In 1990 I received a free AOL disc in the mail and used it to go "online." AOL was fun for a variety of years, but a friend told me back in 1995 that you do not need AOL to surf the Internet. In all honesty I didn't know that at that time. A few days later, I said good-bye to AOL and "HELLO!" to the superhighway of information. People that previously had no interest in PC's are now running to computer stores so they could surf the internet and retrieve their e-mail.
Back then the Internet was really different. Web pages and sites were a lot simpler, since everyone was practically using dial-up internet service. The "information" was easier to find because the internet wasn't over ran with commerce sites. Since the early '80s, forums and chat rooms were prevalent but were clunky and hard to use. It was much easier to use due to AOL's interface.
While blogging began around 1994, it didn't start to take off until '99 with the introduction of "blogging tools." When political pundits glommed on to blogs in '02, the blogosphere really took off. Now, there's a blog for everything. This is good news and bad news. For researchers like me, when I do a search, nearly half of the links are for product, services, books, auction listings, and forum or blog comments. At first, I was kind of annoyed with the Corvette forum links because searches often linked to things such as, "I like side-pipes too." But when I took some time to go to the Corvette forum's home page, I was pleasantly surprised to find a rich, comprehensive information source.
Take a Corvette forum such as SmokinVette.com. The Corvette hobby is huge because it covers a 57 year lineage of cars in six distinct generations. SmokinVette has Corvette forums for all six generations. Once you're into your generation's forum, cruise around, and check out the topics. Every forum is unique, so spend some time poking around the links, controls, and drop-down boxes. It's like wandering around a big box, home improvement store. It's a little overwhelming at first, but it doesn't take long and you know just where to find that sky hook you're looking for.
I am sometimes in the mood to look at Corvette pictures, and SmokinVette has an enormous collection of them. What would a high-testosterone topic like Corvettes be without an assortment of Corvette Girls? The answer is it would be boring! However, you will not find anything too over the top, as they are classy pictures at SmokinVette, but you will find a lot of SmokinHot babes. And the last comment is only a compliment, ladies.
Being a Corvette owner is not as expensively challenging as owning a pleasure boat, however you could spend extra cash on personalizing or refurbishing your Corvette. In the SmokinVette forum's "Vette Parts" section you can find anything from a crate engine or supercharger to a little ole LED lights and even used parts. Corvette enthusiasts are extremely creative. You will locate Corvette parts that you didn't even know was being offered.
It is very hard to only be a voyeur. As soon as you finish the free registration, you can add your ideas on some of the forums, start a new forum topic, and ask a Corvette question, or even post images and/or photos. People interested in Corvettes are VERY helpful. Whether you own a Vette or just an enthusiast, you are a member of a uniquely American club. The "Save the Wave" thing got started as a way for Corvette owners to notice one another on the road. Corvettes are special and they are something more than just "cars" that you will not be able to comprehend until you drive one. Driving a Corvette is a genuinely unique experience. You can't just "ride" in a Corvette you have to DRIVE a Corvette, because they are designed and made to be DRIVEN. I have heard and read so many different times, a new Corvette owner say, "I never really understood this car until I drove one." That's the moment when you get hooked.
So clear out some time, get comfortable, and check out some Corvette forums, such as SmokinVette.com. Its fun, entertaining, educational, and a way to meet like-minded people that "get" the Corvette obsession. Nuff said! - KST
For additional information and queries in regards to Why A Corvette Forum Matters please visit the Smokinvette Team at www.smokinvette.com