OK Folks, what is Missing? How can we improve RFF ?

[Michael Markey]

I'd like to see better integration of photo postings using the gallery as a repository. And, a better "image quoting" mechanism for when you like a photo, or want to embed it.

It is too much to expect a bunch of different, non-techie persons to post images consistently.

Yes ... got to hold my hand up for this one.
I`ve never been able to get my head around this which is why I don`t participate in the picture of the week thread and by extension rarely post on the gallery.

 

[helen.HH]

Yes ... got to hold my hand up for this one.
I`ve never been able to get my head around this which is why I don`t participate in the picture of the week thread and by extension rarely post on the gallery.

Count me In on having difficulties participating in 'The GalLery' Picture a Week post
I can post photos there however my Problem is ;
posting other peope's photos up I like and wanting to put a comment with , :bang:

 

[CameraQuest]

I happen to really like the dedicated lens review section found at pentaxforums.com or direct link here: http://www.pentaxforums.com/lensreviews/

There is so much collective experience with so many types of equipment here that it would be great to feature this knowledge in a structured way. As it stands, even with google and the internal search feature, much gets buried in the archives.

Thanks for posing the question.

I am not sure the best way to incorporate lens reviews with our software, but I will look into it with our software guy.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

Actually there is one thing that bugs me but god only knows how to address it. People are constantly posting oversize images in threads that instantly make the thread unwieldy with the need to side scroll. Threads that are affected in this way are a pain and I avoid them.

Though I don't know if this an be corrected with software ... I doubt it!

I'm not sure, will check with George.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

Hi

I'm keen on the 'like' or 'thanks' buttons that some other forums have against posts (the leica forum for example)... It's a neat way to show appreciation for useful posts when you don't want to actually respond to them

Frankly that will not happen at RFF. Its a personal thing - I view it as a kind of post for people who don't want to take the time to post.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

While I consider RFF to be the best photography site on the web, there is one little thing that makes me crazy. Would it be possible to limit the size of photos inserted into threads? I generally read RFF on a tablet and if too large of a photo is inserted, it makes reading the text all but impossible without zooming in and scrolling across the page. It also reduces the size of normal photos. A prime example of this is the 9th page in the thread on legacy lenses on Fuji X cameras. Thanks for asking!

Not sure, we will look into the practicality.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

Stephen, Thank you for opening up for discussions on improvements to an already great site, but however great, there are always room for improvements.

I recently raised a question in one of the forums about the gallery but did not get anywhere with it.

• The gallery links in the lower left hand side of the home page no longer works.
• The 4 random photos displayed on the home page are not representative of the total volume of uploaded photos. Perhaps still linked to the old gallery?
• The large photo displayed at the top of newly uploaded photos in the gallery section are a tiny small selection with maybe no more than 20 photos.

So, my main concern is with the gallery and the old gallery links. I hope it will be possible to get this cleaned up, otherwise a great site.

Should be doable.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

The community that exists here is one of RFF's defining features, due I feel to members' general willingness to impart encyclopedic knowledge without showing off.
So many positives, so here are some suggestions.

Suggestions:

- gear database with member reviews. penetaxforum example mentioned earlier. another good one is http://www.dyxum.com/lenses/index.asp
- like option +1
- regular photo contests (don't need prizes) and a Hall of Famehttp://www.dyxum.com/photogallery/DPC/dyxumphotocontest.asp
-an easy way to save part written posts.
- users can delete their own posts but not whole threads they start

RFF is responsible for a big hole in my wallet that the moths use as a front door, but I whole heartedly forgive it 😀

Will look into the idea that users can delete their own posts but not their threads.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

I think while discussing image sizes, limit them both in minimum and maximum sizes.

I seldom post images but when I do they are between 1000 and 1200 pixels on the longest side, so some might consider me and offender in that regard. But what I really don't understand is, in 2014 with fast internet and computers, large screens, large storage devices and high megapixel count cameras, are people content to post images that are 600-800 wide?

I'm more annoyed by these postage stamp sized pictures, because; this is the point of our craft....decent images. There is no point discussing high end cameras ad nauseam when there is no savoring of the fruit.

The answer to the small photo size is that this is a free forum and the server and maintenance costs must be paid for. The larger the pics the larger the storage, requiring more expensive hosting.

I wonder how many members would pay a membership fee which would include posting larger pics.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

Several posters have already mentioned both points, but I'll throw in my 2 yen as well.

* Limit the maximum photo size that can be posted in a thread. No more than 1280 pixels in the horizontal direction please!

* More user friendly classifieds feedback system. A good system is already in place, it just needs to be easier to access.

