Full Version: Ideas To Enhance The Forums...
Anyone have ideas to enhance the forums? Let me know!
Hmm.. I'll have to think of this one and get back to you Captain.
I think having a private section would be great. There are always "guests" lurking. And there are things some of us may not want public.
I agree with you and that is in the works... the forum software we use permits this functionality.
Should the private section be designated to verified MC store owners? Should it be designated to individuals that have exceeded "X" number of posts even if they do not own a store?
Let me know your thoughts.
Should the private section be designated to verified MC store owners? Should it be designated to individuals that have exceeded "X" number of posts even if they do not own a store?
Let me know your thoughts.
I'd say have a area devote solely to verified MC store owners.
I wanted to reword my thoughts here, I am thinking more in the line of "Why buy the cow...."
Right,
Not only for our privacy, but why should the public be privy to advice I feel is included in the service.
Right,
Not only for our privacy, but why should the public be privy to advice I feel is included in the service.
Very good points... the private forum area will include only verified store owners.
| QUOTE (Captain @ Dec 19 2003, 08:39 AM) |
| Very good points... the private forum area will include only verified store owners. |
Hello all
I don't have a MC store yet,
But could i join the fun? any exceptions
Well if i help a Friend setup a
store (i don't believe i will have my own store i just looking for other) will i be included in the private forum?Thanks
CGJ
The moderating team | Today's active topics | Today's top 10 posters | Overall top 10 posters
I would like to see this stuff on top as well as the bottom of the Forum page (I always have to scroll all the way down to see "Today's active topics"
I would like to see this stuff on top as well as the bottom of the Forum page (I always have to scroll all the way down to see "Today's active topics"
711-
Those links are at the bottom because they aren't critical in the overall navigation of the forums.
The next version of this board's software will introduce collapsible categories, which will allow you to "ignore" whichever categories you don't wish to participate in, thus bringing the bottom closer to the top. You can see what I mean by going here:
http://forums.invisionpower.com/
I will, however, discuss this further and see where these links might fit into the design at the top should we decide to move them there.
Those links are at the bottom because they aren't critical in the overall navigation of the forums.
The next version of this board's software will introduce collapsible categories, which will allow you to "ignore" whichever categories you don't wish to participate in, thus bringing the bottom closer to the top. You can see what I mean by going here:
http://forums.invisionpower.com/
I will, however, discuss this further and see where these links might fit into the design at the top should we decide to move them there.
| QUOTE |
| The next version of this board's software will introduce collapsible categories, which will allow you to "ignore" whichever categories you don't wish to participate in, thus bringing the bottom closer to the top. You can see what I mean by going here: |
Cant wait for this feature!
Any other new things they are doing with the invision board updates?
Also when we do a search can recent topics show up first instead of having to go to the last pages, take awhile when there are a lot of topics for the keyword you are searching.
| QUOTE |
| Also when we do a search can recent topics show up first instead of having to go to the last pages, take awhile when there are a lot of topics for the keyword you are searching. |
This can be done now....
1. Click on the search link.
2. Underneath the forum list, select the radio button that says "most recent first"
MY bad my bad
I did not see that little run down there.
I did not see that little run down there.
krazykickz, Ultrashock, 711sports.com, saxongifts, Captain
What about an exception can i join?
I hope my Friend will chose so i can help him setup, will i then be eligible to join?
Thanks
CGJ
What about an exception can i join?
I hope my Friend will chose
so i can help him setup, will i then be eligible to join?Thanks
CGJ
cgj-
The 'verified MC store owner' forums have not been setup or even completed yet. Trust me, you're not missing out on anything. We'll make a global announcement when it's ready.
The 'verified MC store owner' forums have not been setup or even completed yet. Trust me, you're not missing out on anything. We'll make a global announcement when it's ready.
This doesn't have anything to do with the forum because I don't really see anything wrong that needs improving but ...
in the Product Editor on the Variants page, there should be an "Update All" feature just like the one on the Advanced Variants.
Matter of fact, I think that every page that may have lots of options to change should have the "Update All" feature. It would save LOTS of time. For a shoe size that I have to add or remove, I have to "hide" every single size one by one and hit update and wait for the page to reload, then do the next size. Gets kind of irritable.
That's about it! Overall, great, great, g-r-r-r-reat!
in the Product Editor on the Variants page, there should be an "Update All" feature just like the one on the Advanced Variants.
