Bye Bye Forum

[Stuart_D]

Just to keep you all up to date, unfortunately the forthcoming sale of the club and forum has fallen through. The buyer pulled out due to personal committments which would have meant he would not have had any time to maintain the club.

In addition, my time and funds are now extremely limited. The club and forum will therefore be closing imminently and a final date will be announced shortly.

I hope you have all enjoyed using this forum, it certainly has grown much larger than I ever could have anticpated which just goes to show what a wide range of enthusiastic people own or have owned an A2.

Thanks again for all your support.

Stuart.

[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: (mailto:Stuart@A2OC.net) A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website (http://www.a2oc.net)

[deheld]

A sad day....

But thanks for the time and effort you put into the forum. You've given us all a wonderfull experience !

Dennis de Held

Amulet Red 1.4 Tdi

[swiv]

I can only second that, despite the fact that I've never actually joined for real...(and still feel kind of sorry for that ;))

Thank you, Stuart, really.

Edo

--
(2003 Silver 1.4 Tdi Exclusive(SE), 95bhp/235Nm chiptuned by ABT, black interior, sport seats, heated mirrors, TomTom3 PDA Satnav, JVC KD-SH909RB cd-receiver, Infinity Kappa 63.1 + Vifa on-dash tweeters, 12" Subwoofer on 300w Amp)

[philhusbands]

Stuart, this forum has been a significant part of my enjoyment of my A2 so far. If I did not have a 3 month old daughter eating up most of my free time, I would certainly offer my assistance to keep one of the best forums on the internet up and running!

How about saving a copy of the MS Access database that sits behind this forum? It surely would be a shame to say the least if this huge archive of information was lost forever! Who knows, I (or someone else?) may have space sometime on a server of my own to resurrect it?!

Many thanks Stuart.

Phil.


Phil. TDi Sport, silver, with Climate and OpenSky.

[Stuart_D]

Phil - Yes of course I will be keeping a copy of the huge database.

[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: (mailto:Stuart@A2OC.net) A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website (http://www.a2oc.net)

[hollyrescue]

I will really miss it, thanks Stuart for getting it to the current excellent state. It really is a major part of owning an A2 for me

[shezlee]

A sad day...

This forum and the main website have been a great font of information, a small community of like minded people, all there to help each other, I will miss the constant banter, the happy arrivals and sad endings,

Hope all will be well and keep in contact..

Lee and Sheridan,
TDI SE, Build 11/01, Dolphin Grey (http://www.a2oc.net/pic_showall.asp?page=13&order=pic%5Fid&cat_id=1&parent_id=1&parent_name=UK%20Owners%20Gallery&sub_name=All)
50% Brighter Bulbs (http://www.a2oc.net/DL_showall.asp?cat_id=4&parent_id=1&sub_name=Exterior&parent_name=Fitting+Guides) : Audi 6 CD Changer (http://www.a2oc.net/DL_showall.asp?cat_id=1&parent_id=1&sub_name=Interior&parent_name=Fitting+Guides) : Rear drinks holder (http://www.a2oc.net/DL_showall.asp?cat_id=1&parent_id=1&sub_name=Interior&parent_name=Fitting+Guides) : Floppy Wiper (http://www.a2oc.net/DL_showall.asp?cat_id=4&parent_id=1&sub_name=Exterior&parent_name=Fitting+Guides) : Centre Tray (http://www.a2oc.net/DL_showall.asp?cat_id=1&parent_id=1&sub_name=Interior&parent_name=Fitting+Guides) : Elasticated Belt System (http://www.a2oc.net/DL_showall.asp?cat_id=1&parent_id=1&sub_name=Interior&parent_name=Fitting+Guides) : Chrome Numberplate Surround (http://www.a2oc.net/DL_showall.asp?cat_id=4&parent_id=1&sub_name=Exterior&parent_name=Fitting+Guides) : A3 Transmission Nets (http://www.a2oc.net/DL_showall.asp?cat_id=1&parent_id=1&sub_name=Interior&parent_name=Fitting+Guides) : Heated Mirrors

[Rob Earl]

It will be a sad day when the forum and club come to pass, though I can fully understand Stuarts new commitments taking precedent.
Well done Stuart for all the long hours you've put into making this the thriving community it is.

The end of an era..............

Don't drink drive! Not only is it socially unaceptable, it also harms A2's.
Was a Merlot Red 1.4SE petrol originally.
Now an Ebony Black 1.4SE petrol with Red Leather, CC, Symphony + all the previous options we had.

[Kaine]

Stuart,

The forum could live forever, if you want it too - free host / free space etc. ;)

Kaine

[Ian Whitfield]

Thanks Stuart. The forum has been great and an integral part of my A2 enjoyment over the last 4 years of ownership!

Best wishes to all.

