When I first got my S2k last year I was happy to find this site. I used to visit it every day and read the articles and the postings. Although I'm aware there once some tension between the 2 sites, everyone from the other site has gone out of their way to leave the past in the past. Even Sondra refuses to talk about whatever happened in the past.

Actually, what I hear in response to very specific questions about the rifts of the past, are answers like "We are moving beyond that." I have a lot of respect for that.

As you say, there are supposed to be explanations for deleting or closing threads and there have been. The reason given for deleting and editing a couple of my posts was that they made references to other sites. The problem with that is it just isn't true.

The post that was edited removed a statement where I said I would be thinking about 3 of the sponsors of S2ki. That is all it said. Actually, one of the sponsors was Tire Rack from where I recently bought 4 new tires for my car.

The deleted post also made no reference to another site, but rather it made the observation that this site is not for S2k enthusiast, but rather it is a site for S2ki enthusiasts.

If S2ki wants to delete these posts, that is certainly within the authority of S2ki to do that. Why can't it at least be done with integrity and give a valid reason why it is done? If you believe in the reasons then be honest with them instead of trying to create the impression that I was talking about other sites on S2ki in those posts when I absolutely was not.

This is sad for many reasons. Again, this was the first site I discovered after getting my S2k and I really enjoyed it. Now it feels like the Soviet Union of the on-line community.

 

I'm so sorry to read you feel this way. This was the site I first discovered as well and I have made friends here that I hope will be my friends for the rest of my (hopefully) very long life. I enjoy membership at both places for different reasons and I plan to continue memberships in both places for a lifetime. I see life as "different strokes" for different folks. I realize there are differences between the communities, but I know they exist and therefore I simply enjoy what I enjoy in both places. I try to tune out the negativity and I refuse to participate in an argument that began long before I owned my first S2000. Nothing that occurred in the past has prevented my pleasure in the ownership of the car and the membership in both forums. I plan to leave it that way. I've never had the pleasure of meeting the owner of this Web Forum, but I truly hope that someday I'll have that pleasure. His foresight in bringing this site to the world has brought me a great deal of joy. For that I am thankful and I gladly pay my membership fees. It has been worth every penny spent.

 

This site and especially this forum have certainly changed my life. And, like Val, I've met so many wonderful people and made some really close friends online and off. I ignore the negative people (and their posts) and make it a point to surround myself with the positive ones.

 

I want to take a moment to clear up what I think is a major misunderstanding by a lot of people, but especially by the loyal members of S2KI and Vintage.

I am a member of both sites, and active in both sites. You all know my credentials here and the fact that I participate in Vintage events and help to support them even when I can't participate. At S2KCA I am the Northeast Regional Director, a member of the Board of Directors and a charter member of the newly formed NJ/NY Chapter.

It has long been my contention that both sites are valuable parts of the S2000 community, both sites have some very positive features, and both sites deserve our support. I have been a member of both since 2002, continue to be and will continue to be in the future.

I think the first misunderstanding that needs to be addressed is that concerning the feud and resulting split that occured years ago. I have lately heard, especially here at S2KI and Vintage, that the feud is still an issue at S2KCA. In fact, that is not the case. For the past two years the newly elected president and the board of directors have made a point of trying to put that behind them. Moreover, most of them don't even know what happened. For the most part the feud predates most of the members of both sites. For some silly reason it continues to be mentioned.

A few weeks ago S2KI was down for an update. Many members of S2KI and many members of Vintage went to S2KCA and used it to continue to chat. The members of S2KCA were welcoming. I think everyone got a warm greeting and was allowed to use the forums. I don't recall seeing any nastiness towards any of the guests. As a matter of fact, the members of S2KCA participated in some of the discussions and for the first time there was a friendly dialogue. This is the same thing we are trying to accomplish with the Gathering in the Garden State.

Unfortunately, that warm greeting was not reciprical. Not because of any of you. I'm sure most of the members of S2KI and especially Vintage would warmly welcome people from S2KCA just as they were welcomed. Unfortunately, the management of S2KI didn't quite see it the same way. When a thread was started simply stating that S2KCA welcomed S2KI members when S2KI was down, it was promptly closed and put into the dumpster. The only explaination for this was put into a thread that was started to ask why the original thread was closed. I was an abrupt partial sentence stating that "it had nothing to do with S2KI". Immediately thereafter, that thread was also closed.

If you want to suggest that people are continuing the feud that happened years ago perhaps you should be looking at the management of S2KI. Nobody ever closes a thread at S2KCA when S2KI is mentioned, unfortunately that is not the case here.

The other misunderstanding that I often hear, especially here on S2KI is that it has to be one or the other, the two can't exist. Almost as if you have to choose sides. I don't hear that there, but I hear it an awful lot here. Sometimes I feel as if the members of S2KI think S2KCA is a threat.

That too is not the case. It is quite possible for both to exist. As a matter of fact many of us are members and participate in both.

The plain simple truth is that both serve the S2000 community, and both are valuable.

