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[randychase]

Can we modify the forum settings to show posts longer than one day old? Specially certain forums it would make more sense to go much farther back, if not to the beginning. Can't see much of a reason not to, that is how I set it on my forums.

Thanks!

[rzempel]

When I look at the forums, I get a drop-down list where I can set how far back I want to look. Don't you?


Randall

[randychase]

Of course. But that is an extra step.

I can't see a good reason to limit the threads to a single day only. Why not have them go farther back?

Trying to view the positives and negatives of this:

Reasons to change it:
1. The forums look more empty.
2. Not everyone knows to look back using a pull down selection.
3. It reduces the tendency to casually browse all the threads in a category (which may increase traffic and use).

Reasons to not change it:
1. Um... I can't think of one.

[Sean]

1. Log on to the site
2. Click on "Quick Links" in the blue bar towards the top of the page
3. Click on "Edit Options"
4. Scroll down and tick the box desired for Default Thread Age Cut Off in the third section

Job done. Whatever you selected will now be the default value on your future visits to the site.
Alternate: Access the same Edit Options page through User CP (User Control Panel).

[rzempel]

For daily perusal of threads, I find the "new posts" link to be most convenient.


Randall

[randychase]

Job done. Whatever you selected will now be the default value on your future visits to the site.
Alternate: Access the same Edit Options page through User CP (User Control Panel).

Awesome. That works for me. Still think it is an odd general setting, but now I see all the threads. Thanks!

For daily perusal of threads, I find the "new posts" link to be most convenient.


Randall

Agreed. This is more about research into areas*, and how the forum is seen by those who are not logged in members. It looks empty to them.

I do always use the new posts to read new stuff.

*For example, was just looking to see if anyone had posted about a meet up or a drive but the forum is empty on first glance.

[moosetestbestanden]

Of course. But that is an extra step.

Reasons to change it:
1. The forums look more empty.
2. Not everyone knows to look back using a pull down selection.
3. It reduces the tendency to casually browse all the threads in a category (which may increase traffic and use).

Reasons to not change it:
1. Um... I can't think of one.

Well Randy, you're relatively new here and as I understand it you're now the only dealer in California. First and foremost, welcome.

Now onto the topic at hand: If the thought is to to increase traffic on a small regional forum such as this (as an adjunct to marketing perhaps) I think you should understand where and what this place is. You see, this forum is mostly empty. Always has been and likely always will be. This is how the fringe is. It's just us, the very (very) loosely affiliated California Caterham Club, a somewhat odd collection of no more than about 25 people at most who sometimes get together and most times don't. No dues, no charters, no bullshit, about a dozen regular posters, and that's about it.

Years ago there was a bit of a dust-up regarding merging this forum with that national one. Happily, nothing came to pass and as such our um, unique place in the world of Caterham remains. We're still the CCC, per the above. To which I say: Yay!

Some might say that I've sometimes acted as the California Caterham Club Curmudgeon, for a couple of reasons. For the reason at hand I've always maintained that bigger ain't ever better, and being bigger won't make this place better. There's another forum for that (rarely go there myself as I find the content irrelevant for the most part), if that's what you want. And as a dealer that's probably exactly what you want, and that's alright. But for those of us who have been around a while and have seen the growth curve, well, changing the default setting for forum tools is unlikely to have much impact. Besides, as already pointed out, a method is available for users to set defaults however they'd like, real free like.

Best that way, in keeping w/ the California way, or what once was the California way, which is (quite happily in my opinion) the way this forum has sort of turned out to be over time. Just like home, once upon a time anyway.

On the other hand, Magnus may change it as he sees fit. It's his generosity and skill that has kept this running over the years. He's The King.:D

Cheers!

[randychase]

(as an adjunct to marketing perhaps)

Not at all. This is really not where I see the marketing needs to be. Just wanted to be clear on it.

Mostly a tempest in a tea pot. Just seemed like a little annoyance to me and as someone that has created and run many forums over the years using Vbulletin, I did not understand the rational for there being anything that seems less optimum.

But no matter what, I feel now that far more energy has been expended in bitching about something so minor, I would normally not mention it...since once I did, I felt I had to defend my position... Hope that makes sense.

I really don't care much.

But wanted to be clear... I have NOT used this forum for marketing and don't see that changing. You guys already have cars.

[Mondo]

Randy,

I've always felt that date thing was a PITHA too (on several sites).

I'm just glad there's a fix for it

[Doug Liedblad]

............. I did not understand the rational for there being anything that seems less optimum.
..... I have NOT used this forum for marketing and don't see that changing. You guys already have cars.

There was no rational and probably no thought put into it. I don't know if Magnus even knew the options existed. It took someone who knew how the list is supposed to work to point it out.

I set my options up years ago and I just check the new posts since the last time I was on here. Couldn't be more than 7 or 8 times per day.

People do come here looking for cars and I have no problem if you have something pointing to your website. Magnus is the rule maker and may have other thoughts on that. I am just his unpaid assistant and hatchet man. The only guy close to getting the axe is Morgan and that's just to see if he reads this post.

[randychase]

I think the majority of people looking for cars here are looking for a used car, which is cool, bur not my market.

I have not even bothered to do anything on usa7s. Guess at some point I should. :)

My goal is really to keep learning about these cars and what can be done. I have learned a LOT in the last 6 months and will continue to strive to do so.

If anyone wants advice on setting up the stuff on vbulletin, I have some experience and can least offer advice. I have run sites with 35,000 users, so I have some experience, not to suggest that this site needs it. Often people just get used to how something is and like that. Which is fine

p.s. My point, which I did not make well... is that I do think having more participation is a good thing. I like more community. I like having more guys around with these cars so we can do more drives and such. I have a long history of working to that end, creating a new national Lotus club, putting on driving events, track days, car control clinics. Those are more possible with more people. If the idea is, that we are at an optimum size now, then cool. But that was my thinking and it has nothing to do with business or marketing.

[Sean]

People who are considering getting a Seven tend to come here to research before they buy. I know I did. Posted here for years before pulling the trigger.

[randychase]

Then, (IMO) the settings should be changed so that they actually can see the previous threads. :)

People who are considering getting a Seven tend to come here to research before they buy. I know I did. Posted here for years before pulling the trigger.

[magnusfeuer]

I've updated the default cutoff age for displayed posts to 100 days for all forums.

If you want to change this for your own account, go to Settings -> General Settings and scroll down to default thread age cutoff.

/Magnus F.

[MHKflyer52]

Hi Magnus F.,
Nice update to the forum.
Keep up the good work.

Thanks.