Growing the MP3Car Community.

[mookie]

I really like vBulletin actually, but it's free counterparts are just as good IMHO.

I'm also waiting for the day that I save up enough to actually start installing.

[Confused]

I remember the MP3Car.com of old.

Hundreds of install photos, car/computer specs, and up-to-date software listings. I used to browse the site for HOURS at a time just looking in awe at all the installs and was so jealous of those with 4x40 character LCDs and even jealous of those with 1x16 LCDs.

The main site at the moment isn't good. I will stand up and say that it's crap.

The "Latest News" is from April when FrodoPlayer was released, plus a list of "10 latest forum posts".

The Software listing has 9 bits of software listed, and hasn't been updated in probably well over a year.

I think we really need a good front-end to the site, with honest reviews, FAQs, loads of install pictures (ideally all in one place, so I can go browsing again like I used to ) and everything else that has been mentioned.

This area of the computing and automotive industries are coming together so quickly nowadays, that we can't afford to be far behind. IMO, we're not currently pulling in new people, because our front page is so bland. There is a wealth of information here, but new people don't have easy access to it.



Now for a rant

The upsurge in the usage of the emoticon is getting really frickin annoying. New people to our community should be welcomed, not shunned away for being new to the subject, and asking questions.

If you can't help, don't ****ing post.

There are many people here wo do want to help newbies. I find myself avoiding the newbie section, purely because of the enivitable number of posts that there will be, and any help I do give probably won't be seen because they have already been annoyed by all the search posts.

/Rant

Anyways....I suppose the gist of this post is that I agree we need to get a decent front-page set up, and I'll offer my services to get it done


Garry

[Gobby]

There are a lot of active people here and with tiered 'admin' we could make this a really good, useful resource. I have built many sites around various portals and find them very useful. I also have a lot of plugins for VBulletin to add functionality which isn't already there - such as galleries, faqs, custom fields in the profiles etc - the ability to compare the various in-car software side by side with functions etc ...

I think a subscription based system is a bad idea, we all do this as a 'hobby'/passion and I would like to keep it like that - a subscription based system would put people off joining and contributing to the forum.

Site owners - PM me if interested in any help.

[grepzen]

it's not my intention to start a revolution.
I'd really like to see owner/operators weigh in here. Anyone know how to get in touch w/ them?

[Spaghetti]

Quote: Originally Posted by Nic

you click on the search smiley? i just type : search :

You use that smiley too much then....

[Enforcer]

Quote: Originally Posted by Confused

Now for a rant

The upsurge in the usage of the emoticon is getting really frickin annoying. New people to our community should be welcomed, not shunned away for being new to the subject, and asking questions.

If you can't help, don't ****ing post.

There are many people here wo do want to help newbies. I find myself avoiding the newbie section, purely because of the enivitable number of posts that there will be, and any help I do give probably won't be seen because they have already been annoyed by all the search posts.

/Rant



Garry

I thought the had been banned in the newbie section and was to be reserved only for the main forums.

[BoyNextDoor]

send Zip-Lock an email or pm with the link o this thread...

[Grayscale]

I was looking at gsturbo.com like someone posted above, and it's pretty nice. It lacks some of the features like blogs, news, etc, but all of that could be coded pretty easily! And I really like that feature mookie is working on! Keep it up guys, I've been thinking the same things for a long time! I get tired of spending hours everyday trying to read through all the crap!

[SWC]

I agree with the search thing. Luckily I haven't been bombarded with a barrage of the posts yet but honestly, searching has gotten to be a real PITA. When you search and get 14 pages of results find a topic that may be what you need then have to read through 7 pages of discussion usually about off topic stuff you just give up. I don't mind the off topic discussions theyre usually entertaining just make it damn near impossible to find what you want unless you know the exact wording to use.

[Sh0cker]

but, please... no pics in the signature

[xBrady]

Quote: Originally Posted by Sh0cker

but, please... no pics in the signature

I couldn't agree more.
BTW, Ziplock is the site owner.

[Motoko]

Quote: Originally Posted by SWC

but honestly, searching has gotten to be a real PITA. When you search and get 14 pages of results find a topic that may be what you need then have to read through 7 pages of discussion usually about off topic stuff you just give up. I don't mind the off topic discussions theyre usually entertaining just make it damn near impossible to find what you want unless you know the exact wording to use.

I agree 100%, we need an active admin, just some assistant admin to run the site, since Zip-Lock seems to busy.

[frodobaggins]

Quote: Originally Posted by BoyNextDoor

send Zip-Lock an email or pm with the link o this thread...

Just keep talking, he and the rest of us are listening.

[W6-Ryan]

Awhile back I had actually started dev work on a mp3car member's system to post system specs, pictures, etc... but due to work and other things I had to stop workign on it... the code is garbage and would need to be totally redone

I do have some time now to work on something so if Zip / everyone is really interested in doign something I'm sure there is something we could come up with

[Yuriy]

I would totally support a web portal!
I would even write a long FAQ on laptop setups and laptop LCD extensions