Any Suggestions for www.vincentownersclub.co.uk?

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Graham Smith

Guest
This whole site has obviousliy changed significantly since going on-line (hopefully for the better!).

If you have any suggestions - please feel free to post them here, and if possible I will try to incorporate them.

Graham
 

Rodders

Well Known and Active Forum User
Non-VOC Member
I'm mostly happy with the site, the only problem for an old buffer like me, is the white type on the gold background of some of the headings, I have to peer at the screen to see what's going on...
Apart from that small point, the site's a vast improvement on the old one, lots going on, all the info we need, what's wanted now though, is for people to actually use the thing, but please folks, no smart alec replies, that's why I stopped logging on to Jtan.
 
G

Graham Smith

Guest
Yes - good point. I hadn't thought about that.

Has anyone else got any thoughts on the heading type colour?
 

Phil Mahood

VOC Hon. Computer Officer
VOC Member
Simplify Home Pages

Graham,
First of all, I love the site. The recent improvements are great. It simply works better. The overall look of the site is great. The fonts and colours are very pleasing to my eye in general. The mix of gold, slate grey, and red is well balanced. I sure understand though if someone is having problems with white on gold. Secondly, you've chosen a terrific forum engine. This is one of the slickest I've seen.

Improvements? At the risk of having the site look like so many others, I'd suggest simplifying both the very first home page (pre-logon), and the one that comes up after logon. People should see everything that is available on the site in one page. I often miss features because of having to scroll around.

Specifically, rather than showing frames with all 10 recent threads in both section and general categories, how about a single link to each of the forums? Then, single links to Floggers, public forums, news, archives, etc. In other words, a menu! That menu should be in the same place every time, and be accessible with a "home" link from any page, as it is now. I know it is one more click to get to a forum, but we have to do that anyway to see what else is there other than the top 10.

Scattered around, you could have hot new items, pic-o-the-day, features, etc. and keep the overall look and feel the same. I like the way you keep it lively with new things. That keeps me coming back. But always there'd be that solid anchor menu for we routine-oriented browsers to flee back to.

Again, wonderful job. This is going to be really special once more people are signed up.
 
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Debbie Kemp

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Rally Advertisements

Firstly, I think the new forum is fantastic - it is fun, modern and easy to negotiate. I can only begin to imagine just how much work it must take to keep it up and running, Graham is working wonders.

My only concern is the adverts for section rallies on the main page, which can be accessed by non-VOC members. This is only a suggestion, not a criticism, but given that the Club tries to be as security conscious as possible with PO Box addresses (if required) and so forth, maybe the rally adverts ought to be moved to the "members only" section, rather than advertise the address of where there are likely to be a lot of Vincents parked overnight.

Does anyone else agree or am I just over-paranoid?
 
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Graham Smith

Guest
Thanks for the encouragement Debbie. You're right to be security conscious about elements of the forum being accessible by non-members. I totally agree.

But fear not! The front/home page of the forum is different depending on what forum membership status you have! You, as a VOC Member, have FULL access, so quite obviously assume that everyone can see everything that you can see. But this isn't so.

As a full Member of the VOC - you see everything (including the rally adverts on the front page, Flogger's Corner etc). If you weren't a VOC Member, you wouldn't be able to see this section at all! If you hadn't registered to use the forum - you wouldn't be able to see anything (apart from the registration instructions).

Non-VOC Members only see the following on the home page:
Photos of the Day
Front Cover of MPH
Featured Video
Request for photos
Latest News (Public Access)
Recent Threads from the main forums (they'll only have access to the public forums)
On-line users and stats etc.

In addition, Full VOC Members also get
Countdown Clocks
Latest News (Member Access)
Recent Threads from the Sections
Club Diary
Mini Calendar
Upcoming Events (30 days)

All of these additional modules are completely invisible to non-VOC Members.

This is why it's important for VOC Members to go through the additional registration process in order to gain access to everything - otherwise they'll only have limited access.

Incase you'd like to checkout what the browsing experience of a non VOC Member is like, I've set up a 'test' account. Click "log out" at the top right of the menu bar, then log back in using the following details:
Username: nonvocmember
password: 12345abcde

I'll delete this account in a few days incase anyone else would like a go! Make sure you don't post any 'dodgy' messages with it though! Take it from me - I will know who posted them!

Regards

Graham
 
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Vic Youel

Well Known and Active Forum User
Non-VOC Member
Members

I am still getting used to the site and it is certainly very versatile and very impressive. Some minor points:

1. I think it is difficult for the regular JTAN type of user (or those who just send e-mails) and surf web sites to adapt to the many options available. So we need to encourage them at club nights etc.

2. I must start building a data base to cross reference the pseudonyms to people's proper names. I find it frustrating not immediately knowing who the member is.

3. The stats show that the site has 245 members but there are only 221 listed members. Why is this? Are there 24 disguised lurkers?

Keep up the good work webmaster Graham.

Vic
 

Debbie Kemp

Well Known and Active Forum User
VOC Member
Thanks for the explanation Graham - what more can I say other than "God, you're clever!" :) With different versions to maintain and update, that makes your job even more arduous but very much appreciated. Thank you!
 
G

Graham Smith

Guest
1. I think it is difficult for the regular JTAN type of user (or those who just send e-mails) and surf web sites to adapt to the many options available. So we need to encourage them at club nights etc.

You're right - there is a lot to learn, but it's pretty straight forward once you get to grips with it. If there are 'knowledgeable' Members of a Section, then it'd obviously be good if they can 'train' the other Members how to use it. See page 5 of MPH 701 - it may be possible to do something before the GCM etc. The most important thing is to get people to use it. Don't worry about making a mistake or worry about you're going to mess something up - it really doesn't matter. Anything that needs sorting out CAN BE sorted out. Just encourage people to use it.

2. I must start building a data base to cross reference the pseudonyms to people's proper names. I find it frustrating not immediately knowing who the member is.

In an ideal world, I would have liked people to register using their 'real' names, but this would have involved too much work altering the code. Hopefully you'll be able to work out who everyone is in time. Don't forget there's nothing to stop you e-mailing them or sending them a private message to find out who they are (if they haven't disabled this option).

3. The stats show that the site has 245 members but there are only 221 listed members. Why is this? Are there 24 disguised lurkers?
Well spotted! The 24 'missing' members are people who have registered, but haven't yet replied to the confirmation e-mail. Interestingly, most of these people have AOL e-mail addresses. AOL is a nightmare - don't use it!

I hope this answers your questions.

Graham
 
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