About The Construction Zone (or TCZ in short) is a section where I will move the many great build threads to, as well as HowTos and other write-ups. Once in here, they get special treatment. The threads never get archived, and they will be kept as "clean" as possible, meaning the thread starter can request "noise" to be removed (like flames or other non-related posts).
Threads can only be moved here by popular request, meaning if people deem your thread worthy enough. For now, this means you'll have to email or PM me your suggestions. In time, I will put something else in place to make this an automated process.
When are threads considered?
Until I have implemented some automated voting process (which, if you know me, could be in a week or a few years), this is how I decide if a thread should be moved to TCZ:
Everything must be documented with plenty of pictures. The more the better. But don't overdo it. We really don't need every single bolt bolted in documented.
The project must be well on its way already. Don't ask me to move a thread you just started and only contains a single "I'm going to start my own build thread" post. Even if it contains a ton of pictures of you standing next to that great junk yard find (your new Fiero).
No abandoned projects. The archives are filled with build threads that abruptly end after a few pages because either the build itself was ended just as abruptly, or the OP (original poster) simply lost interest updating his thread. I will not consider such threads. Even if they are a great read up until that point. Seriously. I could come up with a great metaphore here as to why, but this is a family forum (at least this section is).
High signal-to-noise ratio. This means I will not move a thread here if it also contains a lot of off-topic posts. I've seen many build threads that start of great, then all of a sudden it's page after page of "Dude, did I see you at Joe's Bar yesterday?", "Yes, I had a drink with my ex there.", "Your ex? I thought you were still together", etc.
The subsections
Right now, there are only 3 subsections:
Builds (General)
Write-ups & HowTos (General)
Other
Of course, this is just my suggestion and a bad one at that too. So I'm open to suggestions. Keep in mind though that nobody wants a ton of subsections! I do offer one suggestion of my own:
Reviews
I think reviews of OEM/aftermarket products specifically made for our Fieros belong in this section too.
As for product review, I would think that would be better as a sub-catagory of the General or the Mall rather than the TCZ area.
Another suggestion would be to have the "Topic" subsections like when posting in other areas, But have them seperated by engines. An example could be: 4-cyl......V6......V8.......Turbo.....Supercharged That way someone looking to do a specific swap can pull up only the build threads for them.
This will help a ton of people!! They have a how to section on my BMW forum and it’s just a wealth of knowledge. Great idea cliff, keep up the good work!!
Not to draw away, but Cliff you should probably (if possible) do something like what I've done at FieroWiki.com and allow people to upload their photos directly to your server. One of the big problems with storing this information here on PFF is losing the images later on when people's photobucket/imageshack accounts (and personal webservers) go down and their photos disappear. Also, as on FW, there definitely need to be subcategories (for different swaps/upgrades, etc). I still don't think a forum (even a seperate one) can organize this information properly but it's good that there's something in place for it here. Will archiving be disabled on this category so the threads never go away?
[This message has been edited by MickeyAsh (edited 02-17-2009).]
Awesome! I only have one bit of constructive critism to add.
quote
Originally posted by Cliff Pennock: ...Threads can only be moved here by popular request, meaning if people deem your thread worthy enough. For now, this means you'll have to email or PM me your suggestions. In time, I will put something else in place to make this an automated process...
It definitely needs some solid criteria to determine what makes it in the section and what doesn't or it will turn into a popularity contest, which will breed animosity between the members. If you add threads based on what "people deem"... "worthy enough", there are going to be arguments later about why so-and-so's thread made it and whatchmacallit's didn't when whatchmacallit's had much more useable information...
Hope that makes sense. Just trying to help prevent a problem.
Not to draw away, but Cliff you should probably (if possible) do something like what I've done at FieroWiki.com and allow people to upload their photos directly to your server. ...
In case you hadn't noticed for 10 years Cliff has already been allowing upload of images to his server. (edited for spelling - composed on cellphone)
He also stated there would be no archiving.
Cliff, the is a great idea. great improvement.
[This message has been edited by jscott1 (edited 02-17-2009).]
