TMC Forum in German language?

[felix the cat]

Tesla Motors continues its success and will open a store in munich, germany and zurich, switzerland, basically right next to my door.

Although there are many attempts to establish green business in europe, there is an already large history of green politics - there is no well known public association to promote electric cars and electric transportation. There is no platform to promote electric car races or things like that. I'm a big Tesla fan and would like to offer my help and active participation to build a german section of the TMC, also as a moderator.

How do you think of my idea? Do you think a bilingual forum could work? Or would it be too complicated for the users? Would it be a big issue to program it?



FYI, I just changed my user name from felixpius to this new one. I think I've got to quit my second name for some negative association to some dubious names out of our history and some strange contemporary uses of this name.

[TEG]

Originally Posted by felix the cat

FYI, I just changed my user name from felixpius to this new one. I think I've got to quit my second name for some negative association to some dubious names out of our history and some strange contemporary uses of this name.

If you were trying to avoid associations, "Felix the Cat" isn't very generic.

MiEV driver?

Car dealer?

[dpeilow]

Very good idea. We actually talked about the same thing at the London event with Alpine Driver.

Now we have a German moderator, so any other nationalities want to volunteer?

[Serge]

Originally Posted by dpeilow

Now we have a German moderator, so any other nationalities want to volunteer?

I'm a native Russian speaker and would be interested in helping [to get things started, at least]. Would be nice to know what's involved in moderation: a crash course, so to speak :)

[Cobos]

I'd gladly volunteer as a Norwegian moderator, but I doubt there is much need as most Norwegians will read english pretty well...

Cobos

[felix the cat]

@TEG

How did you figure it out - I just sold my Chevrolet dealership - for the money received I'm buying now an electric I-Miev!


Now who would decide inside the TMC, about such an extension? Would there be a button to switch to the german section? Or would there be even another URL teslamotorsclub.de or teslamotorsclub.ch?

I've followed a german forum about cars - the loremo-forum - during one year. As I saw, it's essential to maintain a civilised communication, to keep the discussion mainly on topic and to steadily build up the number of participants. An openminded but sometimes also strict moderation is crucial - as I see it.

Hoping for a response from doug

[dpeilow]

Not even the mighty doug can make this happen... It's one for MPT and dsacks.

[bobw]

Mein Deutsch ist sehr rustig.

On one hand, I worry that multiple languages will fragment the readership as people take their discussion out of the English forum to languages in which they are more comfortable.

On the other hand, the people who cannot now participate because their English is not good enough may very well generate unique comments that will filter over through the bilingual readers to this one, enriching our discussions.

On the gripping hand, if there is enough interest in Tesla Motors to start a discussion group in languages other than English, they will happen somewhere. If it's not too much trouble they might as well start here, where the cross pollination effect may be more likely.

[doug]

Might be a good idea. Not sure about the implementation yet. No one has much free time these days, so it will probably have to wait a bit. Bunch of other things on the to-do list.

By the way, this is my favorite Felix the Cat reference:

funny star wars nerds part 1

funny star wars nerds part 2

It's at 0:45 on the second video.

[MPT]

We're on it; certainly the thought process; I think it's a good idea in principle and I'm sure that we can figure out the logistics. Give us a little time and keep bringing in the ideas and the thoughts.

Thanks,
MPT