| [ Total Views: 5853 | Total Replies: 68 | Thread Id: 108414 ] |
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 vanderaj
A.k.a.: Andrew van der Stock
Super Administrator
a suffusion of yellow
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| posted on February 26th, 2015 at 11:54 AM |
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This is great discussion, and one of the things I am trying to do is increase mobile via developing a Tapatalk integration (which is actually pretty
hard), but also fast Facebook registration and sign in. Honestly, the entire thing needs a good rototil.
However, there is no denying that we are starting to see a die off in the numbers of active participants. This is due to:
We became focused fairly purely on the aircooled scene. With the last aircooled VW's sold in the country back in the early 80's with the last of the
aircooled buses, and Beetles endng in the mid 70's, there was always going to be fewer and fewer folks on the scene than when we first opened. We hit
peak AVDS around 2008 or so.
Rise of social media. We are focused on one thing and one thing only. Social media is a lot more sticky than we are. So basically, we don't have the
same level of stickiness.
Splits off to other forums, which in turn have tended to die off as well.
If you folks think there are too many forums, I'm all for merging like forums. We have over 70, and it disperses traffic all over the place. This
could be a good first step as it's easy to do.
Shall we do that?
One last thing, and this is pretty radical, is that I could talk to one of the big VW forums, like The Samba or VW Vortex and see if they want to take
us over. I don't know if this would be palatable to you the members, but if we can draw more folks to AVDS because of global scale, it might be
worthwhile.
thanks
Andrew
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 h
A.k.a.: Towely BuMpEr KING! ILLegal ALIEN on a roadtrip
Scirocco Rare
fractals - an ever changing lifestyle
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| posted on February 26th, 2015 at 12:10 PM |
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wow!
I'd find it a shame to lose our aussieness (if that is a word)
we live in a globalised community and we have a specific niche in the vw world, if feel
many people have met through dubs and the forum and dare I say it become friends..
just saying..
mergers/acquisitions; if that is the way of the future so be it..
but to me a shame none the less..
my 2c
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kombivw
A.k.a.: David
Wolfsburg Wizard
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| posted on February 26th, 2015 at 02:49 PM |
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Would hate to see forum go
And Aussieveedubbers really does cover all VW's and is rather nice to be locals
I fo5r one intend to post more often as want to ensure there is something to look at :-)
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waltermitty
Custom Title Time!
Legend when my beer goggles are on
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| posted on February 26th, 2015 at 03:47 PM |
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Andrew forum merge makes sense. But I agree the Aussie nature of AVD is a plus. Mitchell
23 windows ...8 too many!
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Ampdub
Officially Full-On Dubber
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| posted on February 26th, 2015 at 08:05 PM |
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I would be up for a forum merge, centralise a few things
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modnrod
Fahrvergnugen
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| posted on February 26th, 2015 at 10:10 PM |
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If I wanted to join Samba I would have. I like Centremounts and small cc motors though, so I probably wouldn't have been allowed past the
probationary period.
It would be a shame if everyone had to trawl through endless pages of bright, shiny, flashing neon fluff (ie, BookFace) to find something of genuine
ingenuity and interest.
I'm also a member of Cal-Look Lounge, mainly because the items there and here are very different, but each site is still mostly tolerant of
differences and celebratory of enthusiasm.
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1303Steve
A.k.a.: Steve Carter
Scirocco Rare
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| posted on February 26th, 2015 at 10:42 PM |
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Keep this site Aussie please, I don't find the extra sections hard to navigate, I always just click topic activity when I come on, then I only look
at subjects that interest me
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wombatventures
Wolfsburg Wizard
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| posted on February 27th, 2015 at 12:09 PM |
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I personally like the smaller community feel and distinct Aussieness of AVD. I'm a samba member and browse sometimes, follow a few build threads and
get info when I need it, whereas I visit Aussieveedubber almost every day. I don't know any of you guys personally but feel I'm part of something
here.
