yc's suggestions

Sage · Jun 11, 2002

Suggestions by me.

1) Could the "Help" button be changed to "FAQ"... most vB users are used to it being called FAQ, and so would bypass the Help button when looking for info...

2) I know it's trivial, but can you put the word "SiteAsk" or something of the like next to the siteask button at the bottom of each page... to those unfamiliar with it, it merely looks like a pretty decoration.

3) Are the Rating Stars really necessary? 99.999% of the time, people could care less what rating a thread has, and just normally leave the rating on default (3). Plus, the people who actually try to bring a thread's rating up are likely to be countacted by so many people leaving it on default, that their one rating won't make a difference, and thus the thread will still be left at 3 stars...

4) I know it seems like an odd suggestion, but can you delete some of the available avaters? I don't think all of the avaters are needed (a number of them are rather redundant), plus many members can get past 200 posts in a relatively short span of time, so they're only useful for so long... Now, if I had cable-DSL, I wouldn't care, but I have a 56k... and, I remember that when I used to be a 200-under member, it was a pain to navigate through the avaters... I've just tested it, and via my modem it takes 3 minutes to download each page... multiply by 9, and essentially it takes me 27 minutes to navigate through the avaters, not including the time it takes to decide. Again, just a suggestion.

I had another idea, but it has entirely slipped my mind... I'll post it if it comes back to me. :smilewink

Viper_Maniac · Jun 11, 2002

How bout deleting some of the zero post accounts. Mainly the ones from Dec. or Jan. back to when the forums first opened. Just a thought. :smilewink

TAFJonathan · Jun 11, 2002

I think it's a good idea to get rid of the default ratings. As to Help vs. FAQ, it doesn't really matter to me. I don't think the avatar thing is a good idea, and I CERTAINLY don't like the idea of deleting unused accounts.

Jordan · Jun 11, 2002

1) Could the "Help" button be changed to "FAQ"... most vB users are used to it being called FAQ, and so would bypass the Help button when looking for info...

I see what you mean, but are the majority of users that familiar with the standard format of other vBulletin forums? Besides, if you are used to vBulletin, you probably won't have the basic questions that are answered in the FAQ anyway.

2) I know it's trivial, but can you put the word "SiteAsk" or something of the like next to the siteask button at the bottom of each page... to those unfamiliar with it, it merely looks like a pretty decoration.

It is a pretty decoration...with a purpose.

You see, that's actually a SiteMeter, which helps me keep track of site statistics such as referral URLs, page views, and unique visitors to GTPlanet. Of course, my server keeps track of all of this, but I like having a nicely formatted, third party source of statistic information. And, in exchange for the free statistics, I must display that small graphic which links to SiteMeter's online service - SiteAsk, and I don't want to promote SiteAsk any more than I have to.

3) Are the Rating Stars really necessary? 99.999% of the time, people could care less what rating a thread has, and just normally leave the rating on default (3). Plus, the people who actually try to bring a thread's rating up are likely to be countacted by so many people leaving it on default, that their one rating won't make a difference, and thus the thread will still be left at 3 stars...

That's an interesting point of view I hadn't considered. I will be changing this.

4) I know it seems like an odd suggestion, but can you delete some of the available avaters? I don't think all of the avaters are needed (a number of them are rather redundant), plus many members can get past 200 posts in a relatively short span of time, so they're only useful for so long... Now, if I had cable-DSL, I wouldn't care, but I have a 56k... and, I remember that when I used to be a 200-under member, it was a pain to navigate through the avaters... I've just tested it, and via my modem it takes 3 minutes to download each page... multiply by 9, and essentially it takes me 27 minutes to navigate through the avaters, not including the time it takes to decide. Again, just a suggestion.

Hmmm, that is a long time, and I am a 56k user myself, but I think it's better to have too many avatars than not enough. I put myself in a regular user's position, and I feel that I would prefer to be able to find a unique avatar that suited my personality rather than having less choices just so the page would load faster. Perhaps I should display less avatars on each page so you wouldn't have to load many others once you find one you like?

How bout deleting some of the zero post accounts. Mainly the ones from Dec. or Jan. back to when the forums first opened. Just a thought.

