Changes & the New ION Forum

Charlie · 10-15-2002, 07:40 AM

As some of you may have noticed, I've been making modifications to both the SaturnFans message board skin and to the database structure during the past few weeks. To date most of the changes have been transparent, however beginning today, changes will become more visible. Over the next two weeks you will be seeing a number of changes -- which I hope you will see as improvements -- made to the SaturnFans Forums. These are being made in preparation for a new type of community that I plan to have ready to open in the beginning of November.

One of the first visible changes was the creation of the new ION Forum. This was done for two reasons: (1) it will help me set the stage for the next big addition coming to SaturnFans, and (2) it was based on e-mail feedback I've received from visitors and members who wanted a model-specific community where topics wouldn't get buried by threads in the popular General Discussion forum.

Please remember that while the changes may seem out of place today, I think they will make more sense in November. Even with model-specific forums, the General Discussion board will remain for Saturn topics relating to the company and your owner experiences. I understand that there are advantages and disadvantages for both model-specific and one consolidated "general" forum. I hope to be able to balance the pros and cons of each as best I can. For instance, for those members who prefer the current setup, one improvement I'm working on is a one-click search feature that will simulate the look and feel of the General Discussion board. This way visitors can get the same information without have to visit each model-specific forum. At the same time, topics will be more categorized for easier browsing.

Before creating separate forums for each Saturn model, I thought it would be a good idea to test visitor reaction to the change.

Comments?

Charlie

PS. Please post all ION-related topics in the ION Forum...

bibliotech · 10-15-2002, 09:26 AM

I think the model-specific forum is a good idea.

RedRockerL300 · 10-15-2002, 10:40 AM

Good idea. Nothing beats a little organization, especially with everything we talk about on here.

Thanks, Charlie.

vebix · 10-15-2002, 11:00 AM

Add my vote for model-specific forums.

s3nfo · 10-15-2002, 11:16 AM

Me too! Model specific forums sounds like a great change!

piney · 10-15-2002, 12:31 PM

Sounds good to me - after all the L series and the VUE are just wannabe Saturns...

91 SL2 - 5 Speed (traded)
93 SL2 - Auto (sold)
97 SL2 - Auto (still got it w/ 48k miles)

(All are real Saturns!!)

CanVueYes! · 10-15-2002, 01:19 PM

Good idea, Charlie.

How soon for the VUE??

Quote:

Originally posted by piney
Sounds good to me - after all the L series and the VUE are just wannabe Saturns...

91 SL2 - 5 Speed (traded)
93 SL2 - Auto (sold)
97 SL2 - Auto (still got it w/ 48k miles)

(All are real Saturns!!)

Hey, hey, piney!! We're all one big family, no?? Even though I may consider the "L" series as maybe half brother/sister because they are not made in Spring Hill, but we're still family. So no name calling, okay?

piney · 10-15-2002, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by CanVueYes!
Hey, hey, piney!! We're all one big family, no?? Even though I may consider the "L" series as maybe half brother/sister because they are not made in Spring Hill, but we're still family. So no name calling, okay?

Just busting chops - I'll accept those half metal cars as Saturns if I have to

John10 · 10-15-2002, 08:56 PM

In most instances on other message boards, I prefer a general discussion format. Given Charlie's great record in developing this site however, I am going to withold my judgement until all the changes are completed. What ever is done, I'll get used to it and will continue to use and appreciate the site.

What I really miss though are some of the old members who no longer participate. Folks like SL2-2NV, Armadillo, Whoop and many others who were always good for something of interest but now are gone or rarely heard from.

03VUEAWDVTI · 10-16-2002, 09:18 AM

A model specific forum is great. The snowmobileworld forums that I also frequent does this, although with makers instead of models. I makes it MUCH easier to keep up with your specific product.

RedRockerL300 · 10-16-2002, 10:54 AM

Where in TX do you ride a snowmobile?

