Hello
Wondering whether following features can be incorporated into this site:
1. Some more sections. Only Discussion and Tech Matters are just too broad to discuss everything. Most other motoring forums have at least other sections like Buy/Selling, Off topic discussion etc. (though I'm not saying that we need too many sections like there in Pistonheads). I have seen some categories while creating a new thread, but probably would be better if we have separate sections.
2. Is there any way to add pictures in-line in the forum? Currently I think we can just put the URL link but the picture is not displayed within thread - need to view it as a separate webpage.
3. Formatting options - can we write in bold, italics & underline?
4. Displaying member's post count in the thread (I know we can see it by clicking the member's name)
Other back roomers can suggest some more features.
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1. No way. Boards with multiple sections develop sub-communities with people who never post on some sections.
2. No way. Clutter. This forum is the best, most uncluttered forum I have ever seen.
3. yes
4. No way. Clutter.
5-30. Clutter.
A vote for the status quo
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A vote for the status quo
Like he said
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How to write in bold?
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With respect to the OP, this is by far the best forum I use. Is it easy to read, with no clutter, everyone tends to use the Discussion area so we all know who we all are and trolls are easy to identify.
I would like the formatting tools but otherwise leave well alone!
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I vote for the status quo. Bold, underline and italic can be done. Pictures clutter up other forums, especially when people insist on quoting entire messages in their reply, and other "features" such as pictures in signatures, avatars and emoticons I personally find annoying. The "number of posts" indicator also tends to result in people posting content free replies to increase their displayed numer of posts. Keep it simple I say.
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B
I did read the following on another forum regarding the "number of posts" count. The "suggestion" was that letters be shown after your name when you hit a certain number of posts;
They correspond with how many posts you've entered in the forums (see footnote). When you reach a certain amount you qualify for the next grade. Numbers and are as follows:
Up to 250 posts - status Member allowed to use MRIPN after their moniker
251 - 750 posts - status Fellow allowed to use FRIPN after their moniker
751 - 1500 posts - status Insane allowed to use IRIPN after their moniker
1501 - 2500 posts - status Completely Insane allowed to use CRIPN after their moniker
2501 - 4000 posts - status Nutter allowed to use NRIPN after their moniker
4001 posts and your status is A Complete Load Short of the Full Brick which allows you to use ACLSFBRIPN (or BSRIPN for short - this could also allude to pink fluffy dice)
the RIPN stands for - the Rambling Insane Pathetic Nutters
which seems to hit the nail on the head. Oh - Status Quo please.
JH
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 08/08/2008 at 20:55
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Prefix the text you want in bold with _ _ and suffix it with _ _ , but without all those underscores I've added to stop the forum software getting confused.
For italics replace the 'b's above with a 'i' s
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Thanks .
Let's maintain the status quo!
Edited by movilogo on 08/08/2008 at 12:13
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A model site, a huge fund of knowledge and how polite everyone is! (You should see some of the boorish postings on financial sites!) I would however like just one more section, devoted to Audio Visual and Hi-Fi. The former, in particular, seems to be one of the hottest techno-consumer interests around just now.
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I go with the flow and want no changes. This forum has the best signal:noise ratio of the lot, at least in terms of being blissfully free of excessive formatting, pics, redundant quotes, avatars (what's that all about?) and puerile point scoring. The signal:noise ratio within the raw words is another matter, of course.
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cool
Didn't know that was possible.
I also vote for no changes. I've been a member of many internet forums, and I love the focus and tight moderation policy of this one.
Visordown.com is a perfect example of how not (sorry, this is fun) to do it!
Cheers
DP
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Visordown...
Don't know about you, but I've given up going on there - well, the general bit, anyway. Survival Skills still seems OK, but that was run as a separate thing anyway IIRC.
More cliques than a school full of teenage girls, so many trolls that there aren't enough bridges in the world for them all to hide under, and enough keyboard warriors to form an entire regiment.
Oh, and threads running to about 20 pages (of wich half of one would ahve any relevant or readable content) because of all the trashy avatars and sig lines full of surgically-enhanced mammary glands being jiggled about.
You could almost smell the heady aromas of Lynx bodyspray and Clearasil...
Here's good as it is, ta. Been here 5 years and haven't got bored yet!
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>> Visordown... Don't know about you but I've given up going on there - well the general bit anyway. Survival Skills still seems OK but that was run as a separate thing anyway IIRC.
Same here, although, there are some cracking people on there.
