Wipe The Site Clean For A New Better Website?

I've got to agree with Real on that point, dcs. Caring enough about ratings to preserve them before the tracks themselves sort of emits a vibe saying, "my ratings are awesome, and I want people to know that." However, I do like the idea of a rating history/average, even though I'm not a particularly high-ranked designer. Being able to track a user's progress is something that isn't easy on the current site, and implementing a system like that would be beneficial to (I think) all designers involved. Having it displayed right under your avatar might seem a tad conceited, but putting it on the profile is a good idea, I think. Perhaps, at the end of every year, all designers who posted a track with an average rating of, say, 8.5 after 5+ ratings could go into some competition for a prize larger than a few points and a "medal"?

I also think there should be a bigger, more visible incentive to rating rides than there is now. I mean, sure it's a nice thing to do, and I try to rate rides that I think deserve a rate (which I normally decide based on how much time I feel the designer put into it and what sorts of comments I can give them), but that's obviously not enough incentive for most of the members of the site. We need something that people will actually appreciate. I know there is a point reward for rating, but isn't it the same reward as it is for posting in a topic? That's a tad unbalanced. Ratings (good ones, anyway) take a lot more time, thought, and effort than a simple forum post (which can amount to nothing more than the "Ehhh" seen above by coolbeans).

Alright, now that I've made my stance on the matter crystal clear, and then proceeded to ramble on about things I'd like to see, it's bedtime for me, and it's also back-on-topic time for the thread. [:)]

Now for one more idea that came to me immediately after finishing that previous paragraph...actually nevermind I'm absolutely exhausted. Maybe later.

[gouldy]

Originally posted by dcs221

have the option to include your average track rating for tracks over X number of ratings under your avatar for the forum or in your information for the exchange, and the ranking of that average in relation to others on the site?

Sounds like a one way ticket to elitist-ville, to me.

Or more competition which will lead to better tracks all around? If ratings can make one elite, then why even have the numbers? Why have the higher rated tracks for the week on the left?

My point is kinda that people look for different things with NL and when uploading coasters. My #1 is making a great ride for myself, and somewhere under that but still important to me (in the coaster design world) is the competitive aspect, and seeing what I can do in relation to others. It's a motivator for me.

There are statistics and rankings in sports, videogames, school, and other aspects of life. School statistics are important, but unless you're in the pros (and maybe even to some degree there) sport and videogame statistics are fun. No Limits is a fun activity to most, so are we so immature that the community would devolve into elitism because average ratings on coasters we worked hard to build are shown?

If one must though, put the average ratings and ranking in the profiles as gouldy suggested, and keep it as an option that can be toggled on and off. I still say it's an interesting way to recognize what people have done, and motivate people to be their best. I do think it's best to continue the statistics, so that way if you don't like yours, you have the ability to change it with some new and improved tracks. If you don't like it, turn yours off. That simple.

We do need to find a way to pick the level of competition back up. Site activity has died down to the point now that more often than not, there aren't even enough qualifying tracks to distribute all three medals, even some weeks where no medals are awarded at all. Get 2 ratings, and you pretty much automatically win one.

I voted on 1, in fact why not just wipe the whole site and start fresh? Unless too many people want to keep their topics, but I think it would make CC overall a better place.

[GavG]

I have to go with option 1 with an archived exchange. That way we get a shiny new site full of fun features and also still have access to all the tracks that been uploaded over the years.

A fresh start is always good. I think we should wipe the slate clear and start anew!

And what about the threads?

I voted option 1 because my tracks are crap and can be easily deleted!

Originally posted by Live on earths ass

And what about the threads?

That's a good question. I guess if they really mattered so much to you, those could be archived. It would take forever, though, to sort through them. Realistically how many threads would be worth saving? If they really mean a lot to you, save them to MS word and reupload them if they're really so important.

Just throwing in my two cents, that's all.

Yeah,but shouldn't that be the admin's work?Some threads could surely be deleted(Cool5 threads).BTW if we'd get a new site,would C5 be able to rejoin here?

