I keep trying to be optimistic but......

[DaveK]

Gas prices dont reduce the amount of traffic a website has. People are at home more, online presence is up ten fold on other websites i hang out on. We all know why nobody is here. Everybody knows what my problem originally was. Too bad we couldnt all stay where everything was perfect. Something happened behind the scenes that most of us will never know about. Its a sad fact. Hopefully people will come around and save this site from the bin.

- too many promises that haven't been fulfilled (website modifications, organizing, etc)

- too many decisions being made without considering the opinions of members who make this group tick
(the board should be keeping us updated on everything having to do with the group)

I gave this site a chance after adv4x4 was abandoned. So far ive seen nothing happen except people talk. We need more action, less saying "things are going to happen".

Wow!! We've been around for just a little over three months and you're ready to jump ship??? Nice.

[cruiserlarry]

Gas prices dont reduce the amount of traffic a website has. People are at home more, online presence is up ten fold on other websites i hang out on. We all know why nobody is here. Everybody knows what my problem originally was. Too bad we couldnt all stay where everything was perfect. Something happened behind the scenes that most of us will never know about. Its a sad fact. Hopefully people will come around and save this site from the bin.

- too many promises that haven't been fulfilled (website modifications, organizing, etc)

- too many decisions being made without considering the opinions of members who make this group tick
(the board should be keeping us updated on everything having to do with the group)

I gave this site a chance after adv4x4 was abandoned. So far ive seen nothing happen except people talk. We need more action, less saying "things are going to happen".

Wow. I'm stunned. I've been defending the comments and criticisms of former ADV4X4 members to other board members since the merger was first proposed, but I can't defend this type of commentary any more.

I'm a little offended by some of what you've said here. First of all, I'm not sure how active or how long you were on the other site, but I helped create ADV4X4. I can assure you, I am putting even more effort into making OAUSA an outstanding site for all who join. And there are six others on the board working as hard as I am. We have been paying attention to the folks who participate on this site, but, as you mentioned, many decided early on not to even give OAUSA a try.

While I understand the colors are different, and the layout may not be perfect (we have to work within the parameters of the software, which is different than the other site), its the people that make a site work, and most of those people just gave up without showing up - a real shame. It took over a year and a half to make the other site feel like home to most, and many who complained at the end weren't there through the growing pains. And they didn't have to coordinate the events, or help pay for the site. I don't see anyone volunteering to help work with the OAUSA board to get things rolling, or offering of time or expertise to make the transition better, or just to help make this the home you say you miss.

Maybe instead of just telling everyone what you think is wrong, you could go out and recruit members, talk to the former ADV4X4 folks, and tell them to step up and sign on, or volunteer to lend a hand with the event planning, etc.

I loved what I helped create at ADV4X4, and was sorry it didn't work out for you and me. But, come on, it was a web site, not a living organism, it was 2 years old, and it will not compare to where this site will go IF folks step up and get involved. I can speak with great authority that the board members (and we're not some corporate zombies, we're your wheeling buddies) care about those on the site, those who we would like to attract to the site, and how this site will
represent itself now and in the future.

If you feel this site is not working for you, I'm sorry. But I didn't see any constructive suggestions to help out, only complaints about what we didn't do for you. Posted any off road stories lately ? Suggested any trail runs or events we could work on ? Any trails that might be adopted by OAUSA as a group project ? Not that I could see. This site, just like ADV4X4 and all other sites, will need team work to florish. We'd like to see you stay on the team and work toward a better site, one that meets your expectations.

But you are a free agent if you want to leave...

[big dave]

Who said im jumping ship? Im just telling it like it is. Ive organized a run and met Sanderhawk. Im going to the fest this August. You want me to suggest things, well i have many times! Ive told lots of people about this site, on the trail and on other websites. I havent seen one person yet, and ive noticed people dropping off the face of the planet as of late.

My god, the layout has been a MAJOR issue since the start, and it hasnt been addressed yet! A couple of weeks ago while i was BORED, i even started my own little website just for some close friends i made on a Datsun website who id like to keep on touch with. http://lazybastards4x4.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; go look. I took care of the layout and modded the crap out of the theme and added some mods to the forum in a couple of HOURS! Its been months, and we are still waiting here on OAUSA for something aesthetically pleasing.

You guys expect to grow? I sure do. In my opinion, the portal type of page up front with all the news and stuff, needs to go. The forum needs an original look relating to 4x4 with earthy colors. Categories and forums should be condensed as to not confuse new members. "Trail reports" should not be a subforum. The list goes on and on. Take my advice and run with it, ive created a huge successful Datsun/Nissan community in the past that lasted for 5 years with a national 3 day meet once a year, and countless mini meets throughout the year. I know what it takes to build and run a community and what it takes to make it successful.

A flower cannot be planted and expected to grow without water.

