Older threads - location?

[durnfordandy]

Exploring the site for info to help me with my restore and keep finding references to old threads where really useful info may be located but all threads on this site seem relatively recent and I can't find the older ones. Were these on the old MSN site I have seen mentioned and are they still accessible?

Thanks

Andy

[durnfordandy]

Also there is mention of some really useful manuals etc in the pictures section, but can't find them either...

[Brian M]

Andy

It has been a long time since I explained the background to the board and new members might not be aware.

The "Classic Safari Caravans Enthusiasts" group was started in 2003 on MSN and by 2008 had 250 members and over 2000 posts. Microsoft then gave board owners two months notice that the whole MSN would be closed and deleted.

The technical information was too valuable to lose and so in October 2008, I spent many long evenings reading every MSN post and deciding which to keep.

Those which were items for sale, welcomes to new members, details of meetings etc were dropped. I realised that we had covered the same questions several times and so came up with a copy and paste method that showed the original contributor and the date, but which grouped the threads into one subject.

This created about 300 new threads, all of which have me as the post starter.

A good example of this methodology is this post on leaky taps

www.classicsafaris.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=tech&action=display&thread=55

You will see that the original threads cover several years but every mention of this subject on the old board is in the new thread.

With regard to pictures of manuals, the photos held in the threads on MSN could not be copied. I think I have the originals of these pictures, but it will take me a day or two to post them.

[durnfordandy]

Brilliant, thanks Brian. Your efforts are much appreciated.

Andy