How about a gallery of completed work. Each member gets an album in the gallery for a place to Show-n-tell there completed work. Less combersome than searching threads for attachments. It'd be easy to say "check out my album under "wood plaques" for an example of what I'm saying" then link to it.
I've used Coppermine as an open source gallery and it's not too bad to use, and their support community is open to help for customising.

Shaddy

David...sorry if this is not productive or positive in your mind, but...I have a problem with this one.

8) A formal grading system produced annually which lists the top 5 or 10 vendors or service providers in their particular specialty.

As a vendor, I would hate to have the value of my product or service rated in this format. All vendors have opportunities for failure, and not all product, no matter how good, works for all people.

Beyond that, threads such as the continuing crap and the mis-information that we've all seen in regards to a certain line of presses, sways the opinion of people that never even touch the item.

Perhaps if you include this line you should add another...give vendors a chance to grade and evaluate publicaly the top tier of customers. :O 

This is a nice wish list, but I for one would not buy in without seeing some up front progress...I have yet to sell a product that is still in my head...I've found my customers require at least a prototype be built!

Doug

Something we've talked about quite a lot on this forum is the need for an ethics accountability. How could we possibly handle that? I'm thinking of problem solving between retailer and supplier (or the other way around if a supplier were to get stiffed). Equal opportunity to put in the facts as each side sees them. Perhaps mediation? Any chance of adding something like this?
Cindy M

I think that any moderator would privately be willing to be a mediator.

Publicly, the member response to that idea was far from overwhelming. The members sort of said, "No way."

Philadelphia, PA (Really Bensalem)

Harvey's Tips Page When you finally understand it completely... it changes.

Ken,

Did you say profile??? I'm willing to bet over 50% of our members have not filed out one.

Dave

That's one bet I'm not willing to take.
I don't like to gamble, especially when the odds aren't stacked in my favor.

I like the title of this thread. My wish list is that everyone fills they profile out.

Dave

I would probably do it with a separate table in the database, and insert a module into the base beehive files, that way we remain "upgradeable". Search would be an easy integration also.

I'm very familiar with the beehive code, PHP and MySQL.

"If you give someone a program, you will frustrate them for a day;
if you teach them how to program, you will frustrate them for a lifetime."

My new "most precious website:
http://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/
upload a jpg and your mystery font is solved!

Have you considered putting equipment manuals online?

I have a cutter grinder and a NH 300 manual that I have had several requests for copies of the manual. And not wanting to violate the copy right laws I decline.
Maybe the forum could get permission and put online copies for its members.

Steve

Steve,

I have said all along that I would like the Engraving Etc. website to become the reference center to the industry. Your thought fits right into that vision. Hold onto those manuals, we are heading in that direction.

I think that the forum and website can help lighten the load of tech support departments of many companies. For me, the forum has been an incredible help. Another great aspect is that we are open 24/7 and that we have business perspectives from all over the globe.