This isn’t about Saabs, per se, but rather about recent happenings here at the website. Feel free to skip it, or not.
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It’s June 22, and this month certainly hasn’t been the month I imaged it would have been back on June 1.
Earlier this month I succumbed to the pressure that had built up internally and made a decision to cease operations at this weblog. A few critics have recently stated on a public forum that I was deliberately crying wolf at that time, essentially accusing me of lying to everyone that comes here.
Karma is taking care of them as we speak, but I’d still like to deal with that accusation, however briefly. I don’t have much to say, except to state quite explicitly that this is most definitely not the case. I hadn’t felt the need to state it plainly up until a few days ago, but I do want to say that at the time of writing, The End was a totally sincere and somewhat desperate solution to what seemed (the night before) to be a desperate situation involving my job, my family and my health. I outlined my reasons in that post and I think I provided enough info there to support my decision. You’ll have to forgive me if I keep some of my private life private.
A few days and a good heart-to-heart with my wife brought to life the understanding that this site means a lot more to me, personally, than I’d realised. Ceasing my writing here would probably create more stress than it released. She’s a wise one, that woman.
And so we have the compromise of sorts that we see today: a situation where I’m posting less but hopefully at a similar level of quality. A situation where comments threads can percolate a little more. A situation where you still get the breaking news when it breaks, but a little less of the frilly stuff. A situation that I can cope with.
It’s been a very interesting month, and I’ve certainly learned a few things along the way….
People care about this site more than I realised
The messages of encouragement that I received from visitors to this site, both in comments and personally, were a tad overwhelming. When all’s said and done, this is just a website and a hobby (thanks Jeff!) but it’s gratifying to know that it’s not only established some incredible relationships for me personally, but that it’s also put many of you in touch with each other for the first time.
Through Trollhattan Saab, several of you have been able to attend Saab events for the first time and meet people from the car industry and the media industry that you probably wouldn’t have met otherwise. In addition to that, many of you have ended up meeting each other for the first time too. It’s really nice that like other sites, TS has been a hub for that sort of thing.
Of course, the real mission of this site is the celebration of Saab ownership and culture, the sharing of Saab news and information, and the preservation of the brand’s ethos. That last one’s a big risk, by the way, as whilst we like to think we uphold that ethos to a certain extent, the truth is we have little to no control over it. The recent decision about the production of the 9-3 certainly saved me a lot of headaches, I can tell you!
I want to take this opportunity to once again thank everyone who chooses to hang out here. Your patronage and your contributions are very much what makes this site what it is.
GM couldn’t give a rat’s about this site
A little bit of breathing space and a little back-and-forth with a few people has brought me to the realisation that really, despite the great access we’ve been able to get and the great service we’ve been able to provide, GM really don’t care a rat’s ass about this site other than in terms of what they might be able to get from it in business terms. I’ve had one or two messages of personal support from some people at GM, which has been great. But as a corporate presence, they really couldn’t care less.
In fact, I really think they’d be quite happy for the site to drop off the radar completely so that they can get full control of their own message. As I’ve said before, the internet’s the new frontier. What we think about Saab here at TS is just as accessible as what they try to say about Saab. Searchers keep on searching, and many of them land here. If GM don’t own their search terms then they only have themselves to blame.
TS is an advocate for the Saab brand and a site that operates for the benefit of Saab enthusiasts, regardless of who owns the company name.
I’ve mended one fence
Early in this site’s life, I wrote an opinion on The Saab Network, which I’ll describe as much less than flattering. I had some hearty disagreements with Scott Paterson, the operator of TSN and I used my own site to air those grievances. That was back in 2005.
After three years of running a website and having to deal with just one or two difficult people, I’ve gained enough of an understanding to know that my initial opinion was an under-educated one, and too harsh. The work that goes into a heavily trafficked site is somewhat extraordinary and seeing that TSN has been operating in one form or another since 1988, that’s 20 years worth of props.
I still think we operate with different editorial policies in mind, but having chatted with Scott recently, and having walked a little of his path, I’d like to apologise for any concern or heartache I’ve caused and congratulate him on his longevity.
I’m not sure if I’d have got to say that without this break, so that in itself makes it worthwhile.
I love doing what I do here, but not at any price
When I first discovered the world of blogging I knew I’d be involved in it somehow. I just had to find something I loved to write about. I don’t need to tell you what happened next.
I love cars. I love writing. And I’ve loved the challenge of building this site into something that’s been incredibly enjoyable. Yes, I still think that Saab need a better web presence than what they’ve got and yes, I’d love to be entrusted with a part of that task. But I’ve stopped chasing that idea now and I’ve stopped putting many things in my life on hold whilst I did that. I’ve done what I can do and I think I’ve done an ok job of it.
