DETAILKING
New member
Hey Guys!
When I read this thread......
http://www.autopia.org/forum/problem-posts/126455-more-moderators-2.html#post1346252
......I felt it was time for me to reintroduce myself to the many new members that probably don't know who I am.
Besides being a moderator, I have been part of this forum from pretty much the beginning. I was the 9th registered member, and was a very avid poster and participant during what I will call "the learning years."
Let's take a step back in time.......
Back around 2000-2001, the popularity of message forums such as Autopia brought together many experienced detailers and chemical (product) manufacturers. The mass population of car care enthusiasts no longer cared what product was the best, but wanted to know the science behind what made quality products work well, and what made crappy products....well....crap.
Many of the posts back then consisted of detailed side by side product testing, contributions of knowledge, and healthy (ok....sometimes not so healthy!) debates. As a result, A LOT of information and knowledge was gained. Some of the many contributers I remember from those days were: CarGuy, Puterbum, RonK, Michael H, Intermezzo, Brad B, YoSteve, GeekySteve, BretFraz, Blkz28cont, Pat, Accumulator,Jngrbrdman, Tort, Redcarguy, Forrest, Scottwax, BW, and even Sal Zaino. I probably am missing a few, so my apologies.
A few years later, the small newbie population we had quickly became very knowledgeable. As the forum grew, the members were doing such a great job guiding newbies, that moderator participation had lessened. Our main focus, along with management, was to police the forum, and help identify improvements and implement them. The forum structure has changed greatly over the years.
Shortly after that, was what I will call the "product boom years." It seemed with all this newfound knowledge, everyone and their brothers were manufacturing, distributing, or selling waxes, sealants, and other car care products. The number of new products that emerged over the next 3-5 or so years was overwhelming. Some of these products didn't live up to their hype and have since been discontinued (or reformulated into another product-line). Many of them, however, are still being sold today.
There were so many (mom/pop) products being released, it was difficult for people to perform proper in-depth testing. Some of these products proved to be a total waste of time and money (and that's an understatement). Around this time, the internet spam and shilling also started, and policing it was a major hurdle at first. Because of these factors, many of the original forum members lost interest in the hobby and moved on to other things.
I have always had a passion for cars and car-care, and have continued to follow the industry. However, I have not participated in many detailing discussions on this forum in some time, and Setec's thread above raises some valid points regarding moderator interaction.
And at a great time for me too.... I recently got married and moved into a new house. I have an unfinished 2 car garage that needs drastic attention! It has poor lighting, spackled sheet rock and concrete walls, and a bare concrete floor. I see a lot of work head for me in that area.
Also, I recently sold my beloved 2005 330i ZHP. I purchased a CPO 2007 328xi sedan with 15K miles as a replacement and my wife is driving the X3. I am looking forward to getting this car into tip-top shape once the warmer weather arrives here in NJ.
Well that's it for now. See you all on the board
DK
ps....forgot to add a picture of my new wheels
When I read this thread......
http://www.autopia.org/forum/problem-posts/126455-more-moderators-2.html#post1346252
......I felt it was time for me to reintroduce myself to the many new members that probably don't know who I am.
Besides being a moderator, I have been part of this forum from pretty much the beginning. I was the 9th registered member, and was a very avid poster and participant during what I will call "the learning years."
Let's take a step back in time.......
Back around 2000-2001, the popularity of message forums such as Autopia brought together many experienced detailers and chemical (product) manufacturers. The mass population of car care enthusiasts no longer cared what product was the best, but wanted to know the science behind what made quality products work well, and what made crappy products....well....crap.
Many of the posts back then consisted of detailed side by side product testing, contributions of knowledge, and healthy (ok....sometimes not so healthy!) debates. As a result, A LOT of information and knowledge was gained. Some of the many contributers I remember from those days were: CarGuy, Puterbum, RonK, Michael H, Intermezzo, Brad B, YoSteve, GeekySteve, BretFraz, Blkz28cont, Pat, Accumulator,Jngrbrdman, Tort, Redcarguy, Forrest, Scottwax, BW, and even Sal Zaino. I probably am missing a few, so my apologies.
A few years later, the small newbie population we had quickly became very knowledgeable. As the forum grew, the members were doing such a great job guiding newbies, that moderator participation had lessened. Our main focus, along with management, was to police the forum, and help identify improvements and implement them. The forum structure has changed greatly over the years.
Shortly after that, was what I will call the "product boom years." It seemed with all this newfound knowledge, everyone and their brothers were manufacturing, distributing, or selling waxes, sealants, and other car care products. The number of new products that emerged over the next 3-5 or so years was overwhelming. Some of these products didn't live up to their hype and have since been discontinued (or reformulated into another product-line). Many of them, however, are still being sold today.
There were so many (mom/pop) products being released, it was difficult for people to perform proper in-depth testing. Some of these products proved to be a total waste of time and money (and that's an understatement). Around this time, the internet spam and shilling also started, and policing it was a major hurdle at first. Because of these factors, many of the original forum members lost interest in the hobby and moved on to other things.
I have always had a passion for cars and car-care, and have continued to follow the industry. However, I have not participated in many detailing discussions on this forum in some time, and Setec's thread above raises some valid points regarding moderator interaction.
And at a great time for me too.... I recently got married and moved into a new house. I have an unfinished 2 car garage that needs drastic attention! It has poor lighting, spackled sheet rock and concrete walls, and a bare concrete floor. I see a lot of work head for me in that area.
Also, I recently sold my beloved 2005 330i ZHP. I purchased a CPO 2007 328xi sedan with 15K miles as a replacement and my wife is driving the X3. I am looking forward to getting this car into tip-top shape once the warmer weather arrives here in NJ.
Well that's it for now. See you all on the board
DK
ps....forgot to add a picture of my new wheels
:wavey