Matter of fact, I think that every page that may have lots of options to change should have the "Update All" feature. It would save LOTS of time. For a shoe size that I have to add or remove, I have to "hide" every single size one by one and hit update and wait for the page to reload, then do the next size. Gets kind of irritable.
That's about it! Overall, great, great, g-r-r-r-reat!
One thing that would be nice is if links show up in standard link format. Underlined, bolded and colored. A lot of times it's not clear what text is actually a URL.
TIA
TIA
Do you mean in standard posts? I agree with you... I'll see what I can do.
Hi Capt.,
Right, if I put a link to this thread it looks like plain text: Replying To Ideas To Enhance The Forums... it's not immediately recognizable as a link until I position the cursor over it. I usually will put text stating here's the link whenever I include one.
Thanks for the quick response.
Right, if I put a link to this thread it looks like plain text: Replying To Ideas To Enhance The Forums... it's not immediately recognizable as a link until I position the cursor over it. I usually will put text stating here's the link whenever I include one.
Thanks for the quick response.
I searched a couple of times, and I didn't see one here (unless I missed it ).
What I'd LOVE to see here in the Forums Section, is a nice simple GLOSSARY of terms that are commonly used here by many people ie: SERP, PR, CR, ISP, ROBOT, SEO... and the like. It would probably only take up a page or two of space.
I think it would help a great many of us Newbies understand this "New World".
It would also save time, because everytime we see a term we don't understand, we wouldn't have to post a question as to what that particular term means.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Thanks For Listening,
Ben N
).What I'd LOVE to see here in the Forums Section, is a nice simple GLOSSARY of terms that are commonly used here by many people ie: SERP, PR, CR, ISP, ROBOT, SEO... and the like. It would probably only take up a page or two of space.
I think it would help a great many of us Newbies understand this "New World".
It would also save time, because everytime we see a term we don't understand, we wouldn't have to post a question as to what that particular term means.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Thanks For Listening,
Ben N
Ben I think this is a great idea... I have placed that on my to-do list. I will get it done.
Thanks Ryan, U Da Man!
Now some of us won't feel as ignorant when we post here...
Ben N
Now some of us won't feel as ignorant when we post here...
Ben N
How about breaking up the "How do I section into pieces?" It has more posts and replies then any other section. Maybe subcategories or something of the sort.
Just a thought....
Just a thought....
I agree 100%. Do you know any forums that do a good job with organization?
We are going to soon be upgrading to a new version of forum software... and then we are going to revamp the forums.
Please forward me any sites that do a good job of this to get an idea what you are thinking will be helpful. Thanks!
PS. I have the same problem when using the "search" feature. We'll work on it!
We are going to soon be upgrading to a new version of forum software... and then we are going to revamp the forums.
Please forward me any sites that do a good job of this to get an idea what you are thinking will be helpful. Thanks!
PS. I have the same problem when using the "search" feature. We'll work on it!
Rick tells me Invision is improving the search feature... and we will improve the organization.
Combined enhancements should be a good fix.
Combined enhancements should be a good fix.
http://forums.invisionpower.com/index.php?showtopic=112092
Note the "features added to date" which highlights improved full text searching. More important about the search is the ability to search within individual forums and search individual topics (if you browse the forum in the link above you'll see a search bar toward the bottom of every forum and every post. The lead developer has also mentioned on several accounts that the search feature will certainly be improved upon in the next version of the forum software.
The new version of Invisionboard adds literally hundreds of features to the forum software and MonsterCommerce has every intention of analyzing and using these features once they are available. You'll notice just today we changed how we moderate the board by breaking it down to individuals for more reliable and efficient responses. This is just the beginning. We're aware of the immense growth of this community and have every intention of catering to it. Stay tuned for a wealth of new additions to this community in the next few months.
Note the "features added to date" which highlights improved full text searching. More important about the search is the ability to search within individual forums and search individual topics (if you browse the forum in the link above you'll see a search bar toward the bottom of every forum and every post. The lead developer has also mentioned on several accounts that the search feature will certainly be improved upon in the next version of the forum software.
The new version of Invisionboard adds literally hundreds of features to the forum software and MonsterCommerce has every intention of analyzing and using these features once they are available. You'll notice just today we changed how we moderate the board by breaking it down to individuals for more reliable and efficient responses. This is just the beginning. We're aware of the immense growth of this community and have every intention of catering to it. Stay tuned for a wealth of new additions to this community in the next few months.
