You know what upsets me the most rick?


you never talked about your RBV

 

thanks for the heads up!

 

overall, im pretty happy with the site. not entirely happy with the new format bc i did lik my larger avatar and i did pay for it. i dont see why its such a big deal to possibly change this white background bc it is SOOO bright. keep the same everything, just ditch the white please. After all, we are reading alot of posts and text up here. It makes it rough on the eyes reading it on the white background. its as simple as a color change. I see that there is no way, no how we are convincing anyone to change the theme to one similar to the old them (avatar on top of post), so i wont jump on that bandwagon because it is out of the question. My only requests are to change the white, it hurts my eyes...and possibly put the "ranger-forums" text back to the original Rough Brush font like our sticker.

now that i am done with my requests, like i daid, i love RF and get alot of useful information from it because it feels like a great community. jsut sick of all this bickering and stuff.

 

how many times has this been covered????

you can change back to the classic blue skin in the lower left side of the page...

 

Your a jack***! How dare you insult the rest of who didn't jump on the little FRF bandwagon!

Agreed!


And on a side note, since we're all putting in our two cents, I'm tired of the lil kindergarten drama on here some of you keep stirring. If you don't like the site, the owner, Zach, or whomever else, QUIT COMING BACK. Ya'll have another home!! Go there and stay there! Let RF continue to be a source for Ranger Enthusiasts to come to for information and meeting other enthusiasts. Grow up people!

Rick, congrats on the ownership! I'm sure with Zach and other staff running RF, it will continue to grow. Kudos to those running it! You have more patience than I do! Good thing about the changes..........you'll weed out some of the trash! Continue to ROCK ON fellow RF Enthusiasts! You know where its at.............AND ITS HERE!!

I'll never leave, I may get banned for speaking my mind but ya need to keep a successful site, DRAMA FREE!

Lil boys are so silly. Grow up babies!

LONG LIVE RF!

 

No one ever likes to see their "community" turn into an investment, especially when it is by someone who is an outsider.

Like it or not Rick, you may hold the title, and pay the bills; but this place belongs to its members. We are the content and what made it the community that it is.

Now that being said, I don't mind ads when the site runs smooth as butter. I really don't notice the skins on my BB. I don't like the smaller avatars but that's not a very big deal.

Rick, from what I've seen so far you're intelligent anyway. This site is soo much more than a means for you to generate $$ (I get suspicious of intelligent people who tell me "just trying to break even") don't forget that and we will all get along. Well. Eventually. Lol

Now let's see some pics/info of your truck. You just violated the most strict rule on your own site. Moar pictarz!

 

Thanks for all the great comments guys.


When Christian owned it he had people that gave him server space for free, not the best servers but it got us by. We had several times where the site was almost completely LOST because of failed servers and a possible chance of not getting any of the data back.

I spent 2-3 days fixing the database and moving the site to a better host.

Some of you need to realize we are pretty lucky for the site even to exist today. Christian was tired of it, and tired of pumping money into it to make it stay afloat.

I put money out of my own pocket to host the site for several months earlier this year and i had 0% ownership in any of it, nothing! I spent time getting stickers and selling sticker, shirts, and all of that to try and break even, never did. Do i regret it? No, look at where the site has progressed since then. Now it is no longer a worry, we have a few banners of authorized vendors, big deal.

 

So, Im glad this thread was made. It clears some stuff up. I guess I could jump on the bandwagon and ***** about the adds and smaller avatar and such but I wont. The only thing I need is some stickers. Ive been here since Jan. contributor since Mar. or April when stickers werent being given out with contributor status, i just want some dang stickers lol. Anyways nice to meet you Rick, im pretty easy to get along with and it takes a bit to **** me off so if ya keep up with the site that should be good enough for me.

 

Everybody posting in this thread and *****ing is an idiot. It's the internet. Get out and do something instead of *****ing about a website, you morons.

I was confused one day when I logged on and my avatar was deleted, but that was because I hadn't logged on in 5 days, lol. My only complaint was that the deadline should have been a whole week, because some of us got tons of stuff going on.

