Facebook Suggestion

[Champ51]

We talked to our oldest son after driving back from St. Louis in the Studebaker. He is in that 30 - 40 year old age group raising a family and with not enough time to work on old cars, but still interested.

He wanted to know what his folks were doing and what it looked like in St. Louis, so he searched the internet for pictures of the meet. He found nothing on any of the news media outlets in St. Louis which didn't surprise him. But, when he found the SDC Facebook page with absolutely nothing about the meet he was appalled. I had to have my wonderful wife show me the SDC facebook page as I'm sure many of you would also have to do.

BUT, if we have a Facebook page for the Club, then we need to assign someone to update it periodically, and nightly during the IM, posting pictures of the scene. From what I could tell the page had last been updated on Feb 20. Facebook is currently a communication medium of choice for the next generation.

I recognize that this is a "dump and run", but I've also noticed thread responses which indicate that some of our members are facebook-savvy. Perhaps we should choose from that set of people.

[Bob Andrews]

Facebook is very easy to use, customizable to only see who and what you want and able to be kept private from those you don't want to see, and enjoyed by most people on the Internet today. I followed the IM through a few pages on Facebook. Particularly enjoyable was John Stalnaker's thorough updates on his IM experience (except for the report and photos yesterday showing that he broke down on the way home. Watching closely for further updates).

I'm sure that several other people who attended the meet have done updates and photos on their Facebook pages, since that is where the majority of people stay connected these days. They have just accepted that it's a waste of time coming here trying to convince people who have decided to keep their minds closed on the subject.

Most chapter Facebook pages that I have seen have very little activity. It almost seems like somebody grudgingly started the page but refuses to embrace it for the great tool it can be.

[rkapteyn]

I am having problems with my Facebook.I have few followers anyway,
I contacted Facebook technical support and was told that a Flikker was thrown at my glass windows 1 and there was nothing they could do for me.
I really liked the interaction on Facebook and miss it.
I went to our street corner and started telling people what I was going to do that day and what I was planning to buy and who my friends are etc.
I soon had three more followers , two cops and a physiatrist.

Robert Kapteyn

[Skip Lackie]

Facebook is very easy to use, customizable to only see who and what you want and able to be kept private from those you don't want to see, and enjoyed by most people on the Internet today.

I'm sure that several other people who attended the meet have done updates and photos on their Facebook pages, since that is where the majority of people stay connected these days. They have just accepted that it's a waste of time coming here trying to convince people who have decided to keep their minds closed on the subject.

Bob-
I feel compelled to take mild issue with your use of the term closed minds to describe those who are not active on Facebook. I think I would describe such a condition as "having other things to do". Not all of us find any benefit or pleasure in telling the world (or a small set of it) what we're doing. For many years, I had a job where I couldn't talk about what I did for a living, except in the most general terms. This probably suited my personality, which falls somewhere between shy and hermit. In any case, it would not occur to me that anyone outside my small circle of friends would have any interest in what I was doing anyway -- and I already have plenty of means to communicate with them.

As I understand it, you are in a profession where positive publicity is a benefit -- so you naturally take advantage of many of the benefits that the Internet has to offer. But not everyone is similarly disposed. In my organization, the PR shop was tasked with keeping us out of the news -- an attitude that I found easy to adopt.

I certainly agree that an active Facebook presence would benefit SDC, especially among the younger people we're trying to recruit -- I just doubt that anything I posted would contribute much. What skills I had/have were better devoted to serving in a number of SDC positions, most recently on the bylaws committee. So I endorse your recommendation that those on Facebook should use it to provide updates on events like the St Louis IM -- just don't assume that those of us not doing so have closed minds.

[52-fan]

Facebook is great for a "light and fluffy" Studebaker fix and would reach more young people. Regular posts during the IM would have been a good thing, but someone would have to step up.
I was telling one of our members about my frustration at people who post technical questions on Facebook instead of the forum. Her opinion was that for many Facebook , which is accessible by smart phone, is a quick way to contact Studebaker folks at any time. The forum is still best for answering questions, but lots of cool stuff turns up on Facebook.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Facebook is a great place for having people not listen to your tech answer.
The SDC forum is a great place for having people pick apart your tech answer.

Facebook is great for a "light and fluffy" Studebaker fix and would reach more young people. Regular posts during the IM would have been a good thing, but someone would have to step up.
I was telling one of our members about my frustration at people who post technical questions on Facebook instead of the forum. Her opinion was that for many Facebook , which is accessible by smart phone, is a quick way to contact Studebaker folks at any time. The forum is still best for answering questions, but lots of cool stuff turns up on Facebook.

[jbwhttail]

My wife posted daily to the Studebaker Addicts Facebook page. Me I don't have time to post or read on Facebook.....I have a life and most of it is private. Great post Stu!

[BobPalma]

My wife posted daily to the Studebaker Addicts Facebook page. Me I don't have time to post or read on Facebook.....I have a life and most of it is private. Great post Stu!

Joe: Did you mean, "Great post, Skip?" I didn't see where Stu Chapman had posted anything, but agree that Skip's post is prescient. BP

[jbwhttail]

My wife posted daily to the Studebaker Addicts Facebook page. Me I don't have time to post or read on Facebook.....I have a life and most of it is private. Great post Stu!

Sorry Bob it was Skip..........OPS (Old Peoples Syndrome)

Nancy and I would like a link to the SDC Facebook page as we can't(she can't) find it.

Here is the path to the Studebakers Addicts Page for those who want to look.... Studebaker Addicts(international) on Facebook

[Jerry Forrester]

I tried Facebook for about a year. All I saw on there are a bunch of narcissists yelling "LOOK AT ME. SEE WHAT I DID. THIS IS WHAT I'M GOING TO DO THIS MORNING, THEN THIS WHAT I'M GOING TO DO THIS AFTERNOON, AND THIS IS WHAT I'M GOING TO DO TONIGHT".

I closed my Facebook account about a year ago and haven't looked back. I have NOT missed it.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Facebook is just a tool...

I use Facebook as a great tool to keep in touch with my extended family.
Send cute little notes and pic's back and forth...
No more deviant than this place is.
Yes, caution should be used, as information put there is visible to others.
But it is not evil.
I would say that there are too many choices of where to go.
This is the open market working as it should.
Some will grow...some will shrivel and die off.
You make your choices, and you go with it.
Condemning someone for their choice is poor form, even if their reasoning is different than the norm..
So be it...

[Bob Andrews]

Bob-
I feel compelled to take mild issue with your use of the term closed minds to describe those who are not active on Facebook. I think I would describe such a condition as "having other things to do". Not all of us find any benefit or pleasure in telling the world (or a small set of it) what we're doing. For many years, I had a job where I couldn't talk about what I did for a living, except in the most general terms. This probably suited my personality, which falls somewhere between shy and hermit. In any case, it would not occur to me that anyone outside my small circle of friends would have any interest in what I was doing anyway -- and I already have plenty of means to communicate with them.

As I understand it, you are in a profession where positive publicity is a benefit -- so you naturally take advantage of many of the benefits that the Internet has to offer. But not everyone is similarly disposed. In my organization, the PR shop was tasked with keeping us out of the news -- an attitude that I found easy to adopt.

I certainly agree that an active Facebook presence would benefit SDC, especially among the younger people we're trying to recruit -- I just doubt that anything I posted would contribute much. What skills I had/have were better devoted to serving in a number of SDC positions, most recently on the bylaws committee. So I endorse your recommendation that those on Facebook should use it to provide updates on events like the St Louis IM -- just don't assume that those of us not doing so have closed minds.

Skip: I can see that you misunderstand how Facebook can be used. Mine is a combination of local racing, collector car, Disney World, and some friends' pages. I don't often post on mine. Rarely post pictures of anybody or personal info. Mostly I look at what's going on with things in which I'm interested. Example- I'm building a race car for a big race, and have found most of what I needed through connections made through one single page. I also get updates on races and racers I care about, as well as information and updates about car groups I choose- including a few Studebaker groups. You customize your account to only see who and what you want, and only those you want can see yours.

If you really think that Facebook has to be about "telling the world what you're doing", then I would say you just haven't taken any time to investigate what it's about. And that would indeed fit my definition of having a closed mind. I'll just tell you, the customizable ability alone makes it the best overall place to be on the internet.

[rockne10]

Facebook has become more of a social magazine than a social network. No endearing pet videos nor obnoxious political sideswipes are expunged. You look at what you choose, disregard what disinterests you and share what you believe to be of interest. Add what you wish and edit as you will. Simply entertainment, light communication and a soapbox for curmudgeons. An important tool to raise the dander of anyone you disagree with. Rarely challenges anyone to think beyond their sphere but, entertaining still.

[Skip Lackie]

Skip: I can see that you misunderstand how Facebook can be used. Mine is a combination of local racing, collector car, Disney World, and some friends' pages. I don't often post on mine. Rarely post pictures of anybody or personal info. Mostly I look at what's going on with things in which I'm interested. Example- I'm building a race car for a big race, and have found most of what I needed through connections made through one single page. I also get updates on races and racers I care about, as well as information and updates about car groups I choose- including a few Studebaker groups. You customize your account to only see who and what you want, and only those you want can see yours.

If you really think that Facebook has to be about "telling the world what you're doing", then I would say you just haven't taken any time to investigate what it's about. And that would indeed fit my definition of having a closed mind. I'll just tell you, the customizable ability alone makes it the best overall place to be on the internet.

[DEEPNHOCK]

Several SDC chapters put their newsletters up on Facebook.
Facebook is easy to use.
I have a Twitter account and used it about a half dozen times.
Haven't been there in over a year, if even that.
Doesn't fit my needs or desires. So what?
Facebook is nice (for me) for many reasons.
I do find it interesting that there is a large group of Studebaker enthusiasts on Facebook that do not even know about the SDC website, or the SDC forum.
Again... So what?
If the SDC should choose to participate on Facebook, they stand to gain...if they do it right.
Remember that Facebook is just a tool.

My mantra about tools....
Only three things happen with tools.
(1) Nothing... If it is never used.
(2) Bad things...If it is used improperly.
(3) Great things...If it is used properly.

I would not condemn anybody for choosing not to use a tool.
When it comes to tools, some people could break stainless steel balls in a sandbox with a rubber hammer...
Some people should never be allowed to use tools.