I have mixed feelings on that. On one hand, they are just taking up space. On the other hand, many have opted to receive emails from the site, which could be used as a good resource to promote internal site events and announcements.

Viper_Maniac · Jun 11, 2002

Originally posted by Jordan
I have mixed feelings on that. On one hand, they are just taking up space. On the other hand, many have opted to receive emails from the site, which could be used as a good resource to promote internal site events and announcements.

Oh ok. It was just a suggestion. Is there anyway to find out which ones opt to receive the emails and which ones dont? Again just a thought.

Josh · Jun 11, 2002

Dude, maniac, quit trying to get him to delete accounts that aren't actively used.

I'm a member at several different sites, none of which I post at, and I don't want my account being deleted just because I don't constantly contribute to the site.

Viper_Maniac · Jun 11, 2002

MazKid · Jun 11, 2002

Well, Jordan, is there a way to keep thier E-mail addresses on the list, but get rid of the postless member? You could just say that they need to re-register. Like if they join, but are unactive for 30 days, they get a warning and if they don't respond in a week, then they get deleted...

Just a thought....it doesn't really matter. For instence, there's a member here, MazdaspeedDriver, he's been looking through the site(cause I've seen him on the who's online thingy), but hasn't posted at all...

TAFJonathan · Jun 11, 2002

I think deleting the unused accounts is a terrible idea! :!: :eek:

Jordan · Jun 11, 2002

There's just really no pressing reason to delete inactive accounts, I don't see what the purpose is.

Brian P · Jun 11, 2002

Originally posted by Jordan

Hmmm, that is a long time, and I am a 56k user myself, but I think it's better to have too many avatars than not enough. I put myself in a regular user's position, and I feel that I would prefer to be able to find a unique avatar that suited my personality rather than having less choices just so the page would load faster. Perhaps I should display less avatars on each page so you wouldn't have to load many others once you find one you like?

Why don't you sort the avatars into sub-menus like avatars of GT3, Automotive, GTA3, Movies etc.????

Just an idea, so people won't have to look through them all to find a GTA3 avatar for example.

Jordan · Jun 11, 2002

Originally posted by Brian P

Why don't you sort the avatars into sub-menus like avatars of GT3, Automotive, GTA3, Movies etc.????

Just an idea, so people won't have to look through them all to find a GTA3 avatar for example.

I believe this is coming the next version of vBulletin.

Sage · Jun 12, 2002

Originally posted by Jordan
I see what you mean, but are the majority of users that familiar with the standard format of other vBulletin forums? Besides, if you are used to vBulletin, you probably won't have the basic questions that are answered in the FAQ anyway.

Good point.

It is a pretty decoration...with a purpose. You see, that's actually a SiteMeter, which helps me keep track of site statistics such as referral URLs, page views, and unique visitors to GTPlanet. Of course, my server keeps track of all of this, but I like having a nicely formatted, third party source of statistic information. And, in exchange for the free statistics, I must display that small graphic which links to SiteMeter's online service - SiteAsk, and I don't want to promote SiteAsk any more than I have to.

AAHHHH, eye cee... I always wondered why my downloading thingie said "sitemeter", and then it would take me to "siteask"... now I understand.

That's an interesting point of view I hadn't considered. I will be changing this.

Okay... at least one suggestion was useful.

Hmmm, that is a long time, and I am a 56k user myself, but I think it's better to have too many avatars than not enough. I put myself in a regular user's position, and I feel that I would prefer to be able to find a unique avatar that suited my personality rather than having less choices just so the page would load faster. Perhaps I should display less avatars on each page so you wouldn't have to load many others once you find one you like?

Both this and the idea of sub-divided categories are good. :thumbsup:

BTW, what's the difference between the "New Posts" and the "Today's Topics" pages? They both seem to do the same thing... :confused:

Bah, still can't think of that question I had last night... :banghead:

Jordan · Jun 12, 2002

Originally posted by youth_cycler
BTW, what's the difference between the "New Posts" and the "Today's Topics" pages? They both seem to do the same thing...

