I remember a time

[Last Mohecian]

when there was talk about a phone list to make sure everyone knew where the local group was going for Wednesday dinner and Sat/Sun at the lake.  Now there is a private FB group that one can only assume is for the TLA to hide from any of the new guys in town.  Add to that the fact that THB facebook is closed membership it is a wonder anyone new in town has any idea there is a performance boat community here.  My how times have changed.  :smile29:

 

[overbored]

Times have changed. I am still social with some of the Wednesday night group and others not so much. I rarely have the time to sit at the ramp these days and hang out anyway. With any luck I might stop by and visit with them one evening soon.

 

[jimsplace]

when there was talk about a phone list to make sure everyone knew where the local group was going for Wednesday dinner and Sat/Sun at the lake.  Now there is a private FB group that one can only assume is for the TLA to hide from any of the new guys in town.  Add to that the fact that THB facebook is closed membership it is a wonder anyone new in town has any idea there is a performance boat community here.  My how times have changed.  :smile29:

I feel your point is well taken.  I used to really enjoy everyones comments and the sharing of information, but things have really changed.
Even though I visit this site often, there doesn't seem to be much activity, or at least not like there was.
This site is well laid out with good topics to choose from, I don't understand why it isn't being utilized more. 

There have been events that I and others have missed because we never heard there was going to be one.
Personally I don't do Facebook, nor do I have time to visit every social media site out there, so why did so many stop participating here? 
In other words, I don't know what others are doing and I'm not seeking to post to every other social media site out there what those I know are doing either.  It's a lose, lose situation.

Matt is correct in that new members sign on here and stop coming because they aren't learning there are a number of boaters getting together.  Almost nothing is providing information regarding gatherings.
What a great way to kill a sport, don't tell anyone things are happening.
    :smile17: 

 

[soldier of fortune]

Times change,get a Facebook account,it isn't that hard,you figured out how to get here.

 

[73 Sanger Flat]

The site has really slowed down lately . I am on Facebook and it is too hard to try and keep up with events over there . It moves down and off the grid way to fast .. I think this site will pick back up come Spring .. I know I have not been on here a lot . I been working on my boat trying to get it ready for Spring .The engine is in and now working on all new cavitation hardware , new steering wheel and a few more things to make it ready for the SDBA race this year  . Hopefully soon we will be at the River or Lake enjoy our boats and friendships ..

 

[Last Mohecian]

Times change,get a Facebook account,it isn't that hard,you figured out how to get here.

Typical Randall.  Why don't you go back and read.  I have a facebook account.  The local guys have a private FB page that they communicate with.  It is not a members only page like THB but a private page that probably even you, the master of the hot boat world, don't know about.  If a new guy in town can't get info on the local community by searching the interweb, how is he suppose to find out about it?  The way it is now you must know enough about the area already to know where to look.  As little as 3 years ago it was not that way.  A guy moving could find info about the local hot boat community by searching google and landing here.  Hell I had to just about beg James Huff to come to Lavon.  He was in love with Hubbard.  It took several weeks of communication through THB, text  & phone, to get him over Lavon to hang out with other jet boat peeps.  If he were to move into this area now, he most likely would never have gotten into the hobby.  He would have spent his time at Hubbard and eventually moved into a wakeboard boat.  Just my .02  And I am entitled to it.  :smile30:

 

[Carnivalride]

The site has really slowed down lately . I am on Facebook and it is too hard to try and keep up with events over there . It moves down and off the grid way to fast .. I think this site will pick back up come Spring .. I know I have not been on here a lot . I been working on my boat trying to get it ready for Spring .The engine is in and now working on all new cavitation hardware , new steering wheel and a few more things to make it ready for the SDBA race this year  . Hopefully soon we will be at the River or Lake enjoy our boats and friendships ..

I think it'll pick up in the spring too. I agree FB can be a PITA looking for events though. For that matter FB can be a PITA with all the drama, I'm not on it much and still surf boat sites for boating info.

