StillSmart is changing!

[Jimmy]

Hi all,
StillSmart is a few years old now, and although the forums are still doing well thanks to the community, the main site could do with a re-think. It\'s something I\'ve been meaning to do for some time, but as regulars will know there has always been something else that gets in the way.
So, now is the time to get involved - you guys are the ones who use the site, what would you like to see in the new version? Anything you really dislike about the existing one? Do we even need the site at all what with Home Distiller, is this one redundant? If not, what is it that you prefer/find different that we should develop?
Anything and everything is welcome, no matter how inconsequential it might seem - I\'m currently in the planning stages so all things will be considered. I can\'t promise to fulfil every request, but I\'ll do what I can.
This goes for suppliers as well - I don\'t sell anything or make any money from the site, in case you didn\'t know (barring the adverts which make virtually nothing, so little I have not yet earned enough to get a cheque!) - I think some people make the mistake of thinking I am somehow involved with the manufacturers of the AirStill/EasyStill/SmartStill which is not the case, although I have contacted them on your behalf a few times.
Anyway, that means I have no affiliation to any supplier and as far as I\'m concerned, whatever we can do between us to grow the hobby will benefit everyone - if any supplier/manufacturer can think of anything that is in the common interest then I\'d love to hear it.
You can private message me or e-mail jimmy@stillsmart.co.uk if you prefer not to use the forums, or please use this thread to debate and discuss as you like.
Thanks all!

[hoppinmad]

hi jimmy,

my personal opinion is that this site is crucial for anyone new to distilling and is, in my opinion, a much more friendly environment for learning the ropes than homedistiller. i am a member of both but initially found homedistiller quite difficult to navigate and full of jargon that the experienced guys don\'t initially consider that you might not know. therefore armed with a thousand and one questions when i first started i was somewhat frustrated by what to ask first and to whom. stillsmart was a revelation and i gained many answers just by reading the posts, followed by the confidence to ask the right things and develop my understanding of the process. i sincerely hope that you continue to provide the support that others will surely need. for my part i will be here to gain knowledge and share what i have learned and the results of my experiments, as i hope the others will.

on the subject of site development i think it would be benificial to new distillers to have a description of the process, start to finish (possibly with photos) with the various types of equipment and wash available, and how to overcome or aviod potential problems at each stage, as already stated, i would be more than happy to share what i have discovered.

cheers, hoppin

[Andy]

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

[bluecap]

Hi Jimmy, well it’s your site so I guess it’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, don’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 couldn’t stop the SS boiling over but found the solution on here OMG I would be paying £15 a litre now, well I wouldn’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.

[crocked]

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.

[marc83]

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!!!!

[v4mpy]

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

[phlogiston]

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.

[Jimmy]

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!

[Andy]

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.

[FireEater]

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!

[Ronbo]

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.

[Jimmy]

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!

[foRUM warrior]

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

[harpo]

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