I like it    Sounds like a good idea  :mrgreen:

I've actually worked a little bit on the technical side of the Mechan-X files for the CarTalk guys a few years ago. Lemme know if I can help. I think it's a great idea.
What would be a great addition would be to list GSTwin members who are willing to help out a rider in need. I believe the AMA or something has a thing like this (or maybe it's a Harley group) that lists geographic locations and phone numbers, but no names, to keep things a little private and anonymous.

-hulap0pr

Hey guys

Well, I think for starters we should try and keep it relatively lo-tech. No search engine, etc. Just a list, by state. Ideally if we could start a different forum just for just Mechanics listings,  that would be great. The forum could have stickies for all 50 states, and international locations. then people could just go to the specific state and post a message in a given format (like the one I listed). Hell, put one more sticky called "READ THIS FIRST" which gives directions on how to post in that forum.
Later if it took off, all the info could be compiled into some sort of user-friendly searchable database I guess, but let's just see if we can get some useful info off the ground. Frankly, it might not even be necessary to do more than just the initial stuff, because there's a pretty robust search engine for the message board as it is.

So how about it? anyone else interested in starting that sort of a forum? Site owners/hosts/moderators/etc., any thoughts?

I for one would really love to see this happen, and it doesn't seem like it would take a ton of work from any one person to get it off the ground.

Regards,
Riz

127 views, and this is all the interest we've got?  

...
if you need help setting any kind of mysql dbase or installing a forum system, let me know.
I've done that too many times already with several systems (phpbb, invision, smf, etc etc).

Hey guys,

I'm glad there's folks with skill regarding setup for something like that. I was hoping to use the site/infrastructure that had already been established at GStwin. As for web/board design, I've never done any of it at all . All I had was the idea for a setup. implementation I'll leave for greater minds than mine.  :mrgreen:

My idea was to just have the powers-that-be create another forum (like "general discussion", or "tard farm") called Mechanics or something, with sticky folders for locations. then there'd be no setup needed. K.I.S.S. and all that. Noone would have to work very hard; just post if you knew or found someone good in your area.

Thoughts, anyone? Oh Benevolent one?

Regards,
Riz

I don't mean to seem unresponsive as a mod, but new forums are a john decision.  Since he's been gone for a while, the chances of him seeing this thread when he returns are kinda slim.  You may want to PM/email him with a link to this thread.

Kerry,

ahh, I did not know that. ok, one PM coming up...

Regards,
Riz