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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl Public Forum >> The Forum >> new features https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1081369712 Message started by supersparky on Apr 7^th, 2004, 9:28pm

Title: new features
Post by supersparky on Apr 7^th, 2004, 9:28pm

ok, so we have been up and running for all of today,
is there anything anyone thinks could make the forum better?
even things in the distant future...
ss

Title: Re: new features
Post by splitload on Apr 7^th, 2004, 10:55pm

My first excursion into this Forum and initial reaction is that it is too top heavy with statistics and the actual discussion topics and messages are not obvious. I think ScrewFix Talk has the edge in so far as easy entry navigation goes.

Now where is the spell checker, um!

Title: Re: new features
Post by splitload on Apr 7^th, 2004, 11:05pm

Honestly this site has audacity with all the does, don'ts and PC compliance requirements yet immediately flaunts its own high moral standards by labelled me as a Newbie. That I do not appreciate, its not very polite and its not very welcoming.

Guess by tomorrow I'll be re-badged with another trashy label as an established one-day-old user! Roll on Christmas!

Title: Re: new features
Post by supersparky on Apr 7^th, 2004, 11:22pm

thank you for the input, the problem has now been resolved- no intent to cause offence was intended

ss

Title: Re: new features
Post by L.Spark on Apr 7^th, 2004, 11:30pm

you wernt personaly labeled, thats just what the forum does to new registered users..why you need a spell checker?, and anyway there is 1!

Title: Re: new features
Post by tellondon on Apr 7^th, 2004, 11:33pm

Hello lads !! i read you messages in screwfix, i hope you dont mind me joining you here?

Title: Re: new features
Post by supersparky on Apr 7^th, 2004, 11:42pm

not at all!

Title: Re: new features
Post by supersparky on Apr 8^th, 2004, 1:05am

ok, some people have said its hard to navigate the site, one saying that you couldent see if there were any new posts, so we changed the icon to something that stands out better!
we hope it helps!

ss

Title: Re: new features
Post by Dewy on Apr 8^th, 2004, 2:13am

Most forums have some sort of rating system giving a name depending on the number of posts.
SFX are different that way.
I wonder what SS would be with all his posts? lol

Title: Re: new features
Post by rabbit_rabbit on Apr 8^th, 2004, 7:01pm

Sorry but I have to disagree with splitload (nice name aint it). I think that the GUI is just great and very intuitive indeed. I like thinks such as the ability to see the last 10 postings by simply clicking on the hyperlink at bottom.

So ar I can see eno probs at all (other then the fact that if I should click back-a-page (using MS Explorer 5.5 (dare not upgrade to 6 yet!) I get the lost link message page, no big deal as refresh re-loads OK everyt time and it may be my system.

I think the main issues for the short term future is getting the members and visitors into the site. i.e 'marketing' the site. And I have me thinking cap on so tell me to shut up should the time come!

Title: Re: new features
Post by Forum Admin on Apr 8^th, 2004, 7:11pm

thanks for the positive feedback RR
its nice to get critisim and prase for these things, of course we will take not of any comments and try and improve from them, one comment that came up a number of times was that it was hard to see if there were new messages-
we hope we improved on this by changing the alerting system- a forum with new topics will now have a red folder on the left next to its name, one with no new messages will be yellow

another thing we have been told is that the forum is difficult to navigate, we are still trying to think of ways to make it simpler(any ideas wiould be looked at..)

Thanks to all who have joined, all who have contributed, and all who have made suggestions!

bear with us, its early yet!

admin

Title: Re: new features
Post by rabbit_rabbit on Apr 8^th, 2004, 9:05pm

OK OK its me again (Oh No! do I hear!)

Point 1.

We need to attract both trade and DIY'ers. Why DIY'ers? Coz it is clear to me and in spite of what some have said about DIY'ers they DO throw down the gauntlet as a challenge to the Pro's. DIY'er like it Pro's like (even if it just to show off to other Pro's etc). That in turn attracts more Pros to the site. Its about the ONLY thing ScrewFix has going for it (I think).

By the way there is NOTHING derogatory in what I say above and if pushed I will explain why I say what I say above. No digs at ANYONE at all.

Point 2.

If Point 1 is true how do we get DIY'ers and Pros to this site?

