I have been a Fiero owner since 2016, and since I'm also a software developer I thought that I should combine those interests into something useful for the Fiero community.
One thing that I think has been missing in the community is a registry of the Fieros that we are driving. I am aware that there have been different attempts to do this, and people have put a lot of great effort into this, but I have not found any good output / data.
The result of my work is an online service named FieroHub, where Fiero owners can log in and register their cars and see data from others.
FieroHub opened today, and is now waiting for you to fill it with data!
It's an interesting project, and I agree with the VIN requirement. What's so secret about a VIN anyway? Anyone can walk up to your Fiero in public and read it below the windshield.
In the case of a modified Fiero, should the various fields describe the as-built configuration of the car, or the present status of the car?
Perhaps there should be a series of snapshots (with a date for each snapshot) so the evolution of a given car in time can be tracked.
Body styles should be defined as follows: (rather than notchback/fastback) 84-86 bumperpad 84 Indy 85 GT / 86-87 SE 86-88 GT 87-88 coupe
Factory paint / colors (interior and exterior) should be via drop-down menu. There is a small finite number of choices. Only for other (custom) colors should RGB be a possible (don't we use text string paint codes in the automotive world?).
I think that some work to better define the fields should be done before allowing people to create entries (to avoid having to chase people for missing data after the fields change).
Should editing privileges for a car profile be tied to a username/password? When a car changes ownership, a different username should be able to create a new snapshot describing the same VIN. The car's owner (for a given snapshot) should simply be a field in the car profile, just like any other field.
Anyway, just my opinions! It's your project.
[This message has been edited by pmbrunelle (edited 12-14-2021).]
Originally posted by pmbrunelle: In the case of a modified Fiero, should the various fields describe the as-built configuration of the car, or the present status of the car?
I intended it to be the present status. That could for sure be clarified in the description.
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Originally posted by pmbrunelle: Perhaps there should be a series of snapshots (with a date for each snapshot) so the evolution of a given car in time can be tracked.
Great idea! I will investigate that.
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Originally posted by pmbrunelle: Body styles should be defined as follows: (rather than notchback/fastback) 84-86 bumperpad 84 Indy 85 GT / 86-87 SE 86-88 GT 87-88 coupe
These are the two drop-boxes that we have now:
Model: - Base - Sport - SE - Formula - Indy - GT - Mera
Body: - Fastback - Notchback
Could you please describe what you think should be in each of the drop-boxes? I thank you for helping me with this!
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Originally posted by pmbrunelle: Factory paint / colors (interior and exterior) should be via drop-down menu. There is a small finite number of choices. Only for other (custom) colors should RGB be a possible (don't we use text string paint codes in the automotive world?).
There should already be predefined values in the color-selectors (don't you have that?) AND also a free-color alternative, in case the car is repainted.
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Originally posted by pmbrunelle: Should editing privileges for a car profile be tied to a username/password? When a car changes ownership, a different username should be able to create a new snapshot describing the same VIN. The car's owner (for a given snapshot) should simply be a field in the car profile, just like any other field.
Currently, two users can register the same VIN, no problem. But I think it is important that only one user can manage one instance of the car. I like the idea to "transfer" a car to another owner. Will investigate that also.
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Originally posted by pmbrunelle: Anyway, just my opinions! It's your project.
I created it, but the project is nothing without all of us in the community
Good Job. My only recommendation is that cars registered in Australia come up as Oceania and are pinpointed in the Indian Ocean. Would be nice to have these shown in the country where they are registered / live.
I would limit the Vin number. Use only part of it or make it optional.
Crimes have been committed with these number in the collector car field and many will not participate even if it is a minor risk.
I see. Since this seem to be an issue, I will make sure that the VIN becomes private information, so no one else can see it. And also clarify that in the registration.
Good Job. My only recommendation is that cars registered in Australia come up as Oceania and are pinpointed in the Indian Ocean. Would be nice to have these shown in the country where they are registered / live.
