feedback on the site

[bubba]

The forum software is quite capable of attaching any kind of file, and this can be locked down to just be images - however, the image hosting sites do a much better job.

It's far better to set up (for example) a free Flickr account then link the images from there - there's no need to host images on this server - what could be done with those images in the future would be far less flexible than something like Flickr offers and would cost this server unnecessary bandwidth.

The extra effort of linking images into a post here is pretty negligible - it's a few clicks...

And regarding "weaknesses" of open-source forums, have a look here and you'll find that SMF offers much more than InstantASP (old version of SMF compared to the one in use here too)...especially when you compare the cost

 

[droid]

The forum gobsh1te occurs on just about every forum set up.  My humble opinion is that it provides wind-up material. Most forums provide an 'ignore' function for anyone bothered by this phenomenon.

Seems a pretty good forum to me.

 

[Burt]

It's dead easy to simply ignore the posts from the "usual suspects" who bitch, post waffle or link. Just ignore 'em.

I think the forum works well as it is; it's easily navigated, doesn't advertise irrelevant shite and is usually informative; if not then it's a laugh.

You don't HAVE to read (or believe) everything you see.

 

[AndyF]

The forum software is quite capable of attaching any kind of file, and this can be locked down to just be images - however, the image hosting sites do a much better job.

It's far better to set up (for example) a free Flickr account then link the images from there - there's no need to host images on this server - what could be done with those images in the future would be far less flexible than something like Flickr offers and would cost this server unnecessary bandwidth.

The extra effort of linking images into a post here is pretty negligible - it's a few clicks...

Perhaps.... but people don't do it. Look at the trip reports and count ones with no pictures.

In my own experience I was running a forum on a virtual server with limited disk space, so people had to use Photobucket or similar. I've now moved it to a dedicated served with gigabit link and unmetered useage, unabling direct image upload at the same time.

The number of pictures increased in posts maybe threefold...and these threads are very popular. The corresponding number of posts crept up rapidly following this change.

Many of the older pics on the external sites have now become "broken" as well, degrading the quality of those threads.

I can't see having to go to two different sites, copy and paste links across to your post can ever be described as "better", but there yer'go

 

[AndyF]

And regarding "weaknesses" of open-source forums, have a look here and you'll find that SMF offers much more than InstantASP (old version of SMF compared to the one in use here too)...especially when you compare the cost

LOL that "comparison" is a load of cr&p.... they are either biassed or just plain blind/dumb...or didn't ACTUALLY try the product. Lets see....

IP Blocking "NO"  - er yes it has
Suspend Users "NO" - er yes it has
Web based template management "NO" ---errr yes it has ...
Scheduling -"blank"  - erhm  it has that.
Quote Posts "blank" - think they both have that
HTML in posts ("Yes - add in )" - "as standard"

Spell checker, word censor, calender list etc. etc...
Could go on but bored now....

Price $839 - errrhm  We paid ?60

What a load of cobblers.

 

[bubba]

True, the comparison doesn't have half the features of SMF 2.0 either....point is, ?60 is still a lot more than ?0 for zero benefit  :tease:

Regarding photos and broken links, sites like Flickr have been stable for years so it doesn't happen unless a user specifically deletes a photo.

I think the Flickr ukcaving group offers far more flexibility and gets photos seen far more than just having them hosted inside the forum.

Fair point on photo-less trip reports but I'm not sure the reason for it is that people can't be arsed linking to an external site - they seem to manage ok elsewhere in the forum.

 

[graham]

Don't photo less trip reports indicate that a camera isn't taken on every trip?  :-\

 

[Rhys]

I'd certainly post more photos if it wasn't such a pain to do. It's okay if it's only one or two, but if I want to post a several, I find it quite a ball ache uploading to flickr (where I don't routinely store or display photos) then going back and forward copying and pasting links. Maybe I'm lazy!

Also how many times does someone have to answer the question "How do I post photos?" and fix people's img tags?

Rhys

 

[SamT]

Try imgur rather than flickr.

Its pretty quick, no need to register, just upload and it gives you the links you need straight away ready to cut and paste.

 

[bubba]

Pics are deleted from imgur if they've had no views in 3 months, so not very good for old reports, etc.

It's a good idea to archive your photos somewhere online like Flickr anyway in case you're computer ever gets stolen, etc and you lose the originals.

 

[Known by None]

I like the + / - idea. If everybody thinks Peter spouts excessive shite, then it will rapidly demote his output. Or otherwise.

Chris.

With all respect, Chris (and Khakip.), it's a shite idea, and been tried before under the "karma" banner. Incredibly judgemental. The guys oop north took it quite seriously, whilst us southerners gave it the credit that it richly deserved. It didn't last long, thank goodness.

Wonder whatever happened to "New Phil"?

Still, it amused us for a while. 

I remember the good old days of karma. Didn't Elaine get the most? I recall some toys out of prams too... good times.
I stopped coming here after the Darkplaces debacle. A personal spat that should have been between two people kind of ruined it for me and several others and the filter change was the last straw. I had no interest in posting trip reports or interacting after that.
Hope it improves though, met some good folks and had some good trips because of this forum.

 

[woodburnercacing]

There is nothing wrong with the site ,I have found it quite interesting, in fact I got a couple of caving suits through it off cap-n-chris, I would like to see more new trips described,  Keep up the good work.....