BTW, how much head start are you giving me Billy since you have that new 601 cubic inch monster? lol  think.gif

 

[duanehydro]

think.gif I'm going to work Saturday just to run a damn ethernet cable 100' to my bench. I am tried of not having internet at work. (i'm home at lunch now) The only sites I can see are (for some reason) facebook, and youtube. I am running off the wireless Chrysler tech network. After Saturday, I'll have full access.... :evil:
And yes, this is a covert operation.... :smile16:
As for the site, yes it's been too damn quiet in here. Coleto is full... :grin:

 

[Crusader]

A closed Facebook page doesn't mean that it's not available to the masses. A closed page means that a new member requires admin approval in order to be a part of the group. On FB, there are literally dozens of fake accounts of folks who are trying to access THB so being able to approve or deny accounts is a useful tool to keep out spammers. Also a closed page only allows members to see what other members are writing and not publicized to the whole world. I belong to dozens of boating groups that are Closed so it's nothing new or out of the ordinary for THB FB to be doing the same thing. Also, I'm not going to change the privacy of the THB FB page....end of discussion....we are getting many membership requests so it's easy for anyone to discover. 

Granted, FB may not be the most favorable source to research information but it seems that most people are trending towards the social media to "socialize". Besides, isn't socializing what most of us who use THB main site do anyway? Ya, there are many great build threads on this site....but it's mostly used to BS.....just like on the FB page.

I like the main site too....... but as times change, so do the trends and way folks like to communicate. Eventually there will be another communication avenue and FB will be considered obsolete like so many websites are becoming.

As for the secret FB page....ya, there's a page. But guys are mostly talking about engines and who's boat is fastest. Most of the time our gals are on their own page coordinating events for us....and let us know what's going on after the details have been worked out. As always, to find out whats going on, just pick up the phone or show up.....we still meet at Collin on Wednesdays and still meet out on the lake on Sundays.... 

 

[Last Mohecian]

A closed Facebook page doesn't mean that it's not available to the masses. A closed page means that a new member requires admin approval in order to be a part of the group. On FB, there are literally dozens of fake accounts of folks who are trying to access THB so being able to approve or deny accounts is a useful tool to keep out spammers. Also a closed page only allows members to see what other members are writing and not publicized to the whole world. I belong to dozens of boating groups that are Closed so it's nothing new or out of the ordinary for THB FB to be doing the same thing. Also, I'm not going to change the privacy of the THB FB page....end of discussion....we are getting many membership requests so it's easy for anyone to discover. 

Granted, FB may not be the most favorable source to research information but it seems that most people are trending towards the social media to "socialize". Besides, isn't socializing what most of us who use THB main site do anyway? Ya, there are many great build threads on this site....but it's mostly used to BS.....just like on the FB page.

I like the main site too....... but as times change, so do the trends and way folks like to communicate. Eventually there will be another communication avenue and FB will be considered obsolete like so many websites are becoming.

As for the secret FB page....ya, there's a page. But guys are mostly talking about engines and who's boat is fastest. Most of the time our gals are on their own page coordinating events for us....and let us know what's going on after the details have been worked out. As always, to find out whats going on, just pick up the phone or show up.....we still meet at Collin on Wednesdays and still meet out on the lake on Sundays....

For the most part you are missing the point.  Phone calls are a two way street.  You guys have not been at Collin every Wed & Sun.  Many pics of the TLA hanging out at BWW, Chad's house, Ken's house etc etc etc... prove what you said incorrect.  As for FB, You can see posts here with out being a member.  Not so on FB.  I am not sure why you think I am asking you to change anything on FB.  You make it sound like I am directly coming after you and your management of the FB page.  Get over yourself.  That was never the point.

My original post was merely stating the obvious.  That being,  what was once an open arms community that invited new guys in with open arms and actually tried to promote the hobby to new people by any means possible, has become very closed off and clickish.  There was a time when a new guy in town could search and end up here.  He could read posts and know where to find the local hot boat guys.  Without being a member of anything he could know where people were going to be.  He could show up and introduce himself without having to jump through any hoops.  Those days are gone.

Once again, It is my opinion and I am entitled to it.  I am not asking anyone to prove me wrong or agree with me.  I am not asking anyone to change anything on FB.

 

[Last Mohecian]

Before this gets too far out of hand, I am not talking about my relationship with the Lavon guys.  I know that damage is done.  I know it was a two way street.  There are things that were said on both sides that can never be forgiven.  I am just making an observation based on a new guy in town that I have communicated with on another board.  It is sad how different it is now.  That is all.

Anyway, Said what I wanted to say.  Peace Out. 

