Suggested features for the next software upgrade

[OVAS-Webmaster]

There have been some suggestions about what can be added to our forum to make it more "interesting".  There will be another software upgrade done this summer and I would like to get people's ideas on what they would like to see, and I will see what can be incorporated.

Just to let you know, at minimum we will be moving to the latest version of SMF and I'm almost 90% certain I will be ditching the current theme as it is too difficult to maintain when the software needs to be updated.

[bizfromqc]

I'll get the ball rolling and suggest a couple of things. Some are easier to implement than others. I personally have no experience with SMF so can't comment on how easy it would be to integrate with the existing (or newer version) of the SMF platform.

- Ability to embed rich media to forum posts (aka, Videos, Picture slideshows)
- Ability to get RSS updates on specific thread (and not only forums and sub-forums)
- Allow richer signatures
- Add the social media sharing buttons (Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Google+, Google Bookmarks, etc...)
- Ability to "like", "+1" or "thank" someone for a post.
- Implement a "badge" system. Something to quickly allow someone to look at a post and see that this came from a person experienced in something (i.e BAP points, Experience with specific species, A planted tank expert, a reputation indicator)

While some people will probably see those as "visual clutter", I see them as enhancements to the browsing/socializing/sharing experience. The features suggested already exist on other forums and I believe our visitors/members would enjoy them. It also "modernizes" our forum for the Twitter, Facebook, YouTube generation 

I'd be glad to help in any way I can.

I also have some ideas/suggestions for the main ovas.ca, let me know if you want to hear those as well LOL

Eric

[OVAS-Webmaster]

Although at the current time I don't plan on making changes to the home page please feel free to put forth any ideas.

[bt]

- Ability to "like", "+1" or "thank" someone for a post.

This.  Absolutely this.  It'd reduce the number of "I agree" or "looks good" posts, while still giving a way to express those sentiments.

Also, a variable width theme as brought up in the other thread.

[Cheebs]

This.  Absolutely this.  It'd reduce the number of "I agree" or "looks good" posts, while still giving a way to express those sentiments.

Also, a variable width theme as brought up in the other thread.

I for one am not 100% on this. Nor am I against it, but the running joke on websites like facebook and such is that "liking" a comment as opposed to posting an actual genuine comment and bumping the thread can come off as a litte... not genuine I guess. But hey, it could be a good thing too. To avoid veering this thread off subject, I'll just say I'm neither for or against it, just bringing up a point!

I like the idea of social media sharing buttons for sure, and perhaps more embedding options.

[exv152]

Although I don't mind the way it looks presently, I also wouldn't mind seeing some new richer colours in the look & feel of this forum. Here is another forum which I like the look of, the complemtary colours are nice http://www.aquaticplantenthusiasts.com/. As for added features, I really don't see much use in adding more with the exception of maybe a like vs dislike button to avoid more unnecessary posting. Just my two cents, because the site looks pretty good already.

[Peekay]

I like the idea of reputation points.. +1 if someone posted something very useful.

Also wish people would use the buyer feedback buttons!  It's a current feature that could act as reputation if ppl used it.

Disagree with 'rich' signatures, sorry Eric!  Been on too many of those forums that have a post that says "I agree" followed by a flashing giant image. 

[bt]

I like the idea of reputation points.. +1 if someone posted something very useful.

Also wish people would use the buyer feedback buttons!  It's a current feature that could act as reputation if ppl used it.

The buyer feedback was disabled due to abuse: http://ovas.ca/forum/index.php?topic=52749.0

I suspect any reputation points system would see similar results, unfortunately.  There just aren't many good ways to implement one that isn't open to abuse.  Only one I've seen that seems decent is the Slashdot Moderation/Meta-Moderation method - and you need a huge reader base for that to work.  From my experience with different reputation/karma trackers in some smaller forums, they just go unused or abused.

[OVAS-Webmaster]

Yes, the buyer system was removed because it became too much work to settle people down.

We once tried a karma system, but that too was removed because people just gave negative karma to people regardless of what they said.

What I hope to implement is a general like add-on where people can simply like some advice - nothing else.

[JetJumper]

Yes, the buyer system was removed because it became too much work to settle people down.

Why not just tell people straight up to grow up? or ignore any complaints like that.    thats my opinion!  Muahahhaa

I think OVAS just needs to get away from trying to police everything.. People can sort their things out on their own.  IMHO!