It's about time somebody said it!

And how many people have actually given you the gratitude for doing so? Probably very few, if any. So thanks Beard!

 

i realize that, but i want this new layout with a darker background...thats all, nothing more. it does look fresh and clean, but the white is just killer on the eyes.

 

Well I have been a member of this site for a while, and I have stayed even a year after I owned any RBV or even a Ford, because I liked this place. I used to enjoy the debates we had here, even the heated ones, but in the end it was like arguing with a Brother, you’d be mad at him and then he would post a meet pic and you would be all congratulatory and proud of him. I don’t know when it happened but this place has become less and less the friendly and jovial place I loved, over the last year or so, I don’t know what it is, I think it was when people stopped knowing each other. Like when the Religious and politics section had to be closed, because people took things D. said personally because they didn’t know him or understand how he thought. That is just one example, I think it is more of a “too big for its britches” type of thing than who owns it.

When I joined I thought it was going to be like all other forums I have been on where people avoided me until I XXXX number of posts, but immediately Zach, Stone and some others made me feel welcome and made sure I knew how great this place was. I like Zach and I think he was a great choice for Christian as an admin cause he has invested so much in this site, and I love his truck (even though it is Waaaaayyyy to extreme for my taste, but it is a beast). So I have no problem there. But, I was around when Christian and his Mom used to post regularly and this place was better then. Heck you could even ask her for motherly advice which was awesome IMO. What I noticed when I joined here was the sense of ownership (pride if you will) that members used to have. I think Both Stone and Zach, conveyed that to me when I introduced myself. I don’t see that anymore. I see this more as a place that you have to tip toe around in, and stick to the subject matter.

Now I usually don’t post Criticism without a solution, but I think the only solution is a time machine. This site is OK, it used to be great and IMO it is a condition of time and growth more than management or anything else. The owner used to be one of us, and used to convey that he did this for us, not to make money and I believed that. Now Like most of us, he has changed his life goals and a site dedicated to a truck he hasn’t owned in three years seems like a hobby that needs to go by the way side for his career and family obligations (ie. Growing up). There really is no way to go back so you can only go forward. I wish this site would contribute more to feeling like a family again, not a business, I wish the off topic sections were more of a place to ruminate down the path of life, kind of like buddies in a garage that take three hours to change brake pads cause they are too busy BS’ing with friends. But when work needs to be done we will be there to answer questions. Not sure how to get there. Maybe I need to buy another ranger to feel like I fit in, but I hope we can get there again.

Anyhoo this is all said without any animosity so don’t take it that way Rick (I honestly have no idea who you are or if you active before the ownership so I can not judge), or anybody.

I agree some of the *****ing is over the top, but so is the additude of Drink the kool-aid, this place rocks adn if you don't think it is better than sliced bread, leave. Both attitudes suck.

~HJ

P.S. I missed the announcement about the avatars so mine got deleted and I care too little to come up with a new one! LOL

 

Thanks for the intro..

Sorry about the whiners. There are a lot of them. If they leave and go somewhere else, it would be a relief

 

Couldn't agree more! I'm a member who's been around these "Ranger forums" since the days of G-E. There's very few of us around anymore, and if you go back and look at all the people who commented in this thread, the majority that LIKE the new site joined in 2007 or later. Not trying to be an elitist or anything like that, just saying it's all about perspective.

There's no two ways about it, the site was hands down, far and away better when Christian owned it. Now, I understand the server BS and hosting issues were a huge pain in the *** for Zach and other mods. But on a purely site based opinion, there is no way the site has half the community, fun, knowledge or friendship that was there in say 2007. I've never been a contributor, mainly because I don't 'mod' my truck as I don't find that to be a high priority. I would rather spend the money on my wife or save it for a house...that's just me. I mainly just roam the off-topic section now and search for threads when I have a problem. But even as just a regular member, I could ALWAYS understand why people contributed to the site.

A) They got some benefits from it (Avatars, stickers etc.)
B) The forum was a community, like a family, and needed the money to survive

As to why anyone would pay to be a contributor now, I don't understand. There are really no benefits I see, there is alot of advertising on the site now and the community/friendship feel is deteriorating by the day.

