A Proper 818 Registry on TheFactoryFiveForum.com

[David Hodgkins]

Guys, I'm sorry I haven't chimed in yet but I have some thoughts on the 818 Registry and need some help.

Some of you may not be aware that we have a roadster registry:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?5514-Factory-Five-Roadster-Registry

Now, I admit that the output needs some design time, but if you look and the form you fill out for the Registry, you see that we capture quite a bit of information. Here's a link to the Registry form:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/misc.php?do=form&fid=6

I've set up modified forums to use as the Registry containers. They can be viewed from the forum list page:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=20012&d=1374677929

Importantly, Registry entry information can be viewed in several ways and is searchable:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=20013&d=1374678528

SO while I love the Google Maps idea, I prefer and pledge to build a proper Registry to be located on TheFactoryFiveForum.com.

As I mentioned, I need some help to set up the form questions. Can one or more of you who are very familiar with the engine, transmission and factory options volunteer to help set up the form?

And as long as we're asking, does anyone want to help redesign the output? I was thinking of either pure html table layout or using bootstrap.js to design using divs, css and wells. If you are very familiar with either or both of these technologies and would like to donate a little time, let me know.

I am keen to set up a proper Registry and can promise to work this week to set it up.

:)

[Evan78]

Where can we find the view shown in your last screenshot? That looks very promising, but I can't seem to find it.

A map of owners has great potential, I hope we can set it up so that the data can also be displayed on Google Maps. I suggest adding a location fields that users can fill in with City, State, Country for reasonably precise mapping purposes.

How are registry changes handled? If you make a change to the car or change locations, do you just resubmit the form? Does the database contain all entries for a given chassis or just the most recent submission?

Can we include provisions for people on the waitlist that don't already have a chassis number? Since there are a couple hundred 818 owners on the waitlist and only a handful with kits in their garage, this would enable people close to each other to start getting in touch prior to taking delivery.

[David Hodgkins]

Where can we find the view shown in your last screenshot? That looks very promising, but I can't seem to find it.

That's a simple rights issue. I can make it so every member can see and search the grid, I just haven't done it yet.


A map of owners has great potential, I hope we can set it up so that the data can also be displayed on Google Maps. I suggest adding a location fields that users can fill in with City, State, Country for reasonably precise mapping purposes.

I've PM'd Timmy about making the registry and Google Maps complimentary. I'd like to make the map available from within the registry in some way.


How are registry changes handled? If you make a change to the car or change locations, do you just resubmit the form? Does the database contain all entries for a given chassis or just the most recent submission?

My thought is that once the registry entry is made (which generates a registry thread entry), then the owner can update the entry of the generated thread post. If the car is sold the post could be updated with the new owners name and/or a new registry entry made by the new owner. This is a band-aid approach, and if needed I can do some research and/or programming to make the Registry fields update-able.


Can we include provisions for people on the waitlist that don't already have a chassis number? Since there are a couple hundred 818 owners on the waitlist and only a handful with kits in their garage, this would enable people close to each other to start getting in touch prior to taking delivery.

Yes, we can make this allowable, but I'm not sure if allowing folks who are a year out from delivery to post a registry entry is appropriate.

I'm open to discussions on all aspects of a TFFF Registry/Google Map project, but the registry must be housed here.

:)

[Evan78]

That's a simple rights issue. I can make it so every member can see and search the grid, I just haven't done it yet.Is the roadster registry already visible in this manner?


I've PM'd Timmy about making the registry and Google Maps complimentary. I'd like to make the map available from within the registry in some way.

I'm open to discussions on all aspects of a TFFF Registry/Google Map project, but the registry must be housed here.Sounds good to me. I agree that this is the best place for a registry and it makes sense to integrate the two instead of maintaining them separately. We should be able to display a Google map within the forum right along with the registry. The data shouldn't be housed within the map, rather the data should contain location information that facilitates displaying the registry data on a map.


My thought is that once the registry entry is made (which generates a registry thread entry), then the owner can update the entry of the generated thread post. If the car is sold the post could be updated with the new owners name and/or a new registry entry made by the new owner. This is a band-aid approach, and if needed I can do some research and/or programming to make the Registry fields update-able.I think it would be nice to keep the history of a given chassis. It seems sensible that a owner could mark a chassis as sold and optionally include some transaction information such as date and buyer name. It would be up to the new owner to add a new entry as they see fit. Is there a 2 way relationship between the database and the post generated by the form so that if a user edits the post, that new data gets into the database?


Yes, we can make this allowable, but I'm not sure if allowing folks who are a year out from delivery to post a registry entry is appropriate. Not appropriate because they might not become actual owners or is there some other concern? Perhaps that concern could be addressed by requiring an anticipated delivery date to facilitate future pruning of the database of purchases that didn't end up going through.

[Xusia]

I like the idea of a registry with build details like the roadster. I also think making the registry and map complimentary is an excellent idea.

[Evan78]

I suppose future owners could just use Timmy's Google Map as is already happening. That would keep the registry pure with only actual owners while still helping potential owners to make contact with each other.

[David Hodgkins]

Tell me if you can see this:
818 registry form (http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/misc.php?do=form&fid=8)

Obviously, some fields have options that need to be changed. Please tell me what field options need to be changed.

:)

[Evan78]

I can see the form. Field options is a can of worms I'll have to come back to if someone else doesn't beat me to it.