Ian

2001 1.4 SE petrol in Brilliant Black, now 2004 Tdi 90 SE in Akoya Silver

[fairbrother3202]

Best wishes Stuart. I have really enjoyed my time on this forum, and it has been an absolute pleasure to converse with all of you chaps (not forgetting the ladies of course!)

Just cannot imagine an evening without popping on to see everyones comments, queries and the occasional ranting and raving.

Dolphin Grey 1.4 petrol c/w OpenSky

[frido]

Thanks for all the time and work you invested, Stuart.... Maybe the forum can live on somewhere else...

Bye, Frido.

----
[img=left]http://homepage.mac.com/frido/a2pic.gif[/img=left]
A2 1.4 TDI 2003 S-Line, cobalt blue, CC, DIS, SatNav+, TV, Apple iPod
now parents' car: A2 1.2 TDI 2002 silver, CC, DIS
My A2OC pics (http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/europe9.htm) Homepage (http://homepage.mac.com/frido)

[Will]

Thanks Stuart for all your efforts. If this forum can not continue where will everyone else be going? I know there are a number of more general Audi forums out there.

2004 1.4 TDi (90) SE, Cobalt Blue, Climate control, Cruise control, DIS, Sport seats, Winter pack, Symphony II.

[mcake]

Darn it
i just found you in the past week and have read just about every post since in all the subjects and archives. i am picking up our first A2, a 1.4TDI in about 2 hours time and was looking forward to the help as and when i break it.
You seem to have done a very good and worthwhile job here and should be congratulated. Is there no way it can go on??

if not, best of luck

[hollyrescue]

I think there should be a National day of mourning, or more realistically a European-wide day of mourning.A mass rally to parliament (or Stu's house, brass bands to lead the marchers, riots, baton charges, huntsmen and dogs. This could get out of hand! No Brands Hatch?????

[ben]

I would also be happy to provide free hosting / administration for the forum if so desired. It would be a huge shame to loose this resource. Stuart has done such sterling work to get this off the ground.

[hollyrescue]

Is drn the life saver we are looking for? Then no need to organise mass demonstrations, well I wasn't going to anyway.

[bretti_kivi]

fair enough. wish you all well, and maybe we'll see some of you elsewhere....

Bret

-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-
2002, Petrol 1.4, OpenSky, leather / alcantara in iceblue; 215/40 Summer on 7.5x17; 185/55 spiked winter. aftermarket: cruise, lots of LEDs, "under door" lighting, ambient lighting, extra main beams, Fogs, day-driving lights - all my own work. heated seats front and rear, headlamp washers and legal xenon coming soon...check it out at
http://www.a2-freun.de/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=61
-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-

[runboy]

Oh well, it's been a good ride over the years! Thanks to Stuart for keeping it going this long.

Steve - A couple of A2's, then a Corolla, now an Avensis T3-X 2.0 Auto

[widdy]

Been offline for a while due to home PC died and needed reinstall, also became a daddy again to another baby boy.

So when I came back and saw this I felt disheartened because I have enjoyed every minute on the forum since owning my A2 for almost a year. It is a great wealth of knowledge and experiences, certainly saves a trip or a telephone call to the local dealership.

Without Stuart this site would have closed down before it had even got going to its current high membership and input. I take my hat off to Stuart.

I really feel we need to keep this site going, I would love to be involved, but unable to offer my services due to similar circumstances as Stuart D in having a 3yr old and a new born. Plus I used to run a local VW club a number of years ago, before the internet age came along, which folded due to lack of interest.

We should be at Castle Combe 2005 and I for one hope to be there, but lets hope the weather will be a damn sight better.

long may the A2OC reign !!!


03 A2 1.4 TDI Sport (75), Ebony Black, BOSE, and child seat

[Kaine]

widdy,

Congratulations on your baby boy!!!

Kaine

[Stuart_D]

Congrats Widdy, I hope your baby brings you much happiness, and less sleepless nights than I am experiencing!

...and thanks for the comments on the site.

[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: (mailto:Stuart@A2OC.net) A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website (http://www.a2oc.net)

[hollyrescue]

This forum will be sadly missed by me, very informative, met lots of nice people on it, Rob, Runboy, Stuart etc.etc. Its demise will leave a gaping hole,I am sure that it has also led to sales of A2s and other Audi models. I must get a life and get out more!

[midwifetwin]

When the forum goes were will we all go?

[Kaine]

I'm sure someone will do something

[Stuart_D]

Kaine, we need to talk sometime about your offer of hosting - if that still stands?
Please can you email me your MSN name as I lost everything last week when I got that virus but I am now up and running again.

[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: (mailto:Stuart@A2OC.net) A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website (http://www.a2oc.net)

[yoyoman]

With the depart of our A2 comming june I can live with it.
I have liked it through the years we have had our beloved A2.
All the best to everybody.
It has been fun

Jeff Huisman
car is gonna be changed during this year *(2005) so almost ex a2 owner
http://www.danasoft.com/sig/GroetenvanJeff.jpg

[ecoangel]

Great if the Forum can be kept up Stuart

You've done us proud!

