DavidB, Autopia-the end of an era?

I was shocked to see this thread and here this news. I remember reading, perhaps 2 months ago, David B making a post about recomitting himself to his forum. In fact I believe he said that starting November 30th, his full time job would be revamping Autopia...

A forum, it's attitude, and it's direction are far more a reflection of the members then the owners, which is why at one point that was the forum to be on. I personally wish 3D car care the best in their new/old venture with Autopia. As I was reading the thread a couple of things jumped out at me.

When I with Dan on Dodo Juice USA, I was informed by the forum moderators that my affiliation with the company and the exact nature of that relationship should be know, as to maintain the integrity of my postings. This is the same reason I notified Pat300ZX when Jack and I first started hashing the plans that became this forum and stopped doing product reviews and focused my posting more on theory.

It seems to me that not letting the forum know the exact nature of the relationship is dishonest. An owner of a company who is bringing a great product to market (nothing more) and takes a non biased stance on car care is far more credible then an employee of the company pretending to still be the owner of a different company.

I was also shocked to see one of the forum vendors comment that he had no idea that ownership had changed. It seems wrong, from a business sense, for this vendor to pay money to a competitor in the retail detailing market, with out the knowledge they are doing so. Imagine if Apple/MAC was paying money to sponsor a forum, only to find out that 8 months ago it had been secretly sold to Microsoft...

In the end, I think instead of this being an end of an era, it is hopefully just the beginning a well deserved great one.
 
I find people's reactions to the sale of Autopia pretty humorous. Considering it was sold back in May and no one ever knew about it until recently the changes on the forum have been pretty insignificant. If nobody said anything then nobody would have known and things would have gone on as they have. People comments rival the world coming to an end. Honestly I feel these people need to get a life.

I honestly think that people should take a deep breathe and relax before making rash decisions about the Autopia forum's direction. The new owners have already revamped the forum rules to allow a greater discussion of non sponsored products. If after seeing these changes you are not happy with the direction with Autopia then there are certainly several other detailing forums.
 
I still visit Autopia occaisionally, but I don't post anymore. I haven't seen many changes in the past few months, but I will say that the moderation is pretty "loose". The same old names, still trash talking, using sarcasm and making personal attacks. It's seems there is much more negativity and less useful information. There's always the fear that something you say or a question that's asked will become the target of one of the "post snipers". That's why I'm not on Autopia anymore.......
 
Pats300zx said:
I find people's reactions to the sale of Autopia pretty humorous. Considering it was sold back in May and no one ever knew about it until recently the changes on the forum have been pretty insignificant. If nobody said anything then nobody would have known and things would have gone on as they have. People comments rival the world coming to an end. Honestly I feel these people need to get a life.

I honestly think that people should take a deep breathe and relax before making rash decisions about the Autopia forum's direction. The new owners have already revamped the forum rules to allow a greater discussion of non sponsored products. If after seeing these changes you are not happy with the direction with Autopia then there are certainly several other detailing forums.
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This was a thread started to discuss the happenings at autopia and where people think the site is heading. The title even states "autopia - the end of an era?" in it. This has nothing to do with the world ending, but a lot to do with wondering what is to become of what has been the largest and most popular US based detailing site. Noone is deciding what direction autopia will go, rather people are discussing where they think it is heading. No need to tell us there are other detailing sites either; we're all on here as well as others. People know their options and overall I think most people here would like to see autopia do well and continue to be a place where there are good discussions taking place.
 
Pats300zx said:
I find people's reactions to the sale of Autopia pretty humorous. Considering it was sold back in May and no one ever knew about it until recently the changes on the forum have been pretty insignificant. If nobody said anything then nobody would have known and things would have gone on as they have. People comments rival the world coming to an end. Honestly I feel these people need to get a life.

I honestly think that people should take a deep breathe and relax before making rash decisions about the Autopia forum's direction. The new owners have already revamped the forum rules to allow a greater discussion of non sponsored products. If after seeing these changes you are not happy with the direction with Autopia then there are certainly several other detailing forums.
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While I honestly haven't read all the posts, I rarely visit autopia unless I am emailed a link, I don't think people are mad that the former owner is gone. In fact there seems to be some relief and hope that the forum can get back on track. It seems to be have done in a very dishonest way, I think people have a right to be mad.


 
This was a thread started to discuss the happenings at autopia and where people think the site is heading.
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Correct. That is exactly why I posted what I did. To inform members what the intentions of the newly acquired owners plans to be.
 
Pats300zx said:
Correct. That is exactly why I posted what I did. To inform members what the intentions of the newly acquired owners plans to be.
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Pat, did you know back in May the forum had been sold to 3D? Did Bynon tell the mods what his transition plans were, and how they affected the membership, sponsors, and mods?
 
To me, there are really only 2 detailing forums worth visiting - TID and Autopia (for the drama LOL) every other forum just seems like a bunch of the sponsors' fan boys or either pretty dry and dull. Maybe I have too much other stuff going on now, or maybe it's the crappy weather, but detailing just doesn't seem to be on my mind now anyway.

JB
 
Junebug said:
To me, there are really only 2 detailing forums worth visiting - TID and Autopia (for the drama LOL) every other forum just seems like a bunch of the sponsors' fan boys or either pretty dry and dull. Maybe I have too much other stuff going on now, or maybe it's the crappy weather, but detailing just doesn't seem to be on my mind now anyway.

JB
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I see it the same way. There are some brainwashed followers of certain retailers/forums. Of course, if they don't cheer lead for that specific retailer, then they become unwelcome.

I am amused how some will rate a product superior, yet when I use it, it's less than mediocre. The sphere of influence runs strong on some forums that sell product.
 
Blackfire said:
I am amused how some will rate a product superior, yet when I use it, it's less than mediocre. The sphere of influence runs strong on some forums that sell product.
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I would expect that. You will not see a lot of people who dislike Meguiars hanging around MOL posting negative comments about the products...well maybe one or two but they disappear. People who like common products usually congregate with similar people.

You see very enthusiastic people who come across with maybe a lot exuberance top because they like the products and/or believe in the company so they evangelize about it.
 
DavidB....Autopia...I wish them the best. Actually, I could care less :yawn:

What's got my drawers in a bunch is that a member on another forum drug my name into a similar thread on another site.He is claming I keep joining there site using a different name. This is absolutely Not True Someone needs to check there IP's, the ppl there claming I was/am were both yankees :devil:
 
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