New software features - ask here

[mistral blue]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

Doorgunner, I left you a message. Anyone else who wants to check that out can click his name and go to his profile, and you can see the message as well.

I left a message as well with another question.

[Mel]

Originally Posted by vswingfield

Not sure what to make of it, but after that quote my brilliant future disappeared and I have a reputation beyond repute, too.

Looks like someone gave you some karma and bumped you to the next level.

[mistral blue]

What are tags, tag clouds and why would I edit them?

Thanks

[vswingfield]

Originally Posted by Mel

Looks like someone gave you some karma and bumped you to the next level.

That's it, alright. Either yours or mistral blue's karma took me to the next level. Thanks to both!

[FreshAir]

I just checked a couple of User Pros and such. Felt like I was rummaging around in their top dresser drawers........Hmmmm.
Neil

[dufferin]

is the chat room gone for ever...?

[Andy R]

Originally Posted by mistral blue

What are tags, tag clouds and why would I edit them?

Tags are a new feature that will allow us to organize information on a more granular level. Basically we add keywords to discussions and then these keywords pull together similar discussions. I will work with the mod team to tag a good portion of our historical archives. Then moving forward we will keep tagging threads. This will allow us another way to look for information which will be important as we grow (it's already hard enough sometimes).

An example might be tagging all the discussions on a certain type of tow vehicle so you can click one link and see them all there organized together. Another example might be tagging discussions on 25' Safari Trailers. We do have a forum for them but many threads happen in other forums because the main topic of the thread is about something else (maybe winterizing, towing, purchasing, etc). So we can tag all these discussions with the same 25' Safari tag and then pull the discussions together in one place to see all that info.

It's just another tool for us to organize the tons of information we have hear. Once the system fills up you will be able to see the benefits of this new feature.

Originally Posted by CA Streamer

I was wondering what determines the level of reputation shown in the green bar at left. Is this based on Karma or ??

Yes, this is based on the Karma system which is currently very flawed. I will be working to rewind our karma system so that each time someone gives you karma you get 1 point. Right now it's setup with an "influence" system where people with more posts, karma, longer tenure, etc give more points when they leave you karma then a newbie with one post. This system is wacky and a simple 1 point per karma system will be simpler and a better gauge to use.

The mod team will be working on reconfiguring the green bars based on the new point scale. The way it will work is the bar will grow to the right as you gain more karma. We will have to look at the scale on once the karma system is reconfigured to determine how many points will equal a new green box.

[Andy R]

Originally Posted by dufferin

is the chat room gone for ever...?

No, I am just working at putting back all the pieces of software that make up our community. The chat system needed to be upgraded too and I hope to get that done later today. It will be back soon.

[airedale]

Oh thank goodness!

[overlander63]

I am sure many would like to see the "portal page" link returned to the bottom of each page whenever we get the bigger bugs worked out.

[dufferin]

Thanks Andy for the infos while you're still working on the upgrade... karma

[vswingfield]

I just tried to upload a photo the the photo contest, and got a quota exceeded message. My avatar still shows Supporting Member, though. I can't recall when I first donated. Has it really been a year?

Is there any way for me to view this information? If not, it would be a great feature.

[Wabbiteer]

I've seen Karma add-ons either amplified or reduced or even flagged per the ratio of responses an established member makes to various sections of a forums... Example: The hovering mouse pointer might also display users top section % of posts, say 98% Rally or 98% Fun'n Games - or 98% repair section..

While just answering new users on real life nitty-gritty topics is never very rewarding except for the warm fuzzies, awarding system calculated bonus karma purely on the number of comments made to new users OUTSIDE of introductions could get karma tweaked upwards since newbies only offer low value "thank-you-hit-points" and/or low retention as newbies often drift out of touch so ultimately helping or insightful posts go relatively unnoticed...

There's more to karma over - just ran out of time here now

--------- Also ---------
With Firefox browser the spell check was always there just a click away to turn it on each time... Thank you for enabling it by defalut (just a test, yup it's automatically on)

[Minnie's Mate]

You know, I've never really understood the Karma thing until one day I happened to look down at the bottom of my CP page and saw that I had some. I never knew what was meant by it exactly and I didn't know what to do when I sent someone some so I never did. Now I feel like I have been terribly amiss in my obligation to send Karma when I compliment someone on the forums with a post. I feel I should be doing both!