How about an Autococker Forum??

[AGD]

AO,

The best thing about this forum is that everyone is friendly and intelligent. Now we know that most of you own, or will own, more than one gun. We have always said we don't care if you own an Autococker everyone owns both guns eventually anyway. So Webbie and I were thinking that if we had a Cocker and maybe an Angel forum we would attract a broader base of people (and maybe they would buy AGD stuff too). Once they get here and see what's up, the family could just get bigger without flooding the main forum.

What are your thoughts on this?

AGD

[Chris]

Its not too bad of an idea, but if you do that, you will eventually want to broaden your horizons even more. This board will become much like paintballcity. If you can afford to keep the site up and running free of charge with all of the extra traffic, it would be great. I do however, think that much of the appeal of the site comes from its "small town" atmosphere. Its kinda like Cheers, where everyone knows your name :D If you want to have a forum where we can discuss other guns, make one for "other markers" or something generic. Alright, its late, I'm tired, and starting to ramble. I just dont want this place to turn into paintballcity.

-Chris

[Miscue]

Ooooh. I like this idea.

[DjGruv]

Sounds good to me!:D

[Manuel_FZR]

hmmm ... not so bad, but I think, this should be an Automags forum. When I enter this site, I´m interested in AGD-related questions! Not other markers.
The positiv aspekt could be, as said by you Tom, to reach others. The negativ to create a not so familiar atmosphere.
Another bad point is the possibility, that the Automag forum is not so supported, if other forums need also support ...
Now on every question there is an answer in a few moments. If there are more forums, the specialists have to concentrate on more forums, and perhaps, the answers are not so fast given. I could be wrong, but this is a point!

[HyperSnyper]

Im not too sure...

It would be kinda wierd to have an autococker forum in AUTOMGSONLINE.

One good thing about the idea that you said is that it can attract more ppl to AGD. But then again, it is a double edged sword. Cocker posters can also attract AGD owners to their camp, and we will be losing AGD owners.

Im not afraid of Cocker owners bringing up the Cocker vs Mag debate, I am completely ready for rebuttle. I just know that Cocker ppl can be influential, especially since they have massive numbers using their guns. Most ppl will not listen to design and dynamics, theyd rather rely on "what the most popular" gun is.

It can go either way...

Doesnt hurt to give it a try.

[gadget68]

I am in agreement with Chris. This forum has a special feel to it, where one can go and chat, gossip, be informative, get information, and just hang out.
Unless I am understanding you wrong. Are you thinking about creating another forum all together that would be accessable from another location? or adding the threads from AUTOMAGs.ORG?
I do like the paintball city idea. Where all who enjoy the sport can meet and exchange ideas.

[Flamebo]

Hm... Guess we won't need autocockers.org anymore... It didn't attract a huge member base and tons of posts as quickly as I had hoped, but it won't be able to touch the mega-forumbase that is now Automags Online. Ah well, suppose I could sell it...

[Dubstar112]

As long as the board URL is still Automags.org :)

yes I like chris's idea, maybe just another forum for "other markers"

[Load SM5]

Maybe we could start it slowly by having an "Other Guns" forum and see how that goes. I like the idea of having others visiting AO and seeing what a great forum it's turned into, but I also think some are already here who don't own AGD products, and that number will grow, over time, without any major changes.

[shartley]

I can see the advantages and disadvantages of that idea...

I just warn that we have seen other Online Forums go to the dogs because they let too many people in and did not maintain control..... MODERATORS START YOUR ENGINES! :D

We don't want this to be another PBD or similar Forum.

[Tbone]

Originally posted by shartley
We don't want this to be another PBD or similar Forum.

I completely agree with shartley on this one. I enjoy the AO atmosphere, and I believe alot of that atmosphere is from everyone's love of automags. Add an autococker forum, and you're bringing in alot of people who don't share the same attitudes that automag owners do.

Granted, many people who own autocockers are great, but then there's always the "my gun has $300 more chrome than yours" aspect. I HATE those people more than anything else in paintball.

Just a thought.

[Shaft]

Would Bud Orr make regular appearances?

Better yet, would the Angel girls be making regular appearances!?!?

I don't think it's necessary. People here that have Cocker questions ask them anyway.
We do have a fraternal like atmosphere here. Cocker forums could be cool or they could create an us vs them attitude that is better left on the field.

