Major Site Re-Design Coming soon - NOT! Improvement ideas?

[David Hodgkins]

EDIT: renamed the thread; don't want to give anyone a heart attack! ;)

My wife and son were telling me last month that the site needs to be re-designed to be "more fresh" and I said it's not happening! I feel vindicated.

So, don't worry, there is no new major re-design in the works.

I would like to know how we can improve though. Two things I can think of would be:


when you are on the front page, make it so the thread is "previewed" on mouse-over.
a "Like" button to indicate you like a particular post


Any suggestions for other improvements?

:)

[STiPWRD]

Dave, can anything be done to improve the search function? It can often be very difficult to find a particular thread without a lot of digging. For some reason it just doesn't work very well. Others have mentioned using Google to get around the forum search engine.

[MPTech]

My suggestion is No Major improvements and keep the Ads to a minimum. I like the full width posts too, keep it up!
Unfortunately, I think both of these are hurting the other site (that's good news for this site).

[David Hodgkins]

Dave, can anything be done to improve the search function? It can often be very difficult to find a particular thread without a lot of digging. For some reason it just doesn't work very well. Others have mentioned using Google to get around the forum search engine.

I noticed the other site has google as a drop down option in search. I'll do some digging to see how to incorporate that idea here.

:)

[Pearldrummer7]

Full width posts are amazing. I like everything on this forum quite a lot, Dave. Only things I'd like more are:

-Better search function
-A few more "add-ons" for the "advanced" posts. Such as strikethrough, tab function like in Word, etc.

But seriously, this forum is top-notch in terms of formatting. I love that you can do with it.

[johngeorge]

I second the search part.. for example if you search for things like 'abs' nothing come up.

[redfogo]

Please don't change the style/ theme of the site. It is very clean and easy to follow. New theme does not mean its better.

[Mike N]

Dave.

This site is very good. Things I like: having a 'new posts' and 'mark forums read' button in the top bar. I use those every time I visit the forum, no pull down menus to do that. Full width views for threads are perfect. Is there an easy way to adds 'tags' to threads to make the search function work better?

[David Hodgkins]

Dave.

This site is very good. Things I like: having a 'new posts' and 'mark forums read' button in the top bar. I use those every time I visit the forum, no pull down menus to do that. Full width views for threads are perfect. Is there an easy way to adds 'tags' to threads to make the search function work better?

Mike, there should be a Tag box below this thread you can use. Is that what you are looking for?

[Pearldrummer7]

Not many people use the tag system, but it's very handy. I should be more diligent with what I tag...

[Mike N]

Mike, there should be a Tag box below this thread you can use. Is that what you are looking for?

Never saw that before. That's good thanks. It would be good for people to add tags to threads they think are valuable.

[The Stig]

David,

I think that the simple fact that you asked the forum members what they think might help, is awesome. Tags & Search seem to be the only areas that people see that could use a little help. Although I think the issue with tags, is that most people don't know that they're there or just don't think to use them. I'm guilty of that.

Personally, I think that what you've done with this forum makes the whole experience far nicer than what the other forum has become.

I also appreciate that the moderators do their best to keep things under control. It makes for a much more relaxed and fun environment.

I'm sure that whatever updates or changes that you decide to go with, will only enhance the value that you've already established here.

Thank you.

Mike

[Gumball]

David,

One of the things I've always liked about this site over the other is that the pictures here are larger.

As THE manufacturer-sponsored web forum, I think that advertising should be kept to a minimum... at least for registered members who are logged in.

Another thing I'd recommend is that this be used as the exclusive site for communications from FFR about on-goings and happenings in the FFR community. The other site is a treasure trove of historical information, due to the very nature that it pre-dates this site by a decade. Based on how things are going at the other site, I'm going to make this my go-to site going forward and use the other site only when needed for historical info.

[frankeeski]

Mike, there should be a Tag box below this thread you can use. Is that what you are looking for?

