View Full Version : Comments on the site.
I'm aware you asked for problems to be listed here and not general comments, but here goes anyway!
1. Too many forums.
There are two fundamental things to bear in mind when setting up a forum: 1. make it easy for some to ask a question in the right place. 2. make it easy for someone to seek advice in the right place.
Now I'm a seasoned forum user but I'm not a petrolhead. if I came here to ask a question how easy is it for me to find the right place to do it? The answer is not very. I had a question about a wheel sensor. Now, is this electrical? Brakes? Something else? I've no idea. I went ahead and made a guess and posted a question, but many won't, they'll just go to another site.
You have about 1000 members and nearly 60 different forums. Ideally you want no more than about 1 forum for every 200-300 members, unless all your 1000 members are very active.
Looking at a few forums quite a few have no posts and most are showing posts from the last month or two. Meaning the individual forums are not very busy, which is never a good thing for prospective members.
As a matter of urgency lose lots and lots of your forums and group them together. In the technical section there is a parent forum for each model then 4 child forums per model. Too many for most people to comprehend.
1. Forum titles
In the general section there is all manner of forum, but nothing that says "general" or "chat". I'm guessing the virtual pub is the chat, but it needs to be clearer. Again seasoned users will work it out, but what about prospective members? Ambiguous forum titles are fun and cool but also confusing to some.
3. Recent or last posts.
All forums need a recent or new posts section. The "new posts" link is not enough. Regular users like to see the actual recent posts without having to click a link. Vbulletin has this facility in the back end somewhere.
4. Where is the rest of the site gone?
5. Quick replies
Don't seem to work correctly. As I recall there is a weird setting in the back office to first make the quick reply box visible, then to have it working. Strange, but that's VB for you!
I was never a fan of the old site, but it had lots of information, I can't help feeling I'm getting way less for my tenner this year than in previous years. If the rest of the site is somewhere, where? If your having problems getting a new front end for the new software (did the old site use VB?) try VBAdvanced. It's very good, I use it on one of my sites, called www.mtbrider.com
That's it really, only had a few minutes to scoot around the new site, and I know these comments were not asked for, but as I've a lot of experience in this sort of thing, I just figured I'd give my opinion. But they're just that, opinions, and we all know what they say about them! ;-)
I hope my comments don't offend anyone, they're not meant to.
Oh ya, and more thing...
No main site menu? Criminal ;-)
All sites MUST have a main navigation menu of some sort that is always the same and always visible, no matter what page your on. Quick links don't cut it.
I'm going to shut up now before I get banned.
:-)
it suits me aswell, if icant find the answer to a problem, i'll ask and someone will help. :thumb2
tezzer
Oh ya, and more thing...
No main site menu? Criminal ;-)
All sites MUST have a main navigation menu of some sort that is always the same and always visible, no matter what page your on. Quick links don't cut it.
I'm going to shut up now before I get banned.
:-)
All I can say is
I like just the way it is:clap:clap:clap:):thumbs
(RIP) PLANK
25-02-2009, 01:09
I would welcome a facility to edit posts and a built in spell check, but that is just nit picking, as for the 'culture' of the site and the way it operates regarding appropriate langage etc. that is for Bat21 to decide.
I liked Mav's view on that, and found it was not too strict and worked well, and went for a qualtiy of membership rather than a quantity, i think the new site is more geared towards atracting new members. But only time will tell the result of the change, it doeas seem that financially the onld way wasn't working as well as it needed too.
I also think to atract new members we need more up to date tech stuff on newer models as the T2 is a bit long in the tooth now, but of course this is a vicious circle if you dont have more members with newer vehicles, you wont get more tech comments and experience and visa versa.
I'm akso not keen on the idea of blocking members posts, i think it is childish and not needed!
extreme-4x4
25-02-2009, 01:30
I would welcome a facility to edit posts and a built in spell check, but that is just nit picking, as for the 'culture' of the site and the way it operates regarding appropriate langage etc. that is for Bat21 to decide.
I liked Mav's view on that, and found it was not too strict and worked well, and went for a qualtiy of membership rather than a quantity, i think the new site is more geared towards atracting new members. But only time will tell the result of the change, it doeas seem that financially the onld way wasn't working as well as it needed too.
