Yahoo - the Wal Mart of the internet

[thegunowner149]

Yahoo has just come out with a new feature on their site: automobile message boards. You can see them here: http://forums.custom.autos.yahoo.com/

Yahoo wants to become the Wal Mart of the internet. They are working to destroy the little guy. How many thousands of webmasters running automobile message boards are going to have their stomach turn when they see this new development?

"But Yahoo drives people to good automobile message boards via their search engine!"

Wrong.

Yahoo is the single busiest site on the internet. Even though their message boards are horrible and laden with ads, they will become well populated. Just like Wal Mart with their sub par quality products has become popular.

Do we really want the internet to be controlled by a few mega corporations? What's next Yahoo? SEO and webmaster message boards? Video game message boards? [insert your forum topic here].

Scary.

[steven s]

Yahoo has just come out with a new feature on their site: automobile message boards.

There are already many, many message boards. Some marque specific, some model specific. Autoweek, Car Talk and a host of others have message boards. Each one has it's own flavor and culture.

[tgillespie]

While it may succeed in terms of posts and members, it will never have the community aspect that so many of our own communities have. The forum build does not allow characterization; therefore, everything is pure informational and non personal. For some, that’s what they are looking for. For others, it’s just another online encyclopedia that dosn't provide the community aspect as an additive. I don't think the automobile forums have anything to worry about.

[thegunowner149]

While it may succeed in terms of posts and members, it will never have the community aspect that so many of our own communities have. The forum build does not allow characterization; therefore, everything is pure informational and non personal. For some, that’s what they are looking for. For others, it’s just another online encyclopedia that dosn't provide the community aspect as an additive.

Like Wal Mart?

I bet the mom and pop knick knack stores say the same things when Wal Mart comes to town.

[tgillespie]

Like Wal Mart?

I bet the mom and pop knick knack stores say the same things when Wal Mart comes to town.

Granted Wal-Mart has its market, but what do you do at Wal-Mart. You go in, find your item, and get the hell out of there. Its not like people go to Wal-Mart to hang out. Then take for instance a specialized store in which you can talk to the owner, ask advice, and build a relationship. Wal-Mart may look better on paper in terms of business, but its the small shops that keep the interest and the community alive. There will always be a market for specialized communities.

[BamaStangGuy]

Like Wal Mart?

I bet the mom and pop knick knack stores say the same things when Wal Mart comes to town.

Hardly

Just because they are big doesnt mean they offer something people want in every area.

They won't hold the people in their message board like a site like mine can. There is no sense of belonging to a community.

A big deal with sites like mine is they offer a chance to not only get excellent technical advice on your car, but meet other people in your area and carry on general conversation in an off topic area.

Yahoo will never touch this.

[BamaStangGuy]

Granted Wal-Mart has its market, but what do you do at Wal-Mart. You go in, find your item, and get the hell out of there. Its not like people go to Wal-Mart to hang out. Then take for instance a specialized store in which you can talk to the owner, ask advice, and build a relationship. Wal-Mart may look better on paper in terms of business, but its the small shops that keep the interest and the community alive. There will always be a market for specialized communities.

Well put and exactly my point too.

They ask a question in leave on Yahoo. They do not stick around.

[MrNase]

There are already many, many message boards. Some marque specific, some model specific. Autoweek, Car Talk and a host of others have message boards. Each one has it's own flavor and culture.

Exactly. I don't really care even if Yahoo starts a German version of it. My members like my community and from what I see Yahoo can't offer anything which my members could like more

[ChrisLM2001]

Yahoo will fill a market that no outside forum will do: be free from most censorship. Forums are full of admins/moderators that will control content, where Yahoo will offer it "as is". For some that's a better solution (think political forums that often are biased with packs to get opposing members banned).

So I think it's a good idea, as it'll bring the freedom of the usenet into a forum package.

Chris

[BamaStangGuy]

Yahoo will fill a market that no outside forum will do: be free from most censorship. Forums are full of admins/moderators that will control content, where Yahoo will offer it "as is". For some that's a better solution (think political forums that often are biased with packs to get opposing members banned).

So I think it's a good idea, as it'll bring the freedom of the usenet into a forum package.

Chris

Yea, cause leaving a Political forum unmoderated always ends up with good sound debate.

[ChrisLM2001]

Sometimes very good! I post every now and then on Yahoo's news boards and there can be some interesting exchanges -- hard hitting usenet free-for-alls (which I love). Best of all, it's not censored and you're not kicked off if the blue or red side dislikes your POV.

Chris