I received in the mail a free AOL disc and I first went “online” with it back in 1990. The AOL phase lasted about 5 years and in 1995 a friend said to me, “You don’t need AOL to surf the net.” I was honestly surprised back then; I was ignorant to the whole internet thing. A few days later I started to cruise the info superhighway and didn’t look back to AOL. Also, at that time PC’s had not been interesting to many people, however they did rush to stores with computers so they could get on the internet and receive their email.

The Internet really was different back then. Nearly everyone was on dial-up, so web pages and sites were simpler. It was easier to find “information” then because the net hadn’t yet been taken over by commerce sites. Forums and chat rooms had been around since the early ’80s, but were clunky and difficult to use. AOL’s interface helped make it much easier.

The action of blogging appeared around 1994 and it didn’t take off until 1999 with the addition of “blogging tools.” The blogosphere really took off once the political pundits embraced the bogs in 2002. At the moment there is a blog for everything, which is good and bad news. Almost half of the links are for services, products, auction listings, and blog and forum comments when search is conducted by researchers like me. I was sort of bothered at first with the Corvette forum links since searches often were linked to things such as, “I like side-pipes too.” However I was satisfyingly surprised to find a rich, complete information source once I took a glance at Corvette forum’s home page.

SmokinVette.com is a Corvette forum. The Corvette fad is very big, because it spans a 57 year lineage of cars in six distinctive generations. SmokinVette has a Corvette forum for all six generations. Upon viewing your generation’s forum, look around, look around, and check out the topics. All of the forums are unique, so take some time searching the links, drop-down boxes, and controls. It’s like being in a big box or even a home improvement store. At first it can be overwhelming, but it does not take long for you to figure out what you want to look for.

There are times that I am in the mood to view some Corvette pictures and SmokinVette has a large collection of them. And what a high-fueled testosterone topic like Corvettes is without a compilation of Corvette Girls? Boring is the answer. With SmokinVette being classy, you will not see anything over the top, but you will see numerous SmokinHot Women. Ladies that is a compliment.

Owning a Corvette isn’t as economically challenging as owning a pleasure boat, but you WILL be spending some cash either refurbishing or personalizing your Corvette. The “Vette Parts” section of SmokinVette can help you locate anything from a supercharger or crate engine to a LED lights or used parts. You’ll find stuff you didn’t even know was being offered! Corvette people are VERY creative.

But don’t just be a voyeur. After you go through the free registration, you can add your two-cents to any of the forums, start a new forum topic, and ask a Corvette question, or post photos and images. Corvette people are VERY helpful. When you own a Vette, or are an enthusiast, you’re a member of a uniquely American club. The whole “Save the Wave” thing got started as a way for Corvette owners to acknowledge one another on the road. Corvettes aren’t just “cars.” They’re something more, something intangible that you don’t begin to “get” until you drive one. Driving a Corvette is a uniquely sensual experience. You don’t just “ride” in a Corvette, you DRIVE a Corvette because they are designed and made to be DRIVEN. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve read or heard a new Corvette owner say, “I never really understood this car until I drove one.” That’s the “GOTCHA!” moment.

So clear out some time, get comfortable, and check out some Corvette forums, such as SmokinVette.com. Its fun, entertaining, educational, and a way to meet like-minded people that “get” the Corvette obsession. Nuff said! – KST

For additional info and queries about Why A Corvette Forum Matters please see the Smokinvette Team at www.smokinvette.com

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