Then again I do live in a small town and hide from most social media and unreality tv!
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Canni.
Wolfsburg Wizard
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| posted on February 28th, 2015 at 12:48 PM |
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I don't think avd should merge with the samba..there I think it'll just become lost - its nice to get information that is aussie specific as there
are so many differences between aussie built and US built.
Some of the extra sections could definitely be merged for easier browsing now there is less activity in each area.
Heidi - 1960 White Beetle
'65 Kiwi Ghia
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modnrod
Fahrvergnugen
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| posted on February 28th, 2015 at 03:52 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by wombatventuresThen again I do live in a small town and hide from most social media and unreality tv!
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Peterborough small?!?!?!?!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peterborough,_South_Australia
1700 people, jeez it's HUGE!!!!
Only kidding mate! I like that area and the Flinders, nice spot.
I don't actively hide, I just choose to ignore everything. 
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wombatventures
Wolfsburg Wizard
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| posted on February 28th, 2015 at 06:07 PM |
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hrastovica
Officially Full-On Dubber
Posts: 361
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| posted on March 15th, 2015 at 09:50 PM |
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I think a takeover by Samba would not be good. The beauty of Aussie Vee Dubbers is just that... it is Aussie!
I do however think that any of the following ideas would be beneficial:
a) More active marketing (even posting pic links to a Facebook page to drive new traffic to the site) and integrations with Social Media (and mobile
of course)
b) A way to monetise the forum in order to justify the effort for admins to run and market it.
c) Active promotion on a local level through clubs and events (ie. its very hard to market the forum australia wide).
d) Provide the various offshoots a mechanism through which they can have their private forums, but still connected to the main AussieVeeDubbers
page.
e) Active promotion at VW events
f) Run your own aussieveedubbers event
Re the hobby dying off i dont really believe it is the case. Look at how many cars turn up to Day of (I am in VIC) and it is clear that the hobby is
far from dead! The question is how to get the people who already have the bugs to be members here and actively participate.
I will give you an example of what im talking about... I have not been to the forum in some time (so long in fact that i had to log in again). YET,
my Facebook profile is ALWAYS on. If there was something on Facebook that a) reminds users of new activity on aussieveedubbers b) gives users a reason
to want to come here (eg. professional pics of their cars at events/cruises) they would be inclined to register and become active members again.
Its nothing personal, we all love aussieveedubbers.com, we just forget you are here!
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Joel
Scirocco Rare
Now containing 100% E-Wang
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| posted on March 16th, 2015 at 12:06 PM |
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I've certainly noticed one thing, activity is a lot more on the facebook groups than the forums,
all I can put it down to is ease of use and the fact many people seem to live on facebook so you get quicker response times.
I've moderated on SuperBeetles only for a lot of years and also admin the facebook group and noticed the bigger the facebook group gets the quiter
the forum gets.
Since I've started admin on the AVD facebook group I've noticed a similar pattern, a lot of the members on there have no idea this forum even
exists.
Worst thing about the facebook groups is after a few days the posts are bumped into oblivion and a carbon copy question asked again a few days
later.
How many of you are sick of seeing that f--king 5th wheel beetle caravan video or the drifting Beetle replay from Forza because some one new posts it
each week.
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h
A.k.a.: Towely BuMpEr KING! ILLegal ALIEN on a roadtrip
Scirocco Rare
fractals - an ever changing lifestyle
Posts: 7670
Threads: 375
Registered: February 3rd, 2005
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Location: noosa hillbilly 'yee har'
Theme: XMBX Pro Green
Mood: A T3 is not a Kombi - stop waving at me
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| posted on March 16th, 2015 at 10:18 PM |
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^ wow 5th wheel beetle caravan.. put the link up please
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wombatventures
Wolfsburg Wizard
Posts: 680
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Location: Peterborough SA
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| posted on March 17th, 2015 at 07:50 PM |
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The fact that old posts are kept on AVD is one of my favourite things. Sometimes reading through posts from 2006 leads to answers that I'd never have
got otherwise.
Some are even hilarious reading.
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adlbeetle66
A.k.a.: Denver
Custom Title Time!
Under the car.........again!
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| posted on March 17th, 2015 at 07:57 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by wombatventures
The fact that old posts are kept on AVD is one of my favourite things. Sometimes reading through posts from 2006 leads to answers that I'd never have
got otherwise.
Some are even hilarious reading.
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That's the way i find it, But Aussieveedubbers has been a great help in not only finding information, but getting inspiration, buying, selling and
swapping parts / cars, and helping others. It would be one huge loss if Aussieveedubbers disappeared... my 2c... 
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 matberry
Super Moderator
Go hard or go home
Posts: 8114
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Location: Cooroy Qld
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Mood: enjoying waving at all my Kombi buddies from my T3
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| posted on March 18th, 2015 at 08:13 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by adlbeetle66
| Quote: | Originally
posted by wombatventures
The fact that old posts are kept on AVD is one of my favourite things. Sometimes reading through posts from 2006 leads to answers that I'd never have
got otherwise.
Some are even hilarious reading.
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That's the way i find it, But Aussieveedubbers has been a great help in not only finding information, but getting inspiration, buying, selling and
swapping parts / cars, and helping others. It would be one huge loss if Aussieveedubbers disappeared... my 2c...
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x 10 very good points
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
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Ampdub
Officially Full-On Dubber
Posts: 310
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Location: Brisbane, North
Theme: XMBX Pro Green
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| posted on March 18th, 2015 at 08:37 AM |
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surely just keeping posting will keep it alive, Im not so up with these things
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hrastovica
Officially Full-On Dubber
Posts: 361
Threads: 43
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
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Mood: Cruisin
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| posted on March 24th, 2015 at 11:52 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Joel
I've certainly noticed one thing, activity is a lot more on the facebook groups than the forums,
all I can put it down to is ease of use and the fact many people seem to live on facebook so you get quicker response times.
I've moderated on SuperBeetles only for a lot of years and also admin the facebook group and noticed the bigger the facebook group gets the quiter
the forum gets.
Since I've started admin on the AVD facebook group I've noticed a similar pattern, a lot of the members on there have no idea this forum even
exists.
Worst thing about the facebook groups is after a few days the posts are bumped into oblivion and a carbon copy question asked again a few days
later.
How many of you are sick of seeing that f--king 5th wheel beetle caravan video or the drifting Beetle replay from Forza because some one new posts it
each week.
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OMG the fifth wheel caravan has done my head in. I think every one of my non VW mates has sent it to me like some kind of revelation.
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johndoe980
Commited Dubber
Posts: 66
Threads: 9
Registered: February 6th, 2011
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Location: Logan Village, QLD
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Can't wait to start work on my KG
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| posted on April 7th, 2015 at 11:45 PM |
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I like the fact that information on this site is relevant to Australia, yes I do look at Samba but AVD is local people saying local things.(if that
makes sense)
can I ask about Facebook, I have just joined Aussieveedubbers on Facebook, is it part of this group? i never knew it existed.
I love this site and keep dreaming of getting my KG on the road, the love is there but the money keeps running away.......
Tony
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Whitty
Seriously Crusin Dubber
Posts: 124
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Location: Gladstone,Central Qld
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Mood: so happy I could shit
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| posted on April 8th, 2015 at 05:38 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by wombatventures
The fact that old posts are kept on AVD is one of my favourite things. Sometimes reading through posts from 2006 leads to answers that I'd never have
got otherwise.
Some are even hilarious reading.
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Bring back the 1916 thread.......best read ever.
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hus22l
Officially Full-On Dubber
Posts: 229
Threads: 36
Registered: April 24th, 2012
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Location: Sydney
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
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| posted on April 8th, 2015 at 07:40 AM |
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Keep AVD. I check the others too, but the local option is great.
