How would you make FerrariChat.com better? | Page 45 | FerrariChat
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How would you make FerrariChat.com better?

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by rob lay, Apr 5, 2008.

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  1. DrStranglove

    DrStranglove FChat Assassin
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    #1101 DrStranglove, Sep 25, 2011
    So does EVERY Mac. :D
     
  2. 134282

    134282 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    #1102 134282, Oct 3, 2011
    We have all of these subforums for various Ferrari models - but not a single forum for the dealers who sell those models. Some threads about dealers end up in regional sections; some threads about dealers end up in model-specific sections.

    I know that some forum sponsors can opt in for having their own dedicated subforum. But why not a subforum solely dedicated to dealers. Not one subforum for each existing dealer - that would be nuts! But one subforum for all dealers. This way, all dealer threads - good, bad or indifferent - can be archived in a single place. So if someone wants to rave about their 360 Spider buying experience, or rant about their would-be Dino purchase, or simply ask about others' experience before they pull the trigger, it can all be in one neat, easily searchable place.
     
  3. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #1103 rob lay, Oct 3, 2011
    I understand the suggestion, but I don't think its best.

    I have found most dealer discussion is in that region because of their location or in a model specific if about a particular car. Even with a dealer forum those majority posts aren't going to change. Not all dealers are sponsors, currently sponsors have option of their own dealer forum. I think this is one of the cases where a dealer name search works best and something our pathetic search engine actually works well at. I'm all ears though.
     
  4. Duane_Estill

    Duane_Estill F1 Rookie

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    #1104 Duane_Estill, Oct 3, 2011
    Have organized technical procedures, by car, or by engine, and have step by step with pictures and instructions. There are so many very technical threads but seem to live an independent life. For instance, a step by step picture procedure on belt changes on a 308.

    Obviously the voluteer would have to meet certain criteria, he'd have to have pictures and an organized narrative.

    I hope this suggestion doesn't create a bunch of additional work Mr. Lay.

    This is my favorite forum of any kind.

    I started the "Deep Thoughts - Ferrari" for esoteric type writing about the cars, it doesn't really seem to be going anywhere.

    Thanks for all you do.
     
  5. TheMayor

    TheMayor Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #1105 TheMayor, Oct 3, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2011
    Maybe you can do this now and I really haven't figured it out but-- I would LOVE to be able to search ONLY inside a specific thread topic subject.

    For example, if I want to know about some gearbox issue on the F430, I'd like JUST to search the 360/F430 threads.

    But, if you type in gearbox and F430 in the search box, you'll get all sorts of things all over the place that have nothing to do with what I'm searching for. Or, if I want to know what kind of oil to use on a 308, if I type in 308 oil I'll get all sorts of threads that have nothing to do with the answer I'm looking for.

    So, I think this is why people don't use search very much and just ask the same questions over and over (especially newbies).
     
  6. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #1106 rob lay, Oct 3, 2011
    we have made attempts over the years. here is something I have learned, a user will spend 2 hours a day making the most indepth picture full post if off the cuff and informal, ask them to write a formal how to and it seems too much like work I guess. even the best intended never follow through. for some human nature dynamic FerrariChat is more efficient and active through less formality and organization. :confused:

    when I did my 328 clutch 3 years ago I took pictures and documented the entire thing, have I posted it yet? no. I have spent more time this week talking about Obama putting his feet on the desk than it would have taken to post that. :(
     
  7. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #1107 rob lay, Oct 3, 2011
    you can do this, either from the main Search window choose Advanced, then select 360/430 or just go to the Search this Forum on right dropdown from 360/430. Advanced search is pretty powerful, but like you most don't use it although the link is right there for all searches.
     
  8. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #1108 wax, Oct 3, 2011
    Is it possible to make Advanced Search the Default?

    To keep menu tidy, just leave it titled Search.
     
  9. DrStranglove

    DrStranglove FChat Assassin
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    #1109 DrStranglove, Oct 3, 2011
    That would be a good idea. I NEVER use "normal" search since it sucks worse than advanced search.
     
  10. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #1110 rob lay, Oct 3, 2011
    I think the simple search single text box is still useful, but I guess many haven't found the advanced.
     
  11. Moopz

    Moopz F1 Veteran
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    #1111 Moopz, Oct 3, 2011
    I use the advanced search exclusively as well. I wonder what percentage of users are similar.
     