[luke]

I'm kinda partial to the current set up because the majority of members AGD oriented. The current format helps keep the peace. I think if it gets too broad based it will lose it's current appeal. It's great that there are others here that aren't necessarily Mag orientated, but they are probably here for the same reason the rest of us are, a friendly atmosphere. I wonder how much chaos it would cause having devout Cocker and Angel owners here in the masses. It would be a bummer to lose what you've already built.

I understand the attraction from a business point of view, but that's what we are here for, to convert one at a time. :)

I try to be open minded to change, but you have to ask your self, how much is too much? Too much of a good thing is still to much.


But, on second thought if I were a Guinness I would be President of my own company! ;)

[e21bgl]

Should keep this forum for AGD's members. :)
Beau

[gimp]

If you did anything, I would keep it limited to an "other guns" section. See how that goes, then if necessary, divide that up even further. I do like the current atmosphere of AO, and I don't want it to get messed up. Just make sure that the people for the 'other guns' section don't over run the automag base that is here. Thats what I'm concerned about.

[magic55]

i think its a awesome idea except if the other people started coming and just making a lot of flames

[cphilip]

I like Gimps "other guns" forum idea the best. Why only Cockers? Why not all of them? AGD owners seem to be open minded but lets keep em all in their proper separate place.

[StevoC]

My question is what happens if the number of users for the other markers out weigh the number of mag users? Another brand of users could take over the forum, and turn off some of the AGD loyalists. I know I come here because it is mag oriented. There will be a few questions concerning other markers, but it is pretty minimal.


Maybe we could start it slowly by having an "Other Guns" forum and see how that goes.

I think that the general paintball forum is good for other markers. Could even make a new forum for other markers with no one marker being specific. I think if you have specific marker forums, it will take away from the mags, and could possibly take over with a new croud of different users.

Just my 2 cents.

[Russ]

An "other guns" forum would be good. It would help all of us who are looking for INTELLIGENT conversation about their other guns. It's real hard to find that on PBcity & PBnation. The Mods would have a lot more work cut out for them, though, as more and more rif-raf would migrate over here.

[slateman]

Why on earth would we want a bunch of cocker babies over here talking about how there gun is SOOOO much better than ours? One of the reasons I got a Mag was this forum and its tech support. If you want, go contact Budd Orr and tell him to start his own.

If he does I'm gonna switch guns. That way I can have elves in my gun too:D :D

[Ityl]

nothing wrong with giving it a shot. As long as it doesn't get into a flame fest I think it'd be an awesome idea.

[Prezents]

As you have stated before, this is a forum for everyone and I am sure that this will help all.

[Load SM5]

Originally posted by luke
But, on second thought if I were a Guinness I would be President of my own company! ;)

If you were a dark beer you'd be a president? :confused:

[pntbawlrmz]

id like to be able to read and hear about stuff with other guns but as others have been saying there are draw backs to that. i just joined pbnation.com, a huge forum a lot like this one, but with many different forums, all the different gun forums, area of nation forums, classified sections, its nice but just from reading and observing what those people write, a lot of them seem to be... uh how do i put it nicely... jags. while they do have lots of helpful people there is a lot of flaming and just plain ripping on other people as well as there guns. i think that to get this done right youd have to have a few more mods and really watch what people start to post. i would like a bigger ao, but the ao we have now has a nice atmosphere to it, like one post said, cheers.

[Drizit]

perhaps an other guns tech forum would be useful but I would go too far with this idea, because cockers and angels are popular they have a following of people who are a bit less then pleasant to talk with. don't get me wrong the person who got me into the sport and suggested that a mag would be the ideal gun for me shoots a cocker, a shocker, and wants to get an angel so they aren't all bad.

[jimmyjobob]

i think its a bad idea. there are plenty of other forums for cocker owners. have nothing against them, hell i own one.

this is automags.org. for automags, keep it that way

[Hexis]

How about

Main
Automags - Tech Forum
Other Guns - Tech Forum
Historic
Deep Blue
Friendly Corner
For Sale

[Chaos]

AGD - I'd say to do a whole new cocker site (i've actually been working on doing a cocker site.... i could help out if needed), then have a cocker forum here and have it linked to the cocker site. Then again, I'd say if you want to do that, make sure you get Budd Orr and some techs for cockers there so its like this site only its all one big thing. I dunno, it doesn't really work, PBC is there and is really a great forums site, if you want to pay, and if you dont there is always PB Nation.