I have a great deal more to say, but tonight is the first monthly meeting of the NJ/NY Chapter and I have to be there in 45 minutes.

The point that I was trying to make was that before any of you criticise S2KCA you should at least look at it and look at who is really continuing the feud. It's not S2KCA.

 

^^ My sentiments exactly, Rob, and, in part, why I started this thread in the first place. The other part was to do a little experiment, which continues. I'll let everyone know if interesting results materialize. HPH

 

I have been reading this thread and the other thread which caused this stir. Whether I agree or disagree is not the issue. I feel for some reason I have to help clean the air and your concerns. I also feel a small handful of you really know the whole history, or maybe the poor me side of the issue.

S2ki management (the problem) decided a long time ago to let s2kca issue die. We are not the one continuing the fight. Just because we don't want a thread started about s2kca we become the bad guys and the one's not willing to let things go. I know full well there are members of both sites, I know there are threads being posted amongst the communities about events being hosted by s2kca. However, on the main forums we will not talk about s2kca. Why? because we go through this at least once a year. The discussion pops up, it turns ugly. We close a thread about s2kca, it turns in to a cry of censorship.

Any thread about s2kca will turn in to a heated discussion her, which will continue to fuel the debate. Why continue this on a regular basis. S2ki surves it's purpose, and so does s2kca. Why do we keep throwing stones and breaking windows.

You may patronize Wendys and McDonald's but do you think either one of these companies would allow advertising or a billboard in each other's establishment talking about how wonderful the other guy is. Would I be able to register at s2kca and post a thread about how wonderful s2ki is, how wonderful I am, and I would really appreciate it if you all would consider getting a membership at s2ki to. I know I am being a jerk...

We won't allow bashing threads either if that is what is coming to your mind. If there is one, show me and I will remove it.

I would think the word competition is correct but in reality we have the same idea, with a different business plan. No one is forcing anyone to be here or at s2kca. You are all free to do what you want, when you want, and make your own decisions.

Why stir the poopie pot every once in a while. Everyone says s2ki = drama. Right? maybe that is the reason.

I will agree things have changed drastically. The old site... if any of you recall s2000fans.com... #1 member was the Joker, #2 might have been me, and #3 was Bieg. s2000fans lasted 11 months. I ran out of knowledge, server space, and realized the need and concept for s2000 communities was huge. Between my competion s2000online.com, we came to an agreement, and with cthree's computer knowledge we are here today. I am not sure s2kca would be either. All I can really say is personality clashes caused an earthquake.

Please read this http://www.hondabeat.com/article_details.php?ID=42 Some of you may know the Red S...

I did some reminicing.... http://www.geocities.com/s2k_mingster/geobook.html
http://www.s2kuk.com/s2kuk/AboutUs/History.php
http://www.omgili.com/preview/aHR0cDovL3d3...3BpYz00NTcwOTU=

I gotta laugh at some of this.... I am sure there is more, but... the whole point of this, s2ki has changed, s2kca has changed.. it is the membership of both sites that won't let it go.

I also vented to one of your CO's today, but I decided before I boil over that I needed to express my thoughts.

One last thought, the Vintage forum is a whim of s2ki management. I am not fully sure I understand this comment... but a whim is something that happens spur of the moment with no notice. August 2003 ...fast forward April 2007... this is not a whim, or will this forum ever end.... this is history, not a brain fart of a gas pain... The older vintage folks will understand what I am saying here... by older I am not refering to your age... just your time in 8 years

 

I am a member of both sites also. As a newbie to both I am unaware of any dissention, contention, animosity, or politics between the powers that be of S2KI and S2KA. Vintage implys maturity and my personal experience with the Vintage members of S2KI since 2004 has been just that. Everyone may not always agree on some matters but they respectfully agree to disagree. Censorship of a members posting of any forum on either website is intolerable unless the posting offends accepted norms of decency. Life is too short for this old dog to tolerate it from either website.

 

^^Thanks for helping to clear the air for those of us who've only been around a couple of years.

But if what you say is true then why is it so hard for some folks to search this site while apparently it's very easy to parse a PM for the string "s2kca" and ensure that the PM is not delivered?

I only ask because I learned of this by trial and error.

 

The bottom search works fine, just the top one which is the most accessible is broke. I have no idea. Move the link to the top

 

Valentine, thank you for your sentiments. I agree that there are very good people at S2ki. I'm interested in getting to know the broad community of S2k owners that you mention. Actually, I regret that I can't be a part of the Vintage GTG in Wintergreen. I used to go to Lynchburg often for work and learned how to ski at Wintergreen. It would be great to get to know you and other members in that part of the country.

Please don't interpret my comments as a statement against enthusiasts on S2ki. There seem to be some very fine people here. The actions that led me to make the "Soviet" statement seems to be driven by the administration and not people.

The administration seems insistent on creating a reality that doesn't align with truth. They continue to insist that my deleted / edited posts talked about other web sites despite the fact that they made neither direct nor indirect references to other web sites. That is what feels like the ways of the Soviet Empire.

Like I said, it is sad. I've had my fill of this topic. It is time to move on.