Hmm a section based on a popularity contest where you can remove flames. Sounds like archie's wet dream.
But in all seriousness, I don't think you will need the "other" section, just turn that into the "reviews"
Its a good idea (on paper) this forum needed a sticky section, lets hope this works
I would say have some kinda button in threads "did this thread help you?" and once it gets enough it can be looked over to see if it should be moved. But like the rating system, it may not work well as not many use it much. And make sure to have some kinda link redirect to the moved threads
oh another forum sugestion, it would be cool if we all had a "car profile page" hooked to our accounts. Just an idea (sounds good on paper)
No not the gallery... if you use PIP (Pennock Image Poster) it uploads the image directly to Cliff's server. As you state, the older threads are much more useful that way as the images don't disappear because they are hosted from a defunct server.
No not the gallery... if you use PIP (Pennock Image Poster) it uploads the image directly to Cliff's server. As you state, the older threads are much more useful that way as the images don't disappear because they are hosted from a defunct server.
Oh hey, awesome. I had no idea that existed. Cool stuff.
[This message has been edited by MickeyAsh (edited 02-17-2009).]
This is a really great idea Cliff. As a new member I have been searching through archives trying to find some hints, tips and such. This will make it alot easier to reasearch ideas and information. Great Job on the site BTW. Brian 85 GT 4sp
if you use PIP (Pennock Image Poster) it uploads the image directly to Cliff's server.
That is if it works for you. I had no problem for about the first two or three years, but since then I cannot post on PIP, and I have reloaded, and followed every instruction given, to a "T", and no luck. I had to switch to Photobucket.
I think this is a great addition. I would definitely like to see a permanant "How To" section.. On www.pontiacbonnevilleclub.com, they have a tech section (basically a frozen forum page) called "techinfo" and it's got direct links for "how-to" items. I have used that numerous times for my Wife's Boneville. Think this would be great to house things people will always ask.. eg.. recall info, egr tube/solenoid repairs, bleeding the Getrag slave, clutch pedal woes, spark plug replacement tips, adding the delco cd players, fuel pump replacement, gas gauge fixes, ignition module replacement etc. Personally, I'd like to see it on a separate link, so you'd have a build section,"Construction Zone" then a completely separate area "Quick Fix" that would have write-ups and How to's section. Either way, I think this will be a wonderful addition!
[This message has been edited by smartaxel (edited 02-17-2009).]
I actually do some review threads on here about the dew wipes and other items. For your construction area, I would remove the "reply" button to keep all the comments and requests limited to the "PM" button. If you can highlight it in green just so new members will be able to figure it out. When you look at my build thread, there are tons of requests. I think that being able to have just the build thread and comments edited out would be a good thing. There is nothing worst than 1 page of build thread and 4 more of bickering before the next set of photos appears.
I would be happy to be the moderator of this area since I know you are a busy guy
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 02-17-2009).]
I think a great place to start moving threads from is this list here.
Agreed! Thanks IMSA GT as I refer to that list and it was the first thread I thought of for this section. A construction zone would be a great place to refer new members to that haven't figured out the search feature.
It's a web based back door into Cliff's server. It should work for just about anybody.
More help here would be great. PIP has not worked for me (not just me, many people regularly post it does not work) in a long time. I used to use it often, then it stopped working and I have no idea how to make it work. I finally gave up out of frustration. I realize that computer tech people may be able to figure it out, but I am with the masses here and have no idea how to tweak it. I can post to othher forums and other sites, just not able to on Pennocks.
I will start moving threads soon. I will need to change the moving process first. As it is now, if I move a thread, I add a message telling people where to find the moved thread. The problem with this is that it moves the original, now closed thread to the top of the topics list.
If I move a few hundred threads, that will put a few hundred closed threads to the top of the list, hogging up the first few pages. So I'll need to take care of that first.
For now, this means you'll have to email or PM me your suggestions. In time, I will put something else in place to make this an automated process.
So I'm open to suggestions. Keep in mind though that nobody wants a ton of subsections! I do offer one suggestion of my own:
