vtxwa.com is now WashingtonVTX.com

[ajmeier]

Hello fellow Xriders!

Below is the text of an email I sent... please read additional comments at the bottom.... Thanks!

=====================================

Hello Washington VTX Riders!

I have been asked by Houston Allen to step up and take over the hosting duties of state website vtxwa.com. Houston has his hands full as President of his condo association and he has also traded in his X for a Silver Wing to deal with the downtown Seattle traffic. I am sure that I express everyone's thoughts when I say "We all appreciate what he has help start and will miss him".

Like most people now... I too have a busy schedule with my real estate career and raising 3 daughters, but I promise not to sell my X. (Unless they make a faster X) :-)

To assist in the transfer and to make sure we get everyone. Please stop by the website at http://www.washingtonvtx.com and click on the members roster button to the left. Scroll through the roster to see if you are listed. (most of you are not) If not, go back to the top of the page and click Membership Form, fill out the information and you will be automatically added. Be sure to refresh your browser window afterwards so you can see your name on the roster.

Also, Houston had some ongoing trouble with his forum. Having started Norwestars.org from the ground up and hosting it for the last 4 years, I have found the ability to communicate is critical to the success and growth of a group. I am using the same company as Norwestars and have a forum setup at Delphiforums.com. Access is free and additional features can be had with subscription, but are not required. A link to the forum can be found on the tool bar at washingtonvtx.com or can be directly accessed here: http://forums.delphiforums.com/washingtonvtx/

Lastly, if any of you have links to web based photo gallery, please let me know and I will point to them from the ride photos page.

I look forward to meeting many of you on the road this summer. I hope you enjoy the new site!

Tony Meier
Webmaster
WashingtonVTX.com

====================================

I have heard some concern from people regarding cookies and privacy with Delphi. I have hosted the Norwestar.org forum on Delphi for the last 4 years. We have raised this group from 20 people to over 300 very active members and our forum is the life blood of the group. Never once have I been contacted regarding a breach in privacy. Cookies are not a problem for security. This is the 21st century - no one is anonymous! If you think you are because you don't allow cookies... I have some prime ocean waterfront to sell you!! :-)

Sure, Delphi has ads, but look at the top of your page. You see an ad. The thing I have not liked about VTXOA.com is that it is generally a censored site. If a part maker is not selling through HondaDirectLine.com, they cannot post here. Hal has the right to dictate it since he pays for it. But if another manufacturer makes something cool, I want to know about it. Don't you??

Lastly, the one thing VTXOA.com has not done reliably well, that Delphi always has is... notify me immediately when someone replies to my messages. This may seem like a small thing, but when starting off a group or ride plans change, this can be critical.

Well that is my 2 cents as they say... I would be happy to see this thing grow. If it doesn't... oh well! It's still a "Good Life"!

Only time will tell and it will be up to all who read this post to decide.

Tony Meier
WashingtonVTX.com

[knarF]

Thanks for the info, I will be checking both sites until we can unify 1 place. We wont make everyone happy but we can try huh? :D See you on the road.

[Hodad]

Hello fellow Xriders!

Below is the text of an email I sent... please read additional comments at the bottom.... Thanks!

=====================================

Hello Washington VTX Riders!

I have been asked by Houston Allen to step up and take over the hosting duties of state website vtxwa.com. Houston has his hands full as President of his condo association and he has also traded in his X for a Silver Wing to deal with the downtown Seattle traffic. I am sure that I express everyone's thoughts when I say "We all appreciate what he has help start and will miss him".

Like most people now... I too have a busy schedule with my real estate career and raising 3 daughters, but I promise not to sell my X. (Unless they make a faster X) :-)

To assist in the transfer and to make sure we get everyone. Please stop by the website at http://www.washingtonvtx.com and click on the members roster button to the left. Scroll through the roster to see if you are listed. (most of you are not) If not, go back to the top of the page and click Membership Form, fill out the information and you will be automatically added. Be sure to refresh your browser window afterwards so you can see your name on the roster.

Also, Houston had some ongoing trouble with his forum. Having started Norwestars.org from the ground up and hosting it for the last 4 years, I have found the ability to communicate is critical to the success and growth of a group. I am using the same company as Norwestars and have a forum setup at Delphiforums.com. Access is free and additional features can be had with subscription, but are not required. A link to the forum can be found on the tool bar at washingtonvtx.com or can be directly accessed here: http://forums.delphiforums.com/washingtonvtx/

Lastly, if any of you have links to web based photo gallery, please let me know and I will point to them from the ride photos page.

I look forward to meeting many of you on the road this summer. I hope you enjoy the new site!

