Admins would like to solicit members opinions.

[Julian]

When we started the wiki, we were adamant that we wanted its administration to be as transparent as possible.  The same went for the forum which was initially intended to discuss matters arising from the wiki.

The forum has now attracted discussion beyond wiki matters by quite a few members, so it seems that the format, facilities and atmosphere must appeal.  Upholding the desire for transparency, we'd like to advise the admins feelings on how the forum should be run and ask members to express their opinions, good or bad ...

We'd like to see the forum primarily dedicated to anything connected to biodiesel and veg oil use.  Other matters such as music, DIY, general car repairs and it's the cats birthday etc, etc should be discussed on a more suitable platform.

We'd like to see new ideas and processes discussed and tested not dismissed out of hand, even if they do seem a bit whacky.

We'd like to see more members contributing to the wiki, as a means of preserving and disseminating our collective knowledge.

We'd like to see humour and banter in the posts, within reason.

We are adamant that the wiki will remain noncommercial.  As will the forum, but some mention of commercial operations will be permitted at the admins discretion.

We (really Tony) have the ability to make small modifications to the forum software or add features which are offered as addons.  We'd welcome any suggestions as to improvements and changes members would like to see made.  We can't promise to implement every or any suggestion but we will do our best.

Suggest away!

[greasemonkey]

The problem I see is that  limiting discussion to bio and veg related topics could make for a slow moving and dry forum, but it would be purer for it.
In my mind, there really is not a great deal to say about veg oil, and anyone interested enough can find what they want to know without asking anything, bar a few odd questions. ( I will do a filtering piece for the wiki, this weekend hopefully)
Bio is far more involved than veg, but most things have been covered time and again. If anyone posts a new processor build, or has a problem, there is never any shortage of people to answer, no matter how the forum is organised and anything new and exiting seems to be taken up and discussed quickly.
However, I do agree that having a section for car repairs etc, would dilute the forum, but it may help keep it moving.
Saying that, if I was in the position of admin, I would want to keep the topics limited as well.
I think there ought to be a members only area, maybe there already is, it wouldn't suprise me if i hadn't noticed it.

[kamaangir]

I think you need to reach a balance, if its all just about veg/bio then it becomes a bit slow. If you have a general chat section that things can be put into it would be good.

I agree with not brow beating members when they suggest a different way to do things.

Oh and more SMILIES PLEASE 

[Tony]

Agreed, got to have the balance right, I think we all like it light hearted with the odd well meant jibe.

I don't think we should ever take ourselves too seriously, or lose touch with the fact that this is a hobby and supposed to be fun!  And for most of us, part of the fun is understanding and experimenting, which is what it should always remain about. I would hate for someone to be made to feel stupid for suggesting something, that, to them, makes sense. Some of the best inventions in history are by accident so even the daftest suggestions could end up surprising us.

[Carrington]

I think the balance it the moment is about right . It's good that we all have  experimenting frame of mind but as the members grow then the mix of people change as does the dynamics of the forum changes so we will maybe have to see how things go but for now I think it about right

Paul

[Rotary-Motion]

hmmm very dificult this one i think, from what you say the admins need / want i think you have that already so change nothing.

variety is the spice of life and brings with it a community where bonds and friends are made aswell as ideas and thoughts get placed on the drawing board and persued and made, 100 heads are better than 2. but with that comes all manner of folk.

no if whats seen is liked then i think the job your doing is very good.

[Keef]

We should probably also bear in mind that probably most of the serious arguments on VOD have started in off-topic threads and we really don't need that.

[julesandtash]

I think the balance is about right on here at the moment.
I think that we do need to keep topics 'on topic' though as said above.

It can be frustrating to start reading a topic about something you are interested in and then for it to wander off for two pages before you find another post regarding the original topic.

Good point about the Wiki too. Once you put your mind to it, making a page is actually pretty easy as I discovered.

I now use the Wiki as my primary source of reference as it is so quick to access and search compared to either this forum or the VOD one.

[Carrington]

Just a quick one , is it possible to do a wiki page on a iPhone as this is my main Internet access ( not enough hours in the day to switch on a pc

[Tony]

No reason why not, though typing content might be painful vs a "proper" PC.  But even if you deliver the content and it needs formatting/tidying any of the other editors would be happy to do that.

[Carrington]

Just looking at the main page and couldn't find anything on acid esterification do you think it's something people would be interested in, if so i could try and get something down when my bricklaying job comes to a end.

[Julian]

I think that would be great.

I thought about it a couple of times but the processor materials issue has always put me off.

If you need any graphics doing, give me a shout.

[chariot]

Trying to control how a forum runs must become increasingly difficult the larger the participating membership becomes, so I see why starting off on the right foot is so important. Not so sure it is actually possible to be too controlling if you want the right people, these things often find themselves and change as circumstances and times change.

Having a core membership/admins who are bothered how a forum runs must be preferable to having an 'owner' whose only goal is to make money and big-up their company or product with admins trying to mold it to their own ideals.

This little forum seems fine, I would be wary of making too many changes.

One thing net forums can be great for is organising pickups and distribution of goods for other members - something which VOD can sometimes do well at, yet I feel as in so many other respects it is a small core who are the ones who feel they are to benefit from this, which I'm sure isn't altogether true but a result of the creeping them and us feeling over there.

[Julian]

as we have 5 new members joined tonight ... welcome everyone!

Now might be a goods time to bump this thread and get some additional opinions.

[oakwoodtv]

I for one like the purity of the site and that it is more information based and lacking the aggression found on some posts
on the VOD site long may it continue

I may be able to contribute to the site with a full repair guide for the Clarke CEB102 pump and TAM105
My son will have to take the pictures for me and as I am computer literate will need some help as to posting

Richard