DSM-ONE: New idea for a website

This seems like as good a time as any to get your guy's thoughts on an idea I've been working on for a while. I don't know when I'll get around to actually doing it but I thought I'd just throw it out there for now. I would most likely need some help making it though. I’ve never designed a webpage and although I’ve been researching DSM related stuff everyday for over 2 years, I don’t know a tenth of what some people know.


Technically, forums should be needed less and less as time goes on. The only reason they're not is because people can't find the answers they need effectively enough and so, ask repetitive questions. My idea is for ONE site that would contain all dsm information -- basically extensive links to every piece of info categorized in the most helpful way – like brakes, short shifter, battery, intake; and information categories such as turbo dynamics, etc.

Here's the problem with finding info on forums as I see it. Don't get me wrong, forums are great places to talk and meet people with the same interests and bring up a question to which there is no answer yet or is very specific, but they are incredibly inefficient at helping people.

Problems with getting information now:

1) Info spread throughout MANY different sites and threads. When you want an answer to something, you don't know where to start. The info you need could be on any of numerous sites and the info you find may not be the best info out there.

2) Info instability -- VFAQ and DSMTalk are good examples. A lot of DSMTalk's info was lost after it crashed. And many pages of Vfaq's pages stop being hosted. This may be able to be solved by only having the best info from the many different unstable sources saved on the one site. It would only be a small amount since most of the rest is useless.

3) Info is hard to find in the sea of misinformation, chit-chat, etc. Example: You need an answer so you do a search on a forum. 200 threads come up, each containing many pages. And many of these threads may have nothing to do with what you want to know. Even searching through ONE thread with 6 pages would be a waste of time. But most likely it won’t be that easy. Most of the threads will be useless or not complete. The thread that actually has useful info, maybe the only one that does, may be anywhere in these many threads. It could be scattered in a couple of different threads or even on two different forums. It could take hours or days to find the answer or it may take hours to find nothing at all. Only one person has to do all the searching and reading. Then they can give the conclusion to everyone else.

4) Information isn’t available. Do you know which air filter is the “best”? Which one lets in the fewest particles or which one flows the most? No, because no one has tested them. People decide which is best based on biased company claims, hearsay, and what the fastest cars are running not on actual empirical evidence and independent testing. This could be solved by having a type of Consumer Reports for parts where they are tested. I don’t know whether this would actually be feasible but it would be nice.

So here’s how DSM-ONE would work:

ALL (every single one available) parts would be listed and ALL information having to do with that part would be given in a concise way. Let’s say you clicked on “boost controllers.” ALL boost controllers would be listed along with ALL information on them (how each one works, how they perform, prices, where to buy, store with the lowest price, “best” bang for the buck, pictures, etc). You could also find all info on how boost controllers work. There would also be ONE installation VFAQ composed of the best pictures and info available. I have never seen any site that lists EVERY part in a certain category so this should be helpful, letting people know all the options available. Here is an example of someone that could be helped by this:

“Can I match my brother's handling? Some AGX shocks, springs, and what strut bars and sway bars are there?”
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=516693

He could just go to DSM-ONE and click on "suspension" and read exactly how suspension works, specifically on a DSM. Then he could look at every shock, spring, coilover, sway bar, etc and decide what he wants. Then the store with the lowest price would be listed (either by some kind of Dealtime type system or by users of the site submitting the best price they found). Then, when he got all his parts, he could use the VFAQ on the site to install them and troubleshoot any problems.

DSM-ONE:

1) Able to continuously change and improve – If there is a piece of bad info in a VFAQ, a broken or unclear pic, a better step, a new bov, etc, anyone can click on a link to inform the admin. The more people that use it (and submit info) the better it will become. Let’s say a new exhaust manifold came out. It would immediately be added and info on it would be added as it became available. This way, the info on the site should be as complete as possible.

2) Contain all available information. Example: Suspension – EVERY manufacturer for DSMs would be listed. Not almost every one or a lot of them but every single one. Within each manufacturer, EVERY model available for DSMs would be listed along with their prices and all other info on them.