Tony Meier
Webmaster
WashingtonVTX.com

====================================

I have heard some concern from people regarding cookies and privacy with Delphi. I have hosted the Norwestar.org forum on Delphi for the last 4 years. We have raised this group from 20 people to over 300 very active members and our forum is the life blood of the group. Never once have I been contacted regarding a breach in privacy. Cookies are not a problem for security. This is the 21st century - no one is anonymous! If you think you are because you don't allow cookies... I have some prime ocean waterfront to sell you!! :-)

Sure, Delphi has ads, but look at the top of your page. You see an ad. The thing I have not liked about VTXOA.com is that it is generally a censored site. If a part maker is not selling through HondaDirectLine.com, they cannot post here. Hal has the right to dictate it since he pays for it. But if another manufacturer makes something cool, I want to know about it. Don't you??

Lastly, the one thing VTXOA.com has not done reliably well, that Delphi always has is... notify me immediately when someone replies to my messages. This may seem like a small thing, but when starting off a group or ride plans change, this can be critical.

Well that is my 2 cents as they say... I would be happy to see this thing grow. If it doesn't... oh well! It's still a "Good Life"!

Only time will tell and it will be up to all who read this post to decide.

Tony Meier
WashingtonVTX.com

Ha. You lost me I know that. This site notifies you if you select it. This site as been moved and bandwidth and storage increased well into the future. If you want to moderate that forum, go for it. But come into someone elses site and bash it, no class. I've been here forever and never been censored or treated unfairly.

Chris, is this the type of image the group wants?

Sheesh.

I give up.

[Hodad]

I went to post a rebuttal and got your site but when I went to the Delphi forum I got:

Sorry, an error has occurred. Please try your request again.

Crap happens to everyone sooner or later. Just funny that it happen to you on the day you bad rap another site.

:lol:

[knarF]

I dont think anyone was bashing this forum. I kinda like it myself. There are features here that are eaiser than Delph and viseaversa,,,Lets not start bickering about a forum lets just do our thing and have some fun.






Ha. You lost me I know that. This site notifies you if you select it. This site as been moved and bandwidth and storage increased well into the future. If you want to moderate that forum, go for it. But come into someone elses site and bash it, no class. I've been here forever and never been censored or treated unfairly.

Chris, is this the type of image the group wants?

Sheesh.

I give up.[/quote]

[Hodad]

I dont think anyone was bashing this forum. I kinda like it myself. There are features here that are eaiser than Delph and viseaversa,,,Lets not start bickering about a forum lets just do our thing and have some fun.

Ha. You lost me I know that. This site notifies you if you select it. This site as been moved and bandwidth and storage increased well into the future. If you want to moderate that forum, go for it. But come into someone elses site and bash it, no class. I've been here forever and never been censored or treated unfairly.

Chris, is this the type of image the group wants?

Sheesh.

I give up.[/quote]


I don't think so now. I'm not bickering, just stating a fact. I don't like what he said or how he said it but it's a free country and I respect that right. I do reserve the right to answer in turn.

[knarF]

Cool,,,well I'm looking for people that want to ride not discuss the finer points of forums. I thought this might be the place but I guess not so ride safe and ride free. Hope your forum is successful





I don't think so now. I'm not bickering, just stating a fact. I don't like what he said or how he said it but it's a free country and I respect that right. I do reserve the right to answer in turn.[/quote]

[Hodad]

[quote="knarF"]Cool,,,well I'm looking for people that want to ride not discuss the finer points of forums. I thought this might be the place but I guess not so ride safe and ride free. Hope your forum is successful

That's funny, I was too. Anyhow, I gave you my explanation. I can't tell if this was after you read it or before.

Well, I hope so too Knarf. If I use to get a few of my compadres together for a run, then it will be, if not. Runnin alone ain't so bad. Then again, I've always been a maverick.

Luck to you too. I bet we get past all this someday.

Peaceful ridin'

[knarF]

I'm sure were looking for the same thing,,,I am willing to help make the Washington VTX Riders a success we just need to figger out how. I still want to go on the Peninsula ride and hopefully we can get a couple more on board for it. Lets give this a go and make it work. :D

[Lamonster]

Hey Tony, let me just say I hope you do well with your site but if you have been running forums as long as you say you have then you know it's not cool to go to another forum to promote yours. That would be like going to a neighborhood party that someone spent the time and effort to get folks to show up to and then you go to their party and tell everyone you have a better party down the road.

As far as some of your comments about the VTXOA I would like to comment on them.

