Suggestions Thread

[MJDeMarco]

Many of you posted some suggestions ... if you have a suggestion, please post it here so I have a central location for all them ... then I can review them and possibly implement them.

So far. . .

Erin: ChatInterface
Bob: Attachments of .XLS (Excel) nature

[andviv]

I know that we have all read great books. I suggest we have a section where we can post reviews/comments for books we have read. This could help to answer those common questions about books recommendation and will help us to exchange ideas about what book to read next.

I promise to collaborate with at least one book review.

Andres

[MJDeMarco]

I know that we have all read great books. I suggest we have a section where we can post reviews/comments for books we have read. This could help to answer those common questions about books recommendation and will help us to exchange ideas about what book to read next.

I promise to collaborate with at least one book review.

Andres

That is coming!

[MJDeMarco]

test test test

[MJDeMarco]

Sorry about the above -- just testing some inline attachments so they show up in full size.

[Peter2]

Maybe we should have a Franchising section, and also a section with necessary but often overlooked things like business law, insurance and taxes. I know it doesn't sound fun, but one day the knowledge can save your business and yourself from lawsuits, government actions and bankruptcy.

[Yankees338]

Maybe we should have a Franchising section, and also a section with necessary but often overlooked things like business law, insurance and taxes. I know it doesn't sound fun, but one day the knowledge can save your business and yourself from lawsuits, government actions and bankruptcy.

I definitely agree with you on the law/insurance/taxes section. That's definitely something I believe we should all try and increase our knowledge in.

Also, MJ, hilarious cartoon. lololol

[andviv]

Maybe we should have a Franchising section, and also a section with necessary but often overlooked things like business law, insurance and taxes. I know it doesn't sound fun, but one day the knowledge can save your business and yourself from lawsuits, government actions and bankruptcy.

My only concern with these types of sections is that some people will may get in trouble by following certain "suggestions" that are not professional advice. If, say, you post something about a legal or tax strategy that you are following because your professional adviser recommends to you based on your current situation, others may try to follow the same strategy that probably will not apply to them. See my point?

I certainly hope I am completely wrong about this, as I'd love to know more about these three topics.

[Peter2]

My only concern with these types of sections is that some people will may get in trouble by following certain "suggestions" that are not professional advice. If, say, you post something about a legal or tax strategy that you are following because your professional adviser recommends to you based on your current situation, others may try to follow the same strategy that probably will not apply to them. See my point?

I certainly hope I am completely wrong about this, as I'd love to know more about these three topics.

I understand your concern, but by looking at it that way we couldn't have a single section on this forum. What if someome gives out bad business advice? What if someone recommends a bad way of investing in stocks?What if somone posts wrong advice about SEO that will get me delisted completely from search engines?

This forum I believe is here to be able to share information and knowledge with others, but at the same time I think most people are smart enough to not take one persons advice as gospel.

Advice in the legal/insurance/tax category would be something that you will discuss further with a professional that can confirm weather or not the advice you recieved will fit your specific situation.

[andviv]

I understand your concern, but by looking at it that way we couldn't have a single section on this forum. What if someome gives out bad business advice? What if someone recommends a bad way of investing in stocks?What if somone posts wrong advice about SEO that will get me delisted completely from search engines?

This forum I believe is here to be able to share information and knowledge with others, but at the same time I think most people are smart enough to not take one persons advice as gospel.

Advice in the legal/insurance/tax category would be something that you will discuss further with a professional that can confirm weather or not the advice you recieved will fit your specific situation.

Point taken.

[Yankees338]

Now that the site has grown even more, I get even more excited at the idea of a Live Chat implemented within the site. Still though, whenever you're ready MJ, I'm sure we will all welcome the addition.

Also, some type of notification system for when new PMs are received would be nice. The only thing it does is bold the # of new messages you have. If it did something more to help make it more obvious that I have a new PM waiting, it'd definitely be helpful. I know some sites offer popup notifications. You could also just have the whole PM area bolded or put in red. Anything to get it some recognition.

Thanks for considering all the responses! And again, helluva job on the site so far. It's greatly appreciated.

[Peter2]

Also, some type of notification system for when new PMs are received would be nice. The only thing it does is bold the # of new messages you have. If it did something more to help make it more obvious that I have a new PM waiting, it'd definitely be helpful. I know some sites offer popup notifications. You could also just have the whole PM area bolded or put in red. Anything to get it some recognition.

Click on QUICK LINKS and then click on EDIT OPTIONS. Scroll down and you will see a box to check to activate your pop-up for new PM's.

[Yankees338]

Thanks! Didn't see it the first time I looked.

[MJDeMarco]

The chat feature is still undecided and here's why: Upon research into the module, it appears they are server intense and cause people to stop posting. People chat over posting because it is deemed quicker. I'm still researching the pros/cons of it.

[LightHouse]

no need for a chat, valueble info will get lost in a chat

[AroundTheWorld]

Hey MJ,

I would love to see a catagory "Problem Solver" or something similar.

I belong to a real estate professional group that gets together a few times a year. At these gatherings, there is always a "brainstorming" session in which 2 to 5 people present their REALLY BIG REAL ESTATE PROBLEMS.... and everyone in the room brainstorms possible solutions. It is really an amazing experience. The "out of the box" ideas that come from these sessions are mind-expanding.

You have to be courageous enough to say - "this is the crap I've dug myself into" and "help" and it is comforting to hear some supportive brainstorming from people that have been there or somewhere similar.

The road to riches isn't a constant incline. We all suffer set backs and failures. We all find ourselves in sticky situations. If we haven't felt it yet - we will - or we aren't living life in the fast lane.

[andviv]

Great idea, but that is the purpose of many posts, isn't it? I would just post my question/issue and expect others with knowledge or ideas to chip in and try to solve the problem. Maybe it is a good idea to have some of those moved to a "classic posts" category where only the admins can post? I think that was really cool in the RD forums.

[Z5 FILMS]

I like the idea of a book section. Also maybe different sections for e-business and B&M. I'm not for a chat section. It's fine if you're 21 and trying to "e-mack". But it leaves nothing for others to read.

[MJDeMarco]

I like the idea of a book section. Also maybe different sections for e-business and B&M. I'm not for a chat section. It's fine if you're 21 and trying to "e-mack". But it leaves nothing for others to read.

We had those sections prior to your arrival.

I removed them temporarily until we had more posts. That division will return eventually.

As more posts and users arrive, I will start breaking apart forums and creating more specific ones.

[MJDeMarco]

Hey MJ,

I would love to see a catagory "Problem Solver" or something similar.

I belong to a real estate professional group that gets together a few times a year. At these gatherings, there is always a "brainstorming" session in which 2 to 5 people present their REALLY BIG REAL ESTATE PROBLEMS.... and everyone in the room brainstorms possible solutions. It is really an amazing experience. The "out of the box" ideas that come from these sessions are mind-expanding.

You have to be courageous enough to say - "this is the crap I've dug myself into" and "help" and it is comforting to hear some supportive brainstorming from people that have been there or somewhere similar.

The road to riches isn't a constant incline. We all suffer set backs and failures. We all find ourselves in sticky situations. If we haven't felt it yet - we will - or we aren't living life in the fast lane.

Not a bad idea, perhaps a forum that can serve as a repository for *novel* or lengendary posts -- or a post that contains critical advice. Such posts perhaps can be moved there. The challenge I have with this suggestion is isn't all posts a problem or question?

As with most suggestions, they really need support of a larger user/post base which we are progressing with. I don't want dead forums that have 1 post per month.

Thanks for the suggestions ... please keep them coming!