How would you describe your relationships with FChat

Hell, looks like I "joined" in Nov, 2003, so I've not been here for more than 15 years yet.

Wish my stats would give me more info, but I would say? It took me at least a few years before I "subscribed." I've never "subscribed" beyond the level of "Silver," but that cost per year has proven to be a good investment.

 

A few years ago, F-Chat was about all I did it seems A couple of months I was "top poster" (most posts). I got upped to "Lifetime Rossa" by Rob years ago (thanks Rob! I still appreciate it). I got to be the first "F-Chat Ambassador" that's now an annual tradition... and I had (still have) tons of friends here.

But after 7 or 8 years, I faded somewhat - spending far more time outdoors, at the gym, with family, other hobbies, etc.

It's a great social site, car site, fun site - and I will always be fond of F-Chat. It's just no longer a place I spend hours a day reading/posting.

Jedi

 

Fchat IMO has become a microcosium for the Nation. It is a much more hostile place. We used to help each other so much more. Ego's have gotten big! Ferrari ownership is social Darwinism. You have beat out others to get where you are. But when among other owners people are still posturing. People make fun of corvette old gold chain drivers but those people are much more genuine and friendly. There is a lot of "paying it forward" in the vette community (I race vettes). It used to be like that on Fchat when I raced Ferraris. I've been around since before the Ferrari list serve. Really knowledgeable people are getting more and more rare. So many good technical contributors have finally given up to do their own thing or just driven away by the insanity here. A new crop of Fchat rockstars will emerge but IMO there is no replacing, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and Carlos Santana...

 

Lemme see.

I have a dozen or so friends that I've made here that should stand the test of time. Met most of them, but one or two I have yet to shake hands with.

Got some great advice, and some lousy advice, just like any other group of friends I have.

Have a love/hate relationship with Rob Lay. We've been doing battle off and on for years, and yet he trusts me to moderate here, which I think says a lot about him and this place.

As to the rest of the members here? I can have a knock down, drag out battle in P&R, and then turn around and have a civil conversation about cars with the same guys. We can be polar opposites politically, and yet, we all love cars, and really love Ferraris, and that seems to be enough to bridge the political gap.

I ebb and flow as far as posting goes. Some weeks I'm a posting monster, others I might not post at all. But I've been here a while, and I'm not going anywhere.

D

 

Avg IQ is higher than um, avg iq, which in and of itself provides escape from the tedious horror. Daily blessing of light from comics, not just comedians are often too brilliant to see. Insights and outta sights are plentiful, which can spoil dear viewer, or be lost entirely upon same. Your history and/or hystery may vary.

Due diligence and not so much is on full display, and out come combs to brush over or inspect and razors to split hairs or cut, sometimes deep. Sticktoitiveness is a blessing and a curse, as ever, as are the weeds growing on grass no matter the fence. Blame it on the hot air.

The give and take between common and uncommon allows one to become to leave and yet provide comfort, become familiar with unfamiliar, so much so that concern and grief is shared by and for fellow man. Except Cheap Pete, whose griefs are many a rant. I look forward to many more.

"I am weak-ish on snatch" ~ joker57676

 

Interesting question. I joined here years ago just to educate myself on an upcoming Ferrari purchase and never really went away.

I was extremely active on another auto site, became a moderator, and made absolutely great friends in the process. The site then got sold to a big company, and absolutely tanked as a result. While I am still a moderator there in name, I rarely go there any more.

I agree with others who have noted a different baseline for active members. The folks here seem to view life from a different perspective. I don't see myself ever being the most active member, but don't plan to stop visiting.

 

It's the world's fastest news site (in the subscribed sections) and most folks here are smarter than me. That means there's a bunch to learn, which is good for a bored insomniac.

And, I've been flashed by Rob.

 

Fchat is a chance to dip your foot in the deep end of the socioeconomic world... Share thoughts with people I wouldn't normally cross paths with... Its inspirational, and motivating. I have seen some of the same names on here for over 10 years... hard to believe. Folks have deep roots... I know more about some folks on here than I know about people I work closely with...

After 10 years plus you get a flavor for everyone' contributions, knowledge, personality, and quirks...

Being a member here allowed me to share thoughts with:

Industrialists
Realestate tycoons
Jet owners
Yacht owners
Docs
Dentists
world known lawyers
Inventors
Accountants
Financial planners
Ferrari Mechanics
Porsche Mechanics
Economists
Democrats
Website owners
Toy manufacturers
Adult film actors
Real estate brokers
Regular Joes with a lot of insight
Brits
Russians
Asians
Etc...

Now, where else can I do that?

 

Friends with benefits...

 

Why does it really matter? It's a car site and a social site I've enjoyed, to varying levels, over the years. I feel fine. What's more to say?

Jedi

 

I joined late 2004 after buying a Mondial. The UK created another Ferrari forum in 2006 (ClubScud) and I went there. Still visit that but it is quiet now (this weekend and through ClubScud 16 Ferraris are off to Wales for a weekend).
I came back a in 2014 before a business trip to Dallas. Met up with a few from here in Dallas and then started visiting Fchat on a regular basis.
Today many car forums have less traffic, I blame FB and other social media to an extent, however I happy to say Fchat is still quite busy, the busiest forum I use.

 

Addiction. Wish I had a dollar for every hour I have spent on f/chat since 2003.