Thank you to all new and ongoing Indie Auto donors. We are small-scale enough that I can’t offer you exclusive access to content behind a paywall or freebie trinkets. Thus, I am doubly appreciative that you find what we do valuable enough to make a contribution.
Recent donors have been particularly helpful because the cost of doing business has increased. This doesn’t just include web-hosting and e-marketing services. Indie Auto also uses variety of hardware and software to produce photos, charts and other graphics. In addition, our research is informed by a careful selection of publication subscriptions and books. My time has been donated (and is essentially a gift from me to you).
If you too think that Indie Auto provides a valuable service, please consider making a donation here.
Indie Auto is moving to Spokane, Washington
The big news at Indie Auto’s world headquarters is that my wife has fully recovered from ankle surgery. That means I’m no longer spending a goodly portion of my time caretaking. However, we realized that our house is not set up for aging in place, so we have decided to move. For a variety of reasons we are relocating from Olympia to Spokane, Washington.
This move is occurring in phases during April. The main way you may notice it is that I have less time to post new content. I also may repost more stories that are not expanded as much as I usually do. The reason why is that I am still working mostly out of Olympia but almost all of my automotive library is now in Spokane. In the absence of a gas shortage our move should be complete by early May.
After that point, the main way Spokane could impact Indie Auto is I will have access to new photographic opportunities. As the banner image suggests, a more car-centric culture is already showing sociological promise.
What’s Indie Auto’s approach to ‘recycling’ content?
Like some other major auto history websites, Indie Auto reposts content. However, we are unusual in that we often update and expand our stories rather than repost them unchanged. Over time an article that started off fairly short may evolve into a magazine-length piece that draws upon newer research and reader feedback.
I typically do not repost a story more than once very two years unless I have a good reason, such coming across important new information (particularly if it corrects a factual error). I often prioritize stories that have recently received an uptick in viewers and new comments. In other words, I try to respond to reader interest.
Note that the Indie Auto articles most popular in Google searches may be very different from those currently on our front page. I am frequently surprised by what stories end up getting a burst of attention.
Interestingly, the level of competition in the auto history media is so intense that Indie Auto gets very few referrals from other major websites . . . except from readers who sneak links into their comments. Thank you to those who recognize that automotive history is best treated as a team sport.
Commentators, please keep to one account
We continue to have a commentator who frequently adds typos to his log-in email address. As a result, instead of automatically posting his missive, he creates a request for a new account. Thus, a friendly reminder: If you have already been approved for commenting and your latest comment doesn’t post, it’s most likely that you incorrectly typed in your account information.
One thing I do to make it easier to access comment sections on other websites is that I have a master document which lists all of my account information. This allows me to quickly cut and paste my ID and password without adding typos.
Share your reactions to this post with a comment below or a note to the editor.
Just a quick note to add my sincere appreciation for your always original and provocative commentary. It’s very much valued as a complement to other auto history sites such as CC, Hemmings, AACA, &c, that we often frequent.
Being unable to financially contribute to any of them, as much as we’d like to, is frustrating but depending in these times almost exclusively on SS in one’s late 70s provides a somewhat tenuous existence prohibiting expenditures other than those that are absolutely necessary. But if able I’d fund you for life… best of luck with the move and keep on keeping’ on!
A belated thank you for your kind words (I made a quick trip to Spokane). My hope is that folks will contribute what they can. Financial donations from those who can afford them are appreciated. However, another way to show support for Indie Auto is by contributing comments — even when they disagree with me or other commentators. The whole goal is to deepen the dialogue.
I don’t know how I missed this post. Best of luck with the continued recovery and the new place. Like many other, I appreciate your willingness to keep your site running. I didn’t catch some of the articles the first time around and it’s interesting to read the comments over time. I also appreciate all of the research and scholarly analysis- it’s your opinion but backed by data. Thank you!
You’re welcome, Lori. I appreciate your thoughtful comments.
I eagerly await and devour your stories and have been disappointed to see the same red ‘69 Pontiac when I’ve been looking over the past few days. Now I understand why. I wish you a successful, painless (if possible) move and patiently look forward to seeing some more new content when you’re ready.
Am still trying to work through some technical issues in order to get access to the internet at Indie Auto’s new home. This is a message from my cell phone. May be up later today but we shall see. Thank you fire your patience.