Cascade Crew

Dewey316

Alright guys, its been a while since I did any work on the site, and I think it is way past time to update the crew's little corner of the interwebz to look much more current.

So, for those who have been around a long time, there has been, and still is, a beta-version of the site, which is where I work on stuff for updating things.

The site's address is http://beta.cascadecrew.org

So, here is the deal, I haven't updated that since I wrote the video software, so that layout there will probably get changed yet again. Also, ignore any colors there, I make it UGLY on purpose, so that it is easy for me to know that I am on the test site.

Why am I posting this?

Because I want to know what features you want! What things do you wish our site had, what things do other sites that you use a lot have, that we are missing?

Post whatever idea's you want, I'll look at them all, and see if it is possible to do, and if it will fit in with our design.

I will be updating to phpbb3 when I do the new homepage. I have finally found a phpbb3 solution for the garage feature, so I will probably be messing around and testing that on the beta site in the next month. I will try my very very hardest to bet the database to import, but no promises. Worst case, we all have to input our cars again, but I will not go to the newer version phpbb without the garage feature.

That is where things are at. Since I do this on my spare time, updates may not be all that quick, but I would love to hear some ideas for homepage layouts and features to include.

Whatever happens, I want to make the forum feel more a part of the site, to remind everyone that there are other features here beyond the forum. I may also look into a new video section, and possibly a new image gallery system. I'm not sure yet, again, input is wanted on those two options. The deal with the video section though, is I'll make it as COOL as we want it, but ya'll have got to start taking videos!

--John

blue89 · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 8:52 am Post subject:

A black version would be sweet. Also remove the ability for replies to include pictures. I don't like it when someone responds to the post and you get double pictures. Also, have you thought about keeping a library of good articles? Either a link to the original host or copy. Would be awesome to have all of that in one space.

iansane · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 10:46 am Post subject:

Multiple skins would be cool. A black/charcoal version especially.

I know I've thought of tons of little things over the years but none of them have stuck in my head. Laughing

As far as making sure the forum is part of the rest of the site, what about integrating the other sections (garage, pictures, videos, etc) into a smoother header? Or a header that visually spans the width of the page?

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 11:39 am Post subject:

KatsCam · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 12:45 pm Post subject:

Articles would definitely be good. Like when we come across those things we use again and again when dealing with our own cars - specifications come to mind, as do things from the GM archive.

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 1:29 pm Post subject:

kutison · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 2:33 pm Post subject:

Perhaps the garage discussions are ordered by what car system they are about, as well as chronologically. (electrical, fuel, suspension,) etc.

BigDaddyVu · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:19 pm Post subject:

also put goals and achievements, NEEDS a TICKER for crewbie updates and upcoming events. themes that change for season and holidays, crewbie of the month, mini games, BBS app for android and iphones, these are just my ideas.

91RSVert · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:32 pm Post subject:

I'm not sure what features I would like. Only thing I may like is a better garage, but you said you have something your going to work on.

But what I dont like is a bunch of flash stuff, pop-ups, etc. I enjoy the plain, simple, fast loading of this site. Some may call it boring, but I call it easy on the eyes and simple to use.

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:37 pm Post subject:

Mini games probably aren't going to happen. There is already a featured vehicle section in the garage area, I might do something with it on the front page, depending on what type of layouts I end up with in the design process. I will keep that option in mind.

Is there a phone app other than tapatalk for forums? I think phpbb3 has native tapatalk support. I use the site on my iphone all the time, i have no display issues with the forums in Safari. I don't know that we need a dedicated mobile-version of the site, as that will effect ipad/droidtab guys displaying the site.

Ticker, Check, I agree, I'll work on something.

Theme's, I'll see. I really don't have the time to sit down and create a new theme for every holiday/season, and whatever themes I do set up for the forum will match the homepage style/look/color. I may also be limited in theme options based on forum modifications I am going to have to do. Sometimes the themes don't play nice as I start adding features that aren't stock phpbb features.

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 3:39 pm Post subject:

Al Hasse · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 5:29 pm Post subject:

Maybe add a space at the bottom or side bar in the forum index for upcoming events and other dates. I have my bookmark set to go directly to the index and can easily miss that info. As for other dates - maybe crew member birthdays (probably requires crew member input).

DBL_TKE · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:02 pm Post subject:

How about a user control panel with subscribed threads?

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:13 pm Post subject:

phpbb3 has subscriptions built in, so when I do that update, that feature will be included.

BigDaddyVu · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:34 pm Post subject:

rrs feeds ???

BigDaddyVu · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:40 pm Post subject:

if your good in coding you can create an a site that somewhat combines myspace facebook and cardomain with cc. and then you'll become rich and famous then i'll sue you for constructive ideas and then get a pay out on a movie called vehicle network.

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:42 pm Post subject:

RSS feeds may be an option. I would have to do some testing and see what sort of load it creates. What sort of thing would you be looking for, a full site RSS option, or a way to set up an RSS feed for specific forums? It is an option, but it might take some work, I am willing to give it a try if there is enough interest. As of now, I am pretty sure there is no right out of the box RSS feed option.

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:44 pm Post subject:

BigDaddyVu · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:49 pm Post subject:

what causes the slow down on tgo? ads? I am also seeing alot for bbs getting into advertising. do they pay the site much money? or is it based on clicking the link from individual ip address?

Dewey316 · Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2011 6:55 pm Post subject:

I can't tell you what causes the slowdown on TGO, i don't know anything about their system. It could be adds, it could be a bad database structure, it could be they just don't have the hardware or bandwidth needed, it could be the time for all the google ads to load, who knows. Ask the TGO guys, they know what their system is doing.

I did some more checking, phpbb does have an ATOM feed, so if you RSS reader can handle both RSS and ATOM, then there is not modification needed to kick that feed out. (I'll still need to test if there is a performance change with the feed enabled. Hopefully next week some time, I'll be updating the test sites phpbb install and database, and start work on that stuff)

--John