What would you like to see on the new BB

[§wishy]

What would you like to see on the new BB ?

JB has done a great job on setting up the new ACMOC BB

So when JB gets time and all the stragglers have been able to register

I thought it would/could be time for a request as an improvement of the BB for us the viewing end users

<1> Make max pic size 1100 pixels wide so we can view brochures & pamflets in landscape view

<2> Make attachment/pic file size 500kb (presently 293kb x 18 pics = 5274)

<3> Make Memebers attachment album 50meg 50,000kb (presently 5meg 5000kb)

<4> place all buttons on right side of screen to the left side of screen so there will be no need to scroll right unless to view all of a pic

<5> Archives: finish off the list of old Cat archive page with pics etc

Jist my 2 cents worth

Wot do U think?

cya

§wishy
HasBeen

[SpragueM]

Thanks Swishy, but can't we complain about the current one just a little longer?
Pleeese.........

Matt

[Deas Plant.]

Hi, SpragueM.
I theeeenk Sweeesheee's ideeeeah eeeeez to try to stop or meeeenimise complaints and beee a leeeettle more cornstructeeeve eeenstead of just wheeengeeng about theeengs.

So -- PERMISSION DENIED (LOL.)

[Willie]

Shish; You hit the nail on the head in your 3rd line "when Joe gets time" thats why we need a reputal company to administer this website someone that understands this website is his job not something to do when bored. Joe signed a contract to do it and has failed miseraby in fullfilling his contract in satisfactory and timely manner, it is not ACMOCs concern that he got busy somewhere else or what ever the excuse is, the day he signed the contract he lost his right to be rude to the BB members and became a contractor with a job to do. In a few months it will have been a year and we barley got whats here not really any better then we had and some cases worse. Kinda like signin a contract with roofer to roof your house with brown shingle and year later your house is only half done with green shingles. Keep in mind this is not acme where he doing as a favor. It is ACMOC where he has a contract to do what we want in timely maner the way we want it and is getting paid well for it "no favor here" So now its time to stop being nice guy and start putting presure on the ACMOC BoD to get a better Website person who conducts themself in a more professional manner, like yes sir we are working on the problem and take some responsality instead of excuses and pissy remarks
Then Joe will remind everyone how he hasnt got a dime yet making you think its ACMOCs fault and forget to tell you he hasnt submited a bill for payment yet.

[beaver-flat]

Willie,
After reading all of the previous posts, it sure sounds like you have a personal issue with Joe. He has always been curteous with the other members. Your rants offer nothing to the equation, just inflames it. I'm sure if you wanted to hire a new company to run this BB, there are a number of companies that would accept your check to get started!
Now, can we be constructive instead of having a bitch session?

[Willie]

Beaver; When the word came that Joe may be the new website admin. I was happy I saw him get his site up and running in days after the big Paul crash. All the while GWH thought he had a big secret with Joe. While infact Joe had an open disc. going on acme telling all and airing ACMOC dirty laundry and about the new buisness contract he was doing with ACMOC never once mentioning is was only a hobby deal. That was the first of it then sometime around may he signed the contract with no delivery of goods till about a mohth ago and all the time allowing the ACMOC bashers on acme post negtive stuff about the site and that he has never received any mony,never once stepping in and telling them that every bit of it was his fault and only reason he never got money was because he never asked for it until I brought it out and then he fessed up . I'm not going to say exact date cause not sure of it, But for about the last 8 months the ACMOC website has been 100% in the hands of Joe Black under the direction of Geo. Howard absolutly NO one else and evrytime theres a problem he passes the buck. he complains about not getting paid I emeditly got on phone called a couple relaible BoD members they said no bill was submitted, he said something was not done because no response from BoD I checked they got it the day before and now he says this is just a hobby and he is doing it for peanuts. and I gaurintee you that was not the tune when it was brought before the BoD it was his buisness and he enterd into a buisness agreement no mention was made of a hobby.
It is time for Joe to admitt to all on both boards that he can not meet his obligations here and this whole mess for past 8 months is solely his fault and to gracfully bow out of his contract , so ACMOC members can have the site we have been promised and diserve. Trust me this anit it, Ive see enough of his colors to know he dont fit in here.

