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Site Enhancements
We're getting quiet a lot of visitors at the mo, and more and more users registering. I've been thinking about how to make the site better and more usable.
Some of these things have been asked for, and some I'm just throwing out there... please let me know if you think these are worthwhile additions:
1. A 'rides calendar' - To display ride planning forum topics by date. Have got a prototype and this is quiet nice. Can show graphical week/month/year views and also the next few events in a table.
2. Sort out the blocks and navigation - I reckon this is a bit messy at the mo and could do with a clean up. Put everything on the top menu with drop downs? Any other ideas?
3. Organic Groups - With more people on the site with more interests (DH, XC, newbies, marathon guys, etc) this would let people build a sub group. Have their own blog, calendar, etc, etc. Everyone else should still be able to see what's going on weekely, but may be able to focus on their mates (their group) first.
4. Make the forum more forum like - Ie. remove all the left blocks when you're in the forum and display user avatars, etc.
5. For those who don't have Google Earth - an single overview map (clickable?) with ride locations on.
6. Embedded Google Maps in ride DB pages themselves, rather than have those static images. Hmmm... not too sure, one can open the map up in a single click anyhow.
7. Anything else you can think of?
It's your site too, please let me know what you'd like to see, or something you'd like changing.
Cheers!
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...for doing all of this, it really does make a difference for a lot of people now! I was going to suggest no. 1 myself, great minds and all that... I think if you do that and make the rides on there colour coded for type and add functionality to click through to the relevant discussion that'd be magic. I guess when people are planning a ride there'd have to be fields for type (DH/XC etc) and date flowing to the calendar.
I think with just that you'd win some sort of design award!
Matt.
Good stuff Rob
One other suggestion. Is it possible to have the script setup so that when links are clicked, they open in a new window? Just handy so can keep Nobmob open while viewing links that other users send.
Ben
Rob I'd have to agree with Matt, I guess we do take a lot of work that you do for granted.
Point 1 is a great idea as is point 2.
Not coming from an IT backgound this could be a stupid question......regarding "Planning Rides' could there be manditory fields for 'meeting place/address', 'time' and 'skill or fitness levels required'?
Sam
Ah. On that opening in new windows thing. Hmmmm... I'm a bit against the whole pop-up thing to be honest.
IMHO, it should be down the the user where a link opens. If they want in a new window (erm... tab... we should all be using tabbed browsers by now, eh?), just middle click it.
Well, works in Firefox at least. Anyone still using IE on a PC should be shot!
The Calendar is a Great Idea!
Is it possible in this set up to include the estimated length/duration of the ride and the ride characteristics e.g. social, quick, endurance, technical, training, beginner, etc.
Would it also be possible for people to tick a box when they are coming on the ride and the calendar to display all intending riders.
Paul
All those new enhancements sound awesome. I like davis_jnr suggestions for the ride posts. That way everyone gets to a style of ride that they like.
As with Matt's comments, I totally agree, a huge THANKS for your efforts and time on this site.
Evan
Having only been on this site for about a month, I'm fairly impressed with the friendliness and genuineness of the forum, and how well the forum just seems to 'work' in it's current form.
1. A 'rides calendar' - To display ride planning forum topics by date. Have got a prototype and this is quiet nice. Can show graphical week/month/year views and also the next few events in a table
As Davis_jnr has already stated, being able to pick rides based on area, time, skill level would be very handy.
2. Sort out the blocks and navigation - I reckon this is a bit messy at the mo and could do with a clean up. Put everything on the top menu with drop downs? Any other ideas?
I like the current Right side links. I like the options underneath the user's name. As well as the Who's online info. I regularly click ont the Random photo link. It's a feature I've seen in other sites that works well.
3. Organic Groups - With more people on the site with more interests (DH, XC, newbies, marathon guys, etc) this would let people build a sub group. Have their own blog, calendar, etc, etc. Everyone else should still be able to see what's going on weekely, but may be able to focus on their mates (their group) first.
That will definetly help out with hooking up rides with people of like fitness.
4. Make the forum more forum like - Ie. remove all the left blocks when you're in the forum and display user avatars, etc.
