Dan
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Herder of Nerds
Posts: 3,141
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Post by Dan on Apr 16, 2014 17:48:50 GMT -6
Alright gang, pull up a chair, we need to talk. The times, they are a changin'. The last few years have seen the trucksim scene change quite a bit as old hands leave, newcomers arrive and SCS keeps doing whatever they feel like! The number of active trucksim forums has thinned out quite a bit, but we as a forum are still going strong as we approach our fifth(!) birthday as a community. However, over time certain sections of the forum have seen increased activity as others have withered away into the woodwork. The most active topic in every section without exception is the screenshots thread. You guys love sharing your pictures and stories and you've been really great about following the #truckmodshop rules. A lot of you post screenshots from multiple games and are active in a number of these threads at the same time and they all serve a similar purpose. At the same time, there's a ton of activity related to sharing your work-in-progress models and 3d. We'd like for everybody to be able to get as much visibility as possible and at the same time, make it convenient for you guys to look at and comment on what other people have shared. The staff have been discussing an idea which some of us like and others don't. Now it's time to get your feedback; we are considering the following: - Merge the screenshot threads for each trucking game into a single thread. This would not apply to misc games, the real trucking pics thread etc.
- Merge the "show your 3d threads" into one central thread in the 3d section. Possibly have separate threads for W.I.P. models and fancy renders.
- Each individual game would still have their own subsection with an "ask your questions here" post (or should we merge these too?) and space for sharing mods, as we currently do.
There are a lot of variations on these ideas that we could do, and at this point, we have not decided on anything. So now it's time for you to say what you think of these proposed changes. Please vote in the poll above and if you'd like, make a post explaining your vote. If you have any other ideas related to the forum, now is a great time to bring them up. We're here and we're ready to listen.
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Seb.H
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Screenshot of the Week Winner
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Post by Seb.H on Apr 16, 2014 17:58:04 GMT -6
It would be a great idea from what i can read. But i have a question. You'll only merge the screens thread? And the games boards will still be like they're now? And there'll be a new board ( i suppose) with all the screens?
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Post by Big Joe on Apr 16, 2014 17:59:07 GMT -6
I don't know what I would do if you guys combined the threads...it just seems more organized with each game having it's own screenshot thread and 3d thread. It allows the members to choose the game they play the most and keep track with it.
As for the seperate threads, then people would be making threads for every Pete, Kenworth, and any other lower rider with very little modifications and little activity. We all know most people switch rigs within a week.
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Dan
Gold Certificate Member
Herder of Nerds
Posts: 3,141
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Post by Dan on Apr 16, 2014 18:01:46 GMT -6
It would be a great idea from what i can read. But i have a question. You'll only merge the screens thread? And the games boards will still be like they're now? And there'll be a new board ( i suppose) with all the screens? It might look something like this: Main forum sections are red, subsections are blue, sub-sub sections are yellow, stickied posts are purple. That image assumes the questions threads are merged too, with older games being in their own section. So thats slightly different from the original proposal, but it should give you an idea at least.
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Seb.H
Gold Certificate Member
Screenshot of the Week Winner
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Post by Seb.H on Apr 16, 2014 18:15:55 GMT -6
It might look something like this: [image]Main forum sections are red, subsections are blue, sub-sub sections are yellow, stickied posts are purple. That image assumes the questions threads are merged too, with older games being in their own section. So thats slightly different from the original proposal, but it should give you an idea at least. It's nice. Would give a more "clean" look i think. Without all those boards like we have now. Nothing against what we have now but that's how I feel about it. It's an interesting thing thats sure
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Jon
Gold Certificate Member
Posts: 1,807
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Post by Jon on Apr 16, 2014 18:57:46 GMT -6
Overall the design you have looks more organized, but I have doubts that it'll be easy to keep organized. Putting the misc games in with General discussion is somewhat relevant but still too strange. Merging the questions threads is incredibly insane. As if they weren't bad enough by themselves. With how much people fuck up every day and immediately resort to asking what they did wrong instead of looking over their work more carefully, it'll make for something no one wants to see. The screenshots thread merging wouldn't be too bad of an idea, but it's not something I would like. I'm sure other people feel this way that when they go to the haulin screens they just want to see haulin screens, not every other game.
Do what you want, but ultimately I think this isn't something that'll be easy to manage nor look at.
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HighRoller
Frequent Flyer
Fag Roller the best you got?
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Post by HighRoller on Apr 16, 2014 19:03:08 GMT -6
If it has worked for 4 years...why change it?
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Chris B.
