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356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 8:44 am
by simon james
I’m no longer a member of the registry.
I was however, still able to access their website and peruse the odd article.
Just tried this morning and now I am being told I “do not have permission”.
Has anybody else noticed this phenomenon?
One could argue that being so secretive could discourage potential new members from actually seeing how good or bad the club is before deciding whether to join or not.
Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 9:49 am
by mycar
There seems to have been a unilateral decision made to shut the site off from Google searches.
As you can imagine there is a bit of a furore going on the forum.
Men with pitchforks are looking for someone called Curt.
Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 10:42 am
by mycar
Meanwhile, remember this pic I posted on Porsche pic of the day...
It's for sale on BAT.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/porsc ... -tool-kit/
Presently at $7,900 there is a 4 page thread on the Registry that calls into question nearly every item's authenticity.
The seller makes 'no guarantees ' and yet the bids continue to climb.
It would be better if the Registry thread were available for all to see but for now, buyer beware.
Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 11:11 am
by Kneeslider
I noticed that the Google search functions seemed to have vanished a few weeks ago, but it was still possible to read forum threads from the main page. Now that has gone too.
I found that the Registry forums were a very usefull source of information when I was restoring my car, and I was considering joining up just for this, but that is all I would be interested in. I wonder if they would consider a smaller membership fee so that you just had access to the forums?
Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:03 pm
by Bootsy
DDK content has never been indexed within Google - if we opened it up we would be swamped with new users asking one off questions and selling stuff.
Obviously would take more management but would attract new people
I've always preferred to let people find out about the site through word of mouth etc
Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 3:58 pm
by Winston Teague
mycar wrote:Meanwhile, remember this pic I posted on Porsche pic of the day...
It's for sale on BAT.
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/porsc ... -tool-kit/
Presently at $7,900 there is a 4 page thread on the Registry that calls into question nearly every item's authenticity.
The seller makes 'no guarantees ' and yet the bids continue to climb.
It's not hard to see why a new generation of enthusiasts might be put off 'all things old Porsche' when they see this level of detail nerdiness......
Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 5:13 pm
by Adrian3
i'm still a member...i did ask whether a forum-only membership was possible but didn't hear back, presumably not
Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2020 9:02 pm
by simon james
I would say DDK is just right, from the way it’s kind of recommendation only (yet accessible to all), the varied posts and more importantly the people, from all walks of life and with varied interests but united by a common thread!
The Registry is indeed in danger of alienating newcomers. A club full of Uppity Crusties talking about values and cheese head screws does them no favours and attracts no-one. Especially now it’s all so cloak and dagger!
Before too long you’ll need to be over 70 to join.
Controversial I know, but it would be nice if the market fell apart so some of the youngsters could come along and grab themselves a nice car.
Would they be bothered about toolkits and cheese head screws?
I doubt it. They’d probably convert to electric.
Long Live DDK!

Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2020 2:00 pm
by neilbardsley
I've also let my 356 Membership expire. There are lots of knowledge people on there but it can be a strange place. I find the community on the 912 Registry much friendlier and helpful.
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Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 10:39 am
by 3ftDeep
Interestingly (or not) I was going to ask about the 356 Registry; being annoying that you can't see anything and was it worth the fee - what did you get for this? This thread kind of answers my question. I'm one of the people being put off from joining.
I prefer it here : )
Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 12:34 pm
by mycar
I would say that if you have a 356 then it's well worth joining the Registry, if only for a year to see if you like it.. The club magazine is a high quality publication and the forum is busy and can be incredible useful.
It looks like the move to remove the forum from Google searches has been the unintended consequence of other work that's been carried out and normal service will resume soon.
Hopefully.
Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 2:42 pm
by BD55
I would also say it's worth joining, especially if you do a bit of work on your own car. The magazine is excellent in my opinion. The guys on the forum are always willing to help with info if you ask, some of them have a lifetime of experience with 356's. Each to their own, but it works for me.
Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 4:17 pm
by Mike Smith
BD55 - I would also say it's worth joining, especially if you do a bit of work on your own car. The magazine is excellent in my opinion. The guys on the forum are always willing to help with info if you ask, some of them have a lifetime of experience with 356's. Each to their own, but it works for me.
A sensible suggestion by BD55 (in my opinion).
Once you have worked out who the guys are, that really know The Cars, it is a fantastic source of good information
Yes, there is a huge fight going on currently about (1) - the tempory banning of a well respected member (2) - the unintentional lack of Google exposure, due to a web change and (3) - what `
appears to be` an autocratic, non communicating, group of trustees.
There is a trustee meeting next week so it will probably resolve itself in the next week or so - `Keep Calm & Carry On`
Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 5:14 pm
by neilbardsley
Mike do you ever get frustrated by the lack of International Members on board? For a German car forum it's a very US centric registry?
As for Cliff being kicked off. He has always been very helpful and friendly to me but we agree not to talk about politics.
I also thought the registry treatment of Steve H wasn't right and generally agreed with his cause of a more open registry.
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Re: 356 Registry Site
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2020 6:18 pm
by KS
neilbardsley wrote:Mike do you ever get frustrated by the lack of International Members on board? For a German car forum it's a very US centric registry?
Same thing with the 914world forum - posts by those outside the 'clique' tend to get ignored...
