Chargin' Thunder in the mail

[Bill Evanoff]

FYI: The latest CT is in the mail system, so all SCCoA members can expect it shortly. Submission for the December CT are requested now for anyone interested in writing a tech article or having their car featured. Contact me asap at "sccoa@usa.net" so I can schedule space for your article.

Secondly, I don't know how many people have looked at the "Suggestions Requested" sticky post at the top of the non-Tech BBS lately but I posted a comment there giving some info. on the future of the SCCoA. Check it out if you have not read it recently.

In the latest CT the future of the club is discussed as well as major changes forthcoming next year. The details will be shared with everyone on the BBS in a few weeks after members have had a chance to receive their newsletters.

Lastly, improvements to the server situation are in the works and hopefully will happen in the next two weeks or sooner.

[Deep6]

It definatly looks more promising than it did a few weeks ago. And thank you all for tweaking the server and whatnot to make it a little bit better. I've noticed that for a past couple of days I haven't gotten nearly as many "server busy" messages as I was getting 3 weeks ago.

If you need an article written, give me a topic and I'll write it.

[VicRattlehead]

i havent recieved mine yet. what gives:confused: :confused:

EDIT: just wanted to say that i got my CT today. 10-28

[Deep6]

These things take so long. This is one of the gripes that folks have with CT anyway. I can see why bill wants to throw it away.

(Edited/comments added by Bill E. : I've never stated, "I'm thowing away the CT". These are your words, not mine. Lack of appropriate and interesting contributions is the reason for the change. Please don't make me sound like I'm selfish and could care less about the CT. Not true at all. )

I don't want to see it go as I was hoping to write some articles for it but if it existed as a web based entity.... that might work and you could have higher quality pics etc. etc. etc.

[VicRattlehead]

Originally posted by Deep6
These things take so long. This is one of the gripes that folks have with CT anyway. I can see why bill wants to throw it away.

I don't want to see it go as I was hoping to write some articles for it but if it existed as a web based entity.... that might work and you could have higher quality pics etc. etc. etc.

online is all fine and dandy but i cant exactly take it on the train and read it on the way to school. and bulk mail, so. we do bulk mail every month and our customers get it within a week. Bill posted on the 10th and its the 23rd thats 1 day shy of 2 weeks. im not really worried about it i just wanted to comment that i havent gotten mine, just wondering if it for some reason got sent back or something like that.

[Deep6]

...but it is in effect what you are doing bill. Your *discontinuing* CT because of all of the complaints it has generated and because of the time/energy and cost it takes to produce. I can understand that if you feel that no one appreciates it, why bother, right?

Question: What ever happened to the idea that you may appoint someone to produce the CT? That way you could focus your attention on the other club activities, or will George be taking over this?

Although you stated in the last issue of CT that dues will be going down due to the reduced costs of having to produce a quarterly newsletter, which I'm sure will sit better with alot of club memebers and hopefully attract more, I'd like to add then how are you going to replace a valuable resource like CT? If not in paper form, then I would like to see member submitted articles (that are filtered for content of course) to be submitted. And I do think that you should appoint a CT editor or coordinator to tackle the job of editing and putting the CT together. I still think though that you would be cutting off the club members that don't frequent the site too often and the available space to host the online CT will be large....

[Mike8675309]

I received mine last week. Bulk mail varies from city to city.

Bill is steping down per the CT article. If the CT is to continue, it's going to have to be up to the membership and those that become in charge.

Personally I'd like to see CT stay in a "publishable" format like Adobe Acrobat.. Thus most web people could read it, and those that want to take it with can throw it on our PDA's or print it on a printer.

Straight HTML doesn't always print well.

And while I'm sure we are all ready to do it, it's one thing to say I was planning to write articles for CT, it's another to actually do it. From the words I read from Bill, it sure seems like helping people move from planning to doing with the articles is a bug part of the work.

