Full Version: Website Wish List (Sticky)
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#32]
10 May 2006
To: ALL
Just to bring this thread back into view.
We now have lists of member's suggestions, as well as our own concepts.
Please add what you would like to see. This thread had some good ideas, but how about some more?
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#33]
11 May 2006
To: ALL
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#34]
12 May 2006
To: ALL
I'd like to see a LOT of reference material in databases. Such as:
- laser engraving and cutting speeds for different materials vs different power/brands of laser. Sections for woods, plastics, metals, etc... and then each section divided into specifics, such as dozens of species of wood. Plus speeds for different uses, such as one speed to mark cherry wood, another for engraving deep enough to paint fill.
- A tips & tricks section divided into general subjects (rotary engrave, laser engrave, product design, product assembly, general business) and then within those divided into other categories. Some tips/tricks might be one liners. Others might be tutorials (or a one paragraph summary and a link to the tutorial section for a full tutorial). This could also be the spawning ground for tutorials. A detailed tip/trick is first written and then at a future date is turned into a detailed tutorial with photos or video.
- A database that is constantly growing out of the questions asked in the "Where can I find" folder. If something is asked for and there is a reply, add that to the database, with the ability to have multiple sources for each item. Then we could look through there first before asking, and searching that database would be simpler than searching the folder since the results could be sumarized on a single page rather than having to go read several threads that matched a search. Plus this database could include raw materials and long lists of suppliers for them (such as places to buy thin sheets of alder, etc... could include dozens of possible sources)
- A hardware/software knowledgebase for common problems with different hardware & software. Sort of a FAQ, but in many cases they might not be "frequently asked", just specific problems and a series of suggestions to try to solve them. (ie: "how do I do xxx in CorelDraw?", In CD9 and below do this..., in CD10 do this or this, in CD11 and up do this...) New answers to the same question should be able to be added. For example, a question about jagged letters in a lasered item might have 3 things to check initially, but a couple more might be added later as people discover them.
- The ability in some of these databases for members to submit info, but not have it go live until approved by a moderator. That way the databases don't rely purely on moderators adding new info. But moderators still have the ability to prevent info being added that is unrelated, spiteful, or otherwise not appropriate.
- cleaning, repair (simple), and preventive maintenance instructions for as many different types of hardware as possible.
- tools database ranging from hand tools to full blown CNC engravers, blasters, etc... Each with manufacturer name/link, list of suppliers/dealers, approximate street price range (with a date when price last updated), and capabilities & materials it relates to. Searchable by materials, keywords, and price range
- A wood identification database, with photos, so people that don't know the difference between how birch and ash (for example) could see several examples of each.
- list of distributors that sell wholesale engravable blanks, searchable by general or specific products.
The key to a lot of this database stuff is how you can search it and how you can filter the results. You need boolean searches (this and this, but not this) and filtering that is specific to the type of database (ie: one that contains prices could be sorted by price or filter prices outside a given range, while one that contains types of materials should be filterable by material type, both general type (wood, plastic, etc...) as well as specific type (maple, walnut, etc...) Plus on ones like that you should be able to select multiple matches from a dropbox (shift-click/ ctrl-click/command-click) so you don't have to type in names of wood to mach, you can select seeral from the list. There should be simple and advanced searching and then filtering/searching of results.
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#35]
12 May 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#34] 12 May 2006
What I call PicTutorials, will become a regular feature. Step-by-step instructions with accompanying photos.
From: cindy (ROBERTM) [#36]
12 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#35] 12 May 2006
I love pictures. I can read thru something and then see a picture and it helps it all click for me.
Cindy
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#37]
12 May 2006
To: cindy (ROBERTM) [#36] 12 May 2006
If you like pictures, you'll love the videotaped procedures.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#38]
12 May 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#34] 12 May 2006
Wow what a list, just great!
I am going to set up a book with pages for each suggestion, so I can work on the concepts to see what can be done.
The one drawback is that at the moment the software does not allow sub folders for separation. But I do have an idea around that. It may or may not be possible, but I will find out.
It may take some time for some of these but they are all good suggestions and will be at least looked into, and hopefully implemented.
EDIT: There is a complete listing of recommended power/speed settings in a PDF donated by New Hermes for a 40 IPS 25 Watt laser. You just proved it is too hard to find. We will need to work on that also.
EDITED: 12 May 2006 by HARVEY-ONLY
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#39]
12 May 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#38] 12 May 2006
Interesting. I thought I'd looked through the laser power substrate folder, but must have missed it.
Something I forgot for the list, and if your programmer is using PHP/MySQL for the database stuff like he mentioned, it should be fairly easy to have a "printer friendly" button on any results page which could pop up a new window with simplified formatting of the same data results so people can print it.
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#40]
12 May 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#39] 12 May 2006
Post 1672.1
Duh, It was originaly written by Universal Lasers. They are the ones who gave permission. It came with the New Hermes Optima laser which is why I thought New Hermes.
From: Da Big Fish (JOHNFISH) [#41]
12 May 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#39] 12 May 2006
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#42]
12 May 2006
To: Da Big Fish (JOHNFISH) [#41] 12 May 2006
From: John (JOHNRMONTG) [#43]
13 May 2006
To: ALL
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#44]
13 May 2006
To: John (JOHNRMONTG) [#43] 13 May 2006
John,
A severely underused feature of this software, almost to the point not being used at all, is the rating system, found in the "Links" section.
For example, my rave review of Hyatt Leasing, was met with another opinion, that begged to differ. Enough participation in that area, including comments, as to why a person voted a particular way, would be invaluable.
We should make that feature much more prominent, because it does contain compartmentalized areas for equipment and supplies etc.
EDITED: 13 May 2006 by DGL
From: John (JOHNRMONTG) [#45]
13 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#44] 13 May 2006
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#46]
13 May 2006
To: John (JOHNRMONTG) [#45] 14 May 2006
As you say, people are free to list what information they're comfortable in providing, through their member profile.
The more information, as to programs, equipment used and location, the quicker and more accurate our response to specific questions.
From: Franklin (FW_HAYNES) [#47]
13 May 2006
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#46] 13 May 2006
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#48]
13 May 2006
To: Franklin (FW_HAYNES) [#47] Unread
Your wish will come true.
A lot was said, during the "Meltdown of '06" that bears mulling over, but my decision to require actual names, as usernames, is something I'll dig my heels in on.
That may turn some people off, but there's something to be said for a smaller classroom size. :-)
From: Mick [#49]
18 Jan 2007
To: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#1] 18 Jan 2007
Unknown error [2] Missing argument 4 for messages_update_read()
Unknown error in line 1315 of file messages.inc.php
Beehive Forum 0.7.1 on PHP/4.3.11 Linux CGI-FCGI, MySQL/40027
I am wasting time reading discussions that I have no interest in. Is anything happening to get this fixed ??
From: Engravin' Dave (DATAKES) [#50]
18 Jan 2007
To: Mick [#49] 18 Jan 2007
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#51]
18 Jan 2007
To: Mick [#49] 18 Jan 2007
It's something the Beehive (BH) developers are working on and plan to include in v .0.7.2. Keep in mind they work on the BH project in their spare time.
Question: Just curious, but why do you read threads in which you have no interest?
You also have the option of ignoring entire folders in which you have no interest, by clicking the icon to the right of the folder title.
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