SMC's User Rides

[Dr. Feelgood]

SMC is always looking for ways of changing, expanding and adding new ways for User's to not only interact with our community and forums, but to share their knowledge and particular skills with those with alike interests.

Our latest endevour to do this is quite a large one, and for it to work we need a show of interest. You might notice that the Poll only has two different 'Yes' options, mainly because right now we are only interested in Users who WILL use the following system. I also will personally answer any questions or queries you have with regards to the following...

SMC's User Rides

SMC's User Rides will be a Forum within a Forum sort of thing, where User's could post information about their own vehicle and keep a virtual diary of it.

(This is better explained by the attached flow-chart, but I'll try my best here... I'd advise having it open while you read this though)

User's would be able to post their rides (cars, bikes, ect) under the Forum title <User>'s <Year/Make/Model>, then within their personal sub-forum they could post anything they 'do' to their vehicle, along with any other things that would build up a 'profile' of their vehicle. Say, if they're doing up their car, they could post tutorials of how they did certain things, eg; installing Angel-Eyes, lowering, right down to the basics of how they put new wheels on or installing stereos (see the examples we've listed in the flow-chart for a clearer view). This would give the User's a chance to show off and provide information of their particular ride, and help the not-so mechanically minded User's obtain a better view on mechanics/electricals of not-only that particular User's vehicle, but also in general. And of course, it would be a great place to discuss and ask about a User's vehicle.

An individual User would have to ask an Admin/Moderator to create their sub-forum first. At this point, the Admin/Moderator would give the okay depending on the User's intentions/history.

[tom120934]

First I would like to thank the SMC crew for the effort they put into keeping this place sane and alive. I've seen a few spam this week and all were removed in less than a few hours. That's impressive.

The last I could say is that (sorry to be so honest and so direct) this idea dont' impress me much. Why ? Not because it's a bad idea but because it will require lot of effort from the users and I'm not sure there will be so much content to be written this way.

First, about building / tuning a car IRL : I guess most of members doesn't build their own car. Of course there is some exceptions, like Rocky103 and it's stunning work (http://www.smcars.net/forums/work-pr...000-mkiii.html) About tuning, I guess there is more users doing such work. But as it's definitely not my cup of tea, it's hard to turn me on with that kind of projects.


Second, about modeling its own car : several members have started such a project. It's a topic that can be populated easily. But if we think in percentages, the ratio "members modeling the car they own" over "active members" should be really low.

Third, photos of our own cars are a really good idea. But it needs plenty of time : I know it very well 'cause I took the time to take 300 shots of the VelSatis before it was sold. The topic already existing (show your car) is an excellent alternative to me : it allows to discover than user X own the car I'm currently working on so I can PM him to request some details shots.

To conclude, I see no reason preventing some some simple section could do the job : "My car" in WIP, and "Real-life projects" section at top level, for examples. One thread per car in the relative section as usual, and voilà !

Okay, maybe I completely misunderstood the idea the Doc exposed to us, and I didn't see the evident advantages of User Rides. Maybe. At least my post should open the discussion, I hope

[Dr. Feelgood]

You've opened some highly relevant points as usual Tom.

The whole point of this particular idea was to expand on already created Thread where people posts a few pictures of their cars, allowing people to really delve deep and keep an up-to-date journal of their own vehicle.

We totally understand that this idea won't attract vast numbers of people. We're actually aiming for not that many people (I personally was aiming for 5), but those few will keep an entire, in-depth Forum about their particular ride, and really strive to provide as much information as possible to the rest of the community.

Again, this is really catering towards the people who are really passionate towards their own vehicle, and really want to show it off to the rest of the community.

I must stress though that we really want the people that undertake this to really strive hard to build up a massive journal of their personal vehicle. This will not work if people do not do this.

[NotLawMCO]

I'm more of a lurker, but heres my 2c anyways hehe..

It seems to me that this method of doing things is a bit, overcomplicated.
While simply having a post your car thread is ineffective.
SO, what i am thinking is perhaps a setup like Finalgear.com.
You have a forum section (lets call it "Post Your Car") and in this forum section, each member gets one thread, per owned car. and then this thread can be used to discuss the car, and also to keep a log of mods done to it.
If they model their car, there is no reason not to just put in in the normal WIP forum, but you can post a link in your specific car thread

I know if it were set up like above, it would prob be much less work on the part of the moderators, and I at least would certainly be using it...

[Nik]

I like this idea, pretty nice I might change car in the near future to something more cooler (yes a newer Volvo ).

[Dr. Feelgood]

...thought you said you'll change to something cooler..?

I actually just bought my first car, so if this goes ahead I'm deffinately in. I know of a few Administrators/Moderators who are also pretty keen on this.

[tom120934]

I understood your point, Doc. It's good to have things gathered at one place.

But NotLawMCO resumed pretty well what I've tried to explain. Like I always say : KISS (and not that KISS )

However, it's a rather interesting idea. No plan for car change for me, but I already think to my future project, and I have several ideas for car choice. As what I want to do with my future model is "the model detailed model I've ever done, and by far", one of the ideas is to remodel my own car, Renault Laguna II Estate step 1 (before facelift) So I could be user of such a feature.

[RedStar]

Do it! I got pix of my car I am ready to post. From first day I bought her. To mods going wrong. To my final state!

[eddybrown]

This sounds like a great idea! I'm was planning on doing a 3d version of my car to test out future mods and things like paint colour. Hopefully this summer I'll be doing a full strip down and restoration of my MG Midget and this idea would be great to document it.