Coffee clotch time: If you were a newb on the site (part 2)

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by C20ELEPHANT

So I copy a few keywords to Google outside of the site and up pops almost what I’m looking for, haven’t tried the google search inside the website and if it is as slow as the site I’ll just continue as I’m doing.

Mike

All I ever use is the google search at the top of the page and check the circle in front of "67-72chevytrucks.com". It has always worked good for me.

Originally Posted by StupudMunkee

When we talk about search functions and reading a lot of old posts, the biggest issue I have come across is that posts from 4 or 5 years ago may not be the most current; Vendors change, parts change, new ideas replace old ones, etc.. Organizing an informational section of "living" stickies with a standardized description that are updated as needed would create a resource that is both informational and timely.

A deserving post/process/build is identified and submitted to admin. Admin or volunteer generates the description, details, and whatever else is appropriate. Admin makes the description post#1 with the remainder of the sticky to follow. If someone wants to update the living sticky, they can submit their changes/updates to admin for review and post.

One thing I like about the www is that we always find a new way to skin a cat. An authoritative "how-to" section that has been vetted by those who know would be an incredible asset for a community like this.

My .02 cents, I'll take my change in large coins please.

We actually have a pretty good FAQ forum (or "how to" ). If you Scroll down to the bottom of this page you will see the "Forum Jump" box. Click on the little down arrow on the right side of the box and scroll down to "FAQ Truck Tech". Click on that and it will list all of the different FAQ sections.


A reply to the original thread question below:

On another note, one of my pet peeves is the lack of explanation on instructions. Case in point: In the 67-72 FAQ Index posted by FAQ Guy the 2nd post says "To add a link to the FAQ, please use the report a post feature. Thank you.".... 75% of the people who read that won't have a clue what the report a post feature is or where it's at. A short explanation of what and where would make a lot of difference on how many people actually use it. I know that the experienced person doesn't think about it because they know what it is and where it's at.

LockDoc

[BrianG]

For a Newb... Where to start..
1. Where to start in finding parts for my truck
2. Where to start fo finding info about my truck
3. Where to start when restoring my truck
4. Where to start when dissassembling my truck
5. Where to start when reassembling my truck
6. Where to start finding shops that work on our trucks in my area
7. Where to start finding local groups, members, etc.
8. Where to .... you get the idea

[slowcpe]

Like stated before I use Google when searching for specific things. No big deal there.

I would like sub-forums like "Vender Marketplace" to show up in "New Posts". I don't always think about it and there can be some good deals on there.

[jhwkns]

Originally Posted by Liz

JH, I agree on the general d more than you will ever know. Site growth did that, and many of those sub forums are a thing of the past, back here now...

I'm happy to hear that. GD used to be my first stop when visiting. Ya'll are doing a great job.

Originally Posted by ERASER5

I would 2nd the cat picture forum, but 67ChevyRedneck would just make fun of me... in his mind...

Yes! It's a movement!

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I've heard of "cat ladies"... could be interesting...

Cat ladies are cool. Just watch out for their claws

Seriously, have you been on the facespace page? Read through some of the posts/comments. HILARIOUS stuff...

I've got it on my feed, but don't participate. When I see a picture that interests me I'll read some comments. I've considered deleting it many times.

Originally Posted by StupudMunkee

One thing I like about the www is that we always find a new way to skin a cat...

WTH?

Originally Posted by 67 cst swb

I am in agreement with jhwkns, well all except the cats thing.. have you seen all the cats on youtube? I sneeze just opening youtube. LOL

Thanks for having my back, but I'm telling Elvis what you said.

This was the first forum I joined. I'm very grateful for all that I've learned, and for the friends that I've made here. Things were much different back then. One could easily browse the entire forum. It's not possible to do that anymore. There are just too many participating to read everything. When I visit the site now, I usually don't go much further than 67-72... and GD. I usually only post when I see something that others have overlooked. I have a rule for myself on internet forums in that I only post and advise on subjects with which I have personal experience.

I'm not always the friendliest guy. I usually call it like I see it. Because of that I've had posts of mine edited, and even deleted by thin skinned moderators who are way too quick to delete something because one person didn't like it. In all of my years here I've never reported a post. There can't be true discussion without differences of opinion. The moderators have a tough job, but they should also use some scrutiny when it is the same people clicking report. This isn't Utopia.

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by jhwkns

Thanks for having my back, but I'm telling Elvis what you said.

