Dropmachine's been hummin along for a couple of years now, and has gone through a few revisions. I'm hoping the newest one will last a while, cause it was a biggy.

Lets start with the graphics. The guy at the top is a picture I've loved for years, and is courtesy of Mike Rose, editor at Dirt. Nobody can touch those guys for photos, and this is one of my all time favs. Its actually Dave Wardell, a well known racer out of the UK. That pic has become to unofficial mascot of DM, and its a hell of an image. The new graphics highlight Dave and his ridiculously flat table skills, and helps bring some punch to the site. Fancy stuff indeed.

The biggest revision is the fact that the entire site runs on a huge backend system that allows for across the board updates from one spot. Its all housed under one  database, and controlled by a single admin panel. This makes updates easier, and more frequent. It also allows me to add contributors, writers and moderators to the whole damn site, which is crazy handy as there are a whole bunch of new places for people to interact.

All the news articles posted in the News, Reviews, Feature and Racing sections can now handle comments. You simply log in, and post your thoughts. The rules for the forum apply though, so no being an asshole. You can now share your thoughts on whatever is posted up, for the world to see. You can also submit stories, and even links in the links section. Again, don't be an asshole, and post stuff thats useful.

I can now assign contributors to the site too, meaning people that have access can post up news stories, and more. This means that you don't have to rely on poor Pete to be your main source of news, as hes worked to death anyways. Its as simple as one click to approve stories, and make them live. I tell ya, its just bloody handy is all.

Other changes are in the works too.

I've owned DM for quite a while, and I've seen some really good stuff happen, and some not so good moments. This change in layout is kind of a fresh start for me, in many ways. I have assigned a great group of guys to be moderators, and they will be helping out to keep the forum under control, and lay down an example of what a good post is. We are going to work hard to cut down the junk in the forum, get rid of the stupid posts, and try to make DM a great resource for all riders, of all diciplines. Thats not to say things have gotten really bad and we are going to be complete Nazis about the whole thing, not at all. It just means we are going to keep our eye out a bit more, and try to shape the forum into one of the better ones on the net. Its pretty decent right now, but like everything, it can be better.

I am also working on adding a bunch of new features in the next couple of days and weeks that are going to do many of you a lot of good. Dropmachine has always been, and will always be, for the riders. Its built not by me, but by the people who take part in discussions here and contribute. I simply bring you a means to do it. That said, I am going to start working harder to build a sense of community on the site, and try to bring the scattered pockets of riders in Ontario together under one big roof. Its gonna be hard as hell, but it can be done.

I think thats it out of me for now. Keep your eyes peeled in the next few days for a bunch of cool stuff thats coming down the pipe, starting with the Roam Premier on the 21st. Its just the start in what should prove to be one hell of a year for everybody.

Thanks much, take care.

Jeff