Are you thinking of something more like this? I like this dual setup for sites with lots of sections.
7. Anything else you can think of?
Different skins. Smiles.
Hey all,
Given there are just so many regular users on this site now, a direct link to an Address Book might be useful. Just to display user info in the 'Your Account' page would do. You would then not have to find a post by someone in order to PM them.
Regarding the groups (i.e. DH, XC, beginner, etc), I think you should be able to still show all groups together, if you want to. Because some still want to do all types of rides.
Likewise to prior comments, Rob, a massive thanks for the continued effort you put into this site. You are a friend to riders everywhere.
Hey Rob,
thanks sooo much from me too for maintaining and constantly improving this page! I don't know how you do that??
I like the idea of having a rides calendar where you click on the date and see what's on for that day, so you don't have to scroll through all the threads.
Other than that I must say I really, really like the page the way it is!! I like it, that it is not all organised and perfect. I also like that the rides are a bit unpredictable and we ride in completely mixed groups with all abilities and different preferences, there is always somebody to learn something new from.
Also I quite like the format, it just doesn't look like all the other forums and you can see all the threads at the same time instead of having to click through XC, DH, Trials...
...
Just my humble thoughts
Cheers
Carolin
of your hard work, its amazing you still have time for a ride. I for one certainly take it all for granted, not just the site design and general maintenance but also the moderation, moving posts to the right spot, correcting links for people like me who just can't seem to get them right. Cheers.
You obviously know my thoughts on most of the above but I also want to 2nd Liam's suggestion of being able to access an address book. This would be particularly helpful when using the Pm feature or just looking for someones mobile that is meant to be coming on the next ride with you. Obviously this would want to be secure from all but registered visitors.
Thanks again and please keep up the GREAT work!
Stuart
In case you didn't know [ and why should you - I didn't say
] you can see the member list here:
http://nobmob.com/profile
It's sorted in order of last login though, so not the best. This can be changed to a tabular form, but want to do the other updates before that happens.
You can also search for users here:
http://nobmob.com/search/user
That's a search of usernames only though (ie. enter 'ditty' to find Liam, not 'liam' which will find two other dudes).
Rob,
Definitely agree with the others - huge thanks for the excellent site!
FWIW I'll offer my 2c worth - I'm keen to see rides (future and past) listed in reverse date order and state date, time, location, speed and tech difficulty. Maybe date & location should be the opening words of the subject/title of the comment that opens each 'ride' thread.
Cheers,
Bruce C
Thanks for your comments, nice to be appreciated
How I thought the calendar would work is:
1. A list of upcoming events, from closest out (limit to next 5 or something).
2. Display view of next week as well, in grid of days.
Then of course you will always be able to click links to display full calendar for year/month/week/day, and see full listing of events too.
The post title will be the location/theme of the ride. More will be in fields below. By default the calendar shows the title and time so that will work well.
We should introduce some tags like DH, XC, All Mountain, Serious Training, Social, Beginner, Advanced, etc. Then we can colour code the events as required.
Sound OK?
Sounds good
Sounds like a top idea and just what is need.
Nice work Rob.
Spot on Rob
I agree with everyone else - you do a sensational job and it all works so smoothly!
I totally agree with Carolin, I like the mish-mash but do think the calendar is a good idea - the only thing that I may be being a bit dim about is the 'Organic Group' thing - that sounds like it could get a bit clicky - like...would you have to ask if you can join those rides if they aren't your mates?
Either way I love the site, it's my favourite!
MEEE
Calendar, titles and tags - spot on.
Bruce C
Would make it a lot easier to see what's happening and choose rides. I'm going to add my 2cents worth that I think the site is great too. I particularly like the rolling random images and get sidetracked for ages just checking them out and then seeing what other pictures were in that gallery...and then where you were riding that day....etc, etc.
Looking pretty smick now Rob. Keep up the excellent work!
Now it is just a matter of playing around with all the new features and discovering all the new goodies. I bet there is stuff here that some of us haven't even noticed yet.
The calendar works great, btw.
Is there anyway to have the calander show on the left side permanently or having a tab link up the top ?
Awesome work Rob
Evan