The Future of the B8 S4 Community...

[kristokes]

...I will leave up to its dedicated members.

This has been long overdue as this community was left without an active Moderator for quite some time now. As your newly designated Moderator, I am open to any suggestions on how YOU think will better this community. Whether it's as simple as recommending a thread to be "stickied" or something as complex as a major overhaul; please feel free to post your suggestions to this thread or send me a PM for those shy members.

I have already received some great suggestions from Geoff (AKA: whiped) that I will start to implement and work on after the new year. But I wanted to give everyone else a chance to make a difference. And as always, if you have any questions/concerns about anything, (e.g., thread title changes), please feel free to send me a PM and I will try my best to accommodate your request.

Best,
Stokes
[az]

[14S4GWM]

Welcome aboard Stokes! I was going to suggest a thread like this in your intro but didn't so here it is now, thanks.

Heres a couple DIY threads that should be cleaned up and organized into a very decent sticky.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/673319-B8-amp-B8-5-Specs-FAQ-s-and-DIY-s

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/655198-DIY-Link-Compilation

[infinkc]

Still needs to have a dedicated tech section like all the other groups.

[kristokes]

Welcome aboard Stokes! I was going to suggest a thread like this in your intro but didn't so here it is now, thanks.

Heres a couple DIY threads that should be cleaned up and organized into a very decent sticky.

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/673319-B8-amp-B8-5-Specs-FAQ-s-and-DIY-s

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/655198-DIY-Link-Compilation

I "stickied" one of those threads. Thank you for the suggestion [up]


Still needs to have a dedicated tech section like all the other groups.

What a great suggestion [up]

I will be working on that idea so be on the lookout for the *NEW* B8 S4 Tech sub-forum. In the meantime, feel free to send me links of all the technical threads that you believe belong in the new sub-forum.

[CrownSeven]

Still needs to have a dedicated tech section like all the other groups.

Not a fan of that idea. If you force tech posts into their own forum what are you left with - vendor spam. A how-to forum with stickied posts is better.

[kristokes]

Not a fan of that idea. If you force tech posts into their own forum what are you left with - vendor spam. A how-to forum with stickied posts is better.

It will make it easier for everyone, newbs and veterans alike, to be able to search and/or browse for a technical thread when needed.

[Brother Owl]

Still needs to have a dedicated tech section like all the other groups.


Not a fan of that idea. If you force tech posts into their own forum what are you left with - vendor spam. A how-to forum with stickied posts is better.


It will make it easier for everyone, newbs and veterans alike, to be able to search and/or browse for a technical thread when needed.

How about leaving the Tech in the main thread, and instead create a "Vendor" subforum?

[:D]

[Sudz]

OP Moderator, I like forums that have a general DIY sticky folder, I would suggest that for this forum.
Using other forums, some of the sticky's here don't make sense.

[devNull]

I agree with not splitting it up into sub sections like that. There are already too many forums and pages I casually browse for new content, and that would just add to it..

[Thurston]

Not a fan of that idea. If you force tech posts into their own forum what are you left with - vendor spam. A how-to forum with stickied posts is better.

agreed.

[will13k7]

how about we unsticky the "Water Pump Support Group" thread? Also, can the stickies be their own subgroup to collapse them? it's annoying to always have to scroll past them.

[Mops@Nemesis]

Best Mod on AZ, IMO. Congrats guys [:)]

[kristokes]

Thank you for all the great feedback [up]

I currently "stickied" The Ultimate B8/B8.5 New Member's Guide that has informative specs, FAQs, and DIY links. I hope this will eliminate the duplicate threads that a new member may generally ask.

The main model-line discussion forum is far more than a technical and/or vendor section as its contents include questions, answers, experiences, and thoughts. I would like to separate the DIY and technical threads to their own respective sub-forum to make it easier for a member to browse if he or she is searching for technical data only. By doing this, it will also eliminate clutter within the main model-line discussion forum.

[kristokes]

After reading everyone's feedback more thoroughly, I have a feeling that you believe I will be moving all technical discussion threads into the new sub-forum. Please be advised that won't be the case as the new sub-forum will consist mostly of DIY and FAQ threads.

Here's an example of a tech sub-forum for the B7 A4: http://www.audizine.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/173-B7-A4-Tech

Let's keep all the great suggestions and feedback coming!

[SportVier]

How about leaving the Tech in the main thread, and instead create a "Vendor" subforum?

Yes! Totally on board with this.

So... while I doubt that will actually happen, doing something (anything!) to dial back the ridiculous level of spam would be my vote. It is often the case that the majority of threads on the first page are ads. "Vendorzine" indeed.

