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Darren
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Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
Posts: 23848
Location: Hampshire, UK
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 Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Tom59 wrote: | Would it be possible to simplify the Message Posting Process please?
I find that anything more complicated than standard text and smilies causes me a lot of grief.
I once tried to post a photograph!
What a performance that was    .
The computer nearly had flying lessons.
There is nothing wrong with copy and paste, if Bill Gates uses it, it must be OK! |
Keeping it simple is the best idea, posting an image is relatively easy so long as you realise it has to be hosted someplace.
But we will look at allowing images to be posted in a simpler fashion if this is possible within the limits of the software we use.
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Darren Griffin |
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Darren
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Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
Posts: 23848
Location: Hampshire, UK
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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| mostdom wrote: | Thing is you never really know how bad a rebuild would be until you investigate it. Poking around the market place might reveal some interesting awnsers without the need to commit.
Maybe there is an update available!  |
We are fully updated as we have to be to ensure loopholes etc are closed. We know how bad a change of software would be hence why we have avoided that route to date!
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Darren Griffin |
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Mullet
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Joined: Dec 12, 2005
Posts: 1051
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:14 pm Post subject: |
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| MaFt wrote: | | more major things (like a complete site rebuild (heaven forbid!!)) take a little longer |
I would suggest this is a vast understatement for non specialist personnel but perhaps the reality. You will probably need the assistance of a professional experienced web designer to make the changes from the amateur interest site that stated that started all this, to the commercial site it is today. That's not a dig, expectations change.
That's the site build out of the way, then there's the smooth transition and bug fixing to take care of.
..and while you're at it, get some stock and start selling equipment from the site. Who better to buy from, than here where the wealth of support is???
People can suggest all sorts, its having the skills and resources to implement them where the restrictions lie. |
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Darren
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Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
Posts: 23848
Location: Hampshire, UK
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:15 pm Post subject: |
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| mostdom wrote: | | More constructively though, I do think that Google banner at the top of the page does nothing for the cosmetics of the site, and even at times just adds clutter. |
| Quote: | | Shouldn't the header of your site be for the benefit of the site not someone else. You could have all sorts of buttons up there! |
Ads are in a manner of speaking 'for the benefit' of the site, they contribute towards the not insubstantial running costs.
I dislike them as much as anyone but recognise the reality that they are necessary.
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Darren Griffin |
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Darren
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Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
Posts: 23848
Location: Hampshire, UK
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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| Mullet wrote: | | I would suggest this is a vast understatement for non specialist personnel but perhaps the reality |
Here are just some of the issues we face having visited this issue a number of times already:
1. If we dared to risk using custom code we could be looking at a very hefty bill and be saddled with code that would require constant maintenance and be liable to all manner of security issues.
2. We are realistically stuck with the recognised forum software offerings, PHP is one of a very few that has a workable Content Management System. Devil you know or grass is greener on the other side!
3. Our Google rankings are vital to the site's success and any migration could risk losing that rank, a very risky business indeed.
| Quote: | | ..and while you're at it, get some stock and start selling equipment from the site. Who better to buy from, than here where the wealth of support is??? |
Something we would be very unlikely to do, as an independent site we could not be seen to endorse specific manufactures by stocking and selling their products. Beside the costs and miniscule margins involved!
| Quote: | | People can suggest all sorts, its having the skills and resources to implement them where the restrictions lie. |
And there lies the rub. We're not a multi-national able to devote a huge sum to projects, we all work tirelessly on the site with little time free to devote to even relatively minor 'tweaks'.
And so we concentrate on the core tasks necessary to keep everything running. Which reminds me, I need to buy my lottery ticket, if I win I will be spending some cash on implementing some of these ideas, many of which are worthy but few of which can realistically (yet) be accomplished 
p.s. Mullet, lovin that avatar 
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Darren Griffin |
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MaFt
Pocket GPS Staff
Joined: Aug 31, 2005
Posts: 15135
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:30 pm Post subject: |
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| Darren wrote: | | Which reminds me, I need to buy my lottery ticket, if I win I will be spending some cash on implementing some of these ideas, many of which are worthy but few of which can realistically (yet) be accomplished |
... that and buy me a mac book?