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hrastovica
Officially Full-On Dubber
Posts: 361
Threads: 43
Registered: April 8th, 2009
Member Is Offline
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: Cruisin
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| posted on April 10th, 2015 at 02:06 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by Whitty
| Quote: | Originally
posted by wombatventures
The fact that old posts are kept on AVD is one of my favourite things. Sometimes reading through posts from 2006 leads to answers that I'd never have
got otherwise.
Some are even hilarious reading.
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Bring back the 1916 thread.......best read ever.
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If i recall that was a shitfight, abuse, threats, chaos and general shenanigans hahaha
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sgetty
Fahrvergnugen
Posts: 994
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Location: bendemeer nsw
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Mood: yep
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| posted on April 21st, 2015 at 01:27 PM |
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I love the forum, still the best place to get advice/ideas. I am on facebook but generally find a different sort person and reply you get there... its
a different world lets be honest.. i am in my 30's now so not sure where that puts me in the age debate but have been a member here since i was 20..
i love reading peoples restos here but would hate to see them on facebook.
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donn
Wolfsburg Elder
Posts: 3515
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Location: NEWCASTLE NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: LAID BACK AND CONFUSED
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| posted on April 26th, 2015 at 10:22 AM |
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| Quote: | Originally
posted by johndoe980
I like the fact that information on this site is relevant to Australia, yes I do look at Samba but AVD is local people saying local things.(if that
makes sense)
can I ask about Facebook, I have just joined Aussieveedubbers on Facebook, is it part of this group? i never knew it existed.
I love this site and keep dreaming of getting my KG on the road, the love is there but the money keeps running away.......
Tony
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Hmm, that may answer a question for me, so there is an AVD on FB , recently I received a text message and the author said he got my / his info off FB,
I was wondering if it was quite legit, I'll have to search for AVD on FB to see what's going on, that's if I can work out how to use FB
I dream of a day when a chicken can cross a road without being asked for it's motive!
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johndoe980
Commited Dubber
Posts: 66
Threads: 9
Registered: February 6th, 2011
Member Is Offline
Location: Logan Village, QLD
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Can't wait to start work on my KG
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| posted on April 27th, 2015 at 09:37 PM |
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there are 2 on Facebook,
Aussieeveedubbers and Aussie VeeDubbers
which one is from this site?
I am a member of both.
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sgetty
Fahrvergnugen
Posts: 994
Threads: 117
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Member Is Offline
Location: bendemeer nsw
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: yep
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| posted on May 15th, 2015 at 02:33 PM |
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neither are the same as this i would say just members from here that have started them both i reckon..
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BeigeSav1969
Casual Dubber
Posts: 32
Threads: 13
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Location: Melbourne
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Perplexed
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| posted on May 18th, 2015 at 05:43 PM |
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Not sure if it's since been fixed but I had huge problems just registering to become a member on here last year. I would go through the registration
process only for it to not accept my password when I would try to log in. After nearly six months of trying, asking on other forums and contacting
mods via email with no reply I figured out I had request a new password in order to activate the account. Might have been a simple fix in the end but
for a technophobe like me not exactly an easy process.
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adlbeetle66
A.k.a.: Denver
Custom Title Time!
Under the car.........again!
Posts: 1476
Threads: 98
Registered: August 15th, 2014
Member Is Offline
Location: Capalaba, Brisbane, QLD
Theme: UltimaBB Streamlined2
Mood: ICH BIN VW NUSS
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| posted on May 18th, 2015 at 07:01 PM |
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True. Had the same problem.. AVD would have more users if this wasn't the case.
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BeigeSav1969
Casual Dubber
Posts: 32
Threads: 13
Registered: August 14th, 2014
Member Is Offline
Location: Melbourne
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Perplexed
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| posted on May 18th, 2015 at 07:56 PM |
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Ha! Noticed you managed to figure it out the day after I did adlbeetle. Yeah I wonder how many possible members have just given up trying, certainly
doesn't help to expand the member base.
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