Long-Haul Trucker
I sell Propane and Propane accessories"
Posts: 1,286
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Post by Chris B. on Apr 16, 2014 19:12:20 GMT -6
I like the idea of a central 3d work section, however I feel that screenshots should be kept separate. As Big Joe said, it is nice for folks to keep up with their game. When models are in zmod or whatever modeling programing you are using, all games are virtually the same, so I believe we can get away with combining 3d. The screenshots in my opinion HAVE to be kept separate because things would get too complicated. I mostly am into Haulin', so throughout the day when I get time, I check up with the Haulin' screenshot section. If all the games were combined, I would be sifting through that thread all day long. Other than that, I think you guys are running an A-Grade forum here and I'm sure whatever you guys come up with will be great.
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Sarvwagon42
Company Driver
Who needs a girl when you have a truck simulator and a fridge?
Posts: 210
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Post by Sarvwagon42 on Apr 16, 2014 19:19:01 GMT -6
I know im just a small part of this amazing truck froum and i know i havnt built any trucks or anything and i have not posted anything into the 3D thread but I completely agree with what Chris B. said. Because if i want to look at haulin' screens then i want to look at haulin' screens and not have to go though the other trucking game out yonder
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Post by seriousmods on Apr 16, 2014 19:45:34 GMT -6
Well, I'm going to present a totally different plan that I think would be interesting to see put into practice. We all know that Haulin, GTS, ETS2, and Extreme Trucker 2 have great graphics while games like PTTM, GTS SA, and so on have less crisp, older graphics. So how about instead of having the various screenshot threads kept separate, we had a general North American trucking thread, a European trucking thread, a South American trucking thread, and an Australian trucking thread, that allowed users who play any of the newer games to post in a general by continent thread. Then have similar threads, or maybe the current threads for the older games like PTTM which aren't played as much, and an other section divided into special categories for gaming pictures not related to trucking: farming itself, racing, trains, etc. I'm not trying to be haughty or something, but I'd say some of my screens are equally as good as Haulin and occasionally as good as ETS 2, and it would be cool to see a common continent-based trucking thread instead of all the various threads. Not only would everyone have more exposure, but I think it would be more fun for the whole forum, and especially for those of us who play games that don't have as great a following in this community. However, I'm not saying that we should get rid of the Farming Simulator thread altogether as that could still be used for farming only pictures (tractors, farmyards, buildings, harvesting equipment and the like), and I would agree that combining the 3d sections would be a good idea as well. Now to expand the idea even further, if the site was divided into cars, trucks, trains, planes, and other games (FPS games like Day-Z and so on, farming pictures, and various other things), then I think it would bring the forum together as one cohesive unit. It's just a thought, but I felt like sharing it.
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Chris B.
Long-Haul Trucker
I sell Propane and Propane accessories"
Posts: 1,286
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Post by Chris B. on Apr 16, 2014 19:54:04 GMT -6
Well, I'm going to present a totally different plan that I think would be interesting to see put into practice. We all know that Haulin, GTS, ETS2, and Extreme Trucker 2 have great graphics while games like PTTM, GTS SA, and so on have less crisp, older graphics. So how about instead of having the various screenshot threads kept separate, we had a general North American trucking thread, a European trucking thread, a South American trucking thread, and an Australian trucking thread, that allowed users who play any of the newer games to post in a general by continent thread. Then have similar threads, or maybe the current threads for the older games like PTTM which aren't played as much, and an other section divided into special categories for gaming pictures not related to trucking: farming itself, racing, trains, etc. I'm not trying to be haughty or something, but I'd say some of my screens are equally as good as Haulin and occasionally as good as ETS 2, and it would be cool to see a common continent-based trucking thread instead of all the various threads. Not only would everyone have more exposure, but I think it would be more fun for the whole forum, and especially for those of us who play games that don't have as great a following in this community. However, I'm not saying that we should get rid of the Farming Simulator thread altogether as that could still be used for farming only pictures (tractors, farmyards, buildings, harvesting equipment and the like), and I would agree that combining the 3d sections would be a good idea as well. Now to expand the idea even further, if the site was divided into cars, trucks, trains, planes, and other games (FPS games like Day-Z and so on, farming pictures, and various other things), then I think it would bring the forum together as one cohesive unit. It's just a thought, but I felt like sharing it. That is a very good point. I'm still not completely convinced on the whole combinging everything into one screenshot thread, but you're method is by far the best idea in my opinion. I have to say though, I'm not a big fan of the dividing the forum up into cars, trucks, trains, etc because this is a trucksim based forum. Other than that, great idea
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Post by seriousmods on Apr 16, 2014 20:02:04 GMT -6
