I have been looking at the logs on the forum. The logs tell's me everything, i can pick a user on here for instance and it will tell me what make P.c your using, even down to what search provider you use (google etc) But im confused! I check the logs and see names pop up and they dont post? however i can see they have read a certain subject on the forum. If i trace certain user names back to other forums i can see they are posting but not on here? So! Why do alot of you 'read' only on here but not 'post' on the threads? Is it me maybe? Do i answer alot of posts rather than let you chaps discuss between yourselves? (i have a copy of BS in front of me at the end of the day) do i need to step back a bit and allow you lot to come up with answers? Do we have to much info on here maybe? i can see (through logs) that alot of you use the search function, i see you search and then read the topic you have found but again dont reply. have you found the info you want to know? End of the day, this forum is for you lot to help you. What can we do to help you lot, what do you want to see on here?
I don't think you are doing anything wrong mate I think it's just a case of getting more people from the other forum's to join in here,Like sandyfloor etc I do think some thread's do get a bit stale,but that's the case on all the forum's. If anything,we should all be working together and sharing our knowledge between forum's :smile: I think once you have a core group of users they will stay with you,flet from forum to forum but will alway's come back Dreadless :cry: Hippyfitter
Matt...will be in touch later. As I'm a recent addition hopefully I can offer you some answers you've been looking for :thumbs
I have pretty much got out of the habit of posting on all the forums I am a member of, although i do go onto them all most days. There is no particular reason that I can think of. Will try and start posting a bit more ! Ray
I for one read all new posts daily, but only enter a reply if I can help or have a opinion. That could be a fair reason for others too?
Agree with above I go onto the 3 main site forums (of which this is 1 of them) daily...(religiously actually :lol: ) If i can help with a posts query etc then i will answer, if i cant help i wont simples. :geek: All the regular guys that frequent other sites know each others names/tags etc (ie Sandy :mrgreen: ) & i think that def builds comaradere so to speak. Your not doing owt wrong Matt, give it time
I'll warn you before reading this it might touch a nerve but I want to be blunt and feel as I've just registered I can give an objective view. How does the membership numbers compare to other forums? The reason I ask is it doesn't look very welcoming to the public. The home page doesn't actually say what the forum does ........is it for the public to get advice?...is it for pros to shoot the breeze?....most of us know but Joe Public might not and go to a forum that is more attractive. If he comes here with his problem then it will attract more pros to answer the questions and then onto forming more of a community. Just a modest opinion or am I missing something? (don't say charm, good looks , sense of humour etc.) Maybe I have this wrong but it's a first impression.........am I banned yet? :lol:
Don't think you'll get banned for this - I didn't get banned either for telling some off on their "profile images" and "banter or word-games" confusing the actual thread. Also not sure if this is the correct topic for this? That's another item: what can or cannot be seen by the general public? I get confused (.com) sometimes - had to search hard to see where this topic is found if you don't look at the "new posts" only, like I tend to do.
I am guilty of reading posts daily but not posting many thing mainly because by the time I get round to reading posts already have the answers so feel there's no point repeating maybe this is a good reason to finish at lunch time so I can read them before they get answered
thanks for the feedback. Sandyfloor, any suggestions on what you think the 'home page' should say? Maybe a complete revamp of the forum?
Was just checking out other forum. With that one you get a few views without registering so it is really easy to have a look round and anyone can see how it operates. With yours you only get to view the first post of a thread and you have to register to see any more so someone browsing doesn't get much of an idea of how your forum works. Most people imo don't like giving out any details in fear of getting spam etc. so they will need a good reason to register and will be more likely to use the competition. BTW if someone googles a problem and it comes up in a thread can they view it? All just my thoughts and open to argument.
Yes i agree with you on only being able to see 1 post. I would prefer people to say view 20 pages or something before it asks you to register. Sadly this forum does not do that. I need to change to a different forum setup. I have actually purchased different forum software and its waiting for me to build a 'New' forum. But i brought the latest version which has limited add ons at the moment. I can turn this option off, but then there is no reason for people to sign up. Im not sure how much you know about how forums work (behind the scenes, if you do i have a job for you ) but all these little extra have to be programmed in. You cant just tick a box in the settings as there are no settings there untill you program it into the software. My problem is i dont know enough on how to do it so i have to get a friend to do it for me. Its a pain in the backside! I have tried to do it before but end up breaking the place LOL. As for searching and finding something in google? no you wont be able to see it without registering. We dont have a issue tho with people registering. My issue is that the same people come back on a daily basis and read all new posts. But 99% of them have never posted to even say hello ! But i have searched them on other forums and they seem to post. Most of it rubbish tho LOL.
maybe have a 5 post limit before they have to register etc? having to register before you know if its even gonna get you the answer you seek could be a put off. (i mean joe public) I'll be honest, i didnt even realise you had a trade section until today because i usually look at 'new posts' :lol: far too technical looking for me :mrgreen: So maybe a revamped front page that incorperates the new posts list with the different sub forums? Maybe also having less forums: incorperating commercial and domestic topics together carpet (domestic/comercial) vinyls (domestic/comercial/LVT's) Wood (laminate/solid) Training tools & suchlike News / product, market news etc Pictures of work And obviously a traders section which i think is invaluable for us all to chat/rant/discuss various issues :mrgreen: Please feel free to ignore me completely as its only my humble opinion :lol: ok, just had another look at the main page again lol really a list of new posts would be a great addition
You should have 'Blue' lights that light up if there are posts you have not read (new posts) If im understanding what your asking for, well the forum already has it but i dont think your using the forum correct maybe? Go to the top of the forum but below the chat box and you can click "mark forums read" Here is a screen shot to help you When you click this it will reset the forum for you. Everytime you log in after, the blue bit will light up to tell you there is a new post.
Hi Matt, i will try to answer on categories i know, i.e. i only fit carpets and vinyl, i also bring a bit of humour , some might not call it that though on here. Bladerunner and i bounce off each other and wether it annoys people i don,t know. I know he has a wider experience in floors and he posts some useful info on here. I,m trying to get more workmates to join , obviously the more the merrier!
I aslo think there are a lot of training opportunities on here, which aren,t elsewhere. I do intend to come to one or two in the near future.
Actually Ted raised a good point Your the only site that organises trining days for members Huge ups for that mate Just a god dam shame i live so far away otherwise id be there for all of them
I know this is done on other forums and it def works What about a 'liked/reputation button'? If you like what someone has posted then you 'thank them' for it building up a visible tally/score on their avatar/name etc so new people can see their being helped or advised by someone that is obviously respected and knowledgable on this site. Well you know what im getting at :lol:
