Website status and concerns ------>

Hello all,

Forum Stats:

Since turning these new forums on 08/08/07, we've accumulated 688 registered members plus 57 pending members for a total of 745. That meens that right now we're averaging 124 new members a day.

We have 605 topics and 3,807 threads.

I like the header we have at the top of this forum better than what we had before, and I like the additional features on the sites main page. I've added the 'Top 15' posts, a list of who's currently in the forums and a list of the 10 newest members.

Avatars & Smilies:

This forum will not allow linked avatars. There is a hack for it, but Vbulletin doesn't support it because of security issues.

I've added a bunch of avatars and then made it possible for all users to upload their own.

The smilies can be set up in catagories. I've uploaded ones holding signs, but I need to find all the rest.

Regular & Premium Members

I'm going back and forth between other things fixing accounts. I have to keep upgrading Premium Members re-registering and fixing the accounts of those stuck in Users Awaiting Confirmation.

Attachments (concerns):

I have it set to enable eveyone to upload attachments. I'm concerned about what affect this may have on the server. I'm not sure if I want to leave it enabled. I like it for the aspects of uploading tech information to post in the Submit tech forum, but I'm concerned about everyone uploading pics in posts and leaving them on the server. I think it will put a load on the site with forum users downloading the attachments VS following outside links.

Classifieds:

Right now they're free. My biggest concern there were people that may have had pending transactions on the old forum being able to continue their transactions.

Our old policy only allowed Premium Members to post items for sale. You could purchase a 1-month subscription to sell an item. Some people have came only to sell something and then left without ever contributing to the forums. Some people have only ever come here to sell. Our 1-month subscription is now $1.00. After Paypals $0.30 fee and 3% transaction fee it leaves $0.67. I've thought about waiting a few months and then making it so only Premium Members or members over a certain post count can post items for sale. I'm undecided about this.

main Site Search:

There are a lot of pages at TRS. I'm still trying to configure a search feature to search the site.

Adding other features:

I'm still looking at Blog and Photo Gallery options.

Screen Options:

Somewhere down the road I will re-implement a black or blue forum layout option to choose from. This one will always be default.

Getting replies from me:

I'm really busy. When I get emails or PM's about a problem I generally fix it and move on instead of taking time to contact people back. I bounce around, so I may not fix your problem on the exact day you send it. If it's a problem with your profile, you can also contact ryan.

If I can't do anything I'll tell you, so don't assume because you haven't heard from me that I'm not taking care of it. I may be focussed on something else.

Thanks for the update. No complaints- ROCK ON!

The sites looking better and better everyday Jim, we appreciate all your and your teams hard work.

Jim Oaks said:

or members over a certain post count can post items for sale. I'm undecided about this.

Click to expand...

the only bad thing about this is everyone had to re-register, so now they don't have their post count....

everything looks good with the new site...

I've said it before, and I'll continue to stress this point. Post count means nothing, besides proving that someone has so little else to do that they constantly are posting some type of response to any kind of thread that they can find.

I think many people can spot a good tech contributor when they read through their post.

Remember, it's not quantity but quality that counts.

mjones97 said:

the only bad thing about this is everyone had to re-register, so now they don't have their post count....

everything looks good with the new site...

Click to expand...

JohnnyU said:

I've said it before, and I'll continue to stress this point. Post count means nothing, besides proving that someone has so little else to do that they constantly are posting some type of response to any kind of thread that they can find.

I think many people can spot a good tech contributor when they read through their post.

Remember, it's not quantity but quality that counts.

Click to expand...

If I decided to go that route I would wait a few months before doing so in order that people could get their post counts up.

I don't think someone is going to come in here and make 100 posts just to be able to sell something.

Jim Oaks said:

Attachments (concerns):

I have it set to enable eveyone to upload attachments. I'm concerned about what affect this may have on the server. I'm not sure if I want to leave it enabled. I like it for the aspects of uploading tech information to post in the Submit tech forum, but I'm concerned about everyone uploading pics in posts and leaving them on the server. I think it will put a load on the site with forum users downloading the attachments VS following outside links.
.

Click to expand...

You should be able to set attachment uploads for all users in just that forum only. I've seen this on other vB boards (Pirate IIRC allows it for people posting in the Vendors section, Explorerforum, in their BII and Ranger "Registry" forums)

Well, I think everything could be a lot better. I don't see why it can't be fixed in one day. Time was, a man took pride in keeping his website going, and he didn't even have computers to fall back on. He just used his wits and know-how. But if this is the best you can do, I guess it's fine.

I think one of my vertibrae got turned around backwards while I was dancing with Big Mona last night. Damn. She was dancing with me is more accurate. But I made it home with more money than I went out with. I don't want to know how that happened so I think I'll spent the next couple weeks on the windward side. Know what I mean?

Things are getting better everyday----Keep up the great work

Bentwrench said:

But I made it home with more money than I went out with.

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Ha ha, that's what it's all about brother.
I usually get it ($) with my drum kit but big Mona sounds nice...
Good job though, this site is coming along very well!

Bentwrench said:

Well, I think everything could be a lot better. I don't see why it can't be fixed in one day. Time was, a man took pride in keeping his website going, and he didn't even have computers to fall back on. He just used his wits and know-how. But if this is the best you can do, I guess it's fine.

Click to expand...

You've got some serious issues bud. No one is twisting your arm to stay here if you are so displeased with Jim and his timeless efforts. Considering all that has happened, I'm very surprised by the progress of the forums.

i love the new home and haven't had any issues yet

i vote that you only allow premium members to post for sale ads, regardless of post count. i know this site isnt about making money, but if someone wants to purchase a premium account just to put up a for sale ad then why not?

another thing ive missed a little is having eveyones vehicle info under their names...i used that a LOT since many people forget to put it in their posts.

I agree, and I've already said this, but I think everyone is doing a great job. It's inspiring to see so much work go into something that has become a sort of an online home for me. Thanks Jim and the team for doing what you can. Everything will be taken care of and will work itself out in time...

Post count means nothings, IMO. It shouldn't be something one prides themselves in...I can't diagnose a pinging 2.3L, but I've done smaller work. Help with what you can, and don't be concerned about how much better you are than the bloke in the post above you.

Glad TRS is back...

Wicked_Sludge said:

i vote that you only allow premium members to post for sale ads, regardless of post count. i know this site isnt about making money, but if someone wants to purchase a premium account just to put up a for sale ad then why not?

another thing ive missed a little is having eveyones vehicle info under their names...i used that a LOT since many people forget to put it in their posts.

Click to expand...

I added the vehicle description features. It's in your profile. Click on my name and look at my profile. You'll see a Vehicle Description.