[SuperCoupe]

IMHO it seems to me that all our suggestions, and offers to help were all in vain. In our attempt to improve the club it appears that nothing was seriously considered. Rather that improvement (again IMO) it seems that things will only go downhill from here. I have just noticed there is no more "member's cars" section...it has turned into nothing more than a list of members, which I personally don't see any need for unless our names link up to pics of our SC's as they used to. I had also suggested putting CT online for members using a password to access it. It would have saved ALL shipping, printing, and time costs, and we still would have had CT.....I guess not. I was told that the SCCoA was going to soon be nothing more than a BBS surviving solely on donations from it's users. A sad future for the SCCoA. Once again in my opinion, instead of trying to see if placing the SCCoA into it's members hands and give us half a chance to improve things, once again it's future was dictated without input from those who care most about it. I really don't mean to be on a rant here, and I have nothing against Bill, I'm sure he has done what he thought was best for the club. It's just very hard to swallow when there are numerous people here that were more than willing to dedicate their time, expertise, and energy to keep the club afloat, and even maybe improve things were basically not taken seriously, or how ever you want to think of it. I apologise if I have offended anyone here, or if I am way off base on anything I've stated, I had just hoped for a much brighter future for the SCCoA, and it's dedicated members, and former members alike.
-Jeff
:(

[SuperCoupe]

Just as a follow up....if CT were based as an online-members only newsletter......online is all fine and dandy but i cant exactly take it on the train and read it on the way to school. Those who want to "take it on the run" can simply print it. Another idea would be to have a link to a "printer friendly" version.

[blkthndr]

Jeff,

The level of PHP needs to be upgraded for the member's section to work properly. This should be done soon.

-Ron

[Deep6]

You know I was always willing to dedicate what spare time I could to help out if I knew that it would make the membership happy!

Never once did I receive any kind of correspondance (either private or public) that might have sounded like this:

"Hey Deep6,

I thought you had some decent writing skills and I was wondering if you might want to submit a few articles in CT. Don't worry, I'll dole out the assingment. I was thinking maybe you could do a write up on this new part, or maybe how to perform this mundane task on a T-bird, or perhaps a write up on the blah blah blah event that took place at carlisle. If this sits well with you, I'm always looking for ways of 'easing the burden' of writing articles myself in the CT.

-Bill E."

All right I might have to partially recant that statement. Bill E. did ask me for permission to a decently worded and lengthly post about a member asking about the difference between a Buick Grand national and a T-bird SC. Bill decided to use it as part of the FAQ for the web site and I was honored. I told Bill then that if he needed me to write up anything for him, I'd be happy to help. It WAS up on the FAQ a couple of years ago, but when we moved to Vbulliten it was *lost*.

Right now the "efforts" to make the club a better place sounds a bit like a half hearted stab at trying to save money more than anything else. I'm glad to see that Bill wishes to appoint George as the new coordinator and I'm kinda hoping that George will be more open about implementing suggestions from members or possibly electing club officers under him. But like mine and everyone elses suggestions here, will probably be ignored. Sorry George if I am judging a book by it's cover but right now I have this sour taste in my mouth that I just can't seem to cleanse. Do you perhaps have some saltines for it?

[Mike8675309]

Ahh so everyone who was chomping at the bit to help only needed someone to ask them?

If I remember right, each CT magainze came out asking for articles. A personal phone call was needed?

Why not just type up something on those brakes you upgraded this past weekend and send it in.

I'm not saying that everything was done in the best way by Bill, but I am saying that if you wanted articles in the magazine, it was up to the members to send in articles.

Sure Charging Thunder will be ending. But that doesn't stop anyone else from working with the SCCOA to publish a new magazine.

Personally I would think that a small group could manage the publication of the magazine on a quarterly or semi-annual basis and have it funded strictly by advertising. We've got SuperCoupePerformance, Blue Tongue Motorsports, Embree Machine, Magnuson Products, Magnum Powers, Coy Miller, and others that should be looking to advertise.

But the group has to be dedicated to it. And for many of us, we are dedicated to our families, our Jobs, and that doesn't leave much room to be dedicated to anything else.

