Freebird Posted April 12, 2011 Share #1 Posted April 12, 2011 Since the early days of this site, there have been folks here who have expressed the opinion that they do not like our classified area. Some have stated that they would rather have the classifieds as part of the forum and not a separate page. This poll is to allow you all to vote on this issue. Before doing so though, I would like to point out a few things that we will be giving up should we move the classifies to the forum. 1. There will be no way to hold "auctions" as are sometimes used now for St. Judes and occasionally for other reasons. 2. In order to keep it manageable, the ads in the forum will be set to expire after a pre-determined time. I'm thinking 30 days but it is open for discussion. It could be 60 or 90 days but I want to keep it to a relatively short amount of time. 3. There will be no way to "renew" an ad. The only way to renew an add will be to completely re-do the ad once it expires and is automatically deleted. 4. There will be no way to include a "buy now" feature. 5. There will be no "distance" estimate. Though it is sometimes WAY off anyway. There are probably some other things also but basically, the area will work exactly like any other area of the forum does at this time. So, please think about what you think would work the best and we'll go from there. As always, your comments are welcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condor Posted April 12, 2011 Share #2 Posted April 12, 2011 One positive for the forum format is that all new ads, and new comments, will pop up when checking 'new posts'. Something that doesn't happen with the current classy's. I believe you'd get more immediate exposure... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted April 12, 2011 That is true and is indeed an advantage. I wonder though how many people don't know that they can subscribe to one or more categories in the classifies as they are now and get email notifications to new items posted for sale or wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirby Posted April 12, 2011 Share #4 Posted April 12, 2011 Hey Boss, I'm for leaving it as is!! If something works, don't fix it!! It works for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Condor Posted April 12, 2011 Share #5 Posted April 12, 2011 That is true and is indeed an advantage. I wonder though how many people don't know that they can subscribe to one or more categories in the classifies as they are now and get email notifications to new items posted for sale or wanted. Didn't know that.... Do now.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon_One Posted April 12, 2011 Share #6 Posted April 12, 2011 My vote is to leave it as is. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted April 12, 2011 Share #7 Posted April 12, 2011 I didn't vote as it does not matter to me and I never had this option. Don't use them that much and when I think about it I know where to look. For what it is worth Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SMSgt Posted April 13, 2011 Share #8 Posted April 13, 2011 I rather like it like it is. It is easy to navigate and finding new items is easy if you are really shopping and watching the ads. So my vote is leave it alone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted April 13, 2011 Share #9 Posted April 13, 2011 Just wondering not sure if you can make a new add pop up as a new post in the Links to classified area. Then it will disappear from this section in due time. This is sort of the best of both! Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted April 13, 2011 Brad, That is actually a pretty good idea but unfortunately, I think it is beyond my capabilities. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share #11 Posted April 13, 2011 hmmm.....I've been giving it some more thought and I may have a way of doing what you suggested. I'm not sure and it will take some work but I'll try to take a look at it tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted April 13, 2011 OK...done. I have created a RSS feed from the classifieds that automatically checks the classifieds and posts the ads in the Links to Classifieds forum. I have it set to run every 10 minutes for now. I may change that later after we test this for a few days. Note, you no longer need to post your ad to the forum to make sure that people see it. Once you post your ad in the classifieds, it will automatically create a new thread in the links to classifieds thread. At the bottom of each new post is a link that says "more". clicking that link will take you to the actual ad. We'll see how it goes. I can always remove it if people don't like it. The posts in the forum will self-delete after 30 days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainJoe Posted April 13, 2011 Share #13 Posted April 13, 2011 Although I didn't vote in the poll "sorry" I don't like it... Is there a way to block out the forum heading "links to classifieds, etc." when you do a todays posts. It's just to busy now. my 2cents... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ky. Rider Posted April 13, 2011 Share #14 Posted April 13, 2011 My vote is to keep classifieds out of the forum posts. I personally don't want to scan all the classifieds to see what the "talk" of the day is. If I needed something I'd check classifieds. My 2c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary N. Posted April 13, 2011 Share #15 Posted April 13, 2011 Sorry, I'm not liking the new feature either. Makes the "New Posts" section way too busy IMHO. Wouldn't be bad if they showed up in a different colour or with "For Sale" or "Wanted" in the heading. I hardly ever read the far right column to see what forum the thread is in. Maybe it's just a growing pain and it will comm down after the initial start up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flyinfool Posted April 13, 2011 Share #16 Posted April 13, 2011 The problem is that I looked at all of those posts and found way to many thing that I want/need to have. I am hoping that that huge number of posts was just the startup blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wehrd1 Posted April 13, 2011 Share #17 Posted April 13, 2011 I like the new way....with the RSS feed in the 'new posts'. and it gives the seller (or buyer) IMMEDIATE exposure to the group.. ....but what the heck do yall care what I think i'm still just a trial member. a suggestion to those who post items....(if possible) in the item description you may want to add: FS (for sale) and then list your items description just as someone looking to buy something... WTB (want to buy) and then list what you're looking for. That way, at a glance, in the 'new posts' feed, those perusing the titles will know what the new 'thread' is all about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted April 13, 2011 Folks, I THINK you are all forming your opinions way too quickly. Give it a chance. What you saw was that when I initially added this feature, it imported all the existing ads into that forum so it appeared to overwhelm all other posts. If it works as I expect though, it will now only import new ads as they are placed. That is usually no more than a couple a day and some days, none at all. So, give it at least a few hours and THEN let me know if you still don't like it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainJoe Posted April 13, 2011 Share #19 Posted April 13, 2011 (edited) Are you Dear Sir, Implying that some of us were "premature"? Edited April 13, 2011 by CaptainJoe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share #20 Posted April 13, 2011 HA...that has NEVER happened to me. WAIT...what YOU talk'n bout Willis? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted April 14, 2011 Share #21 Posted April 14, 2011 Overwelming for sure. But should be pretty good. Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted April 14, 2011 Share #22 Posted April 14, 2011 I have it set to run every 10 minutes for now. I may change that later after we test this for a few days.. What does this mean. It checks for new adds every ten minutes and then if a new one appears it creates the new post ? If this is the case once or twice a day should work fine wouldn't it. I only come on once or twice a day so that is when I am going to get all of them anyway. Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share #23 Posted April 14, 2011 Yea, but doing it more often will keep it updated quicker for folks that come on at different times. It's not ALL about YOU. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BradT Posted April 14, 2011 Share #24 Posted April 14, 2011 Agreed but there has to be others that have a life as well and can only get on once a day. I was thinking that it may slow down your server if it's checking and updating every 10 minutes and we know you have been having some issues about being slow for quite a while. Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freebird Posted April 14, 2011 Author Share #25 Posted April 14, 2011 Yes, but I think that was resolved a while back. This isn't very server intensive but if I see it causing a problem, I'll change it. Right now, I am still awaiting feedback on whether or not people even like it. The initial responses were almost all negative but now that the initial flood of posts is over, I want to hear from folks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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