I have no idea if I'm too much of a n00b to critique things, or if I'm in an environment where such critique is welcome or considered, if I'm putting them in the right room, or even if this has been discussed before and everyone will soon be sick of me (at least apparently not for a few pages back)...

Not to insult the designers of the site (it's fairly pretty), but does anyone else feel it's a bit clunky to get around? It primarily seems that there are just WAY too many rooms, subrooms etc.... It seems like things often get more active or seen in forums where information is more consolidated. Do we really NEED a room for say parts swapping or exhaust only?

It's true that there's the active threads list, but in the end that just seems to add another shell that you wind up having to navigate around on occasion, especially if a thread then falls off being active and you can't remember what room it's in. I've preferred other car forums that break it down no further than the specific generation/model of car where information flows quite well and participation is high...

So my little schtick is that if some of the less-frequented, more redundant rooms were eliminated, things would be a bit easier to find...

Anyone care to agree, lambast?

That said, of the two other majorish Z forums I've looked into, I still think I like this one best

I disagree. From time to time our problems are specialized and searching doesn't always pull out a likely solution. Being able to sub-divide topics (and therefore searches) into major component systems greatly enhances the ability to find solutions.

You could argue we need to add two more groups...

- why does my rear end have that clunking sound?

- why does my car stumble of 3500 RPM?

LOL

Edited August 7, 200816 yr by bigoak

I'd have to disagree also. Of the sites I visit regularly, I find this one to be one of the easier ones to navigate. You're only 3 months and 38 posts into it. At that point, I probably would have felt as you do about most sites.

I just use the "New Posts" link on the left (in the "Users Login" section) to see everything new that has been posted since my last visit (usually the previous day).

If I want to find something specific, I'll use the search functionality, or, when I was new to the site, I would read the posts in specific sections to learn about common issues or what to look for.

When I wanted to get new wheels for the Z, I used the Wheels gallery to look at all the different options.

Actually, of all the various forums I visit, this one has the best navigation and features. I have even referred the administrators of other forums here to see how it should be done! :classic:

Have to say I really like the layout of the site. I find it very intuitive...

Being the designer of the site, I also find it a bit clunky and too technical compared to other website designs. I think this is due to the fact that we started out as a simple forum and added many other features and modules along the way. The overall engine behind the site is very powerful but the front-end lacks a friendly face. I've tried over the years to make things easier to navigate, but, we always seem to come back to the same basic principal of blocks on a front page.

I am working on a new design but it's going to take some more thought and imagination than I have time in the summer months. Winter is my primary "in house" development creative period and I hope to have a new design complete by then.

Fact of the matter is, I also need to put together some cash to pay a designer to do some graphics and things for us. A new overall site design is going to cost in the neighborhood of $2,000. I also want to pay for some creative logo and graphic design as well. Donations go a long way to help in our cause for a better experience in the club. (sorry for the obvious self promotion there...)

All-in-all, the site in the current form is easy to use as long as you know where to look. This takes time to find all the shortcuts. Even I found new ways to access the data just yesterday!!

Your voice is heard and know that I am working on a solution.... Just gonna take a bit more time...

m

I have the resources to help you if you'd like, mike. I am a systems administrator/web developer. Let me know if I can be of any assistance to helping improve upon the site. I've also created quite a few different php sites in the past.

And the reason that I send money to Mike each month is to help ensure that the collected knowledge and wisdom of the folks that are here now and the ones who've now passed on - such as my dear, late friend, Carl "Bambikiller240" Stahlnaker - will be there to enrich our knowledge when needed.

Yes, the site may be clunky, but that's an opinion that, IMO, is probably more prevalent in those of us under the age of, say, 30. I'm about double that age and I remember doing literature searches for all kinds of information in a real library (which, BTW, you had to get your happy hiney to) using books, magazines and newspapers. Believe me, even the WORST electronic search method is way better than the BEST manual one.:laugh:

And, indeed, it does take a little thought to figure out how to best pursue a topic search on this site, but where else on this planet is the information collected? In fact, I have in the back of my mind the desire to eventually collect all our various streams of information into proper, full-blown, technical articles to be maintained on this site (or its successors) for decades to come. That's how I want to contribute and stay mentally fresh when I reach retirement. I'm trying to begin the project now, but earning a living keeps getting in my way. That, and rebuilding my beloved '72.

Edited August 7, 200816 yr by Seppi72

Being the designer of the site, I also find it a bit clunky and too technical compared to other website designs. I think this is due to the fact that we started out as a simple forum and added many other features and modules along the way. The overall engine behind the site is very powerful but the front-end lacks a friendly face. I've tried over the years to make things easier to navigate, but, we always seem to come back to the same basic principal of blocks on a front page.

I am working on a new design but it's going to take some more thought and imagination than I have time in the summer months. Winter is my primary "in house" development creative period and I hope to have a new design complete by then.

Fact of the matter is, I also need to put together some cash to pay a designer to do some graphics and things for us. A new overall site design is going to cost in the neighborhood of $2,000. I also want to pay for some creative logo and graphic design as well. Donations go a long way to help in our cause for a better experience in the club. (sorry for the obvious self promotion there...)

All-in-all, the site in the current form is easy to use as long as you know where to look. This takes time to find all the shortcuts. Even I found new ways to access the data just yesterday!!

Your voice is heard and know that I am working on a solution.... Just gonna take a bit more time...

m

Wow, Mike is the only one who agrees with me? I guess we're both "too young" somehow then Thank you much for addressing my concerns, even if somehow we're the only two who share them apparently... I guess job one on my part is to put my money where my mouth is and donate up, then I'll have more the right to bitch

No, I agree as well. It's just that most us who've been here a while have learned the shortcuts and where to look to find what we want.

Mike, IMO the best thing that could happen would be if users had the ability to hide modules, blocks, even individual forums. If we could turn off the stuff that we never use or view, it would streamline things considerably.

Thats a good idea Arne. I'd support that suggestion too.

Also, I don't know if it works this way or not, but if the search feature searches for content in addition to thread titles, it would be very helpful to find things.

Greg

A revamp of the logo up top would be nice, maybe a little longer extending to the right, to the middle of the page.

Anything that isn't relevant should be removed, and a general cleanup should be performed. Otherwise the site is very functional which is much more ideal than just aesthetically pleasing.

Wow, Mike is the only one who agrees with me? I guess we're both "too young" somehow then Thank you much for addressing my concerns, even if somehow we're the only two who share them apparently... I guess job one on my part is to put my money where my mouth is and donate up, then I'll have more the right to bitch

I overlooked one thing...you absolutely have the right to "bitch"/make suggestions...always welcome and you approached it in a reasonably constructive manner...now go donate...sh*t...I need to too...