Archive - January 1998 to February 1999

[ Auspuff ] About: [ Porsche Pete ] [ The Boxster Board ]

Auspuff

February 28, 1999

Just a quick report this time... maybe to speak of more interesting subject matter (and update the Message Museum and figure out a new Poll!) as soon as I get thru this "Porsche mandated" period. My personal summary of what's goning on with the now ever-changing domain is HERE. The support I have had from most all of you still far outweighs the hassle Porsche has inflicted on this site.

We do have some new "Deputies" thanks to the tireless efforts of my friend, Christian Kramer, who is the utmost enthusiast in keeping this place going. I don't think he ever sleeps! Please welcome (and OBEY :) Betty Choate, Larry Ullman, and Viken Bedrossian... more details and a growing list of supporters is HERE!

December 20, 1998

OK, sue me... promised to speak of ISP and software stuff in this report, but i'm not going to. I'm realizing it's time to reflect on the year 1998. First, and foremost, there would have not been a 1998 report to give here without the motivation and friendship constantly being developed by those supporting this place. The financial donations, the advice, suggestions, tips, and good will has far surpassed the hourly, daily, weekly effort I make to have this site continue as an informative, friendly place to visit. In addition to the 50,000 some messages posted at the Board this year, I have received well over 2000 personal emails, which I have tried my best to respond to, or at least store in the back of mind (capacity limited :)

1998 started with a visit from Bruce Davis in his brand-new OB Boxster... to say that set the year is probably an understatement. The Boxster's Have Landed and my trip to the Boxster Rebellion in April and more real-life friends added, Print excluded. The 'Boxster Enthusiast-Internet Nerds have arrived' articles in Panorama and Excellence. The never-again "no rules" July 4th. The visit from Cecil Thorpe and Willy in September (wow, as you know). The support of 80 Personal Sponsors, the life blood of the site... My amazement and continued THANKS! The tireless help throughout the year of our Web Site Associates (Christian Kramer, Walt Bilofsky, Greg Reddick, Matt the Car Nut, William Lewis, and Brian Langley). The year long association with our Corporate Sponsors (Clair Parts Express, Automotion, Chris Huck at Pioneer Centres, CFG's Export Shop, Tina Todd at Beverly Hills, and Johnathon Beitz at Neillo)... and a fond rememberence of free-wheeling dealer interaction prior to (well, I won't go there). The trials and tribulations of Mr. Boxster.org, Mark Christenson ending in hopefull bliss as driving into the sunset in his green Boxster. The growth of interesting, entertaining, and useful Boxster web sites (ie a Links Page I can hardly keep up with) enhancing the "web"experience. Ferry Porsche, God rest and bless his sole. Martin and Porsche history. Trademarks and Copyrights. California is the center of the Universe? :). The constant subtle reminders of my infalibilities by John Cochran. The witnessing of local gatherings and more friendships stemming from internet origins... who'd a thought a cold, impersonal, electronic media could have that effect? The lively discussion on the Board, the fun, the laughter, the tips, the same questions over and over still being answered, the FAQ, the bickering, the rumors, the waiting, the first drives, and even some information not found anywhere else... a diverse world gathering to share personalities and experiences. The delivery of the Boxster here in October seems anti-climatic by comparison... I really feel it belongs more to all of you more than me, because without you all drawing me into staying involved here and the private pschological consultations with Betty, CFG, Randy K, Print, and Mark C, I am convinced there would not have been one.

Who knows what 1999 will bring with it? I'm pretty much planning on continuing to be a small part of it here, though... hope you are too. Happy Holidays and a Joyous New Year!

ps. A confession... I have really lost touch with keeping up with worthy Message Museum posts. Information overload, I don't know. There's a few I have saved at the moment to get on there some time in the future, but I know I have missed alot of worth ones due to hectic reading and time constraints. If anyone has a desire to act as Message Museum Advisor, per se, please contact me sometime in January to work out some details.

November 14, 1998

Boxster Board? Oh, yes, of course I remember :) It's just that since October 26 I've had to add yet another activity to the schedule - DRIVING! So, next report I promise to speak of interesting software details, site traffic, isp's, new and changing Boxster web sites, museum awards, and such. In the few rainy days we've had here in NC the past few weeks, I've managed only to update the bottom part of this page and start another useless page with some sketchy, chronological details on the newest blessing I have received.

Cecil Thorpe of Boxrod fame stopped in late September on his way back to Florida for a quick dinner and to give me a quick drive... Quick pretty much sums it up. The power available in his TPC Supercharged Boxster is everywhere and anywhere you want it to be. Feel sorry for those poor 18" tires though... they are destined for a very short life! Thanks Cecil, enjoyed meeting you and Willy.

