| Author | Message | ||
| Ian Giffin (Admin)
Board Administrator Username: Admin Post Number: 1478 Registered: 7-1997 Posted From: 24.239.11.34  Rating: |
Last Sunday, I asked viewers of this forum and our Facebook page, to voluntarily take a survey entitled "The Future of the Bus Conversion Hobby" and I have compiled the results: 135 took the survey before I had a chance to close it off, because we were only able to collect data from the first 100 respondents due to the limitations of the SurveyMonkey software. This represents roughly 5% of the hobby. Extrapolated, these numbers can be regarded as accurate to within 3.5%. Because only members of the hobby answered, it can be presumed that there is more validity in the answers than if a random population were to be asked. There were 10 questions. Of those, 7 were multiple choice and 3 asked for direct input. Below, I am reporting the multiple choice results first and detailing all written responses below that. In tabulating the results, in brackets next to the question, I have put the percentage of responses of the 100 possibilities - some respondents skipped some of the questions and some responded with remarks such as "?", "see previous answer", etc. I have left those out of the results for clarity. The "control" question was question 6. BNO doesn't charge for anything anywhere on our web site. It is this question that controlled the margin of error. Thank you to the 135 respondents. I appreciate your participation. Ian www.busnut.com "The Future of the Bus Conversion Hobby" Question 1: How often do you use either BNO or BCM or both? (100%) 47% extremely often 99% moderately often or more Question 2: How useful would a merged web site be to you? (75%) 29.3% very useful 68% moderately useful or more 32% slightly useful or not useful Question 3: If a merged web site were available today, how likely would you be to use it instead of competing services currently available from BNO & BCM? (70%) 32.9% very likely 72.9% moderately likely or more 27.2% slightly likely or not likely Question 4: If you are not likely to use a merged web site, why not? (48%) 60.4% satisfied with competing products currently available 6.3% don't want or don't need a product like this 29.2% responded that they were not willing to pay for a product like this (even though money was never mentioned in the survey. Curious!). Question 5: Compared to BCM, is our service quality better, worse, or about the same? (69%) 39.1% about the same 18.8% slightly or somewhat better 23.2% much better 17.3% slightly or somewhat worse 1.4% much worse Question 6: Compared to BCM, are our prices more reasonable, less reasonable, or about the same? (57%) 61.4% about as reasonable 35.1% slightly, somewhat or much more reasonable 3.5% much less reasonable Question 7: How important is a bus conversion web site to our hobby? (71%) 70.4% extremely important 25.4% very important 4.2% moderately important Question 8: What do you like most about competing services currently available from BNO & BCM? (65%) I get answers from both boards. I may get an answer on one board that wasn't on the other. It is not so much as a service. Being on the starting end of a conversion I look at everyone that is doing or has done a conversion to help me avoid pitfalls and lessens already learned. BCM pictures. USE ONLY BNO. I prefer www.busconversions.com, as I don't have to log in every single time I want to post something. I have learned a lot from both boards. I like all the info I can get Like em both, just to brouse. More then just one point of view Free ads - BNO. also more personal. Large community, more tightly moderated - BCM Not much difference, just some different posters I use BNO 99% of the time. The Board Each board has it's people that the other does not have. I have never really connected at BCM so Busnut is the only site I visit...perhaps a bit shortsighted but it has what I need As I have a GMC 4104 always interested not very good with computer as I would like to chime in but hesitate. BNO is easy to access and generally friendly and non-confrontational. Information exhcanges BCM ? who cares? I only visit BNO on a regular basis (daily). I get on BCM once in a great while, probably less that 5 times per year. Both have persons of interest,and value BNO is Canadian and I like that, but more info and posts on BCM. Just a lurking guest. The knowledge and experience on both sites can help solve many problems. Also many personal stories about buses, travel etc. BNO is not as regulated as BCM The BNO results page starts each active thread with the next post after the last one viewed; BCM does not. A possible improvement might be to start with the last post viewed. Everything Competition keeps things honest and growing I only visit BNO regularly so I have no opinion. Online forums and BCM magazine I like different view points BCM gets raucous and noisy, BNO is more sedate and dignified. Archives are far better on BNO, altho search is a little wonky sometimes. BCM's search isn't much better, but the link w/ Google