Not sure who/where to direct this so here goes. Why does NCRS not have a more robust use of online forum(s)? Unless I am just unaware of their existence...why do we have simply a "Technical Forum" as the only resource? Why could we not have a forum structure somewhat similar to Corvette Forum as an example. Not saying to replicate that 100%...but I see great benefit to having, in addition to Technical Forum perhaps, subforums for: each region, each corvette generation, and things of that nature. I am fairly new here as I begin my second year of NCRS membership. I could see enormous value in having, at a minimum, subforums for each region for folks to better/easier get to know their chapter members and communicate around local events, easily find other chapter members with similar cars, etc etc.. I have extensive experience in design (not coding) of these things and would gladly volunteer to help with the effort.
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late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations! -
Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
moved this to Help, Support, Suggestions Forum..
As you might imagine, this has been asked previously.
The answer in summary is that our Admin staff is volunteer, and what you suggest would require a lot of money, as well as time.
If you care to, you could drop a Help Desk Ticket with your offer to help expand the Forum. Perhaps it could happen. -
Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
Right, just don't count on anything changing.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
Keith,
As you can see we do have multiple forums in addition to the Technical Discussion. There are also a dozen or more forums used by Officers and Chapter Officers to share ideas and communicate with each other that are not open to the public.
The Technical Discussion Forum does have a system to narrow down your field of interest. Some threads have an icon such as
at the front. If you click on that icon all of the posts will migrate to the top of the page.
Unfortunately most of our members are not aware and don't take advantage of this feature. It has been promoted by us and is discussed in the FAQ for members to understand. Very few of them pay any attention.
If we did have multiple forums for different model years we are afraid it would only cause many members more confusion.Administrator
www.ncrs.orgComment
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Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
It needs to. I will help...so long as I am working with folks who understand the benefits and are not unreasonably resistant to achieving them. Of course it would take effort, and surely "some" money. But NCRS needs to embrace well managed change IMO and set priorities. There is a LOT of low hanging fruit. As one example, Restorer archives on the long antiquated DVD media.....?? I have extensive experience in all aspects of computing technology and interfaces. I can design interfaces and formulate strategies...just can't do the coding as the several programming languages I am proficient in are long since antiquated.***************
late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations!Comment
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Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
So how does the ball get moved forward with this? I am not sure of the processes within NCRS for doing so. I am volunteering my extensive (decades) of professional experience for the benefit of the organization and membership. This includes not only interface design but virtually every aspect of computing/networking technology and information management within very large corporations. Is there a person or two (preferably more NCRS seasoned than I) who could work with me on this. I do not envision building a Taj Mahal but rather start with a few VERY high value to cost enhancements. Could even start with simply regional subforums to provide communication mechanisms in line with what the Officers and Administration already have. It would not take much at all to mock something up and get a cost estimate on it. I would gladly work with the IT resources on that as well.
If members are extensively "not paying attention" to web/forum features I would suggest that might be a design deficiency as these things are usually more self-evident at the presentation layer. I would argue against having dozens and dozens of subforums but will also say that what I envision would confuse no one, subject to adequate design. Folks over at Corvette Forum seem very active and not confused at all. I look forward to any suggestions to improve these areas on behalf of the membership.
Kind regards,
Keith***************
late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations!Comment
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Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
Keith,
I hope NCRS takes you up on your offer to help. I like your ideas, especially chapter/regional boards, and on-line access to Restorer articles that are searchable.Mark Edmondson
Dallas, Texas
Texas Chapter
1970 Coupe, Donnybrooke Green, Light Saddle LS5 M20 A31 C60 G81 N37 N40 UA6 U79
1993 Coupe, 40th Anniversary, 6-speed, PEG 1, FX3, CD, Bronze TopComment
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Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
I guess I am wondering why this would be an improvement to the many chapters that have Facebook pages. Lots of discussion goes on there too, of course you have to be a Facebook member, but so many NCRS folks are, and this forum gets fewer people I am sure. It is also easy to set up a Facebook group for your region if you would like to do that.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
I was an IT guy for 35 years and a Webmaster that developed a website as you describe. There is always a but.....
The NCRS Website is more than a place for posts. There are coded functions that support the National Judging Chairman. National Team Leaders, Chapter Chairman, Chapter Judging Chairman, Chapter Membership Chairman, the secretary, treasurer, activities, Points for you and me and etc.. I believe a minor part of the NCRS Website in terms of complexity is the Tech. Board. Most of what I just described you do not see.
Saying that, pushback is the wrong word to use. The complexity of the change by IT volunteers and the cost will be over the top.
It may be less complex to have two NCRS websites, one for Tech. Board activities and one for administrative functions. Whatever the solution, it will take time and many ergs of energy.
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Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
Fakebook has nothing to do with NCRS and NCRS has nothing to do with Fakebook. Many people such as myself (And the IT professionals supporting NCRS) who know enough to never go near Facebook are unable to communicate with our fellow chapter members in any efficient way. NCRS.org is the place it belongs. Those Facebook groups only sprung up on because the capability was not here where it belongs. Beyond that, it would provide an easy way to occasionally see what is happening at other chapters without having to seek out and join all the different Facebook groups. Let's say I am going on a road trip to New England and wanna see if anyone wants to connect for something...bam. easy peasy. The communication benefits and organizational strengthening of what I am proposing is/are compelling. Say no to Facebook.***************
late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations!Comment
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late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations!Comment
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Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
To each his own, we have found it very useful to supplement our chapter email blasts and keep people informed of meets, cruises, lunches, breakfasts, etc. that members congregate at all the time. I will be building a page for Region VI soon, to keep us all connected too. We will try to limp by on this until you are able to convince NCRS National IT to do something like you want, good luck.Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
btt. Would be great to hear from someone (NCRS) on this in the near future..someone who can help make it happen. I can't think of anything that would come remotely close to benefiting the entire membership by providing basic communication tools. It has been said the officers understandably have such a tool. How about he membership they serve? no? I am offering my experience and time to help with this. I see it as nothing short of dramatically changing the entire organization for the better. Is that of interest?
Kind regards,
Keith***************
late Oct 1969 L46 350/350, M21 4spd, 3.70 posi convertible --As with life, restoration is a journey, not a destination. Though restored cars provide both journeys AND destinations!Comment
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Re: Forum Additions and Enhancements
Good Luck!Big Tanks In the High Mountains of New MexicoComment
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