New ApexSpeed Forums Coming Soon

[dc]

I wasn't going to post this, because she'd kill me if she knew, but I just want to leave this out here before everyone gets all wound up about the new Classifieds costing a few bucks to post.

I know some of you guys think we have a fully staffed office suite in some suburban industrial park, but this has been a family-owned, home managed small business from its inception. When I ran the site 100% of the time, I mostly managed it like an idiot with a Rubik's Cube. We're all lucky it's still online.

We have one full-time employee here at ApexSpeed.

She runs and maintains the functionality of the site, the software upgrades, the server emergencies, almost all of the Customer Service e-mails and PMs from people who can't remember their password or can't figure out how to post, she makes sure the bills are paid, handles ALL of the advertising and retail concerns, and does it pretty much 7-days a week, 365-days a year with no vacation or overtime. She has been instrumental in the testing and development of the new forum upgrade, and has plowed through all of it, even after getting close to releasing a new site on a different software package in January, just before pulling the plug on the whole system (it sucked, and it wasn't good for ApexSpeed). All of this, while constantly getting harassed by a talkative high-maintenance 4-year old who is desperate to not be left alone.

She doesn't even have time to read these forums, so I know she won't see this.

As many of you who are business owners will understand, if you can't take care of your employees, your business won't survive long. It's imperative to me that this business helps take care of my most important employee, because I can't do it alone.




This isn't a telethon asking for donations. I don't want that. This site has always been a very personal extension of who we are, and I figured that a small bit of insight on what goes into and what it takes to run a community of this size entails. It's been a long time coming, but there are bigger and better things coming soon for all of ApexSpeed's family.





doug

[rmccown]

There should be other online forms of payment accepted, but PayPal will be the main option because you don't need a registered PayPal account to use it. It's more like a payment company for the vendor that allows you (the user) to use make a credit card payment online easily. We are looking into Square, Dwolla and other payment options, as well.

We're using Paywhirl at work for subscription payments. It was pretty easy to integrate to for us. YMMV, of course.

[Beartrax]

We have one full-time employee here at ApexSpeed.

Cheers to the Mrs.!!!!

[holmberg]

Keith started an ApexWiki years ago that never went anywhere. I'm open to implanting it finally on the site, but we would need someone or multiple people to manage it, as it's probably a full-time focal point for someone, and we just don't have the bandwidth to execute that.

Interesting. Where was it? I don't remember an "ApexWiki".

*IF* a wiki is something the community wants (people have to be willing to contribute), then I am certainly willing to act as editor/moderator. But clearly a wiki is a community effort--it's not a place for a single person to write all the pages. That's called a "book" not a "wiki".

So I volunteer, but first I need to see some interest from a significant number of people willing to document their knowledge by writing wiki pages.

Greg

[Steve Demeter]

I personally think a reasonable classified fee is perfectly acceptable to keep Apex up and running.

If someone wants to complain about paying for classifieds, they should have donated.

With several thousand registered members, if everyone donated $25 a year, I would think that it could provide sufficient funding.

I will still continue to donate regardless of the price of classifieds, because I think it is the right thing to do.

But I would really prefer that the site keeps it's current set up.

But this from someone who is still running XP.....

[dc]

ApexWiki was installed on ApexSpeed many years ago (there may even still be a database for it on the server) and, as you stated, is an overwhelming task to even just get it rolling. I think we started building it and it flamed out before it ever reached the public view.

It's definitely something we can implement on the new site once we're up and running. I would love to see it get organized and get built.

[Chris Livengood]

You should get a bit pay account for the two people here that know how to use digital non-fiat currency.

[kjchristopher]

One the new version, may we get rid of the fixed width of the panes so it scales to more than the middle third of my monitor?

[marshall9]

I will support whatever decision you make within reason. I think a percentage of listing price is fair, with a minimum. 40k car, more than a 20.00 pair of race gloves.
Regards,
Marshall9
ApexSpeed Class of 2002

[cooleyjb]

If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.

When someone wants to buy or sell a race car, they know that ApexSpeed is the place to go. There are few sites out there with an audience that this site has had for almost 2 decades.

Comparing other places to buy and sell, Race-Cars.com has been taking a "modest" sales fee of 5% for a long time, RacingJunk.com charges $30 to list a car, print ads like SportsCar and Racer are expensive and don't have remotely the visibility that you get with ApexSpeed.