[sdnative]

Perhaps you would like to volunteer changing the layout instead of citicizing it?

The board members aren't paid to maintain and help this site grow. Each and every one of them have full time+ jobs, families, and a life in general away from this website. They are doing the best they can. There are a lot of things that need to happen under the hood, sort of speak, before the body work can be done.

I have already made my opinion about the change on A4x4, but I can't do much about it. It's not under my control, so I enjoy what I have and contribute where I can.

If you see a need, rise up to fill it instead of critisizing others.

Sorry, just had to rant.

[gon2srf]

So far ive seen nothing happen except people talk.

Actually Dave, that was the reason I started the thread in the first place, people weren't talking. Now a dialog has been opened again and hopefully some new discussions will take place and more importantly some action taken as well. Dave, your loose cannon approach will get you nowhere, where as your latter post where you made several suggestions for improvements is what it's all about. When you rant regardless of your experience, the webmaster here isn't going take your criticism too well and just hand over the reigns to you.

I still find this website very sterile and not so user friendly but I know there are some incredible people involved here and in time I hope this will evolve into a better site than Adventure 4x4.net ever was.

You joined Adventure4x4.net this year Dave! It was already experiencing serious problems and it couldn't be just "stay where everything was perfect". There were lots of issues going on and the site was winding down, so please try and get over it. If you feel that strongly about it maybe you should consider contacting Ollie and see about reviving it, I think OAUSA owns the domain?

I took a look at your website and like the navigation aspect of it especially the Base Camp. If your intent on staying then be positive and humble and maybe you can work with the webmaster here and help to make this a better community for all of us.

[unwiredadventures]

A lot of people worked real hard getting this website up and running. Where is everyone, this place is a ghost town? Did the price of gas do this?

Gas prices, nope.

Summer time is usually a mix of family trips, and other family gatherings for me. Once the kids are in school and it cools down in the desert, I'll be taking at least 2 trips per month through spring.

This summer I'm busy equipping my truck!!

I'm in the middle of adding a rear bumper with tire carrier, front bumper with winch, and a 24 gallon aux tank. Some time in October I'm going on an 8 day trip and I'll need 400+ miles of range. Dual battery, skid plates, re-gearing coming next. And I'm studying to upgrade my Ham license! My daughter is working on getting her Tech. license.

[gon2srf]

A lot of people worked real hard getting this website up and running. Where is everyone, this place is a ghost town? Did the price of gas do this?

Gas prices, nope.

Summer time is usually a mix of family trips, and other family gatherings for me. Once the kids are in school and it cools down in the desert, I'll be taking at least 2 trips per month through spring.

This summer I'm busy equipping my truck!!

I'm in the middle of adding a rear bumper with tire carrier, front bumper with winch, and a 24 gallon aux tank. Some time in October I'm going on an 8 day trip and I'll need 400+ miles of range. Dual battery, skid plates, re-gearing coming next. And I'm studying to upgrade my Ham license! My daughter is working on getting her Tech. license.

Cool. So take some pics and post em' up and show us your mods!!

[E-train]

Ahhh...there is life here.

I don't see anyone volunteering to help work with the OAUSA board to get things rolling, or offering of time or expertise to make the transition better, or just to help make this the home you say you miss.

This isn't exactly accurate. There have been offers to help.

CL, don't be offended. I'm sure Big Dave's rants are mostly out of wanting this place to be cool. He's here, even if it annoys him sometimes.

I think Big Dave has points and CL does also. Patience is needed, and community, but so is action and I would agree that this site is stagnant.

I hold out hope however, and have offered my assistance. I am disappointed to see the board has not taken me up on my offer, but...

Gon2srf, way to incite some life and convos around here. This thread is (to me) the first sign of life for this site in a while. Three months "live" is short...true...but in this day and age it's a lifetime on the internet.

Things will change and get better here, I think. Perhaps the Fest and people meeting will help in a big way (cobbler bringing people together).

Cool. So take some pics and post em' up and show us your mods!!

Definitely. Don't be shy.

[big dave]

I find nothing loose cannon about me. Like i said, im telling it like it is. Ive already talked to Ollie about the old adv4x4 domain. The fact of the matter is that adv4x4 is going to be laid to rest, and that is that. Regardless of how arrogant and whiney people want to label me, im not going anywhere. Ill be here till the end.

[gon2srf]

I find nothing loose cannon about me. Like i said, im telling it like it is. Ive already talked to Ollie about the old adv4x4 domain. The fact of the matter is that adv4x4 is going to be laid to rest, and that is that. Regardless of how arrogant and whiney people want to label me, im not going anywhere. Ill be here till the end.

I'm glad you'll be staying, no labeling here. IMO loose cannon describes you better than arrogant or a whiny. Now could you summarize the changes that need to made to the site that are within the parameters of the software and start a thread on the subject?