"New Posts" will show you all active threads (threads that have been replied to) since you last visited the forums, be it 3 hours or 3 weeks. "Today's Topics" will show you all active topics in the last 24 hours. I know it's confusing, and I do plan on labeling them different in our next redesign.

sn00pie · Jun 12, 2002

Originally posted by Jordan
...in our next redesign.

Cool!

Klostrophobic · Jun 12, 2002

I like all the suggestions except the rating idea.

TAFJonathan · Jun 12, 2002

Originally posted by Klostrophobic
I like all the suggestions except the rating idea.

Are you serious? Or are you just saying that to be contrary!?

Sage · Jun 19, 2002

Okay, this will also be my "questions" thread, since you know I ask a LOT of questions...

1) This strange thing has happened to me a lot. I'll go and read a thread, then when I go back to the forum, the thread is gray, to signal it's been read. Okay, fine. But, if I quit Internet Explorer, then come back onto GTPlanet, the thread will be marked unread! Why is that?

2) Another strange thing... sometimes, when I edit my posts, the little text at the bottom will come on, "Last edited by youth_cycler on..." But, sometimes, the text won't come on.

Erm, that's all I can think of for right now... I had one more question, but my memory has been cut short again. :smilewink

[edit]: Ah, just remembered- When I attach an image to a post, will the image remain there even if I delete it from my harddrive?

Jordan · Jun 20, 2002

1) This strange thing has happened to me a lot. I'll go and read a thread, then when I go back to the forum, the thread is gray, to signal it's been read. Okay, fine. But, if I quit Internet Explorer, then come back onto GTPlanet, the thread will be marked unread! Why is that?

Do you go back to the forum page (to see the gray thread indicating it has been read) before you close Internet Explorer? You're probably looking at a cached version of the page. See what happens when you click the refresh button...

2) Another strange thing... sometimes, when I edit my posts, the little text at the bottom will come on, "Last edited by youth_cycler on..." But, sometimes, the text won't come on.

If you edit your message within the first 5 minutes of posting it, it will not show that you edited it. This allows you to correct any grammatical, typographical, or formatting errors in your post without making it appear that you changed what you said.

Ah, just remembered- When I attach an image to a post, will the image remain there even if I delete it from my harddrive?

Yes. When you upload an image, you're placing a complete, independent copy of it on the GTP server. You can do whatever you want with the original file on your computer.

Klostrophobic · Jun 20, 2002

Stealth: Guess.

Sage · Jun 20, 2002

Jordan- Thanks!

(phew... now I can delete all of the pictures that I've attached to posts... a whole 5.6 MB!

)

[edit]: Oi, I have come up with yet *another* question. :smilewink

Lately, I've noticed that when someone from Europe types an apostrophe, it turns out to be a question mark. This didn't happen, say, a month ago, but now any time a European user types it in, it does that... why?

[edit II]: I'm sorry, I'm sorry... another question...

Is it possible to have a default setting for the number of days back that one's PM inbox will go back? I ask, because the default settings is apparently 1 day, but I wish to have it more than that, since I'm not on GTP every day... however, I've looked in my control panel options, and haven't seen any way to change it...

Sage · Jun 20, 2002

[EDIT]: Can someone delete this please? This was supposed to be the post below this, but I forgot to attach the image... :embarrassed:

Sage · Jun 20, 2002

Guess what? I have ANOTHER question...

Okay, I've attached an image of my "Message Tracking" folder... (I've photoshopped the "Sent To" part for obvious reasons...) However, you'll notice that the black button, which should say something like "End Tracking", is missing the text! (And no, I did not photoshop that part

).

Sage · Jun 21, 2002

*Sigh* I'm sorry, I really am!

Okay, I went to the "Countries" page, and noticed this boo-boo (Note: the two weren't really on top of each other like this... I took seperate pictures, then put them into the same document)

Jordan · Jun 21, 2002

(phew... now I can delete all of the pictures that I've attached to posts... a whole 5.6 MB! )

Wow, that is quite a lot! FYI, we have more than 147.9 MB of attachments on the forums.

Lately, I've noticed that when someone from Europe types an apostrophe, it turns out to be a question mark. This didn't happen, say, a month ago, but now any time a European user types it in, it does that... why?

