Information => News & Announcements => Topic started by: AlexK on August 22, 2012, 03:35:46 pm
Title: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: AlexK on August 22, 2012, 03:35:46 pm
It seems hard to believe that, in just a couple of months, Abarthisti will be four years old.
What started as an experiment has grown way beyond what I ever expected. Abarthisti's success has been down to you guys, our members - both past and present - and it's probably fair to say that some of Abarth's success in the UK can be attributed to you, the Abarthisti, too. There aren't many automotive marques that can boast an online community with such a high percentage of owner representation, or with so many members that go on to buy second, third or even fourth Abarths, while citing the active community as one of the key reasons for their passion in the brand.
However, that success can come at a cost, and for me, it's been a personal one.
As Abarthisti has grown, so have its demands on my time, and some of you will know that I've already had to take a back seat so as to concentrate on that pesky activity known as a 'day job'.
While I've tried to carry on organising and attending events, providing editorial content and answering emails, the truth is that there just aren't enough hours in the day to do everything that I'd like to.
It's therefore with a certain amount of regret that I've agreed to stand down and transfer ownership of the site to a new owner. Abarthisti is now part of the AutoGuide family of online communities, and they will be along shortly to introduce themselves.
What does this mean for you?
There will be a few changes behind the scenes, but Abarthisti will carry on just as it has been. The forum will look and operate just as it does now, our Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy remain unchanged, and the moderators and administrators will stay just as they are. I know you'll continue to support them as they pick up the reins and drive Abarthisti forwards.
And with that, all that's left for me to say is thank-you for coming along for the ride, for giving me such an enjoyable way to spend too much time not working, and to hope that we'll see each other at an event some time in the future.
Alex
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: Abarthisti on August 22, 2012, 03:37:22 pm
Hi Everyone,
My name is Helena and I work for AutoGuide(dot)com, as you have read above we are now the proud owners of Abarthforum.co.uk. I would like to start out with letting you all know that we are not here to close this site or change this community; we are here to help improve the functionality of the site and help it grow to a new level. We have a great team of tech support that is here to fix any functional issues you have with the site, and help keep the site updated and working. I am here whenever you need help with anything, or if you have a question or concern.
With that I would like you all to know that this is still YOUR community and we are here to work with the community and the existing staff to keep this site a place for you to come and feel at home.
Feel free to post your concerns or questions below or you can PM me any time, you may also email me at Helena@Autoguide.come.
Thank you everyone. Helena
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: simer on August 22, 2012, 03:39:40 pm
Alex - thanks for all of your time over the last 3+ years. This has got to be one of the best owners club forums. Thanks again.
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: Yordan on August 22, 2012, 04:48:24 pm
Alex, thank you for the time and effort you have put into the forum.
Let's hope the forum will stay as it is and not turn into money making machine.
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: lloyd on August 22, 2012, 04:53:08 pm
Thankyou Alex, i've had some very enjoyable and memorable days out with your help.
Good luck with the day job :thumb:
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: Macfie on August 22, 2012, 04:57:29 pm
Many thanks Alex for running the forum and all the good work put in to organising events also keeping us informed about new models etc.Hope you will find time to visit Stanford Hall,MITCAR etc next year. All the very best for the future :thumb:
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: Hozepipe on August 22, 2012, 05:06:53 pm
Good work fella. :wave:
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: colin on August 22, 2012, 05:23:39 pm
Allow me publically to express huge thanks to Alex.
I know from the discussions that go on "behind the scenes" just what a lot of work he has put in over the past 4 years to create, build up and maintain Abarthisti. The events which many of you have enjoyed do not organise themselves and although others have contriguted time and effort over the years, without Alex's leadership we would not be the community that we are now.
Thanks and best wishes, Alex.
And welcome to Helena and the new team
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: DanDey on August 26, 2012, 10:07:39 am
I come back off holiday and am sad to see Alex leaving, I wish you luck for the future and thank you for making this place a brilliant part of owning an Abarth.
Welcome to Helena aswell and I look forward to meeting you at future Abathisti meets :thumb:
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: GTMartin on August 26, 2012, 11:10:19 am
Welcome to Helena aswell and I look forward to meeting you at future Abathisti meets
That would put some miles on her car ;D
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: Andrew on August 27, 2012, 12:39:01 pm
Thank you for creating this superb community Alex. You've certainly cemented yourself in Abarth history :thumb:
Once again thank you!
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: olopboy on August 28, 2012, 01:11:25 pm
As you can tell by the opening post now, AlexK has now completed the hand over and no longer has an account with the forum.
I do want to thank Alex for teaching me a great lesson in life... never utter the phrase "If there's anything I can do to help? around someone who runs a forum ;D
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: lloyd on August 28, 2012, 01:35:31 pm
oh no! i'm number 1 now :D
and Cliff has entered the top 10 :thumb:
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: cliff on August 28, 2012, 02:09:15 pm
My mum said I'd go far in life ;D
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: Grandpa on August 29, 2012, 11:42:47 am
Thanks Alex - I was at the Silverstone (well, Stowe) track day all those years ago. :wave:
Now on Abarth #2 (actually, I've had 5, although earlier ones were under the Fiat banner).
You've done a great job, much appreciated and hope that Helena is as good. :thumb:
(Helena - how about another track day, now that there are loads of us!)
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: Jolley on August 29, 2012, 12:08:51 pm
(Helena - how about another track day, now that there are loads of us!)
Now there is an idea!
Fill me in on what the current track day is and lets work it out that day. I would need help organizing it, if it is something you really want. Since I am in Canada :(
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: scottycross on September 15, 2014, 12:42:25 am
Hi. Just a quick suggestion/question (not sure if it's at all possible or in the right section). Is there any way you can make it so you can click on a persons avatar to view their photo of their car larger? It seems pointless having them there when they're so small and un-viewable. I know people post in the thread for photos but I often find myself trying to click on their avatar to see the person I'm talking to's car but nothing ever happens :(
Just thought i'd ask, obviously doesn't matter if this can't be done, or has been suggested in the past!
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: GTMartin on September 15, 2014, 09:24:17 am
It is something that has been mentioned before, however the Simple Machines Forum that we use does not support a magnify feature.
Title: Re: Behind-the-scenes changes for Abarthisti
Post by: scottycross on September 15, 2014, 10:44:38 am