Is www.odysseyaudioforum.com a good idea?

Barry · « **on:** 22 May 2004, 06:46 pm »

We are excited that odysseyaudiohk, odysseyaudiomx, odysseyaudiosg, odysseyaudiodk are operating now and more to come. We have been considering set up of a forum of our own and not decided yet. I think it is better to raise the question here and hear your feedback.

Appreciate your suggestion and comment.

moyses · « **Reply #1 on:** 23 May 2004, 12:31 am »

Hi Barry
Firstly, I would like to include www.odysseyaudiobr.com (Brazil) in your list. Although the site is operative it's not ready yet. I am relying heavily on my friend Eduardo from Mexico to help me finish it, since I consider myself quite an internet dummy.
Regarding your suggestion of a specific Odyssey forum I think it's a good one, but considering my modest knowledge of the subject I am afraid that's about all I can say.
Best Regards,
Moyses

Barry · « **Reply #2 on:** 23 May 2004, 04:58 pm »

Don't worry. It is not going to be technical. But the more fundamental quesiton is that whether people prefer AudioCircle or other local audiophile forum or a forum just for Odyssey.
Major driving force:
Support private communication among us, Odyssey Audio world wide network.
Support international language. We can set-up forum per country and people can use their prefered languages there.
Support set-up of forum for special purpose.
- product support
- special interest group (we may let some customers be the moderators)

But I'm not sure whether Odyssey customers join AudioCircle mainly for Odyssey forum or they are active in other forums. Whether they are willing to join one another site. That's why I'd like to hear their feedback and suggestion.

Carlman · « **Reply #3 on:** 23 May 2004, 05:04 pm »

As a user/buyer of gear in general, I would always prefer having everything in one place. You have almost unlimited freedom within your own circle. What would be gained by the added complexity of having your own forum to moderate? Would you keep one here? Seems like that would accomplish nothing... people who love Odyssey would frequent AC less and Odyssey more but people who are interested but have not YET bought Odyssey gear would be on AC... and wouldn't check out Odyssey's forum frequently if at all.

So, from a marketing perspective, it doesn't make sense... Maybe I'm missing something but I don't know what a new, separate forum would accomplish for Odyssey.

KarlDL · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 May 2004, 03:01 am »

Agree with Carlman, mostly. I do dislike accessing multiple web sites to find related info. Best to keep it in one place: either here or as a link off Klaus's site. Perhaps the "international community" has its own unique issues to discuss, but, IMHO, all Odyssey owners gain the most from one place to go for info exchange.

Eduardo AAVM · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 May 2004, 06:18 am »

THE ORIGINAL IDEA WAS THIS:

Having a global forum with general chat on cables, amps, speakers and Symphonic Line.

Then the regional rooms were the US room would re direct to audiocircle.com's odyssey section, the Mexico section to my forum but the rooms for Denmark, Brasil or Taiwan woudl be real as the don't have already a forum so it would be a nice chance to envelope all sites but keep identities.

Yes I am afraid it can weaken the easiness for looking info, but anyway we can't post portuguse, spanish or chinese here, so...

brj · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 May 2004, 08:28 am »

Quote from: Eduardo AAVM

Yes I am afraid it can weaken the easiness for looking info, but anyway we can't post portuguse, spanish or chinese here, so...

So are there Portuguese, Spanish or Chinese equivalents of Audio Circle? I have to add my opinion to that of KarlDL and Carlman... I've done a lot of reading about Odyssey (and a little listening) since I heard about them, but I probably never would have found them without AC as the reference.

Good luck!

Barry · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 May 2004, 01:01 pm »

Thanks for all your input and I think I need to re-think before move forward. I feel great that so many of you spend the time and give us feedback. We are testing new business model and your feedback give us lots of encouragement.

JoshK · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 May 2004, 01:06 pm »

Carl raises a very valid point. I was going to say you guys probably shouldn't, but he said 'why' better than I could have.

Eduardo AAVM · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 May 2004, 06:41 pm »

ok We understand but few or not everubody reads english so altough audiocircle is "the forum" I think regional forums would boost Odyssey to a certain level...

Anyway thanks for your input it is very important.

Marbles · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 May 2004, 06:51 pm »

Nobody said all posts had to be in English.

In fact since this forum is open to the world, posts in all languages are OK.

The posts might get more responses if they are in English, but if someone posts in Spanish for example, that would be OK.

If a non Spanish speaking individual was interested, they could use a translating software, like babblefish to translate, than translate their response.

All are welcome here at AC

In fact I think in most ways diversity will make us a better place.

F-100 · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 May 2004, 07:16 pm »

I don't see any need for a new Odyssey forum. This is a fine one.

Captain Humble · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 May 2004, 09:48 pm »

I agree with the rest of the group.
IMHO another forum would be counter productive.

Anton · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 May 2004, 10:29 pm »

I agree with the rest. It is much better to keep this forum instead of a separate one. However, each Odyssey worldwide franchise or dealer can have a special place for their customers and can provide links to this forum as well.

Happy listening!

Ferdi · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 May 2004, 11:19 pm »

Hi, I also prefer things in a single place. I think longer term, it will not be sustainable to run seperate forums actively.

I see the following downsides to a seperate site:
- lower credibility. I decided to buy a Stratos after reading a lot of posts on HD (and of course discussing with Klaus on the phone).
- No walkin customers. People coming the site already know what they are looking for.

Just my opinion of course.

Ferdi

Eduardo AAVM · « **Reply #15 on:** 25 May 2004, 04:26 am »

Well ok I see, nobody said this forum would be exchanged for a new one or moved to a new location...

I currently own a small forum were my mexican customers post their experiences and it helps big to new customers who are just starting to know about odyssey and some of them also read audiocircle.com

Personally I see no problem wuth the project, but if that's the point of view and decision from the majority then it is ok for me and it is a closed discusion.

And thanks for opening this circle to other languajes posts.

klaus@odyssey · « **Reply #16 on:** 29 May 2004, 10:36 pm »

Actually, it is a good idea and I think that we'll do it. It's not as much a competition for AC, but each language will have their own sub-forum, and thus, a very unique and much wider area as far as participants are concerned. Don't think in terms of English- and US based.

Klaus

Eduardo AAVM · « **Reply #17 on:** 31 May 2004, 12:38 am »

Just in case take a look

http://odysseyaudio.3.forumer.com/

Klaus said maybe we'll do it, so if that's the case here it is.

Yet to be finished.

Ferdi · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Jun 2004, 11:24 am »

HI, don't let the comments get to you. If you think you'll get something out of running an Odyssey-specific forum, I hope it works for you.

As a happy Odyssey Stratos owner, I only want what is best for the Odyssey community.

Good luck!

Ferdi

Barry · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Jun 2004, 12:36 pm »

I set-up one specific to serve Hong Kong local customer who prefer Chinese or a mix of English/Chinese in the forum. There should be no conflict to AudioCircle and it is for Hong Kong local customer communication.

http://www.odysseyaudiohk.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl

Thanks you for all your comments.