Soundy 1 Posted July 6, 2009 If you're still looking for suggestions here are some from the perspective of a long time usenet user. There are some things that a good usenet news reader can do that a web forum can't and it would be nice to see some crossover of certain features into a web based forum. Here's my list. 1. Killfiles so that posts from certain individuals (spammers) are automatically deleted from a members view. phpBB3 supports "Friend" and "Foe" lists. 2. The ability to mark a thread ignored so new posts to the thread do not show up as unread posts. I believe there's a mod for this for phpBB3. 4. The ability to make forum threads sticky on a per-user basis. What is useful to one member may not be useful to another. "Stickies" are set by moderators, under the assumption that they ARE of general interest. This is often used for such things as board announcements, "user introduction" threads, and other such topics that the moderators/administrators always wants visible at the top. Having the users decide which ones they want to see would largely defeat the purpose. 5. A one-click 'mark this forum read' button from a forums page that will mark all threads read and return to the main forum index. We already have this: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TastyHuman 0 Posted July 6, 2009 It's fine that moderators can decide what is sticky but moderators cannot identify which threads that individual users might like to keep sticky. So the suggestion doesn't defeat the purpose of sticky's, it enhances it by allowing individual customization. It does not preclude moderators from making stickys. The 'mark all as read' feature as implemented does not work the way I suggested. Yes, it marks all as read, then goes to some other page and you have to manually return to the main page. I'd rather "mark all as read and return to main forum index". With a decent usenet reader that stuff can easily be done with one click and not a click-wait-click-wait sequence. In fact I'd like to see a mark-as-read capability from the main forum index. There are some subgroups that I just don't care about. This type of stuff is generally lacking on all web based forums and I'm not picking on CCTV in particular. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted July 6, 2009 A lot is dependent on the forum software used... much like with newsreader features. This is a fairly old version of phpBB; the newer version is MUCH improved. A lot of functionality can be added by ready-made mods as well, and the php code can always be tweaked for different functionality if you have someone fluent enough in php. All that aside, keep in mind that you're NOT in Usenet any more, Toto One of the main differences with a web forum is that everyone is stuck with the same interface - you can't pick-and-choose individual features like you can when selecting a newsreader. Which is not to say suggestions are not welcome (obviously, they're asking for them in this thread) but there are always some limitations. BTW, as far as "user-selectable stickies" and the ability to ignore some forums... that's sort of the equivalent to thread and forum subscriptions. This version of phpBB does support subscribing to threads, which I believe you can then create a search for. Version 3 also allows you to subscribe to a forum. Subscriptions will the email you notifications when the threads or forums have new content posted. Sometimes what you want is possible, but in a different way Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TastyHuman 0 Posted July 6, 2009 All that aside, keep in mind that you're NOT in Usenet any more, Toto And *that* is the root of the problem Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted July 6, 2009 Well, there's always alt.security.alarms - lots of intelligent, mature discussion there (not!) Hey, I'm an old-school usenetter as well, there are some definite benefits to the medium... on the other hand, the ability to embed pictures in messages can be particularly useful for visual topics like CCTV. And it can be fun too! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted August 17, 2009 Hmmm, another reason to expedite the upgrades: the ability to lock the avatar dimensions to a maximum size... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thewireguys 3 Posted August 20, 2009 What about if you required a log-in to see the forum. I always see at least 10 to 20 guests logged into the site. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted August 21, 2009 What's wrong with that? Still need to log in to post. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thewireguys 3 Posted August 21, 2009 Nothing wrong with it...... I just feel sometimes that we give out a lot of valuable information that people can't get anywhere else without having to pay for. I think that they should have to sign up to see it and maybe they might stick around longer. How many trunk slammers do you think troll this site so they can devalue our business. Just an idea Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted August 21, 2009 Good point, but the other side of that coin is, how many people who might otherwise join up, will just move on if they do a search, find a link here, and then find they can't read anything? I suppose a compromise might be to have SOME forums readable by guests, but not all, while still having the complete forum listing visible to all, so they at least have an idea of the full scope of the site? BTW, one of those Guests might have been me... I get the email notifications of replies on my phone, but when going to the link, my phone's browser doesn't log me in automatically, so I end up reading replies as a Guest. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bigbuilding 0 Posted August 22, 2009 Maybe have a section for home user issues I think a product/manufacterer link section would be very helpful. Not the typical advertisement type one that many website have. Actually have clickable links to the company websites, list companies only under the category they do have products (not under every category like on some sites), do not list sites/companies that do not have helpful info on website. Allow forum members to approve or request removal of companies/websites. Link section with any helpful links that forum members have(training, cctv information, etc). How about a section for product of the day/week. Members could post pics, footage, info about cams/dvrs etc that they would recomend to others. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
survtech 0 Posted August 22, 2009 I like the way this forum is set up just fine. I don't see any need to limit viewing access to only registered users except for certain circumstances, like your "Dealers Only" area. There is already a forum like that (cctvhelp.com) and I don't think they have very many members. The only thing I could see that might be worth doing would be a limited access area for Casino Surveillance and, perhaps, casino-oriented dealers and integrators. I've long-lamented the lack of a forum where we can share information without having the general public see it. Perhaps you could run a poll to see if other specialists in that field would be interested in such an area? I would start one myself but I don't want to step on the Admins' toes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted August 22, 2009 Maybe have a section for home user issues A "DIY" section, perhaps? I think a product/manufacterer link section would be very helpful. Not the typical advertisement type one that many website have. Actually have clickable links to the company websites, list companies only under the category they do have products (not under every category like on some sites), do not list sites/companies that do not have helpful info on website. Allow forum members to approve or request removal of companies/websites. An alternate idea for this might be, along with the phpBB update (when or if it ever happens), if a "portal" page is added, which would support separate modules for posting categorized links, as well as modules for photo/video galleries, user/company directory, etc. If a "links" section is added, I'd suggest that it contain only high-level links - to main company sites, company contact page(s), and/or support page(s). NO links to specific products or price lists or order forms. Link section with any helpful links that forum members have(training, cctv information, etc). Good thinking too, but it would have to be carefully watched to ensure it doesn't just become a dumping ground for spam links as well - for example, "training" info that's specific to one brand or model, sponsored by that manufacturer or vendor, unless it's good "general-knowledge" information. A good example of this might be this DSLR tutorial that Canon has online, that is based around their Rebel XT camera, but is all just good general photography info. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thewireguys 3 Posted September 16, 2009 Why are these guys allowed to blatantly ignore the forum rules...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
larry 2 Posted September 16, 2009 I don't think they will be a problem any longer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thewireguys 3 Posted September 17, 2009 I don't think they will be a problem any longer So now they are tricking people with the link in to there web site that says tech support SUKY CCTV Tech Support >>> www.cctvhotdeals.com These guys are shady Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rory 0 Posted September 18, 2009 I think there should be a mod where certain members (not me!) are given different member levels, i mean there are a good handful of members that spend alot of time here offering alot of good info. Maybe even a thankyou level like when someone likes a post people can say thankyou to it if it helped them out. Stuff like that. Seen it on other forums. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted September 18, 2009 Actually, THIS version of phpBB should support "status levels" inherently. The most basic way of doing it assigns different user designations based on number of posts - 0-20 posts is a "noob", 20-100 is a "wannabe", 100-300 is an "expert", 300+ is a "guru"... something like that. Mods/admins can also create and assign custom types to specific users. I'm not sure about this version, but version 3 does have a LOT more control over permissions, where certain users could be given limited mod powers to approve, delete, or edit posts, or different permissions specific to different forums, and so on. I know this version does allow the admin to assign specific people as mods in different forums... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thewireguys 3 Posted September 18, 2009 I would love to help out any way I can. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scorpion 0 Posted September 18, 2009 I would love to help out any way I can. Pay everyone's tab to the next ISC? No? Just a thought! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scorpion 0 Posted September 18, 2009 I don't think they will be a problem any longer Thank you very much! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thewireguys 3 Posted September 18, 2009 I would love to help out any way I can. Pay everyone's tab to the next ISC? No? Just a thought! no problem everybody's drinking water Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Soundy 1 Posted September 18, 2009 I would love to help out any way I can. Pay everyone's tab to the next ISC? No? Just a thought! Seconded! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thewireguys 3 Posted September 18, 2009 any one going the NYC ISC? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alpine0000 0 Posted October 28, 2009 Upgrading to Phpbb3 is one of the planned changes. Whatever happened to this plan from last year? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