If guys selling $40,000 race cars can't afford the $8-10 to sell on ApexSpeed, then the outlook in general for this website and the SCCA are pretty bleak.



ApexSpeed isn't a charity. It isn't a hobby. It isn't a gift to the racing world. We are doing our best to grow this business, and make it profitable. We fully expected to get backlash for this, and that comes with the territory. We aren't changing the model at this point. Our options were close the site and walk away, sell the business and move on, or try to continue building on what we have and make the site better.

We chose the latter. We think that it will make ApexSpeed a better place for everyone in the long run.




doug

It wasn't a dig at the plan to charge. Just commenting on what I have seen. Mazdaracers goes to pay per ad. Spec Miata facebook page all of a sudden has way more people posting and not that much on mazdaracers.

Paying for each ad is tediuous in my opinion. Make a membership 25/yr and you can post whatever you want. I would more happily pay that then 2 bucks each time I have something to clear off the shelf. Especially when it's 20-30 bucks of items.

[stonebridge20]

It sure would be nice to have a set amount paid member option for unlimited yearly classified posting.

[holmberg]

One the new version, may we get rid of the fixed width of the panes so it scales to more than the middle third of my monitor?

Just zoom it up in your browser. Ctrl + in most browsers (hold down the Ctrl key, push the += key as many times as you like). Or look for Zoom Out on the View menu in the menu bar.

I see from your screenshot that you use Safari on a Mac. Zoom Out is Command +.

[holmberg]

It's definitely something we can implement on the new site once we're up and running. I would love to see it get organized and get built.

I can start creating an overall structure for the wiki.

Maybe with your clout in the community, you could advertise it and encourage people to contribute, more successfully than I did.

[kjchristopher]

Just zoom it up in your browser. Ctrl + in most browsers (hold down the Ctrl key, push the += key as many times as you like). Or look for Zoom Out on the View menu in the menu bar.

I see from your screenshot that you use Safari on a Mac. Zoom Out is Command +.

I don't need larger text.

[Chris Livengood]

Have you tried sitting closer to the screen? It looks a good bit bigger that way. Of course the text will be larger too though.

[GreginCanada]

I like your current format, it works well compared to a few vintage car forums I follow. I understand about the need to increase revenue. I am at the low end of the spectrum on budget but already ,in less than 6 months , I have been able to complete 2 transactions for parts that I would not have been aware of otherwise. Please keep the rates low enough to allow the little guys to stay involved.

Greg

[xmazdatracy]

This place alone is why I own a formula car. I would pray that the people (lady) that takes care of this place can get what they need to survive. Please no ads, or pop-ups! Get some more from sponsors, and yes some sort of income from transactions or memberships. Not a ton... I get it, but some. A little from everyone goes along way. Trust me there is a ton of info here that can never be replaced or found so easily. This place rocks!

No one likes change. Drop it on us gradually. It will give the old folks something to complain about, but not leave upset. I myself have not contributed because the last forums I belonged to, the kid made a s-ton of money from advertisers alone, and I thought the owners of this site where in the same boat. If not then yes... please do something to keep this place a-float.

Let/make me support this place and buy a friggin t-shirt to explain why I dont know what my car can do in a 1/4 mile, and why turning just left is just.... blah blah blah

village idiot

[dc]

Ok, we have a tentative schedule for the new site overhaul and rollout.

On the morning of Friday, April 14th, we will shut this version of ApexSpeed down for about 24 hours (less if things go smoothly, more if they don't). We will be upgrading the forum software and transferring the existing site content to the new forum. Most of the downtime will be file transfer and testing to make sure it all works properly.

NOTHING in the content of the forums will change. All of your photos, posts, icons, avatars and profiles will still be the same. When we turn it all back on, everything that makes this site ApexSpeed will still be there.



Once again,

ApexSpeed will be shutting down on the morning of Friday, April 14th for about a day.




Our target to come back online is sometime Friday evening, but no promises. We're really excited about the next step for ApexSpeed, and where we are heading into the future.



Please feel free to post any questions you might have about the new forums.

[SEComposites]

24hrs without Apexspeed!? Is that even possible?

[rickb99]

Whatever you do, make some allowance for those of us without paypal...

