The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Who plays for all this

I discovered this web site not long ago, and can't believe how useful it has been. Almost every question gets a quick and good answer,and no one ever tells me I'm an idiot for asking stupid questions. Question: I don't really understand a lot about the internet. Who maintains this site? Who pays for it? It must cost something to maintain, to say nothing of the time it must take. If it is maintained by a business I would like to give them some of mine. It takes a lot of money to stay with this hobby, and if some one helps me, I would like to return the favor if possible. Thanks Allen

Bakerallen,

Wow, that's a nice comment.

Here\'s some information about who we are.

We have been doing this site for 10 years now. We are coming up on the big anniverary November 10th as a matter of fact. (We started a Stovebolt Page history ... but I'm not sure we'll get it done by the 10th).

We've had lots of great folks contribute information to the site. Just recently (at the urging of Steveg), we stuck a donations link in here for people who feel like you (wanting to give something back). The donations that we have received, we've used to upgrade out software (which is seriously out of date).

The other big leg of the site is American Classic Truck Parts. A little history on that. In about 2001 (maybe), the site was getting so much traffic, we just couldn't afford the hosting fee. We had to shut it down for a while until we could figure out what to do. We didn't want to charge membership and stuff like that. Our whole dream was the internet is a place for the FREE exchange of information.

While it was down, ACTP called to see if we were okay? I was shocked! I told him of our delima and he asked if he could set up our OWN server down there in Texas where his is.

Well, I'm like you -- I don't know anything about how all that works. So, we connected ACTP with our Stovebolt Geek. Turns out, it was perfect (since they are both in Texas). Paul S was real good to go down and load all the stuff onto the computer. In exchange, all ACTP asked for was a banner here or there.

After that ... well, it just kept growing.

I am the one putting all the pages up. I use to be more familiar with web site design (when it was simple) and we've just stuck to what we know. I am SUPPOSE to be retired (I keep telling John), so this keeps me busy. Since I have been doing it full time, I have learned more about old trucks. Mostly by default (thanks guys). I have lots of eagle eyes out there letting me know if I've stuck in IH in the gallery!

So, that is the jist of it.

If you want to help, there's plenty of information waiting in my pending folders. From tech tips to art -- or just a plain old donation (still paying on the Dreamweaver upgrade). Or ... even just being a good contributor in the forums. Helping the other folks who need help.

We have some wonderful volunteers (our moderators). Got a few fellas who check for broken links ( no way!) and a few Bolters doing art work and some tech tips.

You pick!

Cheers,
Peggy M

Peggy,
that was a very nice little bit of historical information. I too have wondered how such an amazing site came to be, and how it keeps on running. It is part of my daily routine, something that I truly miss when I don't have access. Thanks for all the efforts in keeping this site going.

Fred

Fred,

John has a good start to his history. I'm hoping as the days get shorter, he'll have an opportunity to finish it up. But you know how we are ... L A T E !!

But you also know how good a writer John is, so when he gets it done, it'll be G O O D !

Here's a trivia question for you. Anybody (the old timers especially) know which were the first two trucks on the site ... and who was our first contact person?

hehehehehe

Peg

Peggy, John, I'm embarassed to say that I have never really even read much of your sites information and pages, but I had figured that the site was entirely a product of American Classic and that you were owners or office personnel of such.

Thanks for setting the record straight with the great information. I'll not feel so guilty when mentioning parts stores other than American Classics. I hasten to add that AC was one of the first catalog sites that I bookmarked and I do appreciate their site immensely, especially the VIN decoder. A big thank you from me to them for their sponsorship.

Many big thank yous to you and the other forum folk (moderators, etc.) for such a great site. It rules the roost for best Chevy sites in my opinion.

Often forums with large readership will have a few posters which make it miserable for others. I don't see that at all, meaning you manage the site well. The high volume of members/posters allows quick responses to questions. Kudos to those who post and answer the never ending questions of neophytes like me.

Best wishes for a great day on your upcoming anniversary, with many great years to follow.
Above all, THANK YOU!!

Windy,

Oh you don't have to be embarrassed. It takes a good while to figure this stuff out.

The relationship with ACTP has been very good. I don't think they had much time to answer a whole lot of questions, and we don't sell anything. AAMOF, for a while, the index page had in big print WE DON'T SELL PARTS. We would send those parts to AC and they would send the question-people here.

And I think what works really good is the whole Stovebolt Collective. There are lots of ways to do things, and having someone help you all the way thru it works great. And the guys answering the questions -- they seem to love it, too.

Win - win - win.

That's always good.

You are most welcome!

Peg

I want to say thanks too! I've learned a geat deal on this website. I placed my first order last evening with American Classic. I'm glad to do business with them. We have a long way to go but "Thanks" to everyone who has helped me restore our old Stovebolt.

Is there an address we can send donations. I,m not much on this Pay-Pal. American Classic is a great place to buy parts but I,m so close to some of the others I can just buy over the counter. George

Allen, you're dead on that it takes a lot of time to ride herd on all of us, and these gracious folks have more than one day job to keep up with in their 'spare time'

George - on the \'about us page\' , bottom left - donations by mail are tax free especially candy for the boss, beer for her helper, and oats for the horsepower! - the paypal button is hidden on the news page, so many don't see it anyway

Bill

Bill,
You got THAT right -- "Beer for her helper..." Beer is always a valued currency around the Stovebolt Page!

Actually, the best payment we can receive is for Stovebolters to keep passing it along. You cannot imagine how gratifying it is to hear about guys who have never met in person but who have formed life-long friendships through this site and have helped each other with restorations.

I have a few very close friends from the site who I have never met in person but I consider them them very valued and dear friends. It's all worthwhile stuff and we're very happy to be a part of it.

Besides, staying busy with the day-to-day of the Stovebolt Page keeps Peggy out of Nordstrom's... :p

John

i have to admit...this has become something like a second (well maybe third) family for me. peggy has been such a pleasure to correspond with and the exposure to information on this site has been an incredible asset.

running my own business, i know the dedication it takes to stay on top of everything. doing this as a hobby (although, I think john and peggy could easily qualify this site as an career) takes some true dedication.

thank you so much for everything that you do to make this venue possible. I know how much i enjoy participating in the forums, and by the looks of it, i'm not alone.

A BIG THANK YOU to John and Peggy for keeping this site up and running. I have enjoyed visiting here for several years now and I have gained so much knowledge from a lot of the other members.

Keep up the great work.