helps somewhat. Why I didn't know ya'll was competing Lol . Any way, the forums would be up my alley in regards to services as is the Classified's. BCM's new owner gives me a reason to be apprehensive of any of their services at all. More people on line at the other site. About same good Wide variety of info Like them both Two different "flavors" gives the widest coverage for everyone. Staying current They both have there own thing Had not noticed any competing services BNO is more the users BCM is more about the technical stuff I like the vote feature and archives on BNO I don't participate in BCM, everything I need is here. Approach to problems Different personalities and multiple ways of searching archives in case I'm having problems with one or the other. Competing services????..don't completely understand. I very seldom even check out BCM....too much, uh...chaff (as in grain). It has everything anyone would want to know about any aspect of any kind of buses I like the BCM user custom features better than BNO. BNO has better classifieds. BNO is great but BCM seems to have more activity. I really don't know the reason for this difference but assume it is because of the magazine, just a guess. Too much BS to go to BCM just got tires of it so do not go here any more, do miss the other board but BNO is very good so there i stay. More than 1 bus forum Do not consider competition but rather source of knowledge from both. BNO has great archives and continues to provide a great support for bus nuts. BCM is great too but has not had the longevity track record of BNO. Not sure! Hmm. I use both simply because there is not 100% overlap in membership. Good to have multiple providers in the space, though, as well. The old not keeping my eggs in one basket effect. I have been around long enough to see the "flavor" change back and forth in the on line world The boards are back about even. BNO had too much nonsense (penguin posts), but that has died down. I stopped coming here because of that bovine feces littering every post, now I'm back to checking in a couple of times a day. I'm more active on the other Board, because the tone when I joined both boards, was much more friendly over there (name deleted was here at the time). I dont use BCM. It is much to use the for sale items on bcm Different veiws, BNO has better humor, and we can not convert them with out it. Do they compete Ian? Some folks swear by one and not the other. I like to visit both. I learn from both, however here lately the name deleted thing has me wondering why I visit, he is annoying! I don't read BCM. I only read BNO. Each site has it's own personality. The topics are similar, but the answers often differ due to the different atmosphere created by each board. Never compared them except yours never lies to me Both are great information for the hobby I dont do BCM Ian , so stick with what works. They allow interchange of information; most importantly, very experienced people provide great assistance (on their own regard with no reward) to people learning their way. This whole system has kept me mostly sane, the last six months would have been complete hell without everyone More information available than a single site Like them both they are great but different Never was able to get registered on BNO, BCM was easy and painless Don't read BCM anymore. Do you want to buy some back issues? I like the forum format better at BCM. And I like the idea of the moderators moving off topic replies over to off topic section. That makes for a better conversation about bus stuff, however I do like off topic at times. The people with a differant veiw. Reading about bus "problems" and fixes I do not like the competition. We are all bus nuts. Off topic squabbles I like the BCM format better but your search easier for years it was the best now a lot of garbage to find a topic I only log into BNO and I always read the forms and get ideas and help from that. Both have very different people and information availlable. I like it all except the poor attempt at humor. Competition is usually good for any business or endeavour. I like the BNO format better. It maybe just because I am more failure with it. I don't use them,except for ads and usual. No faacebook ,twitter , etc Seeing how others have done conversions Question 9: What do you like least about competing services currently available from BNO & BCM? (53%) Sometimes questions and answers are the same. There is no least. Unless you take offence on other posters getting their feathers ruffeled or undies bunged and going off on someone. To much restiction on BCM board Having to log into BNO every single time I want to post a new thread, or an answer to another's thread. Nothing I haven't had any reason to notice Limit on items for sale on BCM They both are good boards I don't particularly care for the forum software used on BNO. seems a little out dated. See previous entry The Xperts that quibble with each other BCM is not as easy to navigate 'Hollier than thou' attitude from some Nothing, WOULD we LOOSE some