I see you're in Paradise.

03VUEAWDVTI · 10-16-2002, 11:08 AM

Nowhere, I usually drive up to the Rocky Mountains to go ride. The machine that I have doesn't run - locked up from too many years sitting and not "put away" properly.

Yup, I live in "Paradise." Actually, between there and Bridgeport, on acreage. I wouldn't trade living out here in the country for the biggest house in the metromess. :o:

It's **** on the cars though, my commute is 50 miles one way.

L300Boy · 10-16-2002, 12:17 PM

Just was long as you make an RHD SW2 forum

j/k!

teal95sl1 · 10-16-2002, 12:27 PM

model specific forums are an awesome idea! keep up the great work and good luck Charlie with all the changes you have going on here

RedRockerL300 · 10-16-2002, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 03VUEAWDVTI

It's **** on the cars though, my commute is 50 miles one way.

Me too. I commute from Ft Worth to North Dallas every day, about 50 miles each way.

How about these for additional topics:

S-Series Coupe
S-Series Sedan
L-Series
Vue

Or just combine the S-Series Coupe and Sedan in to one S-Series topic.

socketz · 10-16-2002, 06:54 PM

"Sounds good to me - after all the L series and the VUE are just wannabe Saturns... "

Look at Piney talking a little smack :-)

GR898SL2 · 10-16-2002, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by RedRockerL300
Or just combine the S-Series Coupe and Sedan in to one S-Series topic.

An S-Series Forum sounds good to me, RedRocker!

DarkAngel · 10-17-2002, 02:55 AM

Quote:

How about these for additional topics:

S-Series Coupe
S-Series Sedan
L-Series
Vue

Or just combine the S-Series Coupe and Sedan in to one S-Series topic.:

That was exactly my idea. I think I will keep things focused and organized as the site grows. I've seen the set up like that on stangnet.com and it seems very effective. But the forum has 5x the people as well.

I'll be here no matter what you decide Charlie! Your doing a great job!

dano92 · 10-24-2002, 12:30 PM

I like the idea. They did it that way on a Datsun Z site I used to frequent. Thanks for the great work Charlie!

thesaturnvue · 10-25-2002, 06:09 PM

The thing I like about Charlie is that no matter how big or great this site gets, he is always looking for ways to make it even better.
Model specific forums sound great to me too.

10-15-2002, 07:40 AM	#1
Charlie Administrator Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: USA Posts: 3,869 Charlie's Photos 2008 Outlook XR 2005 VUE Red Line	Changes & the New ION Forum As some of you may have noticed, I've been making modifications to both the SaturnFans message board skin and to the database structure during the past few weeks. To date most of the changes have been transparent, however beginning today, changes will become more visible. Over the next two weeks you will be seeing a number of changes -- which I hope you will see as improvements -- made to the SaturnFans Forums. These are being made in preparation for a new type of community that I plan to have ready to open in the beginning of November. One of the first visible changes was the creation of the new ION Forum. This was done for two reasons: (1) it will help me set the stage for the next big addition coming to SaturnFans, and (2) it was based on e-mail feedback I've received from visitors and members who wanted a model-specific community where topics wouldn't get buried by threads in the popular General Discussion forum. Please remember that while the changes may seem out of place today, I think they will make more sense in November. Even with model-specific forums, the General Discussion board will remain for Saturn topics relating to the company and your owner experiences. I understand that there are advantages and disadvantages for both model-specific and one consolidated "general" forum. I hope to be able to balance the pros and cons of each as best I can. For instance, for those members who prefer the current setup, one improvement I'm working on is a one-click search feature that will simulate the look and feel of the General Discussion board. This way visitors can get the same information without have to visit each model-specific forum. At the same time, topics will be more categorized for easier browsing. Before creating separate forums for each Saturn model, I thought it would be a good idea to test visitor reaction to the change. Comments? Charlie PS. Please post all ION-related topics in the ION Forum...