A few days after the Boxster arrived I received the Superior Boxsterowners Starterpack from CFG's Export Shop. I think Herr Kramer considers it an advertising expense for my support of his little Export Shop - I consider it a treasure of friendship. The wife considers him crazy.

Everyone (even foreigners :) Have a happy Thanksgiving.
Give thanks for what you have, drive safe!

October 2, 1998

Yikes, 4 months without any webmaster blaberings... what's been going on? Guess I was so burnt out redoing the site way back when, figured there was nothing left to do or say... not! First, I will need to confess (sorry, not as spicy as Clinton's). There's been some days of late that I have not been able to keep up and read every one of your messages. I sometimes remorse over something I may have missed...not! :-) I am relying more on our very capable, highly-paid staff of Deputies and appreciate Christian and Walt helping with the task... you're both still around aren't you? Just in case, and entry-level position has been offered to Greg Reddick. We'll see if he can handle it. 

Our first year anniversary came an went back on July 9... a second anniversary? We'll see. Randy Kamperman sent me this classic model. The most famous Porsche of all and the obvious reason Porsche is celebrating it's 50 Jahre Anniversary this year. Thanks RK, it rests near my computer  in peaceful bliss and co-habitation with the Boxster from CFG. Ya know, when this site first started 15 months ago, I rushed with excitement to see what was going on and devote the time to make it better every day... funny thing, I still am!

When someone asks your birth date with obvious devious motives, and you're old, don't answer. I learned this the hard way, thanks to CFG. Unfortunately, now he wont rest in peace until I award him what he wants - "So next time I will arrange that everybody will ignore your birthday. If you don't give me the award for the longest thread I will set up an AUDI TT board !" - Chris from Germany, via the Internet. You are duly awarded.

And a special thanks to John Barney for an actual present :)... a wonderful Watkins Glen Double Fifty publication. Excellent reading!

On the BBS software front, a new version is up and running, with the inherent glitches and bugs. The developer has disappeared and is of no help, so perfection seems a distant reality. Someone coined it "quirky"... so it is. Recently looked again at some other BBS software (Ultimate?) for the Board, but it's not going to make it here... my thoughts and others.

And another small sampling of the thoughts that make my days. I'm still amazed they keep coming:

• "... This board is really quite amazing when you think about it. Chuck put in the time, energy and money to create something that is much larger than just another web bulletin board. Just look at it. The Boxsters Have Landed and the Boxster Rebellion grew out of this list. I am sure there are alot of us e-mailing each other off of the board as friends. I have never been involved in a board like this. There is definitely a synergy effect going on here. I have met some great people from this Board, that I am pleased to consider my friends..." - Print, via the Boxster Board
• "As a waiter (anticipating October delivery) the existence of your board makes the experience easier and a lot more fun. Once I'm an owner I know I'll find it even more valuable as I deal with grin-factors and microswitches and remote gatherings in far-flung locations." - Devin, via snail mail
• "I feel more comeradery with this bunch then any enthusiast club I have ever joined (including PCA, BMW MOA, Golden Gate Lotus Club, etc.)--further, I have been and felt more of a participant. I have learned a ton, kept informed of the good/bad/ugly of the Boxster and the Board has been instrumental in maintaining my enthusiasm thru delays, warrantee issues, etc-(I am still a waiter)-- I know that when my car comes in, I will turn to the board for all kinds of on going ownership questions. My point, I guess, is that I wanted to take a moment to voice my support for the board and thank you personally for the quality and commitment you have put into it. I hope you can and will keep it up." - Mark H., via the Internet
• "Quite honestly, in the past several weeks, I have become obsessed by all things Boxster, including your site. This is much to the consternation of my wife, who is not sure when or if I will emerge from our den again. Nonetheless, it is reassuring (to me, not her) to know that there are so many others like myself." - Robert C., via snail mail
• "It is not only therapy for "waiters, but also the source of information on our beloved cars. Thanks and keep up the good work." - Hanson L., via snail mail
• "I placed my firm order yesterday with the dealership in... Because of what I learned from PPBB for the past three weeks, I felt VERY comfortable running through the options. Thank you for all that you do! - Karl, via the Internet
• "Chuck, now that you have secured your place in WEB guruism... ...I know that you get all the "Cool board, dude!" stuff all the time. I just wanted to say that it is one of the Sharpest, also! A lot of pages just seem to cluttered. Anyway, thanks again for a place to hang while I was waiting for my Box." - Rob G., via the Internet
• HOST: gate01.fw.porsche.de, ACCESS COUNT: 147 - via AccessWatch v1.33 :-)

Boxster Polls #7 and  #8 have ended. Take a look at the results. Both were very interesting, to me anyway. We'll have some new ones up real soon. I've received a number of suggestions... just have to go and find them. 

Unchartered territory, but we're going to attempt to offer something a little unique via the Boutique... no, not t-shirts yet, but a labor of love from one of our talented (well, his wife, anyway) Boxster Boarders.

Yes, another backlog of Message Museum Awards to give out. When are you all going to run out of worthwhile things to say? Congrats to Ted Shasta, Joe King, JohnB, John Schafer, John Ollivier, RTRORKT, Pedro, Walt Bilofsky, and John Cochran.

And I could'nt end, of course, without with a continued thanks to those that keep me and this place going ... the silent partners, the back bone, the Board Sponsors. They deserve your attention. 

June 4, 1998

Well, here it is... Porsche Pete's Boxster Board @ boxster.net. Same old site, hopefully a little easier to navigate. At least the url is more appropriate. My sincere thanks to my Burlington , NC friends, Chris Laforet and Jeff Deasey at Netpath, Inc., for continuing to put up with me (us), the server load, and the oft needed help required. The active messages on the Board are currently being limited to 500 at the request of my ISP... hopefully only temporary.

Updated Message BBS software is now in beta trial and will be implemented when available in a few weeks... from what I've seen so far, think you will like it. And hope you all like the new Events Page... looking forward to seeing it GROW with activity! The other new page, Boutique, you'll just have to wait a bit while I figure out what to do with it... remember, you requested the T-shirt stuff, not me :) Updated new polls, too!

There will be bugs, glitches, and unknowns at boxster.net for a while... if I don't catch them all, please let me know if you find trouble.

The messages are flying by so fast lately, thought I'd congratulate our newest Message Museum Award winners here instead of the Board: Technical Excellence- Rene Weenick and JCB; Porsche Mystique- Rene Weenick; Red-Line Smiley :)- Mike Kaiser, Bambi, and Chris from Germany; Editorial Eminence- A.J. O'Connell

PPBB, there is no excuse. PPBB, bring your Boxster enthusiasm and a smile. PPBB, nothing even comes close, whew. Sorry, just testing some slogans... got one? Email me... you could become famous (or at least see it on a T-shirt :)

On a sad note, the first (and last) annual MVP Award died a slow death due to lack of input and nominations. Don't tell me now you didn't know about it. Of the 3 legitimate nominations, one was disqualified due to being affiliated with the Board (sorry, Deputy CFG :), leaving the 2 other nominees to share the MVP Award. Walt Bilofsky, pick your half, Dane Boren you can have the other.

April 30, 1998

Sure wish I could be more like Mark and be able to post something new every day or so... won't happen. Speaking of Mark and boxster.org, there was a trial setup of the Boxster Board at boxster.org, but it did not quite work out, my own fault, nothing but help from Mark and Brian Vogelsang at axnet.net. So, for the moment, the site is staying put in NC. There continues to be a redesign in proceess, as well as a new url coming sometime this month (maybe). There will be a stronger association with other Boxster sites (yes, ie READ THE FAQ!), because without the "network", this site would be of minimal use. I anticipate a shut down for a few days while the "in-house" transfer takes place... perhaps late May so CFG at boxster.de won't bother me :) Prior notification will occur. At this point, I'm really not sure why I am redesigning and moving, but it's happening...

I've got another "boat load" of messages for the Museum and Links in the sticky note format all over my monitor... the cliche, "you don't realize how much time it takes to keep a web site maintanined and fresh" comes to mind. Bear with me.

Poll #6 and #7 have ended. It appears that most Boxster Boarder's purchase the Boxster with cash... dang, maybe I should re-direct my effort toward the new VW Beetle :) Results have been posted, and something new has replaced the polls for awhile. Should be fun. Thanks to all that have suggested new poll topics... they, too, are sticky noted on my monitor.

A note to all those that have offered suggestions and help toward the mechanics of the site- I am not a computer programmer (never been there, never done that), so the help is appreciated! Walt Bilofsky's recent advice cut your Message Index loading time appreciably! I need help, keep the tech advice coming! STILL trying to work out a suitable search for the entire archives. I KNOW it is needed.

