Suggested convention for those who post trip reports-

[Marc]

I propose that whenever anyone posts a trip report, in addition to the "location, date" format in the title of the thread, if the TR includes pictures or links to pictures, add "with pictures" or "pictures" in parantheses. If not, write nothing following the location/date. I only read text only trip reports if I plan on skiing the area in question soon after the TR was written. Most of the time I look to TR just for the ski pr0n, and I know I'm not alone, so I'd appreciate it if it were easier to know where the pics are and where they aren't.

Who's with me?

[severine]

I have to agree with Marc on this. While reading the reports are nice, unless I'm going there soon, it's also not really relevant to me. But I love drooling over the pictures in just about any report.

[tcharron]

Originally Posted by Marc

I propose that whenever anyone posts a trip report, in addition to the "location, date" format in the title of the thread, if the TR includes pictures or links to pictures, add "with pictures" or "pictures" in parantheses. If not, write nothing following the location/date. I only read text only trip reports if I plan on skiing the area in question soon after the TR was written. Most of the time I look to TR just for the ski pr0n, and I know I'm not alone, so I'd appreciate it if it were easier to know where the pics are and where they aren't.

Who's with me?

I wonder if it would be possible to customize the 'new thread' page specifically for the trip report forums to have a template which does this sort of thing? I could look into modifying a template that could do this in PHP.

[Marc]

That would be cool. I'd like to hear what Greg or the moderators think about this whole concept. Although since severine is the wife of a moderator, she technically has more pull than her husband does...

[cbcbd]

Agreed... TTIWWP

[Greg]

Originally Posted by tcharron

I wonder if it would be possible to customize the 'new thread' page specifically for the trip report forums to have a template which does this sort of thing? I could look into modifying a template that could do this in PHP.

Anything's possible. The issue is modifying the forum's software too much. I like to keep the vBulletin installation current as security patches are released. I don't like to do too much that will make that any more cumbersome. The vBulletin templating system is much better than the old phpBB software in that regard though.

One thought might be to add a custom Post Icon that one could toggle to indicate a TR with pics or videos included. That's any easy addition and a good way to flag such threads. Thoughts? Of course, there is some reliance on members to actually use the feature...

BTW, moving to feedback.

[severine]

Originally Posted by Marc

That would be cool. I'd like to hear what Greg or the moderators think about this whole concept. Although since severine is the wife of a moderator, she technically has more pull than her husband does...

I always figured that was a strike against me. I don't know anything about what's possible but even a post icon that indicates pictures in a thread would be helpful (you know, those things below that you rarely use when posting a message but you can choose thumbs up, thumbs down, wink, smiley face, etc...).

[bvibert]

Maybe the forum software could automagically read people's minds and write the TR with the appropriate title/icons for them...

That should be easy, right??

[tcharron]

Originally Posted by bvibert

Maybe the forum software could automagically read people's minds and write the TR with the appropriate title/icons for them...

That should be easy, right??

Actually, what I was suggesting was a template for the new post submissions that didn't just present a great big text area, but had a few dropdowns for conditions, etc.. If you had pictures, it would detect on submit and 'create' the title of the post based on your selection of date, where, and any other 'modifiers', ' (Pics)'.

I've actually done a few commercial contracts modifying vBulletin. It's quite possible.

[bvibert]

Originally Posted by tcharron

Actually, what I was suggesting was a template for the new post submissions that didn't just present a great big text area, but had a few dropdowns for conditions, etc.. If you had pictures, it would detect on submit and 'create' the title of the post based on your selection of date, where, and any other 'modifiers', ' (Pics)'.

I've actually done a few commercial contracts modifying vBulletin. It's quite possible.

Yeah, I understand that. I wasn't picking on your idea at all. Just having a little fun. I think what you suggested is a good idea and shouldn't be that hard to implement, but I understand Greg's reluctance to have too much custom code that would possibly make updates a PITA.