I also think to atract new members we need more up to date tech stuff on newer models as the T2 is a bit long in the tooth now, but of course this is a vicious circle if you dont have more members with newer vehicles, you wont get more tech comments and experience and visa versa.
I'm akso not keen on the idea of blocking members posts, i think it is childish and not needed!
what like the ignore list..... bet im on loads, trouble is they wont see that im inquiring or curious will they..
so its like asking a question knowing your not going to get an answer
now im confused:nenau
zippy656
25-02-2009, 06:36
I would welcome a facility to edit posts and a built in spell check
um you can edit for about 15 mins....
there is a spell check.. top right "ABC"
lacroupade
25-02-2009, 09:05
Appreciate what baskie is saying but i think its all a bit subjective really. Despite having been a member of the old site for a couple of years I can't immediately think of any obvious benefit of one over the other.
Maybe some of the tech stuff has been lost along the way and maybe we need some tech stuiff for newer vehicles, but thats down to members to contribute where they can.
For my measly little tenner I don't expect a lot to be honest:
1. The ability to come and ask questions and get answers when I need them, whether thats from a tech doc or from a posting...it does that.
2. The ability to talk (when I'm in the mood!) to a like-minded bunch of idiots...it does that in spades!! :lol:lol
3. The chance (again, when I'm in the mood) to partake in the odd meeting/outing somewhere and meet some of the aforementioned idiots (first one due this Saturday!)....and again it does that.
So personally I am more than happy with the site setup.
If I had one teeny request it would be for some kind of "mark as read" function like you get in email, so when I click on Todays Posts, I can select the ones I don't want to read and remove the bold highlight.
Other than that, for a measly tenner, whats to criticise, especially when someone else has volunteered to run it for us?! And thats not a poke at baskie at all - just my view of life. :bow
I'am fairly new here but I think it's pretty good as it is!
zippy656
25-02-2009, 20:29
I'am fairly new here but I think it's pretty good as it is!
im with you red....
works for me too
All I can say is
I like just the way it is:clap:clap:clap:):thumbs
So it seems others do too:thumbs:)
bensonsnuts
26-02-2009, 00:25
what like the ignore list..... bet im on loads, trouble is they wont see that im inquiring or curious will they..
so its like asking a question knowing your not going to get an answer
now im confused:nenau
I'd like to tell you ........but I'm ignoring you :augie
lacroupade
26-02-2009, 16:38
i'd ignore him but he's bringing the stove on Saturday!
Terranosaurus
02-05-2009, 13:07
there is a spell check.. top right "ABC"
Sorry but where is this? Carn't seam tu fynd eet
zippy656
02-05-2009, 17:40
Sorry but where is this? Carn't seam tu fynd eet
a zippy post of old..
clever..
please can someone tell me where the T2 downloads are? I must admit I do find some things difficult to find compared to the old site........ and if I have trouble a new member wouldnt
even know what to look for. regards..............bri
please can someone tell me where the T2 downloads are? I must admit I do find some things difficult to find compared to the old site........ and if I have trouble a new member wouldnt
even know what to look for. regards..............bri
Deleted account DD
02-05-2009, 20:39
I have to agree with some of the original post.
The site could definitely do with a main index and the quick reply doesnt work on any of our computers, phones or my pda ;)
When you first come onto it there are a lot of forums, it can be confusing and thats at a time when youre not wanting to jump in and do the wrong thing :bow
I think the posts abve saying its ok reflect the fact that once youve found your way around it is ok :thumb2:thumb2
Terranosaurus
02-05-2009, 20:59
a zippy post of old..
clever..
but where is the spell check pls?
zippy656
02-05-2009, 21:34
but where is the spell check pls?
here you go best way i can show you
zippy656
02-05-2009, 21:38
please can someone tell me where the T2 downloads are? I must admit I do find some things difficult to find compared to the old site........ and if I have trouble a new member wouldnt
even know what to look for. regards..............bri
any good to you
zippy656
02-05-2009, 21:42
I have to agree with some of the original post.
