Is "Classic Racquet Talk" a good idea???

[anirut]

Instead of "Classic Racquet Talk" how about "Racquets of Historical Importance" instead. This may draw more people into joining discussions.

For instance, the Bab PD, though a current model, does have its share of importance in racket history that may be considered a modern classic in a few years from now.

I know it's not a fine idea, but just some thoughts ...

[Paul Murphy]

Easy to find and easy to access.

I also agree that if it was in the general area it could be submerged.

That's one extra vote for "Yes".

[Paul Murphy]

Easy to find and easy to access.

I also agree that if it was in the general area it could be submerged.

That's one extra vote for "Yes".

[Deuce]

If they make it a regular forum, then they'll probably take it off the top of the 'Racquets' main page - so I don't think that will be any better.

Make it a regular forum and KEEP it at the top of the main 'Racquets' page would be good...

... But I still say that as long as there is a separate forum or sub-forum for Classic Racquets, it inherently hides them from the very people who could be discovering them.
The proof is right here in all these threads - it's still pretty much always the same people posting in this 'Classics' section.
Others are not discovering this section... and so they aren't discovering the classic racquets, either.
I don't think that's a positive thing.

We already know how wonderful these old frames are...

[jimbo333]

As I said a couple of days ago, unless more people view this forum, then you are probably correct

However, I'm sure you would agree that at the moment, this "Classic" forum is hidden. If more people can easily find it, and it's still the same people using it then fair enough. But it needs to be on main index page to give it a chance, surely!!!

It really needs to be on main index page as:-

Racquets (New, Current)
Racquets (Classic, Discontinued)

Then we will know if more people are viewing it, when they can find it

[mrw]

I like it a lot. I now don't have to wade through 10,000 "what racquet should I buy" posts to find classic racquet conversation

[jimbo333]

This is exactly why it can be seen as a good thing, for those of us tight for time!!

But, it is really hidden at the moment, and needs to be on the main index page
It would get soooo many more views, if this were the case

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by jimbo333

As I said a couple of days ago, unless more people view this forum, then you are probably correct

However, I'm sure you would agree that at the moment, this "Classic" forum is hidden. If more people can easily find it, and it's still the same people using it then fair enough. But it needs to be on main index page to give it a chance, surely!!!

It really needs to be on main index page as:-

Racquets (New, Current)
Racquets (Classic, Discontinued)

Then we will know if more people are viewing it, when they can find it

I don't think it would be any less hidden if it were a main forum - because right now, it is rather prominently displayed at the top of the main 'Racquets' page.
If it becaomes a main forum, it will likely no longer be displayed as on the main Racquets page.

As well, if it were listed as you suggest - i.e.
Racquets (New, Current)
Racquets (Classic, Discontinued)
I don't think there would be too many young people coming here. They would be turned off by knowing that only 'old' racquets are there.

When these classic frames were included in the regular Racquets section, however, many young people would see the title of a thread (which might have included a racquet name they are not familiar with), and entered the thread out of curiosity.
It's these people who, to me, are the most valuable. They are the ones who end up learning about these great old frames, and even trying them out.

But even if we have a big flashing sign that says "Learn About Wonderful Old Classic Racquets HERE", we won't get those young people - because to them, "old" is not 'cool'. To them, the flashing sign might as well read "KEEP OUT".
The only way for the young people (98% of them, at least) to find the old classics is by 'accident'.
And that can only happen if the classics are included in the regular Racquets section - as was happening previously.

[jimbo333]

I'm not saying take it away from the top of the racquets forum.

I'm saying treat it like every other sub-forum and also have it on the main index page.

It is hidden at the moment, if it is given a chance and put on main index page as well, more people will see it for sure!!!

Also I think you'll find young people are curious and will look in all the forums they can find, you are not giving them enough credit

[retrowagen]

I don't like it as it is now. It seems marginalized to me, almost like a hidden link or afterthought.

When these topics were mixed in with the "new racket" chatter, it was more interesting in my opinion. Now the classic forum portion seems to me more like a small club, somewhat elitist, and dominated by some zany characters. At times the stream of consciousness monologues or pop culture soundbytes of certain folks annoys and drives me away for a while, but that's just my personality.

At any rate, if this passion for the classics stays divided from the overall discussion, many of the younger set (seems like most of the posts in the "normal" Racquets section are by enthusiasts of less than 18 years of age, sometimes!) will not hear about some of these classic pieces of equipment, or what it's like to hit tennis balls with them. Or perhaps that they're still legitimate pieces of tennis gear, and relevant in our favorite sport.

Just my $0.02...

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by retrowagen

I don't like it as it is now. It seems marginalized to me, almost like a hidden link or afterthought.

When these topics were mixed in with the "new racket" chatter, it was more interesting in my opinion. Now the classic forum portion seems to me more like a small club, somewhat elitist, and dominated by some zany characters. At times the stream of consciousness monologues or pop culture soundbytes of certain folks annoys and drives me away for a while, but that's just my personality.

At any rate, if this passion for the classics stays divided from the overall discussion, many of the younger set (seems like most of the posts in the "normal" Racquets section are by enthusiasts of less than 18 years of age, sometimes!) will not hear about some of these classic pieces of equipment, or what it's like to hit tennis balls with them. Or perhaps that they're still legitimate pieces of tennis gear, and relevant in our favorite sport.

Just my $0.02...

^ Well expressed.

[plasma]

If we are "elitist" then the folks with $200 racquets sure don't notice. If we are a "small club" it's only because we are slowly and organically growing and opening our doors to all minds and spirits, letting them eat freely at our table and feel like family.