Ummm...I don't know. They are probably using a different language setting or something on their computer.

Is it possible to have a default setting for the number of days back that one's PM inbox will go back? I ask, because the default settings is apparently 1 day, but I wish to have it more than that, since I'm not on GTP every day... however, I've looked in my control panel options, and haven't seen any way to change it...

Look at the top right-hand part of the table that lists your messages, and you'll see a drop down box that says "Show Messages From..." Then select the number of days you want and click "go".

Okay, I've attached an image of my "Message Tracking" folder... (I've photoshopped the "Sent To" part for obvious reasons...) However, you'll notice that the black button, which should say something like "End Tracking", is missing the text! (And no, I did not photoshop that part ).

Uh-oh, I thought I fixed that. It should be visible now.

Okay, I went to the "Countries" page, and noticed this boo-boo (Note: the two weren't really on top of each other like this... I took seperate pictures, then put them into the same document)

I have noticed that too, but I have no idea why it is showing up like that. It could be a territory of the UK that does not have an official flag of its own, so the software substitutes the mother country's flag instead.

GilesGuthrie · Jun 21, 2002

Originally posted by Jordan
Wow, that is quite a lot! FYI, we have more than 147.9 MB of attachments on the forums.

So is that 148MB of attachments then?

Originally posted by Jordan

I have noticed that too, but I have no idea why it is showing up like that. It could be a territory of the UK that does not have an official flag of its own, so the software substitutes the mother country's flag instead.

Ah hah! So you've stopped suggesting that this was me then! :lol:

Jordan · Jun 21, 2002

So is that 148MB of attachments then?

No, it's more like 147.9 MB of attachments.

Ah hah! So you've stopped suggesting that this was me then!

Oh, that's right, I had forgotten about you! :lol:

Sage · Jun 21, 2002

Originally posted by Jordan
Wow, that is quite a lot!

Yeah, but that includes both the original scan (or screen pic) of each attachment, plus the PDF version.

Look at the top right-hand part of the table that lists your messages, and you'll see a drop down box that says "Show Messages From..." Then select the number of days you want and click "go".

Well, yes, I know about this, but I was wondering if there was a place to make one of the settings a default setting, meaning that whenever I come back here, it will always show messages from the past two days, or whatever I choose... as it is, I can choose other options, but when I come back, it will reset to "the last day".

Uh-oh, I thought I fixed that. It should be visible now.

Yup, it works now.

Okay, one more question.

How come there's no way to preview a PM, and how come you cannot attach images in PMs? There are certain times when I which to show someone a picture, but I only wish for them to see it (not porn

).

Oh, and, one more question/suggestion: Sometimes, I forget to attach an image to my post (such as the post near the top of the page). However, when I go to edit, there's no way to attach an image, except in the case if an image was already attached, then it will give you the option of changing the attachment. I would like it if when editing, it gave one the option to attach an image.

Jordan · Jun 21, 2002

Well, yes, I know about this, but I was wondering if there was a place to make one of the settings a default setting, meaning that whenever I come back here, it will always show messages from the past two days, or whatever I choose... as it is, I can choose other options, but when I come back, it will reset to "the last day".

Oh, there's none that I am aware of...sorry!

How come there's no way to preview a PM,

Because the vB programmers forgot to include that feature. It will be here with vB 3.

and how come you cannot attach images in PMs? There are certain times when I which to show someone a picture, but I only wish for them to see it (not porn ).

Attachments take up a lot of space on my server, and I don't want you to use the site as a way to privately exchange files and take up my disk space - especially if it isn't available to the entire community as a whole. Just email the other person the attachment, or send it over Instant Messenging.

Oh, and, one more question/suggestion: Sometimes, I forget to attach an image to my post (such as the post near the top of the page). However, when I go to edit, there's no way to attach an image, except in the case if an image was already attached, then it will give you the option of changing the attachment. I would like it if when editing, it gave one the option to attach an image.

I would too.

I'm about 99.8% sure this is coming in vB 3.

Sage · Jun 22, 2002

Okay, thank you again.

I don't think I have any more annoying questions... :smilewink

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