Option 1. If there can't be an full-out exchange archive, just make the "Top 100 Designs Pre-[insert new site start date] Archive". Basically, just take the Top 100 of All Time from here, and put them on a separate page on the new site (perhaps a link/button on the exchange itself), that way we can preserve the good ones. If an exchange archive can't be made by simply transferring all the data, a top 100 could work because you could download each and reupload them to a separate page. It'd just take time though. But since all of these designs would be on a separate page, you could upload as "Archive Account" and put the track designer in the title with the track name. Since it won't be mingled into the new exchange, the author username for the archive tracks will just be the same for every track, and therefore won't really interfere or confuse people.

Really I say Option 1 though. This site is now slow and a bit old-looking. If you do decide to make a new site, totally go all out on it so it can last. One site to really look at is RCTLounge (www.rctlounge.com). It's an RCT-NL community that has a wimpy NL community.

The reason I bring this up though? It's a site that I visit regularly simply because the site itself is just fantastic. Community is meh, but the overall site build is just incredibly good. Spotlights highlight good projects and slap them right on the frontpage (see homepage, also features "Screenshot Contest" and a challenge winner), and are archived downward. (My Schizophrenia Spotlight is here (http://www.rctlounge.com/spotlight/schizophrenia/). It's just a simple page that is now archived with a quick description of why it's good and a video and forum link [and the next CC could have a download button].) It just makes you feel good when you get this (even when you're in a community where RCT'ers just glorify you in awe when you make a lift hill in NL), and it would totally stir the competition on a NoLimits site. Also, the Spotlight archive would be a great way to highlight the best projects in a simple and beautiful way.

Next, the site itself is gorgeous. It has that modern new look that is hard to beat. It's really high quality. Not only that, but it has a lot of features. Heck, you even dress up your own profile like a YouTube channel. Also, the Sandbox area (http://www.rctlounge.com/sandbox/) is a great way to preview rides without making pointless topics (*cough*cool5). Basically, you upload "Snaps", to which users comment on or "favorite". It's best for critiquing, but it could also be used for teasing without making a topic, which is great, because you never know at that stage whether you'll really be following through with the project. An example is this snap (http://rctlounge.com/sandbox/snap/69), which I used to tease for Cosmic Venture (which is cancelled BTW, a prime example of how this is a good system).

Anyway, all of this isn't critical, but it's just nice to have and it adds a lot to the site. Honestly, if you make a kick-ass site like RCTLounge, you will literally kick NL-E's ass IMO. I mean, this site has less rules (therefore insinuating more fun), a lax rating rule (which honestly, a lot of people like, so that would gather some peeps as a pro). Combine this with a site that actually loads well and has tons of features as well as a genius interface, you'll totally pwn NL-E. Honestly, the reason I visit NL-E is because of the exchange-based style (more competitive and it feels more..."official") and because the site loads without sitting periodically for 5 minutes when a page is like 2 seconds old like on this site. Really, it's just CC's site itself here that keeps me from coming here often. It's a shame, because everything else here I like, but it's the truth. It's enough to keep me on a site that has a separate site for the forum and just a simple starting exchange that has little features.

TL;DR - If you make this site awesome, I will totally be here. Do it.

[GavG]

Originally posted by KrazyKoasterKid

Originally posted by Live on earths ass

And what about the threads?

That's a good question. I guess if they really mattered so much to you, those could be archived. It would take forever, though, to sort through them. Realistically how many threads would be worth saving? If they really mean a lot to you, save them to MS word and reupload them if they're really so important.

Just throwing in my two cents, that's all.

Originally posted by Oscar

Option 1.) Would you prefer a brand spanking, better, new website and start fresh without any tracks uploaded to the exchange. We would be able to save the forum topics but the exchange will not be saved. You would be able to upload it again but the ratings, etc would all be gone.

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I hope that clears that up. I would like to say please read atleast the first post, even more so when you have a chance to vote on information included within it.

alot has been happening i can see while i have been away

its time for a change, new site and a new start and mabye a new image.

[Oscar]

Thanks AJ for your detailed post. I like it and have noted things down from it.

Guys, assuming we do go forth with a clean slate, what specific features would you like to see? Please be as specific as possible. If someone else has posted something you like, post saying so that way we know there are more people interested in said features.

Thank you,
Oscar

NLDC kinda pages would be sick.

One thing i would like is an improved seach engine for the tracks. Have everything from like, highest to lowest rated tracks, to being able to search for a specific type of rollercoaster.