How about a feature to view unanswered posts? I use the View New Posts all the time which is very handy but what about those questions that drop through the cracks. Heres what I'm thinking. Maybe when a user submits a post they choose one of two...or maybe more options...right off the top of my head im thinking of (question, answer). Then if a user selects View unanswered questions it would run a query and show all posts that ended with a "question" post. The same idea could be used with something like an "Emergency flag" much like you have for trouble tickets which would allow users to try to help those who are having serious issues that need to be fixed ASAP.
I dont know, now that I type it, it sounds hard to do but it would be nice since so many other posts are being added all the time a "new post" wont stay new for long.
I agree with the previous statement though, you guys are so good that this its hard to find anything to improve.
I dont know, now that I type it, it sounds hard to do but it would be nice since so many other posts are being added all the time a "new post" wont stay new for long.
I agree with the previous statement though, you guys are so good that this its hard to find anything to improve.
I agree with David on the ability to find questions. Looking at your last ten posts in my assistant works pretty well. But a question or problem that is taking time to come to final resolution will drop off of the list.
I also find 3.x posts turning up in my searches. I think that there are still some 3.x sites out there so I understand that they can't be eliminated immediatly, but maybe over time this could happen.
Tom
I also find 3.x posts turning up in my searches. I think that there are still some 3.x sites out there so I understand that they can't be eliminated immediatly, but maybe over time this could happen.
Tom
Something else that I've been thinking would be nice, is an area where specific tips and techniques could be posted. Things like undej's scripts, or Tom's (Mayan Traditions) printable html order page that could be used as a template for someone else building a store. Basically, shareable code and configurations. Maybe with room or a place for screen shots.
I think this should be in the store owners only area.
Tom
I think this should be in the store owners only area.
Tom
Captain Ryan,
How about starting a "how to improve the MC knowledge base" thread?!
The KB could be awesome with just a little bit of work (and might even decrease calls to tech support!).
How about starting a "how to improve the MC knowledge base" thread?!
The KB could be awesome with just a little bit of work (and might even decrease calls to tech support!).
| QUOTE |
| How about a feature to view unanswered posts? I use the View New Posts all the time which is very handy but what about those questions that drop through the cracks. Heres what I'm thinking. Maybe when a user submits a post they choose one of two...or maybe more options...right off the top of my head im thinking of (question, answer). Then if a user selects View unanswered questions it would run a query and show all posts that ended with a "question" post. The same idea could be used with something like an "Emergency flag" much like you have for trouble tickets which would allow users to try to help those who are having serious issues that need to be fixed ASAP. |
A couple of things on this:
#1. MC already has a ticketing system for direct, quick and efficient support.
#2. Adding a "ticketing" or "flagging" system would render these boards virtually useless. I'll give you a good example why. Invisionboard themselves have tried to use a similar system and still somewhat continue to try... they use to close a topic when an issue had been resolved and the topic would eventually die. The problem with this is if someone had a similar problem the topic could not simply be replied to/reopened and brought to the top of the forum list (the forum posts are sorted by date) for attention again. Invision has since somewhat changed their ways and now changes the title name of a topic to "Resolved: Topic" when they've fixed a post. This is still inefficient because when someone replies to that post, although it brings the post to the beginning of the forum, the topic typically gets ignored because it states that it has been resolved (these posts often fall through the cracks often making bad situations worse). By having a whole bunch of locked, edited topics or flagged topics, there'd be utter chaos because no one would be able to have the freedom to "post at will" so to speak.
I've looked into finding a modification for Invisionboard to do this (because I thought maybe someone came up with an efficient process for this) but had no luck. Devising a sophisticated system of this sort would take an immense amount of time and training on our part. Although I appreciate the thought, this is something I cannot add into the forums at this time. I will certainly keep on the lookout for anything to help improve the efficiency of this board. Having evaluated the posts thus far, over 90% (more like 95%) of the posts here get replies, which is extremely high, particularly for a forum of this size. We also just implemented a new moderation system which consists of MC Staff members assigned to specific forums which should help improve efficiency (these moderators get an e-mail every time someone makes a post in their assigned forum). Hopefully what cracks there are (and there aren't many in this arena) will be thinned out.
| QUOTE |
| Looking at your last ten posts in my assistant works pretty well. |
This will be more visually available in your "my controls" section in the next version of the forum software.