 

[Devilman]

Irony... this thread has it... :grin: Funny how this topic comes up every now & then. That said, it's been said in the past that a lot of the FB crowd didn't like using the main site because it was outdated to the point of not being user friendly with all the new gadgets people are using now. Seems there were offers made by one or two of the more web-savvy members to update the site to a better(?) format, but no response was ever made in that regard. Don't really think its a forum board issue(unless outdated like this one) because RDP (a VBulletin format I believe) has TONS of traffic & the majority of people there are posting from phones, tablets, etc... People are gonna go where they like, no way around it & although it does take away from the community I guess you'd call it, there's no stopping it. I dunno, to me FB has a HEYLAM vibe to it that is over the top, gets annoying to me... but hey, to each their own.

Matt's not off-base with his comments taken in a general manner I don't think. Some folks may not like it or may take offense, but I see no problem with stating the obvious. :wink:

And its "cliquish" by the way... :grin:

 

[Last Mohecian]

And its "cliquish" by the way... :grin:

LOL.  Thanks D.  :beers:

 

[Devilman]

No worries. :wink: Beers sounds good, I believe I will partake. :grin:

 

[jimsplace]

Times change,get a Facebook account,it isn't that hard,you figured out how to get here.

Why should I go to Facebook when this site is already here?  All I need is another place to sign into to see whats going on.
I already waste way more time looking at different locations than I should.

Since I don't do Facebook, how many Facebook locations are out there, and do you spend a lot of time searching who has created the newest one each day?
I know a number of individuals that seem to have created their own site, and each think they have created some kind of cure-all from all the others.
Of course every time they post on their own site they seem to have a need to reference everyone on this site or another site to go look. 
I fail to see the logic.

Each of us have a choice, but I see you still look here too, which is good.  But doesn't it seem a shame we would have to look at a bunch of different locations?

    :smile17: 

 

[blazeracer]

when there was talk about a phone list to make sure everyone knew where the local group was going for Wednesday dinner and Sat/Sun at the lake.  Now there is a private FB group that one can only assume is for the TLA to hide from any of the new guys in town. Add to that the fact that THB facebook is closed membership it is a wonder anyone new in town has any idea there is a performance boat community here.  My how times have changed.  :smile29:

That's a 100% innacurate statement. Fact is that just about everyone is now on Facebook. Ken Sr, EO, Garry Snow, hell, even Bill Davis uses Facebook now. Just like this very site, someone has to be approved to be on the THB Facebook page. But just like this very site, it IS searchable. Now, the reason there is a private FB page for the Lavon/Tawakoni group is because there is sooo much traffic on the THB main page, any post there gets lost within a couple of hour. We talk about engines, boat upgrades, meeting up, whatever, the same like the North section here. The ladies have one for them too, which is a BIG upgrade from this site. The ladies were never on this one at all. It's not that we are hiding, it's that the main Texas Hot Boats Facebook probably has 20 times the traffic this site has ever had and a post there can and will get lost in a hurry.

Me personally, I love this site for documenting what I'm doing to my boat, but hardly no one comes here anymore. Facebook is smartphone freindly and this site, well, not so much. Yeah, we have a page but it's NOT to hide from anyone. It's the way it is to keep down the clutter that's not relevant to the Lavon, Tawakoni, Hubbard area. Anyone who has a FB page with their name on it and comes to the lake with us welcome to join. It's not for internet jockeys that never come to the lake. I mean really, if someone does't come to the lake, why would they want to be on the page?

People can very easily find the Lavon group on Facebook. The private page is for anyone who wants to come to the lake with us, and not for people who just talk about it. We picked up three new peeps last summer who come out a lot and have never been on this site and it looks like we'll be gaining two more real soon. A guy named Stuart in Allen with a blown v-drive and another guy in Richardson that has a procharged LS1 in a TX-19. Stuart had his flattie out last Sunday and that boat is FAST! Musta run way over 110. George rode in it.

The technology is what it is. We don't go around telling people to join Facebook, they are already on it. Facebook is a worldwide social communication beast. Just took a look, probably has been 25-30 posts just this morning on the THB FB page. Just saying that's where the people are. THB is a closed group, but not hidden. It's searchable and now has 2,771 members. If someone has a hot boat and wants to come to Lavon, Tawakoni, or Ray Hubbard, we'll find them JUST LIKE when you found me Matt. Once they display interest that they want to come to the lake and be part of our group, they are in.  It's that easy. I will guarantee that there are TONS of groups out there with private pages. It's the only way to keep the advertisers, shit talkers and riff raff out. We don't exclude no one, just come to the lake.

