Feedback Please

[Guest]

Hi All,
I have had a request/suggestion from Dave Harris as follows and thought I would
share my views to see which way you think we should take things...
Dave Harris said:
At the moment I am not sure which way to go on this.
The initial idea for the site was to act as an info site for LC owners as opposed
to being a club, however I don't think that the existing 'UK owners club' will ever
extend beyond where it is now so there may be scope to do more.
I'm inclined to put together bio/profile info for members of the list so that we
can have some background info on one and other, out LCs and what we do with them.
I have also considered trying to organise maybe an annual 'official' meet up as
well as provide an events diary for laning trips or play day trips to encourage
list members to meet up.
The subject of picture/video galleries is a tricky one. The main issue is that it
takes up a lot of disk space and bandwidth - at the moment this isn't a problem
because the site is on my server and I have over 50Gb of space and unlimited
bandwidth, however at the end of this month I am merging facilities with a friend's
company (I am trying to back out of web stuff) and after a while I might have to
start paying for space/bandwidth so the free ride won't be for ever.
I am happy to absorb the cost for hosting the site as it is planned and that
includes a large library of articles, but this may start to get prohibitive if we
start to consume gigabytes of space through providing picture gallery facilities.
So I think the bottom line is this. I would be happy to provide the space and
facilities for hosting photos and video, but I think that we would ultimately need
to find some way of funding it.
I think that in the future there will be scope to generate revenue from the site in
a number of ways, however I don't necessarily want to be left as the only person
running/organising it.
Whilst I prefer dictatorships to committees, I cannot put this all together on my
own and rely heavily on your contributions, and since you are making the effort to
provide contributions I think you should have a say in how the site is run.
So what do you think?
A couple of final things to consider:-
Firstly, there are a number of sites around that will let you setup your own
picture galleries for little or no money.
Secondly, most of your ISPs will give you some free space with your account and it
doesn't cost much to get a unique domain registered (?5 per year) to point to the
free space. OK, you do need to learn a bit about building websites, but I am
always willing to help you.
Take a look at Roman's site at
http://freespace.virgin.net/ets.london/landrover/index1.htm (yes, it is about
LandRovers, but Roman was young and foolish and didn't know better )
Also Jon Wildsmith's site at http://www.mudtoys.com.
Both of these are fine examples of what you can do on your own.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
[Email address removed]
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
80less at the moment - Roll on June!

 

[Guest]

Julian,
I am of the opinion that photo's of outings etc. should be on another site.
As you say, it is easy to start your own site, or get photo's hosted, that
there is no need to clutter the site. I have, on one or two occasions,
looked at a picture on another site but this is of limited interest. It is
never the same as being part of the memory that you are looking at.
If the suggestion of a gallery of technical mods./upgrades was suggested
however I would definately favour it. A lot of stuff is made so much easier
with good photo's.
The members profile idea sounds OK.
An occasional meet up is well worth trying.
Regards, Clive.
Clive Marks,
West Sussex, (very close to Gatwick)
HDJ81 (import), 1997

 

[Guest]

How about including a URL on each bio page so those of us with our own
sites can put pictures etc up without using up your space?
meet up as
I'd be interested in this but I'd think a lot of notice would be needed
for a good turnout.
Regards,
Jon.

 

[Guest]

Morning,
Clive Marks said:
That's what I am inclined to think.
That's the plan and they would be able to include photos, short video clips,
etc - anything that helps the user understand the article.
Just to note - this would be password protected so that it would only be
visible to other members. A couple of things I found handy with another
group that I was running was the ability to search to see who lived locally
to you so you could contact them for help when you need an extra pair of
hands (and the wife isn't willing to hold up the other end of th axle ) or
just to meet up for some beers - also you could see who was at the other end
of the country to you to check over an LC or some parts, before you commit to
buying them.
I was thinking along the lines of an 'official' day on a pay and play site
somewhere centrally one Saturday, maybe in September, somewhere with catering
facilities or willing to let us have a BBQ. If there are enough people, some
suppliers might be willing to come along as well - people like Milners used
to go to such events.
Otherwise there is plenty of scope to meet up individually.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
[Email address removed]
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
80less at the moment - Roll on June!