| QUOTE |
| But a question or problem that is taking time to come to final resolution will drop off of the list. |
In an individual topic, click on the "track this topic" link to keep track of a post as long as you wish. You can unsubscribe from the topic at any time from within "my controls"
| QUOTE |
| I also find 3.x posts turning up in my searches. |
Try using the advanced search or narrowing down your search to a specific forum. Again, searching will much more prevalent and robust in the next version of the forum software. Removing 3.x related topics right now wouldn't help the people who are still using the software.
| QUOTE |
| an area where specific tips and techniques could be posted. |
This is an excellent idea for when we get our "store owner" section deployed. Until that time, we have this:
http://forums.monstersmallbusiness.com/index.php?c=12
Thanks for the details Ultrashock,
I can see the complexities involved and agree this should be low on the priority list.
After reading your description, I realize that if there is a way to see a list of my tracked topics that would work fine for me. Other than the emails that I recieve telling me when something has changed, is there an easy way to see my tracked topics?
Thanks again
Tom
I can see the complexities involved and agree this should be low on the priority list.
After reading your description, I realize that if there is a way to see a list of my tracked topics that would work fine for me. Other than the emails that I recieve telling me when something has changed, is there an easy way to see my tracked topics?
Thanks again
Tom
thanks Ultrashock. I see your point and agree with you and if your stats are right then that is very impressive. Just goes to show how hard all you work for us which makes our jobs oh so much easier.
Thanks for all the hard work
Thanks for all the hard work
| QUOTE |
| Other than the emails that I recieve telling me when something has changed, is there an easy way to see my tracked topics? |
Absolutely! Look in "my controls" and you'll be able to manage your subscriptions/tracked topics in the menu.
Well I'll be ...
I didn't realise that was link. I always thought that was a header for new messages, new posts, and my assistant.
Thanks again.
Tom
I didn't realise that was link. I always thought that was a header for new messages, new posts, and my assistant.
Thanks again.
Tom
I think we should create a forum for questions that get asked for many times over here...
Everyday many of the merchants here go out and beyond to help out other brand new merchants in need. When someone does a search in the forums they usually come up with many unrelated topics (I know you said this will be fixed in the next revision)... so what happens is they ask a question which has already been answered many times and wait around for another merchant to answer it.
Now this is good... this is what the forums are about... BUT when someone is working on the site they are looking for quicker answers AND usually the answer is something simple that has been answered many times over in the forums.
Some examples of this are :
How do we get rid of breadcrumb navigation?
Why are my graphics are not showing up when my site goes secure?
How do I add the HTML Catalog to my system?
How do I add keywords to my site?
and there are many more....
I have no problem helping people out but my suggestion is to make a Forum that consists of frequently asked questions so that the person can get a quick answer to a question asked many times over already....
---just my thoughts---
Everyday many of the merchants here go out and beyond to help out other brand new merchants in need. When someone does a search in the forums they usually come up with many unrelated topics (I know you said this will be fixed in the next revision)... so what happens is they ask a question which has already been answered many times and wait around for another merchant to answer it.
Now this is good... this is what the forums are about... BUT when someone is working on the site they are looking for quicker answers AND usually the answer is something simple that has been answered many times over in the forums.
Some examples of this are :
How do we get rid of breadcrumb navigation?
Why are my graphics are not showing up when my site goes secure?
How do I add the HTML Catalog to my system?
How do I add keywords to my site?
and there are many more....
I have no problem helping people out but my suggestion is to make a Forum that consists of frequently asked questions so that the person can get a quick answer to a question asked many times over already....
---just my thoughts---
I agree with you completely Wizard. Another neat idea might be tutorials on frequent problem areas. Maybe a "Help, I'm new to all this" tutorial which would explain the basics and walk the user through to show them the many different options available to them. Unfortunately this is probably alot of work. I know that I would like to be contacted with information on when installs a patch and what settings that patch will effect. Does anyone know if this ability exists?
Thanks
installs a patch and what settings that patch will effect. Does anyone know if this ability exists?Thanks
| QUOTE |
| I know that I would like to be contacted with information on when installs a patch and what settings that patch will effect. |
They do have a page that says what bugs have been fixed in the last patch and what is coming up in the next patch but it is very basic descriptions... (Click Here) to take a look at it.
I am not sure if that is what you are looking for or not...
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.