[Thurston]

how about we unsticky the "Water Pump Support Group" thread? Also, can the stickies be their own subgroup to collapse them? it's annoying to always have to scroll past them.

Yep.
BrotherOwl the "vendor" sub . . . now that is way to pertinent of an idea in my mind.


ks What changes were recommended to you that you are going to "begin to implement & work on in the new year"? thanks.

The idea of a tech sub isn't a bad idea by any means, (that said I wouldn't do it if it was me but i'm super old school) I would get rid of the "projects and builds sub" since there are 6 threads in it w only 1 ever actively updated but w/e welcome to b8 land.

[Loe]

wow! this is awesome! Welcome!

[Dirt]

Another vote for creating a vendor subforum. Would make a huge difference.

.

[Works2shoot]

I would have to request a note to vendors that addresses the issue of consistent reposting of the same thread or deal.

Example -

APR Has a sale and a new thread is posted.

- Vendor A updates their existing "steals, deals and sales" thread (insert holiday / cyber sale, etc here) with the APR sale information.

- Vendor A then creates a new thread with the same information and/or graphic telling us about the APR sale.

This cycle is repeated by Vendors B-Z, with zero difference in price between them all.

I know that these vendors keep the board alive, but I think a bit of tweaking would do us good!

[Rez90]

Ban APR from making "Something is in the works" threads and then leaving the community hanging indefinitely.

[Thurston]

[rolleyes] it's explicitly labeled as a "teaser thread".

[nunzo]

How about moving the many "introducing my build" threads to the "projects and builds" subforum.

[importraceram]

Ban APR from making "Something is in the works" threads and then leaving the community hanging indefinitely.

This.

[Tyler S4]

After reading everyone's feedback more thoroughly, I have a feeling that you believe I will be moving all technical discussion threads into the new sub-forum. Please be advised that won't be the case as the new sub-forum will consist mostly of DIY and FAQ threads.

Here's an example of a tech sub-forum for the B7 A4: http://www.audizine.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/173-B7-A4-Tech

Let's keep all the great suggestions and feedback coming!

I really like this idea with the centralized location for all the DIY threads similar to the B7 A4 group you posted. [up]

Also the Vendor section would to good too like others have said. I just went back a handful of pages and the amount of vendor spam is a little crazy, never noticed how bad it really was(could also be because of the time of year and lots of sales happening).

[Lensch09]

I personally would mirror the B7A4 forum/subset.

Good technical threads could get moved into the tech forum for easy access. Good build threads should be allowed to be in the build sub-forum (currently locked to start a new thread there).

Other than that, why mess with a good thing? No need to keep vendors from starting a dumpster fire of a thread, that's one of the BEST things about AZ.

-DL

[GRUMPY-S4]

Another vote for creating a vendor subforum. Would make a huge difference.

.

I vote for this also


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Works2shoot]

Another vote for creating a vendor subforum. Would make a huge difference.

.


I vote for this also


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

As I said earlier, vendors are required for the forum to exist. I think we just need moderation of their activities vs shoving all the junk threads into the closet (a sub-forum) where no one sees them.

[GRUMPY-S4]

As I said earlier, vendors are required for the forum to exist. I think we just need moderation of their activities vs shoving all the junk threads into the closet (a sub-forum) where no one sees them.

You have a good point


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dirt]

As I said earlier, vendors are required for the forum to exist. I think we just need moderation of their activities vs shoving all the junk threads into the closet (a sub-forum) where no one sees them.


From a moderator perspective, it will be far easier to manage a subforum. Where would you even begin to set the rules otherwise? You'll have to tell vendors how many threads they can start every month, how many times they can bump their own threads, and so on, and so on.

You called them junk threads. Why would we NOT want to move the junk threads to a subforum?

.

[14S4GWM]

From a moderator perspective, it will be far easier to manage a subforum. Where would you even begin to set the rules otherwise? You'll have to tell vendors how many threads they can start every month, how many times they can bump their own threads, and so on, and so on

Most of those rules are already in place.

[Dirt]

Most of those rules are already in place.

I guess they're either not working or not being enforced based on the number of posts in this thread complaining about vendor spam threads.

.

[kristokes]

Thank you everyone for the great feedback [up]

Unfortunately, a vendor only sub-forum is not manageable or ideal. However, I will be enforcing the already existing vendor thread limitation rules going forward into the new year.

[14S4GWM]

^ Would you specifically post up the vendor rules for us to see?

[kristokes]

I did a quick look at the current first page of the main mode-line forum and found only 10 vendor threads out of 46 other threads. This calculates to approximately 22%, which is considered average. As a comparison, an average 60 minute TV show has 40 minutes of actual showtime and 20 minutes of commercial.

