Making the site better?

Searchguru · Post by **Searchguru** » 05 Jan 2008, 08:05

Hi,
I've been visiting this site, on and off, since the summer of '07. It is very good but could be better. The following suggestions are intended as positive critisism. I have no knowledge of how to set up or run a forum site, such as this, but do other users find it frustrating?
Due to the large volume of entries in the 850/V70 section the same question could have been asked a hundred different ways. Through my own ignorance I did exactly this with regard to the PCV/crankcase breather. If I had looked through the mass of threads I could have found what I was looking for without posing the question. The trouble is, as there are no sub-groupings (is that a word?), the relevant thread may be lost in the mire.
The repair database could be made easier to search by editing the entries slightly and making it alphabetical. Lots of entries start with 'replacing' or 'repairing' something when they should be something replacement or repair. For instance if my wiper arm was loose I wouldn't necessarily look for 'loose wiper arm fixes'.
By plugging the repair database on the home page and making it easier to search, a lot of repetiton in the forum could be alleviated. If I knew how, I would offer to do it for you. Thank you. Tony B.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 05 Jan 2008, 18:34

Tony,

Quite clearly you don't understand the concept of "improvement" in America.

Aside from raising taxes "improvement" stems from:

a) Banning cigarette smoking.

b) Reducing the legal speed limit.

or

c) Adding a stop light.

All of that aside I agree. We have a huge knowledge base here that could be more user friendly. The cool thing on this site is that the users are - for the most part - friendly people and a post will get you to your answer in the archives.

...Lee

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 05 Jan 2008, 20:46

I wasn't going to comment but I guess this is a good time. Thanks Lee for your vote of confidence. I do certainly hope that Matthew sees this thread. I know that he's concerned with making it better and he has added the blog and experimented with other things in the past as an effort...but part of the issue with this site has to do with the limitations of the software that is at its backbone....and he would like to upgrade to a more flexible software but all of that takes money. In due time I think that things will become better. In the meantime, let's make the best of this great site, which in my opinion, and as Lee has so eloquently stated, is due to the very kind people here.

Post by **billofdurham** » 06 Jan 2008, 11:37

I wasn't going to comment

Nor was I, because I don't know enough about computers to say whether this is feasible.

However, I have for some time wondered if we could sort out the Repair Database which is now so long that it takes too much time to do an item by item search.

I agree with Lee and David that this is, by and large, a very friendly site. Often the same questions are asked only days apart but the answers appear and not just as "try searching before you ask!!" as happens on other sites.

Let us hope that, in time, improvements to the site can be made. One thing is certain, no improvements can be made to the friendly members.

Bill.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 06 Jan 2008, 11:43

Yes, Bill the Repair Database is too long. It would be nice if it was organized better. What I do to try to sort through it is to actually use the "find" feature of my browser once I'm on that page (Edit/Find In This Page) at least with Foxfire which is what I use. I put in the "find window" key words an that takes me immediately to whatever post I was looking for. Hope this helps...seems to be the easiest way for me for now.

Post by **billofdurham** » 06 Jan 2008, 11:54

Thanks David.

I shall have to see if my coal fired computer can do that.

Bill.

Post by **matthew1** » 07 Jan 2008, 15:00

MIJ: it's Firefox

Searchguru: thanks for your thoughts. Critisizm is ALWAYS appreciated. I could never do this in a vacuum.

Take-aways from this thread (so far) is A. Repair Database needs some attention and B. newbies need to be pointed to search before they ask a question.

Some time ago I created the page Repairs by Classification page (button is on Repair Database page) to address the problem. But it doesn't limit the repairs, just re-sorts them.

More ideas welcome.

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 07 Jan 2008, 15:27

Thanks Matt....Firefox it is....LOL.