suspect many members may never know what is happening because they seldom visit but would help if they knew about it. Most only come here when they have a problem. A simple email stating SLKWorld closing down in 15 days unless more members come and support the site financially. A mass email may do the trick! SLKman __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 2000 SLK230 copper Designo Sport To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-11-2008	#14 (permalink)
alroumi Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kuwait City, Kuwait Vehicle: 2006 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 2007 Ebony Jaguar XKR Coupe' and 06 Black Cayenne S Posts: 6,208 Country: Thanks: 287 Thanked 221 Times in 132 Posts	Thank you irops and all of the members for these comments, honestly SLKWorld is a website or a hangout space that I would extremely miss in my daily tasks. Its like your commute were you tend to pass by your favourite stores to enjoy a cup of coffee, pickup the newspapers and so on. The members over here are outstanding and are open minded, there might be some disputes rarely which is a good thing compared to other forums in which members call out each other and put in their disputes nearly ever day. I would like to thank Bill who created this outstanding forum which turned the SLKforums in another direction making it more interactive with daily quality posts, reviews, parts, modifications and the passion for our cars. Getting to know all of you is a pleasure, I am truly honored to have friends that I enjoy talking with about the R170 & R171's all the time. Lets look at it in a good way even if we lose the forum, lets go back to two years ago when we were newbies in this field. The threads are still amazing and fantastic, there are many good and funny posts. Thank you members, moderators, dan and Bill. __________________ 06 Kleemann Designo Mocha Black SLK55 AMG 06 Porsche Cayenne S 07 Jaguar XKR Coupe' I use the Torque and keep the HP for my Steak Sauce!

06-10-2008	#4 (permalink)
dltslk Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: GA Vehicle: 2007 Mars Red/Black SLK55 AMG Other Toys: 1968 Pontiac GTO Posts: 648 Country: Thanks: 80 Thanked 60 Times in 45 Posts	OK, I'm just going to stick my nose in it because my wife says that's what I always do and she loves me for it. No offence to anyone, First, what happened to the thread from Dan about trying to explain when I left work but now is gone? Second, remember what happened to open wheel racing in the US after the split, many years lost. Third, we have all met so many people of same views, OK more type A personalities than you knew existed, we can't let this die. Finally, people need to realize that if you enjoy something you support it! Thanks ir-ops! Once again, just my thoughts.

06-10-2008	#6 (permalink)
Ikarus Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: NorCal Vehicle: 2006 SLK 280 w. 6M Other Toys: 2000 New Beetle GLS w. 5M Posts: 585 Country: Thanks: 19 Thanked 34 Times in 17 Posts	I hope I'm not going to offend anyone by saying this... we won't save this site just by praising its benefits to non-supporting members. This hasn't worked so far and it won't work in the future. There is just not sufficient incentive for people to pitch in. If you can access all the goodies and post all you want, why pay money? I'm not condoning this sort of behavior, but this is how most people think. It seems to me we'll have to find ways for how we can give people a more convincing incentive to contribute financially. Now, the counter-argument for many will be that other car sites on the internet don't charge for membership. It's hard to argue with that, but we'll have to find an answer for why this site is different. If we fail at that, I'm afraid it cannot be sustained.

06-10-2008	#7 (permalink)
webslinger Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Bay Area, CA Vehicle: '07 SLK55 AMG Other Toys: Honda motorcycle Posts: 531 Country: Thanks: 21 Thanked 21 Times in 13 Posts	The offer still stands to help from me and/or my friend running legacygt.com. His fan base is (no offense to the folks here) way bigger and has been able to run it on the cheap. Between the 2 of us we're professionally involved 2 of the biggest sites around so I would hope we'd have something to contribute. In his case, he doesn't want this site, wants to offer feedback (because I asked him to) and in the ugly end, knows somebody that might be interested in taking over the site if it gets there. I just want the site to stay here and doing what it does for the SLK enthusiast. The bigger question is: Does Bill really still want to run the site even if it breaks even? The "vibe" I got from the forum feedback last night was no. It's possible it's a constant reminder of bad thoughts past. To add to the odd happenings last night, right in the middle (no kidding) of my trying to renew to a platinum member the site pretty much shut down for the night! So... is the ultimatum that we as members just need to send money or the site goes away, or is there a broader call for other forms of assistance? There seems like varying degrees of help "out here" being offered amongst the gang, we just need to know if it's wanted or needed.... -Webslinger

06-11-2008	#8 (permalink)
Gayle280 Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Henderson Nevada Vehicle: 2006 SLK280 Pewter,heating package,comfort package,satellite radio Posts: 131 Country: Thanks: 20 Thanked 11 Times in 4 Posts	I haven't decided to join up yet and one day in the near future I just may because I like this forum. In the meantime I'll make a donation from time to time.

06-11-2008	#9 (permalink)
billh556 SLK World Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Northern California Vehicle: 05 SLK55 Posts: 37 Country: Thanks: 11 Thanked 14 Times in 5 Posts	It is my observation that this is the highest signal to noise ratio auto forum I've found anywhere. The active contributors here are refreshing in their candor about the cars and their enthusiasm and encouragement of one another. Without malice toward anyone, I'm sorry to read that some folks are a bit crosswise with one another right now. Up to now I've find this a unique place, well worth my support. That said, if I were Bill and didn't have an SLK anymore, I don't know how long my heart would be into the hassle and expense of maintaining the forum. I don't think I'd want to, even if it didn't cost me anything financially. I'm not going to thank you Bill, because you asked that we don't - but know that at least some of us empathize with your position and appreciate what you've done to enable this forum. If it goes away tomorrow, no hard feelings from here. Just appreciation for what was while it was available. Heck, even today I learned about a new source for parts for my car - and from a new member. And if the site does close, I'm certainly interested and willing to join any group of long-time members here in supporting whatever new form our online presence might be. I've got no axe to grind with anyone here. I'm far too new to the group for that. I'm hoping the site continues in the same tone and level of participation as before. I'll do whatever I can to help that happen. 'nuff said.

06-11-2008	#11 (permalink)
Twisted Senior SLK World Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 155 Country: Thanks: 7 Thanked 32 Times in 16 Posts	I do intend donating as well but not at this current point. Like webslinger i have offered alternative reliable hosting which would be much cheaper than the current monthly bills. With regards to costs, i can understand some forum software costs quite a bit but there are free and cheaper alternatives where this whole archive can be exported to. This is a great site and it would be sad to see it go, so before it gets to that, hopefully we can come to some sort of solution.