I'm sorry if you two don't feel welcome, it is surely your own mind and ghosts which make this invisible wall so real for you as this intimate and deeply personal space has found itself worthy of your criticism and fear, while so many others simultaneously see the positive, special,and warm attributes...????


. ....we wish they would care about our $5 thrift store head edge as much as we do, calling us elitist is ironic though, .... Misfits, brilliant, outsiders, sure, but don't call us elitist, my entire life I've been the outsider, travelling form town to podunk town until my now long dead brilliant parents found a town inwhich they could both work, I am about as far from elitist as you can get, same goes for all other regular posters on classic racquet talk, all real people. This is a unique and wonderful fountain, a freindly and welcoming place ...Maybe it is YOU who are the hidden elitist?

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by retrowagen

I don't like it as it is now. It seems marginalized to me, almost like a hidden link or afterthought.

When these topics were mixed in with the "new racket" chatter, it was more interesting in my opinion. Now the classic forum portion seems to me more like a small club, somewhat elitist, and dominated by some zany characters. At times the stream of consciousness monologues or pop culture soundbytes of certain folks annoys and drives me away for a while, but that's just my personality.

At any rate, if this passion for the classics stays divided from the overall discussion, many of the younger set (seems like most of the posts in the "normal" Racquets section are by enthusiasts of less than 18 years of age, sometimes!) will not hear about some of these classic pieces of equipment, or what it's like to hit tennis balls with them. Or perhaps that they're still legitimate pieces of tennis gear, and relevant in our favorite sport.

Just my $0.02...

I did mention that the above post was a good one, right?

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Deuce

I did mention that the above post was a good one, right?

Twice, now

[jimbo333]

Originally Posted by retrowagen

I don't like it as it is now. It seems marginalized to me, almost like a hidden link or afterthought.

When these topics were mixed in with the "new racket" chatter, it was more interesting in my opinion. Now the classic forum portion seems to me more like a small club, somewhat elitist, and dominated by some zany characters. At times the stream of consciousness monologues or pop culture soundbytes of certain folks annoys and drives me away for a while, but that's just my personality.

At any rate, if this passion for the classics stays divided from the overall discussion, many of the younger set (seems like most of the posts in the "normal" Racquets section are by enthusiasts of less than 18 years of age, sometimes!) will not hear about some of these classic pieces of equipment, or what it's like to hit tennis balls with them. Or perhaps that they're still legitimate pieces of tennis gear, and relevant in our favorite sport.

Just my $0.02...

Hi, did you read my post that was above yours? Because it deals with your points made here!!!

"Classic Racquet Talk" is hidden because it is not visible on main index page.

These young people that you mention who are not viewing this forum, would if they could find it, and they would definitely enjoy it, it is good fun

[roundiesee]

Just an idea- could we not put a "sticky" on the main racquet section to let people (especially the younger generation) know that this section exists, and that it is not just for collectors but for anyone who is keen on getting more information on older, discontinued frames?

[Deuce]

I don't understand why some of you insist on failing to see what seems to be very obvious - that even if the younger people knew of the existence of this section, they would still avoid it, as anything "old" does not appeal to 98% of them...

... and that when these youngsters have found out about these classic racquets, it has almost always been by accident - by entering a thread where they didn't know that the subject was an old classic racquet, for example.
And these 'accidents' can only happen if things go back to the way they were, with ALL racquets being in the Racquets section, without segregation.

As long as this segregated section exists, it will be doing little more than preaching to the converted.

[Bud]

Originally Posted by Deuce

I don't understand why some of you insist on failing to see what seems to be very obvious - that even if the younger people knew of the existence of this section, they would still avoid it, as anything "old" does not appeal to 98% of them...

... and that when these youngsters have found out about these classic racquets, it has almost always been by accident - by entering a thread where they didn't know that the subject was an old classic racquet, for example.
And these 'accidents' can only happen if things go back to the way they were, with ALL racquets being in the Racquets section, without segregation.

As long as this segregated section exists, it will be doing little more than preaching to the converted.

Or by finding one of the classics at the local good will for 99 cents, playing with it... and realizing they've been duped and brainwashed

[plasma]

these kids snort nintendo (no-friendo), and mainline MTV. It will take time before they appreciate the classics. This is a club to honor the classics. Your continuous claims that its autonomy makes it discreet are absurd.

I like children - fried.
W. C. Fields
just kidding, I actually donate locally and to programs around the country. It's a joy to see and hear about people using frames that I have donated (especially the one of a kind vintage made in USA, Austria and Belgium that I part with!). This section is really an adult-only movie though, no not that type of adult film, an intellectual film, Verner Herzogish, the type of transcendent films I was taken to as a kid. There was a reason the masses of kids and families found at hollywood blockbuster films were not in the audience. The same reason why the decieved fools who think their racquets look and perform better than mine, continually lose and forfeit to the Plaz-reaper, keep tennis warehouse in business, eat junkfood and not apples, play video games instead of reading the classics, etc.... Preaching to the non-converted is fine. But in order to do missionary work for our temple of graphite and Boron, to educate the polluted and embittered ones who mock and judge us; we must first have a temple to go to. I am officially naming tennis as my universal religon, (this way if I ever have a kid I won't have to snip his tournagrip!) brilliant!

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by plasma

these kids snort nintendo (no-friendo), and mainline MTV. It will take time before they appreciate the classics. This is a club to honor the classics. Your continuous claims that its autonomy makes it discreet are absurd.

Actually, it has been historically proven that segregation segregates...
Umm... look it up.

It's also common sense.

Not to mention the fact that it's always the same people appearing and reappearing in this segregated section...

Even with you acting as the clown, the kids aren't coming into this circus...