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Post by onlyhomelites on Feb 15, 2017 1:14:05 GMT -5
Okay, I'm tired and bleary eyed, so hopefully this will be somewhat coherent! I've made major progress (IMHO) this evening on some changes that we've talked about over the past couple of years. - 1) Parkinlube's board has been replaced with a board for Chainsawlady. I moved undee70ss's photos of her parts into a sub-forum on that board and created a second sub-forum just for requests. I'll contact Chainsawlady directly to see if there are other features she'd like added
- 2) RBW's NOS parts have been removed from the Hardware Store, as he's confirmed that they all have long since been sold off.
- 3) I've added more categories to the model family section and I'm not done yet. I'm thinking that if we consolidate info on specific models into one area as much as possible, it will be easier to search for and find. I'm totally open to suggestions here, so please let your voice be heard!
- 4) I think I found all of the annoying "water heater for sale" type posts and weeded them out. Even figured out how to ban one guy for those posts! If you see more hanging around, let me know.
- 5) I created a board for my website with subsections for the IPL's, Service Memo's and the actual parts for sale. I may add some more stuff later, but I'm trying to be conservative and not make this too self serving.
Some thoughts & questions for all members:
Do we want to have an expiration on the for sale ads? How long to expiration (6 months?)? Do we want an archive ads for unique items?
Resources For Small Engine Repair has never had a post...any reason to keep it? Seems like most of that info is covered in other areas.
Any suggestions for the feedback forum to make it more useful to members? Do people look there for info? Would a listing of reputable Ebay sellers be of interest?
Would a separate board for non-chainsaw Homelite equipment be of interest? I see posts for cut-off saws, tractors, string trimmers, etc... from time to time.
Let's make this a "continuing improvement" thread. I'm open to all ideas and suggestions. My number one goal is to get this place back to the glory days and make it the #1 destination for Homelite enthusiasts. Okay, I'm spent and it's past my bed time!
Good night all!
Leon
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Post by undee70ss on Feb 15, 2017 3:13:23 GMT -5
6 months is plenty for "for sale"ads. If nobody has posted in the "Resources For Small Engine Repair" by now I see no reason to keep it.
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Post by lawnmowertech37 on Feb 15, 2017 4:00:49 GMT -5
how about changing the background color ?
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Post by undee70ss on Feb 15, 2017 5:42:56 GMT -5
how about changing the background color ? You can do that yourself, under settings, but there are only 2 choices, default and green.
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Post by gooseidi on Feb 15, 2017 6:40:43 GMT -5
Nice work, Leon! I will check things out more often.
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Post by sweepleader on Feb 15, 2017 7:50:49 GMT -5
This is GREAT Leon, you know that in your heart and we all thank you for it.
Don't worry too much about fixing everything right away, it will take time and it will come out great. We all know that life comes before Homelite, but not much, eh?
The suggestions above are good, there will be more, I personally am happy just knowing you are in charge now.
I am also completely comfortable with whatever you want to do with HoH and Leon's Chainsaw Parts and Repairs. I know you will do it right. This will be a lot of work and you deserve compensation for your efforts. The easier you make if for folks to find your business, the easier it will be for them to fix their stuff!
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Post by sawnami on Feb 15, 2017 8:07:52 GMT -5
Acquire a group of moderators that share your vision to lighten your burden Leon. Designate them as contacts for members for any concerns or ideas. Have scheduled meetings on the administrative side to discuss those ideas and concerns that they have been contacted by members about. Don't think that you have to do it all. You don't have to be the lone 24/7 watchdog.
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Post by onlyhomelites on Feb 15, 2017 8:29:06 GMT -5
how about changing the background color ? I'll have to think about that one. HOH has been the same so long now, I'm wondering if we've crossed the "legacy" threshold. Everybody instantly recognizes this format! If enough people feel strongly about it though, I can look into it.
