How Can We Make The Site Better?

[Soultrader 12]

It's been quite a journey from a startup forum of 1 member (me, myself, and I) to having over 1100 members in approximately 5-6 months.

 

I would love to hear some feedback and suggestions on how we can improve the site.

 

Of course the first thing on my list is the chat room. Im still waiting for a newer chat room development that can be integregated into our forum system.

 

I am also thinking of doing a complete makeover with the sites style. I do like the clean and simple layout. (I'm a simple guy! ) But I may want to do some customization.

 

Couple of additional features I might want to add depending on member demand:

 

1. Would anyone like to have a personal blog system?

2. Perhaps a video section similar to youtube layout?

3. Maybe a economic calendar?

 

Any ideas and suggestions are welcome.

[Anna-Maria 10]

Similar to yourself, I'm a 'simple child' & the general layout is fine. Good, clear style of posting criteria & ease of attachment tools etc.

 

Some forums often look very congested & difficult to "read" but the layout on your forum is easy on the eye.

 

Like I said, I'm all for clean, simple assimilation

 

 

Congratulations on the progress, you've got yourself a very interesting & informative site with top class content from some (obviously) very savvy contributors!

 

I find the index/profile & video content extremely absorbing. Wish I could contribute more on that side of things, but unfortunately, the simple technical route of FX is all I know.

 

Great place to hang out in James - keep up the stellar work!

[TinGull 10]

It's been quite a journey from a startup forum of 1 member (me, myself, and I) to having over 1100 members in approximately 5-6 months.

 

Isn't that 3 members? I love the site. I dont know that a blogging setup would be something I would want, as I've got my own that I use. I think the site is great as it is, personally. Some things like TL Groups I dont know if they need to stay. I don't see them getting any use, and maybe that spot could get used up by an economic calendar.

[Dr Who 10]

It's been quite a journey from a startup forum of 1 member (me, myself, and I) to having over 1100 members in approximately 5-6 months.

 

I would love to hear some feedback and suggestions on how we can improve the site.

 

Of course the first thing on my list is the chat room. Im still waiting for a newer chat room development that can be integregated into our forum system.

 

I am also thinking of doing a complete makeover with the sites style. I do like the clean and simple layout. (I'm a simple guy! ) But I may want to do some customization.

 

Couple of additional features I might want to add depending on member demand:

 

1. Would anyone like to have a personal blog system?

2. Perhaps a video section similar to youtube layout?

3. Maybe a economic calendar?

 

Any ideas and suggestions are welcome.

 

Hi James,

 

I don't post much but sometimes only browse the very good content.

A personal blog section would be good, but not necessary.

 

Keep up the good work.

The Doctor.

 

Ps: I agree with texxas's comments regarding being easy on the eyes.

[Soultrader 12]

Thanks for the response guys and gals. I'll keep this original style... I agree its very easy on the eyes which I prefer the most.

 

A economic calendar would be a great addition and I will look into this. For the blog, I currently have only one option available that can be integrated into this forum system. I'll give it a test run to see if its appropiate.

 

Keep the suggestions coming.

[torero 10]

Yes an economic calendar with alerts (window alerts or instant msg, for example) would be a great feature since I'm a bit flaky with news and their times. For example, I would like to be alerted for Fed announcements and Non-Farm Payroll 15 min before the news. Wouldn't that be something.

 

Since we're getting a bit of a crowd in the forex world, more features us (yeah, I've gone to the dark side!) would be nice. Clocks of opening and closing of major financial markets. Of course, these are just suggestions but would be useful for othersas well, I think.

 

Keep up the great work. You've started something very special here.

[Reaver 10]

I like the site as is. It is refreshing to have something so easy on the eyes to read at the end of the day. Nice simple and efficient. Perfect. I'll think if there's any particular features or whatever that comes tomind, but James, you've done an awesome job and this is definitely my favorite site.

[Soultrader 12]

Torero, Im definitely looking into the financial calendar option. The alerts would be a great idea but not sure if this is possible.

 

As for the clocks.... this is also an excellent idea. Not too sure where I would find such a feature. I may actually build it from scratch. I have a question:

 

What country clocks would you need? And also could you tell me the opening time for each clock? Im totally clueless when it comes to forex. I may actually have a coder code this up.. and add alerts or something. Would be an interesting addition.

[torero 10]

NY, London, Tokyo, and Sydney is optional.

[Robert2617 10]

I like the layout but the forum "newpost" indicators are not very good. I mean I like the images such as but I find myself avoiding even looking because it is not clear whether there is a new post or not. They are cute but not very functional. A fix would be to have the background be green if new posts have been made.

 

Maybe something like this:

 

If you don't feel like changing, the "Latest Forum Activity" should be moved to the top so people can go straight to the new posts.

[Anonymous 11]

It's been quite a journey from a startup forum of 1 member (me, myself, and I) to having over 1100 members in approximately 5-6 months.

 

If you build it, they will come. Sorry :o .

 

I love this site. The layout is nice and the current member base is both knowledgeable and considerate. Torero's idea about a news alert is way cool.

 

I really appreciate the video section. If you included an youtube-esque video section that would be wonderful. There are plenty of traders here with nuggets to share.

 

I don't know if you want to be the biggest, but I hope you want to continue to be the best. Thanks again for your labor of love.