I just want to make sure I understand how this tag thing works. I start a thread about a "trunk mount battery box" let's say. After I submit the thread I go to the thread tag option and tag it as such and the next time I search for it the tag will make it easier to find?

[STiPWRD]

What is this "other" site people are referring to?

[The Stig]

PM sent.

[6t8dart]

I HATE the google search on the other site, their re-design was a total fail. I like this site, and spend most of my time, and my build thread on here.

[mtwarog]

I would like to see the "forum" that the post was posted in listed next to the post in the "Recent Threads" on the homepage.

Ex:
Going to put my MKIII up for sale. This is my "prep" thread
Forum: Roadster
Thread Starter: David Hodgkins
Last post Today, 04:56 PM by David Hodgkins

That way it will be easier to see which posts would be specific to our interest. Sometimes the title makes it hard to tell.

Thanks.
-Matt

[redfogo]

I think it would be nice if there was a parts section that has a for sale/WTB that was split up based on the car. I know there isn't much traffic, but it would be a little more easy for people to post in specific threads based on the car type.

Maybe put them inside each "sub/Factory Five Build Discussions" section rather then its own? That way when I click on the 818 section I can see if someone has posted a part for my specific vehicle. Then there can always be the overall for sale thread for all the non car specific parts.

[David Hodgkins]

I would like to see the "forum" that the post was posted in listed next to the post in the "Recent Threads" on the homepage.

Ex:
Going to put my MKIII up for sale. This is my "prep" thread
Forum: Roadster
Thread Starter: David Hodgkins
Last post Today, 04:56 PM by David Hodgkins

That way it will be easier to see which posts would be specific to our interest. Sometimes the title makes it hard to tell.

Thanks.
-Matt

I'm working on this as well as a mouse-over preview of the first post in the thread.

:)

[first time builder]

If it ain't broke dont fix it. its fine the way it is. The other site is now a mess.

Kenny

[David Hodgkins]

If it ain't broke dont fix it. its fine the way it is. The other site is now a mess.

Kenny

I hear you Kenny, LOUD AND CLEAR. Like I mentioned in my first post in this thread, I was getting flack from some in my family saying the site was "stagnant". They don't get the idea of a forum I guess. The content is ALWAYS changing!

I could see maybe changing JUST the banner though, to rotate in pics of the POM winners for example. We also have a mobile version of the site that I never enabled. At some point we may experiment with enabling that as a secondary option for mobile users. But the layout, sections, forums and navigation were finalized with input from the community and I don't hear anyone suggesting we change it!

:)

[David Hodgkins]

I got a request via PM to allow small images in the sig. I know this irritates some folks (myself included) but if the image is really small it might be OK?

Something like this:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50270&d=1454542171

waddya think?

:)

[myjones]

I got a request via PM to allow small images in the sig. I know this irritates some folks (myself included) but if the image is really small it might be OK?
Something like this:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50270&d=1454542171
waddya think?
:)
David
it's annoying with 2 (cars) side by side like above BUT
IF they don't have a car image as their Icon it wouldn't be as bad and it is helpful when someone posts in a different area, a MK4 guy in a 33 thread for instance so we know if we are
talking apples to oranges. Thanks again for all you do here and go check your E-mail when you can.
DB Hemi33

[Brett33]

dave the picture in the signature would be nice if it were restricted to progress of the build photos. If people want to express themselves thats what the avatar is for.??? just my opinion and i know that would be hard to moniter

[svanlare]

Generally happy with the site, especially keeping the tone very helpful.

I would like to have better mobile support. There are several blog readers available, but I haven't found this site to work with any of them. Could be I haven't looked in the right space.

The search pages don't render right on a mac, I can make them work, but it is challenging. If you are bored and working on the site, search is probably #1 for me.

I've never noticed the tags, I will have to check that out.