Any chance to keep it going Kaine?

Lukas

First A2 1.2 TDI in UK
Style pack + Chorus + Advance pack + winter wheels + iRiver MP3CD


http://www.audi-a2.co.uk/mar.htm

[Stuart_D]

Thanks Lukas.
I'm afraid no one has come forward yet to buy and take over the forum.
It is still currently destined to be closed down at the end of October 2005.

[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: (mailto:Stuart@A2OC.net) A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website (http://www.a2oc.net)

[ben]

Hi Stuart,

The offer still stands to host and help administer the forum for free on one of our servers. I probably don't have a sufficiently attractive offer to purchase it from you, but would be happy to pay for the ongoing costs associated with renewing the domain name. As such, it could remain in your ownership, but at no cost to yourself. Let me know if you are interested.

Ben.

[Kaine]

Ben,

To be honest, I dont believe free hosting/support etc is the issue here. I may be wrong here (and Stuart - my apologies if I am) however I think that Stuart, quite rightly, would like at least some of the original investment he made in buying this club back. The forum, even though the main attraction for many, is only one part of the site - the huge resource of info on the main site took many many hours for Stuart to collate, summarise and maintain.

I agree, it would be a shame to loose the forum database that has been built up over the last 4 years or so, however in reality things are continously repeated and if this site ever dissappears I am sure another will appear - and it wont be long for it to rebuild itself.

Surely someone would like to buy this wonderfully maintained and managed 'CLUB' - remember its more than a website too!!!

Just my 2 pence worth

Kaine

p.s. any chance of some of that free hosting? :)

[ben]

Hi Kaine - this is fair enough, and fully understand if Stuart needs to hold out for some return on investment.

I thought I would be clear about what I am able to offer though. I am guardian of a whole host of websites for various people - and simply do not have the time or energy to invest in running a complete owner's club (even if I think that the A2 is a fantastically innovative vehicle). What I can offer is hardware resources - so perhaps a potential purchaser without hardware can bear this in mind.

Is there anything to stop a group of us getting together and purchasing it from Stuart. It strikes me that there are a number of individuals here that would be willing to chip in something. It would be more in the ethos of a club if it remaining in collective ownership. What do you think? I would be happy to chip in £30 or so.

Ben

[andydax2002]

I would also make a donation.Count me in.
But not really any more than £30 like you say.
cheers


andy

1.4TDI SE, DIS ,Leather ,CD ,ipod ,Climate ,Road Angel ,Tom Tom Go.

[Stuart_D]

Hi all,

I like your spirit!

Kaine, you're comments are correct. I would like this forum and club site to go to a good home, but I'd rather see it close than give it away for free because I have made a significant investment in time and money (and still do) to both sites and so would like to recoup some of that investment. Also, I firmly believe that if someone paid money for it it's more likely to be cared for and progressed unlike if it was just given away for free. I know I'm being a little stubborn but I think I have a right to do so having put so much time into growing both sites.

Drn, if you can build up sufficient donations from people and manage this, then I would certainly consider selling the 'consortium' the forum and club. But someone does need to take on the task of managing them as although they don't require much work, some regular administration is needed.

I have thought about it a lot over the past few months, especially as I have realised how much I miss my A2 - I even at one poiint through about buying another one...! But it's time to move on, and as it stands now, this site will still vanish at the end of October this year.

Stuart.

[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: (mailto:Stuart@A2OC.net) A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website (http://www.a2oc.net)

[Kaine]

quote:Originally posted by Stuart_D

Hi all,
.....I even at one poiint through about buying another one...![img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: (mailto:Stuart@A2OC.net) A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website (http://www.a2oc.net)


go on - you know you want one!!![8D]

[Stuart_D]

Believe me if I could get a decent one at a low price without losing much money on my Brabus, then I would!...The A2OC then would definitely live on...but it's really not likely to happen unless I win the lottery before October!!

[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: (mailto:Stuart@A2OC.net) A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website (http://www.a2oc.net)

[Kaine]

win the lottery, then invest it in an A2 and a club - your a good man Stuart

[Stuart_D]

That's the plan.
I hear the odds may be against me though!!

[img=left]http://www.a2forum.net/stuart1.jpg[/img=left] Stuart Diamond: (mailto:Stuart@A2OC.net) A2OC Founder | Forum Administrator | Ex-A2 Owner (Now a VW Touran Owner!)

2001 TDi SE: Cobalt Blue Metallic | Open Sky Roof | Kenwood Mask CD | Front Centre Armrest | Front Centre Tray.
Visit the A2OC Website (http://www.a2oc.net)