[zvanut]

AO is pretty cool how it is, but a few more Big Names in paintball would be nice. As long as it doesnt turn out like paintballcity :)

[Thordic]

tell that cheap bastich Budd Orr to run a sister site :)

[SoupRman]

plain and simple, if it stays free i like the idea! :D

[Riot[Z-Grip]]

I like the fraternity and brotherhood associated with AO. People here generally have the same values and more often then not keep the level of conversation up to a fairly high standard. I would hate this place to lose this unique feeling it has that we all love. I wouldn't be opposed to the "Other Gun" forum idea, centralizing all the random other gun questions. I'm just afraid that if we open up too much that we would also corrupt the fundamentals of this forum. Also, with all this letting members be allowed in R&D, what would happen if you got people on here that were biased against AGD? Sorry for being so long-winded and pessimistic, just bringing some ideas to the table.

-Riot

[skipdogg]

I see your logic, but its not a good idea. AGD needs to worry about their own products and loyal customers. Your going to reach a broader base of customers through word of mouth from people like us, and players seeing mags in action. Cockers and Angels have come up on posts at AO before and are free to do so in the future. Most of us are mag biased, but we dont bash cocker or angel people (too much). Anyway, the point is this is a refuge for MAG owners. i think your heart is bigger than your head on this one. Remember too, not all people are open minded. In fact most are set in their ways when it comes to paintball markers. You can't change everyone Tom. Let's just work on what we got!!!

[bornl33t]

I look at this idea with mixed feelings. ON one side it's a huge idea. The increase in members and more info etc. But on the other hand... I've just about droped off AO because there are too many ppl here... I joined AO back before AGD hit. When AGD bought it up I was like... "yeah!" but now AO's lost everything I joined up for. MAG-info, a small exclusive and knowlageable comunity, clean PG forums, none of that fancy mumbo jumbo like sig pic, smiley's ( arg )

Ao's become a PBD.. without the 400 forums... but we're gettign there too... so in essence...it's PBD all over again.

I know this is what I, ME MYSELF and I, want. I know it's against anything that AGD would like for this site. Because the more members, the more advertisement gets read, the better PR agd can practise, the more guinea pigs AGD has. Because I want to promote the sport I can only hope that more ppl hear of AGD's friendly staff and costumer service and public immage as a "responsible" organization.
SO I suppose go ahead... but I will pry not be around one of these days....

[Nobody]

while yes, the idea of such a section has good intentions. but you will then bring down the idea of having AO. this place is for Automags, and its family of guns. if this where open to everyone, what's to say that it won't deteriorate into pbnation or any other forum that has gone down the wayside, because of the garbage that will come?

i enjoy coming here, because i can talk shop about Mags with people that have Mags. if i ask a specific questions, like my trigger is hanging, or my sear isn't ingaging, then someone won't have to ask, what kind of gun i have. that in itself is good.

sure, you want people with an outside view of mags to help with the evolution of the gun. most people here know and love the gun as you give them. but someone that doesn't like or is indifferent to them, may have an idea that would or could be benifical later on. besides, i see a lot of people on here without Mags and people with other guns in addition to their mags. i should know, i am one of them.

right now, my forum, the Tippmann Forum, is inindated with many questioins other than Tippmanns, which is fine, but it gets tiring. i know mags pretty well(but not as well as some of you), but when a question is asked, most people give the knee jerk reaction to them. i go in, correct the previous statements with facts and asnwer their questions. Tippmann, has no rule against other guns or questions, as it maintains that it is a paintball forum. not Tippmann only. but to me, i see almost half as many questions for Tippmanns as guns other than. stay to one thing that you want and know, Mags. but if someone comes here and asks a question about another guns, don't chase them out, answer there questions, and if they choose to stay because of the environment then its one for them.

so that's my .02 cents to the matter.

[Army]

Tom, what we have here right now is a success beyond what I ever thought it would be. I too, am from the "old" AO days and must relate then with now.

The old AO was very small in terms of members, yet we all got along very well because we would come to the aid of a newbie, or someone totally confused with their marker, in a helpful and generous way.

When you bought the site from Flamebo (& Co.), we were all very skeptical about the direction it would go. After all, one of the biggest names in the industry just started his very own web-site to promote his very own company. We had visions of banners, pop-ups, forums on every conceivable aspect of the sport, and the flood of PBC types spewing their silly range stories.

To our surprise and delight, you kept the quiet deportment, the advertisement free pages, the god-like knowledge, and the simple single theme forum. This is what has attracted us here and kept us here, (I won't mention the contests and give-aways that no other site is capable of pulling off!). The failure of nearly all other paintball sites, is that they become too diverse and lose the "oneness" that originally attracted posters.