Sure, Delphi has ads, but look at the top of your page. You see an ad. The thing I have not liked about VTXOA.com is that it is generally a censored site. If a part maker is not selling through HondaDirectLine.com, they cannot post here. Hal has the right to dictate it since he pays for it. But if another manufacturer makes something cool, I want to know about it. Don't you??

What cool thing have you been kept from knowing about here? Yes we want folks to buy from the sponsors store but that has not kept other folks from introducing new parts to the VTXOA. The only time that a message gets pulled is when it is considered SPAM. Direct Line has helped out many small company's to get into the motorcycle business. This is not an easy thing to do and Direct Line has placed large orders with small companies to help get them started. The ad at the top of this site is for VTX parts, not web hosting or cat food like the Delphi site. You can buy your parts wherever you like but Direct Line has tried to make sure you will get the best price and service through them.

Lastly, the one thing VTXOA.com has not done reliably well, that Delphi always has is... notify me immediately when someone replies to my messages. This may seem like a small thing, but when starting off a group or ride plans change, this can be critical.

This board gets over 650 messages a day, do you want that many messages going into your email everyday? If you want to tract a thread you can do so and it will be emailed to you. I added an email digest to another board that I run but it doesn't get near the messages that this site does.

I hope your intentions were good and I hope that your new site helps bring the WA VTXer's together but I know that wavtx intentions were good and he has already brought the group closer by starting this chapter board. If you look at how many post you have on this site and how many post wavtx has on this site you can see who has been contributing the most to this group.

[Grinch]

Hey Tony, let me just say I hope you do well with your site but if you have been running forums as long as you say you have then you know it's not cool to go to another forum to promote yours. That would be like going to a neighborhood party that someone spent the time and effort to get folks to show up to and then you go to their party and tell everyone you have a better party down the road.

Lamont,
I'm not so sure I'd interpret Tony's message so much as promoting his site, as I would putting up a defense of it. I don't know, for sure, but with 650 messages a day, I somehow get the feeling that you really didn't have time to check them all, nor that your reply, here was just because you happened to see it...
That said, I think we're going through a very rough (and unexpected) transition, right now. I think we have some issues to iron out, and I don't see the need for outside influence. Obviously, tensions are high, emotions are peaked and it's a tense time for US. Our group suddenly has TWO forums going, where we used to have ONE and we need to iron out, among ourselves, which one (if there is to be only one) will be our "official" forum. Tony was responding to criticism of HIS forum. While you are the "host", here, this forum carried a disclaimer that it was "unmonitored".
While I appreciate what you have to say, and understand your desire to defend VTXOA, I respectfully ask that you please let us figure this out on our own.
Thanks.

[ajmeier]

Hi Brian

Your assesment of my message is right on track!! Thank you for your post!

For the other messages above....

I am not here to slam VTXOA as I have posted on this (and previous versions) of this board since 2001. However, it is monitored. While some other people do not like cookies, I do not like when people who are not a member of the group having the ability to decide what should or should not be posted. I also believe (my personal opinion - not here to debate) that Delphi is a better format. Luck would have it that they would be down due to upgrades in the middle of this. Timing is everything! :(

I have no skin in this game and am not here to defend anything. I was asked to step by Indy on Monday and I did. If the group wants to go in another direction, that's fine. If someone else wants to step up and build a site that's fine too.

Bottom line is... I am here to debate or defend the site I have built. Like you, I am just here to ride my bike and have fun along the way. :)

I hope to see you at the bike show next month. Take care!

Tony Meier
WashingtonVTX.com

[Rolling Thunder]

I think I will just hang out here. I tried to get on the vtxwa after the recent change only to find out I'm not listed as a member any more. That is just B.S. I'm not giving out the personal information being requested to join something that I was already a member of and have been for a very long time. Why does someone need my street address and phone number just so I can post on their board? Why have some of us been dropped from the membership? The Washington VTX riders originated through vtxriders.com that Wilbur worked to get going. Why aren't the Washington State members there not all on the "new" vtxwa.com site? Sorry if this offends anyone but I don't feel I should have to rejoin something I am already a member of and give out personal information that I don't feel is necessary to be able to make a post.

[Hodad]

I think I will just hang out here. I tried to get on the vtxwa after the recent change only to find out I'm not listed as a member any more. That is just B.S. I'm not giving out the personal information being requested to join something that I was already a member of and have been for a very long time. Why does someone need my street address and phone number just so I can post on their board? Why have some of us been dropped from the membership? The Washington VTX riders originated through vtxriders.com that Wilbur worked to get going. Why aren't the Washington State members there not all on the "new" vtxwa.com site? Sorry if this offends anyone but I don't feel I should have to rejoin something I am already a member of and give out personal information that I don't feel is necessary to be able to make a post.

