Your thoughts on the new design...

[rolandogomez]

David,

Thanks for your feedback, I'll try and answer the best I can.

1. On the site being cluttered, not sure if you're referring to the forum, or the entire site, as with your explanation, we didn't remove any tuturiols, the entire site, is still here, the menu system is different, but self-explanatory. The new menu on the top of every page breaks it down into six topics.
(1) Login--that's obvious what it does and know one logged in should have to go here.
(2) Quick Menu--this is where most favorite links are, including "photo tips" if that is the tuturiols you are referring too. Again, everything is pull down to prevent clutter, but all the pull-downs are self-explanatory.
(3) Forums--a quick pull down for the forums, we had hoped everyone would use this, but added menus on the forum itself too as some folks don't like pull downs. This entire menu is for anything forum related.
(4) Portfolios--this menu is for anything portfolio related.
(5) About Us---meant more for the newbies.
(6) Join, again, if you're logged, you will not use this menu unless you want to upgrade.

To edit your control panel options, go to "My Home" and it will be very clear on that page for editing of options, we even put red text between the two main links for these options.

2. On the software not working properly, we are aware of a few issues, most are being worked on, all are being worked on with limited resources because G1, even in the GG days, is more of a boot-strap operation and we can only do so much in so much time--we don't have a payroll or full-time staff. We hope to get there some day.

3. In linear mode, this system works the same as all BB systems, as a post is made, regardless who it's answered to, it goes next in line, that is why you have the "hybrid" and "threaded" mode--so you can see who the reply is too. GG was only threaded, here you have both options plus both in the hybrid mode. Some like threaded, some hybrid, some linear, we give you the chioce. That is personal taste, want to see who is responding to you, then I recommend at least the threaded or hybrid modes--it's obvious in those modes.

4. The model search and for that matter the photographer search. The zip code proximity search is coming soon. For now, you can search by many, many other variables. Because we had to migrate from an older, outdated, no-longer supported, security risked forum, during the migration data fields migrate differently. What we've been asking folks to do, you included, is to login, go to "my home" and fill out the proper information in "edit profile" and "edit options" so then, and only then, you will show up in the searches. If members do not do this, then you get zilch on the searches. The folks coming up in the searches are the new registrations, because they fill everything up during sign-up. To get more from the searches, I need everyone that's been here to fill out their options and profiles and I need everyone to tell everyone to do so.

Model participation is picking up, and like most forums, models don't participate as much as the photographers, here is no different. One way to look at it, we "cleaned-out" inactive models, which clutter many other sites, it's not uncommon for models to come, get a free portfolio and leave--it's like that everywhere. One exception, we delete you from our site for inactivity, we've already deleted over 10,000 members, including models, for inactivity of one year or more. My question there, do you want current active models or model searches with old email addresses and old information you hope works?

To answer your final question, and it's been answered many times on this forum, we had no choice. Our old site was under constant hack attack, which mysteriously started after the new year, the forum was outdated, security prone, and no longer supported. The portfolio system didn't always work properly and we had to make a server package move with a firewall, hard firewall, and by doing so is a huge undertaking and took weeks for a site this big.

Since we had to reinstall software from scratch, we elected to go with the most proven, most maintained, most popular forum software, Vbulletin, that is what you are using. We also had to install a new portfolio system, that is what you're seeing, what we are doing is customizing as we go every day to make it smoother working.

On the name change, we had to go with something simpler, at the same time without any negative connatations which we always experienced with the "garage" in Garage Glamour. While I always loved the concept, and still do, even then, I would have to explain the "garage" in Garage Glamour no different than today. It also made fiscal sense in order to keep maintaining this site as it's growing like crazy and that crazy costs. Potential advertisers always frown on the "garage" part. It's my duty to ensure GG/G1 doesn't go under and we can't stop growth and traffic, but we can prepare for it better and that is what we've done.

I hope that helps, again, we're doing our best, thanks, rg sends!

[David Knight]

Quick Menu--this is where most favorite links are, including "photo tips" if that is the tuturiols you are referring too.

Oh, there they are! Thanks for pointing that out. Personally, I think these are big in terms of attracting new photographers. Just for your own benefit, you may want to make them more visible. But thank you for pointing to them.

everything is pull down to prevent clutter

Yes, pull downs do help prevent clutter. Six "main" pull downs is fine; I guess I was thinking that I had to use some of the other 22 menu options. Like I said, I've been on here a week, so maybe I'm just slow.

To edit your control panel options, go to "My Home" and it will be very clear on that page for editing of options, we even put red text between the two main links for these options.

Once again, there it is. Thanks again. I tried every other "My" link (and I thought this one, too) but I just couldn't find it.

is more of a boot-strap operation and we can only do so much in so much time

I understand. I thought maybe much of this software was purchased, and as such, thought certain things should be working.

In linear mode, this system works the same as all BB systems, as a post is made, regardless who it's answered to, it goes next in line

I'm not sure I've experienced it exactly this way, but I'll tell you what: I'll give you this one and keep my eyes open. If I observe it behaving differently, I'll start a new thread with all the details and the thread in question. Maybe there's a bug hidden there somewhere.

To get more from the searches, I need everyone that's been here to fill out their options and profiles and I need everyone to tell everyone to do so.

Ahh, I see. I thought everyone had to re-signup. OK, so it sounds like this will start to propegate itself over time. Is there any way to force zip code updates when people login if they haven't already done so? Either way, the problem will fix itself over time.