What a wonderful weekend April 17-19 was for Boxster fans! I will keep the "Landed" and "Rebellion" pages up for any that want to add a url for stories or photos. An Events Page is in process for the Boxster Board redesign. This won't be a big event, but I hope to be present for a Charleston PDI tour in the making for sometime this summer. Have been adivised to keep it quiet due to limited visitor size... but you all know you'll the first to know about when, and if, it happens. Camera's ready! Too bad Print's car wont be there... I would have re-routed it's delivery papers to CA and he never would see it.

We've got some new personal Sponsors on Board... I continually thank them, you should too!

March 22, 1998

St Patricks Day has come and gone, Betty. Is it lost in transit somewhere?

There appears to be some site changes in the wind (I'm already tinkering with a new layout as you may have noticed on this page [none of those links up top work yet]). I want to thank all those that responded publically and privately to my "plea for help" a while back. I can't think of a nicer group to be associated with. Way too early yet to even speculate any major changes, but perhaps prepare yourselves for one of those dreaded "This site has moved - change your bookmark" messages down the road. Just don't know how "far" it's moving at this point.

To all those having trouble (including myself) with the "date" setup for searching the archives, the default has been changed so you should'nt have to worry about changing it anymore. Thanks to John Felker for the tip (uh [or was that duh], Chuck, why don't you change the default dates). I continue to look for an all-inclusive search engine that will work here (2 have come and gone so far) as an addition to the individual board search.

Some words from our Friends...

• "... grateful thanks for many hours of education enjoyment and fellowships ..." - Johnny, via Royal Mail
• "... the information is invaluable, the comaraderie helps fend off wait-list mania, and it's a great distraction from work." - Tom, via Snail Mail
• "You should know that you and your father and family will be in my prayers." - Bruce, via the Internet
• "... I suspect that my understanding of what it takes to keep this going is but a poor reflection of your effort. My only regret is that I did not find or did not fully understand the help available through the Board before I spec'd my car (I don't quite remember when I discovered PP) because a lot of questions I had could have been better answered here than by my salesman - he tried, he just didn't seem to be able to get good info out of PCNA. Please accept my thanks for the information, laughs and many hours of enjoyment I have had at the Board ..." - John, via the Internet
• "... Thank you for the nice comments on the Boxster board and on the Z3 board. The reactions to my post on the Boxster board have been very positive... Well, at least the board members seem to be more aware of the issue now... In the end, it's up to the members of the board to set and enforce their own standards of behavior... Thanks again for your efforts at promoting a "bashless" environment on the board. Obviously, another gentleman and scholar out there...:-) Take care." - Stan, via the Internet / Z3 Board
• "... In any case thanks to this board I felt very smart and highly connected! Amazing how much potential power we are holding in our hands as a result of this board. (Satisfied and still waiting)" - Raphael, via the Internet / Boxster Board

I just couldn't resist showing off my brand new Boxster again...

AND, I look forward to meeting in real life person some of you at The Boxster Rebellion! Please don't key my Audi :)

February 14, 1998

Happy Valentines Day!... Betty, where's my present? Or would it be more appropriate on St. Patricks Day?

<BUSINESS> The promised update on Webmaster functions and server locations will be brief this time... I am in contact with Mark at boxster.org as well as a local source for future web space and continue to contemplate the need for an assistant "Porsche Pete". Thanks to all that have offered assistance so far... hold those thoughts.</BUSINESS>

Now that the business is out of the way... I can't get the vision of Bruce Davis' Ocean Blue Boxster in my driveway out of my mind. Unfortunately, the only way to replace that image is probably with one of my own. HA!

Boxster Poll #5 has ended and two, yes two, new polls are now available for you voting pleasure. I doubt it would suprise anyone that Artic Silver was the main choice for color and that apparently there is only one person in the world that wants a Forest Green Boxster :). Thanks to Walt Bilofsky for one of the poll topics, cause I sure can't think straight. And Walt, I'm working on getting your "Consumer Reports Repair" poll suggestion to work with the ability of the poll script to allow voting for more than one choice... but don't hold your breath.

I have a "boat load" of messages in need of recognition for the Message Museum, but am struglling for time to get them on. I'm wondering, with the growth of Greg Reddick's and Larry Whatley's Boxster FAQ whether there is a need for me to "museum" the award-winning messages? Comments and thoughts apprecitated.

January 20, 1998

A happy (belated) new year! Hope it still is. The Boxster Board continues to grow into a monster web message site... now averaging over 800 visitors a day generating over 18,000 page hits a day. I'm having trouble keeping up! We just came thru some major connection and loading problems which turned out to be server related, thankfully, instead of Board related. Thanks to all that inundated me with email about the problems you were having... boy, am I glad I'm on your side :). Just prior to this, however, the logging software I use to track visitors recently SHUT DOWN my ISP server temporarily while is was generating reports... consuming all the servers memory for over an hour each day! We had a long talk (my ISP talked, I listened) and with some modifications here, hopefully they will let us stay connected.

