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Post by chris burgess on Sept 28, 2005 13:02:24 GMT
After being told off by Cooper,  for making the appearance of the website too commercial during the transition period of the domain settings, etc, it got me thinking a little bit, which always tires me out....  When I did this website back in December, I did it because I wanted a resource to get old T.Techs back on the road, or back to being a "shelf queen". Also, I got fed up with racechat being "over moderated" and the amount of people asking "which is best....." etc. It also occured to me that there were no pictures of predators anywhere on the web that was easily accessible. Over the past nine months or so, I have done a lot of work "behind the scenes" to make this website useful, such as getting hold of as many spares as I can, trying to find new (older) kits, accessories, to create a source of older spares available for quick despatch. Not all of this has come to much, but I have spoken to a lot of people all over the world! I admit recently, that I have gotten caught up in the "commercial" side of things and neglected the escence of this website, which was to have a friendly, and helpful forum for the evolutions of this superb car. So, to get to the crux of the post, when I get the pictures back on the site, and the downloads working again etc., what is it that you would like this website to be? What features do you want on here? Please remember that I am not an accomplished web programmer, and I don't have oodles of cash to throw at the site, (hence the free forum!) but all suggestions will be considered, and where possible implemented.... |
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Post by Cooper on Sept 28, 2005 15:10:21 GMT
for me it has to be a resource for all information about the pred!
especially the old pred! because the new one will be seen enough,
so
a BIG page with old pred pictures
a page with tips (ex. how to shim those gears...., how to solve the plastic stripping problem, the back falling of, the front shock mounts,...))
the manuals
gear conversions
a little word from chris
maybe a 'members ride' section
just some ideas dude !
keep up the good work !!
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Post by YoKoMo-MX4 on Sept 28, 2005 15:13:12 GMT
I got fed up with racechat being "over moderated" ... A-frickin-men to that! I personally feel that RaceChat has fallen into a pit of over-commercialization...I mean, come off it, not being able to post a link to a manufacturer (or other website) simply because they do not sponsor of the site? That one has always bothered me the most. There are other things ... but that is the worst. It also occured to me that there were no pictures of predators anywhere on the web that was easily accessible. Agreed. Google images helps, but there is rarely any context or additional info with the photos you can find through there. Over the past nine months or so, I have done a lot of work "behind the scenes" to make this website useful ... Not all of this has come to much, but I have spoken to a lot of people all over the world! But the effort is what counts. All you can do is lay the framework and then let the Pred community find you. I think with the release of the X10 the web site and this board will become far busier. I admit recently, that I have gotten caught up in the "commercial" side of things and neglected the escence of this website, which was to have a friendly, and helpful forum for the evolutions of this superb car. Unfortunatly when money becomes an issue 'becoming commercial' is often the only way to eliminate that worry. I do, however, think that there are less extreem alternatives to the 'RaceChat Reich'. Take TamiyaClub.com for example. The original founder NetsmithUK (His real name escapes me at this time) started that site from the ground up and it is relatively add free. More importantly it is a place for 'free speech' about just about anything R/C ... with a slight bias towards All-Things-Tamiya. Granted NetsmithUK is/was an experienced site builder (hence the screen name) but the idea is the same, build a community to talk about and share a specific aspect of the R/C hobby. I'm dreaming a bit here, but perhaps it would be possible to sub-let the source code that was developed for TamiyaClub.com and build a Pred site based off of that... So, to get to the crux of the post ... what is it that you would like this website to be? What features do you want on here? You might be thinking I want 'The Pred' be just like TamiyaClub.com ... well you'd only be partially right on that. I do not think it needs all of the stuff TamiyaClub has. I want to see a 'community' and this forum is the core part of that. I think the 'store for old parts' is also an essential part, but keeping it going could become a full time job. I'd like to see a “member’s gallery” where people could upload photos of their Preds and/or TTech/Pred related info. Content suggestions: I'd like to see a timeline of the Pred ... basically a complete history of the Pred from day one to the X10. I'd like to see a 'hacks' section showcasing things that people have done to improve reliability or add features to their Pred. Please remember that I am not an accomplished web programmer, and I don't have oodles of cash to throw at the site, (hence the free forum!) but all suggestions will be considered, and where possible implemented.... I'd say, "Ya done good." so far. My closing advice would be, "Ask questions, take criticism well and don't try to do it all yourself." 'nuff said, MX4 |
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Post by YoKoMo-MX4 on Sept 28, 2005 18:12:47 GMT
Another good example of a community site is Chris Doughty's site: www.doughtyuk.netThis uses a content management system called MKPortal: www.mkportal.it/I don't know much about the MKPortal software, but I think it looks sharp and is very customizable. 'nuff said, MX4 |
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Post by chris burgess on Sept 28, 2005 20:52:37 GMT
yeah, I have seen that, but I have no idea about php programming and whatever else it needs...if somebody out there does though..... ;D
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Post by Cooper on Oct 3, 2005 21:10:30 GMT
other thing,.... maybe on the homepage, a small list with the stuff you updated, or a topic in the forum. so old visitors see what's updated and don't need to browse the whole site again  |
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Post by chris burgess on Oct 3, 2005 21:12:57 GMT
other thing,.... maybe on the homepage, a small list with the stuff you updated, or a topic in the forum. so old visitors see what's updated and don't need to browse the whole site again I can do the update page bit, but cant do the latest post on the forum bit. I need a new forum for that, and some php skills. Aint got neither. Any offers anyone? |
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Post by Cooper on Oct 4, 2005 10:59:21 GMT
no no, I ment post a message on the forum when you've updated the site just that is enough |
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Post by chris burgess on Oct 4, 2005 15:19:33 GMT
no no, I ment post a message on the forum when you've updated the site just that is enough oh, I see...why didn't i think of a simple solution? |
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Post by Cooper on Oct 4, 2005 15:20:36 GMT
no no, I ment post a message on the forum when you've updated the site just that is enough oh, I see...why didn't i think of a simple solution? maybe because you are a complicated man ? or have a complicated woman  |
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Post by Tim Wood on Oct 5, 2005 17:31:21 GMT
I reckon a great feature would be a set-up guide.This could show all the adjustments on the pred and what on-track effect each one has.Maybe get mr. weatherly to help out with it?
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Post by chris burgess on Oct 5, 2005 18:11:58 GMT
I reckon a great feature would be a set-up guide.This could show all the adjustments on the pred and what on-track effect each one has.Maybe get mr. weatherly to help out with it? yep - i am actually working on this at the moment. It's very much a work in progress though....I think i will try to get the help of a t.tech team driver. Does anybody know one? ;D |
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Post by Cooper on Oct 5, 2005 18:18:53 GMT
someone called Pooper ?
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Post by Northy on Oct 6, 2005 10:09:49 GMT
;D
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Post by chris burgess on Oct 6, 2005 16:25:03 GMT
I presume your pen is poised, and an all-conquering guide to setting up a predator is on the way then Graham  Seriously though, if you could it would be very gratefully received! ;D |
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for making the appearance of the website too commercial during the transition period of the domain settings, etc, it got me thinking a little bit, which always tires me out.... 
