| Author | Message | ||
     Jim_Witt |
Blake mentioned: Any and all ideas are appreciated ...... Blake, Yea, I moved this over here. I don't know $hit about what it takes, not to mention how it works, some of the terminology, or what one needs to run something like you've put together (Internet wise) but I'd like to understand more. I'm sure you could cut down the physical disk space currently being used drastically by pruning out all the chitchat information on daily basis. Can you physically delete any message at random with Discus? Will it allow you to MOVE messages to another area? When I ran my BBS (which was extremely active, but more efficient software) one of the hardest things for me to do was enforcing and keeping subject threads on track on a particular topic in a specific conference area. And then making sure end-users posted in the proper conference to begin with that I had setup. The message databases I’m used to (but no longer exist via the Internet) were superior to anything they call BBS software today, especially generating real subject threads. Please keep in mind, I’m not knocking Discus whatsoever or anything you’ve put together yourself, just rambling. It’s difficult for me to explain this since everyone that invents Internet BBS software is conformable with their design of the software and end-users simply haven’t experienced what really can be done with it. I got around the problem using conference moderators. One moderator for each conference area I had setup. I’m not sure how you can efficiently do it with Discuss as you’ve presently setup the system (and I’m not knocking how you did that either), nor do I know how editable the software is. In your case, the way your system is configured today, that would mean one moderator for Accessories, Apparel, Blast P3, Bodywork and so forth. It would be the moderators’ job to keep everything in order in that particular area, including pruning and moving messages, if possible with the software. Since your system is configured a specific way today, I’m sure a moderator(s) could take on more than one specific sub-topic. I’d be more than willing to help if I can. Cheers, -JW:>) | ||
| Reepicheep |
What would be even more helpful is a moderator that not only helps do a little pruning, but that will summarize community wisdom. A lot of threads go back and forth for pages, then reach a pretty good consensus. It would be some work, but if somebody would do it we could have a "expert summary" section. The summarys would be subject to continual revision as new information comes up, and dissenting opinions could be included in the summary. For example, I got pretty involved in the speedo sensor issue, so here is what we could write (of course it would be more elaborate and have real names and part numbers in it). Of course, much of the following discussion is completely fabricated, but you get the idea. So long as we are accumulating the important details in the summaries, then the archives become less important, and people can save a lot of time. =============================================== Speedo Sensor Issues: Many 2000 and 2001 Buells with the electronic speedo sensor experienced high rates of sensor failures. Failure modes include intermittent readings, half readings, and eventually a completely dead sensor. There are at least two problems here. First, an accumulation of metal shavings can interfere with the solid state hall effect sensor built into the sending assembly. Removing and cleaning will often clear up intermittant failures. Secondly, many units are just plain failing. An anonymous posting indicated that keeping the sensor face clean and not cable tying the sensor wires too tightly can help prevent the failures, but, we have no idea if this person knew anything more then we figured out or was just speculating. The timing of their post (very close to the time the new part number was announced) lead us to belive they may have inside information. Many people that have experienced one failure have lost a second failure shortly there after, unless they take additional steps to prevent the problem. Reepicheep (email here) used a simple inductor and diode arrangement to create a first order filter with reverse voltage protection, which appears to have resolved his recurring failures (insert schematic and photos). Parts all available at your local radio shack. John Smith also put together a full voltage regulator assembly that has also worked well. It does more and protects against more, but is a little mor ecomplicated to get parts for and build. (insert schematic and photos). Finally, Buell themselves, while not actually admitting they have a problem, has revised the old part number (RIP-3456) to a new part (YAY-3245). The old and new parts are shown in the following photos side by side below, the new part is on the right. (insert photos). As of 2/23/02, eight badwebbers have installed the new part, accumulated about 14000 miles on the new unit, and only one has had a recurring failure. | ||
| Reepicheep |
And while I'm thinking about it, I think it would be INCREDIBLY valuable to create a matrix of models and model years (rows) and known problems that can be prevented (columns). I could then just look up my 2000 cyclone and know that I need to replace the primary chain tensioner, add a filter to the speedo sensor if the first one blows, update the front exhaust muffler mount, double nut the exhaust header studs, replace my main primary drive shaft nut, get the shock recall, update the spark plugs to the new heat range, etc etc. This could be the single most important resource, as most of these problems are trivial to fix ahead of time, and pretty painful to fix after the fact. Heck, we could even make it a Perl script or servlet that would walk a person through a question and answer session about their bike, and produce a nice little report for them at the end. It would be a simple / fun little excercise, provided the community helps with the decision points. Buy a used Buell, roll through the wizard to find the list of fixes, do one a weekend for a month, and you have a bike with an almost Japanese level of reliability... | ||
| Jim_Witt |
