State of the Mafia - 2016 year in review

[danewilson77]

Fellow Family Members,

I just wanted to give you a quick download on how the site performed 2016. Performance metrics are not the sole goal here, as what we're really after is that tight bond between BMW owners, but the metrics do yield interesting information. We had our bumps in the road toward the end of the year due to a hybrid malware attack, but that has been resolved and mitigated and we as a team are much smarter moving forward.

Overall, many of the numbers for site visits, page hits, and unique visitors were down (not concerning), but again we are interested in quality membership and quality content. I appreciate what we have now, and look forward to building upon it in the future.

On to the numbers:

Most popular month of the year = March

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/Monthly%20history.png (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/danewilson77ZHP/media/Monthly%20history.png.html)

Most popular day of the week = Tuesday

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/Days%20of%20the%20week.png (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/danewilson77ZHP/media/Days%20of%20the%20week.png.html)

Most popular time of the day = 0800

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/Moat%20popular%20hours.png (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/danewilson77ZHP/media/Moat%20popular%20hours.png.html)

So if your looking for your buddy who hasn't been around in a while, your best bet is checkin on a March Tuesday at 0800....haha

Most popular searched key = zhp (of course)

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/Top%2010%20Key%20words.png (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/danewilson77ZHP/media/Top%2010%20Key%20words.png.html)

Most popular searched for key phrase = zhp mafia (of course)

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/Top%2010%20Key%20phrases.png (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/danewilson77ZHP/media/Top%2010%20Key%20phrases.png.html)

Visit duaration = Short (people hit the site, get what they want, then leave, other then the faithful hard core members. Fine by me)

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/Visit%20Duration.png (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/danewilson77ZHP/media/Visit%20Duration.png.html)

The country visiting the site the most = United States (though the Russkies were 4th)

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/Top%2025%20locales.png (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/danewilson77ZHP/media/Top%2025%20locales.png.html)

Most used OS = Windows

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/Top%2010%20OS.png (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/danewilson77ZHP/media/Top%2010%20OS.png.html)

Most used browser = Google Chrome

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/Top%2010%20Browsers.png (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/danewilson77ZHP/media/Top%2010%20Browsers.png.html)

Again, I appreciate the support throughout the year and some items we have to look forward to are:

- Continuing to support the affiliate advertisers of this site.

- Support of the www.cafepress.com/zhpmafia store for your local zhpmafia wares.

- Upgrading the site to the latest VBulletin version available: 4.2.3 Patch Level 2.

- Quarterly photography contests.

- Annual meet up (Small meetup organization for maintenance is endorsed and encouraged).

- Secret Santa?

And last but certainly not least, I look forward to the site continuing to be the most friendly BMW forum on the planet. Keep up the mature, content filled discussions, invite people who you think would be great additions to the Family, and be safe.

One last shout out: THANK YOU TO ALL MEMBERS WHO SUPPORTED THE SITE IN 2016. YOUR UNSELFISH GRATITUDE WAS UNPARALLELED AND IS DEEPLY APPRECIATED.

DW

[wstr75]

Dane, excellent information. Thank you for all your recent work to address the hybrid malware issues.

As our ZHPs are 11 to 14 years old, what do the long term site statistics show over the past, say, five years regarding overall forum activity and the number of active forum members? Is it increasing as aging ZHP affordability brings, presumably, a younger set of aspiring BMW owners or is it declining as more cars invariably meet their end through age, wear and accidents? Inquiring minds would love to know.

[BMWCurves]

As always a big shoutout to the moderators of this forum! I'm not too surprised by the slight decline in numbers and I don't think it's a reflection of what goes on here. There's a core group that sticks around and then other members ebb and flow. I've pretty much made ZHPMafia my home compared to E46Fanatics or anywhere else because of the quality of the people and content here. I've only met a handful of members in person (I hope that'll change in the future), but each of them have been very cool individuals.

I've only been on here about 2+ years, but it's interesting to see very active people come and go. The nice thing is someone can disappear for a little while and come back and people are happy to hear from them.

I will say I really think that the membership fee improves the overall quality of people on board. To some it may seem expensive, elitist, self-important, put your negative adjective here, but for me and everyone else here I think it's a very small price to pay for a wealth of technical information as well as good company. Here's to a great 2017!

[danewilson77]

Dane, excellent information. Thank you for all your recent work to address the hybrid malware issues.

As our ZHPs are 11 to 14 years old, what do the long term site statistics show over the past, say, five years regarding overall forum activity and the number of active forum members? Is it increasing as aging ZHP affordability brings, presumably, a younger set of aspiring BMW owners or is it declining as more cars invariably meet their end through age, wear and accidents? Inquiring minds would love to know.

2011 Vs. 2016

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/ZHPMafia%20admin/2011%20Monthly%20comparison.png (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/ZHPMafia%20admin/2011%20Monthly%20comparison.png.html)

http://i1135.photobucket.com/albums/m635/danewilson77ZHP/Monthly%20history.png (http://s1135.photobucket.com/user/danewilson77ZHP/media/Monthly%20history.png.html)

[johnrando]

Great info, thanks! And thanks to all who make this a great site (and we appreciate the props to us moderators but you all make it run smoothly).

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[roadbiker_2]

I can honestly state that this site has some of the most educated owners of BMW's that work on their own cars. You guys have been a tremendous help in resolving issues associated with the E46 330 ZHP and offer up great advice on upgrades and analysis of different upgrades such as brakes, radios, etc. I was a mess when the site went down as it is such a great resource.


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[Prestovie]

Wait we have a photography contest?


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[Oli77]

Good stuff DW, and yeah for the renewed photography contest. Although, in the meantime, the Picture Game thread was entertaining us.

All good news right there. A classy forum.

