impromptu "challenges"

[MrCrowley]

I agree with you there PCGUY.

Get rid of the Theories section, and wait until the new update for a sub forum. When the new update is online I say we have a huge 'spring cleaning' and get all these new ideas out there and try and implement some of them, like I would quite like that new topic searching feature I have mentioned and a special format you are required to fill out when posting a new cannon in the showcase section.

This will make people post all their(most of their) information without asking too much from them that they can't be bothered posting it at all.
It will also look a lot cleaner as well.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Get rid of the Theories section, and wait until the new update for a sub forum. When the new update is online I say we have a huge 'spring cleaning' and get all these new ideas out there and try and implement some of them, like I would quite like that new topic searching feature I have mentioned and a special format you are required to fill out when posting a new cannon in the showcase section.

here here

Everyone also must remember, when considering a new forum you have to think, how many people will really use it? Do you guys think these challenges will continue to grow or they will die out fast? Personally I like the idea, regardless of the fact some of them may be "stupid". Gives members something to do, keeps them active, etc. Also keeps me entertained watching people trying to shoot through milk jugs...

A bit of competition never gets old, and since official spudfiles contests are far between, I think thse informal challenges certainly help in keeping the spirit alive. I agree that there have been stupid suggestions but if they are made, members are free to ignore them. The format should be specific, detailing what participants are expected to achieve and what limitations if any are imposed. You could also have a poll option to vote for the winners but this detracts from the informality of the affair and I would suggest against it.

[MrCrowley]

Get rid of the Theories section, and wait until the new update for a sub forum. When the new update is online I say we have a huge 'spring cleaning' and get all these new ideas out there and try and implement some of them, like I would quite like that new topic searching feature I have mentioned and a special format you are required to fill out when posting a new cannon in the showcase section.

here here

Care to elaborate? Idea's, suggestions, criticism?

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

When I have a theory about say, a pneumatic, I post it in the pneumatic cannon discussion - after all, when things are discussed, they're usually theories anyway - so to have a separate forum seems a bit superfluous to me. In that regard, I agree with the elimination of that forum, or have it exclusively for accesories (bipods, silencers, sights etc.)

As to the showcase section, it would avoid a lot of needless posts to have a specific format to be filled with fields such as calibre, barrel length, chamber size, operating pressure, valve type/ignition source etc. and since pictures speak a thousand words, at least one obligatory photo.

As to the search feature, I find the current setup more than adequate but it seems that many new (and old!) members' frustration with it is a result of lack of patience combined with an inability to use it correctly, it seems that some people are unaware the "advanced search" option even exists - perhaps retain the current feature but include a how-to on searching?

[MrCrowley]

Yes I fully agree with your points there.
The only thing with the special showcase format, some parameters will have to be optional, some people may not bother or give up.

The search feature I meant, is a topic search function. I saw it on another forum where it searches for similar topics by the same title when you are making a new topic.

But yeah a lot of people only use the quick search because they are unaware of the advanced search. Some people also don't know how to search practically, and get 1000 results. I was thinking of making a how-to on searching efficiently.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

some parameters will have to be optional

certainly but stuff like overall dimensions, calibre etc. are basic and if you've bothered to make a cannon, then you can bloody well use an inch tape

Could we also have a visual analyser that automatically scans submitted photos and edits out unwanted toes, dirty underwear etc?

I was thinking of making a how-to on searching efficiently.

That would probably be missed by most if it was a stickied topic, it should be added to the advanced search page (and maybe eliminate the quick-search option?)

[Insomniac]

I love the idea of a challenge section, simply because I love looking at damage pics and it is very interesting to see how powerful everyones guns are. You can lay out your own challenge, make it really informal and just a bit of fun, or have it a very strict test of cannon power. A section to have all this in would be great, and while the challenges might die down a little I'm sure there will always be somone willing to post a new one.

[MrCrowley]

Could we also have a visual analyser that automatically scans submitted photos and edits out unwanted toes, dirty underwear etc?

Haha, I wish. Though i'm guilty as charged on a few pictures i've taken.

That would probably be missed by most if it was a stickied topic, it should be added to the advanced search page (and maybe eliminate the quick-search option?)

Yeah, that's the problem. Adding to the advanced search page sounds good, maybe putting the advanced search where the quick search is, but have it as a link.

[jackssmirkingrevenge]

Haha, I wish. Though i'm guilty as charged on a few pictures i've taken.

It's not only the neatness factor, but having things in the background reveals thing about you that you might not be willing to share. As much as possible I use sheets of cardboard and/or white sheets as a backdrop, I wish more people would follow suit - or at least, crop their bloody toes out of the pic!

[MrCrowley]

I just usually take a pic where the lighting is best or where practical. Now that I think about it I do have a huge green sheet I could use.

[jrrdw]

Jack wrote --->> "As to the search feature, I find the current setup more than adequate but it seems that many new (and old!) members' frustration with it is a result of lack of patience combined with an inability to use it correctly, it seems that some people are unaware the "advanced search" option even exists - perhaps retain the current feature but include a how-to on searching?"

The search doesn't like me, thats a fact! No matter what parameters i set, i still get 1000's of results back, very frustrating.


[quote="MrCrowley"]Yes I fully agree with your points there.
The only thing with the special showcase format, some parameters will have to be optional, some people may not bother or give up.

The search feature I meant, is a topic search function. I saw it on another forum where it searches for similar topics by the same title when you are making a new topic.


But yeah a lot of people only use the quick search because they are unaware of the advanced search. Some people also don't know how to search practically, and get 1000 results. I was thinking of making a how-to on searching efficiently.[/quote]

Thats a great feature, helps keep repeat topics from new members.

A accurate, easy to follow how to do a search would make you a god! Not really, but you know what i mean.