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smitty
Member
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2011 03:20am
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I was wondering if any thought has been given to upgrading the forum to a standard PHPBB, or or Vbulletin style, to allow for avatars, and private messaging etc.. Wanted to get your views on that..
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2011 06:46am
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i would like that, and be glad to "donate$$" to the cause......
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2011 10:39am
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SMF 2
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Malamute
Member
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2011 12:10pm
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I'm new, but like the forum. I'd like a newer style format as well, with PM's and such. I'd kick in support money also.
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CabinBuilder
Admin
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2011 12:27pm
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Thanks for the suggestions.
What specific features you think this forum should have?
* Private Massages (PM)?
* Avatars?
What else?
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Malamute
Member
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2011 01:14pm - Edited by: Malamute
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Don't know if add-on features are possible here with the current format, or would you have to adopt a whole new setup? I think most forum packages probably have a set of features. We likely don't need anything superfancy, but some basic additions like those mentioned would be a nice upgrade, and add to the experience here. You do have some interesting sidebar info that would be cool to keep if you ended up adopting a different program.
The feature that allows the first couple lines of a post to come up when you put your cursor on the title is helpful.
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smitty
Member
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2011 06:55pm
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Quoting: CabinBuilder Thanks for the suggestions. What specific features you think this forum should have? * Private Massages (PM)? * Avatars? What else?
Thanks so much for responding Cabinbuilder,
PM's, Avatars, Add youtube vid button, picture button, emoticons, whos online, quick and advance reply, multiple quote, just standard forum stuff..
I was just asking, because I belong to a bunch of forums, and it is so nice to use these features if they were available. I like this forum. I'd be willing to be a supporting member as well.
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Borrego
Member
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# Posted: 18 Aug 2011 10:24pm
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I would support with $$ also if necessary, this is a great forum. Let's take it to the next level!
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cabingal3
Member
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2011 01:22am
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i really like this new set up here.its great.thank u.
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bugs
Member
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2011 09:13am
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Ummm my 2 cdn cents worth.
Private messaging would be nice.
Avatars are essentially cosmetic.
Graemlins can be fun as is "Who's online".
For the rest re Utube, video etc I likely would not/could not use as our internet speed is too slow. Heck some of you folks posting images directly rather than using the forum's thumbnails will allow me to go for a cup of coffee and come back and the images will still be loading!!!!
Maybe it is time to upgrade our internet speed..... Then maybe not.
bugs
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 1 Sep 2011 05:37pm
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Quoting: bugs Ummm my 2 cdn cents worth.Private messaging would be nice. Avatars are essentially cosmetic. Graemlins can be fun as is "Who's online". For the rest re Utube, video etc I likely would not/could not use as our internet speed is too slow. Heck some of you folks posting images directly rather than using the forum's thumbnails will allow me to go for a cup of coffee and come back and the images will still be loading!!!!Maybe it is time to upgrade our internet speed..... Then maybe not.
If this were a super high tech forum I would simply have sent a 'thumbs-up' or perhaps a smiley.
Look at all the time it has taken me to type this out.
You know, I'd rather type it all out than do a smiley.
My vote: keep it as-is. I like it this way.
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Erins#1Mom
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# Posted: 2 Sep 2011 07:44pm
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I still have a dumb phone so forget all the above mentioned. I still haven't how to use th "quoting" box. I still can't post photos.
Avatars? Graemlin?
However, I would be willing to learn!
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Scott_T
Member
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# Posted: 5 Sep 2011 04:50pm
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I am quite satisfied with the forum's ease of use and format as it is now. Thanks CabinBuilder for creating a accessible, useful meeting place to share ideas and photos with others.
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steveqvs
Member
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# Posted: 6 Sep 2011 03:08pm
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Yes its different than some other sites but I like the simplicity of our site! Sometimes email a member might be handy or spell check... but really I like it as it is.
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bugs
Member
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2011 10:49am
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One thing I do find a bit irritating is that a person can post messages anonymously without being a member.
Also I think I will retract the vote for private messages..... I might get yelled at too much.
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Bevis
Member
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# Posted: 14 Sep 2011 03:02pm
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ability to go to newest post on a topic that you have viewded.
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2011 05:59pm
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@cabinbuilder... I have no idea what software you are running. I have used SMF as an administrator since 2007, been through an upgrade to it from another package and have been through an upgrade from SMF1.x.x to SMF 2.0.x. If you have any thoughts or questions about making a change you have my email. SMF has converters to use from many different forum software packages available HERE
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TomChum
Member
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# Posted: 28 Dec 2011 11:39pm
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PMs would be nice. Often I have a question for a member, but don't post because it's off-topic, or esoteric.
