StillSmart

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-15T15:27:04+00:00

Sticky threads at the top of certain topics would help the searcher who only looks into a couple of posts then asks the same question again and again.

Statistics: Posted by marc83 — Sat May 15, 2010 3:27 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-15T14:07:52+00:00

Yo Jimbo!
Homedistiller, IMO, is only a pain because of the amount of info and the various running commentaries that are about the aspects of the hobby. Yes of course, some feel that it's not as welcoming because there's a few of those who display a "redneck" attitude toward newer members. They have no understanding about why it is that the smart still is popular here (hell a lot of "them" have never seen one). The feeling here is that it's more "English" (do I mean civilised? sort of, but not in a way that's disrespectful of the people over at HD - they have a wealth of stuff that I'm very appreciative of).
I'd think that as long as you have the server space, then if possible the main site is well worth keeping.
Just because the aspects of what we're doing is a very narrow, equipment specific part of it. So while the main site would grow/change etc at a slower rate, as it's dependant on how much time you (and we) have to write and/or contribute articles and any other stuff we find/link.
Yes, it is nice the have a refresh and/or redesign every now and again, it's sort of up to you matey, they're "your" forums/site.
The search suggestion is a goody, but as the questions/answers build up it still tends to end up with a core of X number of questions that are repeatedly asked and answered. A lot of people with just look at the first couple of threads in the given topic and if they don't see something that answers their Q, then they just post...... It could be that you\'d have to do some sort of stats search so we can work out what the most commonly asked question is, then a tutorial could be written, with pictures if necessary. I for one, have written a couple of tutorials about some other aspects of home brewing/winemaking. I could easily do something like that, but of course, I can\'t really do that to a deadline as my work interferes with my life too much as it is. So possible, yes, when, well, when it\'s done......
Me, I've been hanging around here for a good while, as you know. So it's hardly surprising that I keep coming back, but still in a "friend you haven't seen for a couple of weeks" sort of way. Ha! I can't really use the site when I'm working because I only have a web capable smartphone/PDA with me. So if anyones got any good excuses for me to use, to convince "erindoors" that I need a 3G laptop....... all ideas/suggestions gratefully appreciated ;-P
Now as for software possibilities, I prefer vBulletin. It's pretty damn good. Cost etc ? don't know. just that there's a number of forums that I know of or post at who use it to great success.

Statistics: Posted by Phantom — Sat May 15, 2010 2:07 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-15T12:35:56+00:00

jimmy if it wasent for this site i for one would have given up trying to distill my own thanks to you and all forum members please keep going

Statistics: Posted by harpo — Sat May 15, 2010 12:35 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T19:16:37+00:00

just a quick note from me, when i first had a look at homedistiller well it took me several hours of searches, googling etc just to work out what UJSM is lol
but IMHO i think only a few minor chanes are needed on the main side, like maybe a wiki for terms, maybea photo how too etc like others have suggested. the forums are fine IMHO

Statistics: Posted by foRUM warrior — Thu May 13, 2010 7:16 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T16:18:03+00:00

Agreed - adding pictures is a bit of a faff at the moment, improving that is a requirement for any new forum software as well - thanks!

Statistics: Posted by Jimmy — Thu May 13, 2010 4:18 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T16:04:53+00:00

This is a great friendly site Jimmy,I don\'t post very often but read it every day.

A great bunch of people!

Perhaps a few more pictures from members -- worth a thousand words.

Statistics: Posted by Ronbo — Thu May 13, 2010 4:04 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T15:31:40+00:00

Hi Jimmy.

I have been reading this forum for the past few months and have found answers to just about all my questions without ever needing to join up & post.

I agree with everyone else that a search feature would make info easier to find.

I think the friendly atmosphere on here is what makes it better than the other site.

Its nice to see happy banter instead of negative responses & people complaining about wrong spellings and punctuation.

Keep up the good work and who knows, one day i may even learn enough to contribute something myself!