One way to look at it, we "cleaned-out" inactive models ... My question there, do you want current active models or model searches with old email addresses and old information you hope works?

No, you're absolutely right, I don't want old information. If fact, clearing out old information every year or so is a great idea.

Our old site was under constant hack attack, which mysteriously started after the new year, the forum was outdated, security prone, and no longer supported.

Enough said. Once it gets to that point, you really have no choice. I didn't even think of that, so thanks for pointing it out.

we elected to go with the most proven, most maintained, most popular forum software, Vbulletin

Yes, I use that elsewhere. I thoght this looked familiar, but with some of the bugs and stuff I wasn't sure. Well, that software does work fairly well, so with time, you'll get it there.

I hope that helps, again, we're doing our best, thanks

No, that helps a lot. Being "new" here, I didn't have a lot of the background, but it all makes sense. Well, on the good side, you've got the user base and people are posting messages. Also, you're very open to comments and questions, and that's great. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered posting my thoughts. While I get frustrated sometimes, I'm sure you've got your own level of frustration!

Despite the current upgrade difficulties, I think you're doing a great job overall, and you really have built up something great here that you should definitely be proud of.

Thanks again,
-David

[David Knight]

Forums--a quick pull down for the forums, we had hoped everyone would use this, but added menus on the forum itself too as some folks don't like pull downs.

BTW, of all the forums that are listed in the pull down menu, I don't see the "Main Community Form" listed. That would be a good one to add!

Thanks,
-David

[j4m3z]

Originally Posted by rolandogomez

David,
Thanks for your feedback, I'll try and answer the best I can.
1. On the site being cluttered, not sure if you're referring to the forum, or the entire site, as with your explanation, we didn't remove any tuturiols, the entire site, is still here, the menu system is different, but self-explanatory. The new menu on the top of every page breaks it down into six topics.

I can tell you how I feel the site is cluttered.

Double navigation bars: There are the quick links, plus the traditional navigation links giving us effectively two redundant navigation bars at the top of the page. Why? It's too much and navigation is't something people want a choice for. Make us use one or the other so we quit training ourselves to ignore the one we don't normally use.

Horizontal rules and boxes: I remember reading in a web design book that you should use horizontal rules sparingly if at all. Granted this was several years ago but I think it still holds true today. You have so many horizontal rules on this site it's making me flash back to the Mosiac days. Ok that was a weak attempt at humor. But there are also so many boxes that they act like horizontal rules. You have stuff like "Notification Type" below that's nested in 3 boxes. This breaks up the flow of the page. Also unused boxes should go away, like the AIM handle box.

Too much information: I don't need to see your IP, current mood, location, number of posts, yadda, yadda, yadda, for each and every post. It's more stuff I have to teach myself to ignore. I don't come hear to read that, I come hear to read the posts.

Also look around at your competition. I *think* part of what you want to do is attract more female models though you haven't outright stated this. Your color scheme however is more similar to say dpreview.com where few females post. More women post on ModelMayhem or the censored site. They are light and airy not dark and monochromatic.

Finally on a different albeit easy to implement note, can you wrap an href around the "Glamour1" logo that takes use back to the main page?

As always, I'm not trying to put you or the site down. I've gone to one of your workshops and shared some drinks afterwards. I gunuinely get along with you in person and want to see you succeed. I know all this takes time and I am being patient.

[Lmorales]

Hi Rolando,

Once you are used to one thing it takes time to get used to something new. That's where I'm at. I think the old interface was clean and simple. This one is still confusing me and not as intuititve. The old one was definately missing desired features and I see this one has some of these but is missing old features like the slide show or is just me that can't find it.

I also find the portfolio page and individual photo pages having too much empty space and I have to scroll up and down to see the photo because of all the surrounding text. I think the info around it is important but could be compressed and minimized.

I still have to fully explore the rest and I'm sure it will only get better but I do miss the old website. In particular I miss the name "Garage Glamour". What happened to it? I assume I missed some thread as I'm sure that must have caused an uproar.

Sorry I missed your last workshop in PA. First one I missed since Aug 2004. Just too much going on and I attended the Photoshopworld convention in Miami that same week. PS. I put a plug in to have you speak there in the future. I ran into Mike Dean and Uen from a past workshop. I hope to catch your next PA workshop.

Keep up the great work.

Luis

[Lmorales]

Rolando,

After reading your response to David I see why you changed the name. Understandable but regretful. It will always be Garage Glamour to me...... I also understand why you had to make the other changes and go with commercial software.

I'll keep exploring and learning the new site and provide feedback.

Take care,

Luis

[Hailey]

could anyone tell me where i go to view or enter the model contest. Sorry i havent been around a whole lot, been busy and busier. thanks! hailey

- im liking alot of the features of the new site, its just taking me a while to adjust. I miss the garage!

[David Knight]

Hello Hailey,

Originally Posted by Hailey

could anyone tell me where i go to view or enter the model contest. Sorry i havent been around a whole lot, been busy and busier. thanks!

Click the "Forums" link on the very top navagation bar. Then scroll down past the 6 sub-forums listed under "Glamour 1 Main Forums" and you should see a section called "Glamour 1 Contests". Below that, click on the sub-forum called "Model Contest Forum". From there, go to "Model Contest #1". From there, go to "Model Contest". That should get you where you need to be (I hope).

Good luck to you in the contest!
-David