 

[Guest]

Quoting Clive Marks <[Email address removed]>:
another site.
I guess the plan was to bring information together and present it in a
structured, coherent form. Maybe it would be a good idea to create a template
to be filled by each interested party with whatever personal info, pictures,
descriptions they wish to present to the world. This information would be
stored elsewhere and only linked to the elco site. The template would provide
uniform presentation of all personal content. In this way each individual
would be responsible for and and able to update this part of the site. Non-
personal info would be stored and maintained by Julian.
--
Rgds,
Roman
London UK
'92 HDJ80

 

[Guest]

Jon Wildsmith said:
Yes, no problem - I could leave space for several URLs for the more
prolific among you (Roman - HOW many domains do you have !)
Agreed. Any suggestions on a good venue? I was thinking that somewhere
like the site near Lyneham, near Swindon, North Wilts or maybe towards
Oxford would be reasonably central.
Also, some time around mid September when most people should be back from
hols, but the weather shouldn't be too bad.
The current spread seems to be the Midlands, London, M4 Corridor and
Devon. Andy Bell is probably the furthest north at the moment, but is
willing to come down - I could put him up for the night.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
[Email address removed]
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
80less at the moment - Roll on June!

 

[Guest]

Hi ELCOs
I'm not sure how this is going to be interpreted especially since this is my
first message here.
Let me start saying that I'm subscribed to 80sCool, 80sCol_aus and now ELCO
and I'll subscribe whatever list I feel that provides useful info about our
beloved LCs, no matter the country/region it aims for.
But I can't stop the feeling that this list is leaning toward a UKLCO
instead of a truly ELCO list. Don't get me wrong, I don't have a problem
with that but what's the list goal Europe or primary UK LC owners?
Just something to think about.
Regards
Joaquim 94 1HD-T Portugal

 

[Guest]

Hello,
If this list is seen to be leaning towards UK instead of Eur. That has to be
because only UK owners are joining. Tell your friends. If there is enough
interest from the mainland I am sure we can organise meetings occasionally
in most EU contries. These meetinhgs could even be organised by members in
those countries, then we would only have to attend. How's your
organisational skill?
Regards,
Clive Marks,
West Sussex, (very close to Gatwick)
HDJ81 (import), 1997
[Further Info: http://www.landcruisers.info/lists/

 

[Guest]

Strategies to make a 25 country list was Feedback Please

Hi
Fair enough.
I'll tell my friends although with a LC80 I only know one guy.
So let me rephrase:
a) What strategies to attract people from the other 24 countries?
b) Should this list be LC in general or just 80s?
As good as any.
Regards
Joaquim
94 1HD-T Portugal

 

[Guest]

Profiles is the key word here.
I can setup the site so that...
- List members register on the site, in future this would be part of joining the
list.
- Using your email address and a password you will be able to get into the
members' area to access the members list and do searches by area, vehicle, mods,
etc.
- When logged in you will also have access to a form so that you change/edit
your profile as and when you want.
The info stored would be:
- Name
- Address
- Contact Nos
- Bio/profile (free text area with formatting - this is where you can put links
to your own sites)
- Vehicle details - model, year, mods, uses - suitable for multiple vehicles
- I could also provide facilities for uploading an image of each vehicle
Does that sound a sensible compromise?
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
[Email address removed]
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
80less at the moment - Roll on June!

 

[Guest]

Quoting Joaquim Pinto da Costa <[Email address removed]>:
Joaquim,
It'd be most unfortunate if we were to miss the expertise offered by
continental owners. They have a lot more experience in this matter than we
here in the UK. This list is here to talk about subjects that are familiar to
all of us, unlike rock crawling.
Speaking o which, I 'd like to make a suggestion: let's discuss here anything
at all with the exception of two subjects: "Check engine light" and
"Bigger tyres". These belong to the 80scool list.
---
Rgds,
Roman
London UK
'92 HDJ80

 

[Guest]

Hi Joaquim,
Joaquim Pinto da Costa said:
Don't worry, we do want to encompass every country in Europe.
You will sense more of a UK bias at the moment, purely because most of us
here so far are from the UK.
This IS only the beginning - as more people are signed up the bias will
shift. If there is enough interest I don't see any problems setting up
lists for different languages.
If you think more can be done to shift the bias more centrally, please do
not hesitate to let us know.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
[Email address removed]
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
80less at the moment - Roll on June!

 

[Guest]

Roman said:
Could I also add no Jeep or LandRover bashing - just accept the fact that we have
superior vehicle and leave it at that ;-)
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
[Email address removed]
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
80less at the moment - Roll on June!