I'll never go that way....No paypal has made it tough to impossible getting deals on ebay and other sites where it's the only currency accepted... so be it.... personally, just not interested in getting into another system or data base......and don't need any more drainholes in my bank accts.....

Paypal may be wonderful but I also will NEVER use it. I've been ripped off for over $900 in small pieces by everyone from Amazon to individual product web sites. Had people stealing from my social security account MONTHS after my last 'legal' transaction with them. Sure you can raise a fuss and try to get your money back but, even the credit card companies make the process so complicated that it isn't worth the trouble.

[Chris Livengood]

24hrs without Apexspeed!? Is that even possible?

There are other types of porn on the internet.

[Earley Motorsports]

24hrs without Apexspeed!? Is that even possible?

Going to be a boring day at work that day.

[Jeremy Soule]

A couple of thoughts..
yeah I'm on the site almost daily at least once.

The main product here for me is information. The knowledge experience and input from the other members, Even in the classifieds, there's a lot to be learned as discussions develop around items being sold.

I agree with XMazdaTracy; Apex isn't the reason I bought my formula cars but knowing the Apex was there gave me confidince that I could move forward learn quickly and overcome problems. Also the ability to find and obtain parts was important to the decision too.

I do have a car currently for sale here and was planning to make a nice donation if and when it sells.

I have spent a little time on classic car sites and racing classified sites, this one is about 200% better than any of the others that I've run across. Therefore I'm sure that whatever the Carter's do will also be exemplarily. But just in case, please please please no pop-ups.

Here's to your continued success and hopefully some positive cash flow for you.

[Westroc]

Please give Doug a chance here. He is trying to move forward. Be open minded enough to allow him the benefit of the doubt at least. I know we all tend to want to rule if we were King but look where would we all be without Apex! C'mon!

[Robert J. Alder]

Please give Doug a chance here. He is trying to move forward. Be open minded enough to allow him the benefit of the doubt at least. I know we all tend to want to rule if we were King but look where would we all be without Apex! C'mon!

AMEN! Give Doug the benefit of the doubt. Folks have no idea or appreciation of how much work goes into something like this. I've long marveled at how great this site is and further wondered how this Doug guy could single-highhandedly (seemingly) make it happen. Well, now we know --- Behind every great man there is a woman.

So, it's time to give Doug and his superwoman a break (financially). Get over it. If he over prices the classified service so much it kills ApexSpeed (which I very much doubt will happen) that's just the way the cookie crumbles. Then if anyone wishes they can invent a better mousetrap, go for it. Then you'll understand.

As Doug said, this isn't a charitable endeavor and folks need to realize that. It's amazing he's been able to keep it alive this well, this long. God Speed.

By the way, where can we send a dozen roses to superwoman???

[farrout]

If you, like me, are one of the many readers/posters who rarely post a classified ad, then income from us will be limited to non-existent. I have made a contribution or two over the years. It is worth it to me to pay an annual fee. I realize that Doug has probably done the analysis for classified ad charging versus annual subscription so do what is best for the continuation of this forum.

Thanx to the Carters for the concept, care and feeding of this forum.

[Lynn]

While I have never sold anything with an Apexspeed classified, I have bought a couple of things including a car. I will happily continue to make an annual donation. I think of it as a subscription to a great magazine.

Thanks to the Carters for creating and maintaining the forums, and thanks to all who post here.

[Ralph Z.]

Please give Doug a chance here. He is trying to move forward. Be open minded enough to allow him the benefit of the doubt at least. I know we all tend to want to rule if we were King but look where would we all be without Apex! C'mon!

Amen! Brother.

[Keith Carter]

Please give Doug a chance here. He is trying to move forward. Be open minded enough to allow him the benefit of the doubt at least. I know we all tend to want to rule if we were King but look where would we all be without Apex! C'mon!

