FerrariChat.com Survey: How do you like the new software 2 months later? | FerrariChat

FerrariChat.com Survey: How do you like the new software 2 months later?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by rob lay, Dec 29, 2003.

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How do you like the new software 2 months later?

  1. I like it better or I like where it's headed.

  2. I preferred the old software.

  3. I'm indifferent.

Multiple votes are allowed.
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Page 1 of 2
  1. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    I did a survey 2 weeks after the November 1st implementation and now I want to do a comparison 2 months later.

    Please be honest and I know everyone likes certain things and not others, but give me your overall opinion.

    The major reasons we switched the software in the first place were...

    1) Old software didn't have the capacity for our growth. The new software is 100% database driven and is scalable to 100,000+ users on multiple servers. Old software was busting at the seams with 3,000 users.

    2) Additional functionality. Allows each user to have more control of their own view. Like the date order of posts, the color combos from available templates, which users to ignore or not, which threads to subscribe to, and more indicator graphics to determine what you have read, what you haven't, and what you have posted to or not.

    3) Management of archives. There's not a separate section for archives. Now even old old threads can be brought back to the top just by posting to it and the links of threads will never change unlike the old board.

    4) Long term stability. On two levels... the first is this software is much more stable and has had zero lost data or down time in the first two months. The old board was 99% stable, but that 1% would loose posts and even users now and then. I'm still trying to recover some archives on the old board. The second level is vB is a large profitable company with multiple employees. It's recognized as the industry leader and should be around for a long time. The old software was created by one college kid who now has another full time job. The future was uncertain.

    5) New user familiarity and ease of use. I know all the old timers will disagree, but the fact is the new software is a more similar design to 90% of the message boards out there. For new users most will be familiar with this design vs. learning the design of old.

    I know there's more, but those are the major points from the top of my head.

    Thanks,
    rob
     
    rob lay, Dec 29, 2003
    #1
  2. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa

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    Overall -- A-OK

    My only very minor complaint is that the marking of messages as read/unread still seems a little bit wacky.
     
    Steve Magnusson, Dec 29, 2003
    #2
  3. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    Yes, this new software is only in Beta right now, so I think you'll see many improvements as they have fix releases. One of the most complex parts of the software and what they're working the hardest on is the id and handling of ip's and cookies. Depending on your personal settings you may or may not experience more or less problems.
     
    rob lay, Dec 29, 2003
    #3
  4. benedict

    benedict Formula Junior

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    I love the new software. This is a bit off topic but do you keep track of your website traffic compared to other sites? There is some service that does this but I can't remember the name. I would think the traffic here ranks extremely high. In fact it it weren't for porn sites F-Chat would probably be right up at the top! LOL
     
    benedict, Dec 29, 2003
    #4
  5. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    Someone posted something a few months back that ranked Ferrari as one of the top 1,000 or 10,000 sites in the world. I can't remember.

    For the hundreds of Ferrari sites, only one or two F1 sites get more traffic. We get more than Ferrari of Italy or FNA even. Compared to other online Ferrari communities there aren't any that get even 5-10% our traffic.
     
    rob lay, Dec 29, 2003
    #5
  6. Gman

    Gman Formula Junior Rossa Subscribed

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    Rob

    Love the latest software and I find it much easier to follow posts than on your original format.

    On a side note, I am not sure what I would do if I had not found your site but chances are that my productivity at work would be better! I stumbled onto your site about 18 months ago when looking for some information to feed my F car craving. I have to say craving because unfortunately for now I am a member of the "Someday I will have a Ferrari" car club :) The thing that I like about your site is that even though I do not own Ferrari now, the members that do are willing and open to sharing their experiences to the non-owners. Keep up the hard work and hopefully I will see you again at this year's F1 race in Indy.

    John
     
    Gman, Dec 29, 2003
    #6
  7. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    :) - Ownership isn't a requirement, enthusiasm is. No correlation between the two.

    Great meeting you at Indy, we'll do it again in June.
     
    rob lay, Dec 29, 2003
    #7
  8. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ BANNED

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    i like it better and where it's headed... i still have a ghost private message, but it's not a big deal (hey, YOU asked...!:))

    i like the fact that you can go to the olDESt thread and merely reply to it to bring it back as the newest... The coDES to make stuff bold or italicized or whatever are different but, in some cases, they're easier (in my opinion)... There's no DESchat, but i think i'll survive... If it ever comes back, it should probably be renamed to CarbonChat, but that's a thread for another time... :)

    Overall, i like the new software... i have no reason to use the ignore feature and i can't imagine i ever will... i haven't used the search feature here yet (i'll admit i'm scared), but i'm sure i'll have to break that hymen at some point... All in all, i'm happy with it... i know you were just DYING to see my reply 'cause it's just SO important and SO vital to the board, so here it is... :D (Hey, like i said, YOU asked...!:))
     
    134282, Dec 29, 2003
    #8
  9. funshipone

    funshipone Formula Junior

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    John Bicsak
    Very good ease of use and much faster like site.
     
    funshipone, Dec 29, 2003
    #9
  10. Varenne

    Varenne Formula Junior

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    Rob,

    I love the new software. Unfortunately (fortunately ???) I never saw the old, so it's probably not fair for me to comment, but I find it simple to use, intuitive, and with an excellent UI.