Well to my mind and the fastest way would be by HyperLinks. OK so Screwfix won't put on one there site BUT who does NOT have such services? Just about every other DIY house (inc B&Q - yuk) AND I am sure they would be more than interested if for no other reason to be seen to be competitive in proved such facilities. Homebase, Focus etc. etc. THEN there are all the electrical, plumbing, - the lot - web sites.

THe timing has to be precise though and at the current arte of new memebr joining it won't be long as I think they wilL want to see ACTIVITY, PROFESSIONALISM, and a growing number of visits, and a NEW one something NEW.

Anyway me brain carries on tinking ....

Title: Re: new features
Post by Forum Admin on Apr 8^th, 2004, 9:11pm

so what additional services should we provide for DIY?
the trade forums are quite a big hit, all the pros like it being pro only, but i agree we HAVE to do something for DIYERS!!

we need them to ask questions!
....hmmm..
what about the same set up as for trade with all the sub forums, but under the diy section so diy will have acsess to them, this could be the place to get questions answered..?

admin

Title: Re: new features
Post by Pro-Spark on Apr 8^th, 2004, 9:20pm

Hi guys

That looks great , gives the casual visitor a much better idea of what the diy section is all about, I did think the other way was a bit offputing, should now get a good mix of trade and DIY

Well done :)
Tony

Title: Re: new features
Post by Dewy on Apr 8^th, 2004, 11:17pm

One thing I immediately noticed was that images can only be shown from a URL.
It would be nice if they could be uploaded from your computer, just so long as they arent porn.
Many times a picture can say more than words & very often a sketch scanned in can be a lot of help.
I have seen some forums where images can only go onto a seperate image forum & others where images form part of the post.
Unsavoury ones get reported to the moderators to delete.

Title: Re: new features
Post by Forum Admin on Apr 8^th, 2004, 11:24pm

hmm...problem is if we do that we are talking a serious performance loss, prehaps http://www.o-f.com would help, sign up for a free account and then link it...
plumber raised the same question, but unfortunatly its not something we will be able to do right now, the connection is only 500/250 and runs just about ok, with all those picys flying about...

admin

Title: Re: new features
Post by HandyMac on Apr 9^th, 2004, 6:37am

wrote on Apr 8^th, 2004, 11:24pm:

able to do right now, the connection is only 500/250 and runs just about ok, with all those picys flying about...

Probably doesn't mean anything to most people here but it does to me :)

This seems to suggest that you are running this forum software on a broadband connection (ADSL or cable). That's going to make things a trifle tricky if you get large numbers of users all clamouring to get on the system (and I've already noticed the forum software failing to deliver content halfway thru an HTML image definition for example, this is quite frequent).

The other issue is that I've been on a broadband connection for about 3 years now (1M/256), and its reliability isn't so brilliant. From time to time it goes down on you, and that is going to make a difference to your client base - if they can't get their fix then they will probably go mug some old lady (or disturb their wifes sleep as an act of revenge ;)).

Sorry, I'm being extremely negative here and I really don't mean to be. You are a superstar for making the forums available and I vote you should be given a gong by her majesty!

Andrew

Title: Re: new features
Post by HandyMac on Apr 9^th, 2004, 7:27am

Could I suggest replacing the small folder icon shown on the forum list page which indicates new message in a forum to be one of a more distinctive colour? For example bright red or blue?

The current new messages icon is called on.gif and it doesn't stand out very well against the forums which don't have new messages to view.

Andrew

Title: Re: new features
Post by rabbit_rabbit on Apr 9^th, 2004, 10:51am

What can we do for DIY'ers?

Let's assume we can get em here in the first place. But would suggest something on the lines off a database look up for starters. Also Admin checking that DIY'er queries are responded to as Trade may not visit that often (as there are many rooms now). How do we achieve this?

A. Database. Go to Screwfix website and 'nick' ALL Q's and A's to date and build them into a database here! Naughty I know, but nice!

B. No Admin dont have to keep peering into DIY areas, set timer on each DIY query, if no responses after say 24 hours trigger message to applicable trade area.. or move message to Trade - summit like that.

Me keeps thinking ....

Title: Re: new features
Post by rabbit_rabbit on Apr 9^th, 2004, 4:46pm

In trem of adding new features it would be quite handy, no dam useful, to be able to draw free-hand. This would be really useful when trying to explain something. As the saying goes - a picture says a thousand words.

Even if it very simple stuff as found in Word drawing facilities (squares, circles, lines etc.)