[KevinC]

Coming up on 5 years, still here. Thanks for all you do Dane!

[fredo]

Mafia member for 4 years. Proud ZHP owner for 2 years. I felt welcome here since day #1.

Thank you, Boss, for your time and efforts !

[Karl Lazlo]

Coming up on year 3. Joined shortly after meeting BP. Nice place you have here, Dane. Thanks.

[kayger12]

Great to see things still going strong here. While I don't have time to be here regularly anymore, I enjoy being able to check in from time to time.

Thanks to DW and Rando for all of the hard work keeping this thing going, and thanks to the rest of the Family for keeping the content just as friendly, inviting, and helpful as it was back in the beginning.

Perhaps the best part of the Mafia is that I continue to enjoy great friendships with people that I met here-- some of whom, like me, haven't been regular posters for a long time. I can't think of a better testament to the success of this site.

:mafia:roundel:keith

[Karl Lazlo]

Perhaps the best part of the Mafia is that I continue to enjoy great friendships with people that I met here-- some of whom, like me, haven't been regular posters for a long time. I can't think of a better testament to the success of this site.

Well said. Met some good people here. Even if I sold all my BMWs to buy a Camry, I'm sure we'd still be friends.

[Prestovie]

Well said. Met some good people here. Even if I sold all my BMWs to buy a Camry, I'm sure we'd still be friends.

+1 lol


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[WOLFN8TR]

Long Live the Mafia!!

:wave

[3ZHPGUY]

Interesting data, thanks for sharing. Very surprising for the limited edition and the age of the ZHPs. This truly say a lot about the people here and the way it's managed.

A big thanks to Marcus, Dane, Rando and Keith for creating ZHPMAFIA and keeping it together.


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[johnrando]

:roundel

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[Sockethead]

I was just looking at my first post here today back in spring of 2011 and although a lot of members have come and gone, this place still has that same feeling it did back then, well done!

[danewilson77]

I was just looking at my first post here today back in spring of 2011 and although a lot of members have come and gone, this place still has that same feeling it did back then, well done!
Awesome Rob. Me too. I haven't had time to tinker with the old girl as of late, but I still read every post, every day. I'm still genuinely interested in everyone and the status of life/cars. You guys are awesome. I may not reply to every thread, but more so I find myself grinning from ear to ear after my daily catch up with you guys. Keep up the great work. :thumbsup

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[johnrando]

Same here, every post except for car ads (not as much every day late last year, but my time has freed back up so back to everyday, especially with Tapatalk working). Love what you all are doing here and the passion around the mafia/cars.

[ryankokesh]

Ok, who's the wise guy reading the site on a playstation?

I agree with all the mushy stuff, though. Guess you all are pretty cool... :danehappy

[quikryptonite]

Thanks Dane! You do a sensational job for us in keeping this the best BMW forum in the world.

[danewilson77]

Thanks Dane! You do a sensational job for us in keeping this the best BMW forum in the world.
Humbled. Thank you

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[bimmergofast]

I'll add my thanks to Dane and everyone else, this place is pretty awesome. I don't get on here all that regularly, and rarely post, but I doubt I'd still have my car without you guys! Coming up on 9 years of ownership and I trust it as much as the day I bought it, thanks to everything I've picked up here.

[Karl Lazlo]

Humbled. Thank you

You have a great place here. Good info, great folks and a solid sense of community. /end serious statement

But, one data point that is missing. I was wonder what the sarcasm to post ratio was prior to and after my join date. I need to know if I need to work harder.

[danewilson77]

I'll add my thanks to Dane and everyone else, this place is pretty awesome. I don't get on here all that regularly, and rarely post, but I doubt I'd still have my car without you guys! Coming up on 9 years of ownership and I trust it as much as the day I bought it, thanks to everything I've picked up here.
No need to work harder. You're good.

:waldo

You have a great place here. Good info, great folks and a solid sense of community. /end serious statement

But, one data point that is missing. I was wonder what the sarcasm to post ratio was prior to and after my join date. I need to know if I need to work harder.


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[BMWCurves]

You have a great place here. Good info, great folks and a solid sense of community. /end serious statement

But, one data point that is missing. I was wonder what the sarcasm to post ratio was prior to and after my join date. I need to know if I need to work harder.

Please do.

[UdubBadger]

lol I'll be back on 1st tues of march at 8am then


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[Marcus-SanDiego]

As always a big shoutout to the moderators of this forum! I'm not too surprised by the slight decline in numbers and I don't think it's a reflection of what goes on here. There's a core group that sticks around and then other members ebb and flow. I've pretty much made ZHPMafia my home compared to E46Fanatics or anywhere else because of the quality of the people and content here. I've only met a handful of members in person (I hope that'll change in the future), but each of them have been very cool individuals.

I've only been on here about 2+ years, but it's interesting to see very active people come and go. The nice thing is someone can disappear for a little while and come back and people are happy to hear from them.

I will say I really think that the membership fee improves the overall quality of people on board. To some it may seem expensive, elitist, self-important, put your negative adjective here, but for me and everyone else here I think it's a very small price to pay for a wealth of technical information as well as good company. Here's to a great 2017!

:headbang:headbang

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Some people may also be wondering about the date changes that took place with the 100 original members of ZHPMafia.com. It used to be December 31, 1969. However, the new default date is January 1, 1970.

January 1, 1970, is significant because that's when Unix time was born. However, for those of us in the western hemisphere, it was still December 31, 1969, when Unix time went into effect (Greenwich, England).

I am guessing that when the server was migrated last month to a new server, the true date of January 1, 1970, kicked in for all of us.

[3ZHPGUY]

Good to see you around Marcus and thanks for clarifying that.


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[johnrando]

Thanks for the scoop Mark!

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