3) Scattered info in ONE place. No more having 500 sites as favorites and looking through each one trying to find the info. Just go to DSM-ONE and every DSM site will be there--every store, every forum, ever owner's page, etc. And all the good info will be taken from the sites and put in one consise conclusion with links to where the info was taken from (if you want to read it).

4) Conclusions. No more searching through six pages of crap just to find out if grounding systems are effective. Only one person has to spend all the time doing this. The answer would be given along with a short explanation and “cliff notes” of all the reading. Links to all the info would also be given (forum threads, mag articles, tests, etc).

DSM-ONE should be the best (since it is able to easily change) and should be COMPLETE (it should contain ALL available information on a topic) and should be CONCISE. In this way, it should be the ONE site you need to find anything easily.

Here’s an example of how I was thinking of organizing it:

+boost controllers
-info
-tests
-top rated ( cost, rating, looks “”, quality””, sound, overall)
-Joe P
-reviews (links)
-info (forum posts etc)
-best prices (links)

+filters
-“”
-Greddy
-Arinix
-Ebay

“DSM-ONE: The ONE complete source for DSM info.” “The one place to go for all things dsm.”

Here are some other names I was thinking of:

DSM-ONE, TotalDSM, all-dsm, EverythingDSM, CompleteDSM, PanDSM


Any suggestions or more info would be helpful. One of the main purposes of this website is that it should be able to evolve and improve. And if you think I’m wrong and it’s a stupid idea just let me know why. ;)

This is a great idea. But i high doubt it would EVER be compleated u always learn something new EVERYDAY! theres no way it could be compleat and would be very time consuiming to keep up.

sounds great, but it also sounds like an insane amount of work / research.

Plus I'm not quite sure you can just copy reviews from other DSM sites and post them on yours.

Yeah, it may be really time consuming to keep up. I've actually already done a lot of the research though, but only in certain areas. It may be able to be spread out amoung DSMers though. I don't think there would be a problem copying the info since it's all for information purposes. No one would be making money. And I would site where the info is from with a link. And with the being complete thing, I was just trying to say it would continually be as complete as possible. It would be constantly updated. One thing I didn't list that the site could have is a picture and video area. I have a ~6 gigabyte file of them. I know there is a permission issue since none of them are mine but again no one is making money or anything.

Anything posted on the internet that is not specifically labled as "copyright" can be used by anyone for any reason. The internet is like international waters.

It is a great idea, for all those specific reasons you mentioned, but it will be a tremendous amount of hard wok involved: he information is there, but compiling it will be a massive undertaking. You have my blessings, nevertheless...:icon16:

The biggest problem I see with it, besides what has already been stated, is that it would still require people to search. We all know how well that works around here. Not that its a complicated process, people are lazy. Even if you had the best database design I still dont think it could replace a forum. I really like the concept of it, but funding the servers needed for what you are talking about would be extremly difficult. Even if advertising was sold, it would prove a challenge. I would also suggest throwing some of the ideas on the chopping block, and lets get a little more realistic, there is no way you could list every DSM vendor. List the major 20-30(or whatever) and call it good. I think you should sit down and decide what you would really like to have on the website, saying everything DSM is a little ambitious especially for a beggining site. Maybe start by building some lists of vendors, parts numbers for the different cars, links to other popular sites and see what kind of hits you get. You cant sell advertising untill you prove how many hits your site gets. I hope that helps. :thumbsup:

This sounds like a great idea. If anyone is serious about doing this I'd like to help.


I think it should be split over similar models too. One thing i struggled with was 4g64 info. So maybe something could be developed that when you post something you check off boxes as to what generation/engines/model the tip applies to

I have plenty of free webspace/bandwidth available and I'd be more then happy to pick up the tab for domain. My only rule: No popups. I can't see trying to profit off an informational site unless the whole community benefitted somehow. I'd host it for free, no cost to anyone, no claim to anything. I have alot of webspace that I no longer use since my business is no longer existant (I use to web host professionally), So it's up for grabs if someone is interested.

