NCRS Moderators - question/idea

[Robert C.]

Does this website have a section where members can upload photo's?

We can organize them by year, then the usual breakdowns......

I think it would be beneficial, since sometimes we just need to see "something" (e.g. heater hose routing) correctly done.

It might save alot of posts.

Bob

[Jim C.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

Sounds like a real good idea. I have absolutely no clue how to do it, because me and computers don't really get along, but it sounds like a good idea.

[Louis T.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea



As it is now, members ask a question via a new or existing thread on the TDB, and members respond with photos and/or text, and dialog takes place as to accuracy and completeness based on who is logged on, and their areas of expertise and interests. These threads are saved in the archives for posterity, and are searchable through the use of judiciously-chosen keywords.





Louis

[Mark W.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

I agree with Louis on this. With the proliferation of digital cameras that can generate very large files, I think a photo section would quickly overwhelm the storage resources of the we site.

[Stewart A.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

Yeah I've asked the question before and the powers to be said there are other things on the list before that ? Still think it's the best idea that the site is lacking. Stewy

[Rob M.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

Mark,

Don't worry about the storage to much, we are decreasing the size of uploaded images to 800x600 pixels automatically.

Nevertheless there is a technical limit (before the automated resize) what you can upload anyway which is close to 1600x1200 using this board (due to the php programming language limitations).

regards,
Rob.

[Rob M.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

The points Louis is making are very valid. Setting up an archive is simple; setting up an archive in which you are able to find what you are looking for is another think.

Once I've been involved in setting up an electronic document archive for a big medical company in the UK storing millions of scanned documents and it took app. 2 years (with a team of 8 persons) to setup a decent system so that the right document (1 out of millions) could be retrieved (in seconds)...

Setting up systems like this is major science which only a few mastered (e.g. Google)...

I'm not saying we shouldn't do these kind of things, I'm just saying that there is much more to it then simply starting another forum area and permit everyone posting all kind of pictures (like Louis rightfully explained).

PS please do continue suggesting your idea's and thoughts, they are criticized, challenged, some times discarded but often also seriously considered. If the board and the IT team think it is a good idea and possible to realize (within our resource capacity) we do pick them up and put them on our to-do list. It just takes some time to implement them because there is so much to consider...

regards,
Rob.

[Michael A.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

Rob - First let me say thanks to you and the other admins on the TDB. This is a great forum for the hobby and an invaluable resource to people like me. The time and talent you guys devote to this is greatly appreciated.

The suggestions coming in on photos are good "voice of the customer" input. Let me add one more suggestion. If each member had the option of posting some pics in their user profile (more than the thumbnail and avatar and larger), it would allow members to see each other's cars and reference their photos in their postings. Getting to the profile is as easy as clicking on the member's name. I know I have posted the same picture more than once in various threads which could easily be posted once to the profile and referenced in future posts. I don't know the limitations of this tool but if you could allow 10 to 20 pics to be posted with the profile, most users would only add a few, others would post the limit. It would have the side benefit of encouraging people to look at the profiles, learn more about their correspondents and maybe encourage more direct contact..... all good things.... I think

Cheers,

[Kenneth H.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

I guess I'll add my 2 cents. I love the idea of having a place where I can go to see what something on my LT1 should actually look like, or looked like when it was original. Currently I search the TDB and archives and sometimes get lucky, but it is a tedious process. When I delve into the various reference manuals that have been published I may also get lucky, but most of those pictures are black and white, and don't reflect enough detail.

I do know that the most qualified experts on corvettes in the world are on this site. And in almost all cases where pictures are posted in threads a consensus is reached concerning the correctness of a part. Why not have these experts and moderators vote (as we can do now on threads) to determine the appropriateness and accuracy of a correct example, and if there is a consensus, have the picture placed in folders for all to see. Folders can be organized by year, and then subdivided into the 5 categories listed in the TIM&JG. I don't think this process would be very difficult to administer, but I would leave the details to the Webmaster.

Additionally, some of our experts have vast libraries of pictures of original parts, and maybe some of them would be willing to share those files. Since the NCRS is "dedicated to the restoration, preservation, history and enjoyment of Corvettes made from the model years 1953 through 1993", an archive of original part pictures would fit right into that goal, and help members achieve our mission.

Thanks.

[Jim C.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

Mike,

This is also a great idea. Once again, I have no clue how to do it, but it would be really great to look at other Corvettes, parts, restorations, etc. for reference purposes, or just for the enjoyment of seeing what others in the hobby are doing.

Jim C.

[Roy B.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

I don't think that would be a good idea , why! Because this forum would be held a countable for them if wrong. The JM would be a better outlet once all concerned agree the part is correct in (design) for that year. This forum is better for discussion once a photo is posted and when an agreement is reached, you then can save the pic.for that year that interest you. I post many pic's giving my opinion then it's up to members to decide and investigate it , I like people to think ,look and decide weather it's of interest to them to investigate. But that's my 2 cents of input.

[Kenneth H.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

Roy,

Sorry, but I have to respectfully disagree. First, have you seen the pictures in the judging manual? I don't want to offend anyone, because the members who prepare those manuals do a great job. And it's not their fault that the pictures are what they are. The problem is it would be extremely cost prohibitive to publish a JM with detailed color pictures that would be beneficial to the restorer.

And as for accountability, if we're going to be accountable for pictures posted on the site, are we then also accountable for errors in the current Judging Manuals (again, no offense intended). And what recourse would an individual have if one of the pictures is incorrect. The solution her is easy. Use the same disclaimer that is used in all Judging Manuals which is located on the inside front cover of the manual. It resolves the accountability issue.

Lastly, and again, no offense intended, searching the board for past threads is, at best, difficult. Not the Webmaster's fault. It's just that, while this site is about Corvettes and only Corvettes, even within the limited scope of our hobby, the topics are many and varied. If you don't know exactly what to search for you could spend hours and still not find what you're looking for.

Thanks.

[Greg L.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

Here's my thought. How about on-line TIM&JGs with lots of pics that have been reviewed and deemed correct by those in charge of the manuals? I can only imagine how long it would take to set this up but then again it takes a long time to properly revise any one TIM&JG. Maybe the resources would be better spent on on-line versions?

Oh and an on-line classifieds section would be nice too. Just had to put that in there too.

[Roy B.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

Ken,
I've been asked to help with pic's for the 55 JM. The 55 is the one Corvette that I believe I know the best along with a few other members . I don't know how fare my pic's or knowledge will improve the JM but I'm willing to help.
I'm interested to help 55 owners bring their 55 as close to original as they wont and that's why I post many pic's and will if asked. The 55 would be a simple (fact and pic book) because there were so few made 700 and is like no other Corvette in many ways.I've thought of putting a 55 book to gather but the cost would out way the interest.
The 55's are so few and most often over looked and rarely seen at any NCRS meet.

[Rob M.]

Re: NCRS Moderators - question/idea

Here's my thought. How about on-line TIM&JGs with lots of pics that have been reviewed and deemed correct by those in charge of the manuals? I can only imagine how long it would take to set this up but then again it takes a long time to properly revise any one TIM&JG. Maybe the resources would be better spent on on-line versions?

Oh and an on-line classifieds section would be nice too. Just had to put that in there too.

That is an interesting thought. Let me think this one through a bit and discuss it with Gary Chesnut/John Waggoner and some board members...

regards,
Rob.