Now - our own Pinzgauer Owner Directory

[undysworld]

I found this the other day: http://www.SouthEastMogFest.com/UnimogD ... /Beta4.pdf

A guy in FL is assembling this as a directory for Mog owners. It gives info on other owners throughout the country who are willing and able to provide help/etc. to a Mog owner in need.

Granted, Pinzgauers may be a bit more numerous than Mogs, but this might be a great help to those of us who travel about.

His plan is to actually have it printed and distributed. Any thoughts or reactions among Pinzgauer owners?

Paul

[spandit]

Why print and distribute when you can just have it on the web? It's a good idea - there's probably a Google or Yahoo solution out there already

[David Dunn]

Paul,
He started that a year ago. This isn't the first attempt at this for Moggers... another one was done a little over 5 plus years ago.
And for numerous....... Moggers are like flies when compared to the number of Pinz owners

As for printing them. he is trying to raise a little money for himself.

And one for Pinzes.... have you ever noticed this? It's at the top of this page with a sticky.
http://real4x4forums.com/PinzgauerBBS/v ... php?t=4170
Or anyone that the link is dead?

[undysworld]

Spandit,

Well, for those of us ludites in the crowd who don't own laptops (after all, we drive carbureted vehicles), a booklet would be handy. But yeah, one could print the relevant pages to carry along.

Dang, Dave,

Is there anything you don't know?? I continue to be amazed.

I'm always the last to know. I had always assumed that in the US, Mogs were rarer. I've sure seen fewer. But then all the more reason why such a directory would be helpful for Pinz owners.

$? Well, ya can't blame a guy for trying.

If you're referring to the map, yes I had noticed. I think I even added myself a long time ago. And there is the members list. But what I most liked about the Mog idea was how folks could list what they had to offer the traveller-in-need: Tools, advice, parking, etc.

It just struck me as a good backup source for emergency assistance away from home. But maybe the truth is that so few of us take long trips actually driving the Pinz that such help is rarely needed.

Paul

[David Dunn]

Yes Paul, it is a good idea. The last Mog list was " Safe Havens" for different levels of assistance, or to find a friendly ear when traveling through an area. As with any group, people come and go... and so went that list..

Juergen started the SDP-Pinzgauer site, and built it with contributions from many different people, but his priorities got changed. I had databases I was trying to maintain, but got little feedback from people, and others didn't see it as a problem, yet the same topic will come back each year and people will post answers that do not apply to the original poster.

Doing lists and maintaining them require time, and the one that does, usually finds he gets little thanks in the end... and often wonders why he even bothered in the first place. Sad, but usually true...

So with that, open your paypal account and show Vince and favorite Contributors your graditude with donations.

[Erik712m]

By now most of the older or original pinz owners operate by email or cell phone. I think one of them told me on the last chat nothing new on the site. But they all seem to check the forum but never post. Maybe to see what pots being stured. funny I stopped in sav last week and Sara asked how Moab was.


Dave, that map is a joke half the people on there don't own pinzgauers any more.

[krick3tt]

i put myself on that map years ago. moved and updated my address and now I can't find myself at all. I just gave up.

[undysworld]

Just an FYI, Jack's asking $10 for his book. Does this sound like something folks would pay for?

Dave,

Thanks again for the background.

and often wonders why he even bothered in the first place. Sad, but usually true...
Boy, truer words were rarely written. But couldn't that be said of so many pursuits? Face it, we're fanatics...

[David Dunn]

Erik, " a novelity" is a better word... it's for the curious... I lobbied hard to have that removed from each page because it slow down those with slower connection, and detracts from business of passing information.

"Old" Pinz owners get bored with these sites because they don't need anything from it anymore and after about 2 years they realize that it's an 8 track, just repeating itself. Very little "new" comes arounds.

Hey Paul
Where was the $10 at? On the Mog list was $5 or donations... was it on Benzworld ? I haven't been there for a long time.

The way this directory is being done, and every other one in the past has been done, they are outdated when they're published.

I know I'm going to regret this ( and maybe Vince too ), but a directory that is compiled online , and updated online and printed by the user. Keeping info current is a problem for most directories. So I would suggest a notification email to each person annually on the directory that needs to be replied to to keep their name active.