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My only suggestion is to enable a precis of the OP post, by hovering the pointer over the heading. Don't know the jargon for this common feature. Can see at a glance whether to read, or maybe not:)
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Agree with the above about status quo - only one suggestion: post recommendations.
It allows you to quickly focus on the better(*) posts & see a concensus view without somehow having to post, "Yes, I agree with X".
After all, there's already a 'report this post' feature - why not have the (moral) complement?
(*) : May be more technically useful, better written, more indicative of consensus, encapsulate a POV succinctly & amusingly etc.
Edited by woodbines on 08/08/2008 at 12:53
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A vote for the status quo
Definitely.
Francis Rossi was interviewed by Chris Tarrant for his Saturday show which goes out between 10:00 and 13:00 across the GMG Radio network. The interview will be on at approx 11:30 this Saturday 09/08/08.
(Soz for the flippancy but I just couldn't resist it.)
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What makes it good is what it is.
so many 'forums' are near identical php-generated things, indistinguishable from each other and full of irrelevancies and in-house banter which makes it difficult to find what you want.
three cheers for the backroom, the mods and the lack of graphics. You give people graphics and the next thing you know, every one-line post will be accompanied by an 'avatar' that takes up more than the depth of a screen and you can't follow a single thread
;-)
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Maybe we should have emoticon Friday. Nothing lifts the human spirit quite so much as the sight of a little bouncing smiley face sticking out his tongue.
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emoticon
Eurgh.
Emoticons, avatars, sigs, animations, *huge* and coloured fonts, etc.
All abominations.
No, thank you *very* much.
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Another vote for the changing everything status quo, I really like how the Backroom works and three cheers for the mods, HJ and all you lovely people for making it the place that it is.
:-) <--- it is emoticon Friday, afterall.
Lee
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I think the replies so far speak for themselves.
Thanks guys. DD.
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Another vote for the changing everything status quo,
strikeout BIG bold underlined italics
{You forgot small and then there's the HTML codes that only us mods can use }
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 08/08/2008 at 14:47
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Minor suggestion- would it be possible to see a list of your recently posted messages from your profile area?
I know you can see such a list if you click on your user name in one of your posts, but if you can't remember where you last posted...
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I have never wanted to contribute to or even visit any other website. I must say that other motoring websites whose links sometimes appear here are very very downmarket (so to speak) by comparison.
This one is readable, easily navigated and often interesting or amusing. Indeed it is a bit addictive if you are a vehicle wonk, with the result that I am making even heavier weather of the ghastly text I am working on... I tell myself that I just nip in and out of here between paragraphs, and it's true in a way, but those gaps between paragraphs can overrun a bit sometimes. HJ's website is to be congratulated on reducing my output to near-zero.
When I die of starvation, I intend to ensure that my heirs will contact their learned friends with a view to seeking compensation. The curse of Lud from beyond the grave.
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I like the site as it is. There is only one site even more polite and restrained than this and that is the Cloud Appreciation Society
Edited by Armitage Shanks {p} on 08/08/2008 at 15:22
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The members of this forum seem to be just about the most intelligent, erudite, practical, restrained, sensible, helpful, mature etc. etc. etc. self-selected group of people I have ever come across in my travels on the internet.
The layout of the site may have something to do with it, because it certainly isn't just the interest in motoring - a quick peek at any other motor interest forum will show you how low you can get. The link (via HJ) to the Daily Telegraph is presumably a factor in its nature too.
To the point: I don't want distractions like smileys, avatars, numbers of posts, 5 gold stars for most posts this week, a silver star for good idea of the month and so on.
Please leave it nice and simple like it is. Less pop-ups would be a help. My blocker works overtime on here.
Edited by Dulwich Estate on 08/08/2008 at 16:08
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{You forgot small and then there's the HTML codes that only us mods can use}
You left out the dynamic m a r q u e e
Edited by jbif on 08/08/2008 at 15:54
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-The members of this forum seem to be just about the most intelligent, erudite, practical, restrained, sensible, helpful, mature etc. etc. etc. self-selected group of people -
This is the only forum that I regularly visit and I too cast my vote for no change.
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No change for me too. Keep Status Quo.
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Edited by L'escargot on 08/08/2008 at 16:52
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Leave well alone. Though I'm sure some pics would help explain technical issues, pictures painting a thousand words and all that.
Edited by gmac on 08/08/2008 at 17:35
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and then there's the HTML codes that only us mods can use }
I want to be able to change the font colour. Get ready for me throwing my toys out of my pram!
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It is much easier to read than most forums out there as it is so uncluttered with smileys, photos and animated avatars.
