News - Forum changes, and your thoughts please!

[mickjaguar]

The page layout of this forum is nicely compressed and clear, particularly on a small phone screen. I can see the last eight posts, without scrolling, as we'll as how many replies have been made very easily. Navigating to the last reply is also very easy to select, even with big spuddy fingers.

I'm not keen on the graphical styles used by some other forums, as they just clutter the interface and waste space. Looks flashy but isn't actually as easy to use. Typically only fitting between 2 and 4 posts on the screen.

Ability to upload videos here would be handy though.

 

[Administrator]

The page layout of this forum is nicely compressed and clear, particularly on a small phone screen. I can see the last eight posts, without scrolling, as we'll as how many replies have been made very easily. Navigating to the last reply is also very easy to select, even with big spuddy fingers.

I'm not keen on the graphical styles used by some other forums, as they just clutter the interface and waste space. Looks flashy but isn't actually as easy to use. Typically only fitting between 2 and 4 posts on the screen.

Ability to upload videos here would be handy though.

Thanks Mick, that's good input. The thing that concerns me about featuring the latest posts so prominently is that it can create echo chambers discussing the same few topics, at the cost of wider conversation on more threads. There's definitely a balance to be struck. Regrettably the software presently running doesn't enable us to see how many users are on mobile devices versus tablets versus screens, but the package we're going to has good optimisation for all devices.

 

[gasgas]

Thank you; do you mean that the front page should look as it does now, with a list of current topics at the top, or would you be happy with a layout with each forum in order, and latest material first within that?

latest material first within that? yes please, as some end up several pages to scroll through old comments to get to the puch line

 

[Kev]

Perhaps a page similar to Wikipedia with all things F-Type relating to its development, production numbers of specific models etc., online brochures for the different model years

The wiki sounds like a huge undertaking but we'll look into it.

That sounds like a project for someone with time on their hands! :lol:

And I believe SCM has just volunteered themselves to be the responsible adult for this task given you have a post count exceeding one million across two forums which clearly indicates you have time on your hands

 

[NavigatorNI]

I think a "How to" guide would be very beneficial. I am already in the habit of saving the downloads as they appear in case I need them in the future. Access to the workshop manual (from which some extracts have already been posted) would be useful, although I assume there may be some copyright issues involved.

 

[mickjaguar]

I prefer the 'latest posts' arrangement, as it makes it very quick to notice and respond to new things, irrespective of the subject.

Some other sites have the 'menu list of forums showing posts in order' and I find it bit of a faff to look at several categories in order to notice the new stuff (one of the big Jaguar Clubs uses this approach). A few categories get hammered, whilst others sit idle for ages.

Although, your preference may depend on how often you visit.

 

[Administrator]

The wiki sounds like a huge undertaking but we'll look into it.

That sounds like a project for someone with time on their hands! :lol:

And I believe SCM has just volunteered themselves to be the responsible adult for this task given you have a post count exceeding one million across two forums which clearly indicates you have time on your hands

One volunteer is worth ten pressed men, as they say... If we had an @ function, I'd be using it now, SCM!

 

[Administrator]

I think a "How to" guide would be very beneficial. I am already in the habit of saving the downloads as they appear in case I need them in the future. Access to the workshop manual (from which some extracts have already been posted) would be useful, although I assume there may be some copyright issues involved.

Thank you, it's very clear that practical guides and information is a key thing here... The question is, how to satisfy that need...

 

[Administrator]

I prefer the 'latest posts' arrangement, as it makes it very quick to notice and respond to new things, irrespective of the subject.

Some other sites have the 'menu list of forums showing posts in order' and I find it bit of a faff to look at several categories in order to notice the new stuff (one of the big Jaguar Clubs uses this approach). A few categories get hammered, whilst others sit idle for ages.

Although, your preference may depend on how often you visit.

Thanks Mick, this is perhaps the most difficult and binary decision as we set the new forum up... Grateful for you insight and patience, if the route we choose is not immediately to your liking.

 

[NavigatorNI]

I too like the "latest post" feature. At present, my first action when visiting is to press the "What's New" button.

 

[scm]

The wiki sounds like a huge undertaking but we'll look into it.

That sounds like a project for someone with time on their hands! :lol:

And I believe SCM has just volunteered themselves to be the responsible adult for this task given you have a post count exceeding one million across two forums which clearly indicates you have time on your hands

Ah but sadly, technical competence is required as well as time.

 

[scm]

I too like the "latest post" feature. At present, my first action when visiting is to press the "What's New" button.

I just look at the index page and see which sections have new posts, and then click the red icon next to each updated thread subject - easy to get to the unread posts that way for me.

 

[Kev]

That sounds like a project for someone with time on their hands! :lol:

And I believe SCM has just volunteered themselves to be the responsible adult for this task given you have a post count exceeding one million across two forums which clearly indicates you have time on your hands

Ah but sadly, technical competence is required as well as time.

This is one of those tasks where you can learn on the job as you collate all of the information. Just think, you could get yourself an OBE if you succeed. Or some sausages once they’re released from captivity

 

[Moss]

1) Enforce additional details such as signatures on user profiles at point of registration. Useful to know country, current car engine, MY or status "owner, looking, selling" etc.

