NEW SKIN FOR THE SITE (VBulletin Upgrade- NEW FORMAT)

[Mo]

Mo, is there any certainty that links, posts, pics will not be lost in the change over if it occurs?  I think that is one of the major concerns of the members.

Hello Bill,

Yes, we have done this a few times and haven't lost any users, posts, links, pics, etc. Everything would be the same, but there would be a lot of extra features for both the members (for example: cool features like the garage) and admins (for example: better security measures)

Mo

[Mo]

I just realized the only other forum I visit daily (another hobby) is using VBulletin.  It was an upgrade to the old software (no idea what it was) and in some ways it's better, but in others it can be a real pain and I fight it often.  It could just be from poor configuration too. It did take a couple of months to work out all of the kinks.  It also has a limitation to the number of private messages you can store, but again that could all be the way it's configured.

It's all about the way the admin configures it. I do believe that VBulletin will give you a lot of features that will take user experience to the next level.

[Mo]

You should have been actively involved all along. It would have been more productive and caused less angst.

Hello Fj_Ohio,

As said, I just wanted to give you all some time to be able to freely discuss the topic, just as we are now, but going forth, I will be more involved with the conversation. I do agree that most of the negative views towards VBulletin could have been explained early on.

Again, I think the switch over would be worth it. I know that the added user functionality would give the community a lot more to do (such as the garage, which i described on pg. 5 of this thread and gave a link to)

Mo

[Scoob]

The forum would remain Raider specific right?

[Ares X]

You should have been actively involved all along. It would have been more productive and caused less angst.

Hello Fj_Ohio,

As said, I just wanted to give you all some time to be able to freely discuss the topic, just as we are now, but going forth, I will be more involved with the conversation. I do agree that most of the negative views towards VBulletin could have been explained early on.

Again, I think the switch over would be worth it. I know that the added user functionality would give the community a lot more to do (such as the garage, which i described on pg. 5 of this thread and gave a link to)

Mo

Unfortunately on this forum when the person starting the thread is not involved the topic festers and gets worse and worse until it explodes. Jumping in early can sometimes defuse the bomb.

[Ares X]

I just realized the only other forum I visit daily (another hobby) is using VBulletin.  It was an upgrade to the old software (no idea what it was) and in some ways it's better, but in others it can be a real pain and I fight it often.  It could just be from poor configuration too. It did take a couple of months to work out all of the kinks.  It also has a limitation to the number of private messages you can store, but again that could all be the way it's configured.

It's all about the way the admin configures it. I do believe that VBulletin will give you a lot of features that will take user experience to the next level.

I say test it on the Stryker forum first and let's see how that one goes.  They don't have as much to lose. Especially since most of them have moved here.

[Mo]

I know nobody like change and there is the saying 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

I would take a look at other VB sites and see the different things you can do on them. Here are a couple of VB sites you can have a look at:

http://www.jockeyjournal.com/
http://www.forteforums.com/   (this one has a great garage and gallery)

Mo

[Mo]

The forum would remain Raider specific right?

Yes, the forum would stay raider specific.

Mo

[Skullz]

Personally, all I do on here is your basic read and post. I am on another forum for my car which seems to use VBulletin and I'm not really a fan of it. I find it easier to navigate and do what I have to do on this forum. Plus, I would hate to risk losing the wealth of knowledge contained on this site. Just my opinion and I agree with the suggestion of testing it on the Stryker forum first.

[ROADKILL]

Mo you have mentioned some things like for instance the garage that would be available - right now we can go to someones profile and see all the same stuff (posts, threads, stats,mods, pics, etc) so the garage is just a different format but nothing new.
You've used the word security several times just add a better security protocol to this site.

As for the Stryker forum I don't think they should be used as a test for this new format - a simple solution over there would be to make one of the active member moderators an admin also like it is on this site. If there had been one over there like there is here then the spam problem wouldn't have gotten out of hand like it did.

Not trying to give you a hard time just making suggestions as I see it.

[Mo]

Mo you have mentioned some things like for instance the garage that would be available - right now we can go to someones profile and see all the same stuff (posts, threads, stats,mods, pics, etc) so the garage is just a different format but nothing new.
You've used the word security several times just add a better security protocol to this site.

As for the Stryker forum I don't think they should be used as a test for this new format - a simple solution over there would be to make one of the active member moderators an admin also like it is on this site. If there had been one over there like there is here then the spam problem wouldn't have gotten out of hand like it did.

Not trying to give you a hard time just making suggestions as I see it.

Hey Roadkill,

No worries at all. I have mentioned security a few times. Spam isn't the worst that could hit the site and I know that VBulletin offers many options to help combat security threats and spam.

In terms of the garage, that was just one example of many that are available. VBulletin has a lot of different features available to users (a lot more than I could post) and if you take a look at some of the mods VBulletin has available, we wouldn't be able to implement them all in a lifetime lol.

Again, please take a look at the following two forums to just get a taste of what it can offer:

http://www.jockeyjournal.com/
http://www.forteforums.com/   (this one has a great garage and gallery)

Thanks Roadkill,

Mo

[Sweet Tooth]

If the change doesnt happen and the site stays the same. Are the Admins and the moderators going to get some type tool to help make catching spammers easier on them ?
I checked out the links you sent to roadkill. 
If it does or doesnt . Is their a way you guys can fix a search option that when we are hunting for mods for our bikes like(bags,fenders,windshields,wings,seats,etc) We can see what it would look like on our particular color bike ? Just throwing out an idea ?  But i am sure i am not the only one who has thought about the same thing.
Or would it just be easier to start up a thread of each color and let each member put their pics in it ?

[Scoob]

The forteforum is has a nice layout, better then the hondarebel forum in my opinion

[Ares X]

Mo you have mentioned some things like for instance the garage that would be available - right now we can go to someones profile and see all the same stuff (posts, threads, stats,mods, pics, etc) so the garage is just a different format but nothing new.
You've used the word security several times just add a better security protocol to this site.

As for the Stryker forum I don't think they should be used as a test for this new format - a simple solution over there would be to make one of the active member moderators an admin also like it is on this site. If there had been one over there like there is here then the spam problem wouldn't have gotten out of hand like it did.

Not trying to give you a hard time just making suggestions as I see it.

Hey Roadkill,

No worries at all. I have mentioned security a few times. Spam isn't the worst that could hit the site and I know that VBulletin offers many options to help combat security threats and spam.

In terms of the garage, that was just one example of many that are available. VBulletin has a lot of different features available to users (a lot more than I could post) and if you take a look at some of the mods VBulletin has available, we wouldn't be able to implement them all in a lifetime lol.

Again, please take a look at the following two forums to just get a taste of what it can offer:

http://www.jockeyjournal.com/
http://www.forteforums.com/   (this one has a great garage and gallery)

Thanks Roadkill,

Mo

Jockey Journal isn't too bad.  That one seemed nicely laid out and reminded me a bit of this forum.

The Forte forum was nothing but a bunch of ads and it wasn't obvious where I could go to find information.  To me it wasn't inviting and was exactly the type of forum that I would steer away from if I were new to it.

[jim]

I just realized the only other forum I visit daily (another hobby) is using VBulletin.  It was an upgrade to the old software (no idea what it was) and in some ways it's better, but in others it can be a real pain and I fight it often.  It could just be from poor configuration too. It did take a couple of months to work out all of the kinks.  It also has a limitation to the number of private messages you can store, but again that could all be the way it's configured.

It's all about the way the admin configures it. I do believe that VBulletin will give you a lot of features that will take user experience to the next level.

I say test it on the Stryker forum first and let's see how that one goes.  They don't have as much to lose. Especially since most of them have moved here.

I do like Ares suggestion on trying this new concept on the Stryker site first… We here could at least get to taste this new layout and then see if it leaves a bad taste…