The Future

[Larry]

Please read our Editorial for June in the On-Line Magazine or the text below.

Would like LOTS of input from everybody.

Thanks,
Larry

FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY and the Years Ahead!

Back last June we announced what we considered the “official” launching of PontiacRegistry.com. While we were up and running a couple of months before that, the completion of the On-Line Magazine function is what we considered the 100% operational point. So, here we are one year later. It is a good time to do some reflection, and ask some questions.

I have put out a request for assistance from some of our members recently, asking for input of ideas, wishes for things to see, and generally for sharing their Pontiac stories, experiences, and knowledge. To date, there have been some very good responses from a few of our members. This is valuable assistance to me for a number of reasons, the primary one being the ability of bringing our members more and varied Pontiac information.

Now, before anyone panics, I am here– and deeply committed– for a long, long time. I love this hobby (especially all the great Pontiac hobbyists out there), and I love preparing and sharing stories and information for every one to enjoy again and again. But, that being said, I can do so much more with a bit of extra sharing from others too. We hear over and over that people want to see more technical information. My access to much of that is limited. I would like to ask that everyone who reads this take a few moments and gather up some of the technical information and data that they have access to and sent it in so I can prepare it and post it for everyone. Remember, ALL technical articles and information is archived in our “Tech Articles and Info” forum (in addition to our On-Line Magazine) for access by every member whenever they want it. At PontiacRegistry.com, our goal is to build the largest all inclusive Pontiac technical library in the world accessible 24/7 by you.

This internet medium is almost endless in its capabilities to store and access information. I realize there are lots of other places in cyber-land to get information, but it is fragmented and often hard to find. There are also other sites out there, but they are for the most part extremely specific or focused on just one part of this big Pontiac hobby (specifically the racing groups). My goal at PontiacRegistry.com has been from the outset to bring a “TOTAL” Pontiac hobby experience under one roof, a place for ALL Pontiac hobbyists to come visit, seek information, read, and enjoy their hobby to the fullest. How does one do that?

There are two basic approaches to web site development. The most popular one is to start a site, load it with free stuff, get lots of traffic, and then campaign to sell advertising space or find a sponsor to support it– or sometimes just sell the whole darn thing. In some respect we see that having been done by a couple of parts manufacturers who basically provide a site in order to get traffic to see their products. This isn’t a bad thing, but it was not what I wanted to do to serve the Pontiac hobbyplace. Why a Pontiac Club?

Once upon a time a “club” was something every hobbyist wanted to get involved in. Today it is different. With things like the internet, and the general fast pace of the world today, many club-type organizations are finding it more and more difficult to survive. But, don’t let the word “club” frighten you. I chose to make PontiacRegistry.com a “club” for the very reason of the definition in the dictionary: “Club: a group of persons organized together for a common purpose.” That purpose is our love of the Pontiac automobile and the desire to make our Pontiac hobby experience the most enjoyable use of our time we can have. To that end, I will continue to strive to bring all of our members more and more information, services, and entertainment every day. Do you know that in only one year, we have 244 Pontiac articles in our On-Line Magazine, 75 vintage Pontiac ads for your enjoyment, and numerous additional items for your review and enjoyment? We strive every day to add even more for you. For all that we bring, and will continue to bring, we need only a very small contribution– just pennies over a dollar a month. This site isn’t free to run, much less considering all the work that goes into it (which does not pay). Our goal is to one day have to at least support itself and to generate enough to fund the development of even more functions and activities.

I continue to read about more and more clubs, companies, organizations, etc. turning to the internet for their services. However, I also read more and more about how nebulous this process is, about how it is still uncharted territory for many..... in a nut shell, nobody really has a magic answer for what to do, what works, or what people want. Granted, nearly everybody says “Yeah, that’s the place to be!”, but hardly anybody can say “Yeah, I know exactly what to do!”. For that answer I must turn to you.

PontiacRegistry.com will be here for you, to provide you a place to meet with your other Pontiac hobbyists, and to make new Pontiac friends. We will continue to solicit commercial suppliers to give you discounts on their parts and services (Check that out! One discount can pay for your membership many times over!). And, we will continue to prepare entertaining, informative, and technical information for your learning and enjoyment. But....

There’s always a “but”! However, this is a good one. “But” I need to know what more all of our members would like to see and enjoy. I need to know what there is that you want more of. I need to know what it is that you want to see less of too, so I don’t concentrate on the wrong things. And, I need your support and help so we can grow.

Right now we have a good number of Pontiac lovers on board. I would like to ask that each and everyone of you help find one or more of your Pontiac friends to join us too. For every new member who joins because you told them about PontiacRegistry.com, have them drop us an e-mail and let us know you invited them, and we will extend your membership an additional SIX months for free.

I do not have all the answers... just all the desire to bring you the best Pontiac hobby experience in one place, everyday, 24/7. If you have ideas, or would like to help with certain functions within PontiacRegistry.com, please let me know. Together we will build the single largest source of Pontiac information, services, and entertainment in the world.... the key word being “together”.

Now, summer is finally here for everyone, so think about all that I’ve presented– while you are out enjoying your Pontiac hobby! Send us some pictures of shows, events, your car.... everything Pontiac, so we can share it with everyone else.

[super]

Larry and fellow members,

Over the past few months, I believe the club keeps becoming more defined. The changes made have put more focus on certain areas and simplified matters. The site is easy to access and user friendly.

I like the info posted the other day in reference to cylinder head and block codes. All extremely useful information that is now easy reference for us. Building on this library will only make things better. How about a refresher course on how to identify different makes of manual transmissions? I am sure we can add even more to the library.

Things in life are definitely not free and costs of operations can be very expensive. This site is by far the best priced and most informative club I have ever been involved in. I enjoy passing the word on to others because of its great value. It is great to be a part of the club and be able to contribute items as well.

This past week, I handed out about 25 Pontiac Registry brochures at Don Bennett's Pontiac cruiz in. Several great cars and even more great people. I hope a handful of them join. Better yet, all of them. When you pull so many people together from all different areas, it allows our networking system to grow. I have already been helped by several members. Adding more members only builds on this club's experience and knowledge.

I plan on dropping numerous brochures at Pontiac races and events this summer. I feel strongly that it will help all of us.

I am looking forward to another year of growth with the Pontiac Registry. I hope everyone else will do their part to help expand the club.

Thanks,
Jeff