Now, I know Christian and Zach forked out money to keep the site going, and I appreciate that. But that was the difference from then to now. It was people giving out of their own pockets to keep it going and keep it up, thus making it an investment in friendships more-so than a business investment. The fact of the matter is Christian was a Ranger owner who started the site out of love for Rangers and his friends. Now the site is owned by someone I've never heard of (no offense, Rick) since 2003 when I bought my truck and started lurking 'Ranger fourms'. And I think that's how alot of old school members feel, we all look back to the good old days when the owner was one of us, the site was small and there was a real family feel. That's what separated this site from all others on the internet. I've seen alot of good members leave in the last few months, others have been banned, and that sucks. This place just isn't the same, no two ways about it.

Bottom line, this place is run as a business now, and that changes everything. I'm not saying that's wrong for Rick to do, he bought it with his money, it's his and he can do what he wants. I don't believe for a second that you 'want it to break even' one day. The sad fact is, once this place becomes a business for someone, the sense of community and family is out the window. Now, anyone with a personality is banned. Don't know if I will be around much longer, not that anyone would miss me. But it's like everyone is drones now...boring threads, no debate, no camaraderie...site's gone downhill, no two ways about it. The noobs will enjoy it tho, and I guess that's good news for the owners pocketbook.

 

Wow... missed this thread for the most part... but damn what a read.

Ok. I'll throw my opinion in.

First, and foremost, Rick. Thanks for finally speaking up. The only issue I had all along with this transition was that I hadn't heard anything about Christian letting go of the site. Back in January '09, he posted say he had no intention of letting the site go. So it was a bit of shock when all the sudden people were complaining about the new owner.

But you've now made it public what happened and where you stand about this forum and for that I thank you. Nice to finally understand.

Second, for all those people complaining that Rick is weird and just out to make a buck, you've got to be kidding me. From a purely technical perspective, when Christian made this site it was probably 30 guys coming to one site wanting to post about their Trucks. Like Beard and Rick have both, this site is ridiculously big now compared to then. It's going to take a full blown staff and money for the servers required to host something like this. You need to understand that. While it would be fun if we could all live in that perfect world were Bandwidth was infinite and free, it's not the truth.

Third, for people complaining about the site changes... are you kidding me? I've seen 2 changes so far (3 if I count the 30 day change thing).

1) Licensed vendors get an ad at the top of the page even for Contributors. In my opinions, that's awesome! For people who have ever visited Pirate4x4 you always have ads, but they are small and at the top, much the same way it is here now. And they have tons of Vendors on their always doing Giveaways and, most importantly, SHARING KNOWLEDGE! When you can get the actual manufacturer of products on your site on a regular basis telling you about their product, what better way to do research! Hopefully R-F can keep growing and we can keep getting more and more licensed vendors here.

If you don't like the vendors, say so and don't buy from them! I'm sure our Mods will be more then willing to work with us and speak their minds. They own RBV's as well! And if we aren't buying from the vendors on this site, they aren't going to keep coming back. It's as simple as that. They look at this as investment in their time. If they aren't getting a return, they aren't going to keep coming back (assuming they are decent business men).

And it's just an damn ad! They are every where on the internet. It's not that hard to just scroll down a inch or so, and suddenly, PRESTO, the ad isn't on your screen anymore! MAGIC!

2) Avatars shrunk. Wow... I never thought people would get this hurt over 20,808 pixels (it's the difference in size between the old and new avatars for you non techies). Sure big avatars were fun, but really... it's just a picture of your truck. You can still post up pictures of your truck in your threads or pictures of whatever else you want (within reason, you pervs ). I contributed to this and site (and most forums I frequent) because it had value to me. It had nothing to do with having a bigger this or that then the next guy.