Anyway, that's my take on it. We're not hiding, a private group is the proper and effective way to utilize Facebook without getting undesireable results. FB is open to the entire world, so it's chock full of spammers, advertisers, phishing, trojans, all kinds of bad stuff.

 

[blazeracer]

While I was typing this up, there were 6 more posts on FB. I don't tell people to go there, they just are. I personally have promoted this site on the THB FB page with zero results.

 

[Crusader]

Thanks James. You nailed it......

 

[TintMan]

Yeah...it seems the  "secret group"want t be kings of their little world...which is coool with me...my ego has been in check for awhile now...lol..But all you secret guys were added to the Ouaws page without discrimination...Lmao.

 

[Last Mohecian]

when there was talk about a phone list to make sure everyone knew where the local group was going for Wednesday dinner and Sat/Sun at the lake.  Now there is a private FB group that one can only assume is for the TLA to hide from any of the new guys in town. Add to that the fact that THB facebook is closed membership it is a wonder anyone new in town has any idea there is a performance boat community here.  My how times have changed.  :smile29:

That's a 100% innacurate statement. Fact is that just about everyone is now on Facebook. Ken Sr, EO, Garry Snow, hell, even Bill Davis uses Facebook now. Just like this very site, someone has to be approved to be on the THB Facebook page. But just like this very site, it IS searchable. Now, the reason there is a private FB page for the Lavon/Tawakoni group is because there is sooo much traffic on the THB main page, any post there gets lost within a couple of hour. We talk about engines, boat upgrades, meeting up, whatever, the same like the North section here. The ladies have one for them too, which is a BIG upgrade from this site. The ladies were never on this one at all. It's not that we are hiding, it's that the main Texas Hot Boats Facebook probably has 20 times the traffic this site has ever had and a post there can and will get lost in a hurry.

Me personally, I love this site for documenting what I'm doing to my boat, but hardly no one comes here anymore. Facebook is smartphone freindly and this site, well, not so much. Yeah, we have a page but it's NOT to hide from anyone. It's the way it is to keep down the clutter that's not relevant to the Lavon, Tawakoni, Hubbard area. Anyone who has a FB page with their name on it and comes to the lake with us welcome to join. It's not for internet jockeys that never come to the lake. I mean really, if someone does't come to the lake, why would they want to be on the page?

People can very easily find the Lavon group on Facebook. The private page is for anyone who wants to come to the lake with us, and not for people who just talk about it. We picked up three new peeps last summer who come out a lot and have never been on this site and it looks like we'll be gaining two more real soon. A guy named Stuart in Allen with a blown v-drive and another guy in Richardson that has a procharged LS1 in a TX-19. Stuart had his flattie out last Sunday and that boat is FAST! Musta run way over 110. George rode in it.

The technology is what it is. We don't go around telling people to join Facebook, they are already on it. Facebook is a worldwide social communication beast. Just took a look, probably has been 25-30 posts just this morning on the THB FB page. Just saying that's where the people are. THB is a closed group, but not hidden. It's searchable and now has 2,771 members. If someone has a hot boat and wants to come to Lavon, Tawakoni, or Ray Hubbard, we'll find them JUST LIKE when you found me Matt. Once they display interest that they want to come to the lake and be part of our group, they are in.  It's that easy. I will guarantee that there are TONS of groups out there with private pages. It's the only way to keep the advertisers, s*** talkers and riff raff out. We don't exclude no one, just come to the lake.

Anyway, that's my take on it. We're not hiding, a private group is the proper and effective way to utilize Facebook without getting undesireable results. FB is open to the entire world, so it's chock full of spammers, advertisers, phishing, trojans, all kinds of bad stuff.

There is a bit of a flaw in your plan here.  If it is a hidden group. How can a new guy in town find you at the lake?  If you have to hang out "at the lake" to get invited into the group, and you don't know where that is, how do you get included?  I just about guarantee you if it was handled this way when you joined the hobby, you would not have found the guys at Lavon.  You would have had to stumble upon them "At the lake" to get invited to the group.  Without being invited into the group you would not know where they were hanging out.  Without hanging out you would not get invited to the group.  You were dead set on staying at Hubbard.  They avoided Hubbard like the plague.  I only use you as an example.  Not saying the private group is a bad thing.  Just saying it has become damn near impossible for a new guy in the area to find the hot boat community with that being the only method of communication.

Look, I don't have an answer, I am just saying there is a bad side to the way it is handled now.  That bad side being it is hard to find out when and where the local HB community is gathering these days.  It's that simple.