[bob212]

"allowing the ACMOC bashers " Yeah I have to agree about the bashers just go there and look up all the posts from someone called Catwise all he does is bash the BOD and others:eek:

[TractorDon]

This crap is what is going to kill this BB. :rolleyes: My thought is that this kind of infighting has turned so many people off "that i have talked to personally" ---just little people though--- that it may never recover even if it was the best site ever devised by man. Accusations, he said, they said, he did, he didn't Give it a break, or maybe there should be a pay per view arm of ACMOC someone might pay to see this kind of junk. Don

[Willie]

Don; What the hell good is the BB if it dosnt do what we want it to. Om. cant post his data,another pissed cause he cant post his farming pics and there is a line of guys on the old BB crying they cant get here. I'm all for turnin this mess off and keepin the old BB. The purpose of this BB is to share history of Best Holt and pre 1960 Caterpillars and restoration of those, nothing else . not to see how many people we can jam onto it with other stuff
Bob; You are correct but only if this BB wasnt working and if you look I was member over there long before you. As for my bashing it was never the club only those who ran it, BoD bashing! and it seemed to do the job we had crappy BB, they thought they were solving the problem here, they said we couldnt have any finn. accounting none of our buiss. but we now get one with every newsletter, we never new a thing they were doing as a BoD we now have very accurate detailed minutes of every meeting, there are still many issues but at least Jeff,Don,George and the others are trying to do the right thing and a very positive note the crooked fake flakes like Bill Rudicell, Dan Vought ( dont ask me what I really think of them) and few others are long gone now we only have there mess to clean up.
So without bitching nothing gets changed .I wanted to have area in website so the bitching could only be seen and used by Paid members but that hasnt happend yet so guess if you dont like to see it dont look

[TractorDon]

Your tactics are counterproductive Willie. Sorry

[Willie]

Maybe you think so Don. But no more then this lame ass BB that is not as good as we have already and Joe's poor atitude about it, OH forgot it not his job only his hobby. Looks like GWH let us down here bigtime if he knew Joe was considering this website contract as a hobby. 8 months ago we enterd the contract a month ago we got this fine work and go to home page and hit the diff keys see waht you get how long does have to be nice bbefore he gets tired of another fake flake BB i dont know how long you been here but it my 4th crapy BB and this time I thought the BoD was doing right thing what a letdown what really psses me off is he just trys to defend it all istead of standing up saying He made a mistake and all his fault then maybe I would look at it diff just another BSer to me would fit right into our last BoD

[beaver-flat]

Willie,
All of your posts are minor variations of the same thing! Not one word of where we need to go, just the blame game. I agree with TD, your posts are counterproductive. Nobody likes a whiner. sorry

[Willie]

Beav; Call it whining or what ever yes same thing over because you keep defending Joe. some ACMOC members didnt want the format acme uses because they thought Joe was a trator starting a website myself and others didnt want the format used because I find it user unfriendly compared to others and at The BoD meeting we were told that we would have a diff website layout and format and that Joe had a contract for awhile and promised something soon but nobody knew why he wasnt preforming. That was in July in Nov we get this lame setup, same as his painted diff color something we were told wasnt going to be, guys have been waiting weeks to get here and having problems posting and Joe says its not his job just a hobby so just wiat till he has time you bet Im pissed the only thing counter produtive here is Joe Black, his attitude about ACMOC and this crappy bb

[D4Jim]

Willie, we are all very lucky that Joe Black has the patience he has in dealing with folks like you that continually complain about anything and everything. It is one thing to make comments about things that are a problem and it is quite another to make inflammatory comments like you make. You hurl insults, you don't give anyone credit for doing anything right and you open your mouth or make insinuations on postings without all the facts.

If I were Joe Black, I would not put up with any of your BS. In fact I am surprised he has not demanded your dismissal from this board before he continues to work on it. Your insults and derogatory statements have no place here.

[bob212]

" Bob; You are correct but only if this BB wasnt working and if you look I was member over there long before you" Don't ask people to do something ; I looked and I think I beat you by a day! 14 comes before 15:D

[Willie]

Bob you make my point well! I beleave Busted and I were of the very first to join and I couldnt log in because Joes excuse was I had AOL and his stuff was not compatable with AOL thats why I didnt like his dint like his program AOL user had to jump thru hoops to use it. Back to the story it took Joe the time it took about 10 people to sign up, not long few hours to set me up and now here its taking him weeks to do the same thing that on his site he does in couple hours .
If you were there then you should rember Busted sending him money and asking others to do same but Joe's words were Please dont send money its my hobby only cost $??? But that statment is kinda like Geo Bush and no new taxes

[bob212]

Don't give up Willie only the facts can mess you up:eek: Go look I beat Busted by a day too:p

[Billy D7 4T]

Now lets say this was an internal problem within a large company, or even a real difficult dillemma while repairing a machine, no matter how much cuss & discuss takes place nothing gets done. And in those instances, deadlines can be very real, so you had best arrive at a working resolution or you have nothing. This is common sense, which gets clouded when people get distracted by becoming irrational, it's human nature, some are better than others at it.