 

[Guest]

I agree with Clive on this matter, I have been investigating sites in France
and Belgium and would definitely be interested in an off-road tour of
Europe, Spain and Italy have brilliant off-road possibilities and France and
Belgium also look good.
Anyone else up for a 'serious' off road trip? Perhaps we could show the
Aussies a thing or two!!
Clive are you in Horley by chance??
Dave Harris
[Email address removed]
97 VX 1HDFT Devon UK
Original message:
:
:
: Hello,
:
: If this list is seen to be leaning towards UK instead of Eur. That has to
be
: because only UK owners are joining. Tell your friends. If there is enough
: interest from the mainland I am sure we can organise meetings occasionally
: in most EU contries. These meetinhgs could even be organised by members in
: those countries, then we would only have to attend. How's your
: organisational skill?
:
: Regards,
:
: Clive Marks,
: West Sussex, (very close to Gatwick)
: HDJ81 (import), 1997
:
:

 

[Guest]

Dave,
No to Horley but close. I live out in the country between Crawley and
Horsham.
As a point of interest, I am going to Canada very soon, while there I
intend to price some 4x4 stuff and see if there is any mileage in buying and
shipping. I will report.
Clive Marks,
West Sussex, (very close to Gatwick)
HDJ81 (import), 1997
Further Info: http://www.landcruisers.info/lists/

 

[Guest]

Hi,
Ferrying down to Spain, touring the north Spanish mountains and driving back
through France is on my list of places to see. I don't know too much about
serious off roading in this area but I am definately interested in the trip.
Regards, Clive.
Further Info: http://www.landcruisers.info/lists/

 

[Guest]

Clive
Now that would be interesting.I think you'll find import duty to this
country and VAT on top to be the killer.It would be worth checking out the
differences between new and used parts for duty, and also the possibility of
being sent as gifts.
I'll keep all posted as to possible Euro trip.
Also next March is the Exmoor challenge- a real chance to show what our
vehicles can do, more info to follow.
Dave Harris
[Email address removed]
97 VX 1HDFT Devon UK
: :
: As a point of interest, I am going to Canada very soon, while there I
: intend to price some 4x4 stuff and see if there is any mileage in buying
and
: shipping. I will report.
:

 

[Guest]

Dave Harris said:
Count me in.
Are we talking driving, camping, bring the family or man's stuff
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
[Email address removed]
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
80less at the moment - Roll on June!

 

[Guest]

Clive Marks said:
I priced up getting front and rear bumpers + tyre carrier + warn M12000 +
snorkel + 50mm Heavy Duty OME lift + a few other goodies from Slee Offroad in
the US, but by the time you get it shipped, add all the tax etc, it works out
the same.
You also need to bear in mind the exchange rate, you don't always get the rate
that is quoted on line - always best to check with your card supplier first.
The US made stuff is cheaper, but they obviously need to import the rest from
Aus - I would have thought importing from Aus would be a better bet - just
need to find an Aus equivalent to Slee, with a decent website showing prices.
--
Regards,
Julian Voelcker
[Email address removed]
Mobile: 07971 540362
Cirencester, United Kingdom
80less at the moment - Roll on June!

 

[Guest]

I would definitely be interested inthe Exmoor event - I read a bit about it recently - stunning countryside and also for a local riding school who do riding for the disabled or something similar.
ISTR that they split the event in two, simple tracks for stock vehicles and some tougher routes for modifieds, so something for everyone.
Cheers,
Julian
Home: 01285 821 712
Office: 01285 821 910
Mobile: 07971 540 362
________________ Reply Header ________________
Subject: Re: [ELCO] Feedback Please
Author: "Dave Harris" <[Email address removed]>
Date: 5th June 2004 2:27:10 pm
Clive
Now that would be interesting.I think you'll find import duty to this
country and VAT on top to be the killer.It would be worth checking out the
differences between new and used parts for duty, and also the possibility of
being sent as gifts.
I'll keep all posted as to possible Euro trip.
Also next March is the Exmoor challenge- a real chance to show what our
vehicles can do, more info to follow.
Dave Harris
[Email address removed]
97 VX 1HDFT Devon UK
: :
: As a point of interest, I am going to Canada very soon, while there I
: intend to price some 4x4 stuff and see if there is any mileage in buying
and
: shipping. I will report.
: