Re: Site Update Complete!

[boogetyboogety]

Well, Nadeem, I guess this answers the previously-posted question, should we include the next-gen Insight in this forum, or open up a separate one...

I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, since any change in any set routine is disorienting at first, and right now, the site seems harder to navigate... but... I'm sure I and others here will eventually get back to our IC haunts... kudos to previous mods for a job well done, and best wishes to your efforts in this endeavor.

I would try to add some sort of appropriate icon to my comments, but I'm not sure how that's accomplished anymore... oh well... =\

[lenwardus]

What happened to image urls, hyperlinks, bold..? in posts.

[Dgate]

I am not impressed with the new site as it has moved away from the original idea where enthuasiast's of a unique car (Insight 1) were able to trade ideas and stories.
This has been done previously without distractions from adverts or other unrelated cars. Even the new Insight 2 will not attract the type of enthuasiast to this site to justify combining the two types and altering the original idea.
All thats needed now is some blairing music while navigating or a banner top and bottom and it will be like watching American TV.

While i'm sure a lot of hard work has gone into the transition it's sole purpose is for the user, it remains to be seen if the rethink is sucessful,for me it isn't.

DGate

[bryankwalton]

I have started to comment on the new site several times over the last 18 hours or so in order to share my complaints that I'm sure that many of you also have. However, I've forced myself at each time to hold off so that I don't gripe about something that doesn't really matter in the long run. Having thought through most of my initial complaints, I share my thoughts now.

First, I want to thank Benjamin for the hard work, personal sacrifice, and financial sacrifice that he has put into maintaining this site. I don't know if he has been the actual owner or not. And I don't know if the money spent to maintain this site has been his money or somebody elses. But to whomever has made that sacrifice in the past, I thank you. If the old site had offered some way to donate money, I would have been more than happy to do so. I'll probably do so for the new site -- now that this option exists. I'll contribute some money not to get rid of annoying ads, but rather because I value the wealth of information on this site and I want it to continue to exist. I hope that by contributing some money to maintain this site, that some portion of that money will go to the people who have spent money over the last 9 years to maintain it. Can Benjamin or Nadeem or somebody else (with knowledge) speak to where the membership money goes?

Second, I am not a fan of the second generation Insight. And I hate the fact that it uses the Insight name. Don't misunderstand me, it is a fine car -- when compared to the majority of vehicles currently on the market. But when considering the things that I love and value about the 1st generation Insight, the 2nd generation is clearly a step backwards. The 2nd generation Insight is not a car built for extreme hypermiling. And that is why when the day comes that I must sadly replace my 2000 Honda Insight, I will buy something like an Aptera or a VW 1 liter car. Currently, those are the cars that seem to be worthy of the title: "2nd generation Insight". Having said all this, I understand that this site must grow to encompass all Insights. Multiple Insight websites would not be a good thing. I used to drive a 1984 diesel Rabbit that got very good fuel economy (for the time). I can say that in the opinions of those early diesel Rabbit owners (and perhaps even the gas powered ones), that the return of the VW Rabbit in recent years has not been a welcome return. The two generations of Rabbits are very different and those that own the diesel versions are probably offended by the recent Rabbits. However, I don't see why any Rabbit forum can't be large enough to handle all VW Rabbits. I hope that once the 2nd generation Insight actually hits the market, that this site will clearly partition off the 2 generations so that the 1st generation Insights will not be bombarded with questions about a car that most of us don't care for.

Third, I feel confident that we will get used to the new forum software. Somethings I already like. BTW, this is the same software that is used by the cleanmpg.com site. Perhaps using it here, will help me become more comfortable with it there.

So, what is my main frustration? The logo at the top of the site is awful. That may seem trivial to some. However, notice that every picture in that logo at the top is a picture of the 2nd generation Insight except for 1? I also love how a car that isn't even on the market yet gets most of the pictures (and the bigger pictures).[roll eyes] The 1st generation Insight, the only one that is actually owned by anybody is relegated to a much smaller picture to the left of the much bigger 2nd generation picture. I know its possible to build a logo that doesn't make the 1st generation Insight seem unequal in stature to a 2nd generation that isn't even for sale yet. In other words, this site (no matter what its future intentions may be) is still 99.9% about the 1st generation Insight. Yet, the logo at the top gives a different impression.

-Bryan

[admin]

Originally Posted by bryankwalton

1. Can Benjamin or Nadeem or somebody else (with knowledge) speak to where the membership money goes?

2. Clearly partition off the 2 generations so that the 1st generation Insights will not be bombarded with questions about a car that most of us don't care for.

3. The logo at the top of the site is awful.

-Bryan

1. The membership money goes towards the running of the site including server costs, bandwidth and support.

2. DONE!

3. I will consult with some of my photoshop guys to see if we can make it more equally representative of the 1st gen. and the 2nd gen. Insight. What would you think of having a banner competition? EDIT: We will add another picture of the 1st gen and remove one of the second gen pics.

This is all great feedback, but I would really appreciate it if we can keep it in one place HERE. Also, I have updated the FAQ to answer some common questions HERE. It will help me to address your issues faster, and will cut down on duplicate posts. Thanks! I will update you guys when I find out about the banner.

[Aaron Cake]

The site has obviously changed quite dramatically.

First, how do we get rid of the bar to the left of the form? It takes up almost 1/4 of my screen. I now have to run my browser window maximized and still don't have the same forum reading area that I did before.

Second, I understand the need for ads. Believe me, I do. I run Google ads on my own website. But this is ad overload. I can count 9 ad blocks at first glance and I get a full screen worth of ads when I move about the forums. It's necessary to scroll down in order to start reading. One of them just mooed at me. Seriously. Again, I understand why the ads are there and I'm not saying they would be removed. But the layout interferes totally with the user experience.

3rd, the site is now 5x slower then what it once was. Server response is great but page rendering is not. I assume this is due to the ads.

4th, the logo at the top completely forsakes the real Insight for the new Insight that isn't even out on the market yet. The members who built this community currently drive real Insights (the 1st generation) yet it appears that the forum is now targeted to prospective buyers of a car that really doesn't exist yet?

[admin]

I am closing this thread so we can continue this in ONE THREAD. I started a thread so I can follow, and answer all your questions efficiently. I urge EVERYONE to check the FAQ so they won't ask questions that are already answered there. Thanks for your input.

PS: You can turn off the sidebar in your User CP under Edit your Details.

Thanks!

Nadeem