Suggestions to fixing and organizing the 928oc site

Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net;12423 wrote: Correct, it is easier to get a volunteer to handle a forum post, as they are familiar with the functions, rather than trying to find someone to who can update a web page properly.

Also, those topics are moderated, so posts to them should be allowed. There shouldn't be an posts to the Technical Library, except by a volunteer who is doing a specific write-up, etc.

I would not advocate having the topics of the $tools open to responses either, as eventually there would just be old conversations in there.

As Austin understands, we are using the forum software to allow more members to easily help maintain and improve the resources. I would expect at some point the website would be nothing but the forum.

I can see advantages to allowing the general membership to post to a specific $tool thread (but not add a thread to the sub-forum). "I want to borrow the tool", "Where is the tool right now", "Here's a good way to use the tool", "Who near me has used the tool in the past", "I shipped the tool out today", "Here's a photo of me using the tool". I guess those could be handled by PM or Technical Discussion, but why not collect them in a single thread. It might make the job of the tool manager volunteer a little easier by using the forum for these interactions. He would just need to monitor the $tool threads. Hopefully Ed will chime in soon.

As Stan indicated, I think moderated posts should be allowed to each tool thread. Just my thoughts.

By the way, thank you for your feedback and thoughts. While we all might not agree on certain proposed changes or details, I happily welcome constructive discussion such as this.

I agree with hb4. There needs to be a specific "Tool Loan Program" thread (if you prefer to call it that). It would be a big blue bullet point just like "Roadside..." or "Members 928's" or any of the other "threads" or if you prefer to call them "forums" so be it. I don't care what you call them, but when you go to the 928 Owners Club Forum that should be in the "members only" section and it should be SUPER easy to find and it should be free standing. Moderate them if you like...not a bad idea.

I am not sure why folks would say there are to many threads/forums here. There are what, 12?! Spare me, every other 928 forum out there has a zillion threads and a zillion posts in each thread.

Our site is easy to use but because we try and clump so much together to keep the "thread count" down no one knows where to post a new topic/thread.

Having a "928 Journal" (as I have called it but really it is just a place to deposit members full length articles) and a "Tool Loaner Program" bullet under the "Members Only" area should be a piece of cake and should make it easier for folks to navigate IMHO.

James,

I favor Stan's suggestions of possibly changing the title of the forum. Just looking at it realistically for a second, how many tools can we estimate will be in the tool loaner program? 20? 30? If we begin another forum just to list the tools by themselves we will have another non discussion forum that will include like 1 page, maybe 2 pages of content.

I can recall the same feedback Stan eluded to where members were suggesting we had too many forums. I can understand where they might be coming from. That is why I made the recent changes that I did and I felt it was justified by the amount of cross posting that was taking place. Also, I can understand the way the Tech Library was assembled. For someone who is looking to borrow a tool it is probably convenient that the service procedures are listed in the same forum. Seems logical to me.

I don't think the goal is keeping the number of forums to a minimum but, rather, to make sure that the forums are easy to navigate. I have no problem beginning a new forum if it clearly includes unique content from the other forums. Of course a 928 Journal forum passes this test, so I am not talking about that. As an example, we recently had 3 technical forums. The Tech Library, Tech Tips, and Tech Discussion forums. I can't tell you how many posts I have moved from the Tech Tips forum to the Tech Discussion forum. The Say Good Morning thread was a more obvious duplicate of the General Discussion forum. That is why we collapsed it. So it isn't all about consolidating the forums. It's about making them user friendly. If we have 30 forums that everyone easily understands how to use and their purpose, I don't think anyone would have a problem with that. I certainly wouldn't.

I am happy to post a thread, including a poll, where members may vote on whether to include the Tool Loaner Program in the Technical Library or not. Just let me know if you agree that this is a good idea. Understand that the above are just my thoughts. I honestly don't think there is a right or wrong answer here. We all share the goal of advancing the club and forums of course. I am for making any changes where there is a consensus feedback obtained from the members.

Kiln_Red;12413 wrote: Has anyone been in contact with Ed concerning the Tool Loaner Program recently? In my opinion, Ed should include a brief description about the tools with photos in the Tech Library. The fender rolling tool should be used as a model. I am happy to help Ed in any way of course.

I just received an e-mail from James as I was leaving Saturday for the Wilbraham event about this subject.
I have a basic idea as to how I would like to list the tool program and this morning replied to James. It will be a little rough getting it put together and implementing but will smooth out as it goes.
I will be using the rolling tool description that Gary made as a template for the tools that follow.

I just uploaded the Crimping tool description in the Technical section and it should be available as soon as admin has time time check it.
While at the Wilbraham Tech Session this weekend, I had the opportunity to ask people about their thoughts and concerns about this program and the OC website etc. It seems the same question arises is, "why cant it be like Rennlist?" It seems that most people think this website is "clumsy" and "complicated". The say good morning here thread seems unneccessary as you could say that in the general forum. Simple and small seems to be the norm instead of too many choices or places to converse. Events could be posted at the top of the forum with stickys and discussed in the general forum without having to go to a special section. Also the home page of the site and links to previous events from there are outdated and appear forgotten. I didn't realize there was a homepage until someone told me the page that opens up when you type in the web address to the OC.
Personally I don't think it's too bad but I do understand others feelings and if the majority feel it needs to be changed, then it should be. I also asked if any of them would like to help in implementing that change or get more involved in helping make any changes any where and the answers were things like, "if I had time" and "life always gets in the way". Just an observation I wanted to pass along.
As far as the tool program, I would like to have a separate thread or topic similar to the Roadside Assistance thread where I can post the basics of the program, how to borrow a tool and what tools we have along with their pictures and instructions. I don't like the idea of writing a separate post stating all of that info on each tool. I would also like to see people have the ability to post their experiences with the tools,program etc. as well as discussion about making the program better or what tools they would like to see added or even donate if they so choose.
So, What do you think?