Objectives cannot and will not be achieved when people cannot sit down and resolve the issues, even if it seems impossible, you either get off your a$$ and see things through no matter what it takes or resign from the agenda. It takes the ability to negotiate, concede when neccessary, stand tall when needed and take action in the end. If you leave the bargaining table prior to the deal being made, then you have achieved nothing but wasting time and clouding the waters, possibly making things worse, and risk increasin the time it takes to get it done, only because you quit the team effort to fight, negotiate, and see it through, even if you don't get everything your way, you still must get it done !!!!

It's a shame that things get to this level in this particular situation, lack of clear communication, lack of good management, lack of follow up and lack of timely decision making, all lead to an unclear direction and failure in the business world, and it happens all the time in the business world, particularly in the construction industry, you get the same mud flinging scenario. Quite frankly, it's childish and by virtue of it's existence, how can you accomplish anything, especially by continuing it here. Some are going to respond, agree, disagree, things will get blown out of proportion, distorted, biased, rumors, anger, disrespectful and downright insulting, depending on how people take it. Some will leave, or just take a definitive tone, or recluse into a defensive state of thinking. Is this what everyone wants ? Take another approach, partner for a moment, put your differences aside, constructive criticism is not insulting, nor meant to be, and can be a good thing when in a bind or at a imperative juncture to get something done. When you go beyond the level of constructive criticism, there usually is negative impacts, which accomplishes nothing.

Now I am an outsider, looking in, but instead of the forum(s) being used as a tactical means of flinging mud, why don't the people who need to be involved take some time, create a concise agenda of the things worthy of consideration, that have valid merits and benefits to the overall program, club or web forum dedicated to the club. You can't do everything, you can't please everyone, and everyone has to be able to realize that it's not a perfect world, but with some hard work, dedication, and being able to distinguish things of value from things that have little or no value, you should be able to achieve objectives, instead of becoming a mob of various cliques running amuck. What is the common goal that is good for all here ?

The shame of it is that every single person who come to these forums is a valuable asset, no matter how much they know or don't know. The forum risks the loss of these assets when things go awry. I have an appreciation for this, because people are so willingly helpful and cheerful to comment, post pages out of manuals and photos, to help someone. Be it confined to the narrowness of strictly antique caterpillar tractors or a little outside the boundaries, even if they go offline to meet or correspond, knowing the discussion may be slighty or way off topic, they work together to help, and they get it done. Some really take pride in their literature collections, or vast knowledge, and so on, these forums are the vehicle that is used to collaborate and educate, socialize, show & tell ( which is awesome ! ) How often do you get to all the places we get to see here, and theres related old cat's in the majority of these posts. It's always great to check in after being away and yes the novelity of the whole thing wore off a little when these forums were new to me, but the readers interest has never been lost.

In my humble opinion:

I won't even pretend to know what the particulars are, so a quick role play based on what's been posted:

A leader would take the bull by the horns here; ok folks enough, get that administrator here in my office for a meeting, I also want a list of all the issues, (1) week prior to this meeting, so I can review and decide what is valid and what is not, and also prioritize, all items inclusive small or large, technical, financial, organizational, what have you, we're going to sit down, resolve all the issues, set deadlines and get it done, I don't care about the BS, we have a job to do, if you want to be an obstructionist or a mudflinger, the team has no place for you. I can respect someone who will sit down and tell it like it is, fight, argue, disagree in an attempt to get things resolved. If you are dillegently working towards a goal, you won't have time to waste flinging mud anyway.

This forum has been a proverbial thorn in the side or so it seems, it's appeared to have been an issue of contention for a long time and distracting to some I'm sure. What is it going to require, to take some sort of lead here and be done with it, if this really is the case, ( I have no clue as to what the details in contention are about this forum and have no interest in personality or other types of conflicts ). However, if there are issues, why not agree that is or is not the case and take appropriate action ?

Get it done, finished, complete, over ? No reflection on any of the players involved either, but go have a skull session, do what it takes, go 12 rounds and get it done. And shake hands once done or go your separate ways, whatever it takes, I prefer the first one, shows all parties can argue their points, arrive at an agreement and still be strong enough to put their differences aside, lot of people are watching, lead by example :cool: !!!

[Manx Kat]

I feel it would be helpful if there were different limits on posting pictures and valuable service info. Nobody REALLY needs to see more than 5 pictures of any one restored cat especially if it prevents the posting of service info.

I for one ask that ALL of my picture posting allowance be assigned to OLD MAGNET to allow him to post service info. like the undercarridge files he has been trying to put on here but is not allowed to because of the limits as they seem to be.
Others do post good service info. how about someone like myself who has no intention of posting pictures assigning yours to them?

D.K. in S.K.

[John in Wy]

How about a hauling schedule? I like road tripping. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. John

[dewets]

Willie,
Can you do the stuff JoeB is involved with on this BB to make it better, and have a hobby as well? :o :o

I can't, and yes, the issues about posting pics are a pain, but as so many others have indicated on here: Use photobucket, flickr.com, etc to post the images and just add a link to you message that you post here. Works for me on all the other BB's I'm subscribed to: RedPower, ACME.

If you keep on airing your misery and bone-picking on here, I'm sure a lot of us, who are not ACMOC members due to costs, will just never return here. If you want to pick a fight with JoeB, please take it off the BB through either the ACMOC BoD, or with personal emails to JoeB.

Rant mode off, just my .00001c worth.
:D :D

[Catmandu]

Tractor Don,

You are right, I knew a group of women who would meet and do sewing projects, we called them the Bitch and Stich club because they never had a good thing to bring to the table only complaints. After time people don't want to be around negativity and they take there marbles and go home.

As for Swishy, "too right", A little Aussie for ya

I think we have some bludgers that are ear bashers.

CMD

[TractorDon]

Catmandu, here's the funny thing. i like Willie in person, but he's Hell on the keyboards:confused:

[bcwayne]

Willie, I would like to suggest that you read , and then reread the post by Billie D7 4T posted 12/17 in this thread..... it is the voice of reason, and the way that problems or issues get resolved. Your technique as others have stated is counterproductive and in my opinion the product of someone who does not want to be a part of the solution.... just likes to bitch and listen to his own voice.

Either work on the issues in a mature and professional way, or give it a rest. I am another who is tired of your rhetoric. Wayne

[dirt doctor]

In the old days, the little brat gets a spanking. Today, he goes to "time out". Go to "time out" willie.

[3512B]

Willy has a point, I can’t see any great improvement in this board over the old one (sorry Joe) the long and short of its Lets just pay for what we want.
Quit whining, tack another few bucks on the dues and get what we want. Make it worth Joe wile to make this more than a hobby or get someone else.

People need specs. I look at specs all day long. I like picture and the stories of the old timers and the people who worked and or are restoring their machine.
This is what I get out of the board. And the friends I meet along the way!

Other needs the specs, technical info great, for this board to be a success we have to cover both of these.

Quit doing thing on the cheap, it bites you in the Butt in the long run!

Say what you want about Willy. I aggree with him I thought the old board worked better than this one. He calling a spade a spade, that can be a hard thing to do when you dealing with friends


Steve
3512B

[bruce oz]

hello all , just a look at new BB ,this format runs great and is better to use than old bb,the problems i see are in everybody keeping there old id as in having to send everybody up to 3 email to join up with old id ,the amount of pic you can post can be fixed later ,limiting the BB to only old cats without a off topic area makes it boring ,as for info to keep it in an archive area i keep mine on photo bucket /image shack and post link when needed and some in my pic area, so sit back ,hang on till every body's joined (only 800 odd done )maybe out of 2000 from old bb .
when you join use your current email that you use everyday and reply to emails when you get them ,keep at it joe ,good work
don't worry happy ,bruce oz

[tw]

Billy said it right. I am not upset about the new board. It takes a learning curve to get going on it. What has bothered me was the lack of communication. When I signed up for this board, got the first e-mail, so I figured I was in as I have seen nothing until after that time that said you had to wait for the second one. George or Joe should have put a little message out on the BB letting the members knwo what is going on. I find where I work that if you let your customers know what is going on, they will understand and work with you. Joe and George have been doing more commicating lately and it has been a big help. I will say thank you to Joe, George and Willie. You guys have a lot of concern for this board. O yes it did take me a week to get confrimed on this board the longest it has ever taken me on any board.
Terry

