Thanks for your comments stu,

My reasons for speaking with colin are relating to the forum - or to assatain some info as to whats in the pipeline for freedom members in future.

I work in IT and host sites - perhaps my inentions were to offer services / discuss options - rather than be made to feel like im being disregarded because of some bad posts.

Shifty raised the question regarding forum membership earlier in the thread, so here is briskoda current details.

Threads: 67,418, Posts: 817,411, Members: 15,734

Welcome to our newest member,......

Currently Active Users: 160 (69 members and 91 guests)

Most users ever online was 797, 28-03-2006 at 22:58.

and those of clubpolo.

Our members have made a total of 68,160 posts

We have 7,659 registered members

The newest member is....

Most users ever online was 249 on Friday 27th October 2006 - 10:35am

As a founding member of this site, many years ago before freedom and before the website generated as much traffic as it does now Colin basically funded the site himself, however hosting and bandwidth costs have skyrocketed now and somehow the site needs to be paid for. Freedom does have some benefits, like the occasional competition but most members seem to join as a thank you to help pay for the running of the site.

I like the stat comparison - but they mean very little in respect to this thread...

i did not state that clubpolo was the supreme forum of magic - just that the membership obtained via the club was / is better than that of freedom perks and trying to obtain details relating to the freedom benefits is more like trying to find gold at the end of a rainbow...

Its not very well advertised / promoted and my impressions of this have yet to be lifted.

Dave, you're right, and you are not the first to raise this issue. However, the site is mainly run by one person, Colin, and he has a full-time job to keep going at the same time. When Freedom was launched things were a little different, there were more top-level team members, and responsibilities were spread more widely. Unfortunately circumstances changed, and it hasn't been possible to fulfil all the intended benefits. Currently they are limited to greater site access. Changes are being made to hopefully improve this over the coming months, but it will take a little time.

If you don't wish to join Freedom just now, nobody will hold that against you. If, like others, you feel you enjoy the site and wish to contribute to its substantial running costs, then you'll be very welcome as a Freedom member. It's your choice.

I joined Freedom a few days ago , not for any benefits as such (although if there are any that interest me , I shall welcome them!) , I joined to help a little with the upkeep f the site. I have been a member on here twice now , the 1st time was when the site first went live , before that we were using the Skoda section of the American VWVortex site. I reckon Ive had enough enjoyment out of the site since 2002ish to justify my £12!

Oh and there aint nothing wrong with Polos , I learned how to drive on a local airfield in my Dads Mk1 890cc Polo N , and on the road too when I was old enough! It's a shame you cannot get any body panels whatsoever for this model now , as Id love another , just for the memories!!

The original and best ....

Yet again..

the bugger off back to clubpolo comes out...

no-one can justify colins freedom membersip to be even slightly worthwhile unless you own a skoda and need techy info from someone on here...

thats a really mature stance guys...

Now whats wrong with polos was the topic title because it appears all that is stopping me from being able to make posts on this site without criticism is the fact i own one...

therefore whats so bad about them?

Did you lot know the fabia is based on the polo chassis?

Hmmmm

LMFAO!! sorry, I was going to make it to the end of the thread, I really was, but this is just too funny!! What information do you THINK you will find on a Skoda site?? A thread entitled 'How to fix my koenigsegg'?? For gods sake! If I joined the polo forums I would probably join in the banter, possibly even go to meets, but I wouldn't be looking for tips on why my Fabia's wheel has just fallen off!! Nor would I then moan at the POLO site for not having SKODA information, oh no, I would use my BRAIN

Noun

1. a. The portion of the vertebrate central nervous system that is enclosed within the cranium, continuous with the spinal cord, and composed of gray matter and white matter. It is the primary center for the regulation and control of bodily activities, receiving and interpreting sensory impulses, and transmitting information to the muscles and body organs. It is also the seat of consciousness, thought, memory, and emotion.

just incase you weren't sure yes, I would use my brain and go to a SKODA forum for that information!! No one on here would make you feel unwelcome because of what car you own, I hate forums for being cliquey and unwelcoming, but I fitted in here straight away.

Oh, and yes I am aware that my car is on a polo chassis! Ladies and gentelemen, welcome einstein over here!

What benefits do you actually expect - it's a forum, there are forums here to use and YOU ARE USING THEM! If, therefore, you would like to help out keeping them running you will donate, if you are a tight and miserable moaning miser then you wont. All the things you listed as being such great benefits on your polo forums are here in some way shape or form, I really don't know what you are moaning on about.

I have no idea what on earth your point is out of that ramble - its worse than my posts...

well done for fitting in to the forum straight away - it appears you fit the emily - elizabeth caliber perfectly....