Title: Re: new features
Post by HandyMac on Apr 9^th, 2004, 6:07pm

That would probably be quite difficult if not impossible to achieve rabbit².

I know these computer thingies are supposed to make life simpler, but in reality they've confuggered the hell out of ordinary people to the extent that it is far more difficult to do simple things than it was 20 odd years ago.

You can always use a drawing package, export as a JPG file, and upload to a web site where you can reference the URL from the forums. Apart from that the future looks orange and you are colourblind :)

Andrew

Title: Re: new features
Post by plugwash on Apr 9^th, 2004, 10:24pm

i get the feeling that the messy pages are caused by one person posting on a topic while another is loading it

probablly to do with hosting this stuff on windoze :)

Title: Re: new features
Post by ColG on Apr 9^th, 2004, 10:44pm

If there is a suggestion that bandwidth may become an issue and that cost of upping bandwidth etc might become and issue, could we not ask some of the suppliers such as TLC, Plumbworld, etc if they'd like to chip in in exchange for a banner or mention on the understanding that the forum remain totally independent?

If suffiecient funds were raised this way, then maybe some of the bells and whistles could also be incorporated?

We could also put links on their sites??

Col

Title: Re: new features
Post by supersparky on Apr 9^th, 2004, 10:50pm

hmmm, its similar to what RR sugested but on different grounds....damn good idea!
will considder that!

ss

Title: Re: new features
Post by ColG on Apr 9^th, 2004, 11:02pm

I think one of this forums (this word always reminds of that little A5 porn mag you used to get back in the 70s) USPs is that it's been started by pro's, run by pro's and is designed to provide answers to both pro's and DIYers.

Unlike the SFX forum, it's not "owned" by a supplier or other organisation with a vested interest in promoting themselves

As an aside, I think a useful links forum would be a good idea. This could be broken down in a similar way to the topics so you could have:

Plumbing
Institute Of Plumbing
CORGI

Sparks
NICE One

Builders
NHBC

.....and so on

Col

Title: Re: new features
Post by supersparky on Apr 9^th, 2004, 11:13pm

hmmm

sounds a good idea

anyone know what connection a site like this could go on...and nothing silly like T1 or T3...
and how much are we talking about in providing this connection? sponsership is fine, but if this sponsership is thousands per year, dont think there will be any takers

ss

Title: Re: new features
Post by coggy on Apr 9^th, 2004, 11:34pm

On the subject of showing pictures/drawings, it is a great thing to be able to do. I have seen this done on the forum ive found below. How do they post these pictures ???

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6462

If you have a look at this site there are a few drawings/sketches etc

By the way i posted about this new site on there on 4 of there forums and they have been taken off by the murderator :'(

Title: Re: new features
Post by Dewy on Apr 9^th, 2004, 11:41pm

The bandwidth depends on what's availible to you SS
I am on Telewest cable & have tried the 2mb service when it was a free trial.
I went back to 1mb because I thought �60 a month too expensive. :P
Once you've used high speed you never want to go back to World Wide Wait

Title: Re: new features
Post by supersparky on Apr 9^th, 2004, 11:44pm

i have every line avaliable at my disposal, i live within a mile of the main exchange(alot of buisness round here hence the major lines, there is even fiberoptic avaliable on teh road im on....thets no go there lol

ss

Title: Re: new features
Post by coggy on Apr 9^th, 2004, 11:48pm

SS
Take a look at this one:

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=6734

Click the link and scroll down the page to about half way and you will see a drawing.

How do they do that on there ???

Title: Re: new features
Post by supersparky on Apr 9^th, 2004, 11:56pm

thats loaded on a website....
if you right click the image and then go to properties you will see the source
which is another site

ss

Title: Re: new features
Post by HandyMac on Apr 10^th, 2004, 2:35am

If you right-click and select properties you discover that it is a GIF file.

I don't know if this forum disables HTML inside messages (I haven't tried it...), but if you want to show an external image inside a message the syntax you would need would be:

{IMG SRC="http://www.a.b/MyPic.gif"}

Replace curly brackets with chevrons.

Andrew

Title: Re: new features
Post by thescruff on Apr 11^th, 2004, 12:01pm

I always request a drawing or pic is sent to me when it needs it, that way I can modify the system etc and send it back via email, without clogging up the site.

scruff