I'm really not sure an improved feedback system is practical,
but will look into it.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

How about someone making a preset for Lightroom that will allow us to upload photos using the Lightroom Publish feature like many other sites do...

We will look it it.

Stephen

 

[__--]

Frankly that will not happen at RFF. Its a personal thing - I view it as a kind of post for people who don't want to take the time to post...

Seems to me that many people may agree with a post but have nothing to add. For this purpose a "thanks" button, in my view, is helpful and works well on LUF, for example. People who don't agree will generally post a response, as I am now doing. If there were some twenty people that had clicked "thanks" to your post, then you would know there was strong agreement.

MITCH ALLAND/Potomac, MD
Download links for book project pdf files
Chiang Tung Days
Tristes Tropiques
Bangkok Hysteria
Paris au rythme de Basquiat and Other Poems

 

[CameraQuest]

I have never been able to make the function to renew a classified ad to work. All seems well including payment for the ad on Paypal, then it just stops and the ad doesn't appear. Maybe I'm doing something wrong. Also, all items that come to the end of their term end up being classed as sold. It's a bit disconcerting when trying to dig up old ads to re-list them.

These are minor points though; I love the site.

Cheers,
Dez

As explained in the RFF classified section, renewed ads stay viewable in the database but do not once again go to the head of the line on the home page. This is due to the way the software was designed, not a choice on RFF's part.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

This is true. I have no idea to track old posts. Conversations are missed, sometimes, I'm sure. A list of my post history would be a good start.

A subscribed thread function might be cool, too.

I don't know if these things are even possible to implement, because I find it to be an issue with most message boards. If it can't be done, that's fine too. This is a great place as is.

Log in and go to the Quick Links Menu. Click your Profile. You will find your threads and posts there.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

Some suggestions are not practical to implement. One that is worth looking into is incorporating Google into our search - if possible.

Forum Runner seems to have run its course. RFF will give Tapa talk a try.

Best to All,
Stephen

 

[Chris Bail]

I am glad there will not be a "Like" button. Thank you for that. It's a meaningless click that does nothing to enhance the conversation. I recently saw people "Like" my cousin's post on the big social site about my Grandfather passing away. To me, that was crazy. That's why I hang out here, and not on the FriendFace.

 

[CameraQuest]

Seems to me that many people may agree with a post but have nothing to add. For this purpose a "thanks" button, in my view, is helpful and works well on LUF, for example. People who don't agree will generally post a response, as I am now doing. If there were some twenty people that had clicked "thanks" to your post, then you would know there was strong agreement.

MITCH ALLAND/Potomac, MD
Download links for book project pdf files
Chiang Tung Days
Tristes Tropiques
Bangkok Hysteria
Paris au rythme de Basquiat and Other Poems

True, but RFF is not Facebook. I am not at all sure making posts and then looking back to see all the Thanks a post received is a good and healthy thing for a forum.

If two conflicting posts have a huge disparity in Thanks notices, does that mean the more popular post is some how really better or more accurate? Or does it mean the some members consider clicking a Facebook like Thanks instead of making a post of their view silly? Or do more thanks just mean more Facebook fans read that thread? Whatever it means, the meaning and value is debatable.

Stephen

 

[MP Guy]

Most forums gallries are slow to navigate. Something slick and easy to search. I notice when I leave a comment on a picture it's hard to get back to where I was at after I leave that picture. It's not just RFF but most forums. After I leave a comment a return to link, unless I am missing it?
I think it would increase traffic in the gallery.

When you leave a comment on a picture it should take you back to the picture you left the comment on.

 

[MP Guy]

A few tings from the thread ....

Classifieds is a packaged software. I will look at the latest version to see if it has better search features. and ability to leave feedback. That code is really out of my control except for some minor changes.

Reviews of lenses. We have a license for review software which can be used for more than just lenses. It's not the best but it works. This can e installed if Stephen gives the OK.

Hi res images ... No big deal. they just consume lots of disk space and Stephen would need to give the ok to increase the allowed size of images. Keep in mind, the larger the image the slower the load time is as well. There is a fine balance between large and too large. Typically, I don't like to go wider than 2000 pixels.

Tapatalk can be done. no worries. just need ok too move forward.

Like button ?? Hmm. I hostseveral photo galleries and have had a like feature for over a year now. although it's very popular, I have had to somewhat disable it on its own. The problem was people were just liking photos without posting feedback on the photos and the really irked quite a few people. They said if they get a like explain it otherwise just go to facebook. ( yuk )

 

[f16sunshine]

Hi Jorge

What about loading to tge gallery from a url (such as flickr).
This was available in the past. Can it return with the new gallery?