Post by Brian M on Apr 16, 2013 14:34:21 GMT
CLASSIC SAFARI CARAVAN GROUP
It has been sometime since I sent a message to all Group Members but there are a few important things happening that I want everyone to know about.
I am sending this email to all Forum members and Facebook Group members through their member email systems, and also direct through my email service as this is the only way for me to find “dead” email addresses. So I apologise if you receive it three times. If you want to be removed, or change your contact address, please email me at Brian@Classicsafaris.co.uk
The last 18 months have seen an explosion in the interest for Safari caravans, membership of the forum is now almost 400, and 125 on the Facebook Group. There are more and more Safaris appearing on ebay for sale, with some astonishing prices being achieved for real projects that would have been destined for the scrapman a few years ago.
I am naturally delighted that we continue to increase the members of both groups, but am still disappointed at the number of you who have never contributed to any topic. With so many new members embarking on major restorations of their Safari, some of whom have never seen another Safari, why not post a note about yourselves and include your location as you may be a neighbour to a fellow member and would benefit from having someone you could meet up with in your locality.
PROBOARDS FORUM
There is a new version of the forum that we will transfer to during April, all posts and photographs are safe and will be moved. In addition to a better look to the forum, the new version allows direct uploading of photographs without having to first host them on a photosharing service. There is also a better speedy search facility. "Like" buttons in posts, easier to set up notifications, an avatar maker, a built-in shoutbox, and so much more. There are two Mobile Apps— Android or iPhone; now members can stay connected when they're on-the-go. I will be changing some of the sections and adding new ones to make the layout more user-friendly and welcome suggestions for other improvements.
It would also be a great help to other members if you entered your location on your profile. You don't have to put the town in, the county will be sufficient, but it will tell you that there are other members in your area who may be able to help you.
FACEBOOK
The Facebook group was really envisaged as a more social meeting place for stories about travel in your Safari, other interests you may use your Safari to visit etc. as well as enabling members to get to know one another outside their Safari interests. It seems to me that for a limited number of members it has become a place for technical questions and answers, stories and photos of restorations and for seeking spares. My problem with this is the way in which all posts are displayed in a linear fashion and posts drop off the front page within a week when the group is busy. No indexing is possible and so valuable contributions which would be of benefit to other owners are lost.
But I am not going to stop those who want to post on Facebook, but I would ask that if you are posting what might be considered important information that you take a couple of minutes to also post it on the forum. I will move it to the correct section of the forum if necessary.
I am going to save all important photographs posted on Facebook to the Picasa Albums in albums for individual restorations, or in the yearly albums. I cannot give acknowledgement for each photo so if you DO NOT want me to use your Facebook photos you must let me know, otherwise I will assume you have given your consent.
PICASA ALBUMS
Following the changes at Webshots, I had to move the photo albums to picasaweb.google.com/115857090061704417276 . I have asked before but repeat my request that you check the album for the year of your Safari and if you find yours please let me know the reference number of the photograph. I know that many ebay sales result in a new members and I put the ebay pictures into the albums but cannot cross-reference the photos to the new owner.
THREE EVENTS IN 2013 FOR CLASSIC CARAVANS
Full details of these events are on the forum and on Facebook, it would be great to see more Safaris at all of them.
9-12 May 2013 - EUROPEAN CLASSIC CARAVAN RALLY– LOWENSTEIN, GERMANY.
12-15 July 2013 - ROYAL GUNPOWDER MILLS, WALTHAM ABBEY, HERTS, EN9 1JY
22-26 August 2013 - STAPLEFORD PARK, Near MELTON MOWBRAY, LE14 2EF
Now let us all get out there in our Safaris and have a great 2013. – Brian.
It has been sometime since I sent a message to all Group Members but there are a few important things happening that I want everyone to know about.
I am sending this email to all Forum members and Facebook Group members through their member email systems, and also direct through my email service as this is the only way for me to find “dead” email addresses. So I apologise if you receive it three times. If you want to be removed, or change your contact address, please email me at Brian@Classicsafaris.co.uk
The last 18 months have seen an explosion in the interest for Safari caravans, membership of the forum is now almost 400, and 125 on the Facebook Group. There are more and more Safaris appearing on ebay for sale, with some astonishing prices being achieved for real projects that would have been destined for the scrapman a few years ago.
I am naturally delighted that we continue to increase the members of both groups, but am still disappointed at the number of you who have never contributed to any topic. With so many new members embarking on major restorations of their Safari, some of whom have never seen another Safari, why not post a note about yourselves and include your location as you may be a neighbour to a fellow member and would benefit from having someone you could meet up with in your locality.
PROBOARDS FORUM
There is a new version of the forum that we will transfer to during April, all posts and photographs are safe and will be moved. In addition to a better look to the forum, the new version allows direct uploading of photographs without having to first host them on a photosharing service. There is also a better speedy search facility. "Like" buttons in posts, easier to set up notifications, an avatar maker, a built-in shoutbox, and so much more. There are two Mobile Apps— Android or iPhone; now members can stay connected when they're on-the-go. I will be changing some of the sections and adding new ones to make the layout more user-friendly and welcome suggestions for other improvements.
It would also be a great help to other members if you entered your location on your profile. You don't have to put the town in, the county will be sufficient, but it will tell you that there are other members in your area who may be able to help you.
The Facebook group was really envisaged as a more social meeting place for stories about travel in your Safari, other interests you may use your Safari to visit etc. as well as enabling members to get to know one another outside their Safari interests. It seems to me that for a limited number of members it has become a place for technical questions and answers, stories and photos of restorations and for seeking spares. My problem with this is the way in which all posts are displayed in a linear fashion and posts drop off the front page within a week when the group is busy. No indexing is possible and so valuable contributions which would be of benefit to other owners are lost.
But I am not going to stop those who want to post on Facebook, but I would ask that if you are posting what might be considered important information that you take a couple of minutes to also post it on the forum. I will move it to the correct section of the forum if necessary.
I am going to save all important photographs posted on Facebook to the Picasa Albums in albums for individual restorations, or in the yearly albums. I cannot give acknowledgement for each photo so if you DO NOT want me to use your Facebook photos you must let me know, otherwise I will assume you have given your consent.
PICASA ALBUMS
Following the changes at Webshots, I had to move the photo albums to picasaweb.google.com/115857090061704417276 . I have asked before but repeat my request that you check the album for the year of your Safari and if you find yours please let me know the reference number of the photograph. I know that many ebay sales result in a new members and I put the ebay pictures into the albums but cannot cross-reference the photos to the new owner.
THREE EVENTS IN 2013 FOR CLASSIC CARAVANS
Full details of these events are on the forum and on Facebook, it would be great to see more Safaris at all of them.
9-12 May 2013 - EUROPEAN CLASSIC CARAVAN RALLY– LOWENSTEIN, GERMANY.
12-15 July 2013 - ROYAL GUNPOWDER MILLS, WALTHAM ABBEY, HERTS, EN9 1JY
22-26 August 2013 - STAPLEFORD PARK, Near MELTON MOWBRAY, LE14 2EF
Now let us all get out there in our Safaris and have a great 2013. – Brian.