So, what can we do to revitalize this forum?

[jbrewer]

Hello All,

I've been a big fan of CC's for some years and really enjoyed this forum about 5 yrs ago. There was a ton of activity and lots of friendships made. I met several nice folks FTF as a result of being here and learned a lot.

Upon returning, the forum is a relative ghost town. Without discussing the why's, let's brainstorm how to revitalize it.

My thoughts to kick it off:

1) Be friendly, patient and supportive to all.

2) Realize few who may post here looking for help are small engine mechanics.

3) Welcome newcomers

4) Post pictures. Lots of pictures.

5) Share your experiences...good and bad.


That's my start, what say you? I don't always do these things, but I think they're good beginning steps.


John

[ol'George]

Give it time, tis the slow season.
All too soon there will be broken blowers an worn out rubber baby buggy bumpers.
follered by rumblin' wadder pump berrins' in hay-bans.
Happens every year, sure as sleigh bells ring in Amish country.

[zippy1]

Yup, the slow season it is...
There is another forum I frequent, (off topic) and they are asking about the same. Most think that "faceplant" is drawing away from forums. Could be something to it, cause from what I hear, that's where the "experts" on everything hang out.

[johncub7172]

"Faceplant" will never come close to what is here at OCC! Though, I was thinking how we as enthusiasts would help the younger generation of enthusiasts, promoting and encouraging. Also, I think through out the years, there have been some pretty good "how to's" documented, and that we ought to take another look at them and bolster up our Tips section, as I feel it's getting out-dated. I know how ever simple they maybe, they would count and make a polished impression on new members. I have a narrow frame front axle squeeze thread I thought was decent, but fell short of Glory Land, lol!

[zippy1]

Originally Posted by johncub7172

"Faceplant" will never come close to what is here at OCC! Though, I was thinking how we as enthusiasts would help the younger generation of enthusiasts, promoting and encouraging. Also, I think through out the years, there have been some pretty good "how to's" documented, and that we ought to take another look at them and bolster up our Tips section, as I feel it's getting out-dated. I know how ever simple they maybe, they would count and make a polished impression on new members. I have a narrow frame front axle squeeze thread I thought was decent, but fell short of Glory Land, lol!

"Will never come close", but as anything else. Things change. I for one don't use faceplant, but from what I read, it's "full" of know it alls, and sheep, that follow along.

[johncub7172]

Originally Posted by zippy1

"Will never come close", but as anything else. Things change. I for one don't use faceplant, but from what I read, it's "full" of know it alls, and sheep, that follow along.

Well, I've been around these IH Cub Cadets since I was around 11-12 years of age. My first was a Original with all the bells and whistles. I never gave up on these awesome garden tractors through out the years. The best thing I done was give up on that race car and super truck stuff and stick with these tractors.

But I will tell you I'm no expert! While things change, change is not for everybody. I enjoy the group here, and the variety of how enthusiasts care and maintain their tractors. I've handed over hundreds and hundreds of dollars to folks here because of the trust and loyalty I find here. No need for faceplant ever, for anything in my life and that's fine with me! You have to draw hard lines in life, and stand for good things. This is where and why I like being around OCC

[Terry C]

Originally Posted by johncub7172

"Faceplant" will never come close to what is here at OCC! Though, I was thinking how we as enthusiasts would help the younger generation of enthusiasts, promoting and encouraging. Also, I think through out the years, there have been some pretty good "how to's" documented, and that we ought to take another look at them and bolster up our Tips section, as I feel it's getting out-dated. I know how ever simple they maybe, they would count and make a polished impression on new members. I have a narrow frame front axle squeeze thread I thought was decent, but fell short of Glory Land, lol!

You have a pretty good idea there. Not so much about the outdated thing ( they are 50yr old tractors you know ) but a way to draw the attention to the tips better. Seems like people ask questions before doing any research. That might just be laziness. IDK.

[jbrewer]

Good discussion!

I agree that a lot of the questions are repeats. It's the nature of the forum topic that folks are going to ask about the same things, and let's face it, people can be lazy (me included).

I work with databases, which this forum is a type of . In order to make searches effective, there's gotta be "metadata"--- which is a fancy term to indicate "what search topics or summary words are best associated with this information" as targets for searches. That's over the top for a forum, but it's helpful to remember when describing a topic to stash some keywords in there that people might be searching for .

Another idea (I'm just thinking out loud). When folks ask the same question, let's point them (with a link?) to the answer if it exists in the "how to " section. Maybe if that's done enough times this will help, rather than just saying "go search for it".

I was interested in wheel size for a 123 recently. I did try searching but came up with no pertinent info, and a lot of extraneous noise. Again, keywords would have helped this, but it's a lot to ask whenever we post, I know.

Just some more ideas....

I'm not a facebook fan either, but there's reasons people go there. If we want to have/keep this forum an active dynamic one, we'll need to make it so.

[john hall]

Originally Posted by jbrewer

Hello All,

I've been a big fan of CC's for some years and really enjoyed this forum about 5 yrs ago. There was a ton of activity and lots of friendships made. I met several nice folks FTF as a result of being here and learned a lot.

Upon returning, the forum is a relative ghost town. Without discussing the why's, let's brainstorm how to revitalize it.

My thoughts to kick it off:

1) Be friendly, patient and supportive to all.

2) Realize few who may post here looking for help are small engine mechanics.

3) Welcome newcomers

4) Post pictures. Lots of pictures.

5) Share your experiences...good and bad.


That's my start, what say you? I don't always do these things, but I think they're good beginning steps.


John

Very good guidelines for sure!
Like others, I think it really is the slow season, for about 2 more weeks. I've got 2 Cadets in the middle of the shop now that I haven't touched in 2 weeks. One is a 782, the other is a 124. Too much else going on with Christmas upon us to worry with them right now. Heck, I have a small fortune in parts sitting here for my 2284 that need to be put on.
Other than these, no real plans for extensive Cadet work this winter. But I do have some older farm tractors that need TLC--some of them are red.

[Vrobert]

I would ask the senior members to re-open old threads started by new members to inquire whether or not they are happy with their cubs and if any repair issue they were having had been resolved.

Water new grass or it will die. Easy on the fertilizer