10-15-2002, 11:16 AM	#5
s3nfo Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: San Diego, Ca Posts: 1,946 2001 L-Series 3.0L Wagon	Changes Me too! Model specific forums sounds like a great change! ... Jerry N "Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it, misdiagnosing it and then misapplying the wrong remedies." Groucho Marx

10-16-2002, 12:27 PM	#14
teal95sl1 Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Santa Maria,California Posts: 238 teal95sl1's Photos 2005 VUE 3.5L	model specific forums are an awesome idea! keep up the great work and good luck Charlie with all the changes you have going on here ... Dawn 05 FWD V6 Vue "Dragonfly" PastSaturns: 01YellowSC2&95AquaSL1 www.outerringperformance.com

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10-15-2002, 09:26 AM	#2
bibliotech Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Midwest USA Posts: 126 2002 VUE 3.0L	I think the model-specific forum is a good idea.

10-15-2002, 10:40 AM	#3
RedRockerL300 Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 290 RedRockerL300's Photos	Good idea. Nothing beats a little organization, especially with everything we talk about on here. Thanks, Charlie.

10-15-2002, 11:00 AM	#4
vebix Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 96	Add my vote for model-specific forums.

10-15-2002, 12:31 PM	#6
piney Master Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: The South Posts: 4,161 piney's Photos	Sounds good to me - after all the L series and the VUE are just wannabe Saturns... 91 SL2 - 5 Speed (traded) 93 SL2 - Auto (sold) 97 SL2 - Auto (still got it w/ 48k miles) (All are real Saturns!!)

10-15-2002, 08:56 PM	#9
John10 Master Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Eastern PA Posts: 3,490 John10's Photos 2006 ION-3 Sedan 2009 VUE 2.4L	In most instances on other message boards, I prefer a general discussion format. Given Charlie's great record in developing this site however, I am going to withold my judgement until all the changes are completed. What ever is done, I'll get used to it and will continue to use and appreciate the site. What I really miss though are some of the old members who no longer participate. Folks like SL2-2NV, Armadillo, Whoop and many others who were always good for something of interest but now are gone or rarely heard from.

10-16-2002, 09:18 AM	#10
03VUEAWDVTI Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Paradise, TX Posts: 690 03VUEAWDVTI's Photos	A model specific forum is great. The snowmobileworld forums that I also frequent does this, although with makers instead of models. I makes it MUCH easier to keep up with your specific product.

10-16-2002, 10:54 AM	#11
RedRockerL300 Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 290 RedRockerL300's Photos	Where in TX do you ride a snowmobile? I see you're in Paradise.

10-16-2002, 11:08 AM	#12
03VUEAWDVTI Advanced Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Paradise, TX Posts: 690 03VUEAWDVTI's Photos	Nowhere, I usually drive up to the Rocky Mountains to go ride. The machine that I have doesn't run - locked up from too many years sitting and not "put away" properly. Yup, I live in "Paradise." Actually, between there and Bridgeport, on acreage. I wouldn't trade living out here in the country for the biggest house in the metromess. :o: It's **** on the cars though, my commute is 50 miles one way.

10-16-2002, 12:17 PM	#13
L300Boy Master Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 4,249 L300Boy's Photos	Just was long as you make an RHD SW2 forum j/k!

10-16-2002, 06:54 PM	#16
socketz Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,936 socketz's Photos	"Sounds good to me - after all the L series and the VUE are just wannabe Saturns... " Look at Piney talking a little smack :-)

10-24-2002, 12:30 PM	#19
dano92 Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Northboro, Massachusetts Posts: 79	I like the idea. They did it that way on a Datsun Z site I used to frequent. Thanks for the great work Charlie!

10-25-2002, 06:09 PM	#20
thesaturnvue Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 160	The thing I like about Charlie is that no matter how big or great this site gets, he is always looking for ways to make it even better. Model specific forums sound great to me too.

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