Bill wrote: So long as we are accumulating the important details in the summaries, then the archives become less important, and people can save a lot of time. Bill, Right on! Blake might also "consider" re-thinking how the current system works, evaluate a few things, then build a storyboard on how he thinks everything should flow together. It might even be a good idea to do a little research on "other" software (or Hosting systems that provide intergrated message boards) that "may" be available. There might be something out there that fits his and the BBS goals more efficiently. Go to Yahoo and search for "message boards" and you'll see a ton of information. Some are out dated of course and some are not. Just as one example check this search out or this reference. As I've stated before, I'm not knocking anything (software or the BBS layout). Just offering some suggestions. I'd be more than willing to front a few bucks to see this happen if it's necessary. Cheers, -JW:>) | ||
| Blake |
Mr. Witt: You have email! Bill, great summary. Maybe post it in the knowledge vault?  I'm with you. Are you willing to take on a Knowledge Vault topic? Jim: I would certainly be interested in your perspective on the BBS. What other BBS/Discusson Forum applications would you suggest? What about the Discus BBS do you see as lacking or needing improvement? | ||
| Reepicheep |
I'll do one or two static topics, and maybe take a crack at "the matrix". Can I do standard HTML instead of the BBS formatting stuff? Either is fine, but normal HTML would be easier. If I can get to the matrix, I will throw it together in Perl. | ||
| Jim_Witt |
Bill: I'd check out the Discus Site Forum for information this. A ton of information there. Just my opinion, -JW:>) | ||
| Jim_Witt |
Me again, I don't call this a BBS, rather discussion software. I can speak from first hand experience that it takes a lot of organizing skills, goals, personal time, insight, operating expenses, moderators, programming and 3-party programs, to really make a successful BBS last, ask my kids. Besides running a free BBS, I also ran a international sub-subscription systems for 8 years. Without a doubt, tax wise I made a killing, but sleep wise I didn't get any. The automation process of the BBS, the operating system and front-end program was absolutely incredible and fascinating to me, meaning seeing how the programs you created actually work. Anyway, a sub-subscription system would probably be a real pain in the butt (for Blake) simply because the software doesn't support an automated process of managing, tracking, tagging and notification of an individuals status (to my knowledge). BTW, I’m not saying it couldn’t be programmed into the system, but we’re talking development time, and money. I could be wrong, but I also don’t believe there’s enough end-user data accessible within the software to parse the information into useful manipulation. It would also be difficult to develop any sort of fast and efficient message manipulation software because of the way its’ stored and indexed. It’s possible to take this data, manipulate it and see what specific (notice the specific) users are doing. For a quick example, on my system, I would parse data from the message base and based on certain criteria, I would give “credit” to end-users that posted a specified number of messages in a particular time frame. Credit meaning lowering their subscription fee. Accurate and informative dialogue builds a strong and informative accessible knowledge base. Offering incentives (or Credits) like this promoted more dialogue to take place and built a valuable knowledge base over time. To give you an idea how powerful a knowledge base can be, after years of compiling specific data, you can access it in many ingenious ways. When an end-user would post a question in a forum (or in real time chat mode) a program can look for “specific” key words in the posting and parse them out. It then looks in the knowledge base headers for those “key words”, extracts that information, and generates a reply to that person. You wouldn’t believe how many times a posting would show up asking things like “I know this has been asked before, but how does OSNAP work?” Anyway, as usual I’m rambling, and of course you have the option of not reading this. I think the BBS is on the right track, plus a ton of accurate and useful information has passed through this system over the years. My main concern is that we don’t loose it, or have it organized in such a manner that’s its’ useless. I think it’s time for Blake to really sit back and see what he wants to do with the design of the system (like a storyboard). Then evaluate his options of how it should be utilized down the road. He’s going to need some dedicated moderators too that understands the goal and game plan. I should mention that I’ve searched the Internet for months now and talked with several people. I haven’t seen any messaging software (that’s available to the public or that is affordable) any better (overall) than what’s being used. Of course I haven’t a clue what Discuss’ limitations or delta is once the system grows even larger. I know there are Hosting systems out there that will supply "their" messaging software for a fee, but I haven't researched it enough to see if it's actually any better. I'm out'a here, -JW:>) | ||
| Blake |
Bill: Do it in any format that is compatible. Discus (the BBS software) runs in Pearl, so you should be fine using it as well. Just email the finished file(s) and I'll load 'em via ftp. Jim: I concur. Discus Pro is pretty darn hard to beat. The flexibility to have linear (GDB) and/or topic driven (Quick Board) discussion page formats is really rare and very nice. You may recall that the precursor to the knowledge vault was the "Create New Subtopic" button on the GDB. The amount of new topics soon became overwhelming so I shelved that for a while. I'm starting to think however that if implemented within the KV tipics new subtopic based threads may be the way to go. Do I hear a 2nd on that motion? | ||
| Dullorb |
I suspect someone is using BWB for a source for spam victims. Tuesday I created a new e-mail account because I am switching ISPs and the first thing I did was create this username and password at BWB. Within 10 minutes I had three spam messages and absolutely no one and no other group had ever seen the e-mail address. Needless to say I need to create a new account and not use it here. |
