New OzVMX Website

[Graeme M]

I have discovered a 'social network' platform that may be the way to go for OzVMX in the future. It provides members with facilities to join a forum, post up photos and videos, add events to a calendar, and post their own blog entries. So far it loooks easy enough to use, and I've added a Classifieds Marketplace. The Classies seems a bit limited and clunky, but it also seems to work.

This platform is the Ning platform. If anyone knows about this and has any concerns or criticisms, please post them here.

For now, the site is hidden while I do some testing etc. I need 10 people to join me in testing it out. I have only just got it running so I won't know much more than you, but it could be fun figuring it out. Please PM me with your interest, and give me the EMAIL address you would like to use to be invited to the site.

The site is at http://ausvmx.ning.com but as I said not much to see there right now. To get an idea of it, visit the Texas Vintage Racing Club site on Ning here: http://tvrcnetwork.ning.com/

[VMX247]

Texas site looks good Graeme M.The photos through out make it look inviting.
It will be great to see ausvmx build up over time.
Whats the difference between the http:// and www. ??
cheers

[Graeme M]

Not much. A web address or 'domain' is http://www.ning.com. But you can also have what are known as sub-domains which don't use the www. Instead they use the sub-domain name in front of the main domain. So, it's http://www.ning.com (domain) and http://ausvmx.ning.com (sub-domain).

[Graeme M]

x1

[Graeme M]

Our first tester is factory rider #1, STiG. Who else is game?

[VMX247]

yep I'm here 

[EML]

Am I stupid to ask why? I'm not at all computer oriented(still trying to work out how CDI works-or not)
but you must want to change for a good reason-is it that there's not enough room or something??

[frostype400]

I'd be a willing test dummie.

[VMX247]

Am I stupid to ask why? I'm not at all computer oriented(still trying to work out how CDI works-or not)
but you must want to change for a good reason-is it that there's not enough room or something??

http://ozvmx.com/community/index.php?topic=1033.0

cheers 

[EML]

ok then-told you I was a dummy-I'm only a passenger for chrissakes.

[Graeme M]

No worries EML. There are several reasons. One is server space, although that's not such a big problem. The other is my time and effort. I am no computer whiz although I do know a bit, and this site takes a HUGE amount of time and effort. What I need is something that offers more features, for less money, and with less effort. As well, I'd like something that members can do more with. This Ning thing looks like it just may do that. We shall see.

[ianscr250]

hiya Graeme ill try it out if you need a doofus who can muddle his way round

[EML]

OK Gray, if you need another dufus, count me in, but you may have enough so you may want some more genusii, anyway thanks for your efforts to date and god speed into the future.

[jackiemac]

I like it Graeme, its a good set up. Very easy to use, I like how the events page works, I don't think anyone will have any problems with the site.
 

Keep Smiing
Jackie Mac

[Graeme M]

Yes Jackie, it is very easy to use alright. So far our test crew have added a few photos, blog entries and so on. It all seems pretty good and I think I am happy to run with it. I've even set it up to allow anyone with a Flickr account to be able to import their pics straight in.

The really good thing about the site is that it has 10Gb of space for free, which is 10 times what I currently pay for. Plus I can buy 10Gb units of additional space if I need to. A small drawback is that it has to have Google ads along one side which is a bit of a pain, but as I have previously signed up for Google Adsense I can plug mine in there and so at least they'll be bike related.

I much prefer this SMF Forum that we use now to the forum on the Ning site though, so my plan is to keep this one going and link to it from the Ning site. However people will now be able post their photos on OzVMX itself. Plus anyone can post their own blog entries and so on. The new Classies is called Marketplace, and it's not as good, but much much easier for me. So it gets my thumbs up.

At this stage I think I'll do the change-over sometime in the next week or two. At that time, I will close the current OzVMX and replace it with the new site.  So all the old race reports and photos will go. This does not apply to the Victorian Classic Motocross Club site on OzVMX which will remain as is. And as I said, this will have no effect on this forum. It will continue as is. One small downside is that you will need to register separately with the Ning site as it is on a different system. You don't HAVE to sign up though, as you will still ba able to use this forum, AND read the new site. You just won't be able to add photos or ads etc.

I will open the Ning site for people to look at  in a few days time, once I have a few things sorted better. It will still be getting a few tweaks so it won't be open for joining just yet...