My job from now on is to enjoy it, and keep it in its place. And to that end…..
Finally, it’s time for a new coat of paint around here
TS 2.0 is in the pipe and it’s not far away at all. It’s not going to be groundbreaking or anything, but it will involve a reasonable amount of change and the layout should suit the slower, but more focused pace around here.
It’ll also incorporate a number of features I’ve been wanting to bring to this site for some time now. I can’t wait to show it to you, but I have to make sure it’s all OK first, which means a little more tweaking and testing. But it won’t be long. Unlike Saab themselves, this site can bring down a mid-cycle enhancement or even a new model in a matter of just weeks and days 
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Thanks very much for your patience and your understanding over the last month. Your support is, as always, vital and much appreciated.
So….back to things Saaby!
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Ah, I think I see what’s going on here… Right after you wrote about The End, GM decided to get rid of Hummer. Still, that wasn’t enough. So after thinking about for about 2 weeks, they decided to keep the 9-3 production at Trollhättan to try to persuade Swade to keep on blogging…
Swade, you have given a lot to this community, and I hope that you do things in the manner that is best for you. You haven’t disappeared as much as I thought (feared), and that’s a good thing. You still are the leader of information regarding SAAB. Keep up the good work, and leave some time for yourself and family. We understand, and we greatly appreciate the enthusiasm that you bring. Cheers!
PS: I’m a little concerned over the talks of GM considering cutting SAAB over at GMInsideNews. They mentioned a few other brands as more likely, but, you know, I hope if they do cut SAAB that they sell it to someone that knows how to run a small brand better.
Swade, you certainly don’t owe any of us an apology! You had far too much going on in your life and had to make some changes. At the time you posted “The End”, perhaps you felt your only choices were to keep the incredible pace going (I was always amazed at the number of posts per day), or to close down altogether. If you can establish a slower and more comfortable pace, and establish a good balance between family, work, and this blog, then I’m certainly for it and can only say THANK YOU again for all the work you continue to put into it!
This is probably the best thing that could have happened. We still get what we need from the site, and Swade gets a bit of a breather once in a while. Keep up the good work!
I have to agree that we are still getting the important stuff and that’s what we really want. We can still rely on TS as being the spot to break the accurate news!!!!
This is a great site. I visit it every single day. The best thing about it is that there is no other Saab site on the Internet doing what Swade is doing here. It is completely original – that should say a lot because it is so hard to be original on the Internet these days.
-Scott
keep it light, informative and you’ve got a winning formula- hope this blog stays round for a lot longer because of it
I for one am so glad you didn’t go away. Always keeping your cool. (mind those passing clouds!!! lol)
Thanks, Swade. This really made my day, now I’m happy again!
You’re our man!
Live well and take care.
To celebrate this I’ll jump into my 9-5 and take a really long way home.
Cheers!
Keep up the great work! Look at the pictures from last year at the Saab Festival in Trollhättan, they give me strength at hard times.
The tricky thing today about selling Saab, or many other brands, is that much of Saab’s models are now using GM shared-global parts. I have to wonder how that would transition…as in, if the GM design of something is really better then {Company who buys Saab} then would Saab be able to continue to use the GM design, or would they be forced to switch to the {Company who buys Saab} design?
I think ctm hit the nail on the head!
Swade, the attitude of GM about Trollhattansaab.net like you describe it, leaves me puzzled. Why this neglection and indifference ?
If there is any recent positive contribution towards the Saab brand it came from you and your blog. Don’t they get it at Detroit that positive actions on the web, like the way it happens over here with a vivid saab community spread all over the globe, have the same importance as the dedicated investment that is needed to keep all saabs running, no matter how old they are (see my comment at http://www.trollhattansaab.net/archives/2008/06/saab-has-to-build-the-future.html
Lack of vision, that is.
I do not wish to fill this post with more praises, enough has been said already. But I was quite emotional when I read ‘The End’ I couldn’t believe what laid before my eyes. I think we all experienced a bit of ‘Cold Turkey’ to some degree; more so Swade. So thank you for not pulling the plug.
As for GM Insider forums, the community there are very patriotic which is good but I often find the majority are ‘blinkered’ and think that GM can survive on their US brands alone. Many think that HUMMER and Buick should be sold off but SAAB is by far the biggest thorn on GM’s side as far as the masses at GMI are concerned.
I think there are only 4 Pro-Saab members on GMI, Quickening, DuSpinnst and mgescuro and AbsoluteSaab. I know who one of those are, it would be interesting to see if the other three visit this site….
Well, I can vouch for Steven’s statements about “the End” being sincere.
It was, indeed. In fact, it was preceded by a couple of other “near Ends”.