Ta Ta

Well I joined freedom recently, primarily to find out what had happened to a former site member.

That was just what finally tipped the scales for me, I would still have probably gone green eventually anyway in time.

Much as I initially was a little disappointed with the sparse content in the freedom section I have since come to appreciate that I shouldn't need an incentive to support the site, other than as appreciation of the costs born by colin, and the wealth of knowledge that is shared here, mostly for free in the open sections.

True there are members here that will react strongly to certain posts, and I myself have fallen foul of the ease at which a slanging match can develop, for the most part I feel that the people on here are very friendly and helpful.

I'm sure this is true of any internet based forum.

As everyone else has stated, nobody is expected to join - all are welcome regardless of status providing they accept and abide by the forum rules!

And if a moderator views a thread or post as inapropriate then they are well within their powers and rights to act.

Over and out.

I have no idea what on earth your point is out of that ramble - its worse than my posts...

well done for fitting in to the forum straight away - it appears you fit the emily - elizabeth caliber perfectly....

Ta Ta

Ah, you have proved my point about you being lacking in the cerebral department then, shall I summarise in primary school style bullet points, ok here we go....ready?...

1. This is a Skoda site...you should come here expecting Skoda information..you seem displeased about this for some reason

2. People are being nasty to you because you are behaving like a moron, not because you own a polo

3. I already know my car is on a polo chassis and I don't need you to patronise me

4. What extras do you want? It's a forum, thats what it is and it does it well

5. Emily happens to be a good friend of mine and I don't appreciate your attempts to put her down

6. I fit in because I was friendly with everyone and I like everyone on here. You just appear to stir things up

Oh, I found this in a post someone linked to earlier....

for a £5 membership fee on clubpolo i get adrian flux insurance discount - amounting to over £50 - gsf discount - a annual magazine and a free sticker and a membership card...

Wow!! A membership card?? Really?? goodness me briskodians we really ARE missing out!! What if you stand in a pile of dog sh1it and need to scrape it off your shoe??

I could carry it around in my purse and look at it to remind myself I am a member of briskoda!!! I feel ripped off now, someone give me my £12 back!!

Oh, we do get stickers and we do have benefits, we have a little section called 'Freedom Discounts', but you wouldn't know that

now now... play nice

Dave G40..

If i was a psychiatrist i would say you have an issue with women.

I am a field engineer and rely on Sat nav and common sense 100%.

Call me a fool but Sat Nav gives me an extra half hour in bed and saves me planning the routes the night before. Saves time diesel and money. 35000 miles a year.

Freedom membership is what it says. Freedom to join or not.

Count to ten .....and breathe ..........that's better.....I have no problem with freedom ...I joined because I wanted to contribute to the site ...and .......nothing else .....I didn't expect anything .......no one has to join and as this forum is friendly no one expects you to.....be nice people

On a slightly lighter note, my £12 Freedom membership has almost certainly paid for itself in Shifty-Discounts™ alone.

Should I be worried?

On a slightly lighter note, my £12 Freedom membership has almsot certainly paid for itself in Shifty-Discounts™ alone.

Should I be worried?

Not to mention cheap vino from mr g.

Shifty-Discounts™

The satisfaction of knowing you are helping BRISKODA (the primary reason to contribute)

Opens up your account to access your own @briskoda.net email account and interface.

Advanced notice of our events with priority booking.

First access to our group buys.

Access a gowing list of discounters.

A journal system to show of your projects' date=' car related or not.

Access to the latest developments on the site.

Forum Filters, hide those forums you really have no interest in.

Extra PM and attachment space.

Tyre Calculator

Ask a Tech - Forum.

Ability to advertise in Items for Sale forum.

more as the site grows

[/quote']

Again, searching for reasons to justify joining tells everyone who appreciates the Briskoda community that you are missing the point.

Dave, the majority of posters in this thread are freedom members so you're bound to get a lot of fanboy replies. I joined the site in December 2004 and back then I would have gladly paid £12 a year for the privilege. Now I'm not such a frequent user and don't see the value in paying to suppport the site. I don't take exception to those who chose to pay their £12, and never feel pressured into donating. You mention that the Freedom scheme isn't publicised enough, but I think that's the laid back nature of the site. We non members have the choice to join and wouldn''t really like the scheme rammed down our throats every time we logged on.

It's a really good site, I've been a member of a few forums in the past and now only really visit this one and another one (who's name shall never be mentioned). IMO there's no point getting stressed about Freedom, It's there if you want it. If you don't want it, then you can still get a lot out of the site. It's a win win situation.

Dave G40..

If i was a psychiatrist i would say you have an issue with women.

Not a psychiatrist, but I would say DaveG40 has an issue - either that or everyone else is in the wrong.

As this post has progressed, amazingly, DaveG40 has become 'ever so pleasant'.

Contrast this to the sarcastic, self-righteous, down-right prejudiced remarks made earlier by this ever so-experienced motorist who, at 20, knows it all, whereas everyone else, apparently, doesn't.

And Sweaty (sorry, Sweety), several points - the friend who got done for speeding has probably done over 400k, is a damn good driver (I know because I've been a passenger many times) and has also in the past attended many track days driving Ferraris etc.

Yet somehow - "he was probably driving whilst reading the paper or on the phone". And then from this ( an Oscar winning piece of extrapolation) he became " a snob with too many toys".

You truly are awesome and must be so gifted as to be psychic - he drives a Jag 2.5 SE V6 - is 60 and as common as muck (really, so crude that sometimes you just have to belly laugh) and the car came with the job (he IS good at what he does you see).

Also, lest you think I'm against Polos, my son drives one (we chose it for him over other types / models) - and he is a very careful and mature (for a 22 year old - and well beyond) driver.

But, then again, in a supercharged Polo (with a deliberately antagonistic "Showing vRS's how they should be running" signature) you would obviously observe all speed limits and never, never take on other drivers - I mean, obviously, that's why you bought it in the 1st place.

At the time I replied to your pleasantries I didn't know there was a Polo forum, just that I sincerely hoped that someone who has nothing better to do than to snipe at everyone (instead of what this forum is truly about) would be better off elsewhere.

+ I guess they don't need spelling, punctuation and syntax in IT nowadays.

BTW

I used to rollerskate. Also I used to ride a bicycle. On occasions, nowadays, I'm a pedestrian.

This, I believe, makes me a better person, more "observative", than all the rest of you stuck up persons.

Then again, I might have driven for 37 years, had one minor collision (not my fault), never had points, driven everything from various lorries (est 20k), innumerable vans (est 30k), Volvos, Jags, diesel private hire cars for some 500k, some without power steering, some without ABS, in conditions that were considerably worse than nowadays - and yet after some estimated 750k still not 'know it all'.

Unlike some.........

The shame of it is I recently bought a Talex. Truly, I must be crazy.

I could have gone really mad and paid Briskoda the massive sum of £12 for the valuable information, cameraderie (DaveG40 - look it up) and fun I've had since registering.

That reminds me ...............

Dave................... If you don't want to pay £12 then fine ........... if you do fine ....

But please do not use this site and forum to make slanderous/libelous remarks.

I paid my £12 not expecting to gain anything other than good advice

You obviously have a problem with the site and my only advice would be if you do not like it leave ..... or if you choose to stay then please respect the fact that some members have paid and are entitled to a little more than than those who chose not to pay

Finally someone with a decent attitude - thanks shifty...

shifty has started to show me the light at the end of the tunnel - by being mature and stating that just because i dont have a skoda doesn't mean im not welcome...

shame many other forum users here dont take that stance...

As for the running of the site - it isn't my business - however i could have helped out - and also could have ended up contributing if not for the poor attitudes of some on here - way to go briskoda! woo yeah!

As for the owner - please do feel free to contact me and show me where and how the money of freedom members is being piped back into the forum, as far as i can see - its all a bit pay now - advantages come later.....

Do you actually read and understand any of the posts that have been written in this thread? Light at the end of the tunnel? Being welcome even though you don't own a Skoda? Did you see my post at 16:37?? LINK

I'll agree with Mr Shifty on this one and say no more on the subject: :feedtrol:

Thank-you and goodnight.

Steve

Wardy,

I REALLY like your style.

Can I have your autograph ?

As for this:

Ah, you have proved my point about you being lacking in the cerebral department then, shall I summarise in primary school style bullet points, ok here we go....ready?...

More than ready for you to insult everyone with cerebral paulsey you immature idiot

1. This is a Skoda site...you should come here expecting Skoda information..you seem displeased about this for some reason

I have got skoda info - and like the forum - am not displeased other than with people like you on here and your poor and immature attitude...

2. People are being nasty to you because you are behaving like a moron, not because you own a polo

Thanks for clearing that one up - the polo post was started to obtain as to why i receieve so much grief from - yet again - immature members such as yourself.

3. I already know my car is on a polo chassis and I don't need you to patronise me

Well done - di you learn that all by yourself? Now that's patronising...idiot

4. What extras do you want? It's a forum, thats what it is and it does it well

A member card, sticker, club book /magazine and a clear description of discounts , benefits and a bit more justification of freedom being worth £12 - which no-one can indeed justify other than "to support the site" - well sorry to me it feels like im lining someones pocket - not seeing a reason (because there isn't one) for someone to join and pay £12 - unless you know of any reasons you would like to state or just add more crap than necessary to this post - of which none has been required.