John, No problem having your back as long as the Elvis your telling, is the one hanging out on Fremont Street.

[jhwkns]

Originally Posted by 67 cst swb

John, No problem having your back as long as the Elvis your telling, is the one hanging out on Fremont Street.

Ha! I thought you met Li'l Elvis when you were here. You don't want to get on his bad side. Just look what he did to this bird that pooped on my hood.



see what I did there?

[jeffahart]

I think what would be really cool is a searchable image gallery. If you asked every member to post a truck picture with some basic cataloging criteria like: Year, Long or short, Color, lowered, fleet side.. stuff like that. That would be way cooler than weeding through show your this or that threads.
I always like looking at truck pictures, it really makes me Happy! I know I'm simple!

[michael bustamante]

to make the frequently asked questions an obvious button to click on and to let newbs do a search fro commonly asked ?s like disk brake conversion and such. i really dont mind sharing knowledge but i see alot of the old guys on here saying "do a search"
oh and a forum for getting truck upgrade and customizing ideas...... i see alot of people asking to see certain upgrades and such for "ideas"


one more thing ...... we need an app for our smartphones so its easier to post pics!
ive been a member on here for a while now and i cant seem to stay away for very long......thanks guys for all you do to improve the site!!

[Liz]

Originally Posted by michael bustamante

to make the frequently asked questions an obvious button to click on and to let newbs do a search fro commonly asked ?s like disk brake conversion and such. i really dont mind sharing knowledge but i see alot of the old guys on here saying "do a search"
oh and a forum for getting truck upgrade and customizing ideas...... i see alot of people asking to see certain upgrades and such for "ideas"


one more thing ...... we need an app for our smartphones so its easier to post pics!
ive been a member on here for a while now and i cant seem to stay away for very long......thanks guys for all you do to improve the site!!

Thats kind of what i am asking. I want a list of topics to put in such a section lol

[no1udknow]

I agree with a lot of the things said here. First the search is slow, and often brings up a lot of things that I don't need, but that has to do with learning to use the right key words for what you are looking for.

Second, the search nazis are usually the guys who have been around for a long time and have seen and know everything, but don't feel like sharing their knowledge or are tired of sharing it. I see the constant questions about the same things, often times I search the question I'm going to ask, but I often ask it anyways because my results were either inconclusive, or no one had answered my exact question. There is sooooooo much information on this site that it is tough to sift through it at times, and personally I enjoy explaining something to the noob that I learned from this site. Often times I just link them to where I found the info. I think it just takes stepping back and saying " I remember being that guy".

As far as site suggestions, why not do a weekly or monthly piece in each section of the forum like a magazine " This week we will show you how to install cab corners" etc.. etc, and ask for members to either link their build or make a new thread of how they did it, 2 or 3 weeks in advance. Then once they have been posted or had their run, save them to an accessible archive of "how-tos" seperated by body type.

[no1udknow]

oh, and since we have so many different year/body styles, rotate them, so 67-72 truck this week, then in 2 weeks put out one for a 73-87 truck, then a 87-98 burb/tahoe how to etc, etc.

[jeffahart]

I think what would be really cool is a searchable image gallery. If you asked every member to post a picture with some basic cataloging criteria like: Year, Long or short, Color, lowered, fleet side.. stuff like that. That would be way cooler than weeding through show your this or that threads.
I always like looking at truck pictures, it really makes me Happy! I know I'm simple!

[Liz]

Originally Posted by jeffahart

I think what would be really cool is a searchable image gallery. If you asked every member to post a picture with some basic cataloging criteria like: Year, Long or short, Color, lowered, fleet side.. stuff like that. That would be way cooler than weeding through show your this or that threads.
I always like looking at truck pictures, it really makes me Happy! I know I'm simple!

Thats actually here and has been. Its under the gallery tab at the top navigation bar.

[Liz]

I have not said much about the whole use search thing as an answer to folks. Anyone who has known me for years knows that is a HUGE pet peeve of mine, Josh's too. I see red when folks say use search. This is a message board, its here for folks to post and ask questions. If you don't want to answer it, close the thread. If you want to say hey use search, than perhaps you should search it, and link the information in reply. You never know what cool idea someone may post in a thread, even on a topic that has been been beaten down for years.

[67 cst swb]

Originally Posted by Liz

I have not said much about the whole use search thing as an answer to folks. Anyone who has known me for years knows that is a HUGE pet peeve of mine, Josh's too. I see red when folks say use search. This is a message board, its here for folks to post and ask questions. If you don't want to answer it, close the thread. If you want to say hey use search, than perhaps you should search it, and link the information in reply. You never know what cool idea someone may post in a thread, even on a topic that has been been beaten down for years.

