PlanetNautique Site Redesign - Your Ideas Wanted

[prairiethunder]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: PlanetNautique Site Redesign - Your Idea

There is so much info on this site it's a huge resource!

However,

more accurate searches.... as a newbie I will often spend time trying to find info on a topic..... post a question and then find a whole thread relating to my topic.

maybe it's just me....

I don't want to make ScarletArrow Angry Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[AirTool]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: PlanetNautique Site Redesign - Your Idea

Searches are improved with the use of the * wildcard e.g.

I will say that I have searched for my own posts that I knew existed and finally found them through google or just reading down my post list. Then I would search again using a unique word in the post and it still didn't show. This has happened several times so I know the search feature isn't perfect...so that may explain some fruitless searches.

Note that more and more subgroups will just lead to more and more posts in the wrong group.

[ScarletArrow]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: PlanetNautique Site Redesign - Your

I don't want to make ScarletArrow Angry Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

LOL!

It just seems there are a never ending amount of questions of how to weight a boat, best tow vehicle, etc. I admit the search function can be limiting. If a thread rolls off the first page the odds of the question being repeated are much higher. There's already 3 threads on the 200. That's why I think more sub-forums would help.

[SNMike]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: PlanetNautique Site Redesign - Your

I don't want to make ScarletArrow Angry Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

There's already 3 threads on the 200. That's why I think more sub-forums would help.

200?!?!?! What about it?!?! Yellow_Flash_Colorz: Yellow_Flash_Colorz:

[etang789]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: PlanetNautique Site Redesign - Y

I think the new forum should have a better and easier Search function. What I find right now is I always get confused with the search box up on the top right corner but if I want to search the forum I actually need to use another search button down in the middle. And display of the search result isnt as friendly as other forums.

I think "Maintenance & Technical Questions" can be a 1 main section with 5 sub-forums, such as: Engine/Transmission , Stereo/Electronics , Hull/Interior , Trailer , Boat care - washing/detailing

And also since Im overseas, and I think there should be sub-forums for "Nautiques in your area" like Asia, Europe , North America , South America ... im guess these are the main areas that have nautiques

And May be add a DIY section? for like simple oil change tips, washing technique, simple fuse trouble shoot...etc

Im fine with the current layout but I think it can be improved, such as having the table frame on the left side really cuts into the forum viewing area. And I think this site has too much gray color tone. I prefer white background with easy to read fonts and some sharp colors for important buttons. And of course a big forum Logo at the top!

I guess I have too many ideas throwing out there, I should stop now...hehe and thanks for the hardwork in advance!

Its a great site as is and its the best thing happened for CC community ever. This upgrade will make it even better! And I cant wait!

[east tx skier]

One thing that I've noticed is if I log in and post and later hit the "new posts" button, it will only list posts/topics from the point in time of my last post. It would be nice if this function was calculated from my previous login or something along those lines. I usually remember to hit the new posts button first, but, as with this post, I know I'm going to lose the ability to see what's been posted since my last visit.

Thanks for this great site!

[pj]

You are moving away from PostNuke? What are you thinking about using in its place?

[etang789]

Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: PlanetNautique Site Redesign

I think the new forum should have a better and easier Search function. What I find right now is I always get confused with the search box up on the top right corner but if I want to search the forum I actually need to use another search button down in the middle. And display of the search result isnt as friendly as other forums.

I think "Maintenance & Technical Questions" can be a 1 main section with 5 sub-forums, such as: Engine/Transmission , Stereo/Electronics , Hull/Interior , Trailer , Boat care - washing/detailing

And also since Im overseas, and I think there should be sub-forums for "Nautiques in your area" like Asia, Europe , North America , South America ... im guess these are the main areas that have nautiques

And May be add a DIY section? for like simple oil change tips, washing technique, simple fuse trouble shoot...etc

Im fine with the current layout but I think it can be improved, such as having the table frame on the left side really cuts into the forum viewing area. And I think this site has too much gray color tone. I prefer white background with easy to read fonts and some sharp colors for important buttons. And of course a big forum Logo at the top!

I guess I have too many ideas throwing out there, I should stop now...hehe and thanks for the hardwork in advance!

Its a great site as is and its the best thing happened for CC community ever. This upgrade will make it even better! And I cant wait!

Here are some forums I really like:
http://www.clubroadster.net/vb_forum/index.php Really good layout and really good search function!
http://vorsicht.org.hk/forums/ the "New Post" button uptop is the best function ever!