[Xusia]

I can see it as well. Here's my feedback:
Need a way to identify "S", "R", future Coupe, etc. I suggest a field called "Type" or "Variant".
Instead of "Mark" I suggest the field be called "Version", "Revision", or "Generation".
For "Displacement" good options would be: 2.0L, 2.5L, 3.0L, 3.6L, and Hybrid.
I think an "Engine Model" field would be good: (too many options to list right now, but examples include EJ20, EJ205, EJ255, etc.)
Regarding "Engine Model", and alternative would be 2 fields for "Block" and "Heads".
Rear end fields are probably not needed.
A "Brakes" field would probably be a good idea.
"Wheel Size" should probably be 2 fields for front & rear, like tire size.

I hope this helps. I'll probably think of some other things later.

[Silvertop]

I can see it as well. Here's my feedback:
Need a way to identify "S", "R", future Coupe, etc. I suggest a field called "Type" or "Variant".
Instead of "Mark" I suggest the field be called "Version", "Revision", or "Generation".
For "Displacement" good options would be: 2.0L, 2.5L, 3.0L, 3.6L, and Hybrid.
I think an "Engine Model" field would be good: (too many options to list right now, but examples include EJ20, EJ205, EJ255, etc.)
Regarding "Engine Model", and alternative would be 2 fields for "Block" and "Heads".
Rear end fields are probably not needed.
A "Brakes" field would probably be a good idea.
"Wheel Size" should probably be 2 fields for front & rear, like tire size.

I hope this helps. I'll probably think of some other things later.

You might want to add "Turbo / NA" into the mix as well.

[Xusia]

For sure! I didn't mention that specifically because there was already an "Induction" field, which I assumed would be used for that purpose.

[David Hodgkins]

I've added a "Forms" button to the nav bar at the top of the site:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=20033&d=1374764920

That button takes you to a list of all the forms:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=20035&d=1374772623

If you click on the form title you can view and submit the form.

If you look closely you will see that you can click a link called "Form Results Table". That will take you to a searchable results table.

"Form Results Poll" Shows a pie chart breakdown for every question in the poll. It's a good way to see how many roadsters are painted blue, for example.

You should be able to see an 818 registry forum now too.

If you click on "Form Results" you will see what looks like a modified thread with all the form entries in it. You should be able to click on a form that you entered to modify it. In this way you can keep your thread entry up to date. I'm still working out how to sync it to the forum display.

[Evan78]

Instead of "Form Results", I see "Your Form Results" and clicking the link gives me a "you do not have permission to access this page" error. Is this by design or is there a permissions issue? I also see "Entries: 0" for all forms.

[David Hodgkins]

Even, excellent feedback, thanks. let me look into it.

[Evan78]

I also don't have any of the other links (results table, results poll) that you have.

20034

[David Hodgkins]

Try it now.

[Evan78]

Everything seems to work now. I tested Form Results, Form Results Table, and Form Results Poll.

It would be cool if there was an option (dropdown?) for number of records per page on results table.

Export to Excel would be awesome if it worked. That would make the web functionality a non-issue for anyone with Excel or another spreadsheet program. Would exporting to a tab or comma delimited text file make it any easier to get working?

[David Hodgkins]

Evan, the Export function works, I took it out for privacy reasons.

I've played with the Poll Results a bit so now the results are more targeted:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=20036&d=1374773573

That's some good info and worth the price of admission right there!

:)

[Evan78]

Evan, the Export function works, I took it out for privacy reasons.Understood. If not technically challenging, would you consider allowing it with certain fields removed?

[Xusia]

That's an Excel-lent idea!

[Silvertop]

For sure! I didn't mention that specifically because there was already an "Induction" field, which I assumed would be used for that purpose.

It would be. I missed that.

[David Hodgkins]

I can see it as well. Here's my feedback:
Need a way to identify "S", "R", future Coupe, etc. I suggest a field called "Type" or "Variant".
Instead of "Mark" I suggest the field be called "Version", "Revision", or "Generation".
For "Displacement" good options would be: 2.0L, 2.5L, 3.0L, 3.6L, and Hybrid.
I think an "Engine Model" field would be good: (too many options to list right now, but examples include EJ20, EJ205, EJ255, etc.)
Regarding "Engine Model", and alternative would be 2 fields for "Block" and "Heads".
Rear end fields are probably not needed.
A "Brakes" field would probably be a good idea.
"Wheel Size" should probably be 2 fields for front & rear, like tire size.

I hope this helps. I'll probably think of some other things later.

Guys, I'm jumping back into this project. I made the form reachable from the Registry thread:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?11008-Factory-Five-818-Registry!

The problem is, it's grossly inaccurate! PLEASE HELP ME by searching the form and coming up with modified drop-down answers or new fields/answers. I'd like the form to become accurate ASAP.

I know the output (resulting thread entry) is ugly. I'll work on that as soon as the accuracy issue is fixed.

Thanks!

:)

[Xusia]

Well, you already have my feedback! (and it's still valid...) :)

[longislandwrx]

Need a designation for R vs S

Everything is mark 1

Engine displacement options can be 2.0/2.5 other more uncommon engine builds can be on there too, 2.1, 2.33, 2.6, 2.8

Under induction I would remove the stack options, and I doubt many will use a carb

transmission options... 4EAT 5MT 6MT, other?

THE transmission thread should have all the final drives listed for popular transmissions

rear suspension is unnecessary

shocks will all be koni single adjustable for now right?

widths will all be the same

that's a start

[David Hodgkins]

Thanks guys, I'll be working on it this weekend:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?11653-A-few-notes-for-those-using-the-Registries

:)

[longislandwrx]

If you need help with engine model codes, let me know.