[Dirt]

I came up with close to the same number earlier (I was somewhere above 25%), and it's disappointing to hear that it's average and acceptable for more than of the 20% of the current threads to be vendor/spam/junk threads. I wouldn't be happy if 20% of my phone calls were from telemarketers or 20% of my emails were from bots.

I'm not sure how almost every other car and truck forum has a vendor section but its unmanageable here.

.

[Jester2893]

Limit apr posts to actual product releases instead of their usual 30 page of bull shit that just gets moved to off topic

[Whistle]

Stokes welcome! Great to have you here. Appreciate your approach and look forward to seeing this place polished up.

Most requested thread title fix in the history of the internet, and a great thread to stick:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/560916-Random-Pics-of-you-car!!!

[kristokes]

As a frequent browser of the classifieds section, is anyone else tired of looking at for sale threads without photos of the item(s) for sale? If so, would you guys like me to implement a photo rule?

[14S4GWM]

Yes, everyone loves photos.

[whiped]

Stokes welcome! Great to have you here. Appreciate your approach and look forward to seeing this place polished up.

Most requested thread title fix in the history of the internet, and a great thread to stick:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/560916-Random-Pics-of-you-car!!!

You know... This is the first time I've ever noticed that and I've looked at that thread hundreds of times. [facepalm]

Now that the holidays are over I am bumping this back up.

I support having a tech section or a sticky dedicating to indexing DIYs and other information about the car.

If we do a dedicating tech section I'd encourage you to disable public thread creation. This subsection should only be for actual technical information so it is not misleading when someone stumbles upon a thread.

Naturally this puts more pressure on the mods as worthy threads would need to be moved there, inactive OPs would need to be updated, etc. (If you need extra help stokes see the moderator suggestion thread.)

Biggest problem with this section as a whole IMO is how difficult things are to find. Hell, how many new threads have we answered about brakes squealing? Pad suggestions? Tuning Options? Wheel/Suspension setups?

There is so much good information here, it just needs to be refined.


------------------------------------------------------------
You guys both posted while I was typing this. [>_<]

@Stokes for the classified sections add a sticky with some requirements.

Pictures, location, willing to ship, others?

[kristokes]

Yes, everyone loves photos.

Like GCC Rule/Law #22.

[kristokes]

If we do a dedicating tech section I'd encourage you to disable public thread creation. This subsection should only be for actual technical information so it is not misleading when someone stumbles upon a thread.

All threads created in the new tech section will not be posted publicly until it has been approved by me or another Moderator.

[14S4GWM]

Like GCC Rule/Law #22.

Exactly, lol

[Silverbullet S4]

It's been mentioned but worth mentioning again - keep threads like this from happening: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/713375-APR-Teaser-Adding-more-power-to-the-3-0-TFSI

[14S4GWM]

It's been mentioned but worth mentioning again - keep threads like this from happening: http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/713375-APR-Teaser-Adding-more-power-to-the-3-0-TFSI

Yeah man, that should be deleted

[BDP]

The only thing I would suggest is to just moderate...keep the shit show starters at bay and let topics...stay on topic (specific thread mentioned above). If you can manage that and keep the condescending know it all's and vendor haters locked in a romper room section so they can stroke each other's pee pee's and wallow in hate, I think everything else will fall into place.

[cspcrx]

Need to sticky some of the DIYs that are so common place I think. As these cars age and more people start repairing them there will be more and more value in this.

[kristokes]

Stokes welcome! Great to have you here. Appreciate your approach and look forward to seeing this place polished up.

Most requested thread title fix in the history of the internet, and a great thread to stick:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/560916-Random-Pics-of-you-car!!!

I thought I'd leave the title as a gag real; unless the OP really wants me to edit the title.

[kristokes]

Yeah man, that should be deleted

May I ask why? It basically turned into a Chatterbox thread like the 'Raced a 2015 M3' thread.

[14S4GWM]

May I ask why? It basically turned into a Chatterbox thread like the 'Raced a 2015 M3' thread.

Ehhhh, leave em both in chatterbox I suppose. A sponsor joke is a good laugh farther down the road I suppose.

I do agree with bdp on keeping a few people in check though, a couple stand out pretty bad and they provide nothing.

[kristokes]

I do agree with bdp on keeping a few people in check though, a couple stand out pretty bad and they provide nothing.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to read every post, so I encourage everyone to use the Report Button, (triangle with the exclamation point), located on the bottom left of each post to report such behaviors.