I haven't really figured out the wiki part of the site. I use Wikimedia and Confluence a lot and a number the sticky threads would probably be better as wiki pages.

[FritoBandito]

Wait.. so even that teeney image irritates? (my sig on the other site BTW)

And I guess I'm not sure what is meant by two cars side by side. You mean my sig next to his avatar which happens to be a pic of his car?

I always though of it as a quick way for folks to visually identify what I have and get a little info if they're interested. It's not like there's an index of our cars for folks to browse through and making your avatar your car doesn't really say anything else. Even with the image it's still smaller than a lot of text only sigs. Maybe I'm missing something. Oh well.

Mario

[TrickyPete]

Maybe somehow have a preview of what was posted on the "recent posts" section on the home screen. I find myself clicking on stuff and scrolling all the way to the end just to see someone say "thanks" or of that effect. Just a line or two under the link of the most recent post to that thread would be helpful.

[flynntuna]

Have a link to the Factory Five Racing website.

[Jeff Kleiner]

I got a request via PM to allow small images in the sig. I know this irritates some folks (myself included) but if the image is really small it might be OK?

Something like this:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50270&d=1454542171

waddya think?

:)

Likewise irritated by them.

Jeff

[Mike N]

Please no images in the signature line. Or at least provide an option so that you can turn them off.

[STiPWRD]

I got a request via PM to allow small images in the sig. I know this irritates some folks (myself included) but if the image is really small it might be OK?

Something like this:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=50270&d=1454542171

waddya think?

:)
I also agree with this. I didn't realize how annoying these pictures were until you posted this, they just make the page look very cluttered. I much prefer the current clean look.

[Real time recon]

Good to hear that Dave.The "other" site has a LOT of problems w/ the "Re-Design." A classic car deserves a classic web site :)

[Jeff Kleiner]

I always though of it as a quick way for folks to visually identify what I have and get a little info if they're interested. It's not like there's an index of our cars for folks to browse through and making your avatar your car doesn't really say anything else.

Mario,
While I'm not a fan of pics in signatures there are other options. You can keep the Bandito as your avitar but change your profile picture to a photo of the car. Further you could add your car details as text to your signature and even include something like "Click on my profile for photo". This would be a way for users who don't already know you to check out what you've got (man, that statement could be construed badly ;))

Jeff

[David Hodgkins]

As you guys have probably noticed, We have resurrected the monthly POM contest. One improvement I'm thinking of is to put ALL POM submissions in the same (stickied) thread, so you don't have to open a bunch of threads to see the submissions. If there was only one thread for all entries, when you opened that thread you could see all the entries, in one place.

Make sense?

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/forumdisplay.php?111-Picture-Of-the-Month-Entries

:)

[Olli]

Yes Dave, that makes sense.

Olli

[David Hodgkins]

OK Guys I've made some changes to the POM forum so that you can view ALL POM entries in a single thread:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?20022-Factory-Five-Forum-POM-Submissions

One thing I hated about running the contest before was opening up all the different POM threads to look at the entries. Now they are all in one stickied thread. I've also created a stickied announcement / discussion thread. Now folks can find out how to submit their entries inside the POM forum:

http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?20057-POM-Entry-Information-And-Discussion

:)

[mikeinatlanta]

My take:

Recent threads showing what forum. Please.
Image in sigs. No thanks.
Like button, No.



Getting picky, maybe a bit more color, but not much. Maybe a flashy banner up top, but not everywhere.

[cnutting]

One minor suggestion if I may....

When I first log in to the home page, I see a row of "quick links" near the top of the page to each of the FFR car forums;roadster, 818, etc. All except for the 289 FIA. Is this because that is bucketed as a sub-forum to the roadster, not enough interest, nobody noticed? I know that I can get to it in other ways, but it might be a nice tweak. I will be starting a 289 build in March and hope to be posting somewhat regularly on success, failures and beer.

Chris

[David Hodgkins]

One minor suggestion if I may....

