Van's LAST RVator!

rv9av8tr · #1 02-12-2011, 08:14 PM

I haven't found any discussion here about Van's discontinuing "The RVator", effective with this last issue.

Replacing it with Facebook???? Are you kidding me??? I know LOTS of RV pilots who don't use Facebook and DON'T want to use Facebook.

I always love the pictures and articles in RVator, more so than Kitplanes and Sport Aviation. I think it's a big mistake............

What say you????????

Ron Lee · #2 02-12-2011, 08:15 PM

What is facebook?

DeltaRomeo · #3 02-12-2011, 08:26 PM

Previous discussion:
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d.php?p=502471

md9680 · #4 02-13-2011, 10:09 PM

I try to avoid those "social networking" sites as much as possible since my virus software seems to start working overtime dealing with the various "stuff" trying to make its way into my machine. I'm a long-time "computer professional", but I also find Facebook, et al, to be confusing. This, I'll admit, might be more of a "generational" thing for me.

All that being said, I am not all that perturbed by the RVator no longer being published on Van's regular site. It seems to be mostly about the RV12 now anyway. I do recommend the "27 Years of the RVator" CD as a great resource for building info. It provides some great tips and explains several issues that were important to the RV community at the time they were originally published.

There is now so much information and practically instant assistance available on VAF that the RVator, in whatever format, may not be as important a resource as it once was.

My $.02 worth.

(Now, having a VAF# is truly a distinguishing feature of RV life! I will leave mine in my signature even though they are no longer being issued.

)

BSwayze · #5 02-14-2011, 05:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rv9av8tr

I haven't found any discussion here about Van's discontinuing "The RVator", effective with this last issue.

Replacing it with Facebook???? Are you kidding me??? I know LOTS of RV pilots who don't use Facebook and DON'T want to use Facebook.

I always love the pictures and articles in RVator, more so than Kitplanes and Sport Aviation. I think it's a big mistake............

What say you????????

Mike, since you asked,

I'm one of those who had to be dragged, kicking and screaming all the way, into the online world of facebook. I hated the idea of myspace, facebook, et al. But I logged on to facebook one day just to keep track of what my kids were up to and stay in touch with them. It turned out to be one of the greatest decisions I've made. Facebook is terrific. I'm staying better in touch with family, friends, and reconnecting with people I haven't seen or heard from in years. Decades, in some cases. Heck, if a kid can learn it, any person intelligent enough to operate a flying machine should have no trouble. I realized all I needed was a little bit of willlingness to try something new. That's not always easy for us older guys. But trust me. Just try it. You just might like it! (hint... it really helps if the mind stays open. Ask me how I know.)

I enjoyed the RVator as much as anyone, but I'm already enjoying the spur-of-the-moment articles, pictures, comments from readers, and so on that only an online presence can allow. It's time we face it. Paper magazines are fast becoming obsolete. Can you imagine Doug trying to run VAF on paper? With a monthly mailing? If you like VAF and appreciate what Doug is doing for us all, it's not a stretch to consider what an online presence like facebook will do for Vans Aircraft. Just give it a fair shake.

wil · #6 02-14-2011, 10:29 AM

I agree with Bruce completly. I'm an old f**t and saw no need or use for Facebook. I'd rather pick up the phone than send an e mail.

I joined Facebook to keep up with Van's and all of a sudden the I've changed my tune. If you have not tried Facebook, don't knock it. It may not be to everyone's liking, but to my great surprise, I find it useful. My daughter came to visit and gave me a 30 minute tutorial, set up my privacy settings and showed me how to navigate the site.

I suggest you try Facebook. I have been pleasantly surprised, and hopefully you will be too.

gbrasch · #7 02-14-2011, 12:35 PM

It is the on-going joke in my house with my wife and son. Had a Facebook page awhile back that I used for my P.I. side business. Decided to get rid of it but couldn't! Then my page kept getting hijacked and sending emails out to my address book selling misc products. I would cancel and a few weeks later would get a "welcome back" message. Oh, don't try to call anyone there, impossible. I finally found a "law enforcement only" (Im a retired cop) message and fax line. I sent threatening messages there and they finally deactivated my account. Did I say I hate Facebook? Oh, yea, I already did......

Jack Tyler · #8 02-14-2011, 03:12 PM

...as much now as back when The Network was made, and that is the concern I mentioned in the previous thread.

I enjoy hitting Vans facebook page for updates; it seems to be much like checking the Bulletin Board at work. But one of the best elements of the RVator, for me, was the 'reflection' content by folks like Van and the two Kens. These were longer-term perspectives e.g. on the broader significance of the an RV LSA product, how the perspectives of mfgrs and FAA types varied, and how these pieces influenced one another. I don't see Facebook (or any other social networking service), with its natural emphasis on news of the moment, inviting those 'big picture' ruminations. And so far, my impression is that's how it's working out at Van's Facebook page. Being new to all things RV, I used the RVator, several years worth all read within a week or so, to help me get an education on not just RV planes but the 'RV culture' and the people involved in it. Some of those longer-term personal reflections were a big help to me, and so far it's not apparent to me how the next decade's newbies will be offered this kind of content. I doubt Facebook will provide it.

Jack

RV7Ron · #9 02-14-2011, 03:34 PM

I agree with Bruce, dont knock it before you try it. It has its purpose and can be very useful.

That being said, if you do venture into the world of Facebook, I recommend against playing any of the silly games or getting dragged into trivia questions or basically any applications that bounce around on FB. If your friends/family send them to you, just ignore/delete them. You can actually filter them out so you never see 'em. They are created to mine data from your site and cause you headaches in general. I really am surprised more people arent aware of this.

And, even though I embrace new technology...I will miss the RVator...and magazines...and newspapers...and printed books...times are a changing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSwayze

Mike, since you asked,

I'm one of those who had to be dragged, kicking and screaming all the way, into the online world of facebook. I hated the idea of myspace, facebook, et al. But I logged on to facebook one day just to keep track of what my kids were up to and stay in touch with them. It turned out to be one of the greatest decisions I've made. Facebook is terrific. I'm staying better in touch with family, friends, and reconnecting with people I haven't seen or heard from in years. Decades, in some cases. Heck, if a kid can learn it, any person intelligent enough to operate a flying machine should have no trouble. I realized all I needed was a little bit of willlingness to try something new. That's not always easy for us older guys. But trust me. Just try it. You just might like it! (hint... it really helps if the mind stays open. Ask me how I know.)

I enjoyed the RVator as much as anyone, but I'm already enjoying the spur-of-the-moment articles, pictures, comments from readers, and so on that only an online presence can allow. It's time we face it. Paper magazines are fast becoming obsolete. Can you imagine Doug trying to run VAF on paper? With a monthly mailing? If you like VAF and appreciate what Doug is doing for us all, it's not a stretch to consider what an online presence like facebook will do for Vans Aircraft. Just give it a fair shake.

rjtjrt · #10 02-14-2011, 03:51 PM

My problem is I'm afraid of joining Facebook.
You keep hearing bad stories about once you put any info on there you can never get it off, such Glenn's experience.
To me it seems like an irrevocable step into the unknown, an unknown where there are plenty of horror stories.
So for me it's a no to Facebook.