    I've been around these types of message boards a lot, and this particular company seems to be winning the war as far as message boards and that bodes well for the future.

    Thanks for your efforts, and all best wishes to you and everyone on F-Chat for the new year.

    Mark
     
    Varenne, Dec 29, 2003
    #10
  11. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ BANNED

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    Hey, Rob, i know you're not exactly made of money, but how about a free t-shirt for posters who reach 20,000 posts (or even 10,000:))...? Just a thought... :D
     
    134282, Dec 29, 2003
    #11
  12. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    Thank you Mark. You can see the old software and access the over 300,000 messages from the Link towards the bottom of the forum.
     
    rob lay, Dec 29, 2003
    #12
  13. 348paul

    348paul Formula 3

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    348paul, Dec 29, 2003
    #13
  14. matkat

    matkat Formula 3

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    I like it and the direction,understandably I found it hard to begin with but have gradually "part mastered it" I think the resistance to change attitude comes out but personally I think it"s great.
    Thanks Rob.
    Best regards
    Dave McGuire
     
    matkat, Dec 29, 2003
    #14
  15. Ferrari Boy

    Ferrari Boy Formula 3

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    I really like the new software. I was on the old software for a few months before it switched. The only thing I don't like all that much is that you can only post 1 picture per post. In the old software I liked the fact that you can post them all in one post. It is easier to upload photos thought. Look at the bright side, my post count goes up each time :) The thing I like best is the avatars. I love this new feature, you can even put animated gif's in! (Hint: see my avatar :)) But the new software is wonderful.
    David
     
    Ferrari Boy, Dec 29, 2003
    #15
  16. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    Allowing multiple images is one of the first things I need to fix, but it's also one of the most difficult.

    I guess no one reads my ban on animated gifs. I have no control. :)
     
    rob lay, Dec 29, 2003
    #16
  17. Cavallini

    Cavallini Formula 3

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    Much better than the old, in every way.

    Bravo.
     
    Cavallini, Dec 30, 2003
    #17
  18. Garretto

    Garretto F1 Veteran

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    Great that you're working on it! Also, what about URL image linking from other sites? It would be pretty useful IMO.

    Thumbs up for the new software, it's been no doubt a major improvement.
     
    Garretto, Dec 30, 2003
    #18
  19. AMA328

    AMA328 F1 Rookie

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    seems fine to me, and if it's more reliable/easier to maintain/customize, you made the
    right choice.

    Two minor items:

    * would be nice if there was a way to have the page indicators/selectors at the bottom
    of the page larger, so they're easier to hit with the mouse button.

    * update for my enrollment date from old board never got rolled over to my id on this board.


    Other than this itsy bitsy stuff, the new board works fine. Proof is probably in the
    increase in enrollment & posting counts.
     
    AMA328, Dec 30, 2003
    #19
  20. JOEV

    JOEV F1 Rookie

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    It's excellent Rob - the added functionality, ease of use and ability to customize both the appearance and the tracking of threads is awesome.

    Simply no comparison to the old one - this was/is the way to go. Thanks.

    Joe
     
    JOEV, Dec 30, 2003
    #20
  21. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    I don't do this because FerrariChat.com will be around 100's of years :) and we don't know how long the images will be available at those other sites. Many times not even weeks and we don't want those ugly Red X's everywhere. I look at FerrariChat.com as much of a historical archives as an active current community. It costs me more money to have all the pics stored on my server, but I know they'll always be around.

    ---

    About moving the old register date and post count form the old board...

    Did you submit the conversion form? I've done about 800 to date. There are about 10 in my inbox submitted in the last 2-3 weeks that I haven't done yet. If you don't submit the form, I don't do them. Here's the form...

    http://ferrarichat.com/conversion.htm
     
    rob lay, Dec 30, 2003
    #21
  22. branko

    branko F1 Rookie Owner

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    Branko Medenica
    I also like the new format but I was wondering if we could bring back some color text, as in the old board?
     
    branko, Dec 30, 2003
    #22
  23. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    What kind of color do you want?

    What kind of color do you want?

    What kind of color do you want?

    What kind of color do you want?
     
    rob lay, Dec 30, 2003
    #23
  24. tuttebenne

    tuttebenne F1 Rookie

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    Andy
    I know I'm in the minority judging from the survey tally, but I don't come to FC for anything more than being able to read and reply to messages regarding my favorite marque. The old software did this much better IMO. I'm sure there are lots of great features of the new software but I don't find the following to be improvements:
    - difficulty/inability posting multiple pictures
    - lost ability to see the name of the person placing the post/reply
    - fewer messages on a page
    - cluttered screen image
    - hot buttons on each post for features I don't use
    - too much space dedicated to the identity of a person placing a post (look at how much lost space there is on the left side of a long post)

    These are just a few areas the old software was great at and all the new features don't offer me any utility. Again, I'm probably in the minority but I wanted to let you know my reasons for supporting the old software.

    Andy
     
    tuttebenne, Dec 30, 2003
    #24
  25. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

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    You've only posted 30 times on the new software, I think you need to use it a little more to get more comfortable.

    Right after the switch the positive results were about 15% less. Human nature is to resist and fight change. Think how many would ***** if I switched back to the old. :D
     
    rob lay, Dec 30, 2003
    #25
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