RT,

Hang here all you want, it ain't going anywhere anytime soon.

Take care.

[Winter Lion]

Hey Tony,

I have heard some concern from people regarding cookies and privacy with Delphi. I have hosted the Norwestar.org forum on Delphi for the last 4 years. We have raised this group from 20 people to over 300 very active members and our forum is the life blood of the group. Never once have I been contacted regarding a breach in privacy. Cookies are not a problem for security. This is the 21st century - no one is anonymous! If you think you are because you don't allow cookies... I have some prime ocean waterfront to sell you!!

My concern wasn't the danger or ability of the spyware to do their intended job. My concern was the lack of a warning from the very people in the process that knew what was going on with the cookies and supposedly had our welfare has fellow bikers as one of their priorities.
Prospective members of your forum should be given all the pertinent information that our admin brothers are party to, so they would be given the same oppurtunity to say no to spyware. My computer screens out the malware and is updated daily to ensure this, many of our brothers may not have such protection, and its to them that an apology for this breach of honor is due above all. Your opinion whether valid or crap about what is acceptable to the rest of us in the 21st century is not a substitute for playing it straight with your brothers. Nuff said.

.................................................. ................Goodybye Tony

[ajmeier]

Hey Tony,

I have heard some concern from people regarding cookies and privacy with Delphi. I have hosted the Norwestar.org forum on Delphi for the last 4 years. We have raised this group from 20 people to over 300 very active members and our forum is the life blood of the group. Never once have I been contacted regarding a breach in privacy. Cookies are not a problem for security. This is the 21st century - no one is anonymous! If you think you are because you don't allow cookies... I have some prime ocean waterfront to sell you!!

My concern wasn't the danger or ability of the spyware to do their intended job. My concern was the lack of a warning from the very people in the process that knew what was going on with the cookies and supposedly had our welfare has fellow bikers as one of their priorities.
Prospective members of your forum should be given all the pertinent information that our admin brothers are party to, so they would be given the same oppurtunity to say no to spyware. My computer screens out the malware and is updated daily to ensure this, many of our brothers may not have such protection, and its to them that an apology for this breach of honor is due above all. Your opinion whether valid or crap about what is acceptable to the rest of us in the 21st century is not a substitute for playing it straight with your brothers. Nuff said.

.................................................. ................Goodybye Tony

I have not been made aware of any so called "spyware". Honestly, I have no idea what you are talking about!!!! I have used Delphi for the last 4 years and have suffered no effects and I am unaware of anyone else who has!

To go out an accuse me on a public forum, shows your character. You don't know me and so don't presume ANYTHING about me until you do!

If you are not interested in the forum, that's okay.... MANY others are.

[Hodad]

As a public forum all are welcome to post their observations. I know WL and his character Tony.

His position is as relevant as yours.

My opinion ofcourse.

[Winter Lion]

Thanks for the backup, Al! Didn't mean to upset anyone, just had to vent my feelings about the Delphi Site, so I could let it go and not have to carry it around with me. I mean, little colored hearts as decorations on a bikers webpage, for crying out loud. I truly hope all the hard workers over there, get the site that will make them happy. No disrespect intended to the members that decided to make it their home forum. My statements were intended for and responded to by a few singular individuals who havn't yet earned the respect they think they're owed.
It was the truth as I saw it and that will never cause trouble for anybody that is being truthful in return. Keep the faith, bros!

[Hodad]

Thanks for the backup, Al! Didn't mean to upset anyone, just had to vent my feelings about the Delphi Site, so I could let it go and not have to carry it around with me. I mean, little colored hearts as decorations on a bikers webpage, for crying out loud. I truly hope all the hard workers over there, get the site that will make them happy. No disrespect intended to the members that decided to make it their home forum. My statements were intended for and responded to by a few singular individuals who havn't yet earned the respect they think they're owed.
It was the truth as I saw it and that will never cause trouble for anybody that is being truthful in return. Keep the faith, bros!

No prob. You're pretty good with that Graphics program. Been wanting to try my hand at it amongst the dozen other things I want to learn.

CUL Dood...

[craneguy]

:shock: Wow! look at all the feathers! I, like Rolling thunder found I am no longer a "member" of the other site. No great loss 8) I have gotten lots of great info and help from this site. I think Lamonster is right on the money! Bashing and devisiveness is a load of crap. I have included a link to the folks who built my seat and it has never been censored. I have grown to really appreciate the folks at Hondaline, none better in my opinion :D I am a novice to these boards and know very little about how they work. All I know is this format works for me.
nuf said