When I first log in to the home page, I see a row of "quick links" near the top of the page to each of the FFR car forums;roadster, 818, etc. All except for the 289 FIA. Is this because that is bucketed as a sub-forum to the roadster, not enough interest, nobody noticed? I know that I can get to it in other ways, but it might be a nice tweak. I will be starting a 289 build in March and hope to be posting somewhat regularly on success, failures and beer.

Chris

Good point! I'll work on setting that up ASAP.

:)

[mikeinatlanta]

So what's up Dave? You sense an immanent increase in traffic?:rolleyes:

It would be interesting to see the numbers over the next couple of weeks.

[WIS89]

Dave-

I like the idea of keeping the POM's in a sticky or similar. It should become much more concise this way!

I like the idea of embedding the Google search feature. People can use it or ignore it!

I like the idea of changing the pictures periodically. POM is a good idea, or simply have an image that changes each time you log-in, as some sites do.

Not a fan of pics within the signature. It might soon become visually distracting.

I like the way our vendors banners are presented.

Could we provide an area just for news from FFR? A Dave only area, where any new from him can be located.

How hard would it be for FFR to host pictures? I ask because often, people's pictures get lost, or their hosting service goes away or changes, etc. It would be nice if that could be avoided. It would really help for some of the older, but still meaningful threads.

I really love this forum. Folks are generally very helpful and provide meaningful discussion. I enjoy it here!

I've probably said too much!! Please let me know if you need any clarification on my thoughts; I can ramble a bit...

Regards,

Steve

[awd-turbo]

Can we get just a forum section for vendors to post sales. Or am I missing it?

[David Hodgkins]

I like the idea of keeping the POM's in a sticky or similar. It should become much more concise this way!
The new POM forum is in the Factory Five Community section: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/forumdisplay.php?111-Picture-Of-the-Month-Entries
Here is the stickied thread, showing all of the submissions in one place:http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?20022-Factory-Five-Forum-POM-Submissions

Get your entries in people!

I like the idea of embedding the Google search feature. People can use it or ignore it!
I'm looking into a mod for this.
I like the idea of changing the pictures periodically. POM is a good idea, or simply have an image that changes each time you log-in, as some sites do.
As soon as we get a few POM winners, I'm going to implement a rotating masthead to "freshen" the site up just a bit. A pic of the current monthly POM winner will appear on various places on the site as soon as the first winner is announced.
Not a fan of pics within the signature. It might soon become visually distracting.
Sounds like a near consensus is forming. No images in sigs. SORRY MARIO!
I like the way our vendors banners are presented.
Ditto. No layout changes planned there.
Could we provide an area just for news from FFR? A Dave only area, where any new from him can be located.
The vast majority of the news items on the Front Page are generated by FFR.

---> A Dave Smith-centric forum has been pitched to FFR as part of a Member's Only (paid subscription) portion of the site. It's all in place, just waiting on the GO signal.

How hard would it be for FFR to host pictures? I ask because often, people's pictures get lost, or their hosting service goes away or changes, etc. It would be nice if that could be avoided. It would really help for some of the older, but still meaningful threads.
Not sure what you mean by this. We have user pic galleries already. My whole 15th Anniversary Build is in 2 pic albums on this site. Here's a link to how to use our Pic Gallery:
http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18962-How-to-use-the-Image-Gallery-to-embed-pictures-in-posts
I really love this forum. Folks are generally very helpful and provide meaningful discussion. I enjoy it here!
Ditto! No conglomerate here; we know who our audience is!
I've probably said too much!! Please let me know if you need any clarification on my thoughts; I can ramble a bit...
I can't resist... Ramble On!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0NFaQcTJsg

:)

[David Hodgkins]

Can we get just a forum section for vendors to post sales. Or am I missing it?