Another vote for the status quo from me. Now where did I put that air guitar smiley.....
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Yet another vote for keeping plain text.
Smileys avatars, emoticons and the rest are garbage and I for one would be out of here if they arrived.
I also think they attract a certain type of poster, but then I'm a snob.
Another good point on here is plain English, no txt msg spk m8.
I agree with the poster who suggested a tv/audio/electronic gadget thread and I would do it by widening the remit of the Sat Nav thread and giving it a new name.
I'm tempted by the idea of a general discussion thread, perhaps we could rename the silly thread, so as not to increase the number of non-motoring threads.
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Another good point on here is plain English, no txt msg spk m8.
LOL & ROTFL
Unless you go over to the exception made for the special multi-volume thread given over to the Mitsubishi CZC cabrio guys & gals.
;-)
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I once had an ambition to start a thread that exceeded 100 replies and made it into a volume two.
But since Falkirk Bairn has chalked up 640-odd replies in the cabrio thread, there doesn't seem much point.
What's ROTFL, by the way?
Edited by ifithelps on 08/08/2008 at 19:53
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What's ROTFL, by the way?
choose one from the list at:
www.acronymfinder.com/Rolling-On-The-Floor-Laughing-(chat)-(ROTFL).html
Edited by jbif on 08/08/2008 at 20:05
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And DMY!
8th August 2008 ? !! ;-)
Edited by jbif on 08/08/2008 at 20:31
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Soon got sick of editing out the LOLs that seem to be endemic and epidemic in that particular thread - zero tolerance elsewhere though.
Sat Nav thread is totally motoring related and (IMHO should remain so). Will mull over a gadget related thread with the others though.
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There are no moans about moderators in a thread called 'suggestions for moderators'.
This tells me two things:
The mods are doing a pretty good job.
Backroomers are not the classic 'only post to whinge' internet users.
A pat on the back to both.
Now back to motoring, purleese.
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Another vote for no change.
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>>Suggestions for moderators (site related) Please do continue to humour us lot and please do stay.
>>
Yet another vote from me for no change.
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There's always that option of course.
Edited by Pugugly on 08/08/2008 at 22:18
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henry k sums up my thoughts perfectly.
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This site is a gem. I don't do "flash". Let us keep it that way.
Perhaps a bit of a cruel comment but as at the time of writing the poster who wanted to know how to put a woofer in his boot has no replies, and maybe this is a reflection of the people who use the site?
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>>the poster who wanted to know how to put a woofer in his boot
Yes, being animal lovers, we're all against transporting dogs in that way.
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NC
Before PU added "woofer" it just said "sub in boots" and I did think better of a suggestion involving [FIA-approved] handcuffs with collar and lead.....
Edited by Screwloose on 09/08/2008 at 00:27
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>>the poster who wanted to know how to put a woofer in his boot
>>Yes, being animal lovers we're all against..
What's wrong with dogs in boots?
We have Puss in Boots every damn Christmas but do we get a chance to see Mutt in Boots? No!
I think all the dogs on the Iditarod look quite cute wearing their little boots.
Kevin...
Edited by Kevin on 09/08/2008 at 00:41
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Keep the site the way it is. It requires no changes. It is one of the few forum sites where I return to on a daily basis.
Edited by bhoy wonder on 09/08/2008 at 00:02
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in total agreement - this site's an oasis of sanity, useful info, entertainment and humour in a too often mad mad world
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Just straightening the antimacassars before the morning rush.
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"Perhaps a bit of a cruel comment but as at the time of writing the poster who wanted to know how to put a woofer in his boot has no replies, and maybe this is a reflection of the people who use the site?"
There are a few of us that are always ready to try to help with any DIY question though, without any percieved value judgements as to the purpose.
Gordonbennet has now done a superb job in responding to that very post.
I think the Forum is fine just as it is, but at the same time needs to avoid becoming a little `walled garden`of both subject matter and mindset.
(written with Respect!)
Edited by oilrag on 09/08/2008 at 09:24
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Another vote for leaving well alone. I recently tried to participate in a brand / model specific site as I have newly aquired a pertinent car. I really couldn't understand a lot of it. I much prefer the straightforwardness of this site and the use of plain english.
Wouldn't want to stand in the way of progress but sometimes simple solutions are the best.
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And not to forget, Humph, all the imaginary friends we've made here !
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Im for leave well alone too. I believe in "keep it simple", I need that! Dont fix what aint broke, (saves effort). Routine servicing accepted.
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