1. "Junkyard" for old, abandoned projects so that others can pick up where you left off. I think there was a feature like this on NLDC, but I don't remember what it was called.
2. As AJ said, a more modern look would be wonderful. We have a nice site as it is, but it could just be so much better.
3. A more streamlined navigation process. This kind of goes along with the whole modern look, but right now the whole site seems like it's clunky to get around. Something to makes that snappier/prettier would be fantastic.
4. Prettier profiles. This is really not a huge deal, but it popped into my head.
5. FB integration? I don't know if that's possible, but it would certainly boost the membership I think if you could sign up for CC using your FB account, and have notifications pushed to your news feed and such. Now that I think about it, is this possible for any service? If it's not, Facebook needs to get on that.

I'd say make the exchange more centralized putting it right on the homepage. Probably design it similar to NL-E or the old CS. If anything, make the homepage more functional. It should feel useful. The page right now just feels like it has a lot of crap on it at once.

Also, I like the idea of NLDC-style pages. If fact, you could probably just have "user albums" (RCTLounge uses this as well), which serve as a NLDC-style page, but would truly work best as a place to upload photos to put right into topics. The only problems with this include space being taken up on the site from all the pics, as well as people actually using the feature. It would have to be quick to access and easy to use, not something hidden in the site. Otherwise, it might just get lost in the site.

I think one thing you have to factor is what features you (and the community) want to use the most, and put it on the home page. BUT, limit to a few things. Want the exchange to be the big focus (creating a more competitive site)? Make it centralized like NL-E and CS, clearly displaying who is winning throughout the week to instill competition. Also, this might motivate people to download and rate since the new rides will be right in their faces, front page. Want an NLDC-style system to be widely used? Stick it on the homepage too, maybe with a "projects of the week" slider that has 3 featured pictures from the covers of 3 user albums. To keep space for other items, you could condense it into a slider thing like RCTLounge does it's stuff on the homepage.

Make sure you keep the homepage quick, simple, useful, has only popular items on it, and is also small. Don't make it this big long page, instead keeping it compact that way you can see all of the items without items getting lost at the bottom.

Also, a good color scheme and logo would work well...we really need something that would make the site more iconic. For instance, TPR's letter colors and font are pretty recognizable. Creating something other like a gray "CoasterCrazy" on top of a cramped banner won't do. RCTLounge, CoasterWarriors, and a few other sites do this well.

Anyway, just some tips. Interested to see what you guys make. [:)] If you need any help with graphics, I could probably supply some good stuff if you need it.

[hyyyper]

Make the site wider. Right now it is only using a third of my screen. Such a waste of space.

Like RideWarriorNation suggested, we need a better more specific search engine. For example, Have a search for:

1. Recreations (all)
2. Most downloaded track
3. Highest Rated Track
4. Longest Track
5. Tracks with no rating
6. List all "Fantasy" tracks in popularity order
7. etc.

EDIT:
Speaking of "Recreation" tracks, there should be a better way to grade them. There shouldn't be an "adrenaline" measure on a recreation coaster because the person who designed the real ride is responsible for that. It's OK to have "technical" and "originality" for a recreation coaster. Possibly "adrenaline" could be replaced by an "accuracy" measure.

By the way, thank you very much dcs221 for letting me know that my Thunderhead coaster was way too long. Without your help, I couldn't have made Thunderhead as accurate as I did. It probably still needs a little work but I don't think I can get it any better than what I have it now.

I see originality on a recreation being a lot more confusing than adrenaline. I simply rate adrenaline in relation to that of the real ride...did the designer capture whatever makes the real thing exciting, within reason? Not a perfect system, but it's more fair than rating the excitement of the real ride.

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding what you guys are saying, but you can already sort tracks by rating. Just click on the word "Rating" in the exchange, and then filter by the program you're searching for.

Same goes for downloads, or any of the fields, be it date, name, or creator, as well.

[Oscar]

Anymore suggestions?

Perhaps a reputation system? You know, if people make good posts, good contributions to the site, rate tracks, etc...

Perhaps you could implement a system that could essentially "reward" this good members with special features such as an increased download limit, special banner/title...

Just a thought.

It could be an alternative to donating to the site with money.