opions, people? No ads for buses for sale on BCM Off topic demeaning personal attacks. If you can't say anything decent, don't be so critical. Writing search parameters. Nothing. Nit picking mouthy camps that disrespect the other place Nothing The somewhat wonky search engine on BNO (most likely software related). Not terribly impressed w/ the raucous behaviour on BCM, it's driven away some thoughtful folk the hobby needs. Cannot really think of any at present time. This site seems a little stagnant No dislikes Multiple places to search Like them both - some perfer one over the other - some are attached to one and in order to get their feedback - IMHO - i go back and forth. I have been using BNO longer than BCM as well as Coach Conversion Central - Started in the mid 90's. A few members of each board that trash talk the competing board. I have to resize pics on BNO and still dont know how Too many world class moderators on BCM. Nothing really Nothing. We need them both. I don't have any BNO threads get pushed to the bottom and out of sight. BCM will loose post without warning if you attempt to post photos that are too large. Blather not about buses The wacko political postings and religious stuff. Easy use of BNO Can't say i have any dislikes. Not sure! Each board's software has its weaknesses. Search could be better on both. Redundancy of questions and posts. I don't like the idea of fracturing between members, even the Eagles group pulls from the collective knowledge At this time, the boards are about even -- the tone of posting is most important. That said, the other Board has an "Ignore" feature that (unfortunately), I like -- I had to put one long-winded, off-topic poster over there on "ignore" - just to keep my blood pressure at a reasonable level. Nazi moderators on bcm Every thing status quoe. no complaints I only read BNO. Bashing each other. The difference is what makes them work so well. ???????? the mag non published Both are good. Don't use BCM Duplication bewtween the 2 BBs Forum format on BCM is better than BNO with latest posts on top. The people that won't post on both boards for one reson or another Not being able to open pictures up for viewing When the know-it-all enters the fray Not much traffic here now most of the BNO guys are there now Nothing The so called political genius's remarks. And bad humor. Bad mouthing by members of each group toward the other. Lack of consistent oversight on both boards. On one, even the moderators don't follow the rules, on the other, someone needs to share the responsibilities, especially for approving new member approval. I have had dozens tell me that they can never get a response from the host. Question 10: What changes would most improve a new, merged, web site? (52%) I like the way both are handled. My concerns on a merged web sight is that no single resource can cater to all types of participants. I would like to see some forum headings dedicated to: 1. Conversions electrical 2. Conversion plumbing 3. Floorplans Lots of pics, how-tos, etc. Able to post and view larger photos, a better search feature. Better search capabilities. Seems ok the way it is run More user friendly I'd like to see any merger operate the way Ian runs BNO. We have a great group of knowledge here & it is easy to access. More people might mean more info available, but along with it, more hassles to Ian or other owners...IMO What would we loose? Past content, archives??? It would get all the extra information on BNO available to all the members and followers of BCM. I like both sites. All info on one site Oh boy Don't Know Keep the unread posts indicators All questions would be on one web site You ARE kidding about merging, aren't you, Ian???? Get rid. Of all the people that whine all the time Key word categorization for improved searching U WILL LOOSE MANY FAITHFUL FOLLOWS - MANY OF THE 'OLD HEADS' TODAY READ AND SELDOM REPLY UNLESS ASKED DIRECTLY. I can't think of any changes, but I think maintaining two boards, even if owned by one entity would be best for the hobby. I like them both None don't do it. IMO Goggle takes care of finding things Free drinks? Ian, you wouldn't! I've barely got time enough for one, but I can't stand the ignorant egos over there. I like the way things are now Chatting ability?? (Maybe) Don't know yet. I like the BNO formate Some people don't like one or the other I would have to see the site first. Better search. I like the format on BCM (layout) better. More moderation (I'm probably in the minority) - keeping the posts on-topic, and friendly. Ban the political stuff entirely -- if they want politics, go elsewhere. If we keep our common bond (buses) in mind and in our posts, we can probably all get along. There are people whose posts I mostly ignore, because they seem to be rabble-rousers in off-topic areas. I seldom go to off-topic because of this, even though I do like to keep up with the bus jokes and some off-topic stuff on the other board. Bottom line, cut out name deleted cow manure, and named deleted whining here, cut out the extreme