Forum redesign your ideas please! (again)

[Oliver]

(As a result of some idiocy by my good self, the original version of this thread was deleted - don't worry, I've managed to salvage most of the posts via Google Cache!)

Hello everybody,

I'm delighted to say that over the next couple of months ECF is going to see some big changes.

I am in the process of negotiating a total revamp with a forum design specialist company.

However, I don't want to make any changes without input from the community - and I know that ECF members always come up with excellent ideas.

So, is there anything you would like to see changed or added to ECF?

Fire away!

Thanks,

SmokeyJoe

 

[doots]

Hi
Yes, notwithstanding any redesign there is that takes place, please move this forum to a different server, one that is dedicated, now, so we can at least post without error messages the server is too busy all the time..

 

[jj2]

This place is growing so a whole lot better search engine would be great. The now is pretty useless.

 

[schism61]

Add device Info Under post count .

Ability to subscribe to threads
Quick Link to subscribed threads
3 letter search function ( i posted a VB hack to allow this if needed I can find it again )

 

[Vex444]

I second the new server. Frustrating not being able to get on. Or writing a post or email only to hit send and the server busy. It dosent save.

 

[Oliver]

Really sorry about the server - we are very, very close to having the new one up and running....

 

[Taylor]

I'm having deja vu... The forums at creditboards.com used to use this same (or similar layout) in '05 or '06 and as they grew the same stuff happened. They moved to the one they have now and it's terrific. Though honestly I haven't been over there in about a year. But at least check out their layout. There's options for users to select the amount of posts on a page. My main gripe here is only getting ten posts (with some users quoting long posts or graphic heavy posts) or so per page then clicking page 2 and hoping not to get a server error. All sorts of other features as well.

 

[leeshor]

I have visited and participated in more forums than I can count. It starts with the software. vBulletin is about as good as it gets. I personally feel that the main issue is the server. This forum rocks.

Just had an associate set up a forum and it's nearly unusable.

 

[Houdini]

I'd like to see all the Supporting Suppliers put into a clickable folder of their own so they don't all show up on the main page. Make it so you have to click on that Headline that says "Supporting Suppliers" and then you get the list. The way it is now that clickable headline is useless because they are all listed right under it anyway. Either that or put the Classified and suppliers forum on top so I don't have to scroll through 100 suppliers to get to the bottom.
Oh, and I'd really like to be able to upload a .gif for my avatar that is bigger in K size (not physical inches size).

 

[Bandit]

I like having a "New Posts" link. What we have now is simply "Today's Posts". The difference is that with New Posts, it will ONLY show you the posts made since your last visit instead of pages and pages of non-updated posts. It is much more user-friendly. I know it is in the Quick Links pulldown, but it would be better in the main toolbar.


Buyer/Seller Feedback listings in each member's profile. This allows member A to post in member B's profile about a recently finalized transaction. Now when you see a post from member A selling an item, you can click on his profile and see if he's a good guy or a scumbag. This will result in safer transactions for all members new and old.

vBulletin offers an "iTrader" option that is always present on a member's posts, so anyone can read any post, click the icon on the member's post and be taken to the trader profile. Now you know if it is safe to buy/sell/trade with this person.

A search function that allows a 3 letter word to be used. How many people ask the same question over and over about "Blu" because the search will not work for that term.

Allow more mb on avatars, the best usually are too large to use here.

 

[Bandit]

The second most important thing after of course a server upgrade would be to properly alphabetize the vendors section!!!!

 

[lordmage]

The second most important thing after of course a server upgrade would be to properly alphabetize the vendors section!!!!

Bandit while i understand your suggestion. To keep things fair between the A's and Z's . the vendors are randomized on the 18th i think of each month.

 

[friskya]

Bandit while i understand your suggestion. To keep things fair between the A's and Z's . the vendors are randomized on the 18th i think of each month.

Because we all want to purchase from some random vendor each month on the 18th!

In truth, most (probably all) buy from the same one or two vendors and alphabetizing them would help the membership find the information we want much quicker.

Unless, of course, the forum is all about the sponsors and not about the members. In which case, carry on!

 

[gep]

I'd like to see "location" as a required field. If not specific city, then at least a checkmark for region, i.e., EU, US, Asia, Aus....etc. Then they can have the option of adding more specific information if they choose.

It's helpful to know where people are when they ask a question and so many leave this information off of their profile.

 

[Bandit]

Bandit while i understand your suggestion. To keep things fair between the A's and Z's . the vendors are randomized on the 18th i think of each month.

When I last brought this up, someone said this, then someone on the Mod or Admin team spoke up and said that the randomization had ceased for the time being.


It's ridiculous really. When I need to look for something from a particular vendor, I have to scan through a HUGE list of vendors, miss who I looked for, scroll back up again... ARGH!! Especially a pain when directing a friend to a vendor for some reason. It does no vendor a disservice by alphabetizing their sections. It's not playing favorites, and it's easiest for everyone.

To prevent cheaters, no applications will be accepted if their business is named "A AABAA AAA Smokeplace".

 

[Bandit]

What you could do as an option to highlight random vendors is to have a small section right at the top of the vendor's section where a random vendor is placed there all by themselves and that can rotate every 2-4 weeks. Then they are the very first one seen for that time.

 

[lordmage]

What you could do as an option to highlight random vendors is to have a small section right at the top of the vendor's section where a random vendor is placed there all by themselves and that can rotate every 2-4 weeks. Then they are the very first one seen for that time.

now i do like that suggestion myself and maybe your other one will be put into practice.

 

[Bandit]

Thanks.

 

[Nokosa]

In my opinion it's not the forum that makes the community, it's the community that makes the forum. If the changes are for the better I'm all for it. I'm also all for not waiting to post when the server decides to take a coffee break every now and then.

 

[Toots]

I think the forum setup is great. Randomizing suppliers is a good idea. I like to try new suppliers and there is no shortage of newcomers everyday to browse the suppliers for shopping sprees.

The current category setup served my purposes well. There is so much information here, if there is a better by to deliver it, by all means improve it.