MaFt |
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Darren
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Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40
Posts: 23848
Location: Hampshire, UK
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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Nah, I was gonna but we need to save for the upgrades 
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Darren Griffin |
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Mullet
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Joined: Dec 12, 2005
Posts: 1051
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| Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2008 10:48 pm Post subject: |
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I appreciate the glimpse into your business Darren and the restrictions in place. Its so easy to spend the money of others without understanding the bigger picture  ask Mrs Mullet |
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Allan_whoops
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Joined: Feb 18, 2006
Posts: 369
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:15 am Post subject: Linking up with other countries equivalents |
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| How about 'twinning' with the equivalent in other countries such as France (GPSPassion). Their POIs were extremely useful when travelling through France for 3 weeks. I downloaded Hypermarkets (Petrol), dealers etc. Plus they have a more comprehensive database of speed cameras (which is paid for) including mobile sites. |
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BigPerk
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Joined: Sep 06, 2006
Posts: 1618
Location: East Hertfordshire
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:49 am Post subject: |
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Would it make things clearer if all the icons and other clickable items which are down the left hand side of the (quite long) page be put across the top as either text, icons, both, or as tabs with possibly just the main item, eg Members Area, on the Home page and all relevant sub-items coming up on the topic, (eg) Members Area, page (and remove any duplicates, such as the entry into the camera database mentioned earlier)?
If so is this easy or difficult with your current website product?
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David
(Navigon 70 Live, Nuvi 360) |
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Riggar
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Joined: May 21, 2004
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:02 pm Post subject: Reviews - making it better |
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| You really do need to do something about your reviews - the way they are laid out, access (perhaps by manufacturer, date of review at least) – besides the broad (and useful) categories you already have. The technology has moved at such a pace, some of reviews, are of academic interest only. The site used to be the de facto standard for getting a grip on the market but without additional help – its just tedious, and I suspect you may loose people which would be a shame. This is especially true if you’re new or returning for a new purchase after being out of the loop for a while – names of things doesn’t help. Good luck. |
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RobBrady
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Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Posts: 2718
Location: Chelmsford, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:17 pm Post subject: Re: Reviews - making it better |
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| Riggar wrote: | | You really do need to do something about your reviews - the way they are laid out |
Thanks Riggar. Yes, it's another one on the list. Coincidentally, MaFt brought the subject up yesterday.
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Robert Brady |
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RobBrady
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Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Posts: 2718
Location: Chelmsford, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: Linking up with other countries equivalents |
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| Allan_whoops wrote: | | How about 'twinning' with the equivalent in other countries such as France (GPSPassion). Their POIs were extremely useful when travelling through France for 3 weeks. I downloaded Hypermarkets (Petrol), dealers etc. Plus they have a more comprehensive database of speed cameras (which is paid for) including mobile sites. |
We met with Guillaume from GPSPassion on Monday and this could be a possibility for the future.
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Robert Brady |
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RobBrady
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Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Posts: 2718
Location: Chelmsford, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:28 pm Post subject: |
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| mostdom wrote: | | MaFt wrote: | | more major things (like a complete site rebuild (heaven forbid!!)) take a little longer... |
Thing is you never really know how bad a rebuild would be until you investigate it. Poking around the market place might reveal some interesting awnsers without the need to commit.
Maybe there is an update available! |
MikeB and Dave updated the forum software a few years ago and, as far as I remember, it was a nightmare for them. They had lots of security holes to plug and I believe we also had to jettison loads of incompatible content areas.
The redesign of the site a couple of years ago was a little easier, but still incredibly time consuming.
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Robert Brady |
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RobBrady
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Joined: Jul 21, 2004
Posts: 2718
Location: Chelmsford, UK
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| Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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I've redesigned the 'Navigate Our Site' area on the left hand side of every page to flow better than the previous navigation which, to remind you, had each category in a separate box and required 'disjointed' concentration on each area and a lot of scrolling.
Hopefully it's easier to use now. We are also looking at other areas of site navigation.
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Robert Brady |
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![]() Posted: Today Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising |
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