Now, some of the other things I would have in mine ( and way beyond my computer skills ) is reworking or a 2nd profile where all the needed info is gotten and used for the directory ( users choice to be included in the directory or not). then , an annual subscription ( or membership fee) is paid to have access to the directory. People here say how valuable this forum is to them, let them prove it by subscribing to the directory ( the forum itself would be free, as it is now).

If this "concept" is agreeable to the group, I can present it to Vince, and see what he says. Then we'll need the donated help of a programmer to lay this out. Beforeward, I'm as bad on programmers to get my ideas done right

Dave

[undysworld]

Dave,

Jack posted his info on Steel Soldiers.
http://www.steelsoldiers.com/unimogs/54 ... -news.html

Here's a link to his site. I pushed the "pay here" button and Paypal popped up w/ a $10 charge.
http://www.southeastmogfest.com/UnimogD ... yment.html

In his last reply, he mentions that he has thoughts of doing one for Pinzgauers as well.

I rather like the idea of a online directory, especially one that's kept current to w/in one year. Like you, I'd suggest it be free to be included on the list, but have users pay a fee for accessing the info and the right to print out pages.

Perhaps this fee could be semi-annual, to attract as many paying users as possible. To me, $10 for such a book is peanuts, but having to buy a new $10 book each year might not be so easy to take. But even the book needs to be replaced every so often lest it be uselessly out-of-date.

If a subscription lasted 2 or 3 years, and yet would remain current, who wouldn't buy one??, even if they only go on one trip every two or three years?

P

[David Dunn]

We'll see how long this last... people are quick to voice support, but followthrough usually stumbles. My proposal would pretty much be self sustaining.... and with having time to think about it, I think it could be done within the forum with a restricted section ( don't ya just love it, I keep getting the Volvos pushed farther down the page ).

I know neither Vince or I know how much can really be done in this forum ( I a lot less ), but I would like to hear from a programmer that is familiar with this program to find out. The format here could be cleaned up some and some new info sections could be added, IF this program allows .

Also, I am speaking here as an individual and in no way a representive of the forum or for Vince. But if I have all the info needed, I will present it to Vince as a package for his consideration. But I won't do anything until I talk to someone to let me know what this program can and cannot do.

Dave

[Erik712m]

Dave, any idea on the cost? I have a feeling your only going to have 5% of the forum or pinz owners willing to pay to play.

[krick3tt]

I still have my copy of the 06 MSD that was compiled my Michael Hiscox.
I thought it was very well done and as Michael was kind enough to do this and although I really did not need to avail myself of any of the help listed it was still a great resource and I felt safer knowing help was around the next bend.
Professional Mog support was listed as well.

A pinz support information resource is a great idea and Dave's ideas are well founded. Updating is very important. Yearly is good. A subscription is a great way to access it for information and might lead to valuable information and use if a way can be devised to keep it current. Many vehicles are sold but if the person has remained at that location support can still be valid.

Even if the list were accessed only once or as a pre trip checkoff it would be valuable. I have traveled as much as 2000 miles in a trip and having a place to get help would be very worthwhile.
I give my vote for the PSD and hope it can be done.

Morris

[David Dunn]

Erik,
I have no idea of cost, but as my mind "spins up" on the overall concept, besides the directory, there could be other "assets" added for members. I am not looking to make/take any money off this, but as most all things I have done for the Pinz and Haf people, it has been about educating them on their vehicles... starting with the Gatherings I've sponsored. The cost of membership is to help Vince with this forum.

As for people joining and paying, I DON'T CARE. Hopefullly I can (or someone) can come up with some added incentive to join. .... maybe some additional technical data ? or easier to use lookup format? FAQ section?

Thanks Morris,
I've never gone into these directories because they are "here today, gone tomorrow". The online directory could take care of itself. Especially where it can send out update emails and wait for a reply to mark a registeree from current to inactive, or delete them after a long absence. A registeree could make his profile and see his data even if he doesn't subscribe for the rest.

[edzz]

How many would provide more information than they list in their profiles? Many don’t even list the country they live in.

Ed