If the only reason you contributed to this site was to get a bigger avatar, IN MY OPINION, you aren't using this site for what it's worth. Sure you can get information without contributing, but in the real world, ladies and gentleman, it takes money to keep things working. I'm glad I've paid 3 times for my Contributor status and will probably do it again when the time comes. If you don't like the site, don't pay. But don't sit and complain about constantly. If anything that's what is making this less "friendly". It's the constant complaining about anything and everything, rather then just simply talking about RBVs. Pretty much why I only check, the Project Logs Forum and the Technical Forums.

3) Mods gave Contributors the ability to modify posts longer. Cool little feature.. enough said.

Other then that, THIS SITE LOOKS AND FUNCTIONS EXACTLY THE SAME! People are talking like then entire layout has changed and they can't even figure out where stuff is anymore. I would hate to see you guys function on some of my old forums where the mods would just for fun switch the entire layout over night. You'd come to the forum and think you typed in the wrong site.

Fourth, and I think finally. You guys really need to take a big long deep breath here. I've seen a bunch of people stating about how they feel hurt because they weren't involved in this or that even though they are Contributors. Guess what? Your right. However, is that any different then when Christian was here? NO! Christian hasn't even really been an active member on this site for nearly 2 years anyway. I for one find it good that we now will have an active owner who is going to make sure this forums stays up and running.

And if push comes to shove you really can't stand all the changes here at R-F, I'm sure there are other sites out there for Rangers that maybe you can enjoy.

Keep up the good work Rick and welcome to the party.



ADDENDUM #1:

Ranger-Forums hasn't felt that like in nearly 2 years. Rick didn't change anything. Christian hasn't been around in forever and apparently 6 months ago, he finally just decided it wasn't worth his time to keep going. While yes, small forums where everyone knows everyone give you that happy little feeling in your stomach, lets face it. You can't have both worlds. Either find a small forum where everyone knows everyone, but you don't get that much Technical knowledge because you don't have the broad of member base. Or you get a massive forum like R-F, where you have more technical knowledge then you could ever hope to digest at your fingertips.

 

Not saying it has felt like that lately, but it's felt ALOT differently over the last 4 months or so. And knowledge base now? Please... What about when we had actual middle-aged men who would spend tons of hours a day here? Guys like N3ELZ, rwenzing or Zoom (not so much here, as other older forums). Even when Ranger-forums was smaller, the knowledge spewing out of the older members was incomprehensible.

 

LOL, sorry just saw this been outta the loop for a min. because of surgery and gettin freakin sick with everything!!! Welcome Rick, and congrads on the purchase. I've been here for a lil bit but not long enough to say i'm a veteran like some. I like this site alot and this is the only one i go to and there are others that i could. i have noticed a big change in things over the last few months and like some have said, it seems we have no control over some of it. I realize you can't please everyone all the time and GOD help those who try!!! lol!! But i guess one of my only pevs here lately and it is with majority of contributors (who pay money to SUPPORT this site and keep it running) is, as most have noticed by now we did go through a lil bit of a format change and as you can see on the left i have conformed the BIG INFMAMOUS avatar change....lmoa!!! No biggie on my end and i could care less BUT i do agree with the CONTRIBUTORS (the ones that pay to help SUPPORT this site) that, The bigger pic on the left was ONE of the extra things that we were OFFERED for supporting this site. Now they say we changed it because we wanted to, to help with some things and we didnt have to ask our CONTRIBUTIORS ( the one's that pay to help SUPPORT this site) if it was ok. Here's how i look at it. Lets say you come in and buy a new truck from me. I tell you, you can have that truck for 0% for 4mnths $125 a mnth. So of course your like ok. Now you have purchased this truck and in return it helps keep my employees paid, and lights on right? So now a mnth later i come back and say.....wellllll now that truck is gonna cost ya 12.5% @ $900 a mnth for 7 yrs.....and now thats what you gonna have to pay because i said so and there's nothing you can say or do about it!! Would you have bought that truck if i told you that to begin with? So see the moral of my story here is that the CONTIBUTORS (the peolpe that pay to SUPPORT this site) have basically been told this is what you get for your money, then told well thats gonna change and there's nothing you can say or do about it and why are you whineing about it? Yes there's gonna be new member's that come in everyday and there's gonna be members that go, but IF things keep goin in the above direction and it goes on long enough will there be anyone here CONTIBUTING (paying money to help SUPPORT the site) left? Site's come and go like anything and everything else. I hope this one last's and i wish it all the best!!! But because of it's recent direction on some things I'm not sure yet if i want to continue CONTIBUTING (pay money to help SUPPORT this site), towards something that tells me one thing and then strips it and say's "HUH....OH WELL!!" LOL!!!!