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Post by RBW on Feb 15, 2017 8:59:03 GMT -5
Acquire a group of moderators that share your vision to lighten your burden Leon. Designate them as contacts for members for any concerns or ideas. Have scheduled meetings on the administrative side to discuss those ideas and concerns that they have been contacted by members about. Don't think that you have to do it all. You don't have to be the lone 24/7 watchdog. Good advise, but make sure to vett your choices well. There is one button, one, that a malicious individual in the past whom I trusted fully hit and tried to delete the entire board. Luckily I had restricted his account and was online to receive a notice that this was occurring. Trust, but verify. Also something everyone can do is spread the word. When starting the board I had to PM people from AS who were asking Homelite questions and invite them one by one in secret as I faced a permaban if the mods there found out what I was doing. I originally started this board because of how they treated the hobby of collecting antique saws. Leon, you can also put out a Global Email to mention the transfer and shake the tree of registered members and get them to come out and become interested again. You risk getting flack from some, but hey, Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Dont I know that all to well.
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Post by Supercharged86 on Feb 15, 2017 14:56:09 GMT -5
Congrats Leon on the new venture! It's certainly been a long time coming. Certainly in time you'll have the website structured as you like it. Here are a couple of suggestions that I've had on the back burner.
Store fronts should be showcased by those individuals (like yourself and Joyce) that take the time to support the website and "CHECK IN" regularly. Glad to see you've added one for both yourself and Joyce. With that being said, I think SugarCreek Supply no longer deserves to be listed out front. I'm sorry but Joe hasn't check in in over two years, not to mention his products are listed on other websites.
Secondly, I've noticed that many forums have a "like" counter attached to the individuals profile and usually appears beneath their total "posts" counter. A nice little benefit to members who are recognized by their fellow membership. Currently this shows up as a profile notification only; nothing thats tabulated and made public. Anyway, looking forward to the NEW HOH! Steve
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Post by sweepleader on Feb 15, 2017 15:50:16 GMT -5
I like Superchared86's suggestions but before you dump Joe, maybe there is another format that would keep the link but not showcase his stuff. His is the only source I am aware of for his stuff so we really don't want to lose that. I don't have a good suggestion for how to do it, I will think about it and maybe someone else will have a plan.
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Post by Supercharged86 on Feb 15, 2017 20:33:56 GMT -5
I like Superchared86's suggestions but before you dump Joe, maybe there is another format that would keep the link but not showcase his stuff. His is the only source I am aware of for his stuff so we really don't want to lose that. I don't have a good suggestion for how to do it, I will think about it and maybe someone else will have a plan. I agree Dan, Joe does have a unique talent and provides an important product line that's needed for the restoration community. However, if your going to be given a web forum (home page) store front, I think you should provide "some" level of commitment and overall interest in that forum. I'm certainly not saying he should chime in on every thread discussion; but at least log in once in awhile and at minimum update your own store front content. Just saying..... Steve
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Post by onlyhomelites on Feb 15, 2017 20:54:08 GMT -5
I've actually talked with Joe briefly through Facebook...as soon as my voice is back to full strength, we'll be chatting over the phone. He wants to change some stuff up and I'll encourage him to stop by more often. I'd prefer to get him back into the fold if at all possible.
I'll look through ProBoards and see if there's anything like a "like counter" for users. I'm sure there must be, I just gotta find it...good suggestion Steve!
Speaking of Facebook, I put a post up on the Homelite group over there and we've already had 5 new members today! The Facebook format is easy for everyone to post, but it has no structure. You've got valuable information mixed in with for sale ads and posts from parts guys begging you to buy their parts. I'm hoping more serious minded collectors, saw mechanics and enthusiasts will start frequenting HOH again (beyond the 10 or so of us that have been too damned stubborn to quit!). I do see a trend of guys registering just long enough to post an ad and then we never hear from them again. That's why I really like Eric's suggestion of a mass email...it'll eiether shake folks loose or prod them to unsubscribe if they truly aren't interested.
Thanks for all the suggestions...keep 'em coming!
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Post by undee70ss on Feb 15, 2017 21:23:52 GMT -5
I don't know jack about running websites, but isn't there a backup copy that someone can get to in case something is deleted? It's always possible accounts can get hacked and/or no good people do bad things. I double backup all my important stuff to prevent losing any of it.
