Finally got fed up with this XMB software being so terrible (and the huge load it places on my server because of their slack code). I've therefore decided to give up on fixing all their problems and write my own forum from scratch. It's being written in nice fast Perl code and being run on a dedicated server with 2Mbit/sec pipe out to the 'net. I'm also planning on bringing all current messages from here onto the new system.

Anyway, to the point of this message. If there are any features you would like me to consider for inclusion in the new version please mention them here so we can all discuss. I'd like to avoid programming things that arn't used and concentrate on features you actually want (like fully integrated photo archives, build diaries etc).

Anyone who wants a sneaky peak take a look at http://development.locostbuilders.co.uk but please be aware anything you do on that test site has no bearing on the 'real' LocostBuilders (also the messages are a snapshot from a day or two ago so don't expect any of the new ones to appear!)

Ok so let's have your opinions of things that can go and things you want added.

Chris

Looking good so far, Chris. I particularly like the fact that when you click on a topic in the main forum, there isn't a header on the next page, which means that you don't immediately have to scroll down before you can start reading

John

Chris,

Ran very smoothly for me!

I think you've covered most of the angles - I'm only interested in:-

- quick access;
- 'unread' markers;
- 'hot topic' markers (different from the 'unread' ones);
- photos.

I have hardly used any of the other features - even The Hippy was surprised when I answered a U2U post about 3 weeks after he sent it! Ordinary email is my primary communication medium.

Good luck with the project,

David

Did it run nice and quick for you? Think that server will be quick enough (it's quicker than this one and LB will be the only site on it)

Chris

Looking good Chris.

As for extra features. If you can work a beer dispenser into it, thats about the only additional thing I'd need from the site!!

looking good nice n quick but can the werds be a bit bigger,cheers John.

Much quicker.

Quick suggestion for you... can we have a bigger edit box for posting messages, this one on the current forum is a bit tiny.

Very impressed - keep up the good work.

Cheers.

John

FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET ------ GHRISW

Nice one chris. I think that a least a big round of appluase to Chris. I mean lads ALL THIS & CHRISTMAS TOO.

Are you sure that you didn't sneak around & put a dedicated phone line into everyones house?

Hope its this fast when its live!!! and I like the idea of adding a build diary section.

Chris,
Just had a thought. Would it be possible to put an unviewed or new photos icon next to the directories in the archive? This would make it easy to spot new photos?

Hope you and your have a great Christmas and a drunken New year.
Ian

Good idea

No can do on the Christmas - I have to work unfortunatly - but you can bet the New Year will be spent making up for it!

Chris

Chris,
how about having a section for the SVA test and maybe sub-sections for each part of the test. People could ask questions, and tales of woe could be made available to make builders aware of what they are failing cars on at the moment. Keep up the good work!!!
Phil...........

Chris,

Vastly superior. A great improvement on speed.

I just hope you get the MEC and BEC switched the right way round!

How about a spelling checker for all those foreigners like Alan B who use this board?

Terry
ps. Would we need to re-register?
Could we change our User name, even if only the once?


[Edited on 6/1/03 by Bull]

Cheeky bugger

No need to change your username (unless you want to - email me when it's all up and running)

Chris

quote:

---

Originally posted by Alan B
Cheeky bugger

---

Chris any guesstimate when you'll have it up and running?

Nice one Chris. Can we have the SVA section now ? pleeeeeeze!

Cheers boss

Andy

Brilliant! Sooner the better.
I'll 2nd:
Larger text box.
Flag new photos.

I may be in the minority, but FWIW, I'd like a spell check.
If you're going to keep the U2U (although I don't favour it), could you put a flag on new messages too?

Much too fast for me,i clicked mouse and went to put kettle on as usual but the dam page opened straight away.
I'm sure i'll manage though .

Would be nice for photos to be flaged when new,and are we getting members online back.



[Edited on 23/1/03 by bob]

Chris, do think you could add feature that would finish my car for me?
I'm sure that would be popular

Keep up the good work, is there anychance of email notification of when a new message is posted?

When I click on the link all I get is "can't log in to DB". Never had a speed problem with the site. Works like clockwork on my wind up computer.

cheers, Pete.

I still have problems with the new post icon not truly showing new posts. Even after being read, posts still have that icon displayed while other newer post that I have not yet read do not.

Would it be possible to get a button that will mark all forums as read? That way I could clear them all and only new, unread posts would be marked with that icon.

Hi,

I would not mind a button to disable the avatars. Amusing as they are (and I will get one myself when I suss out how you do it) but sneaking a good read at work if the boss walks past glances at the PC to see Bob the biulder, Dancing Elmer etc he might suss that it not quite work related

I would second that.
As funny as they are, a lot of the avatars slow things down considerably. The animated ones seem to be the worst.

Terry
ps.
ChrisW, the Email link is not working.


[Edited on 13/2/03 by Bull]

Seemed to havr missed this post for the last two months - I don't tend to look at the computery bit.

Can't follow link to development site but would like to add my thanks and appreciation for all you have done here - I couldn't imagine doing a build without it.

I agree with all the sugestions made so far particularly the 'finish my build' option.

Keep up the good work

Phil.