Ways Wayne Can Improve This BBS

[Porsche_monkey]

These are minor annoyances I know, but...

1. Show the total number of pages in a thread on the link to the thread. Sometimes you don't want to start reading a thread on a 915 synchro issue that is 33 pages long.

2. When you get an email that a reply has been made to a subscribed thread why not include the response? Why do you have to get back onto the internet to see someone has replied '+1' ?

I'm sure you'll have more suggestions...

[Zeke]

picky, picky.

[cool_chick]

LOL

My only suggestion is to take off the rating system in OT. It's so predictible and pointless......one "side" will vote "1", the other "side" will vote "5," warm-fuzzy threads get "5" yada yada, and I'm guessing it throws off the results for tech searches.

[dhoward]

There's a rating system?

[MichiganMat]

My suggestion:

Remove the "Unsubscribe All" link in the email notifications. I can't tell you how many times I've mistakenly clicked it and, man, its a drag.

[the]

A very minor suggestion:

I use the search feature a lot. I think when you go hit the "search" button, and the search page opens up, the default under "Search Options" should not be "Search all open forums." It should instead automatically default to the forum you were on when you hit the search button.

That makes more sense. "Search all open forums" is basically useless, I think very few times would anyone want to do that - there are too many diverse forums (BMW motorcycle forums, parts, etc.), it's hard to imagine many people ever really wanting to search ALL of them.

Also, on the search page "Basic search: seperate search words by spaces." has always driven me crazy.

Spell SEPARATE correctly! A typo like that on a big time web page is minor league stuff.

Minor stuff, I know, but would make the search page a bit better.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Some message boards allow the first couple of lines of the first post in a thread to pop up as a "mouse-over" when scrolling through the list of thread headers. This is a nice tool to screen out deliberately misleading post headers and assess whether or not you actually want to open the thread.

That and perhaps enabling slightly larger avitars (for humor value, of course). I've got some good 'uns.

[Paul K]

I think when new users register, the location field should be required. Seems like people register, leave the 'Location' part blank, then go firing off questions- 'Looking for an SC', 'Need help' etc. but nobody has any idea where they are. It would really help the rest of us if we knew their location.

[WolfeMacleod]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
Some message boards allow the first couple of lines of the first post in a thread to pop up as a "mouse-over" when scrolling through the list of thread headers. This is a nice tool to screen out deliberately misleading post headers and assess whether or not you actually want to open the thread.

Personally, I LOVE this feature. Very usefull when a forum starts slowing down.

Of course, we have one guy on a particular guitar forum who only posts "NO" and then several blank line...just to force you to open the thread.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally posted by milt
picky, picky.

I did say 'minor annoyances'....

[TerryH]

I was thinking that on weekends exclude the rest of the world and the US east of the rockies so the BB doesn't lock up.

[Porsche_monkey]

West of the Rockies would work too.

[livi]

Originally posted by TerryH
I was thinking that on weekends exclude the rest of the world and the US east of the rockies so the BB doesn't lock up.

Good idea. Why not limit the Scandinavians to Tuesday between 10-12 in the morning GMT. That way we wouldn´t bother you too much as you are still asleep.

[randywebb]

I say ghettoize all the what's the best oil & what's the best tire threads onto their own forum, or to OT.

Also, when the 'you're a member now' Email goes out, it can include info on how to use the search box, some tips on searching, and the ever-familiar admonition to use it.

Finally, frequently wanted "newbie" threads could have their URLs included - like what 911 to buy; common & neglected maintenance, etc.

[Stanley]

One feature that I like on other boards is the ability to only see the posts by only one person in a thread. This is nice on long build up threads where the posts not by the op add no content.

[Por_sha911]

Originally posted by randywebb
when the 'you're a member now' Email goes out, it can include info on how to use the search box, some tips on searching, and the ever-familiar admonition to use it.

+1
Also, be more exclusive as to who can be a member.
"I would never belong to a country club that would have me as a member" (Groucho)

[notfarnow]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
Some message boards allow the first couple of lines of the first post in a thread to pop up as a "mouse-over" when scrolling through the list of thread headers. This is a nice tool to screen out deliberately misleading post headers and assess whether or not you actually want to open the thread.

+2

Also, it would be great if you could get the search engine to look for 2 digit numbers, or two digits with punctuation. Sure would make it a lot easier to look up info based on engines size, 2.4, 2.7, 3.2 etc etc.

A separate forum for rust repair, bodywork and paint would be GREAT too, and would de-clutter the 911 tech forum.

[stomachmonkey]

I personally think this is the best set up forum around.

Clean, no clutter and devoid of "shiny object syndrome".

Sometimes "Just because you can" does not mean you should.

[jriera]

RSS feeds!!!

Wayne, is about time to upgrade to 3.6!!!

I know, probably you have 'some' custom code that will not migrate ...

[Don Plumley]

A very helpful feature of the newer versions of vBulletin is the "Search this Forum" link. The hover preview is pretty handy as well.