Signature information is definitely on the radar, though it may take a short while to introduce. We don't want anything which will turn people away, either by being onerous to do (eg lengthy questionnaires to join the forum) or forcing those who like privacy to reveal a lot of information, so I'm not sure exactly what form those things will take at this moment.

May I respectfully suggest that too much ID of specific cars / locations might turn people away? I think this one needs to be thought through with care.
Just my tuppence worth and not intended to offend.

 

[Administrator]

1) Enforce additional details such as signatures on user profiles at point of registration. Useful to know country, current car engine, MY or status "owner, looking, selling" etc.

Signature information is definitely on the radar, though it may take a short while to introduce. We don't want anything which will turn people away, either by being onerous to do (eg lengthy questionnaires to join the forum) or forcing those who like privacy to reveal a lot of information, so I'm not sure exactly what form those things will take at this moment.

May I respectfully suggest that too much ID of specific cars / locations might turn people away? I think this one needs to be thought through with care.
Just my tuppence worth and not intended to offend.

Thank you, I tend to agree, and I think as things stand we will probably incorporate the feature but make it optional, but remain open to conversation around it...

 

[cj10jeeper]

Good to hear the forum is undergoing an update. So much is good so it should be incremental changes.

Few comments:
Search function just isn’t up to spec. Very difficult to narrow down what you are seeking resulting in reams or nothing.
Sponsors are important to fund forums, but let’s not let them fill the forum with responses that are hidden sales efforts. Give them a page so they can set out their stall, but for users to access it not to show as new posts all the time.
Keep the forum clean. Some get ruined by quotes of posts that become endless with repeat of pages of photos.
Have more rigorous control of the spam posters who get on and ask 1 random question or comment and are clearly not ‘real’ users.
Rank users, newbie, novice, expert. Part by post count, part by quality and value of input.
Keep up the good work - great forum

 

[Administrator]

Good to hear the forum is undergoing an update. So much is good so it should be incremental changes.

Few comments:
Search function just isn’t up to spec. Very difficult to narrow down what you are seeking resulting in reams or nothing.
Sponsors are important to fund forums, but let’s not let them fill the forum with responses that are hidden sales efforts. Give them a page so they can set out their stall, but for users to access it not to show as new posts all the time.
Keep the forum clean. Some get ruined by quotes of posts that become endless with repeat of pages of photos.
Have more rigorous control of the spam posters who get on and ask 1 random question or comment and are clearly not ‘real’ users.
Rank users, newbie, novice, expert. Part by post count, part by quality and value of input.
Keep up the good work - great forum

Thank you very much, all of this input is most gratefully received.

First, regarding incremental changes, we'll be moving to a new bulletin board software, and hosting, and so I'm afraid the most significant change will have to happen in one step. We're all hoping, and crossing our fingers, that it will pass off without technical problems. The software etc which we'll be using is amongst the most mature and well-respected in the industry, so we're not doing anything novel there.

The new software comes with a much better search function.

We're defining how sponsorship will work, but I'm fundamentally in favour of being reasonable and inclusive, and if a sponsor has something valuable to add in conversation, I'm not against that being part of the landscape.

Photos are welcome, in the right place, but I agree that the way quotes work here is not ideal.

You're not the first person to allege that we have a new crop of 'spam' posters here, but we've looked carefully at several accounts recently and there is nothing to suggest that they are not genuine. We'll continue to monitor...

Yes, some kind of ranking system may come along, though possibly not at first, and we need to avoid anything which puts off dissenting voices. One of the biggest problems in forums and social media is how conversations get silo'd, and simply rotate endlessly around the same people expressing the same points of view. We'd like to avoid that.

 

[cj10jeeper]

Thanks AdminFred

Let me not requote the thread endlessly but a couple of items of clarification as it seems you've covered off a lot of the comments very clearly which is appreciated.

'Spam' posters may not be the correct term but several recent new joiners asking one line questions or posting rather random comments, no details if they have an F Type or are seeking buying one, then no further forum engagement. Just rather pointless and annoying to see these threads..
I agree ranking is a tough one and for many years ran a Jeep forum, where recognition of the contribution of long standing, expert or otherwise valuable contributing members was well received by all. Certainly agree re not putting off people. Many forums can be rather a bit of a clique and don't encourage healthy dialogue.
Sponsors can often bring great value, knowledge and insight and should indeed post and respond in threads, but not a blatant redirection their product or service. Just a balance.

 

[WhoKnows]

Whilst I agree eith the sentiment, stopping sponsors being blatant is likely to be only done with moderation rather than automated.

Maybe at least insisting sponsors and companies should be clear in their signature that they are a company will mean we can differentiate between a fellow contributor recommending something and a company promoting their product

 

[MArtyn Veg]

Great forum and great news you’re working to keep improving.

I agree with gasgas and mickjaguar re the latest replies first please when we click on a post. I’ve just scrolled through 38 now on this post to get to the latest reply is a good example.

Keep up the good work. Brilliant forum with brilliant people!