I agree with your very well put reply.

I think that Facebook and Google have the capability to sell very specific info to the various diagnostic companies. However, I also think that it is part of the current world and I think we probably have no choice other than to accept this.

Just like I have accepted that retail on-line companies like Autodoc, Oscaro and MisterAuto (with a combined turnover last year of over 1 billion Euros) now have huge say at parts manufacturers resulting in that they can retail the same car parts much cheaper than we can buy them at our factors. I use them for my garage now as well. I do realise that, long term, this model of parts supply is not good for our business but not good for parts manufacturers either. Hence I suspect we will see more vertical links growing;
http://partsdb.com.au/press/automotive/new-auto-parts-manufacturer-workshop-vertical/

But I digress...

Maybe a possible solution for you, Peter, could be to start a Facebook group as an add-on to UKAutotalk. But only if a few like minded members would help with the admin. I for one would be very willing to help.
I do see UKAutotalk as one of the original communication channels that allowed UK techs to talk to each other. It would be a huge shame if that premier status got lost only because of the changes of the way people prefer to communicate.

I do appreciate enormously the effort you have made over the years! I am sure that there will be quite a few members who'd be very happy to help to make sure the future of UKAutotalk is secured.

Cheers,

Job