I’m unaaware of the public comments, but they were bound to happen.
Let the person among you that’s never had a change of heart cast the first stone.
As there are other life events and you are not doing this not out of necessity, I respect your comments as perspectives can quickly change. I think you were being sincere.
I’ve been so happy to see continued posts. Fewer post are much better than none at all. I would look forward to seeing several new postings every other day.
I think the site is better now anyway. Like I’ve said, some days you were posting too much before. I’d come onto the site and be put off by the wall of new text. @_@
I think it’ll be good to not be so worried about traffic figures and what GM thinks.
I like the site as always. So far other sites disappoint, disappear or have a too narrow (national) perspective in my taste. Heck, the brand is global and so is TS. TS is the only site reflecting the Saab brand so well. Current style and pace just fine. Even your reflections make for fascinate reading. Keep up the very good work Steven!
Swade, will be interested to see the traffic reports for this month. That said, I doubt even those critics are going to stop checking in on TS. This is not your paid job, I couldn’t do half of what you do here without doing damage elsewhere. This is YOUR blog not Saab’s or GM’s, we’re here for what YOU bring to the site, “hairy, belligerent, Swede-loving butt” and all.
Swade, i’m afraid i’m not quite as emotional about this as some.
However, i wouldn’t give much capital on the knockers. Sounds to me you’ve made the right choice.the one thats right for you is the right choice.
Its all about the balance.
Swade:
So glad that you’re back providing fresh material. Frequent visits to TS are part of my daily routine. When it comes to Saab scoops, knowledgeable posters, and a global community, no other site compares to TS. Period. End of story.
I discovered this site the day I got my 2005 9-5!
This is a great site to learn all about some great cars. Thanks for all you have done to connect me with my new cars history and the saab brand.
As Craig says, it’s all about balance Swade. I think you’re on the way to finding it.
As to GM not giving a rat’s arse about the blog,
I’ve always imagined TS as a thorn in their side.
A small thorn, but a thorn none the less.
Perhaps it’s something that pricks their conscience sometimes? However I’m still not sure they really have one…
Anyone that considered your End Blog as invalid and somehow not genuine should apologize profoundly to you and the rest of us as many like me consider you and what you do of the highest integrity. The proof is in the pudding by the number of hits and responses you get. Anyone out there that suggests that Swade is “pretending” his burn out is only reacting to their own drives of not being genuine about their own true feelings. Swade, amongst us in Sydney we thought you could not stay away from being a writer of anything that is Saab for too long. We are all very pleased to learn that we were right this time.
glad to have you back swade
x2 on those who mightve commented on you being insincere/fake in your ‘The End’ post…
This time I’ll keep it short:
Thanks Swade….
Some good news. Keep it up.
Happy Saabing…
SW, you clearly and totally lost the plot. If you have the plot back there is only one answer.
You know it is the truth. Saabill.
Bill, I’m totally confused. Are you talking about chooks again?
I was not thinking chooks, I was thinking about a drive per a recent invite to regain the plot.
….but chooks, lacking heads, running around. Hmmmm
Sounds good, but my 900 is currently intermittent at best (still). May get done by a few weeks from now (I’m in Melb this weekend) or I can drive the new one whose name I’m not supposed to speak much.
Swade: 33 is only a third of 99. Think about that, will ya?
and i wont swap 3 x 33′s for a 99, hehehe
How about 9-and-a-bit of your 99s for my 900 turbo, Mr Mathematical smarty pants!!!
Great news…(selfishly) I can still get my fix
I am just thrilled I can still come here first for all things SAAB. A little is TONS better than none at all! Thanks for your hard work.
Right on Swade, we’re just glad to have you in any form. Feels like an old friend never went away…
Well, Swade,
I have to say I’m enjoying the site as much as ever now. You do what you gotta do, and we’ll enjoy it when it involves your Saab blog. As always, this site is top-notch.
And, as I’m sure I’ve mentioned before, I’m a TSN regular who’s happy to see that the fence has been mended. Two fantastic sites which serve (in my mind) very different purposes. Two sites I’d miss greatly if they closed up shop for good.
Take care, now, ya hear?
~P
thanks for doing this — this is a terrific blog.
Something told me to come check out this site, and, lo and behold, it’s up and running again. Awesome.
Oddly, I was watching an X-Files episode about telepathy. Maybe my dead Saab was talking to me.
Swade, You do such a great job with this site and I sincerely appreciate all of your efforts. You’ve helped broaden my SAAB interests and given me the knowledge of the brand….past and future.
I, however, know what its like to have a passion for something that ends up consuming you and the vast majority of your time. Please don’t let this do that to you and your family. They are too important.
We will all be grateful for what ever writtings you will have time to post for us. Thanks again for all of your hard work!