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Rifraf
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2011 12:05am - Edited by: Rifraf
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I actually quite like this forum setup as is.
Im of the opinion that sometimes PMs kill topics, in that each person or small groups of people simply continue talks amongst themselves instead of sharing the topic with the community.
However,
Many free boards have a PM system, I think forum wizard is one of them.
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2011 12:31am
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Myself, I don't use PM's very much. As Rifraf states, they can become a second channel for discussion, one that the other board members do not benefit from. But they are also handy with private communications, like lunch dates and so on.
SMF is free; I never pointed that out. It has a large development community behind it and a forum for problem solving issues with the folks who wrote the code.
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nicalisa
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2011 12:50am - Edited by: nicalisa
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ANON users kind of bug me as they (only some so as not to generalize) have been unkind to folks on this forum who have been very nice to me....I think that you should have to register to get some skin in the game so to speak if you wish to speak out.
Anon users can read as we would want to be inclusive, but if not a member, you can not post:)
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buckybuck
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2011 07:34am
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Timely topic for me. This is a somewhat unique forum in that its purpose is to discuss a tangible possession (cabin and land) that in most cases is located a considerable distance from the poster's physical location, and sits empty and isolated most of the time. Nobody here wants to post the post office address or driving directions to their place. On the other hand, I liked it recently when I stumbled across the fact that there were a couple of other forum members who have cabin property located near my own.
I don't have a solution, but I do wish there were a way to kinda know in a general sense where everyone's located, as well as a way to contact one another. I have contact information in my member profile, which time will tell is a good idea or not, but I agree there is the problem of this opening up "second channels" and the group losing the benefit of discussions between like-minded folks.
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CabinBuilder
Admin
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2011 12:59pm - Edited by: CabinBuilder
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Thank you all for your suggestions. Interestingly, each one has its pros and cons to consider.
Replies/comments to some:
* Private SMS
I agree with members who sees this as a "second channel", potentially abruptly suspending conversations, etc. As an alternative, if member wishes to be contacted by others, he/she can make his/her email available in their profile.
* Anonymous postings
There is no real benefit of disallowing anonymous postings - if someone really wants to make a rouge post they can register under any name and post their message. On another hand, I often see good posts from casual "lurkers" not wishing to be prominent/registered.
* Custom/uploadable avatars
I have seen cases of avatar abuse on other forums (especially animated ones). How do you decide which one is an expression of personality and which is an arrogant and disrespectful insult?
Alternatively, a set of canned/premade/clipart avatars? Are they worth it?
* MntDon - Thanks for the software info.
One of the main issues with moving to another forum software is search engine positioning - other forum s/w will likely to have a different page URL naming schema, thus moving to it would completely negate existing search rankings (which takes years to rebuild, if ever).
* Cabin locations map
This one I am currently working on - will have it soon.
Main thread: Where is your cabin?
Anyway, these are my thoughts.
I just don't see strong reasons to change things much.
For now, lets keep things as they are - clean and simple.
Cheers.
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2011 01:36pm
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I go by two adages: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" and "keep it simple"
I like the way the forum is set up as it is. I agree some of the anonymous posts are a bit annoying, but our cabin locals are quick to put them in their place if they get out-of-line. *S*
I think one thing we can all agree on is that you're doing a mighty fine job CabinBuilder. Thank you so much for all of your hard work and for giving us this place to share ideas.
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2011 01:44pm
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great forum!!!! would like to have PM's though.....really like to ask a question to a member in private if needed.
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MtnDon
Member
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# Posted: 29 Dec 2011 04:57pm
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Quoting: CabinBuilder * MntDon - Thanks for the software info. One of the main issues with moving to another forum software is search engine positioning - other forum s/w will likely to have a different page URL naming schema, thus moving to it would completely negate existing search rankings (which takes years to rebuild, if ever).
a few things:
1) If you installed the new software in the same 'forum' directory the search engines would still find the forum. If you put the database through the SMF converter so all the same content was available the search engines would figure things out.
2) However, that would lose any direct links from other websites to yours that may be out there someplace.
3) You can make use of "301 redirects". That would enable the search engines to very easily find the exact places for the new pages. 301 denotes a permanent relocation of pages,
3) This is done with files on the server using a 'mod_rewrite_ feature. The host should be able to help with that when/if you decide to make any big changes. Same for if you ever have need to relocate any of the other pages file structure.
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CabinBuilder
Admin
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2011 11:44am
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MntDon,
I understand all aspects you're mentioning, and few other things which would have to be taken care of (I work in IT).
Still... too much changes, work and risks - for little incremental benefit. Maybe sometimes in the future...
Meanwhile, I will look into adding some (smaller) things, perhaps Smileys and Private Messaging.
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