right or left politicical trolls over there. Control over the moderators I think both have their place. I see merging as losing some of the flavor! I like it like it is. It is so easy to use BNO so keep the format the same. Not sure It depends on which site becomes dominant. Management that don't lie about publishing A strong ethic to keep threads on track and not sidelined by non-helpful "clutter". I've almost stopped using BNO because of this. Also, the BNO software is hopeless; I can never track the progress of threads or easily go to new postings; also, the method of posting photos is clunky (on both boards). An ignore button is a must!! Don't know what BCM website is like. Everybody to be cival and happy Make it easier to open pictures None BCO using the BCM platform and managed/run by Ian. It might become less of a "private-club" appearing discussion site dominated by a handful of frequent users who know it all and ignor everyone else. Easily referenced guide to specific problems Cut out all the BS More members at one site. I believe each brings it's own unique slant to the hobby. If there was a merge, I believe that you would see a number of people leaving both boards. No more "as I said on the other board" that we see from time to time. this makes us load the other board to find out what was said if the topic is of interest to us. - 30 - | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 2159 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 174.91.142.24  Rating: N/A |
Clear as mud. Thanks for this work for the hobby! happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 2206 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.71.157  Rating: N/A |
here's one for you ...if sites are merged, will number of posts carry over, or do we start as newby with one. Start with one for just us or both sites? Many people now post on both sites. Much more activity on other site. With fuel at $4.00 plus per gallon, interest in bus conversions has dropped by quite a deal. Ian could probably post a graph showing how activity has slowed. Same problem on FMCA; magazine is now half as thick. I read both sites daily, but only am registered here for now. Otherwise, either way is fine with me. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 1626 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 97.227.204.169  Rating: N/A |
Interesting....business as usual!  KTF!!! Thanx Ian, for the opportunity...and the insight! RCB | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 415 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 74.41.14.235  Rating: N/A |
BNO is more personable. People play nicer here. Sometimes over there you ask a question and get ignored. chromie | ||
| Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
Registered Member Username: Luvrbus Post Number: 1324 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 173.87.176.221 Rating: N/A |
This was always the go to board for years very seldom was it down where as before the new BCM software it was the pits down all the time LOL Dave I been around here since 1999 it wasn't always a church picnic got pretty darn ruff sometimes,to me I don't see the people here any longer all the bus owners of different manufactures have their own boards now so they hang out with their group that's my take on it good luck (Message edited by luvrbus on December 04, 2011) | ||
| Jack Fids (Jack_fids)
Registered Member Username: Jack_fids Post Number: 998 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 72.211.145.15  Rating: N/A |
What the hell is a BCM anyway...? | ||
| Bill Gerrie (Bill_gerrie)
Registered Member Username: Bill_gerrie Post Number: 581 Registered: 3-2006 Posted From: 216.198.139.38  Rating: N/A |
Ian Just keep doing what you are doing. It works. My bus has been finished for years but still come up with the odd problem. The knowledge on this board is priceless. Bill | ||
| marvin pack (Gomer)
Registered Member Username: Gomer Post Number: 1590 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 76.4.123.74  Rating: N/A |
I agree with Bill on this too KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK BOSS NUT!! Gomer | ||
| Dave Walker (Chrome_dome)
Registered Member Username: Chrome_dome Post Number: 416 Registered: 3-2010 Posted From: 74.41.14.235 Rating: N/A |
Oh Jack i see you came out of your Ice Cube, LOL BCM is another Bus board connected to a Bus Magazine that isn't being delivered according to the ones over there! chromie | ||
| John & Barb Tesser (Bigrigger)
Registered Member Username: Bigrigger Post Number: 573 Registered: 9-2007 Posted From: 97.91.68.252  Rating: N/A |
I have visited the other site a few times over the last couple years and find it to be less "user friendly" than this one. Besides that, you get to know the people who post on any site that you regularly use. There is definitely a certain "comfort level" in that. I would miss this greatly were it to change. Of all the links on my computer, I am sure this is the one I visit with the most regularity. Keep up the good work Ian. John |
