Does the main forum need a DIY or Modifications subforum?

[lfh]

Yes there are problems but we need to be unified about what the issues are so a strategy and action plan and resources can be put in place.

Yep, let's start to this end. I suggest we all post our #1 concern.

Personally I consider the lack of simple means to collect reference type of information an order of magnitude more troublesome than occasional misplaced posts or interleaved OT in "serious" threads.

By "simple means" I mean a database and/or hierarchy with distinct "nodes" for every relevant Lansing product, for all major projects undertaken by forumites, as well as for other frequently discussed topics, whereupon we can collect the important bits and pieces on the fly and also tidy up the information as time allows.

In short: The forum is excellent for discussions, but conclusions and results belong elsewhere IMO.

[Titanium Dome]

Yep, let's start to this end. I suggest we all post our #1 concern.

Personally I consider the lack of simple means to collect reference type of information an order of magnitude more troublesome than occasional misplaced posts or interleaved OT in "serious" threads.

By "simple means" I mean a database and/or hierarchy with distinct "nodes" for every relevant Lansing product, for all major projects undertaken by forumites, as well as for other frequently discussed topics, whereupon we can collect the important bits and pieces on the fly and also tidy up the information as time allows.

In short: The forum is excellent for discussions, but conclusions and results belong elsewhere IMO.

Going back to some earlier comments, let's get things organized before we restructure. The critical issues here are the how and the who.

Clearly there has to be a method that's consistent with the forum's current software, and clearly it's more than a one-man job. The job certainly can't fall to Don or John while everyone sits back and waits.

[Mr. Widget]

Repair & Restoration (was Technical Help)
Discussions on repairing, restoring or upgrading Lansing products to factory specifications

Modification & DIY (new)
Discussions on modifications, "hybrids", "clones" and new designs using Lansing components

I think this is a very good starting point. It may not be the absolutely ideal scenario, but it is easily implemented and gets us closer to our goal of lessening the confusion. It would also add a level of control we don't currently have while performing searches.

It would also be possible to weed through the legacy threads and populate the new areas with threads that are clearly useful and the remainder of the old threads that meander about could simply be put in a read only (Old Technical Threads) area.

Personally I consider the lack of simple means to collect reference type of information an order of magnitude more troublesome than occasional misplaced posts or interleaved OT in "serious" threads.
By "simple means" I mean a database and/or hierarchy with distinct "nodes" for every relevant Lansing product, for all major projects undertaken by forumites, as well as for other frequently discussed topics...

The moderators and administrators of the forum have discussed this and while we are all in agreement that we would like this functionality, it appears that we have certain technical and man power issues that make it impractical at this time.


Widget

[Titanium Dome]

Even though I run a nonprofit corporation and don't spend money when I don't have to, I've always subscribed to the idea that you get what you pay for. When I need expertise or personpower that's outside the ken of my staff, I outsource.

I think one solution might be to pay someone to go through this site under Don's and John's supervision and make the needed fixes once and for all. The the only question is cost.

Yes, cost is a difficult question to answer, but it pales in comparison to all the ambiguity that we'll have if we try to cobble this effort together ourselves. For me in a situation like this, the cost of buying expertise is always more efficient than trying to create it (often with dubious results).

In this case the questions become, "Who will do it?" and "How much will it cost,?" followed by "How will we raise the money?"

I think Don, John, and the moderators can tackle the first and second questions. The rest of us could work on the last one.

I'm sure I've got a nice pair of JBLs and maybe an amp, receiver, or pre/pro that could factor into a fundraising effort. Anyone else? Maybe some of us can just cough up some $$ or tap a well-heeled acquaintance (personal or corporate) on the shoulder. Does Harman/JBL have somebody they'd loan us for a couple of weeks? I have a staff IT guy who could do this in a couple of weeks, no problem, but of course, I need him to work for me.

Don, do we have a 501(c)(3) from the Feds? If not, I can help us get one. This helps with tax breaks for donors.

Yes, yes, I know I'm being a bit pushy with ideas. But I'm into finding solutions to this impediment to our success. If you guys think it's too much, then simply push back.

[Mr. Widget]

Dome, it's been a while since we discussed it so I am a bit fuzzy, but I think one of the technical problems was the very software we use to run this forum. Of course if we want to hire a staff of local techies I am sure anything is possible, but spending say $100K to entice them away from Google does seem steep even for a nonprofit.

Hopefully Don will pop in with some words of wisdom.


Widget

[Ian Mackenzie]

Yep

Originally Posted by lfh
Repair & Restoration (was Technical Help)
Discussions on repairing, restoring or upgrading Lansing products to factory specifications

Modification & DIY (new)
Discussions on modifications, "hybrids", "clones" and new designs using Lansing components


I think its a safe course of action. It sums up and disseminates by and large what is going on and will ease the confusion and associated issues.

The more I think about it the more it makes sense to do this.

The ulimate search engine would be phase 2 of the forums upgrade.

[Titanium Dome]

Dome, it's been a while since we discussed it so I am a bit fuzzy, but I think one of the technical problems was the very software we use to run this forum. Of course if we want to hire a staff of local techies I am sure anything is possible, but spending say $100K to entice them away from Google does seem steep even for a nonprofit.

Hopefully Don will pop in with some words of wisdom.


Widget

I'm certain that the software is one of the complicating factors, but then it always is in any project. There are a lot of two- and three-man php shops around the country that bang out this kind of thing--or in fact anything that pays--for relative peanuts by Silicon Valley standards. The most I've ever spent was $25k, and that was a much more comprehensive project than this should be.

You're correct, though, that we need to hear from Don. I just want him to know that I'm willing to do more than just talk.

[Mr. Widget]

I just want him to know that I'm willing to do more than just talk.

Now we know you can talk... (look who's talking) so that is some offer!


Widget

[lfh]

The moderators and administrators of the forum have discussed this and while we are all in agreement that we would like this functionality, it appears that we have certain technical and man power issues that make it impractical at this time.

Have the discussions resulted in some kind of design specification / requirements document (not necessarily in terms of potential SW solutions, rather a summary of desired functionality from the user perspective) you could point us to?

I think one solution might be to pay someone to go through this site under Don's and John's supervision and make the needed fixes once and for all. The the only question is cost.
/.../
In this case the questions become, "Who will do it?" and "How much will it cost,?" followed by "How will we raise the money?"

I think Don, John, and the moderators can tackle the first and second questions. The rest of us could work on the last one.

FWIW: I'm prepared, too, to spend some time and money to help making this happen. (E.g. I'm willing to host and hack together a simple TWiki-based framework (this time using the metadata capabilities - the Acoustic Control Corp site is admittedly pretty lame, but it was never ment to leave my laptop...) for evaluation if this approach is deemed a feasible solution.) Let's see what Don suggests as next steps.