How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!?

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 2:10 am

Like others have said, and as i have posted before in another thread, this site is not really user friendly at all. Its not intuitive and easy to pick up right away which will deter people right off the bat. The pages are very busy and its hard to find stuff. I like the layout and ease of use of tundra talk.

This is just constructive criticism, honestly. So hope no one gets mad at me lol.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 4:39 am

Just an FYI Scott, TT uses VBulletin for their board. Ben is working towards getting GCT on that platform. I agree with you about this set up on GCT currently. It's very busy, lots of action and movement on the front page here. If you don't have a quick internet connection it takes a while for each page to come up and load properly. I know for a fact though, Ben is looking to upgrade in the future.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 10:26 am

yup! hopefully soon!

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 10:50 am

Ya Vbulletin does have ALOT more features we can use. But as anything the more bells and whistles you more you pay. Right now GCT is a free forum. Wink

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 12:10 pm

man Beez. I love your avatar

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 12:29 pm

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 1:05 pm

Well TT is a also free, but can be donated to voluntarily.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 1:06 pm

When we make the switch to vBulletin (I'm sure it'll happen), are you able to migrate or will each member have to start a new profile?

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 1:10 pm

ummm... no.. when Shawn means free that means the database itself is a free forum database, doesnt cost us anything... TT is a vb site and there are large amounts of $$$ that goes into starting, creating and maintaining those sites. infact, the COST just to buy the vb liscense just went up.

if you wish to make a donation to our site to raise money to buy the vb liscense that would be great... just click the donation link at the top right of your screen.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 1:12 pm

TXTee wrote:: When we make the switch to vBulletin (I'm sure it'll happen), are you able to migrate or will each member have to start a new profile?

im in the process of getting these types of questions answered now. I may have to manually transfer everyone info like:

Email
User Name
Password
Avatar
Signature
Profile info and preferences
etc...
Rank status (i.e., Admin, Mod, Donor, Vendor, etc.)

over to the new system.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 1:21 pm

Ya i really like that set up. And TT has a voluntary donation system, so not a mandatory thing. But ya if we could get a set up like that it would be nice.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 1:28 pm

Nothing is mandatory on GCT.com either but I do my part to help when I can with GCT gear orders, the calendar, etc. because I believe in our core values/mission.

What I like most about this site is that we are truly regional, genuinely close, attempt to give back to our local community, and I have an actual connection with real folks. Internet "friends" got played out for me awhile back.....so I really appreciate the close network here and no matter how large we grow I intend to personally meet each and every member that makes it to a meet and be able to match a name, face, and truck.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 1:34 pm

Ya I was strictly referring to the layout of the site though.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 1:52 pm

Scott - I'm in the process of getting some tech questions answered before I buy the licsense for vb. I too want to convert to the system.

Tee - I agree 100%... being regional and actually knowing everyone is our concept... not to compete with being the most popular or the biggest....but the most useful in growing a local community.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 4:35 pm

lLess ads. I see too much going on the home page.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 5:20 pm

greddy09sc wrote:: lLess ads. I see too much going on the home page.

can't help it... not under our control!

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 5:47 pm

The Forum its self would be nothing with out members. (and a few members sitting on the beach having a few beers.... hahaha) This forum was built at no "Manatory costs". Ben was gracious enough to put up is own hard earned money to pay for our domain name. With out so much as a hint of anyone helping pay for it. Which is AWSOME and speeks loads about him and how much he is dedicated to GCT. I then did what I could to help build a Forum for our website. No its not the Greatest forum with all the bells and whistles, But it is has been A great start with only 5 months and 102 Registered members. (must not be to hard to register.) This forum is about its members WE all listen to suggestions about how to change things. I believe just the other week someone liked the chat option. I think it got turned on with in the next day or so. You go to TT and tell them you would like to see a change in the way they have their forum laid out or the colors and see if it changes. We have taken polls on different formats and layouts. The MEMBERS are the ones who run the show not one person. The members that have a donor status have donated on their own, not because little hints were dropped but because they to like were GCT is going. And some may not have the money to donate but would love to and we don't hold that against them. You can get a donor tag by many different ways. Not just MONEY. THIS FORUM IS A NON PROFIT PLACE FOR TUNDRA OWNERS TO MEET AND SHARE THEIR PASHTION ABOUT TRUCKS!!!!!!!!

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 6:32 pm

Shawn wrote:: The Forum its self would be nothing with out members. (and a few members sitting on the beach having a few beers.... hahaha) This forum was built at no "Manatory costs". Ben was gracious enough to put up is own hard earned money to pay for our domain name. With out so much as a hint of anyone helping pay for it. Which is AWSOME and speeks loads about him and how much he is dedicated to GCT. I then did what I could to help build a Forum for our website. No its not the Greatest forum with all the bells and whistles, But it is has been A great start with only 5 months and 102 Registered members. (must not be to hard to register.) This forum is about its members WE all listen to suggestions about how to change things. I believe just the other week someone liked the chat option. I think it got turned on with in the next day or so. You go to TT and tell them you would like to see a change in the way they have their forum laid out or the colors and see if it changes. We have taken polls on different formats and layouts. The MEMBERS are the ones who run the show not one person. The members that have a donor status have donated on their own, not because little hints were dropped but because they to like were GCT is going. And some may not have the money to donate but would love to and we don't hold that against them. You can get a donor tag by many different ways. Not just MONEY. THIS FORUM IS A NON PROFIT PLACE FOR TUNDRA OWNERS TO MEET AND SHARE THEIR PASHTION ABOUT TRUCKS!!!!!!!!

Very well said Shawn, thanks to everyone that got this thing off the ground and contributes in whatever way they can.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 6:49 pm

this thread brings tears to my eye's

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 7:01 pm

UR advatar brings..........................

ok im done tears to my eyes.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 8:18 pm

I'm fine with the current layout. Just like anything else, the more you do it, the easier it gets. I just hope we don't overthink this.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 9:20 pm

Did anybody see the post I made the bump this thread anways? It was an idea to expand GCT...

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/2/2010, 9:30 pm

Yes, I did. And I think it's a great idea. Lots of nice Tacos I see all the time and wouldn't mind tagging them with a card. Not sure how they'd feel about joining a site with the word "Tundra" but worth a shot nonetheless.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/3/2010, 7:35 pm

I think we would have to change our name.

Subject: Re: How can we make GCT.com bigger?!?!?!? 2/3/2010, 7:43 pm

We are ok right now guys!! Just keep passin those cards out and get the word out. I have a feeling once the site is upgraded to vb that we will explode with some new members.

Ben, will the new site have advertisements? I really, really, dislike the current TT setup with ads everywhere. What will it cost to do away with that? I would propose that the only ads on our new site be from current GCT Vendors who pay good $$$ to advertise and support our members.