sstock

Hey all, this is Steve from over on the Gen 1 board.
I'm sure we are all aware that this web-board is very fastly growing with new users comming on every day as well as the NLOC membership is growing steadily as well. I really like the direction that the nloc is taking and it is pretty apparent that we have some very ambitious and energetic people at the helm. Again thankyou for this.
Although, I'm not a charter member I have been around for a few years and see that things are definately on the upswing.
Now the point:
I'm sure many of you will agree that from time to time you will have the same topic come up over and over again, usually it is a simple how to do this question. For instance , a person on the Gen 1 board asked about the where abouts of the spout connector. It would be nice if we could start tapping into the talent of these truck owners to write a procedure on these things.They could range from simple how to dos to extensive mods like the addition of an intercooler of a Novi blown Gen 1 as well as technical repairs of Gen 2's. Articles could be written on what works and what doesn't, ect..
Then possibly link it for all to use. These writings could be about anything lightning related and to include pictures ect.
Now here is the other aspect of this, In order to get to these "how to" links, you need to be a NLOC member. I mean lets face it this is the NLOC board here and there are alot of non members that surf through here to chat, and don't get me wrong they are invited and it is fun to chat inall, BUT it is kind of a free lunch for them. I truely believe this board should remain free to help promote the NLOC, but I look at technical writing as a means of providing the membership with the little extra that the dues paying member can enjoy, and also alittle sweet enticement to join our membership.
Just an idea,

Please post over on the Club news with your input
Thanks
Steve

------------------
94 Crimson #2826
Born May 6, 1994
NLOC member #343
Team Powerdyne,
13.49@ 102mph
Wanting 12's
Home page: http://www.topworldmusic.com/greased/


[This message has been edited by sstock (edited 01-06-2002).]

paul12

I totally agree and think your idea is terrific. I was thinking about somehting similar a couple of days ago related to part numbers for various L parts. There seems to be reoccuring questions related to parts. We should post part numbers and maby options and experiences.

BLoG

First of all, i think yes, we do need some good procedures written up, probably a FAQ or two also.

Just imagine how useful it could be to have a list of things to check when your truck does something weird, or an article with pictures on how to replace radius arm bushings. Or hell, just a list of the superchargers available, and the cheapest 3 places to buy them. When some parts retailers see that, i bet they'd be quick to knock down their prices a little to get to the top of the list.

One thing you definitely do not want to do is restrict too much content to pay-only. The aim is to get more paying members, certainly not to annoy current members into leaving. Anyway, I think it would be good to publicize a couple of really good members-only discounts. If you know you can save the cost of your membership on a purchase, you can bet there will be a lot more people paying to be members.

Anyways, i think this is a great idea, and we all could use a nice technical resource, and I'd be happy to help out as much as i can.

Is there currently a way to pay for membership other than by mailing a check? It might be worthwhile looking into paypal or something like that to ensure instant access to a pay-only section on the website.

paul12

You can pay for your membership via paypal.

I dont think that certain areas being off limits unless you are an NLOC member will dicourage membership. There is a welth of information floating around this board. It is worth the cheap cost of supporting the club to be able to access the experiences of everyone. I have been working on a project this weekend replacing my radiator and heater core. If I could have gone to a site and viewed instructions on replacing the heater core and maby a couple of pictures It would have made my job a little easier. Is that worth the cost of membership. Oh yea.

I am also sure it will require some site management from the webmaster. Requiring membership might also allow us to compensate him in some way for all of the work he does.

Muddmann

nice in thoery, but i dont think that having the FAQ's in a restricted access will reduce the number of times a particular question is asked. i mean, if you can ask for free, whos gonna wanna pay for it?

i think that a standard FAQ section would alleviate alot of the congestion, but not necessarily a restricted access section...

...besides that, BLoG has some neat thoughts

------------------
'93 Lightning
-all the bolt-ons
-Jacobs ignition
-full exhaust
-Level 10 tranny
-TFS Stage II heads
-Kenne Bell Blowzilla
-357 Long-Rod on the brain...

if i stop runnin, the evil little clowns will get me...

MO351

Ditto, Muddman.

------------------
Adam B.
1994 Red SVT Lightning #2019
A few more L pics

kevinlawson82

To add to Muddmanns point; A newcomer to the NLOC site wont know what a Lightning related FAQ is in the first place. He also wouldnt find it worth the time or money to be an NLOC member if the people on the board refused to answer certain questions he had. In other words one of the incentives to join NLOC is the freedom that the board offers.

You guys are gonna probly hate this idea, but logically it would make more sense to restrict the message boards to members and make the new FAQ section open to public access. I also think that the FAQ section is going to have to be insanely thurough to work well. Part #'s,OEM prices,instructions that included pics,links, everything! Otherwise it will just spill over back into the message boards again.

Another thought I had was about membership in general....If I'm wrong someone say so...but I always thought the main attraction point for potential members was the NLOC discounters. But both Downs Ford and Level 10 are out from what Ive read. And even the discounts arent much good to you if you have reliable truck and no money for mods whatsoever (aka. college students). This is why I regretfully let my membership expire. I would like to get back in just because I like the club. But its hard to see where my money is going, or whether I will be able to even take advantage of the discounts offered. I think NLOC is on its way up and if it keeps itself stable and gets a few more members the recognition it deserves will follow.

[This message has been edited by kevinlawson82 (edited 01-07-2002).]

Devin

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[This message has been edited by Devin (edited 01-07-2002).]

FMOS Racing

Steve, this has come up before and we actually setup a "How To" section on the message board. Fact is, only you and one other guy ever stepped up to the plate with a "how to" procedure.

Good in theory, but unless people are willing to publish and take ownership, it just won't get off the ground.

Devin - sorry, guy, won't get a lot of sympathy from me on the "don't want to pay the dues" thing. People use the resource, people should be willing to step up to the plate. This message board isn't free to operate and neither is the club. Using it without putting something is the bin is called "mooching."

It's a whopping $30 - less than a dinner and a movie with a date in this day and age.

------------------
Later!
Jeff S.
NLOC #025, VP Gen 1s
Lightning #74 in '95 - Stroked and soon to be blown
Lightning #582 in '00 - Traded
1999 SVT Contour
1993 Probe GT - 15.36@89.7 stock daily driver

[This message has been edited by FMOS Racing (edited 01-07-2002).]

Devin

Suppose you're right Jeff.

Oh well, living and learning is what it's about. I feel differently now than when I wrote that. I will join the club now.
Thanks man