I guess I will add my 2 cents....
I have not been on ExPo a long time, only since late 2009. I found my way there via Ih8mud and somebody suggesting I check out ExPo. At the time I was heading on a trip south of the border so was looking for somebody to jump in the truck with me and go! ExPo provided that, although the guy didn't turn out to be somebody I got along with. A year later it was a flip side, ie I found a guy on ExPo to jump into my truck for another trip, he and I got along well and became friends.
What do I like about ExPo!? I like that it has so many members. I like that it is based on travel by 4wd vehicle, although some times I do wonder! I like that it has a lot of trips reports to read and enjoy. I like that the owners and mods are still active not just sit behind the screen and play god. I actually hit up the main page every day or two and do enjoy some of the articles posted on there.
What do I dislike about ExPo!? The bad language filter. The amount of clueless drones. The total lack of ability to discuss things that have to do with politics or religion. The very structured format that is for certain focused on making money. The total lack of responsibility by travelers and this they show on the forum. I am known for being against the grain in some of the largest topics on ExPo, aka the Congo thread or the more recent Nightmare in Peru thread. The total lack of support by the owners and mods to back up responsible travel. The tone in trips reports as of the last few years, especially down the Pan Am. Like it is a party and free for all and screw all the locals, their traditions, laws and beliefs! Yes I read this in trip reports these days on ExPo, in particular down the Pan Am. Let just have our fun, be arrogant ignorant N. Americans and expect everybody in our path to agree with us and be cool with our N. American lifestyle and beliefs. It has gotten really old for me as of late, so bad that I have a hard time not commenting on trip reports and the lame stuff posted by the authors. In fact I stopped reading trips reports down the Pan Am on ExPo because of this general tone that has taken them over in the last few years. What else do I not like about ExPo!? Hmmmnnn, let me see. I don't like the general attitude of bolting it on rather than making it yourself. I don't like repeated threads about "what is the best expedition truck for me" or "what is the best tire on my truck" kind of threads. I hate to be an arse but come on people, are we really this low and stupid in our posts now!? Don't understand how to use the "search" function or think for yourselves!? I dislike the fear mongering type threads on there too, the whole "don't go to Mexico" thing. I dislike all the main page articles about Jeeps and Toyotas. It gets old hearing about the same types of trucks over and over! How about some articles about different trucks? Perhaps some that go against the grain!? However, they do put up the occasional article that is not with the norm and I enjoy these a lot.
But overall ExPo is great. It happens to be where I found some friends and learned about overland travel beyond what I thought I knew. Overall though, I am posting less and less over there these days. Which is part of the reason I made it over here!
Cheers
catch you at OX.