[FirstTimer]

How about a rule against quoting the post directly above yours (unless parsing a specific quote like you just did)? It sounds tedious but it saves a lot of redundancy and useless scrolling. A cycling forum I frequent has this as a "rule". The enforcement is just that mods will wipe their post and leave "no need to quote the previous post" to those who do.

That forum also requires photos in any for sale thread - which is awesome. I've learned to loathe classified ads without them. Also without prices. Really - if you don't have a picture or a price - you don't want to sell anything. Put forth a little effort.

[kristokes]

How about a rule against quoting the post directly above yours (unless parsing a specific quote like you just did)? It sounds tedious but it saves a lot of redundancy and useless scrolling. A cycling forum I frequent has this as a "rule". The enforcement is just that mods will wipe their post and leave "no need to quote the previous post" to those who do.

I do it so I may publicly converse directly to that person and to address his or her question/concern.


How about a rule against quoting the post directly above yours (unless parsing a specific quote like you just did)? It sounds tedious but it saves a lot of redundancy and useless scrolling. A cycling forum I frequent has this as a "rule". The enforcement is just that mods will wipe their post and leave "no need to quote the previous post" to those who do.

Effective 01/06/2017...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/744101-ATTENTION-Please-READ-Before-Posting-in-the-B8-B8-5-Classifieds-Section?p=12117255#post12117255

[Q-DawgVFR]

Glad you are here. Thanks for taking on the job. I'm definitely in favor of having more organized places for common questions and DIY links, aka "tech" section or whatever you want to call it. I came from another section of the board recently and miss the easy reference I had with the B6/7 platform.

[FirstTimer]

[up]..

[DannyDeez]

I do it so I may publicly converse directly to that person and to address his or her question/concern.



Effective 01/06/2017...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/744101-ATTENTION-Please-READ-Before-Posting-in-the-B8-B8-5-Classifieds-Section?p=12117255#post12117255

Also, quoting someone is a good idea so tapatalk will instantly push them a notification letting them know someone has replied. If they don't use tapa then it won't matter, but I think enough of us here do.

Thank god you implemented the photo rule. I can't stand these half assed sale threads that pop up. No pics, no price, no location [headbang]

[jsh139]

Awesome. Good rules to implement in the classifieds section. The no price thing really bothers me. "Make me an offer". Um, ok, $1.00, then? It's annoying and is only intended to drive the price of something up.

[audistealth]

...I will leave up to its dedicated members.

This has been long overdue as this community was left without an active Moderator for quite some time now. As your newly designated Moderator, I am open to any suggestions on how YOU think will better this community. Whether it's as simple as recommending a thread to be "stickied" or something as complex as a major overhaul; please feel free to post your suggestions to this thread or send me a PM for those shy members.

I have already received some great suggestions from Geoff (AKA: whiped) that I will start to implement and work on after the new year. But I wanted to give everyone else a chance to make a difference. And as always, if you have any questions/concerns about anything, (e.g., thread title changes), please feel free to send me a PM and I will try my best to accommodate your request.

Best,
Stokes
[az]

First, congrats and my condolences. This forum has needed a mod for a LONG time.

It looks like you're already doing helpful things, like the classifieds cleanup, being active in general, and listening. Thank you.

I would like to suggest not going too far with moderating. There are a few thread GEMS because we had no active moderator (APR's B8.5 tune issues and Hansel's issues #windowsupbitch, skywagon's hood, west's downforce, APR's Magnusson's Stage 3, APR's latest dual pulley+throttle body+boost noodle, raced an M3, etc etc). Basically, stop the dumpster fires from spreading into other threads and move deadwood to the chatterbox, but don't go overboard with warnings/bans/blackhole threads.

Again, thanks for stepping up to the plate. Good luck!

[Works2shoot]

I do it so I may publicly converse directly to that person and to address his or her question/concern.



Effective 01/06/2017...

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/744101-ATTENTION-Please-READ-Before-Posting-in-the-B8-B8-5-Classifieds-Section?p=12117255#post12117255

Is it possible to get you to combine for multiple for sale posts by single members? There are some selling in the classifieds and making individual threads for each item.

[audistealth]

Is it possible to get you to combine for multiple for sale posts by single members? There are some selling in the classifieds and making individual threads for each item.

I actually like the separate threads only because you can mark them as sold more clearly. A single part out thread can be quite messy.

[Dirt]

Stokes - great job so far, and thanks for stepping up!

I still think it could be even better if there was a vendor section. At the moment, 40% of today's active threads are vendors promoting something. Seems a bit silly that this amount of advertising is acceptable.

Just my humble opinion.

