Is seems to be, and yet again this year, keeping up expectations , I will be keeping the rants to a minimum… after all i am sure at least some of you have got friends that have invited you to a new years party so havent got time to post a decent rebutall/response to this non rant 
for those that are not bored yet… even more boring stuff…
The forums…
Every year we hear that the forums are done, had it, past their prime, this time last year was no exception with the harbingers of doom gathering to rejoice in TruckNets demise 
Unfortunatly no one seemed to have told most of the users that TruckNet was dead and buried as 2011 saw an average rise in usage (page views, unique users and visits) per month over 2010 of 40% and monthly page views now regularly topping 2.25 million.
Some prolific posting members no longer post, and some others have joined in, with varying quality of posts. But the forums keep growing because or despite that.
next year see’s a big change, While many did not like the transformation to the Orange roadtransport.com look of the forum, it proved a commercial point, and has allowed us to take the next step.
the first part of that step was to dump the Orange and move towards the print title we own that, Truck & Driver. In 2012 we will be taking that further, TruckNet UK is to be the core of our drivers products on the web, the Truck & Driver website is in the planning stage. The aim of the new website is to bring the driver closer to the magazine and vice verca.
One of the ways Road Transport Media intend to achieve this is to give the job of creating the new website and to run it is to give the role to an ex driver ( this probably wont end well )
This berk thinks its a good idea to involve you all in what you actually want from a website (definatly wont end well 
) and therefore in the new year a series of consultation posts will be appearing on the forums asking for your ideas and input…
NOT NOW>>>> WAIT FOR THE ■■■■ REQUEST WILL YOU
Other things will also be happening,
First of all those that attend various Truck shows will see a far higher presence from all the magazines in the group, those plans are aready afoot… our Truckfest presence is going to be revamped, and being a forum member will hopefully give you more benefits at the shows than a simple place to sit and drink free beverages
The charity auction night/post Xmas ■■■■■■ traditionally held at Cannock is also in the planning and hopefully news of dates etc will be given soon
As ever the continued success of the forums is down to two seperate groups of people, firstly the much maligned admin team who despite all rumours do not spend all night trying to ruin peoples posts, but give up a lot of their own free time to ensure the forums run well, and we dont get sued out of existance. While their efforts may not be appreciated by some, the fact that i recieve just about an equal number of complaints as praise for the moderation policies and their implementation shows me we have it just about right. But the entire team do keep it all under review. they have my thanks and bewilderment that they continue to do so for no pay and very little thanks.
The rest is you lot, you provide the content, provide the discussions, add the value to the forums, without you all we would have nothing except a bit of software… so thank you all, for coming here, taking part, and being part of what is easily the biggest on line community of truck drivers in the UK possibly the world.
Now if you read all that you really need to go find a party to gatecrash… happy new year to you all
happy new year to you and all on here, keep up the good work 
