Read Me Feedback Required, Please

I've started a debate with the site staff about current trends and how mobile computing has affected how and what type of internet access people now use.

Obviously this covers phones, touchpads, netbooks, all of which use different OS's mainly Win8, iOS and Android, which we currently don't have a forum covering, but that soon could change

But that aside now and here is the Ideal opportunity to tell us what you think of the site, what you would like to see added to the site, what you don't like about the site. anything you would like to see included that we don't already have.

 

I guess the fact that I'm still here says what I think of the site.

While I totally hate cell phones (I don't even carry one) I would think that there should be a forum to cover mobiles in general at least.

 

Hi Match will be following this thanks for the work you do.

 

Same here Jay, I really enjoy the site, lots of neat topics and I have learned a great deal since I joined. Also, like Jay I don't own a cell phone and never will but I would imagine adding a forum for those critters sounds like a great idea. I am sure some people have had or will have problems with them.

 

One of the biggest concerns I'm hearing right now about mobile devices is that lack of decent security. Happy to say that some companies are starting to produce security for mobiles.

 

First, I'd like to say thank you for you support,

Personally I have a similar view of mobile phones, although for personal circumstances I have to be contactable 24/7, 365 so I have a smartphone I never make calls off it, it's only for receiving those but for internet access it's useful, yes I'm the guy who stands in a store comparing prices, or buying online to collect in store, to get the on line discount lol

I don't think there's much to go wrong with iOS or Android unless you're into Rooting, or Jailbreaking for reasons other than App Development, and if you're doing it for App Development your going to know or have a good idea what you're doing. so I don't see problem solving with the OS's being a major source of posts, rather the major issue's would be "how to's" or problems/Bug's with the App's.

As for the handheld devices themselves, things like cell phones seem to be on contracts and only seem to have a 24 month life expectancy as when you renew your contract you get to update your phone, if you damage it you can get it replaced, iPads, Touch Pads and Tablets seem to be heading in a similar direction and from what I've seen of their design they don't look to be "Repair Friendly" and if they go wrong or get damaged you're going to need a qualified technician to repair them.

But what I'm concerned about is at one time I would log onto the site in the morning and we would have some 20/30 new posts to work through, now obviously with the declining popularity of tower/desktop systems we are going to be getting fewer and fewer technical issues as the people using these systems are going to be enthusiasts who are competent at computer repair and maintenance.

So what I'm looking at is ways to create new interest in the site and create a hard core group of users, so in your cases there seems to be a keen interest in photography as well as PC systems.

So my Question is, Is there anything we could do to make this site more appealing to you?, ie creating a photography forum in the General chat area, or a Video editing forum.

 

Here's an idea that probably sounds a bit odd to any long term members at CHF. I used to be part of a forum whose sole aim was to repair and restore existing photos. That could range from removing red eye from a newish pic right through to a full blown restoration of your great grandfather in his first world war uniform.

This was a totally free service for anyone who joined/registered with that forum. Advice was also given to those who wanted to learn photo editing skills themselves. There where a few rules in place regarding ownership of images and of course copyright.

If we where to have a photography section here at CHF, I was thinking that a branch of that could be devoted to a similar thing. Anyone who feels this would be of interest to them, please add your thoughts below. Check out the example below. Any of our members could be doing this for themselves in a very short period of time.

Before:

Grammy by something.from.nancy, on Flickr

After:

Grandma in her Youth by PSE.Frank, on Flickr

 

I would not (kinda obvious) mind a photo type thing.

Frank and I might even be able to join software forces as we use what are probably the best two software packages out there... Frank with Photoshop and myself with PaintShop Pro X3. As a note I have more than a hunch that Frank is better with Photoshop than I am with PaintShop. On the other hand I may be able to offer help in the area of composition and camera settings.

 

I'd have to agree that photo restoration and repair is a little easier when using the big name graphic editing software, but would also add that there are free alternatives for those that are not able to spend cash on their photo editing software. And in the event that this particular idea comes to fruition, we must all try and do our best to be supportive of those members both new and old who choose to use freeware to enhance their digital photos.

Thankyou for your support here Jay, I'll look forward to sharing some of your thoughts and ideas on this subject. And I know that Dougie who is no mean editor himself will as well.

 

@ Dragnet...
I've had a look at just about every photo editing program known to man, and I never did like Gimp. Having said that, I've not had it installed on any of my machines for a long time now, so they may have made improvements.
One photo editing program I always did like was Paint.net (Not to be confused with Microsofts Paint). It offers a layers palette just like Adobe photoshop among its other attributes. Check out the link below.

You are of course correct in saying there are sites that do have more of a leaning towards what we are proposing for CHF. But...Not all of them are totally free...Not all of them offer a high degree of quality...Not all of them offer written tutorials plus video tutorials...And none of them have the privilege of having Computer Help Forums written on their banner.


http://www.filehippo.com/download_paint.net/

Note: As usual, be sure to uncheck any boxes that offer bloatware, etc, when downloading.

 

Yes and a lot of them seem to have computer help sections. were just doing things backwards to everyone else, it would seem that most forums no matter what subject they cover, from model railways to gardening, cookery, photography, you name the subject and I'll find you a forum that covers it and has a computer help section, so why shouldn't we be a computer help forum with sections for whatever other interests members have.

 

I have not bothered with GIMP since I started using PaintShop Pro but GIMP is a very powerful piece of software. My main issue with the thing has always been the interface, just don't like it.

Speaking of free... I see Paint.net linked above, excellent program. Another good free tool is XnView at
http://www.xnview.com/en/index.php

 

(Cough, Cough) Topic LOL, this has to be a first I'm normally the biggest offender at going off topic

 

I also downloaded and installed Gimp, looking at it on the surface if you understand me, it looks like they have "Borrowed" to use a word, most of the important stuff off the paid for stuff.
Just made it very difficult to, as you say, "Get your head round it" I haven't bothered too much with it though as I do have quite an arsenal of other graphics handling programs, some of which I can work well with.

Most came free, or bundled with other stuff, as an example one of my camera's and its software. Also got a neat and small video editor from Magix which surprisingly came with the software for the touch screen.
Doubt I will use it though as I did actually buy, yes I spent money, good old tight fist here does now and then, and installed Corel Video Studio, now that does do the business and works well with video's.

However, back to where we are going and in what direction, so in general I agree with the concept of opening up forums that will attract members, new or old, get them to visit and post more often as well.
So photography and video discussion is one good direction to go, with at least sticky threads if not sub forums, in photo repair and improvement. Photo conversion, photo combining as in using two photo's to get one good or special one, video editing and creation, as well as home animating projects and many more. Even bring in artistic work into the equation.

Also, as previously mentioned, the ideas of attracting new members, or old ones back, who are using the various mobile devices from ordinary cell phones to the complete pads.

Maybe even room for something on the lines of general home improvements, from furnishings to full DIY, with decorating to extension building, well who knows eh?

Nev.

 

Nothing is set in concrete, Nev.
I say let's get it up and running and more sub forums can be added if all in agreement later.

 

I agree Dougie, let's get it up and running or we will finish up talking ourselves out of the idea. As you say, things can be added, altered, or if no interest shown, removed, later.
Concrete should only be used for building bridges.

Nev.

 

Some people would disagree

http://www.concrete.org.uk/

 

But were not having a concrete forum under Hobbies and Interests. oops nearly went off topic on the previous post