EliseTalk Appreciation

[banTTor]

This might sound funny but it is a real question.

This is the only forum that I visit on regular basis and really enjoy it. It seems to me that the quality of information EliseTalk offers is exceptional.

This is contributed to by many real, well intentioned and knowledgeable people.

I also believe that we show our appreciation with a poll.

[EburgE]

I'm sorry, I just thought of this...

[wallabyguy]

I don't think Randy get's half the credit he's due. He has done an incredible job with this forum, The Club and the Lotus community. He deserves some serious props!

[Raindem]

The forum is certainly helpful. It's saved me from a couple (10 hour round trip) trips to the dealer.

How rare that is I'm not sure. I don't visit too many other car forums.

[fishguy]

dont really know how to answer the poll with the choices given, but this is a very appreciated resource for me , and i know there are squables and hassles at times, and there are also great contacts to be made. I dont know what type of $ this generates for the owner of the forum, but I bet not nearly enough for what/how it helps owners and potential owners of these cars.
So thanks randy, and others for their time and sharing knowledge here. i try to do the same when i can for others. thanks to all, and if it werent a useful resource i would choose to spend my time(which i dont have much free time available) doing something else.
thanks to the "powers that be" that make this site work for all of us
Josh

[zOOmz]

Actually I prefer Chocolate Fudge chunk Coffee ice cream with fresh roasted Pecans but I don't think that exists so I come here instead.

[LARRY]

Randy deserves all the credit for setting up an incredible website...

But the people on this website, all of the Lotus owners and the ones who aren't, are intelligent, funny, and the best people around! These threads are smart, well-thought out, and genuinely homorous. And despite differences of opinion, no one ever wants to hurt anyone's feelings and subjects are discussed and argued from all sides.

Lotus should be very proud of this website and take advantage of all of the suggestions on how to change and improve their products -- our incredible cars.

[Stretch002]

Yeah - this forum and community are amazing. Without all of you I would not have a Lotus Elise. I did all my research here, asked all my questions here, and now post the fun I am having here. Truly a unique forum. The friendship, advice, and clowning are all top notch! Great job to all of us as participants and a HUGE thank you to Randy for hosting the site and keeping things running smoothly.

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by LARRY22331

These threads are smart, well-thought out, and genuinely homorous.

Not that there is anything wrong with that.

I have said it many times.. a community is a reflection of the users and that is the main thing. Always has been. It is easy enough to start a forum (actually, it really is not...but that is another story)... but forums grow based on the people there.

And despite differences of opinion, no one ever wants to hurt anyone's feelings and subjects are discussed and argued from all sides.

Actually, it helps to have rules. Some people don't like them. Some will have a difference of opinion on how things should be handled... but it is my opinion, that not actively managing an active forum, is not as good. Some people actually seem to enjoy excessive pot stirring and chain yanking and more.

Lotus should be very proud of this website and take advantage of all of the suggestions on how to change and improve their products -- our incredible cars.

I know who reads from Lotus. I know what they think. I know how often they read. That is enough for me. I was asked by someone at Lotus last month.. "Why do you do it? Why do you run Elisetalk?"

lol

[Randy Chase]

Originally Posted by fishguyAZ

I dont know what type of $ this generates for the owner of the forum, but I bet not nearly enough for what/how it helps owners and potential owners of these cars.

I have no problem sharing that kind of information.

Not enough if money was the reason. I can't tell you much time gets put into this site. You can do simple math on the sponsors, but it would be wrong. We offered some deals a while ago to sponsors and they are still getting banner ads for those deals. The bottom line is that the server for Elisetalk runs about $325 a month, plus some minor costs for software and licenses. The banner ads cover that. I have been told by a couple sponsors, that I don't charge as much as other forums, but I am okay with that.

I have been told by other automotive forums, that I could be making a lot of money with adsense, side banners, and more. I am not interested in anything that might detract from the community. This is not how I make my living and I don't care to make it so. I do okay with my real business.

I have been offered a good amount of money to buy the forum. From three different people now. Not interested.

[fishguy]

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

I have no problem sharing that kind of information.

Not enough if money was the reason. I can't tell you much time gets put into this site. You can do simple math on the sponsors, but it would be wrong. We offered some deals a while ago to sponsors and they are still getting banner ads for those deals. The bottom line is that the server for Elisetalk runs about $325 a month, plus some minor costs for software and licenses. The banner ads cover that. I have been told by a couple sponsors, that I don't charge as much as other forums, but I am okay with that.

I have been told by other automotive forums, that I could be making a lot of money with adsense, side banners, and more. I am not interested in anything that might detract from the community. This is not how I make my living and I don't care to make it so. I do okay with my real business.

I have been offered a good amount of money to buy the forum. From three different people now. Not interested.

good randy, dont change a thing, if it works dont fix it. i am glad you didnt sell it either, i have a feeling that would be the end of things here as we know it. thanks again.

[smoseley]

I voted for all 4, just cause you allowed me to.

[peck555]

this is a wicked great site,and anyone who says it's not can come see me in person

[banTTor]

Originally Posted by LARRY22331

Randy deserves all the credit for setting up an incredible website...

................, are intelligent, funny, and the best people around!

What do I have to do to qualify as funny? I have been categorized as a boot licker, which wouldn't usually bother me except I can not picture an Elise driver wearing a boot.

Although possible to own a boot as an Elise driver but I would think it quite obvious no boot licking would take without getting out of the Liz which can act as an analog verification of an Elise driver.

Before allowing any room for silly replies, even though there is an emergency release in the boot any one getting out of there would not constitute as a driver.

[zOOmz]

Personally, I disagree with Randy.

The site and the people it draws are a direct reflection of the owner, especially if he is an active member. It starts at the top and reflects around. Although I am sure that Randy also gets insight and benefits along the way.
That is the way that I see it anyway.

[raygr]

The choices on this poll overlap (I think).

I think ET is a great resource. One thing I noticed is that there is a lot less EGO expressed here than on Porsche forums. Or Corvette forums, or (insert name of big HP car forum). Great folks here!

[smoseley]

Originally Posted by raygr

The choices on this poll overlap (I think).

Nothing in life is absolute - not even "Yes" or "No".

[nvrblu]

Originally Posted by transio

Nothing in life is absolute - not even "Yes" or "No".

Don't you mean "almost" nothing?

[thetoast]

where's my ice cream?

i've only been here a few weeks, but already i recognize that pretty much everyone is here because of something they really enjoy. of course this makes me look forward to enjoying it even more.

[ConeFusion]

Overall, I think this forum is exceptionally friendly and positive compared to other car related forums. And I certainly find a lot of valuable information here.

And I like ice cream, too, so I had to vote for multiple options.