Mikael, Got a suggestion for you. Can you add a category so folks can register those cars that have been junked? Many times folks see cars that are no longer on the road because of their or have been wrecked or written off. Being able to report these would provide a clearer picture on where all the Fieros are winding up.
Mikael, Got a suggestion for you. Can you add a category so folks can register those cars that have been junked? Many times folks see cars that are no longer on the road because of their or have been wrecked or written off. Being able to report these would provide a clearer picture on where all the Fieros are winding up.
Good idea. The easy way to do that is to add another option "Junk car" yes/no
But it would still require a VIN.
Would you typically be able to see the VIN on these cars?
Originally posted by blyfot: There should already be predefined values in the color-selectors (don't you have that?) AND also a free-color alternative, in case the car is repainted.
I do not see pre-defined values. When I click on the box, I immediately see the Windows color window:
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Originally posted by blyfot: Would you typically be able to see the VIN on these cars?
You can see the VIN at the corner of the windshield, so yes, usually it is visible.
I still like the use of the VIN... it solves a lot of problems, such as avoiding duplicates.
A VIN is a nice way to find a car. If you don't have the VIN, you'll have to maybe narrow down the records with filters, and even then, you're not sure if the record is describing the correct car.
If you don't use a VIN, you may have to use a fierohub.com identification number. Then, it will be possible for one physical car to have multiple fierohub.com identification numbers.
If you make it possible to have different instances of the same car (same VIN or fierohub.com number), where each instance describes the car on a specific date, then the mileage could be a precise integer rather than a rough drop-down box.
The problem with having mileage in a car profile that describes the present status is that the user must keep updating the mileage drop-down box... and people will forget to do this over time.
If mileage is associated with a specific instance/date of the car, then that information is always correct and never needs updating.
Originally posted by blyfot: That is the lower trim of the body. 88s have this in the same color as body. I have renamed the option to "Lower trim paint".
Here is an Aero 86 SE:
Here is a Fastback 88 GT:
The other Fiero "Body" types do not have this kind of lower trim.
For instance, here is my own bumperpad Fiero:
On my bumperpad we see that there are no lower trim panels like on the Aero or Fastback cars, so it should be possible to set the lower trim paint to "not applicable".
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Originally posted by blyfot: Regarding the color-picker, I think that predefined colors might not be available in all browsers / OS..
Predefined colors were not available in Mozilla Firefox 95.0 / Windows 10.
I tried with Microsoft Edge / Windows 10 (same computer) and the predefined colors were available.
On my bumperpad we see that there are no lower trim panels like on the Aero or Fastback cars, so it should be possible to set the lower trim paint to "not applicable".
You are right. The color-pickers are tricky... Not sure how to add the not applicable option.
I added a note on mouse tooltip "select same color as Paint if not applicable" until I figure it out.
Enter your Postal Code after your city ex: Calgary T2H 1B5 This will place your car's "flag" in your part of the city. Otherwise, all flags will be piled on top of each other in downtown.
I think the Zip Code after the city works for those in the States.
[This message has been edited by fierosound (edited 12-16-2021).]
Nice idea. I have registered, but not yet added my Fiero. Just some feedback on why (from someone with years of consumer ecommerce experience).
As expressed by others, my initial concern was around your design decision to make VIN a required and non-editable field (presumably it's a primary key?).
Apart from the concerns expressed, this also means that some extra information gathering effort is required, in order to initially create your Fiero record.
This, unfortunately, also makes it perhaps much less likely that fierohub.com will achieve what it sets out to be.
In my view, for fierohub to capture more than just a handful of Fiero's, it needs to be kept simple (as in KISS principle), and certainly have the ablility for new users to add their Fiero record quickly, and on impulse! Most certainly, without any "required fields" for information that may be concerning for some, and also highly likely to not be immediately to hand, for most people (to allow for a quick, easy, and impulsive "Add my Fiero").
It's also dissapointing to see that "Statistics" and "Fiero Map" are not visible until you "Register a Fiero to unlock". Therefore, for newly registered users to the site, there is nothing to see! From a user experience perspective, this is not particularly an enticing start for promoting new visitor retention. Nor does it create any real "community contribution" enticement, for new users to actually take the time to add their Fiero record to the "Statistics" / "Map"!
