Greetings all,
Hope you are have a happy and safe holiday. Just a quick update on the future of the Amphicar forums. The primary message is that the forums will continue for the foreseeable future.
As you likely know, my intent was to shut it down at the end of the year following a 20+ year run. Usage has dwindled to a fraction of what it once was as platforms like Facebook continue to kill off forums such as this. I consider it unfortunate as Facebook does not maintain a strong historical archive and is also a data privacy nightware who sells your personal information. My opinion is clearly in the minority on that point as most of our former contributors now use FB almost exclusively for their Amphicar related messaging. It did not make much sense to keep spending money on keeping up a forum that few people continue to utilize.
Anyhow, a few months ago I was contacted by the IAOC Board members who offered to take on the costs of maintaining the forums. This made a lot of sense to me as it ensures continuity and shifts away from the model where a very small percentage of Amphicar owners are bearing the costs. Back when I started this I always envisioned that it should be a service of the IAOC. Jeff Sweet (Club President at the time) was not interested so it kind of took on a life of its own.
I do want to thank all of those who did provide financial and emotional support to this service over the years. Several of you have been annual contributors making generous contributions. In reality, I likely would have kept it going out of appreciation for you. You will notice that I have removed the "contributions" link since, starting with 2023, teh club will take on funding of the site.
I have offered to continue serving as site admin since I know the platform and have the historical knowledge. The club will also designate some additional person(s) to assist with these duties and keep things running long after I am no longer able to. A big thanks to Pat and all the other IAOC Board members for stepping up and ensuring the 20+ years of Amphicar wisdom stored here will be available to future generations.
Hope you are have a happy and safe holiday. Just a quick update on the future of the Amphicar forums. The primary message is that the forums will continue for the foreseeable future.
As you likely know, my intent was to shut it down at the end of the year following a 20+ year run. Usage has dwindled to a fraction of what it once was as platforms like Facebook continue to kill off forums such as this. I consider it unfortunate as Facebook does not maintain a strong historical archive and is also a data privacy nightware who sells your personal information. My opinion is clearly in the minority on that point as most of our former contributors now use FB almost exclusively for their Amphicar related messaging. It did not make much sense to keep spending money on keeping up a forum that few people continue to utilize.
Anyhow, a few months ago I was contacted by the IAOC Board members who offered to take on the costs of maintaining the forums. This made a lot of sense to me as it ensures continuity and shifts away from the model where a very small percentage of Amphicar owners are bearing the costs. Back when I started this I always envisioned that it should be a service of the IAOC. Jeff Sweet (Club President at the time) was not interested so it kind of took on a life of its own.
I do want to thank all of those who did provide financial and emotional support to this service over the years. Several of you have been annual contributors making generous contributions. In reality, I likely would have kept it going out of appreciation for you. You will notice that I have removed the "contributions" link since, starting with 2023, teh club will take on funding of the site.
I have offered to continue serving as site admin since I know the platform and have the historical knowledge. The club will also designate some additional person(s) to assist with these duties and keep things running long after I am no longer able to. A big thanks to Pat and all the other IAOC Board members for stepping up and ensuring the 20+ years of Amphicar wisdom stored here will be available to future generations.