  12. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
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    #1112 NeuroBeaker, Oct 4, 2011
    Same here Anzir. I never found what I was looking for with the "standard" search and always go to the advanced option when I want to search.

    All the best,
    Andrew.
     
  13. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    #1113 Jedi, Oct 4, 2011
    Per the discussion near the end of this thread (sorry, it's in Silver - not all will be able to see):

    http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=339857

    Would it be possible to add an option in the privacy settings (UserCP) to
    make it so that only SUBSCRIBED members (i.e., Silver & Rossa) can view
    a users full profile? Right now you can only select "contacts", "friends",
    "everyone", and "registered users". A registered user is just someone who
    set up a username.

    Seems there is a lot of support for this....

    Jedi
     
  14. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #1114 rob lay, Oct 4, 2011
    my question would be shutting off non-subscribers from seeing profile info would cause more problems? not only will they not view our core users, location maybe close to them, owners, interests, basically everything that makes a user interesting and unique. There also won't be any reason for them to fill out own profile.

    I see the reason for this, but think the 1 step forward may cost us more steps back with more generic non-subscribers, which are still a significant group of our membership.

    just getting the discussion going, not discounting it yet.
     
  15. DrStranglove

    DrStranglove FChat Assassin
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    #1115 DrStranglove, Oct 4, 2011

    I agree.
     
  16. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    #1116 Jedi, Oct 4, 2011
    I've said it before... I'll likely say it again....

    Use "simple search" and put in the following words: any car trailer


    :)

    Jedi
     
  17. canadianferrarista

    canadianferrarista Formula 3

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    #1117 canadianferrarista, Oct 4, 2011
    I tried this and my computer almost stopped working.........I'll never do a "simple search" on:any car trailer

    :)
     
  18. Jedi

    Jedi Moderator
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    #1118 Jedi, Oct 4, 2011
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2011
    Yup. We should all keep this in mind when scolding newbies for "not using search".
    Who knows how many word combinations cause it to choke like that.

    Very weird.... I'll go try it on "advanced" right now and see if there is a difference.

    back in a minute.... [back ... nope - no difference.]

    Jedi
     
  19. Hawkeye

    Hawkeye F1 Veteran
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    #1119 Hawkeye, Oct 5, 2011
    Understand about the location, interests, etc... But how about an option that could restrict the "my garage" feature to Rossa and Silver only?
     
  20. italiafan

    italiafan F1 World Champ
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    #1120 italiafan, Oct 5, 2011
    Rob, I have a question.
    If you made all of FChat "subscribed" at a nominal fee do you think it would it hurt business or make the site better and more of a tight community?

    I like the idea of everyone having to pony up a little cash, and thus are "identifiable" as real people in case of trouble. What scares me off right now is he vast number of people with no connection.
    Thanks, love the place.
    Rob
     
  21. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #1121 rob lay, Oct 5, 2011
    maybe, information in garage really isn't stuff not already in your profile and can be found in the open forums. to be honest, my garage for most people isn't for themselves, they already know what's in their garage, they are wanting to share it with others, there are more others than just subscribed. I will take more comments on this though.
     
  22. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #1122 rob lay, Oct 5, 2011
    Almost every corporate system I ever worked on I could break. Smart ass IT Executive would say its bullet proof and I would prove otherwise. Yes our search system is limited, it is no Google, yes you can break it with "any car trailer". We have done some reconfigs where the search error was coming back too frequent, but we have fixed that where there are only a few cases now. With our type of search system do we want to allow people that don't know how to narrow down search using all our server resources for a bad search or do we want to allow the other 1,000 users logged on browsing the forums a more responsive experience.

    FYI, the dreadful day we upgrade FChat to vB 4.x there are several great search solutions to implement.

    For people that want to get a look and feel for vB 4.x you can check out my hunting community www.freerangehunter.com.
     
  23. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #1123 rob lay, Oct 5, 2011
    I think it would hurt the community. I think slowly adding more things to subscribed would be OK.
     
  24. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

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    #1124 FerrariDublin, Oct 5, 2011
    Ohhhhhhh ........ do we have to go there? Club Scuderia moved to something along those lines recently and I'm not at all sure I like it!
     
  25. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    #1125 rob lay, Oct 6, 2011
    I have resisted for a couple years now and will try a couple more. I think most like the straight forward simple design we have now. vB 4.x does some cool things and it would improve search, but there would be an uproar if we upgraded right now.
     
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