 

You make a valid point... but none of those 3 left because of Christian or ownership. They left because... well... we don't really have any idea. N3ELZ I believe had some health issues and just simply didn't have time anymore. Rwenzing still is on here and chimes in on threads that he finds interesting and he'll still answer questions with good information. I don't have any experience with Zoom, so I guess I'm not sure on that. But I don't remember him and I've been around since 06 (I think).

 

All I am saying, and maybe you weren’t around for it, but this place was more friendly and more positive when we all knew each other. I met as many as I could here, and I still chat with a few when I am online at home, but to say you can’t have the Tech specs and have the family type atmosphere to me implies

A: you must not have been around then when D. Bob, n3lz and many others were here. This place is where innovations in rangers were born.

B: or You don’t look at this as more of a Club than just a website.

I can google ranger lifts and headlight mods if I just wanted that, but what made this special was the advice camaraderie and sense of friendship this place was. It is not that anymore. That is not Ricks fault, Christian’s or Mine. It just is the way it is. I would love to be that way again. I wish I knew how, but this is just going to end up another RPS and that is sad. I think it is inevitable though that is history, good websites attract new people, and one day they all get to big for their britches and I think this site is getting there if not over already.

I couldn’t care less about ad’s (within reason), avatars, sig pics, or layouts (I am still on the old style because it never automatically changed for me and I don’t care). The reason I am not as satisfied with this site as I once was is probably a condition of time more than anything else. I still think it is the better of the ranger sites, but I think the distinctions are slowly fading. Who know’s I hope I am wrong, but the attitudes in this post make me think other wise. It’s either I am going to leave this site you all suck, or Drink the Kool-aid this place is better than ever! When the truth is somewhere in the middle.

~HJ

 

I'm too ADD to type up some big *** post so I'll keep it short

1. LOL @ shane acting like he likes rick and the way the forum went in his posts, yet in the chat he says the total opposite.

2. LOL @ people thinking fireranger didn't asked to be removed. After he made the post he copied and pasted it in the chat. It was something like "if this is how the site is going to be, I dont want a part of it" or something to that nature. They called his bluff and demoted him, then he goes nuts on a crying spree and emails everyone with some bull**** story. Hes a moron.

 

Wut he said

 

x2

I really doubt I'm ever going to renew my membership. I used to love logging on here an trying to help someone or show what Ford is up to today, but now I doubt I'm ever going to anymore. I just feel like in the almost 5 years I've been on here it has always been a community, until now. The as for members you'll always get a bad few in the bunch. I feel like I'm going to be transitioning towards another Ranger site. Sure it wont be R/F, but I feel as if this isn't R/F as well.

I looked up to those guys. I remember the old days of R/F. This used to be a community. I feel as if this is a Ranger specific Pirate4x4 now (just minus the hate).

 

I think I joined right at the end of that. When D. got banned for the first time, so I wasn't really around with that. But given that host of people I would agree that they all know their stuff.

Your post is right on John. I agree.

 

Anybody else Miss D. and Matt argueing? LOL, This might be a little sardonic of me, but I loved it! It always made me laugh!

 

my ignorance. i didn't realize that smakes name was alan. i was refering to alon the cb mount guy.

after reading some more, i didn't realize that beard paid outta pocket. thanks for doing everything in your power to keep this site going and i hope you and the mods continue this effort in the future reguardless of who owns the site.

to the rest of us, thanks for making this site what it is and it's also up to us to build from what it was started on.

 

Oh I want to add one more thing, to new people reading this. This place is great still and I hope you all stay and make it as great or even better than it once was, All it takes is participation.

~HJ