Well, I'm going to present a totally different plan that I think would be interesting to see put into practice. We all know that Haulin, GTS, ETS2, and Extreme Trucker 2 have great graphics while games like PTTM, GTS SA, and so on have less crisp, older graphics. So how about instead of having the various screenshot threads kept separate, we had a general North American trucking thread, a European trucking thread, a South American trucking thread, and an Australian trucking thread, that allowed users who play any of the newer games to post in a general by continent thread. Then have similar threads, or maybe the current threads for the older games like PTTM which aren't played as much, and an other section divided into special categories for gaming pictures not related to trucking: farming itself, racing, trains, etc. I'm not trying to be haughty or something, but I'd say some of my screens are equally as good as Haulin and occasionally as good as ETS 2, and it would be cool to see a common continent-based trucking thread instead of all the various threads. [image]Not only would everyone have more exposure, but I think it would be more fun for the whole forum, and especially for those of us who play games that don't have as great a following in this community. However, I'm not saying that we should get rid of the Farming Simulator thread altogether as that could still be used for farming only pictures (tractors, farmyards, buildings, harvesting equipment and the like), and I would agree that combining the 3d sections would be a good idea as well. Now to expand the idea even further, if the site was divided into cars, trucks, trains, planes, and other games (FPS games like Day-Z and so on, farming pictures, and various other things), then I think it would bring the forum together as one cohesive unit. It's just a thought, but I felt like sharing it. That is a very good point. I'm still not completely convinced on the whole combinging everything into one screenshot thread, but you're method is by far the best idea in my opinion. I have to say though, I'm not a big fan of the dividing the forum up into cars, trucks, trains, etc because this is a trucksim based forum. Other than that, great idea Well, maybe just common trucks-by-continent threads, and then misc for everything else, which is similar to what we have now for the last part at least. And the principle I'm basing my idea off of is the fact that we don't play Haulin, GTS, ETS 2, or even Farming Sim (driving trucks in the game that is) because we love those games. We play these games because we love trucks, and if all of the screens of similar quality are posted together, I don't think it would be that noticeable. But who knows.
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Post by Colonel on Apr 16, 2014 20:54:18 GMT -6
The screenshot and 3d threads combining will likely not affect many people. If we do combine them, then we can't really separate them. If you start making threads with different content classifications it will likely get confusing fast. The 3d threads can be combined as I don't think anyone cares what game the 3d work goes in. Ask your questions should NOT be combined and we should definitely have separate boards for each game. Reason for this, is how the hell are we supposed to know what game someone is talking about unless they specify. How many noobs are going to know, much less remember to post what game they are having issues with. Hell, most of them don't even know how to put their log into a spoiler... Not to mention the fact that released mods will get confusing if they are in the same board. I mean, if someone releases a mod for et2, people WILL try to put it in haulin plug in play. You all know how the noobs are.
Honestly, though. There really isn't anything wrong with the forum. We've been here for almost 5 years going strong. Every heard the phrase, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it?" Yea I think that should be included in your next discussion. Everyone knows how it's setup now that's been here any length of time. Why go and change it and have all these noobs posting shit way off in the wrong places. You know it's going to happen and you can't prevent it, but you can minimize it by making sure the regular members know exactly where stuff should go. Please don't break the forum by chaning it all up. Subtle things like having one 3d thread is ok, but not the screenshot combining. As good as it may sound, and as ok as I made it seem, it's really not going to pan out well. People will be spamming asking what game, what game... People will flood the questions thread with questions that no one can answer because the game isn't specified. I don't see how anything good can come of most of this...
Alas, I am not in control of the forum, therefore it is not my decision to make. Choose wisely, Administration, weigh your positives and negatives to the tee and ensure you don't do something you can't fix. Fear not, though, if you break this forum we can all just go to LoneWolf! -_-
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bhfanatik
Diesel Jockey
Random forum troll
Posts: 1,517
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Post by bhfanatik on Apr 16, 2014 21:18:09 GMT -6
Other - This is not a bad idea, butttttt...... I have some background in maintaining a website (not a board like this, I work for a financial (bank) and am part of the department that handles all electronic traffic website, emails, chats, online banking, mobile banking etc.) so I understand when someone wants to do a few updates around here. But I do not have any experience in maintaining a community like this. We always shoot for simplicity - we do not want our members to spend a lot of time searching for something on our website - we always want it to be found easier. I think that the merging of screenshots is a good idea, BUT not together in one thread - maybe in a sub-topic where users are able to choose (Ets-2 , Haulin, GTS, etc.). This way you are keeping that one thing separate from everything else. I don't think I would want to see ETS 2 screenshots when I am looking for Haulin screenshots or GTS screenshots. People would find that inconvenient as they would have to scroll through other screenshots from other games to view what they want. This way it is organized and kept neatly together but also separate. It will make the job easier for those that have to moderate the images of this website. Everything will be grouped in one location for them. The 3d idea is GREAT! I love it. You are providing a way for everyone to show their work. No matter that amount of talent or experience they have they will be able to show what they are making while also receiving tips from others. I like the way you have it organized above Dan it is a good idea and looks very easy to navigate through. I would revise it a little as mentioned - but just my two cents. To conclude, shoot for organization and ease of locating everything for the screenshots. The 3d portion idea that you have is great and I absolutely love it as everyone will be able to view what everyone is creating - allowing them to receiving traffic and publicity. Good luck EDIT: I forgot - DO NOT COMBINE ASK YOUR QUESTIONS. PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD DO NOT. The amount of confusion that would arise from many users will make them steer clear from there. When someone wants an answer for something they will go to that topic area (ETS 2, GTS, Haulin) if they have questions. This keeps it more organized and everything will be easier to locate for the specific thing someone is looking for.
