New at YF...

YachtForums · 05-26-2008, 02:31 PM

Hi all,

I created several new forums to better categorize our topics and make it easier to locate the same. These are the new titles on the index page...

1. Frequently Asked Yacht Questions
2. Tenders & Dinghies
3. Future Yachts/Concept Boats
4. Licensing and Education

I've moved most of the relevant threads into each of these forums, but I'm sure I missed a few. If you come across a thread that should be placed under one of these categories, please let me know.

***

NYCAP123 · 05-26-2008, 08:38 PM

Very good and logical categories.

YachtForums · 05-27-2008, 06:18 PM

While it will always be a work in progress, the desktop wallpaper project is complete. I originally planned to debut this in the summer of 2007... and here we are... going into the summer of 2008. Only one year behind!

I lost count of the hours, but in a previous thread, I guesstimated about an hour per wallpaper to P-Shop; add, fill, crop, size, adjust, tweak, curse, upload, stand back and question my sanity. As of today, we have 295 wallpapers available in 3 different sizes.

RE: Screensavers... there are several free screensaver programs available. I use a simple download from Google, called the Google Updater. It provides several screen viewing options, such as Pan & Zoom, Wipe, Fade and Collage. You can also select the number of seconds to display an image.

No matter what program you use, you should select and save your favorite wallpapers to a file. Start by going to the front page of YF, click on the builders of your choice, then select the wallpapers that give you the biggest smile. Next, click on the size that fits your monitor to open the full size image. Then, right click over the image and save it to the file you set up earlier. This will be the target file for your screensaver software. From here, it is easy to add or delete images that will be displayed by the screensaver.

Another screensaver option... Kevin suggested using the screen saver built into Windows. Here's a copy of his previous post on the subject...

Quote:

I usually go for the simplest to keep my computer as clean as possible with fewest extra applications running. That being said, Windows has a screen saver option of it's own called "My Pictures". All I need to do is save all the images I like into a Folder, set that Folder as the place for the program to get it's media and voila... all the yachts I want on my screen.

I'm proud of the images we've collected for the wallpaper project. They are among the best images in yachting, shots that would grace the cover of any magazine. And now... they're on your desktop!

Enjoy!

YachtForums · 05-28-2008, 08:28 AM

After extensive research into the origins of nautical words, we've created a new category to better educate our visitors. This is YF's unofficial guide to Nautical Terms...

http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/na...ocabulary-295/

Special thanks to Kevin, Brian Eiland and Capt. Silva for the original enlightenment.

Ken Bracewell · 05-28-2008, 01:02 PM

What does everyone think about creating a place to post comments regarding vendors we've used (i.e. Yards, Engine Repair, Chandlers, Detailers, etc.)? This may go against the Forum rules for posting advertising and may also be hard to police.
Perhaps this could be alleviated by only allowing senior members to post there??

Seafarer · 05-28-2008, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken Bracewell

What does everyone think about creating a place to post comments regarding vendors we've used (i.e. Yards, Engine Repair, Chandlers, Detailers, etc.)? This may go against the Forum rules for posting advertising and may also be hard to police.
Perhaps this could be alleviated by only allowing senior members to post there??

This type of posting requires vigilant policing, even in the most well-intended venue.

NYCAP123 · 05-28-2008, 09:40 PM

I'm a firm believer in passing along the word, preferably good, but you get the rep you earn. However posting it in Forum would amount to an ad if good and slander if bad. Too risky.

Ken Bracewell · 05-29-2008, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCAP123

However posting it in Forum would amount to an ad if good and slander if bad. Too risky.

I honestly don't see how it could be construed as either. The yachting business is ever-growing (regardless of the economy) so there are new support businesses popping up weekly. Some of these are fantastic and some are duds. I am very lucky in that I have a wealth of resources to call on for referrals (even these aren't always enough) but not everyone has those connections.
Another problem is related to time- with the number of boats growing, the contractors are busier. Thus, the wait time for service can be a problem so I am sometimes forced to look for contractors that aren't well known. Many times, these are run by well trained techs from "Plan A" contractor and have seen the need to start "Plan B" contracting company. Many times they are just as good as "Plan A", and sometimes they are too overwhelmed with the business side of things and are un-reliable.
This forum constitutes a great number of my trusted friends (even though I haven't met many of you) with whom I'd like to share my knowledge and experiences. It also seems like a good avenue for doing so.
I guess I'm willing to take the risk and I assume the risk would be mine alone (as opposed to the Forums) since I am a full-disclosure member who posts using my name.