The site could definitely do with a main index and the quick reply doesnt work on any of our computers, phones or my pda ;)
When you first come onto it there are a lot of forums, it can be confusing and thats at a time when youre not wanting to jump in and do the wrong thing :bow
I think the posts abve saying its ok reflect the fact that once youve found your way around it is ok :thumb2:thumb2
who you goning to call.. no not ghost busters... me
extreme-4x4
02-05-2009, 22:07
show off :thumbs
zippy656
02-05-2009, 22:11
Bat let me on here to play a little before it went live to eveyone..
so i know where most things are..
oh and the posting screen shots is easy,, well got to be i can do it!!
i did it at work. used pic as a desktop.. poor it couldnt get onto my pc as teh desktop icons didnt work..
he called me ever bad name you can think of..
Thanks Mr Zip, like anything in life, its easy, when you know how.....bri
zippy656
03-05-2009, 09:01
tiz ok
Deleted account DD
03-05-2009, 15:37
who you goning to call.. no not ghost busters... me
it does indeed, who's a clever chap then :bowcheers :thumb2
zippy656
03-05-2009, 16:30
well I have my moments dave, some things i'm good at..:naughty:naughty
jims-terrano
03-05-2009, 17:23
Bat let me on here to play a little before it went live to eveyone..
so i know where most things are..
oh and the posting screen shots is easy,, well got to be i can do it!!
i did it at work. used pic as a desktop.. poor it couldnt get onto my pc as teh desktop icons didnt work..
he called me ever bad name you can think of..
So go on Zippy, tell us how to post screen shots then:)
Jim T
Terranosaurus
03-05-2009, 17:25
No not got one of those.
zippy656
03-05-2009, 18:52
in user CP.
edit options
us need th have the standard editor - extra formatting controls one..
then if should work
Terranosaurus
03-05-2009, 19:56
No thats still not done it - hmmm.
zippy656
03-05-2009, 20:12
May be Bat thinks you to clever to need on, no idea. now then.
lacroupade
03-05-2009, 20:19
So go on Zippy, tell us how to post screen shots then:)
Jim T
Easy peasy....press 'Ctrl' and 'Print Scrn' at the same time, that saves screenshot, then 'Paste' into MS Paint and save as a jpeg, then post as a normal pic, editing it if you need to with a photo editor.
Terranosaurus
03-05-2009, 20:32
May be Bat thinks you to clever to need on, no idea. now then.
Cracked it. Its a firefox issue, works fine in IE. Doesn't work with Morzilla Seamonkey either.
zippy656
03-05-2009, 21:06
Easy peasy....press 'Ctrl' and 'Print Scrn' at the same time, that saves screenshot, then 'Paste' into MS Paint and save as a jpeg, then post as a normal pic, editing it if you need to with a photo editor.
Not that Mr T's not got spell checker
zippy656
03-05-2009, 21:07
Cracked it. Its a firefox issue, works fine in IE. Doesn't work with Morzilla Seamonkey either.
what??
whats firefox.. clint eastwood film got to do with it??
Terranosaurus
03-05-2009, 21:12
what??
whats firefox.. clint eastwood film got to do with it??
Its a free web browser for those of us who don't want to put up with the rubbish that Microsoft produce or to line Bill Gates' pockets any further. Unfortunately every now and again you come up on something like this problem, though they are few and far between and Firefox has many many plus points over Internet Explorer - speed being one.
Seamonkey comes form the same stable (Morzilla) but is also a mail client, HTML editor and more, only just starting to use that for bits and pieces really.
Also you could try Opera, I used to use that a couple of years back, like te other sit is alos free.
zippy656
03-05-2009, 22:04
Ah right, with it now.
zippy656
04-05-2009, 21:36
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100844209291865141722.0004687460d5920fcc71f&ll=47.754098,8.085938&spn=23.073377,78.75&t=h&z=4
Deleted account DD
04-05-2009, 22:37
Its a free web browser for those of us who don't want to put up with the rubbish that Microsoft produce or to line Bill Gates' pockets any further. Unfortunately every now and again you come up on something like this problem, though they are few and far between and Firefox has many many plus points over Internet Explorer - speed being one.
Been using Mozzilla Firefox for a while now makes interent exp look crap. Far more stable and secure.
zippy656
05-05-2009, 05:50
Zippy Dinky Doncaster
added my good man
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