32 replies to this topic

[Jim Daniels - FIG]

Like an old pair of shoes I guess. At both events thus far in World Challenge folks have come up to me with stories of missing their old Internet friend, SM.com. On the other hand lots of folks have praised the new site albeit not many are SMers.

Perhaps SM is such a unique group born from origins unlike other classes that it needs the old site too. I'm on the fence, thoughts.....??

[Kyle Burkhardt]

One or the other, please.

[Danny Steyn]

Happy with the new format thanks

[tony senese]

I love the new site, I just miss the simplicity of SpecMiata.com. Having current topincs in the right hand frame like the old one would be awesome... I know what is here is similar.... but it's not simple enough for my simple mind...

[Qik Nip]

I love the new site, I just miss the simplicity of SpecMiata.com. Having current topincs in the right hand frame like the old one would be awesome... I know what is here is similar.... but it's not simple enough for my simple mind...

I voted yes, but like Tony, what I really miss is the array of topics and the the navagation capability of SpecMiata.com. The new site is simply not as useful to a SM'r as the old one.
Rick

[Mitch Reading]

ONE site only please.

[Sean Allen]

Is it not possible to merge the two forums? No way to "upgrade" the software on SM.com while retaining all the old members and topics?

I don't mind the new software on this forum, what I miss are all the members and the activity of the old site.

Why not try to upgrade that site, then add OTHER forums to SM.com. "Other Mazda Racing" as a general category, then have sub forums for all the different kinds of Mazda racing just like how the Spec Miata section is on this site. Also, you could have MazdaRacers.com redirect to SM.com, so both URL's would work.

SM is the biggest form of Mazda racing from Amateur to Pro, we should have a full site, not just a section.

[Tom Hampton]

I voted no.

But, like everyone else, I think it is clear that the new site needs some tweaking. I'm personally happy with the new site, but admittedly I'm a professional computer nerd. So, I'm not necessarily representative of the majority. I hear rumours of complaints; and the voting so far, seems to bear those rumours out. I just don't think that going backwards is viable. This new software is SOOOOoooo flexible, it should be possible to do "most anything"....(caveat: given enough time and money).

What I haven't figured out is what/how.... I haven't heard many of the complaints directly, only 3rd hand. I think we need an airing out of complaints/suggestions. Here or wherever...If we get a list of what people don't like, or miss from sm.com, I'm happy to help figure out how to tweak this site based on that list of complaints.

I'm even happy to talk to people who have rants about the new site, and try and glean some useful info from those rants.

[dmathias]

This site is a visual 'black hole'. Gray and darker gray are oppressive. A brighter page design would help.

Hint: toggle between this site and facebook.

[Tom Hampton]

This site is a visual 'black hole'. Gray and darker gray are oppressive. A brighter page design would help.

Hint: toggle between this site and facebook.

Change the theme to IP.Board. Bottom left of every page. It defaults to "MazdaRacers". But, the IP.Board scheme is very similar to the FB color scheme. Much brighter, if you like that sorta thing.

I, on the other hand, am a dead serious racecar driver, and think the theme should reflect the life and death serious nature of this sport. Not some cheery, teeny-bopper, facebook, girly woose. ::tongue-in-cheek::

If I run this IP.board theme at home, my wife might think I *WAS* on facebook, and get all excited.

[dmathias]

Tom, you are aware that you're racing a 'chick-car' aren't you?

-Denny

(Hey, you're right, the IP.Board is better.)

[dstevens]

Tom, you are aware that you're racing a 'chick-car' aren't you?

LOL, nicely played, sir....

[Tom Hampton]

Shhhhhh... don't tell anyone!

[Bruce Wilson]

The current site's new content control is smarter than the old. On the old site, you could miss stuff after a few days off (like traveling to a national race). This one keeps track of what you read last...

No just put that on the home page and I'm good to go.

-bww

[FTodaro]

It takes time to make changes and getting used to the new format. I like the ability to revisit a thread and pick up on the new posts since you left. A nice time saver. I really have no complaints about the new format except for the limitations for the the size and the amount of pictures you can upload on and keep on line.

I did a post about rebuilding my transmission and I would have and could have posted allot more pics of the process to explain what I was doing but i was limited to about 5 pictures at a time so I had to pull some off as I went along. Then If I posts some place else I had to pull them down to make room for the new post. So now if someone were to go back to those posts they will not make sense.

Otherwise I think this is a step forward, not to say it can't be improved. Frank

[the_real_steveracer@SM.com]

How about allowing log in with email address like it says, which does not work. I have to add my log in screen name. Which was, by the way originally stolen by someone else.

I voted no.

But, like everyone else, I think it is clear that the new site needs some tweaking. I'm personally happy with the new site, but admittedly I'm a professional computer nerd. So, I'm not necessarily representative of the majority. I hear rumours of complaints; and the voting so far, seems to bear those rumours out. I just don't think that going backwards is viable. This new software is SOOOOoooo flexible, it should be possible to do "most anything"....(caveat: given enough time and money).

What I haven't figured out is what/how.... I haven't heard many of the complaints directly, only 3rd hand. I think we need an airing out of complaints/suggestions. Here or wherever...If we get a list of what people don't like, or miss from sm.com, I'm happy to help figure out how to tweak this site based on that list of complaints.

I'm even happy to talk to people who have rants about the new site, and try and glean some useful info from those rants.

[steveracer]

Stolen?

Or beat you to it? Which is what I thought when you already had registered it at sm.com. Haven't seen you post in a few years...where you been?

Been using an "steveracer@" email addy since the early 90's. Long before I ever thought about racing a Miata.

Just because you thought of it doesn't mean you're the first, or only, to do so.

P.S. For some reason, I can log in with my email.

[Mike Colangelo]

OK, maybe it's due to lack of sleep, but I can't seem to find the search function.

Aside from that, I like the new site. I also like the fact that it's not restricted to Spec Miatas and road racing. Thanks!

[Tom Hampton]

search function: upper right, under your account login data small magnifying glass.

[DHois]

Honestly, I don't visit this site as often as I did SM.com. Maybe just the off-season effect....