Classifieds Changing

AlanRatcliffe · 2011-11-08T09:22:27+00:00

OK... the new classifieds system will be coming in within the next day or two. The current classifieds have been renamed as "Classifieds (old)" in preparation. We will keep both up and running for a few weeks while we iron any bugs out of the new system and to allow those with existing classifieds to copy and paste info from one to the other. The new classifieds is a proper system designed specifically for the purpose. It will change the way ads are posted and viewed - more along the lines of Gumtree than the existing forum-based system. It will take a little while to get used to. So please use it for a few days before telling us cr*p it is and how you want the old system back, and I'm sure you will find the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages and the "disadvantages" are actually improvements. ? New Classifieds features: Categories to divide the different types of instruments/equipment Allows the upload and display of up to three images per advert Auto expiry of ads (currently set to 30 days) and an option to extend your ad if the item has not sold Price and Location fields A classifieds only search engine RSS feeds for the classifieds or for individual categories Much more - I can't remember at the moment ? Not implemented yet, but it also allows us to: Have categories of affordable paid ads for listings of teachers, luthiers, rehearsal, studios and other services Show a "recent ads" listing at the bottom of the home page - similar to (and in addition to) "recent posts" Incorporate a "reputation" system where buyers can rank sellers and vice versa Add any number of subcategories as the classifieds become busier Add auction listings with a bidding system Incorporate PayPal for both paid ads and buying items (we are also going to look into using a more ZA-centric payment system) Start Using It While it's not showing on the index yet, you can already take a look and start adding your items: http://www.guitarforum.co.za/index.php?action=classifieds Report problems Please let us know of any bugs you find by replying to this and entering details.

NorioDS

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Photo resizing fixed... Thanks Norio!

Shap shap! ?

Bob-Dubery

Tyron "mity88" Deakin wrote I only have one concern with the new classifieds, we cant ask questions that other members can see, we can only pm the seller directly, this might cause the seller plenty work having to answer the same question numerous times

Swings and roundabouts. The lack of comments means that you can't advertise a Thingulator for R2000 only to have me pop up in the comments saying I've got the same thing and they're great and I'll take R1750. On occasion adverts have morphed into flame wars, so that can't happen now.

I take your point, but to me it seems that pluses outweigh the minuses here. I accept that threads morph and branch, indeed I think that's part of the fun, but I don't think we need that in the classifieds.

mity88

X-rated Bob wrote
Tyron "mity88" Deakin wrote I only have one concern with the new classifieds, we cant ask questions that other members can see, we can only pm the seller directly, this might cause the seller plenty work having to answer the same question numerous times
Swings and roundabouts. The lack of comments means that you can't advertise a Thingulator for R2000 only to have me pop up in the comments saying I've got the same thing and they're great and I'll take R1750. On occasion adverts have morphed into flame wars, so that can't happen now.

I take your point, but to me it seems that pluses outweigh the minuses here. I accept that threads morph and branch, indeed I think that's part of the fun, but I don't think we need that in the classifieds.

point noted and well taken...just seems like a schlep having to do a proper reply, i jus prefer clicking "quick reply" meself

Gearhead

Proposal: we get a category 'guitar parts' and 'amp parts' (or even just 'parts') instead of having to use 'sundry' for those items.

AlanRatcliffe

Gearhead wrote Proposal: we get a category 'guitar parts' and 'amp parts' (or even just 'parts') instead of having to use 'sundry' for those items.

Yeah, I've been thinking along those lines. "Parts & spares". Will do...

MikeM

And perhaps instead of having drums/piano/other instruments, could we not do with just other instruments? I mean this is guitar forum, and I have very rarely seen drums, or many other instruments here (yes we get the odd keyboard or djembe but that's about it).

Skylark

Alan or Norio , please please please could you put the modify button back for a week or 2 in the old classifieds section (if only for the original poster of ads) - then guys can click the modify button and copy all the code incl pics and that can be used to paste into an advert form in the new classifieds..... Would make life so very much easier
Shweet Bru!
?

Bob-Dubery

Might be an idea to have a "wanted" section. I see that people who are looking for instruments are placing notices under guitars (or whatever) and it looks a bit odd with a "bid" button and so on. So maybe it could be done like the "band members" category where there is no bidding but you can contact whoever placed the notice.

NorioDS

Ja I dig the wanted section idea. Been considering it for a while. Alan?

flatfourfan

I like it.......not being able to comment on the posts cleans it up a lot............

AlanRatcliffe

Norio wrote Ja I dig the wanted section idea. Been considering it for a while. Alan?

Fine by me. I'll add it soon.

AlanRatcliffe

Everyone please note:
I will be removing the old classifieds completely at the end of the month. If you have any ads that are still current please copy them over to the new classifieds.

Skylark wrote please please please could you put the modify button back for a week or 2 in the old classifieds section (if only for the original poster of ads) - then guys can click the modify button and copy all the code incl pics and that can be used to paste into an advert form in the new classifieds..... Would make life so very much easier

Sorry - missed this when you posted it. OK, I'll do that now.

AlanRatcliffe

Sorry Skylark - The modify thing is a forum-wide setting that cannot be overridden on one board.

There is a work-around though - click on "quote" to the right of the post and then copy the text between the quote tags.

Skylark

Alan Ratcliffe wrote Sorry Skylark - The modify thing is a forum-wide setting that cannot be overridden on one board.

There is a work-around though - click on "quote" to the right of the post and then copy the text between the quote tags.

Ahh thanks Alan that's a good one!!
Will work perfectly!

How do we close/delete ads in the new classifieds section once they are sold?

AlanRatcliffe

Skylark wrote How do we close/delete ads in the new classifieds section once they are sold?

You should be able to delete your own listings (links at the bottom right of the listing).

StefStoep

Not sure if you are aware of this but the new classified section doesn't show on the mobile site.
I am mostly on the mobile site but was ons the PC over the weekend and saw the new Classified's there.

AlanRatcliffe

StefStoep wrote Not sure if you are aware of this but the new classified section doesn't show on the mobile site.
I am mostly on the mobile site but was ons the PC over the weekend and saw the new Classified's there.

Thanks. I'll ask Norio to look into that.

NorioDS

StefStoep wrote Not sure if you are aware of this but the new classified section doesn't show on the mobile site.
I am mostly on the mobile site but was ons the PC over the weekend and saw the new Classified's there.

Do you mean this? http://www.guitarforum.co.za/?wap2

StefStoep

I realized there isn't a mobile site, the site just looks different on my BB. Tried the link, but still can't see the new classified's. Don't know if it is just me. Maybe other people are also not seeing the new Classifieds from the phones.

Bob-Dubery

I don't see 'em either. It would though depend on what browser you use and how that browser declares itself to the GFSA server.

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