[SquamInboards]

I like the idea of a DIY section, but I think it needs to have limited access, or else it turns into the same as the "maintenance and tech.." section. Maybe you have to request to start a new thread - don't allow new threads unless they relate to a common and new DIY project. Keep it to one thread for oil changes, one for tune-up, one on alignment, winterization, etc, just a few so the info is easier to find. That write up on CCF on alignment is great, but every time I want to refer to it I have to dig around, so I ended up bookmarking it. This would help with the issue of people asking the same questions... or at least when they do it's easier to point them to the answer.

[apexrig1]

I agree with the more accurate searches. I always have trouble finding things Im searching for. But other than that this site rocks!! If it ain't broke don't fix it!

[AirTool]

One thing that I've noticed is if I log in and post and later hit the "new posts" button, it will only list posts/topics from the point in time of my last post. It would be nice if this function was calculated from my previous login or something along those lines. I usually remember to hit the new posts button first, but, as with this post, I know I'm going to lose the ability to see what's been posted since my last visit.

Thanks for this great site!

OFF TOPIC

Tip 1: Open the new posts page and then open each post in a new window (shift Left click) DON'T CLOSE THE NEW POST WINDOW. Later, you can refresh the page with GO or F5 and the list will update without losing what was already there. New posts will be at the top and the list will get longer.

Tip 2: If you blow it and close the page. Click on SEARCH at the top of the forum section. Put a "*" in the terms box, select Previous 1 Day and you will get a similar lists of posts starting from the previous day. If you've been out longer, search Previous 1 Week.

Works for me.

[prairiethunder]

I've been thinking a little about the sub category idea... I get that it may just create even more threads on the same topic.... What about requiring more specific info as part of the post prior to being able to post a new thread.

I'm thinking of a few boxes to check off ie; model/ year of boat, type of water sport if applicable skiing, surfing, skating etc. info is being posted for. not creating a sub category, but a tag on the thread that the search function can verify. ( to help the monkey's go through the files in the back room quicker (I assume that's how computers perform searches)

right now you can name a thread anything you want sometimes it's funny but doesn't actually shed light on what is being discussed. with the boxes we could still be funny but informative!

[SkiTower]

right now you can name a thread anything you want sometimes it's funny but doesn't actually shed light on what is being discussed. with the boxes we could still be funny but informative!

and don't forget a lot of threads migrate from one topic to another...

[Mikeski]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: PlanetNautique Site Redesign - Your Idea

There are a few things about WW that I find more useful. The PM feature actually sends an email, not just a link to a posting, it also allows for a direct reply without burdening the website with any additional bandwidth. When a PM is sent you can reply with the original message in-line. For a guy like me who gets messages with several questions, this is great because I can answer them inline without forgetting what Q3 was after answering Q1 and Q2.

Picture posting should also be more straightforward. They always seem to show up in reverse order as intended, I seem to have difficulties knowing when I have selected a picture to post versus when I have already uploaded it. Posting multiple pics should also be more straightforward.

Less redundancy, I rarely use the left menus when top navigation is available, seems like wasted real estate? Less space on sig. pictures?

Search features should be more userfriendly/straightforward. The one on the first page should be a global site search where you can type a topic, username, keyword, etc. and get many results, results you can then narrow (nest a google search engine?)

Maybe some subtopics like:

behind the boat - then waterskiing or wakeboarding or wakesurfing and tubing of course
boat improvements - audio and lighting or canvas or trailers or ballast
a section for photography related discussion?
technical/mechanical - (should be dedicated to repairs, troubleshooting, etc.)

quotes that are easier to manage or better preview?
better control so partial messages are not lost, autosave?

common issues section for things like leaky ballast valves, changing speakers behind the netting.

best practices for common things like oil changes, impeller changes, etc. (quick writeups with step by steps and tool listings), servicing trailer brakes, changing bow stops out to plastic...

This sounds like a lot but it is not, overall I like the look and feel of this site, hope that does not get lost. On the other hand there are tons of things I have never used and I have something like 2k posts over the past 5 years...

to be fair to you, we should lose our status if we do not make a donation at least once per year. I am way behind...

[prairiethunder]

RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: PlanetNautique Site Redesign - Your Idea

late friday night... what about model specific sections (no not that kind of model although....); member's pic's, brochure info, options available etc.

donation a year or kicked out? not a bad idea.

I like the forum Jeff. thx