A new way for BMW fans to communicate

The internet has provided yet another way for BMW enthusiasts to keep in touch with one another. Some of you may be familiar with and avid users of online webforums, but the concept may be new to others. In general a webforum is the electronic equivalent to posting a note on a bulletin board. A person can post a text message to the forum for others to see. Then, other people from almost anywhere in the Country or even the world can read the message and post their own messages in response. Individual discussions within a forum are called threads. If several interested users are online at the same time, the thread could progress almost like a personal conversation with people reading and responding in rapid succession. More commonly, the messages of the thread are spread over a matter of hours, days or months.

The BMW CCA hosts such a webforum from their main website at:

http://www.bmwcca.org/forum

There are many subforums for discussion of topics like individual BMW models through all eras, Do-It-Yourself projects, Maintenance, Wheels & Tires, Racing, and many others. Several months ago, a North Atlantic Regional discussion forum was added expressly to provide information and host discussion about regional events. The regional forum may be found here:

http://www.bmwcca.org/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=137

The rules for this particular forum require that all new threads can only be started by a recognized representative of one of the Chapters within the North Atlantic region. However, once the thread has been started, anyone can post messages to discuss the item.

It would be my intent to post information to begin conversation on our Chapter events and activities. This would serve as a means for members to get additional information on the events, perhaps to coordinate meeting times and caravan drives to and from events or maybe for more distant members to get insight into road, traffic or weather conditions from someone who lives near the event before setting out. It could also give some insight into events of neighboring Chapters that CVC members might be interested in participating.

The other important use for the Regional forum is to give important feedback regarding Chapter events so that future events can be tailored to the interests of the membership.

At the moment, participation from our Chapter in the BMW CCA forum is very low, so I cordially invite all members of the Connecticut Valley Chapter to surf in and check things out.

Please contact Lance Johnson - LJohnson at ctvalley dot org with any questions.