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]

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... :dunce:

 

[cbcbd]

Agreed... TTIWWP

 

[Greg]

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]

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... :dunce:

I always figured that was a strike against me. :lol: 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]

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]

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.

 

[Greg]

I added two new post icons:

Camera:

Video:

I also edited this thread to include the camera so you get a feel for how it looks. Thoughts?

 

[bvibert]

I added two new post icons:

Camera:

Video:

I also edited this thread to include the camera so you get a feel for how it looks. Thoughts?

I like it, now all you need to do is get people to use it. Since most people don't follow any convention at all when posting a TR that might be a bit difficult.

BTW, can mere mortals change the icon of a thread once it's posted? I remember trying to do so once and not being able to...

 

[tcharron]

I added two new post icons:

Camera:

Video:

I also edited this thread to include the camera so you get a feel for how it looks. Thoughts?

Definate start to let people do what they originally wanted. :-D

 

[riverc0il]

I like it, now all you need to do is get people to use it. Since most people don't follow any convention at all when posting a TR that might be a bit difficult.

Agreed. To be frank, I am not a fan of such conventions. Though if this is going to get people's you know what's in a bunch, Mods can always edit posts I assume. Then again, I am of the disposition that I read words as well as look at pictures for any reports that I am interested in reading.

 

[Greg]

I like it, now all you need to do is get people to use it. Since most people don't follow any convention at all when posting a TR that might be a bit difficult.

Agreed. It's there if you want to use it. I know some folks hate to follow a specific format and that's cool...

 

[2knees]

I added two new post icons:

Camera:

Video:

I also edited this thread to include the camera so you get a feel for how it looks. Thoughts?

ok but now you need to add some kind of steezy icon for gss trip reports.

 

[Marc]

I like the icons a great deal Greg, but were you going to modfiy the sticky at the top of the TR section to make members aware?

Or maybe post a new sticky about it in the TR section so it grabs peoples' attention?

 

[Marc]

BTW, thanks.

 

[BeanoNYC]

Great Idea...Great Icons.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

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?

Nah that sound pretty anal..I really don't care if it's pictures and text or text only..I read all the TRs..even if I'm not going to the ski area..because I like to read about others ski experiences..Just my 2 cents..BTW 98 percent of my TRs are non-picture text only since I don't like to stop and take pictures and don't like the extra bulk of a camara in my jacket pocket..