5. Emily happens to be a good friend of mine and I don't appreciate your attempts to put her down

Im sure she doesn't - but if she is all to quick to jump on the bandwagon herself - give as good as you get IMHO

6. I fit in because I was friendly with everyone and I like everyone on here. You just appear to stir things up

Maybe - but i didn't understand the "emotion" of the freedom members toward their amazing freedom membership here - sorry - maybe you would have been a "friend" if you didn't show me how much of a little sirrer you are yourself...

Oh, I found this in a post someone linked to earlier....

Wow!! A membership card?? Really?? goodness me briskodians we really ARE missing out!! What if you stand in a pile of dog sh1it and need to scrape it off your shoe??

I could carry it around in my purse and look at it to remind myself I am a member of briskoda!!! I feel ripped off now, someone give me my £12 back!!

Oh, we do get stickers and we do have benefits, we have a little section called 'Freedom Discounts', but you wouldn't know that

WOW - the membership card is what needs to be shown at GSF to get DISCOUNT you numpty - not wipe dog**** from your shoe - but thats all a freedom card would be good for if i had one as i cannot use it for ****all else now CAN I?

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IDIOT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Righto,

Now according to everyone i have a problem - well i do - the fact that EVERY half wit immature numb nut has tried to get a word in slating me some how on here in one way or another since i joined - when all im trying to do is found out why on earth you have bad attitudes now - wether they be toward me, my posts and/or the fact that no-one can tell me why (other than to "support" the site) that i should join freedom - makes it still unjustified to me to be worth £12 - you said it doesn't matter if i pay - im just trying to say - the freedom membership needs to be better if you want to charge £12 imho - if you dont like my opinion - i dont really mind - but dont reply telling me to feck off, call me a to$$er etc - its not very nice now is it... anyone wanting to do so in future - ill give as good as i get...

Basically - from the responce and level of crap shown here and the fact i am being nicer as time goes on is just showing that im trying to obtain details - not start a forum fight etc...

so why bother sticking in your hard earned opinions and expect me to be ok with it... when you lot obviously dont do the same in return.

I feel i have been justified with everything i have said - i have not felt the urge to ammend any post...

Unlike most mods and other users - another prime example of the pettiness on here is displayed above - thanks you all i understand freedom is a waste of time now for me - i use this forum - its free - im not moaning about that now am i...

AND dont forget - when someone tries to make constructive criticism - try seeing it as that - rather than acting like a school yard bunch of bullies - and actually act like the rest of the VAG scene a bit - that too hard?

Just deal with it Dave and stop moaning, that's why you are attracting the responses you are.

We value our community and to that end we support it. No one is asking you to sign up for Freedom if you don't want to. Get the info you want, join in the community if you can but FFS stop whinging about what you might or might not get for the £12 you have no intention of paying.

With regard to editing of posts, you'll find that most of us will try to ensure spelling mistakes are corrected and that grammer is correct when posting.

Yawn Yawn Yawn......

:banned:

havn't you got anything better to do than trolling internet forums all day...:confused:

go and get a job or something:D

Call me what you want, although you seem unable to think of any other insults than 'idiot' I'm so hurt......

If you hadn't noticed, it is your own immature and self-righteous attitude that has resulted in these replies to your quite frankly useless, pointless and bandwidth wasting post. How come it has taken FIVE WHOLE PAGES of people explaining to you what freedom is for and yet you STILL DONT UNDERSTAND??

I couldn't give a rats a55 what your oh so wonderful polo forum gives you - because I don't have a polo!! I know that the full membership on passion ford is £25 - to me thats too much, so I never joined it - It really IS that simple.

We dont NEED a membership card to get our discount, so we don't have one. Most of us aren't money grabbin losers who are only out for ourselves. someone has taken the time and effort to make us a forum and WE APPRECIATE that and don't expect anything back!! How is this hard for you to understand? Were you not brought up with morals, politeness and generosity? Apparently not.

Funny really, you call me all those names and make so many assumptions, yet find me 3 examples of these whole five pages of someone who does not agree with me.....

Go and find something worthwhile to do with your not-so-precious time, you pointless waste of space

thanks

Basically - from the responce and level of crap shown here and the fact i am being nicer as time goes on is just showing that im trying to obtain details - not start a forum fight etc...

I feel i have been justified with everything i have said - i have not felt the urge to ammend any post...

Nicer as time goes on? Why not try being nice from the start?

An entire forum feels you are NOT jusitified with what you say, try actually READING what people are putting.....

Put the spade down and step away from the hole..............