We are Automags.org, we never pretend to be anything else. To have other brands of guns with their own forums and mods would fail the family attitude we have strived for. There are enough members with 'cockers and Angels and Spyders (I'm one) and such that any question or problem posted is quickly taken care of anyway, without having to resort to their own forums.

I hate to say, that Deep Blue has become an Albatross. While some wonderful cranial worship has happened there, it has also become rather stagnant. These same thoughts can be addressed and discussed on main or FC. While I cannot prove it, I am sure DB has resulted in many members resenting terribly, that they could not be a special member there. This is what I believe will happen with "other guns" forums.

Let's keep Automags.org as is. Let us instead get agreements have prominent links to Autocockers.org, WARPIG, SpyderOwnersGroup etc...and vice/versa. Perhaps a bright, colorful links page.

Just my $.02
:cool:

[mitch]

i likeit.
i would like to know more about the impulse and emag.
but i can;t find anything about the impulse.

[Mega Man]

geez...this is turning out to be a civil war between AO, part want one thing while the ther another (maybe im blowing this out of proportion but oh well:D ) , anyways im nuetral

[pumpamatic]

I think the idea sounds good, but it may get complicated. For example, while you are running the Fantasy Emag contest, 3 of your prizes are Intelliframes. What's a cocker owner going to do with an Intelliframe? Probably sell it, but now you will have to offer a variety of prizes, or just not include Mag-specific products. Keep in mind that you can't just boot tons of people because of what gun they own if you don't like the results you are getting. Once they are here, there's no getting rid of them.

[X-Plosive]

I don't like this idea at all:confused: Maybe you can create a completely different site and keep it top secret that it belongs to you.............I juts don't want AO to become so big.....It's already big enough as it is and must I remind you that there is like a 5:1 ratio, cocker owners to mag owners.

[InfinatyBPS]

personaly think it would be a keen idea. Mabe it is just because I have an autococker. But many people that come to this board also have an autococker and I feel kind of stupid about asking my Cocker questions on the main forum of a Mag Site. I think it will benifit everyone. I say just add and extra forums for Cockers. It will rule, mabe an Angel one too. Please don't add a blowback forum there are plenty of those around already. I would love for there to be a Cocker forum for us to get away from all the mag biosed opinions.

[FooTemps]

I don't think you should do this. In the end you'll just end up closing the forums for other markers just like how 5thgenmaximas closed it's 1st,2nd,3rd,4th generation maxima forums. I'm referring to the car Nissan Maxima. Not to mention you'll get more flames on the forums that way...

[Tunaman]

How about another forum called "Other Quality Guns"? That should suffice to keep happy anyone else who happens to arrive at this great site you have created. The family type atmosphere we all enjoy here could be compromised by the silly antics of other "outsiders". And as far as the contests' go...you could still have them. But contests need rules, and the 1st rule would be that you must have a REGISTERED AGD marker, With serial # posted in your sig. That might sell some guns! To lose what you have gained already would be a great injustice to all our members. I have completely stopped visiting other sites, due to the cursing and plain old mannerless talk that I would find there. The Dojo should be all the reason you need to forget this idea. I love this place...and all you guys. Please don't ever take that away from me. We ARE spreading the word Tom, I see it more and more everyday. AGD Rules! Long live AGD! :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

[User]

Although it would provide a more central point on the 'net to talk about 'cockers, rather than the many other forums that have sprung up due to PBC's pay system, I'd have to disagree with the addition of forums for other markers. As said, it would increase and benefit AO.org in member base and such, but when we think automags.org, we think of a place to discuss aspects of the AGD product line in most cases.

The community here is the most valuable aspect of the site, or any site for that matter. I have visited AO enough in the past year to see the change and fluctuations within the community even just with automag users. Not to say that's bad though. :) I just feel bringing in "non-AGD" product forums would only create more of a limit to the community in social terms. The reason why this community feels like a family is because we all share a common interest in AGD and its products, and mainly because 95% of us own AGD products or have at some point. We can relate. Instead of this site being one small community, it would most likely split into however many other forums are put up for other markers. I personally would like to see autocockers.org become as active as AO. The site has a lot of potential being hosted with a to-the-point name instead of an autococker forum off of some diverse megasite...or one where you have to pay to read and post.

