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FlamingMonkey
06-04-2005, 09:35
Is there any plans to make the forum actually match the rest of the site? Just wondering as the forum looks like it's tacked on as an afterthought, no offence meant, it;s just the main site looks really good.

Using the same logo that is on the main site would be good for starters.

Another thing while I'm moaning, I think it would be beneficial for prospective users to be able to browse the forum before registering, if it was me and I came across the site I would actually want to see whats available and how busy the forum is before going through the procedure of signing up, just in case you had a poor setup or an inactive board.

If it was me I would bugger off to Cliosport and browse there before registering, I was browsing CS a long time before registering, some people just don't wanna sign up straight away, they wanna check out thew locals.

Oh and also Northy can't browse the site either at home or at work, might be a problem moderatin/admin-ing whithout actually being able to get on the site, hehe

Cheers

Rob

KingStromba
06-04-2005, 11:00
The register first process was set up to stop spammers from cliosport browsing and starting trouble by registering just to post abusive bollox. TBH we have had a shit load of ppl sign up recently, so i dont think its stopping ppl, and since it was register first weve had no cliosport spammers.

The forum is slow enough at the moment for me. What do you want improving? Please no big avatars or siganatures as it makes it a mess to read.

I dont think ppl will join cliosport over this site as they offer completely different things. This site is a car site for enthusiasts with some extra banter thrown in. Cliosport is an agony aunt / dating board for ppl who also drive fast cars. People who are enthusiasts will soon leave if they do join. I counted one readable post IN THE LAST WEEK there. Same old 'just got caught speeding', '172 upgrade to 182' , 'pics of my car' and '182 back in dealers' posts over and over again.

None of the people on their seem interested in finding out how their cars work and its just over run by young chavs with 182's. I really dont think there is any competition.

FlamingMonkey
06-04-2005, 11:24
Well I don't want signatures, I want the forum to look like it belongs to the site, no and afterthought, might be an idea to use the same colour scheme logos, instead of left overs from the last forum.

The dirty brown gold colour looks very amatuer and cheesy. Just becuase our Willys have gold on them doesn't mean the site should be over run with tacky homages to it.

And im my opinion who cares if people come across to cause trouble, we have moderators to sort them out, I think its a very BAD move making the forum not accessible to non forum members.

If I wasn't already a forum member I wouldn't sign up to be honest, I been to site likes this before where people setup boards just like this, where nobody ever posts I being a prospective poster want to see what I am getting for my money so to speak.

NickFr
06-04-2005, 11:59
I think you both have good points, KS I agree without intending to be critical, I have struggled to find many interesting posts on CS. Rob has a point though a kind of look before you buy( though its free).

The CS site is full of people trying to " off load " their 172-182 before they are worth a bag of sugar!! seriously continuity is important but overall I am happy.

Rob you know a lot more than I do about forums and computers!! :oops:

KingStromba
06-04-2005, 12:24
Rob its free to use the forum.

As far as i am aware, if you owned a Williams and wanted a Williams forum, you would sign up to view. Its not like there are any other Williams forums in the UK.

Its a sellers market, if they couldnt be bothered to fill 5 boxes out in a forum, then **** em. I have signed up to many forums before i have been able to join. Pretty much common practice on the American forums ive been on. Its pretty much par for the course.

In return for Northy and Fatboys hard work, i say its a fair price to expect someone to fill in 5 boxes.

Rudders16v
06-04-2005, 12:38
I agree that signing up before you can access a forum could put people off, i know it normally would me. But the the main pages of the site are so good and look so well planned out, and i'd had several recommendations when to this site when asking for advice on other renault forums, i guessed it'd be worth a few minutes....... and i was right!

KingStromba
06-04-2005, 12:44
Ok its 5pm, your Williams wont start. You need help. You log on get to the Williamsclio site. See there is a forum. Click the option. It says sihn up.

Now would you think the person would say:

'Well im not signing up without viewing first'

or

'Shit better sign up quick'


The latter me thinks


Coupled to the fact that 90% of all people on here found the site from the recommendations of existing users.


I really dont think that people will be put of signing up.


PLUS LOOK HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE SIGNED UP IN THE LAST WEEK


It clearly DOESNT put people off

FlamingMonkey
06-04-2005, 13:13
Thing is though you have no way of knowing who it puts off so why have something on a forum that could potentially put people off me included?

PS there's too many Robs on this thread :lol:

J o n
06-04-2005, 13:14
I think the boards should be open to 'view' as well personally. people may just think it's for Williams only otherwise, when really the site is about the MK1 but takes a focus on the F7R.

KingStromba
06-04-2005, 13:46
You have belief engines working (a reference to ignoring FACTs over your own BELIEFs, incidently which most people do).

Look at the stats for how many people joined before it was closed to views. Compare that with how many ppl have joined after it was closed to view.

Has the rate of joining gone down since the forum was not available to view prior to sign up?

The answer is NO

Now realise i am talking FACT. There is a higher rate of joining since forum has been closed to view. That is a fact. If you want to BELIEVE you have a point please feel free to THINK that closing the forum has reduced or will reduce sign ups. But the facts cannot be argued with, that it has INCREASED sign up rates.

Look at the facts, do not follow your beliefs. Ie be objective, not subjective. The evidence is there, just look for it.