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Post by seriousmods on Apr 16, 2014 21:29:24 GMT -6
Even though I like my own idea, I do agree with you Colonel. I'm on a forum of 165,000 people, about 99% of which play FS, and the confusion we have on that site is so great at times, it almost makes the resources we have useless. For example, because we don't have a questions thread, some good questions go unanswered while bad or just horribly dumb questions are repeatedly asked and repeatedly answered. No one would be hurt by the forum staying the way it is, and as things develop and games change, things will have to be adjusted anyways, like the creation of the RIP games section.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2014 0:26:21 GMT -6
I dont mind the idea of merging screenshots and 3d sections but i dont like the idea of merging all the games into one. Some people including myself only one game, eg haulin or ET2 or Euro ect so having all games in one you cant just look at the game your interested in and also end up missing things. thats my 2 cents worth anyway
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Post by Tyler on Apr 17, 2014 0:55:27 GMT -6
Cool, an opinion based decision!
I read Dan's first post a few times, and have thought over what all was said. My vote was NO. I honestly don't think it is a good idea. First off, this forum has been around for so long now, and everything has worked just fine. All the separated boards with the individual games and everything has worked for each forum, even if I haven't been visiting some of the other forums like I used to, no matter what I still always come back here because it is the most active, and most organized forum to come to in the Sim-trucking world. Now, on to my opinion on why they should NOT be merged.
My method of thinking is that if you merge the Screenshots thread, there's going to be some mass chaos. So many people post in each different screenshot thread a day that we aren't ever going to be able to see them all. Imagine if 10 people post ETS screens, 10 post Haulin Screens, 10 post GTS screens, and so on, there will be a good 3 or 4 pages added each time they post. How it is now, if you want to see screenshots from a certain game, you can. Like me, I don't want to see ETS2 screenshots, I have no interest in it because I can't run the game, I want to see Haulin' screens because that's my go to simulator, so I look in the Haulin screens thread. If I don't want to see the other games, I'm going to have to anyway whether I like it or not if the thread is merged together. Might catch a glimpse of a truck I like, but then never be able to find the post again to quote, or ask a question about it. Same with the 3D modeling threads, if there is something of interest, it's going to disappear in a few minutes because so many people post. "GTS, Haulin ETS, ETS2...wait WHAT just happened?? I was looking at a sweet 379, I refreshed and 10 pages just appeared..."
There's really no reason to merge them, I'm against it because I think it will be chaotic and unorganized...and you can't split them up again.
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Post by Chris on Apr 17, 2014 3:56:55 GMT -6
If it has worked for 4 years...why change it? This is my position too.
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Mr. D
Diesel Jockey
Fuckery, Fuckery Everywhere
Posts: 1,597
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Post by Mr. D on Apr 17, 2014 5:55:46 GMT -6
Yea. I'm with Chris and Highroller, why change it if it's been going good for 4 years. My view is the screenshot threads if they get combined is just gonna be one sided to a specific game that everyone and their step grandma is gonna be playing verse the others. I can see the 3d threads being combined, but the screenshot threads being combined will just be one mass confusion.
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Post by hydraulics on Apr 17, 2014 7:03:47 GMT -6
I think Dan has put forth some good idea's. I'd imagine when ATS is released, there will be an influx of new and old members signing up again. I do think this place should be a source of information, ie: Wiki(prism logs, f&q), tutorials(3dmax,blender,zmod). I would be happy to help come up with a re-design for the forum, giving people easier access to topics they want to get there hands on quickly.
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Post by Tyler on Apr 17, 2014 10:32:02 GMT -6
Easier to access the topics..but not easy to find what you WANT to see.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2014 13:40:28 GMT -6
Easier to access the topics..but not easy to find what you WANT to see. Exactly. It's useless, leave it as it is at the moment.
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 17, 2014 13:56:05 GMT -6
keep everything like the good old days
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RBR-DUK
Frequent Flyer
You ever seen a duck that couldn’t swim? Quack, quack!
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Post by RBR-DUK on Apr 17, 2014 14:12:14 GMT -6
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Dan
Gold Certificate Member
Herder of Nerds
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Post by Dan on Apr 17, 2014 14:34:50 GMT -6
Thanks for the opinions gents!
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