[ralicea]

Tom,

I would keep it AGD only.

my .2cents

[alf]

the idea is worth trying...my concern is the same as some of the other members, in that the site will become a dojo...but, with the right moderators...and it sounds like a lot of people would VOLUNTEER to moderate, we could keep it under control...the community IS very family-ish...and yes that is nice, but expanding that family atmosphere to include OTHER quality markers should be fairly easy...i think we could all pitch in and help the moderators out when we see abuse on the boards

i also own a cocker, and dont know a THING about them...i have to ask the little guys at the field whats wrong with my cocker...i feel SO helpless with it, compared to my mag (thanks to the things i have learned here)...if i could have that same confidence in my cocker (or any other gun i own), because i have learned it here, i would be grateful to the board, and continue to urge non mag shooters to come and visit, because the site could help them too

but, bottom line is that it is YOUR decision, and you will take members opinions into account...im sure that the members will support your decision no matter what it is.

-alf

[Drizit]

after considering all the possible outcomes of doing this I think I'll change my opinion a bit. As they say Tom, if it ain't broke' don't fix it.

however I do like Army's idea regarding the links page, that should accomplish some of the advertising you wanted, perhaps not as much but all the same with the family atmosphere around here it may be more effective rather then showing it to more people who aren't going to pay any attention anyway. any time I see someone with a mag problem I can't fix or even if I do fix it I suggest they go here. how often do you see the foul language filter in use? now take a look at many of the other more populated forums out there and read some of the language that is used? the conversation here is kept at a fairly high level whereas on other sites it becomes a case of "you suck", "oh yeah? well...well...Your MOM." I for one don't want to see AO become that.

[gimp]

I can see what everyone else is saying. I hate paintballcity too, but I still think we should give an "other guns" forum a try. It's not like we get many posts about other guns in here anyway, so I doubt the site would grow much more because of an extra section. It would make it easier for people to get information they want. If we do anything, I think it's worth a shot, we can always shut it down.

[Tubby_Ninja]

Don't like it, not one bit...

I hear enough crap about my mag at my field from all the Cocker/Angel wannabe's. Don't need to hear it on my forum too...

[joeyjoe367]

Hmmm... I think the Idea for an "Other Quality 'Guns" Forums would be .... tolerable.

I, for one, prefer This forum to ANY other online forum on the net. I won't bring my questions or oppinions on 'mags to any other forum, whether it be paintball city, PBnation, or PBreview.

Sometimes, I do drop some info once in a while (Mags DO work on Co2 :))

Anyway, for AGD's benefit, giving people a broader range of forums to go to here would probably help with sales, and disspelling the 'mags reputation (the E-Mag is already helping out with that)

If it were up to me, I'd stick with these forums just the way they are. I understand that people would like to talk about other 'guns here, so I guess just an "other guns' forum would be a compromise.

The thing is, you can go to just about ANY other forum and get information on differant 'guns. All the automag forums on other sites are kinda bare.

But that's just because everyone worth talkin' to is right here :)

[Drizit]

the thing about an "other guns" tech forum is that people will probably get less answers there then they do now. Reason being that less people will see the posts. I know my way around blowbacks and mags so if I see a spider or tippmann question in the mag tech forum I can answer it. however I don't think I would spend much time in the "other guns" forum because I'd be looking at the mag tech forum or the main forum to learn all I can about my mag. unless we suddenly gain lots of cocker and angel users the forum would likely stagnate. however if we did suddenly gain enough users to justify having it then the other forums would likely become over run with cocker and angel users.

[TheTramp]

I like the idea of adding an "other guns tech" forum. That'll even help people already here who may not want to post questions about non-AGD markers. Plus it will attract people who are looking for intelligent help but don't own a Mag.

[Dubstar112]

If AGD is looking for a specific forum for the cocker, I think it would be cool to help Autocockers.org get started back up and jumpin, it has the potential

and by AGD helping.. i mean like pursueding Bud Orr to Join that forum and help get the site rollin, and have a link on Automags Online to the Autocockers Online, and visa versa

Im sure that Bud has atleast heard of this site, and he must realize how much help a crowd like this can be..

this to me looks like a viable solution, to adding another forum, without adding another forum :)

Ive been reading this site since the old days before AGD, and I never joined untill just before AGD took control,(in a positive way though).. I purchased my mag because of this site.. And having too many people could cause a disaster..(seen it happen.)

[RTrampage]

Well, the thing I dont like about that idea is one of the many things that makes AGD better than the rest is if you have a problem you can come right here and not only get help and input from other automag owners but the owner of the company himself. This may not be a good thing but this is another thing I share with people that like to say automags suck without a reason.