Agreed... I've been urging Doug to do something like this for some time now and glad to see it come to fruition. While I no longer have much to do with the site these days, the forums have been something that has grown exponentially in the last 17 years and it has gotten bigger than either of us had ever imagined when formulacontinental.com first started up and then evolved into what you know the site as today. I hope they don't mind me posting this, but Doug and Kim don't drive exotic cars, don't race cars, rent where they live, and have two cute little girls that they're raising. I'm not quite sure how they make ends meet, but they do. I'm not asking for handouts for them, but just stating the facts. This forum has been a financial hindrance from time to time with the sheer amount of server traffic it uses up. All that costs money. The seasonal donation drives that come in are undoubtedly welcome, I'm sure, but I have no idea if that even comes close to what the costs are to keep this site going. The costs that Doug and Kim decided on for the classifieds is significantly lower than what I would have done (I was thinking more like 1-2% of asking price for anything... cars, trailers, etc.), but that's just me. I'm not saying that everyone has to like the change, but it's not that significant. Just look at it from a different perspective and ask yourself what you would do if put in that position.

[hdsporty1988]

Agreed... I've been urging Doug to do something like this for some time now and glad to see it come to fruition. While I no longer have much to do with the site these days, the forums have been something that has grown exponentially in the last 17 years and it has gotten bigger than either of us had ever imagined when f2000.com first started up and then evolved into what you know the site as today. I hope they don't mind me posting this, but Doug and Kim don't drive exotic cars, don't race cars, rent where they live, and have two cute little girls that they're raising. I'm not quite sure how they make ends meet, but they do. I'm not asking for handouts for them, but just stating the facts. This forum has been a financial hindrance from time to time with the sheer amount of server traffic it uses up. All that costs money. The seasonal donation drives that come in are undoubtedly welcome, I'm sure, but I have no idea if that even comes close to what the costs are to keep this site going. The costs that Doug and Kim decided on for the classifieds is significantly lower than what I would have done (I was thinking more like 1-2% of asking price for anything... cars, trailers, etc.), but that's just me. I'm not saying that everyone has to like the change, but it's not that significant. Just look at it from a different perspective and ask yourself what you would do if put in that position.

This site has been an invaluable tool for this returning racer. I for one will gladly pay to advertise beyond the contribution made. The advice available alone is "priceless".

[FASTDAD]

I mad an appointment with the shrink, probably take all day. I feel withdrawals coming on! I sincerely hope all goes well for your web site relaunch. The quality of what takes place on this site is not found anywhere else in my opinion and you should feel very good about what you have here and how it's managed. I look forward to the changes and deeply appreciate all the effort/work you folks have put into this. Let your single employee know that the quality of work is top shelf! Oh, whaddya know, my appointment is at the same time as the APEXSPEED outage, what a coincidence! I'll be anxiously waiting and see you on the other side!

[Lotus7]

Paying for each ad is tediuous in my opinion. Make a membership 25/yr and you can post whatever you want. I would more happily pay that then 2 bucks each time I have something to clear off the shelf. Especially when it's 20-30 bucks of items.

+1 on this, and I just now paypal-ed my $25 money where my mouth is

[dc]

It's coming!

Just a reminder that the site will be shut down in the AM tomorrow for ApexSpeed v3.0 install and overhaul, and if Kim has her way, it will probably happen at about 5:00am Central time. We're planning on being down the whole day, but I really don't think it will be a 12-hour process.

We will NOT be launching the paid Classified system tomorrow, but the Classifieds will get reorganized in the forums with the class-specific Classifieds in their subforums. The launch of the paid Classifieds is being delayed a week to allow everyone to get comfortable with the new site and layout.

We WILL be offering a yearly "Classified Super License" subscription for people who are active Classified posters and would like to have the freedom to post as many times as they would like in any Classified forum.

Tapatalk will still work, and there will be a mobile version, as well (though maybe not immediately).






See you when we are wearing our new suit.

[Steve Demeter]

Gonna take this non techie a bit to get used to but it is lookin good. Had a heck of a time finding where to log in... LOL My age is showing

[Pi_guy]

Seems to be up....

[rickb99]

White and three shades of gray sorta make the FORUM look 'dull'. Need a little spicing up Perhaps a good start would be the deep background in black?

[dc]

White and three shades of gray sorta make the FORUM look 'dull'. Need a little spicing up Perhaps a good start would be the deep background in black?

Dull compared to what? Black and three shades of grey?

[xmazdatracy]

Neat! Thanks for the work and time into this site!

[Jonathan Hirst]

Looks good to me. Congrats on the smooth changeover and thank you for your dedication to maintaining this site.

Jonathan Hirst

[SEComposites]

Two days without Apexspeed is not something I want to experience again! ??????