If this thread is going to be a wishlist of site improvements then here's my quick list
...
1)
0-5 Spanner Icons under forum names to indicate level of contributions of that member.
2)
Can we have a method of selection of Member Titles that could individually be choosen from within your profile? This could be a choice of ...
Your version of mini owned or wanted [K, Delux, Coop, Clubman etc]
and/or
Your mini dirivatve [Van, Roundie, Van, Clubie, Van, Moke, Van, Ute, Van, Van, Van or Van]
and/or
Your preferred type of mini activity [Show 'N Shine, Crusin', Racin', Resto Original, resto Modified, resto Hybrid, etc]
and/or
other suggestions?
3)
One function I would really like, is the ability to quickly call a search of topics that have been active by a set recent time frame.
eg list topics acitve in the last 4 hours or 2 days or 12 hours.
This function would be really useful in finding topics that fall of the "since last here" list but were active only few days ago.
4)
A photo album upload function - limit it by number and pic size to preserve space if needed, but I think this one is needed soon.
5)
A decent FAQ facility that you as Admin are able to add to. Not just grouped topics but a true searchable database reference.
Develop this into a good searchable knowledge base and have areas for tech how to's, history, reference material, resto or mech techniques, tips and tricks, modification resources, parts supplies, member pictures posted, ...... the list could be endlessly expanded. Perhaps if general info in a topic is voted of value, then it gets added to the knowledge base.
6)
Voting system on value of individual member contributions - integrate this with point 5 above. I have seen this one as a voting button displayed within each box containing a member's post in all topics. Basically, You find the post of value, click the button and the system keeps tally of the Most Valuable Member]. Priviages, prizes, awards or just recognision is then extended to the MVM for week, the month or annually
7)
Let's recognise member value and not just spam count. link the spanner icons to a combination of value votes as well and total posting numbers?
There are probably hundreds of more susggestions that would improve the member experience. So if you think of something that would make this forum better then speak up.
Most of these functions would be available from the online BB support community as add-ons to the basic forum code. It would just require some work to integrate them into the ausmini incarnation of the our forum.
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The one suggestion I STRONGLY advise against is the one about activating groups [assuming it will be to the exclusion of some]. I have seen this introduced on other forums and has lead to the decline of membership even the death of one forum that I was active in. Excluding members from viewing areas of the forum based on group memebreship [or should I say lack of membership in the "right" group] easily leads to secret squirrel stuff going on or percieved to be going on, and that is bad for the health of the forum community, building only mistrust and paranoia about what people are up to behind closed sections of the forum.
Introducing new facilities that are only available to higher member levels is fine as long as the activity or function is plainly visable to all to see. Everyone sees the kool new function and strives to gain the requied rank [by adding value to the forum community] to qualify to use the extra privilage [eg access the photo album function suggested above] Always make the required rank sufficiently achievable so memebers don't just give up. The object of the exercise is to get the guests to sign up as members and the lurking members to come out and start becoming involved in the discussions, so that we have a wider information/experience base and a more vibrant community.
All the best with your efforts Poeee.
My couple of dozen 2c worth
Cheers Dat