Loren Schweizer · 05-29-2008, 10:06 AM

I'm with Ken Bracewell on this vendor issue; it would be a useful tool.
I'm not too worried about slandering anyone since I have been fortunate to have had mostly good people doing good work for me.
And, as Mother suggested, "If you don't have anything good to say....." the duds will tend to find their own level anyway.
For me and others, it would be good to know locally (in various locales)--say, from Stuart down to the Keys--who does what well and isn't busy out to July.
I have a great local varnish guy, but he ain't going too far because he rides a bicycle(!)

I had a simple haul-out last week in Palm Beach and was amazed at how busy the various yards were scheduled.

Maybe, as Ken suggested, a spot here in the Forums just for Thems With A Need To Know?

K1W1 · 05-29-2008, 10:08 AM

Hi,

Ken you have a great idea and in theory it sounds great. It is however something that is open to abuse and could easily.

I am currently involved with a guy who is keen to do a similar thing to help owners of similar large yachts.

One way might be to do it like they do at Techimo.com under the resellerratings section where all the comments are moderated before appearing online till posters reach a certain level ( in that particular section)This helps them stop a lot of spam from one or two post trolls.

Ken Bracewell · 05-29-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by K1W1

One way might be to do it like they do at Techimo.com under the resellerratings section where all the comments are moderated before appearing online till posters reach a certain level ( in that particular section)This helps them stop a lot of spam from one or two post trolls.

That is where my idea of only allowing "Senior Members" to post comes into play. In a way, it would be self policing since the regulars (we all know who we are) would spot a fraud well before that person gained Senior status. The moderators (and I would be glad to help) could then keep an eye out for abuse by those with posting rights.
Carl, is this a pipedream?

K1W1 · 05-29-2008, 12:12 PM

Hi,

Maybe a solution would be to have a separate section that requires a different log in where you have to have supplied some verifiable data about yourself that can be prove you are a genuine contributor and not a shameless self promoter.

I am sure Carl knows who a lot more of us actually are than we know of each other.

YachtForums · 05-29-2008, 02:09 PM

I've thought about this for a long time. I've also posed this question to several of our Senior Members over lunch (you all know who you are). I have a long term plan with YF that will enable us to do this without repercussion and I've already started the migration process.

In the meantime, there are many considerations. I am MOST concerned with liability. We have a relatively new media that if not properly guided, could be litigated. At the very least, anything of this nature would only serve to discredit the community we've built.

I've had to overcome a certain amount of resistance to get the industry to consider our "open-to-the-public" format. It has been a huge undertaking and we are only... just in the past year or two... beginning to see the industry respect and accept YachtForums as a viable medium.

All of the above said... I am listening to your suggestions.

NYCAP123 · 05-29-2008, 06:01 PM

One of my current employers has vented many times about the lack of honest reporting about yachts and equipement, etc. Everything published is a puff piece. There was a publication called "Powerboat Reports" which did an honest evaluation process, but they're now out of business. C.R. and Underwriters Labs can do it because they're huge. The is a major can of worms. I recently had a very bad experience with a vendor, and I'll keep my friends from making my mistake, but this vendor may have done right by others. If I were to publish my opinion I may be damaging someone who just did a bad job for me. Conversely, I've recommended people who've done good by me only to disappoint those I've referred to. Hate getting that call even though it's not my fault. We all have our reputations in our parts of the field and those who know us know what to ask us about. As tempting as it may sometimes be that should be kept between friends.
P.S.- How many times have you recommended your favorite restaurant only to find they were too busy 6 months later because word got out?

Arniev · 05-29-2008, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YachtForums

In the meantime, there are many considerations. I am MOST concerned with liability. We have a relatively new media that if not properly guided, could be litigated. At the very least, anything of this nature would only serve to discredit the community we've built.

Carl,
I agree with you.
Posting comments (good and bad) regarding vendors YF members have used may be useful in general, but may also inadvertently harm the trust and camaraderie that you've worked hard to achieve. It's like opening up a can of worms.
When controversy arises, it will be difficult to verify facts, and may even distract the attention of YF members and guests away from YF's primary objectives.
Arnie