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Post by onlyhomelites on Feb 15, 2017 22:03:25 GMT -5
I'll have to look into that as well. ProBoards likely has a nightly backup, but I'd hate to assume and then be wrong.
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Post by Supercharged86 on Feb 16, 2017 10:09:53 GMT -5
Here's a thought guys. I'm not sure if most regulars navigate the boards using the "recent threads & posts" button found at the bottom of the home page. But for me, this is what I use 99% of the time to follow new discussions and follow up on old ones. Once on the "recent" thread page I then follow along with those discussions that are labeled "new" and etc. What I find somewhat of a hassle is having to navigate back to the recent thread page. Your choices at this point is to use the back button (which would be one or two pages, depending on if you replied) or use the home page button, then scroll back down to the bottom and clicking the recent thread button again (which will then at least save your previous new thread visit and thus be no longer marked at "new"). Anyway, perhaps there could be short-cut button(s) always present at the top of the page as well, instantly bringing you back? Hope that all makes sense. Steve
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Post by sweepleader on Feb 16, 2017 11:12:32 GMT -5
I use the recent threads too but I have bookmarked that page and put the bookmark on my tool bar, right in the middle. One click and I'm there, looking at the new stuff. When I am done with a thread all I have to do is hit the bookmark again and I go right back to the recent threads page with only the stuff I have not checked out marked as new. I rarely go to the home page unless there is something weird going on like changing admins and the like.
Maybe an instruction to that effect on the homepage would be helpful.
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Post by onlyhomelites on Feb 16, 2017 15:16:34 GMT -5
Here's a thought guys. I'm not sure if most regulars navigate the boards using the "recent threads & posts" button found at the bottom of the home page. But for me, this is what I use 99% of the time to follow new discussions and follow up on old ones. Once on the "recent" thread page I then follow along with those discussions that are labeled "new" and etc. What I find somewhat of a hassle is having to navigate back to the recent thread page. Your choices at this point is to use the back button (which would be one or two pages, depending on if you replied) or use the home page button, then scroll back down to the bottom and clicking the recent thread button again (which will then at least save your previous new thread visit and thus be no longer marked at "new"). Anyway, perhaps there could be short-cut button(s) always present at the top of the page as well, instantly bringing you back? Hope that all makes sense. Steve Talk about pushing me out of my comfort zone Steve! I still use a flip phone, apps are still "programs" and plug-ins refer to the thing on the end of an electrical cord! That being said, I found a plug-in at ProBoards that does exactly what you are talking about. The main navigation header should now be displaying a new link "Recently Updated Threads". To tell you the truth, I had never even noticed that feature before...but I bet folks will notice now! Great idea!
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Post by Supercharged86 on Feb 16, 2017 18:07:08 GMT -5
Here's a thought guys. I'm not sure if most regulars navigate the boards using the "recent threads & posts" button found at the bottom of the home page. But for me, this is what I use 99% of the time to follow new discussions and follow up on old ones. Once on the "recent" thread page I then follow along with those discussions that are labeled "new" and etc. What I find somewhat of a hassle is having to navigate back to the recent thread page. Your choices at this point is to use the back button (which would be one or two pages, depending on if you replied) or use the home page button, then scroll back down to the bottom and clicking the recent thread button again (which will then at least save your previous new thread visit and thus be no longer marked at "new"). Anyway, perhaps there could be short-cut button(s) always present at the top of the page as well, instantly bringing you back? Hope that all makes sense. Steve Talk about pushing me out of my comfort zone Steve! I still use a flip phone, apps are still "programs" and plug-ins refer to the thing on the end of an electrical cord! That being said, I found a plug-in at ProBoards that does exactly what you are talking about. The main navigation header should now be displaying a new link "Recently Updated Threads". To tell you the truth, I had never even noticed that feature before...but I bet folks will notice now! Great idea! Hey that's fantastic Leon, works like a charm too! Dan had a good idea too that I never really thought about, if I needed a plan B. Looks like Plan A is a keeper. Thanks my friend. Steve
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Post by Supercharged86 on Feb 16, 2017 18:17:33 GMT -5
Hey Leon, Looks like you really expanded upon the saw family sub groups; looking real nice!
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