[Deep6]

*******Personally I would think that a small group could manage the publication of the magazine on a quarterly or semi-annual basis and have it funded strictly by advertising. We've got SuperCoupePerformance, Blue Tongue Motorsports, Embree Machine, Magnuson Products, Magnum Powers, Coy Miller, and others that should be looking to advertise. ************


What I was thinking more along the lines of having 2 or 3 people handle the routine grunt work of the Magazine but then having 10-20 routine "writers" would would submit articles on a semi-regular basis. Of course articles would be accepted from the general club membership, but to have regular writers would be a nice thing to have. It wouldn't have to take someone's entire life to do it, just a few hours a week. It is after all a Quarterly publication.

And, yes a personal invite would have been great, especially since I got *used* to a personal invite when bill wanted to use my post in the FAQ. And no, I don't think I've seen one statement in all of my CT's that "urgently requests" writers. Instead it says somthing along the lines of: have an interesting article to write, send it to us at blah blah blah address.

Does that mean I should write about how my dog licks his B@lls on saturday night or how I desire to sniff women's underwear? They are "interesting" to say the least, right? Nothing specific and nothing pretty much written in stone.

Now, on the other hand, if bill requested an interesting article like "Please write about your experiences with improving the shift quality of the M5R2 and I'll edit them for content", that would have been something that I would have submitted. Then again that is of course, if it wasn't something that was already covered and that was something dull and boring. Even though many members never saw that article in 1997 doesn't mean that members wouldn't like a "revisit" to a topic like that again. Hot rod mags do it all the time.

How many times can you possibly read about the same 392 build up over and over again, or how joe blow took out his 1967 Comet and decided that the ashtray needed retightening and before you know it one thing led to another and another and now Joe blow has a Stroked and blown 426 with 3 4 barrels feeding it with a Holley double pumper and MSD ignition box, and how joe regularly takes trips to the sun and back but he doesn't get burned because he only goes at night.... They make it sound interesting and people still buy their rag....

[SCgraphics guy]

Hmmm! Well I never thought I'd see CT go!
I always looked forward to it!
I agree on many things said here & only hope it would continue in some form or another!
Advertising...I'll do some! I'd be willing to spend a few extra $ to keep CT going...If others will support it!
Maybe.. take a vote & see how many are seriously interested in seeing it continue.
I have always wanted to write an article & Bill has asked me several times...most of us do have lives, beyond our cars. Seems there's never time, and the time I spend running my own business alone gets on the familys nerves.
I really understand Bills position. Theres alot here taken for granted!
Sometimes you never know what you had until its gone!:mad:

[banbro]

Well, I have to admit this is what I hoped WOULDN'T happen to the club. After I got my CT I did what I do everytime it comes, lock myself away in a little corner and read it from cover to cover. I to really REALLY look forward to getting that publication each quarter. I think Patti did an excellent job of portraying the work Bill and his family put into both the club AND the business. I know first hand how much time and effort any voluntary work that you throw yourself into can take and I truly feel for Bill and his family. I will be honest and say that I would love to write articles for CT but unfortunatly I do not have all that much time to do anything to my car worth writing about, case in point was the article I wrote last year. Maybe in the near future that will change and I will be able to start doing a few mods and be able to write about them, I only hope there is some function of the CT alive still when that time comes. I don't know about the rest of you but after reading about the gas tank mod this month I am all set to get one ordered and make the change.

Bill, I know I have told you this before but I really and truly appreciate what you and Patti have done for the club since taking it over. I will admit that I do not like way things may change but I DO fully understand your reasoning and hope it will work for the best.

George... (sigh)... you have got a handful ahead of you and I only wish you the patience of Job and the best of luck.

As I have extended this offer in the past... if there is any way I can be of assistance please let me know and I will do what I can.

Thanks...

Brock

[Doug Franklin]

This is my first year in the club. I got one of the last 95 SC 5spds available, new in 96. I had been thinking for years that there needed to be somebody developing parts and becoming a focal point for parts for the SCs. The car is close to what I wanted 30 yrs ago in High School when I owned 2 Road Runners. I could not believe it when the 89 T-Bird came out.

So I bumped into a man in a wheelchair who ran a 95 SC like myself about a year ago. He gave me the good news of SCCoA. Wow. I ordered MANY back issues of CT. I have slowly ordered parts from SCP as well. Yes I have looked around. Bought a couple of things from otheres, but I remain loyal to SCP and SCCoA for one reason. It is the best focal point we have at this time for these cars.

