I'm here in the new forum but it doesn't feel like home yet. Seems unfamiliar, empty and devoid of personality. Anyone else feel this way? How do we spice it up and get her going again? Here are a few issues I have:

1) Too many main topics. I liked the last grouping. Simple. Now I have a hard time selecting where they go. Is peak oil political or environmental. lol

2) The spell checker requires me to download some software. Did anyone check this out to see if it has spyware?

3) After you log in you don't get a "today's posts" selection button.

4) Of course no more non-member posts.

Anyway, It's kind of like a freshly painted room. Smells nice but feels different. I'm sure I'll be right at home the next time someone attacks solar power again. ;)

Not that Lyle isn't doing a GREAT job with all this. I know how trying to make everyone on a forum environment happy just can't be done.

I'd like to see avatars turned on personally. I have found that "most" people don't change theirs that often and it makes it easier to follow users and threads. And users between threads because you get that visual recognition rather than having to read the names. You connect with the pics faster in your head.

I think a 1 to 1 forums list from the old to new forum would be best and add an "Announcements" forum at the top of the new board could help convey important info ASAP.

Chris

Perhaps when you filter a site to include only those who agree, then there is little to say.

The old forum is fun, when you want to mix it up with the rabble, but this room is like coming home to relax with like minded individuals (or that's what people tell me a home is like).

I am working on a new theory - now that true development of marketable alternative vehicles is in earnest, and not merely concept, everyone with an opinion is getting very well educated on facts. All those alternative fuels, which were "market ready", turn out to have their own unique problems:

1) BEV's - very expensive, short range, long refuel times, current infrastructure can't handle everyone driving an EV
2) Alcohol - still creates as much or more CO2 (LA will still be smoggy), drives up food costs, converts millions of acres of wilderness to cultivated lands
3) Fuel Cell - cold weather limitations, lack of current infrastructure
4) Hydrogen ICE - lack of current infrastructure

The only marketable solution is the E-REV, which reduces costs, provides unlimited range through rapid fueling and leverages existing infrastructure.

I think there is little to debate at this point, and flexibility of E-REV, where range extender could be gasoline / diesel / natural gas / alcohol / hydrogen ICE, fuel cell or compressed air, is the perfect bridge to whatever the market sees as the best solution(s) in the future.

Right now, we are all in the wait-and-see mode.

Do you think this site is filtered? I don't see that....

Other than not being able to post as a "Guest", I do not think Lyle is spending his days moderating the postings!

The main difference I see is what Texas said - so many main threads.

And I really liked the feature of seeing the new postings at the bottom of the screen on the old forum. You did not have to look through each main thread to see what has been posted since your last visit.

It is just different. Actually, this is exactly like the Chrysler Crossfire forum.

I agree that I liked the old forum better, I didn't post much on there but I checked it multiple times a day to see what was happening.

Jim I, you brought up post moderating. I wonder if some of the more active members could volunteer as moderators which could manage the forum postings and such. Most forums have such individuals. I bet Lyle could figure out how that could be set up.

Theres some serious setting up to do with this forum. I think I finally got the avatars turned on.

There are many and far more powerful features here as you'll see.

There is a link to click for new posts too, and I think I also found someone who can transfer the old posts here.

Lyle, Great job on the avatars! I have to agree with one of the posters about having a list of the latest posts in plain view when someone clicks on Forum. That way they can easily view the day's listings and see what interests them.

I like the new forum! Thanks Lyle!:cool:

Oh yeah, can I be a "Senior Member" too?

Theres some serious setting up to do with this forum. I think I finally got the avatars turned on.

There are many and far more powerful features here as you'll see.

There is a link to click for new posts too, and I think I also found someone who can transfer the old posts here.

Very good... having fun in that huge vBulletin menu tree huh? :D I hate trying to find some things in there.

Chris

But it doesn't quite feel like home. I would like to see a few less forums. That would make the place feel a little more occupied. Right now it feels kind of empty. The old forum should be shut down to spur the growth of this one.

The old forum should be shut down to spur the growth of this one.

I agree. I'm committed to this one. I really don't feel the need to go over there anymore.

I like this forum better so far. I have seen good posts there and also here, very good. There's a lot to learn and everybody's welcome.

Thanks Lyle