[ofspecialk]

Photos of cars and girls!? i mean can you really have modified cars and not have half dressed women with them..... thats like eating pancakes without syrup or popcorn without butter! its sacrilege I tell ya

[Idtrav]

I wasn't around when you guys were moderatorless but whatever you have been doing so far since, thanks Geoff. The sticky's at the top were very useful to me and everything seemed to be organized well. I used to moderate a busy Honda forum back in the day and know how much work it can be at times.

My #1 issue with automotive forums is MISINFORMATION. People that read something and then twist it to their liking or whatever made sense in their head. Or they can't remember all the details then BS some reply in that is more detrimental than just simply staying out of the thread. Or trolling or whatever the case is that the answer is wrong.

[jsh139]

The vendors are part of what keeps this site free. If you move all of their threads into a sub-forum, no one will read them and they will eventually get pissed and stop supporting the site.

[Dirt]

The vendors are part of what keeps this site free. If you move all of their threads into a sub-forum, no one will read them and they will eventually get pissed and stop supporting the site.

If that's how things are, how do all the other car and truck forums with a vendor section survive?

An alternative would be to put all the "vendor special promotion" threads in the classifieds. If members are shopping for something, they know where to go.

[Sukks2bu]

I agree with ldtrav, about misinformation.
Especially in the diy section.
It would be awesome if I could manage a diy without having to read 60 posts with conflicting info.
If there is a way to condense the already well made diy section, that would be tits for me.

[jsh139]

If that's how things are, how do all the other car and truck forums with a vendor section survive?

An alternative would be to put all the "vendor special promotion" threads in the classifieds. If members are shopping for something, they know where to go.

They probably survive by member donation, and/or Adware support. We're fortunate that the adware on this site is pretty minimal. I've seen some crappy integrations. Ads between posts, in the middle of threads, etc.

[doug97gxe]

I had sent you a PM with some sticky suggestions but i can't remember what they were now.. i think one was JRan how to log thread

[MrFunk]

Sticky suggestions:
"What is my car worth"
"Is this car a good deal"

[Dirt]

They probably survive by member donation, and/or Adware support.

Not exactly. The ones I've joined and/or moderated survived financially mainly through their vendor fees. And the vendors had their own section to promote sales.

I also don't think anyone here is in love with 2-3 year old vendor threads that the vendor continually bumps TTT.

[kristokes]

I am pleased to announce that the *NEW* B8 S4 Tech sub-forum has been approved by Admin and will be added to this section soon.

[whiped]

Good work Stokes [up]

Now just to compile a list of all the DIYs and information that does not suck.

[Dirt]

I am pleased to announce that the *NEW* B8 S4 Tech sub-forum has been approved by Admin and will be added to this section soon.

Nice! As mentioned, great job!

[grovlet]

I am pleased to announce that the *NEW* B8 S4 Tech sub-forum has been approved by Admin and will be added to this section soon.


Good work Stokes [up]

Now just to compile a list of all the DIYs and information that does not suck.

I concur - an awesome addition!!![:D] Good Looking out!![wrench]

Can we add the VCDS Tuning Thread by JRan76 to the list:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php/611658-How-To-VCDS-Performance-Logging


Also the Wheels/Tires Thread (which JRan76 also provides lot's of expertise in) is helpful - but a basic version of common FAQs / Tire/wheels Sizes & Combinations would be even better as after 153 pages it's often hard to weed through....[facepalm]

[will13k7]

how about a update to the forum software? the one www.audi-sport.net uses is nice. people can even like your posts. fancy.

[kristokes]

how about a update to the forum software? the one www.audi-sport.net uses is nice. people can even like your posts. fancy.

I'm not a fan of that forum layout nor am I a fan of "liking" a forum post. I strongly believe that "likes" only belong in social media sites like Facebook and Instagram.

[Mops@Nemesis]

+1 on not a fan of forum likes.


Mops on the move

[will13k7]

disable "likes"? The example above is an almost identical layout with updated icons, better resolution Avatars, modern colors. Just saying the website could use some sprucing up. Feels like I'm stuck in the 90's. I guess it looks fine through tapatalk though.

[jokingjimmy]

This is great! Welcome Stokes!

My suggestions have already been mentioned by others.

Tech sub forum = win.

DON'T change the "...post random pics of you car..." title... Even if it's wrong, it's now an icon like "pedal responce" lol. Please do sticky it.

Let vendor post mix in, the current policies in place are fine, if you put the vendors in one thread, they won't get exposure, then won't spend marketing dollars (as much as I don't like it sometimes). Besides, truth is that I've taken advantage of some of the sales that were posted hee lol.

There was something else important I can't remember, I'll post up again when I remember lol.

Subforum for cool Nogaro Blue cars is a must. I'm just sayin' ... they're that special I hear 😎