[notouch 10]

I think the blog section is a good idea, especially if there's the option to keep it private or make it public. I use Yahoo 360 at the moment just to keep a record of my trades but it's not ideal. Something designed with traders in mind would be good.

[torero 10]

I think since we're moving to high bandwidth and larger HD, I'm working on moving from recording my trades via charts to videos now. This is the best way to really understand fully what was really happening at that moment, with audio comments and thought process, charts and your actions (buy sell or do nothing) towards those charts. I just started and it's huge step in recording and improving myself as a trader. Fully recommend it. So, the blog I recommend should be clips of videos of the trades. I recommend editing them to save HD space (and save the boredom from others) and just see the setup, entry and exit, one trade one clip. Along the clip would include a small description including symbol, entry price, exit price and general description of the strategy used (breakout, range play, etc). This might be sensitive to others who are less willing to reveal all their trading secrets, but these are optionals.

 

I plan to post mine soon but I have to work on my voice, I sound like I'm whispering to my lover in bed LOL. Well, ER2 is my other woman LOL.

[Soultrader 12]

I like the layout but the forum "newpost" indicators are not very good. I mean I like the images such as but I find myself avoiding even looking because it is not clear whether there is a new post or not. They are cute but not very functional. A fix would be to have the background be green if new posts have been made.

 

Maybe something like this:

 

If you don't feel like changing, the "Latest Forum Activity" should be moved to the top so people can go straight to the new posts.

 

 

Hello Robert, did you make those icons? I like them alot. Is it possible to make one blue instead? I may want to do black and blue for new and old postings. Thanks

[Soultrader 12]

If you build it, they will come. Sorry :o .

 

I love this site. The layout is nice and the current member base is both knowledgeable and considerate. Torero's idea about a news alert is way cool.

 

I really appreciate the video section. If you included an youtube-esque video section that would be wonderful. There are plenty of traders here with nuggets to share.

 

I don't know if you want to be the biggest, but I hope you want to continue to be the best. Thanks again for your labor of love.

 

 

Hi Pivot,

 

I had a chance to discuss the idea of news alert and forex clocks on my site. I would need to get some serious coders to put this on. Plus the cost of it can run a little steep. I do like the idea of it so I may eventually add it in the future.

 

With the video section, I am looking around for a better way to post videos. The current option is for members to attach it in a .swf file using our attachment feature. Im currently testing out a youtube looking script for the site. If it can be integrated I may apply it.. if not I will have to take it off.

 

Thanks for the feedbacks

[Soultrader 12]

I think the blog section is a good idea, especially if there's the option to keep it private or make it public. I use Yahoo 360 at the moment just to keep a record of my trades but it's not ideal. Something designed with traders in mind would be good.

 

I will try to get a blog sytem up this week. There is currently only one option available that can be integrated into this forum system. Its nothing fancy but will allow users to keep personal blogs private or public with some customization.

[Robert2617 10]

Hello Robert, did you make those icons? I like them alot. Is it possible to make one blue instead? I may want to do black and blue for new and old postings. Thanks

 

I don't mind doing it at all if you want to use them. Using black and blue will actually be easier because only half the number of icons would need to be made.

 

Scratch that. After looking at the board, I notice that in the "Trading Methodologies " and "Financial Markets" sections use light blue for "no new posts" and orange/yellow for having new posts. In order to match, you may want to use those colors instead... Or, black and blue. Either way as long as a person can tell the difference. Matching would be nice though. Which would you prefer?

[Soultrader 12]

Thank you Robert. Matching sounds like the best idea. I do appreciate.... Im not coder or web designer myself so I tend to receive alot of help organizing the site from my members

 

Once again, thanks!

[Robert2617 10]

Thank you Robert. Matching sounds like the best idea. I do appreciate.... Im not coder or web designer myself so I tend to receive alot of help organizing the site from my members

 

Once again, thanks!

I have the full version of Photoshop so I will tinker with these icons and we'll see if I can make something you like. I don't mind helping at all. I'm a new trader and have been enjoying your site.

[Soultrader 12]

Thanks Robert. I have Adobe Photoshop also but have no idea how to use it. I would love to get some of your icons here on the forums

[Soultrader 12]

I think the blog section is a good idea, especially if there's the option to keep it private or make it public. I use Yahoo 360 at the moment just to keep a record of my trades but it's not ideal. Something designed with traders in mind would be good.

 

Blog system is officially up

[Robert2617 10]

Thanks Robert. I have Adobe Photoshop also but have no idea how to use it. I would love to get some of your icons here on the forums

Here they are! I took the liberty to rename them to simple names and converted all of the jpg's to gif so they are all the same file type now. For each one you have the original and an orange shaded one to indicate new posts in that particular forum. I have made a zip file that contains the icons and it is located here: http://planetreload.com/forum_pics/tl_icons.zip

[Soultrader 12]

Here they are! I took the liberty to rename them to simple names and converted all of the jpg's to gif so they are all the same file type now. For each one you have the original and an orange shaded one to indicate new posts in that particular forum. I have made a zip file that contains the icons and it is located here: http://planetreload.com/forum_pics/tl_icons.zip

 

 

Thank you very much Robert. They are very nice. Excellent work! They are going up and live on the forums.

[Robert2617 10]

Awesome, I think it will make navigation much easier for everyone.

[Robert2617 10]

Oh I see them. It's working well! Looks good!