[bizfromqc]

I like the idea of reputation points.. +1 if someone posted something very useful.

Also wish people would use the buyer feedback buttons!  It's a current feature that could act as reputation if ppl used it.

Disagree with 'rich' signatures, sorry Eric!  Been on too many of those forums that have a post that says "I agree" followed by a flashing giant image. 

I totally agree with you though. All I'm saying is we can allow for richer signatures, avatars and profiles without having a giant flashing annoying banner. They do serve their purposes IMHO.

[bizfromqc]

Why not just tell people straight up to grow up? or ignore any complaints like that.    thats my opinion!  Muahahhaa

I think OVAS just needs to get away from trying to police everything.. People can sort their things out on their own.  IMHO!

You set the rules, period.
People that follow the rules are OK, the ones that don't, get the boot. Easy enough.

[bt]

Why not just tell people straight up to grow up? or ignore any complaints like that.    thats my opinion!  Muahahhaa

I think OVAS just needs to get away from trying to police everything.. People can sort their things out on their own.  IMHO!

The problem is with something like a tracked reputation, little spats that should remain between 2 people can create a lasting impact that is around long after the issue is resolved.  Especially for buyer/seller ratings.

[bt]

You set the rules, period.
People that follow the rules are OK, the ones that don't, get the boot. Easy enough.

That took a lot of work anywhere I've tried it, and I suspect it wasn't so different here.  Far more effort went into warning/booting abusers than the system was worth.

[bizfromqc]

That took a lot of work anywhere I've tried it, and I suspect it wasn't so different here.  Far more effort went into warning/booting abusers than the system was worth.

True, it is some work upfront but once the culture is set in, you reap the rewards.
I've been in the IT industry forever and it's been the case with most of the projects I've been involved in.

It ain't easy but things don't just fall into place, someone's got to do it. Like I said before, If I can be of any help in implementing any of these features or desired upgrades, let me know.

[Greatwhite]

The problem is with something like a tracked reputation, little spats that should remain between 2 people can create a lasting impact that is around long after the issue is resolved.  Especially for buyer/seller ratings.

I used to hang out on another toronto based forum before this one started up, and they have some weird reputation system that I had never been able to figure out.  I seem to think that I gave lots of GOOD advice (usually repeating things that others had told me, or that I had read on other threads) and never saw my points go up.  I think point distribution may have been restricted to a chosen few - and they were too busy giving each other points to spread them among the other users.

I like the trade points system that we have here now, although it doesn't seem to get used by buyers as much as it should...

I tend to agree with the request for "richer signature blocks", but not so that you can put in fancy graphics and stuff.  I'd like to see in a signature what type of setup someone is running, and inhabitants... Kind of like what the "other" forum has.  I don't like that the "other" guys police the signature blocks and bash people who didn't fill it out completely, but an easy way to set up something in there would be handy...

[JetJumper]

The problem with the points system is its great until someone has a complaint.. The second someone complains about someone else and its in public domain they get annoyed because they are called out on a bad rep. and they either A) can't hide the fact that they don't like to follow through on things, or B) they believe it was the other persons fault.

Either way, something didn't go down smoothly and people like to sweep it under the rug.  Typical politics

I love that society always caters to the smallest common faction instead of raising the bar to a higher peg!

Anywho,

My vote is for allowing better signatures.  Set a limiting size on a picture that is allowed to be used and go from there.
600x150 or something like that is a good starting point.  Not too large.

Here is an example:


Or 600x75

[Nerine]

Just a note - we used to allow photos in signatures, but we voted to take it out...only sponsors can have a small banner in their signature as it promotes their business.

No outside links in the signature or banners!! (though I do admit I miss it but it's for the best!)

[bizfromqc]

Just a note - we used to allow photos in signatures, but we voted to take it out...only sponsors can have a small banner in their signature as it promotes their business.

No outside links in the signature or banners!! (though I do admit I miss it but it's for the best!)

May I ask what the rationale was for voting it out?

[Hookup]

I'd like to see sections where we can have reference articles posted.  I believe we have had one in the past but as i recall it was very old information (years and years back). 

I recognize the similarities between stickies and articles, however a series of articles can be agreed upon and people can volunteer to write/edit/add/review etc them.  A wiki thing would work great for this scenario.

Id also love to see tank-logging software integrated...   everyone here maintains a system and it'd be cool if people could maintain their maintenance/testing logs on-line...