Good Idea! We don't have that, but I think it would bring great additional value to the vendor proposition. I'm thinking I'd do it only for the Gold and maybe Silver vendors though to enhance exclusivity and as an incentive for the Bronze guys to move up out of the ridiculously low priced Bronze category.

:)

[MPTech]

Dave, GREAT job so far! and thanks for ASKING first!
I also agree, keep the smaller pictures in the Avatars, not the Sigs. Drives me crazy that some sites have to scroll a page to read 2 posts. I think this site is well designed for its members.

I appreciate the audience focus of this site and as the history and wealth of knowledge continues to grow, I anticipate more involvement and growth for this site (also since the 818 drama has died down. I really like the cars, but there was too much TALK and not enough BUILDING). I like all of the FFR Cars and each has its own niche.

Now that you've peaked my interest on the POMs again, I'm going to have to dig through my folders and try to participate.

THANKS again! and don't change a thing (well, maybe a little improvement)

[FritoBandito]

Paid memberships here eh? This being the company owned forum I'd have thought I already paid.

Mario

[David Hodgkins]

Paid memberships here eh? This being the company owned forum I'd have thought I already paid.

Mario

The site doesn't run itself, and has ongoing costs to "keep the lights on". The Vendors pay a portion, but I think you'd agree this shouldn't be a drain on FFR.

...unless you think maybe we should start running ads for OKCupid and CarFax? And maybe a bunch of Google Ads?

I don't think so either.

:)

[David Hodgkins]

I got a PM from someone that wishes to remain anonymous. It may sound like a complaint but since it would involve a rule change, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the subject:

-------------------------------------------------------
I have a bit of a beef when our vendors buy things from the classified section. In a nutshell, I thought the classified section was a place where folks can basically help each other; both sides of the transaction benefit from the sale. I don't see anyone profiting from a typical sale in the classified section.

However, if a vendor buys a part, that part ends up in a product that the vendor sells back to one of us at a profit. I think that is an abuse of the marketplace. I have missed out on a few items due to a vendor being very quick on the keyboard. Now I understand that the seller wins regardless of who buys the item. However, it just doesn't seem right when one of our vendors is the buyer here.

You may disagree with me, and that's perfectly fine. In fact, please don't feel obligated to respond. I just wanted to share what I feel to be an inequity. I may be the only one that feels this way, so don't change anything unless you (or FFR) feel that it needs to be changed.
-------------------------------------------------------

Thoughts?

:)

[awd-turbo]

Good Idea! We don't have that, but I think it would bring great additional value to the vendor proposition. I'm thinking I'd do it only for the Gold and maybe Silver vendors though to enhance exclusivity and as an incentive for the Bronze guys to move up out of the ridiculously low priced Bronze category.

:)

very good idea... I know we have used them on a motorcycle forum I was on. Vendors would run deals every month or something like that, and that is where they would post them. Some deals would be "first 50 to buy a set of tires at 199.00 instead of 250.00" just stuff like that... completely vendor based...

I came here looking for engine packages and maybe deals on them, since I am a single dad trying to build on a short dime... But couldnt find a central location for that.

[flynntuna]

I got a PM from someone that wishes to remain anonymous. It may sound like a complaint but since it would involve a rule change, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the subject:

-------------------------------------------------------
I have a bit of a beef when our vendors buy things from the classified section. In a nutshell, I thought the classified section was a place where folks can basically help each other; both sides of the transaction benefit from the sale. I don't see anyone profiting from a typical sale in the classified section.

However, if a vendor buys a part, that part ends up in a product that the vendor sells back to one of us at a profit. I think that is an abuse of the marketplace. I have missed out on a few items due to a vendor being very quick on the keyboard. Now I understand that the seller wins regardless of who buys the item. However, it just doesn't seem right when one of our vendors is the buyer here.

You may disagree with me, and that's perfectly fine. In fact, please don't feel obligated to respond. I just wanted to share what I feel to be an inequity. I may be the only one that feels this way, so don't change anything unless you (or FFR) feel that it needs to be changed.
-------------------------------------------------------

Thoughts?

