Suggestions.

[Mike(VA)]

Paul,

here are a few suggestions for your consideration.

1. Contractors must register to post, same with HO's in the DIY arena.
2. Location in profile should be required before posting. Default if possible.
3. An introduction post should be required.
4. Of course we need more smileys, plus moving ones. Where's the popcorn?
5. FAQs and forum rules should be made mandatory to read. Click to accept.
6. How about a technical section for articles specific to a trade? On Ct, its hard to search thru 100's or more posts to find info about something about electrical, for example. We can write, you can edit and accept. Or pull, with credit, from other sources.
Easier to search for information from one source specific to a trade.
7. Keep sub-forums to licensed trades and a few specialties only. Electric,
plumbing, HVAC, concrete and excavating, etc.
8. Occasional admin or moderator posts in all areas reminding people of the
purpose of the forum. Mods could step in when a noob gets trashed and
keep things on task. The purpose is not to scare away new contractors and it is easy to do with misdirected humor.
9. How about a contracts section with disclaimers, of course.

[Len]

Thanks for the input. We are working on some of these.

Keep the suggestions going.

It's been hectic getting it up and configuring, so we may not respond right away to all suggestions but we are reading them and looking at how they fit into the overall short term and long term goals.

[Winchester]

Another suggestion to add to the list:

add the YOUTUBE addon for posting videos :D


p.s.

If you guys ever need an extra hand: I design websites as a hobby since 1999 and have ran many forums in the past (high school through university days). I'm fluent in HTML and CSS, and proficient in PHP and MYSQL. I started running forums powered by YaBB for several generations and then moved on to PHPBB for a couple generations. Not much with vBulletin unfortunately, but it's not that much different.

[Mike(VA)]

How about a page to post articles on each sub forum. Also a recommended reading and links section on each. A sticky at the top could have a link to each. Not sure how to organize these pages for easy reading or searches.

For example, in the contracts forum, the sticky link would go to a recommended reading page where members could post a relevant book title, quick description, and maybe where to get it and the other link would go to the articles page for anything members put up that goes with that forum.

Doing it this way, if possible, keeps relevant material where its most useful and that's in each sub forum. I know one could search the entire forum for info on a particular subject, but with potentially 1000's of posts and no way to drill down, most give up easily.

[Len]

Another suggestion to add to the list:

add the YOUTUBE addon for posting videos :D



n3PhHp03hPU

Example: n3PhHp03hPU only add the videoID in between the BBcode ( string of letters and numbers following ..tube.com/watch?v=VideoID )

[JasonW]

Just checkin' ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUXBCdt5IPg

didn't work for me...........

[JasonW]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUXBCdt5IPg

[JasonW]

I put the links in 2 different ways. I can't see them. Can anyone else?

[Blue]

KejRh40XBdw

[Blue]

i cant it to go either

you can see the faint outline of the you tube box in my post above but that aint cuttin the mustard.

[Silvertree]

I'm having problems also, but I always have problems. 25 cent frownie

[Len]

The code looks like you guys are putting the whole url in. (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUXBCdt5IP )

Example: n3PhHp03hPU only add the videoID in between the BBcode ( string of letters and numbers following ..tube.com/watch?v=VideoID )

So n3PhHp03hPU is all you need in between the BBcode

[JasonW]

Zw3FTiWRXF8&NR=1

[JasonW]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

Different, but it works.

[Blue]

N9i2fqxSjTI

[Silvertree]

I saw them perform with the Allman Brothers in DC in 71, or 72, maybe it was 70, I lost my shoes and had to walk back to my VW bus barefooted.

[Blue]

I saw them perform with the Allman Brothers in DC in 71, or 72, maybe it was 70, I lost my shoes and had to walk back to my VW bus barefooted.

Your saying they rocked your socks off?:p

[JasonW]

GIGTrVQLyR4&feature=related

We're gonna have to start a music thread now (thumbs up)

[Blue]

Had to pull out the headphones for that one Jason

[Eieio]

I saw them perform with the Allman Brothers in DC in 71, or 72, maybe it was 70, I lost my shoes and had to walk back to my VW bus barefooted.

70,71 dude your old as dirt huh?

[Silvertree]

Old and dirty,
Dirty deeds done dirt cheep.

[JasonW]

Qy9tq_XwVrU

For those that can here the message;)

[Winchester]

One more thing I'd like is a better "new post icon.

Something a little more obvious then small orange arrows.

Instead of this http://www.remodelcrazy.com/forum/images/ca_serenity_darkblue/statusicon/forum_new.gif

Maybe something like one of these"

[Winchester]

Actually even better maybe:

"New Posts" and "No New Posts" icons.

Just some ideas anyway.

[Winchester]

What is the proof required to enter Thunderdome?

I can't remember or forget where it is posted.

Anyway, I think they should be required to prove they are "qualified" in what they claim to run a business in.

i.e. if the state/province in which they practice requires a license, then proof of the license. This way we won't have hacks and jacklegs in here polluting our shizzle

maybe a little strict? I dunno