KingStromba
06-04-2005, 13:54
Sign up rates since the forum went back online have been from 167 registered users to 185 registered users ( if i remember correctly). Please feel free to correct figures.

That rate is 18 users in 4 days or a rate of 4.5 users per day.

Take the previous figure of 167 and work out the previous rate since the forum started (say October last year) which gives 167 users in 180 days or a rate of 0.9 users a day.

The fact is that hiding the forum from view has INCREASED sign up rates by over 3.5 users a day.


Thanking you :wink: Knowledge is power

VIPERONE
06-04-2005, 14:05
anything i sell on ebay: a slip goes in with the website details.

FlamingMonkey
06-04-2005, 14:09
Nah bollocks to that Strombone, when the club started and had an open forum it was a relativly unknown forum so no many posters, registrants.

The forum has grown people have come disallusioned with CS or whatever, so we are going to have an influx of people the longer the forum is running.

You arguments for keeping the forum closed are rubbish, spammers and abuse will be dealt with the Mods I assume as thats is their job, except Northy who can't actually get on the site but thats another matter.

There is no reason for keeping the forum closed, the forum should be open to everyone, to browse, it doesn't hurt anyone, it can only benefit the club and the forum. If it become over run with Spam and abuse like I said before it will be dealt with as and when.

Perhaps people are more put off by regular members having digs at CS or it's Admin, I for one have moaned about CS in the past, but it gets tiresome after a while and most threads on here tend to degenerate into CS bashing threads, which have included me :)

Anyway it's all bollocks anyway as no ****er seems to be listening don't even know why im bothering to type :?

KingStromba
06-04-2005, 14:17
Facts are facts.

The forum was closed to viewing and the rate of registrations went up. Argue all you want these are FACTS.

So if your argument is that you want more members, they the best thing to do is keep the forum closed to view unless registered.

More ppl probably signed up as before they could view without registering, but now they have to. And it seems it hasnt put them off.

I dont give a shit either way, but a fact is a fact.

NickFr
06-04-2005, 14:21
Well, I for one welcome both your comments and the fact that you have made the effort!! prehaps on issue's that are of real importance could be voted on :?:

Don't stop with your efforts to improve the site and its appearance, ROME was not built in a day. I am amazed sometimes when really important and or interesting threads are ignored. Whatever rocks your boat I guess :wink:

There are some strong opinions voiced on here but better that than a load of arse kissers.

VIPERONE
06-04-2005, 14:22
Stop this!!


BLUE ON BLUE!

NickFr
06-04-2005, 14:24
Stop this!!


BLUE ON BLUE!

Sounds like a PORN flick :lol:

FlamingMonkey
06-04-2005, 14:38
Facts are facts.

The forum was closed to viewing and the rate of registrations went up. Argue all you want these are FACTS.

So if your argument is that you want more members, they the best thing to do is keep the forum closed to view unless registered.

More ppl probably signed up as before they could view without registering, but now they have to. And it seems it hasnt put them off.

I dont give a shit either way, but a fact is a fact.

I agree Facts are facts, so your trying to say the reason more people signed up when it was closed, was due to it actually being closed lol, what was the reason behind this? Maybe they signed up because they were forced to, just to have a try before you buy, how many of these forum members are actually gonna contribute and interact? Whats the conversion rate from poster to member? I need facts hehe, how many of these forum members have posted? So many questions not enough facts.

I agree with Nick we should put up a poll and let members vote on it, seems a fair way to do things.

Lovely

KingStromba
06-04-2005, 14:49
I think Northy and Fatboy should just decide its their forum.

You make it sound like i care either way. I dont. Im just pointing out if you change it back rates could go down again.

Im being scientific, but then im a scientist so im allowed. :D

FlamingMonkey
06-04-2005, 14:55
hehe don't think we'll be seeing Northy for while unless he comes round yours to use your PC, hehe

KingStromba
06-04-2005, 14:56
I banned him

FATBOY
06-04-2005, 18:13
right! lets get a few things straight! yes i know the forum doesnt look part of the site! but with the amount of money we have spent on changing the servers and the layout of the site we simply do not have funds at present for a new and improved forum!(we will be upgrading soon!) but if we do have a new forum then all the info and posts on the current site will not be able to be transferred! just give us all time! and any flaws or niggles will be ironed out in due course!

FlamingMonkey
06-04-2005, 18:52
Im not asking for a new and improved forum the one we have is fine, all it needs is colour coding with the rest of the site and maybe the logo replacing, hardly gonna cost any money to do that. I'm sure if Northy could actually access the site he would be able to do in two ticks...lol

Martin
09-04-2005, 20:37
Love the new look! :D

Winston
12-04-2005, 11:30
Not into the new look forum.......better without the home page bit imo.

It only need the new logo at the top maybe a colour change.....far to rammed imo.

Just my 2p worth.....keep your hair on :wink:

MatBrown
12-04-2005, 14:58
Yeah,

Don't fit onto the screen very well.



Mat.

Kelly
12-04-2005, 17:02
Yea, why is half of the forum missing and i have a menu bit down the side

:evil:

FlamingMonkey
13-04-2005, 18:47
Must be due to the resolution of your monitors, site looks perfect on my screen

Kelly
14-04-2005, 11:43
im on 1024x768 at work and at home - chops the left hand side of the forum off

FlamingMonkey
17-04-2005, 12:13
Im on 1280x1024 and its fine 8)