Because of this message load and my new job (free time is scarce!), I continue to have trouble keeping up with worthy "Museum" and "Links" posts. I think I have them up to date, at present, but if you catch one that I don't and want to nominate it, let me know via email. Thanks. The archiving functions take an enormous amount of time and I think are important at present, and I still continue to read EVERY message (well, glance anyway) so I can stay ontrack with you all.

And I caught another one of the many "thanks" type posts I cherish every time I read one:

• "... your efforts are not unnoticed and are to be applauded. In part, the applause ought to be coming from Zuffenhausen because of the interest that your efforts create in the Boxster product line. In addition, Porsche owes you a debt of gratitude because boards such as this are saving the company big bucks. Otherwise, Porsche has to do like Ford, GM etc. and hire a bunch of young MBAs to work in their customer service departments answering questions such as we see on these boards. This cost savings may or may not be reflected in the cost of the Boxster. More importantly, it is not reflected in the IRS Form 1040 of Mark, Pete and the rest of those who spend their time to provide these educational forums. To them, I say "Thanks!" - John Cochran

Finally, for your thinking caps, I am at the point where I need to seriously consider some Webmaster functions, server location changes, and the ability of one person to keep the quality of this Boxster Board intact. The Boxster Board is not going away, but I will be pondering some major changes in the near future... if you get a personal email from me, don't be surprised. Any help or thoughts on this subject are appreciated. More to follow in next update....

About Porsche Pete (circa 1997-1998) Well Betty, since you asked, here it is... Porsche Pete is Chuck Hammersmith, a real estate Broker in Burlington, NC married 21 years to my wonderful (but a not Porsche fanatic) wife, Ginny. We have two semi-delightful daughters, age 17 ("let me drive the Porsche and I'll have my boyfriend be nice to you") and 12 ("In 4 years, I'm getting the Porsche, right?"). I am a 20+ year member of the Porsche Club of America, and yes, have saved every issue of the Porsche Panorama. I have only owned a measly 3 Porsches up until the Boxster, but all have been long term relationships... a 73 914, then a 74 911S Coupe, and a 72 911E Targa. After 16 years with the "E", she left us for greener pastures... a new owner and a much needed TLC restoration. Since 1995, and for the first time in 24 years, my garage was Porscheless and I was very car figetty and car depressed. And it certainly didn't help to see my high school daughter being picked up and dropped off from school in her friends 76 911 (her 16th Birthday present). So I would go out just to get a whiff of that sweet, unmistakable engine smell (they think I'm a little strange). Well now, I have my own engine to smell! And I'll try to keep a somewhat chronologic log going on Pete's Page II: Ferd.

About the Boxster Board (circa 1997-1998)

The ray of "new Porsche" hope planted itself in my mind when I first saw photos of the Boxster showcar and read "under $40K"... still a stretch, but hope, anyway. The Boxster went in and out of my mind while still dreaming of a new 911 (see my refrigerator for photos of the 95-97 Carrera). Well, it blasted back into my mind in April 97 when shopping for a new business car (Audi)... there it was, a bright shiny new silver/black Boxster sitting in the showroom at Leith Imports in Cary NC. Of course, it wasn't quite the $40K with all the etc etc added, but still only $15K more than the A4 I was buying. "Let's see, I don't need clients sitting in my back seat, the kid's don't need to eat or go to college, we don't need such a big house, my wife would surely understand...". Nope.

Anyway, in the 3-4 months of contemplation and research prior to buying an Audi, I found myself daily at JET's A4 Pages Bulletin Board (now A4.org). It helped me immensely in the decision-making process and I came to know a number of new cyber-friends that frequented his Board. So after the Audi was purchased I went into the "now let's research and figure out a potential Boxster purchase", scouring the internet looking for real-life discussion. The best I could find was an e-mail list, but I personally found it too hard and inefficient to navigate. Acktung!... why not a Bulletin Board specific to the Boxster. I'll get the info and discussion needed in an easy-to navigate form and won't have to wait for email. The rest is recent history.

I never expected quite the response we all have been generating at the Boxster Board since it's July 9, 1997 inception. It is encouraging to see so many sincere messages, questions, and reply's. I think it has become a truly meaningful and efficient source for real-life discussion of the Boxster, a source of lasting friendships, and I have learned quite a bit from your true-life experiences... now with Boxster, I need to start paying more attention! :)

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