6 replies to this topic

[Jim Daniels - FIG]

A host of new awards. Please send me your list of potential awards to consider too. PM me here or send to admins@mazdaracers.com.

iRacing schedule and series kick off, sign ups occurring at mx5cup.com now (although the site is not pretty, YET).

Installing more skins, I had ten of them and the day the site went down due to my aggressive use of the enter button, lost. Will have choices, I think, and appreciate the help in that topic related to colors.

More blogs from the pro racing types. Tom Long and engineer Buddy Fey this weekend I hope.

Live chat session planned, topics and presenters being decided on now. We could always use a list of interesting subject matter, PM us. One I want for sure is Jim Drago. He has self taught to guru levels on dyno tuning.

My second blog A-Z Spec Miata as I would do it. Build, setup, race, tune. Going to put in plain words, only kind I know, what I do and coach others on.


What would you like to see or experience here?

[Tom Hampton]

Couldn't really decide whether to put this here (in this thread), over in the "is it my imagination?" thread, or start a new one. Seems like I've decided...

I love the new site. I was one of the first to join after it exited beta. I've poked around on most things, created a local blog (second most hits behind JD), created a link to my external blog, uploaded the hub repack procedure (most downloaded file).

But, I've been thinking about this for a while...basically since I first logged in. There are so many different ways to add content now...it feels a little disjointed. The current organization can make it feel like its still "just another forum"...when in reality its not. Menu's are good for direct/random access...but, they don't give you much of a "feel".

The one thing that I think is missing is something to unify the site. Something that makes the dynamic content more prominent...a more immersive experience. The sidecars on the main forum page are a step in the right direction. I know Mike was working on a portal page...I suppose its still a WIP. I almost think that the "forums" are too prominent....or, at least, the list of all forums is...the sidecars are where the action is. I think it needs some way to highlight things like (all on one page):

• The latest blog posts and "most popular" blogs (eg...what's everyone looking at today, and over time)
• Recent forum posts & hot topics
• Recently added calendar events & upcoming events, birthdays, etc
• New and Random Gallery photos (esp Denny Steyn photos )
• Latest Awards given out
• Status updates
• New and about to expire classifieds
• etc (you get the point)

All these pieces are there spread across the site, but you have to work your way through the menus across the top, the sidecars, and the "view new content" link to see them all. I've gotten into the routine of looking through the sidecars, clicking each menu-item left to right, then the "view new content" link...on every "let's see what's happening on MR.com" visit.

Btw, I'm really stoked about the blogs. It's a way to add more "content" than can really be added in a forum thread. Lots of people don't want to (or know how easy it is to) create an external blog. This feature provides a way to dramatically expand the total content of the MR universe. The pro blogs will be great. I'd like to see more non-pro blogs, too. On the old site we had quite a few "build threads"...would love to see these become local blogs, here. Not sure how to encourage more folks, though. All in good time, I s'pose.

I like the idea of the "scheduled" live chats. Hopefully, transcripts will be posted for the benefit of those who can't participate. Perhaps there should be a "Live Chat" forum with sticky threads for "transcripts", "topic suggestions", and a thread for each chat topic (after the chat session is complete) for further/follow-up discussion (the transcript could be the first post in the thread).

My $0.02.

[Tom Hampton]

PS: I'm a software developer by trade. My specialty is not WebDev (but, we all crossover to some extend due to our desire to "know it all"). So, if I can give back in someway PM or Email me. I'm happy to help.

[RacerX]

Building upon Tom's input and Jim's announcement of an upcoming live chat, how about a sticky with a calendar of live chat events. This way we can know when they will occur and the topic.

Thanks for asking.

Rich

[Jim Daniels - FIG]

I feel the same way guys. I knew it would be like this, no one really here until the SM site shut down and I could not invite anyone else until it was live, so.....

I'm knee deep, 2011 Mustangs, iRcing series, this site etc...

I need moderators with an eye on site tweaking, who is willing?

GREAT input and we are working on it!!

[Lance Snyder]

There is something to be said about the clean look of the site. Too much clutter is just that, clutter.

[Tom Hampton]

I feel the same way guys. I knew it would be like this, no one really here until the SM site shut down and I could not invite anyone else until it was live, so.....

I'm knee deep, 2011 Mustangs, iRcing series, this site etc...

I need moderators with an eye on site tweaking, who is willing?

GREAT input and we are working on it!!

I think I volunteered.

PS: I'm a software developer by trade. My specialty is not WebDev (but, we all crossover to some extend due to our desire to "know it all"). So, if I can give back in someway PM or Email me. I'm happy to help.