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. |