Statistics: Posted by FireEater — Thu May 13, 2010 3:31 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T14:10:27+00:00

we need search, new post notifications, etc

phpBB3 would supply the above out of the box along with much greater security against spammers etc.

You could still keep the Main Page if needed but it wouldnt be used as a portal, just be a link (to be honest I never look at the main page)

I could help as I have a car forum running on it, I started with a home page but soon dropped it.

The only down side is "that" other site is running it and we would all start looking the same.

Statistics: Posted by Andy — Thu May 13, 2010 2:10 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T13:40:13+00:00

Thanks for the kind words everyone! Don\'t worry, there is no possibility of the forums closing down, and some kind of upgrade on them is definitely on the cards - we need search, new post notifications, etc which just aren\'t provided by the current system. I chose bbPress because it integrates with the main site, so your login is valid for both - sadly development on it seemed to come to a halt before all the features had been implemented.
All I meant was that if this site is basically a forum, and people go to Home Distiller for the pages on there about theory, washes, etc then is there any need for a main site here or should we just have a forum here and leave the articles to HD? Personally I\'m thinking that while there is a great deal of excellent info over there, some of it could benefit from being brought up to date and rewritten with photos, diagrams, etc - no point wasting time doing that if it\'s not required though.
Keep em coming, thanks all!

Statistics: Posted by Jimmy — Thu May 13, 2010 1:40 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T13:40:11+00:00

Like the others, I think this is a great site. The information is easier to find than on HD, and it\'s more geared to the small scale hobby distiller, rather than the \"build your own 200 litre reflux still and buy cracked corn by the hundredweight\" approach.
I\'ve learned a lot. Haven\'t contributed much because I don\'t think I have a lot that\'s worth saying at the moment, but I hope that will change.
I think I\'ve just shown my age. I know what a hundredweight is and remember using it.

Statistics: Posted by phlogiston — Thu May 13, 2010 1:40 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T13:26:44+00:00

Jimmy,
I agree with the above posts.

I\'m more of a reader rather than participate in the conversations due to lack of experience.

This is a superb site with very helpful people out there. Who are happy to help anyone, no matter how silly they may think their questions are.

The only thing I think would help alot is a search facility.
Great forum

Statistics: Posted by v4mpy — Thu May 13, 2010 1:26 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T12:23:05+00:00

Have to agree with Hoppin,this site is by far better than the \"other\".I am a member of both also.I have stirred them all up before,they didnt like it.I still keep an eye on their forums for other info but i go here first to read and ask etc.

Yes i think a search function would be very good.I love this hobby!!!!

Statistics: Posted by marc83 — Thu May 13, 2010 12:23 pm

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T05:46:59+00:00

plese keep up the good work. Im a newbie (5 months now) and this site is more user frendly than the \"other\" site. A search facility would be of great help though.

Statistics: Posted by crocked — Thu May 13, 2010 5:46 am

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T05:04:17+00:00

Hi Jimmy, well itâ€™s your site so I guess itâ€™s up to you what you do with it but a lot of people starting of rely on it as it has a wealth of information in past posts, donâ€™t forget a lot more people will read the posts while not having the confidence to participate.
When I first started I was on the verge of giving up as I couldnâ€™t stop the SS boiling over but found the solution on here OMG I would be paying Â£15 a litre now, well I wouldnâ€™t because I cant afford that but you know what I mean.
As for improving the site the only thing I have ever missed is a search facility, so in a nutshell keep it going or may all your yeasties die.

Statistics: Posted by bluecap — Thu May 13, 2010 5:04 am

StillSmart is changing!

2010-05-13T03:02:49+00:00

Jimmy, I have to agree with Mr Hopp above.

This community, although small is a much friendlier place than \"that\" other site.

About the only thing I would suggest is a move to phpBB3.

Maybe have a sellers section just for dealers/retailers to advertise.

Other than that I think this site is the best our hobby has with a bunch of helpful friendly people.

Thanks for keeping it going Jimmy

Statistics: Posted by Andy — Thu May 13, 2010 3:02 am