Re-Writing 6GC...Feature Suggestions Welcome Options

[Coomer]

With my senior project behind me (and an A to show for it, yay! ), this quarter is going to be far easier than the last two, so I'll finally have some time to work on 6GC.

I've actually already started re-writing 6GC from the ground up. I've got the login stuff and a lot of the key core components done. For those that care, I'm using extensive object oriented programming along with several design patterns, including basing the site on a model-view-controller. Technical details aside, the site will be faster, less intensive on the server, more secure, and easier to work on.

Of course, there will be new features as well.

So far, here's the tentative list that I'm striving to achieve:

• Better Member Profile URLs, like http://www.6gc.net/members/coomer.
• Member Profile Photo Ordering
• Ability to Remove your High-Res Photos
• Better Administrative High-Res Photo Management (so photos get authorized much, much faster)
• Some AJAX-based enhancements...for example, not leaving the page when you post a comment (these may be implemented at a later date, after site re-launch)
• Some non-AJAX, JavaScript-based enhancements...nicer submit buttons, etc.
• Better transaction feedback system that integrates with the main site's design and doesn't require popup windows
• Ability for members to add parts and part photos
• Downloads section, with wallpapers, sticker design in multiple formats for taking to your local sticker shop, etc. Probably no videos, as bandwidth is a killer and I'm already paying a lot for web hosting
• Better member search page
• Printer-friendly pages
• Multimedia forum (for posting pics and vids)
• Tentative: More contact options, besides AIM. Maybe MSN messenger, Yahoo messenger, ICQ...I'm not sure on this one...what does everyone use the most?
• Tentative: 6GC store, using Cafepress integrated with the main site

What do you guys think? Let me know if there's more you'd like to see.

My goal is to work on the site for a few hours every day until it's done. Most of the hard parts of development are completed (the basic framework, login functionality.) It works out well since I have more time with my senior project done, I'm too broke to finish the Celica, and most of my friends up here don't do anything but drink, which I don't really enjoy.

So with any luck, the site will be re-launched within a couple months. Let me know what you'd like to see.

[3WayStunna]

Hey coomer, when will you add more stickies or more tech info in the forums...to be honest i troll the forums everyday, and too often are the same questions asked that have been answered, and too often have there been many unanswered questions about changes or improvements that can be made to celica...such as, head swapping, bodykits (which was just brought up earlier), write-ups on general info for car maintenance that isnt just "linked" (since some links tend to die ). Anywho, just my two cents, and btw, you have an awesome site bro, that gets the attention of alot of ppl from different countries...maybe you can make this site more friendly to them with info that is just as specific to their cars as it is our american celi's

[Coomer]

Hey coomer, when will you add more stickies or more tech info in the forums...to be honest i troll the forums everyday, and too often are the same questions asked that have been answered, and too often have there been many unanswered questions about changes or improvements that can be made to celica...such as, head swapping, bodykits (which was just brought up earlier), write-ups on general info for car maintenance that isnt just "linked" (since some links tend to die ). Anywho, just my two cents, and btw, you have an awesome site bro, that gets the attention of alot of ppl from different countries...maybe you can make this site more friendly to them with info that is just as specific to their cars as it is our american celi's

There's a line at which we need to draw the line. We already have several links within stickies, but will always consider adding more threads if they're good. We can't link to every thread in the forums though...would kind of ruin the point.

And I agree...information shouldn't be specific just to American Celis. We try hard to make information not specific to US Celicas, and I'm re-working several parts of the site to hopefully help make information more general.

Also, to give you guys an update on the site rewrite status, I'm finally making good progress again. I got the parts database finished up, and it's going to be better than before, with more features coming after the launch. I'm working on the "Manage Your Account" section now, and it too will be nicer than before.