In summary, I think the site urgently needs: 1. Immediate visibility of statistics etc. upon authenticated registration, creating an immediate "joined the community" feeling. 2. Ability to easily add your Fiero record, impulsively! ie. Initially with just the information you'd have at front of mind.
And, if you're concerned that someone might start creating lots of rubbish records, then I'd say: - Initially just focus on getting registered users to actually create records! - If absolutely necessary, you could always limit the number of Fiero Registrations per user.
But let's face it, if someone wants to make-up a VIN (just to populate the "required" field), I'm assuming that you possibly don't have any way of actually validating the VIN entered belongs to the vehicle described?
Just my quick 2c. I really would like to see fierohub be successful!
One thing you could do is just have the stock colors be a simple drop down menu, and then have an option for more specialized colors. I am already seeing 2 different types of blue, and 3 different yellows in the graphs, which were probably meant to all be the same color.
First of all, thank you for your engagement and feedback. This kind of feedback is what will make FieroHub great in the long run!
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Originally posted by KoolKiwi: In summary, I think the site urgently needs: 1. Immediate visibility of statistics etc. upon authenticated registration, creating an immediate "joined the community" feeling.
FieroHub aim to follow the policy "What you want to see, you should also share". You are correct in that this will have it's downsides. But don't you agree that this is the most fare policy to use? And I believe that the upsides make it worth it in this case.
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Originally posted by KoolKiwi: 2. Ability to easily add your Fiero record, impulsively! ie. Initially with just the information you'd have at front of mind.
I totally see your point here, and trust me, I have thought much about this. The conclusion is still that we should strive for the most accurate registry possible. In the long run, like when cars changes owners, we would probably just end up with a lot of duplicates. If we allow non-VIN entry there is likely that many users will never enter VIN later.
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Originally posted by KoolKiwi: But let's face it, if someone wants to make-up a VIN (just to populate the "required" field), I'm assuming that you possibly don't have any way of actually validating the VIN entered belongs to the vehicle described?
Not right now. But I'm hoping to integrate a VIN-checker service soon, and then we would run it towards the database and might be able to find false VINs.
[This message has been edited by blyfot (edited 12-17-2021).]
One thing you could do is just have the stock colors be a simple drop down menu, and then have an option for more specialized colors. I am already seeing 2 different types of blue, and 3 different yellows in the graphs, which were probably meant to all be the same color.
In most modern web browsers there should already be a set of predefined colors to choose from. I am aware (as can be seen in the statistics) that some users have probably selected different shapes of colors unintentionally.
Will continue to investigate a solution for this. Users can always change the colors later, if we find a solution, or when they find a modern browser
In most modern web browsers there should already be a set of predefined colors to choose from. I am aware (as can be seen in the statistics) that some users have probably selected different shapes of colors unintentionally.
Will continue to investigate a solution for this. Users can always change the colors later, if we find a solution, or when they find a modern browser
The Mozilla Firefox browser where the predefined colors didn't work for me was pretty modern.
I might have missed it but is there or will there be a way to contact other members in your area? I see two entries of people who are near me that I don`t know the cars. Maybe with it being a registry it is not appropriate to even have that option, just asking. Thanks
I might have missed it but is there or will there be a way to contact other members in your area? I see two entries of people who are near me that I don`t know the cars. Maybe with it being a registry it is not appropriate to even have that option, just asking. Thanks
Only users that have selected "My contact information can be shared with other users" will show their contact details on the Fiero map.
It is now possible to paginate through a users pictures on the Fiero map.
I LIKE this. Have 4 pics up on each of my cars.
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Originally posted by css9450:
Will non-members have the ability to see the database?
I'm fine with ONLY other registered Fiero owners seeing this info on the map.
If it was open to everyone, unscrupulous people could hunt for you in your neighborhood. Sure, my cars are garaged for the most part. But some have theirs outside on the street.
Even as it is, some Fiero owners are afraid to register and "reveal" any of their info.