[gwhdiesel75]

3512B, we don't need to increase the dues to pay for changes and upkeep to this Internet site. We have the money. The question is whether the bulletin board is performing the way we want it to perform. We are evaluating its performance, and considering the negative comments about the bb, including Willie's. Probably most of the problems will be resolved, but probably not all. As we go through this shake-down cruise, either Joe or I will be making responses on the bb so that you will know what is going on. Thanks for your comments. GWH

[Old Magnet]

Interesting that Billy brings up the field of Project Management as relative to this discussion. Although he lightly covers guidelines of that field I would like to bring it down to specifics that apply here. Program and project management is a field that I am very familiar with having retired from a successful career in PM and the recovery of other people’s failed projects while working for some of the countries Fortune 100 companies and one top Institution.

I have often had to deliver a message like this to plant officials and BOD’s:

Ladies and Gentlemen;
This project has failed…… and whether it has been intentional or inevitable it has failed due to poor management not due to those attempting to implement the work.

Recovery consists of the following immediate recommendations:

1. Remove the current PM and replace him/her with someone familiar with…….and capable of…..
[The job description should make reference to capabilities of global vision and planning, communications, ability to set goals and objectives, establish and maintain time lines, manage accountabilities and have …..years of applicable experience.]

(In this case someone knowledgeable with the Heavy Equipment Service Industry or similar)

2. Place stop notices on all contractors pending review and revision of the scope of work.

3. Begin the process of redefining and outlining the scope of work in a suitable format that can be used to acquire RFP’s (requests for proposals) from a list of qualified contractors and/or consultants.

Basically we are talking about starting the planning process over again only this time
adhering to the parameters, focusing on the customers requests and holding the Project Manager accountable for the process and results.

To the above I would like to add the following comments.
This project was doomed from the start. Although many lists of suggestions were provided from the members, only a few items were implemented. A little bit of planning , testing and communicating would have avoided most of the grief we are currently experiencing. The seat of the pants development approach is unacceptable.
We are not your guinea pigs.

Some how the request to fix the former bulletin board turned into the implementation of an all new bulleting board without any real justification. What’s worse is none of the lessens learned and experienced were carried forward from previous BB’s so the new version starts over from scratch, basically a net loss in knowledge, experience and features.



Where to go from here???
Besides the above I would recommend that this new BB be shut down and return to the former BB format, do the minor repairs to the old BB, assign a full time administrator to assure its reliability then begin a review process for updates and changes. If the new assessment warrants an all new BB then it would have to be determined whether one of the canned programs would suffice or need modifications for our usage. If not, a customized version would have to be developed. The cheap fix package is not going to work.

To Joe Black: You are a valuable asset and whether you choose to remain as administrator or council there is no reason you should receive the heat due to poor management.

To the cheerleaders: Celebrate the real victories…..acknowledge the failures.

To the hecklers: (one in particular)……raise your horizons. Charters are not fixed in stone. Growth has to occur to sustain your interest. Inclusion of at least the next decade of equipment and varied topics will occur with or without you so plan accordingly.

I am not interested in exchanging a whole lot of dialogue on this so don’t get your shorts in a knot if you disagree. Instead I would suggest expending more energy on how to arrive at a working solution. The focus should be:
1. Know the targeted market. Keep it basic, reliable and easy to use.
2. Quality pictures and document posting is a must.
3. Materials posted must be retrievable

[Al Letts]

My $.02

I much prefer the new BBS style :D . Yes I agree the picture posting is somewhat an issue. I'd prefer to have it the same limits as it was before.

I like the bulletproof signons and the fact all responses get online quickly and without loss which I personally suffered thru many times on the old board. To me I see decided improvements. Agreed that some areas can be considered for improved change. I think all is on the right track. Most BBS out there today use a very similiar format to this present ACMOC one. I have had no problems with any of those as well.

I for one am thankfull of JB's time and effort. I also know GWH is assisting a good deal as well. I wish the BOD would place more weight on the BBS for being an asset. Quick responses to help questions are what makes this board so valuable to internet members.:D

A bi-monthly magazine really holds no value to me. Especially when it can take weeks to be received. How can that type of distribution be an asset to one wanting/needing a part or selling a tractor.:rolleyes:

I like the idea of more frequent statusing. I felt that was lacking in the months of delay launching the new BBS software.

I am in agreement that polite requests get more action than flaming or whining retorts.:)

Like I stated my $.02 worth. My opinion may not match your's.

AL