Amen!

[LockDoc]

-
I sometimes "suggest" the on site Google search feature if the OP isn't getting any replies and I don't have time for a detailed response or I don't know the answer.

Here is my reply to a member looking for info on a 700r4 conversion.....

-
"There are a lot of threads on it and I think the quickest way to get the most info would be to use the GOOGLE search box at the top of this page. Type your search words into the box, (700r4 should be all you need) click on the circle in front of "67-72chevytrucks.com" and click on the GOOGLE button. Just make sure the thread you are looking at refers to your style of truck. (Hits will include all years)"

He wasn't getting any replies and I was just getting ready to leave for a Dr's appointment when I saw the post. So it is appropriate to use it at times but it is all in how you state it....

Just my 2¢ worth.

LockDoc

[michael bustamante]

topic....... what to do with cab space once tank is removed.
custom speaker location
varius tank availability along with qustions and comments on functionality and fitment
interior jobs.
paint schemes and paint coding and custom jobbers
definatley a wheels section
topic on redoing bench seats and buckets
an easier to use or popularize the region by region section. i notice it doesnt get a whole lot of use. i posted a swap meet in nm post and hardly got any responses

oh and good body shops in regions

[mcbassin]

I'm a long time user of the site and know my way around pretty good. I'm completely comfortable with navigating and I use the Google search at the top almost daily.

However, I have introduced the site to some newer members and I have gotten this a few times "it's kinda hard to find the section I want". I have been a member on a few forums that have a similar layout. I think some of the younger guys are looking for a flashy site with lots of pictures and featured videos? I'm not sure?


One of my long time pet peeves is the TOTM/TOTY contest.
It is really hard to remember when it's time to vote and you have to drill down to it.
How about a button at the top? "VOTE HERE" A week or so before the contest ends.
It would be cool if half the members voted not just 100 or so. Just my humble opinion.
Just a thought.

X2 On loading images from "Smart" phones. It's clunky and I have only been able to load one photo at a time.

[Liz]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

One of my long time pet peeves is the TOTM/TOTY contest.
It is really hard to remember when it's time to vote and you have to drill down to it.
How about a button at the top? "VOTE HERE" A week or so before the contest ends.
It would be cool if half the members voted not just 100 or so. Just my humble opinion.
Just a thought.

.

A really good thought, thank you. It honestly never crossed my mind to mention in a to do.

[68shortwide]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

X2 On loading images from "Smart" phones. It's clunky and I have only been able to load one photo at a time.

This. Lol. I do 99% of my posts and lurking on my phone and can't post pics at all from it, not even from say photbucket or the like. I have a windows phone and if you could figure out a way to allow uploads from it I'd be forever grateful. Of my near 800? posts I think like one or two have a pic lol.

[Liz]

square guys, any input?

[RedRoad]

A few forum suggestions:

Searchable Image gallery

Literature

Tools

Accessories

Bodywork/Paint

Show/Events broken down by state/region/type (club meets vs shows)

Restoration (for those wanting info on 100 point resto or preservation)

For the tech I would break it down into a few separate sections
Stock engine/trans/brakes/suspension
Modified engine/trans/brakes/suspension/FI/Turbo/speed related
Conversions

Sub forum for each main group
Wheels and Tires




The best thing you could do to help search function to work better is have mods add keywords to the title

[Eraser475]

Wheel and Tire forum would be nice, and a search bar for different years of trucks like 67-72 or 73-87

[RedRoad]

Oh I almost forgot, for tech how to type posts require the images to be attached or posted to the new gallery so that when links to photobucket or other outside hosts become broken the post will not become worthless

[D13]

The one thing that truely would be useful is threads with part numbers. For example, on LS swaps, there is a thread on which headers actually work, and which ones don't. How much do who's spindles actually drop, and will they clear wheels, etc. What P/N springs? How to tell which rear spring bushing you need (73-87). What reear end kit did you use?

I use the 'how to' and 'does it fit' threads a lot. Perhaps simple tutorials like 'how to change the injectors on your 6.2 diesel'. (actually simple until the lines decline to screw off...).

The two threads just posted on restoring door panels and a dash were GREAT. I'm not a body work guy but seeing this makes me comfortable that i can do it too. When i was a noob the first thihng I did was look thru the sticky's.