:)


I'm not sure if I'm understanding correctly. Is he saying that because a vendor buys a part first and turns around and uses that part to fill need for others in the community, I don't see that as a problem. I need more info or examples to understand were he's coming from.

[mikeinatlanta]

I got a PM from someone that wishes to remain anonymous. It may sound like a complaint but since it would involve a rule change, I'd like to hear your thoughts on the subject:

-------------------------------------------------------
I have a bit of a beef when our vendors buy things from the classified section. In a nutshell, I thought the classified section was a place where folks can basically help each other; both sides of the transaction benefit from the sale. I don't see anyone profiting from a typical sale in the classified section.

However, if a vendor buys a part, that part ends up in a product that the vendor sells back to one of us at a profit. I think that is an abuse of the marketplace. I have missed out on a few items due to a vendor being very quick on the keyboard. Now I understand that the seller wins regardless of who buys the item. However, it just doesn't seem right when one of our vendors is the buyer here.

You may disagree with me, and that's perfectly fine. In fact, please don't feel obligated to respond. I just wanted to share what I feel to be an inequity. I may be the only one that feels this way, so don't change anything unless you (or FFR) feel that it needs to be changed.
-------------------------------------------------------

Thoughts?

:)


That's a tough one. None of the vendors are getting rich, but it also doesn't seem quite right for anyone to stalk the classifieds for profit. On the "other" forum, I have refused to sell to the bootleg guys who are buying for profit. I'm all over stopping those guys, but have no idea what is the right thing to do for supporting vendors.

Side note: Once there was guy trying to profit by selling headlight protection kits on a forum that I was a paid vendor. I shut him down by giving away 50 sets for free, to anyone but him.:)

[Jazzman]

I really appreciate the special section specifically for build threads. I think that it provides a very positive method to enjoy the ongoing progress of our fellow builders. On those few occasions when legitimate build threads end up the general discussion area, or when threads that are not build threads are placed in the build thread area, I would encourage that these threads be administratively moved to their more appropriate location. It is my hope that this will make it easier for newer forum members to find the information that they seek.

I also believe that there are certain build threads that are so complete, so helpful, so well documented, that they set the standard for others to follow. These threads also provide the best single source for long form documentation of the complete build process for interested researchers, as well as inspiration to elevate the creativity of our hobby. Threads that I believe merit this honor and longer retention in the Roadster forum would include both of EdwardB's build threads, 2bKing's build thread, and David Hodgkins 15th anniversary "Trojan" build, but there certainly are others that merit great respect. May I suggest that these "exceptional" build threads be made "sticky" threads at the top of the already existing Build Threads area. One way to select these threads might be by including the top four or five build threads that have the highest number of posts, views or both. This method would be effectively "voted upon" but the membership. These exceptional threads could also be chosen by the moderators, Dave Smith, and selected technical experts from FFR.

I do hope that these very minor suggestions are viewed as just that: Minor! This forum is fantastic. It is well run, helpful, easy to use. It is one of the best run forums I am aware of. Thank you to all who contribute to its success.

[David Hodgkins]

One minor suggestion if I may....

When I first log in to the home page, I see a row of "quick links" near the top of the page to each of the FFR car forums;roadster, 818, etc. All except for the 289 FIA. Is this because that is bucketed as a sub-forum to the roadster, not enough interest, nobody noticed? I know that I can get to it in other ways, but it might be a nice tweak. I will be starting a 289 build in March and hope to be posting somewhat regularly on success, failures and beer.

Chris

Since Factory Five refers to it as the 289 USRRC I've made a small change to the forum section title and added all the background stuff to get it up and running from the nav link and it is now active. Thanks for catching that! Not a lot of action there but now that it has been promoted maybe it will pick up. If anyone wants a thread moved into the 289 section from the roadster section let me know.

:)