I hate to see this infighting. I was unaware and had little to no time for all this forum stuff so now I fear I am too late to make a difference. I wish there was a way for me to pay 40 and things keep going untill we do have a firm replacement, if Bill, you could hold out. I have NO problem with SCCoA being a private business, none. I want what is offered.

Odd but during this past year I have been involved with forming a new little town. Got elected on a city council. Unity has been our key as infighting failed 2 previuos elections to form a city in years past. Perhaps deep6 and others have some legitimate grips. If so then room needs to be made for them. Heck I hate automatics, and though have done it, don't care for drag racing so much either. Hate show cars. So I am road racing. But I can see the fun folks get from these varied approches to SCs and support their hobby.

We all are different. But is there not a way to keep the dues going and keep CT going untill we have a new system or web based CT? Or is all of this in the works and I am uninformed? Otherwise yes I fear things will slide downhill to little groups and nothing.

I have only one thing to contribute and it is a report a NASA engineer gave me on a SC in a wind tunnel. Not much but all I can do now. Maybe, like others, I am too late.

Bill, is it too late for members to submit articles, etc. Is it too late to charge dues and keep it going until things are worked out? Perhaps a transition period was given, I don't know.

I will be at the Performance Racing Ind. trade show in Indianapolis next week. Coy Miller told me he was planning to be there too. Don't know if you are. I will be in the SPS Technologies booth on Thursday. If not maybe I can find time to drive over to see you. I have to get up to Boston to pick up another SC by the weekend though. Either way I would like to talk a little.

Bottom line is I believe there are more people grateful, for what you and all contributers have done and are doing, than the nay sayers. Untill issues are settled or those folks provide an alternative I would like to see you keep things going. Paying 40 to join TCCoA gains you discounts on parts. Other than that...... I would pay more, because with SCCoA I get more. You and your family and friends are doing something that a lot of us appreciate. And by the way as a private business you don't have to show books to anyone but the IRS. Maybe all will go well, I just hate to see the brakes put on before a replacement is in place.

Thank you and your family and the owner of the killer SWB5 that inspires us all,
Doug Franklin

[Deep6]

Allright, this topic is a little bit old but because it was still up there I'm sure that is why it still attracts people to write on it.

First of all to give a little background here, I'd like to say that I've always enjoyed the way bill has run SCCOA in the past. Until recently everything was very prompt and professional. The way customers should be treated.

The main "meat and potatoes" of the club is the web forum. And when increased costs of a previous server (Ezboard) forced bill to make the decision to switch over to the less costly Vbulliten software and self sourced server, the quality of messages and positings dropped dramatically. Eventually some members left and there was some pulling of hair and gnashing of teeth.

Then a rallying call from bill asked the membership for donations for a new server. Ok. Except, it raised into question as to why a privatly run and owned business would ask for donations?

That irked me, and many others.

Afterall, you wouldn't "donate" to a car dealership if their sales were down that month, would you?

Or would you give money to the local video store if their sales were down?

Usually like most folks, you'd just go shopping elsewhere. By asking for additonal money, it then begged the question as to where and what our normal membership dues were being used for? And although there were many "Answers" from the general membership as to what this money was being used for, bill remained silent for most of the time, which only increased speculation.

Then bill asked for suggestions from the membership in a long thread.

Finally, the CT came out with some details and about changes that bill was making to the club starting in 2003.

At the end of 2002, I'd say that let's give the new coordinator of the sccoa (george davenport) half a chance here. Were sad to see some of the gravy disappearing from the club (CT) but hope that something will emerge to take it's place.

In the end though, I've offered my help here in any way that I can. It's all I can do. But sometimes when you are "out spoken" about a topic, you are convieniently ignored. In other words, I have not earned the right to help...yet.

So keep up the good work! I said I would renew my membership for 2003, but I'm not sure what it is going to be buying me next year.

[Doug Franklin]

I stand corrected, educated, repremanded or something. Since I did not realize it was a web based thing. I guess all I can do is see what happens.

In the mean time I am having fun, when these SCs are running.

DF