We need a better Forum

OhMyGosh wrote on 8/5/2009, 7:27 AM
After looking at Teamplayer's post, I want to say what I have felt for quite some time. This forum format is the pits (that's the nice version). The people here are the nicest, and most knowledgeable of any board I belong to though. I have been learning Adobe After Effects for the past several months, and Sony may want to see how they do things there at Adobe. Aside from the helpful people, as we have here, they have a minimum of 2 EMPLOYEES there at all times! They answer the toughest questions and problems that anyone could ask. They interpret and remedy crash errors and logs, tips and tricks, anything and everything. Do a search on our ForumAdmin, an amazing 2 posts in the past 6 months! Oh thank you God of Wonder for sharing with us mere mortals, but please don't work yourself too hard.......
This forum format is one step below Notepad. They have a terrific text editor which includes spell check (as you can see, I could use it). Another huge feature is how you can easily include pictures, video, project files, etc. in your post that pop up so people can see exactly what you are doing and what is happening. What a difference to be able to see, play, and show what is going on. When the problem is solved, it is given a mark to show that. They also have a point system for the people who respond to posts. So much for a helpful answer, and so much for the right answer. I don't know what you get after so many points, but it's a neat system. These are only a few of the many improvements that they have over our board, but I feel we deserve at least the same, if not better! Check it out yourself, and see if you can't find room for improvement here. Ultimately, it's the people that make the board, and we have those here, but a better posting format along with a knowledgable Sony EMPLOYEE would really help. Cin

Comments

Chienworks wrote on 8/5/2009, 12:38 PM
Funny thing is, i've visited a lot of forums over the years and i like the layout of this one best! Most the features you mention of other forums are things i consider to be negative points. I love the simplicity and lack of clutter here.

I suppose it's all a matter of personal preference, but i feel that adding more features tends to take away from the the ease of reading the forum.
OhMyGosh wrote on 8/5/2009, 3:24 PM
I too Kelly have seen some forums that I would say are a little cluttered or over the top, but I don't think this one is even close. I guess the main things I like at Adobe is the ability to post images and project files that are easily viewed by other members. It is sooo much easier to give and get help when you can see exactly what they are doing. And you can't beat the fact that they have knowledgable employees there to help with every and any question. It's like having your personal tech support. But in the end, I guess it's like you said, and is a matter of personal preference. Cin
PS. I wuold stil licke a spel chicker ;)
Chienworks wrote on 8/5/2009, 5:52 PM
Oh? Due thay tayst lyke chikin?
MSmart wrote on 9/1/2009, 7:41 PM
So, what do you think..... Cin?
mike_in_ky wrote on 9/2/2009, 4:33 AM
Folks...

If you don't mind, I'll throw in my two cents on this subject.

I like the simplicity of this forum. But, having the ability to attach photos, files, etc., would be a real plus. I'd like to have a nickel for each time I've seen folks like Eugenia say something like "upload a 3-second sample of the clip somewhere so we can test it". It might surprise you that lots of folks have no access to a web server on which to upload their clips or even the know-how to do it.

Also, I've heard many times here that users having trouble with VMS go and fill out the required form to report a problem to Sony and sometimes don't get a response to their query. Having a Sony staffer here onboard would be a real plus and perhaps would give Sony more insight into the depth of problems people experience in trying to get VMS successfully up and running on user's systems.

However, make no mistake about it, the users like yourselves are the people that make this forum what it is (in my opinion) - a place troubled users can come and get information (and in many cases step-by-step procedures) that leads them to the solution to their problem.

mike_in_nc

p.s. a spele chekre wood bee helptful tu me, to.
OhMyGosh wrote on 9/2/2009, 6:31 AM
Hi MSmart, I wasn't sure what you were referring to as to what I think. I thought I was clear?
Mike, to give you an example, a guy had a question yesterday that was mind blowing to even understand what the heck he was asking it was so technical about PAR's and how and why they are interpolated the way they are and their algorythms, etc. I think this one might even have been a tough one for Eugenia ;) One of the employees tried to answer and the plot thickened, so what does he do? Calls his buddy who helped write the program and asked him 'hey why did you do it that way'!!! Boom, just like that now we know the how and why's of it. And no, I have no way to post my stuff for viewing. On their board it's as easy as one click, and when you view the post, the screen shot, video clip, project file, or what ever pops ups in the same window so you can view it right then and there. I can't tell you how easy it makes it when you can see exactly what they are looking at. At the end of the day, it's still about the people, but please give us some better tools to work with Sony. Cin
mike_in_ky wrote on 9/2/2009, 1:36 PM
I just submitted a suggestion to Sony to upgrade the Forum so that registered users can upload example files to the Forum, thus allowing other, more experienced users to upload and then test those files in order to help resolve problems.

mike_in_nc
OhMyGosh wrote on 9/2/2009, 8:34 PM
Thanks Mike. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Cin
MSmart wrote on 9/2/2009, 11:46 PM
I was just highlighting the ever so slight changes to the forum, nothing more.
OhMyGosh wrote on 9/4/2009, 7:03 AM
Oh, I get it :) You should know better than to joke with a blonde, we never get em ;) And yes, I was hugely impressed with the new look. Who could have ever imagined a nice shiny new black background for us all to enjoy ;) Sony just won't quit spoiling us! Cin
MSmart wrote on 9/4/2009, 10:51 PM
:)
Markk655 wrote on 9/6/2009, 10:45 AM
In the past with other vendor forums, a new layout or background usually meant that the new version of the software was imminent. Hmmm.