I'd be more then willing to help write the code too. I just suck at graphics.


I could forsee pulling in info from all the old faq's and keep them at least in an up to date site. So we don't loose them. I know alot of things I see fade out and you just loose after a while.

It's ambitious but no one said it has to materialize fast.

Even though it would be a TON of work, I shall lend my webmastering skills to you in any way needed :smokin: Sounds like a great idea.

EDIT: How about AbsoluteDSM?

Well sounds like you have this planned out. I say go for it, what could possibly go wrong =O

It sounds like one helluva site. If you can do it, have the resources, the patience, and the time, then it would be one of the best sites, if not the best site, for information on DSMs.

Like stated, it will be impossible to have EVERYTHING. If you can get 50% of everything there is to know about DSMs, your site would be exceptional. Good luck.

since we all knwo a bit what if all of us on here could add content to the site. that way if we even get a small portion it's just a few more sites you need not visit and it would be searchable..

Any idea's for a domain name. If so let me know unless the original poster wants full control over everything then hats off to you, I'd love to help.

1stopDSMshop

I think that it is a great idea, and if you any help from me I'm in.

I'd help ya out. Just get it up and going and deligate me some products to research and a good spell check.
DSM4life

DSM Tech
The DSM Archives
The DSM Box
The DSM Connection

Theres a ton of catchy names you can use. I sent you a PM Nayr.

1StopDSM

I like the idea. Your reasoning was good stuff. I'd say start with a realistic core of information, the stuff people most often search for, and flush it out from there. Easy navigation would be a good way to attract more viewers, too. 1000aaq, for example, is a little difficult to navigate through, and way outdated in design.

I'm willing to help. I think a lot of us adding in would be cool. I got dibs on rims or brakes or suspension :licka:

Your name should be "ipromisetosearchbeforeipost.com"

I would be happy to lend any help I can.... I will be doing many do it yourself installations/mods within the next few months so maybe I can throw in a little bit as I learn. Haha Oh and I also have a digital camera so if any pictures are needed I can get them for you no problem (like for installing things)

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm not trying to actually replace forums, I'm just trying to take out some of the parts of fourms that I think could be better handled in another way. This is basically my answer to the DSM Bible void. My idea for this site was just a starting point for anything DSM. If you needed info on a part, a link to a DSM site you forgot, a list of DSM stores--anything. It would be a hub or a jumping off point for any DSMer to start off at. And I think having Kevin’s posts (not only from this forum) condensed down in every category would be really helpful.

As for funding, I wouldn't need that much storage space because the site would only contain short conclusions on everything and links to other sites (like if you want a review on a dp, it would have links to the dp in dsmreviews.com, any forum posts, etc, etc.). The pics/vids idea may need to be scrapped like you were saying 95 GSX. That may be too costly to host. Without that, Clipsekid has told me domains are around $15/yr, so that's not too bad at all.

Listing every manufacturer is one of the most important parts of the site to me. I really can't see it being that difficult but who knows. It would only list manufacturers that make parts for DSMs. Take suspension--how many companies could make shocks for our cars?

You guys are probably right that it couldn't have everything. But I guess what I was thinking was that as it was used by more and more people they would start giving any info they had and it would be closer and closer to being as complete as possible. That would hopefully improve the site so that even more people would visit and submit even more info. That's one of the most important parts of the site. There would always be a link to report anything to the admin. Everyone may have a little part of the info that is missing that they could submit, or they may be the first to know of a new bov that just came out, or they could just report a broken link, misspelled word, bad piece of info, etc.

Nova1313, thanks for all the offers to help I would really appreciate anything you could do. As for the domain name I was just thinking DSM-ONE or any of the other names I had up there. But I'm not great at thinking of names so if you guys could give some that would be great. I like Clipsekid's suggestion of AbsoluteDSM, but I also like the others you guys have suggested. How about we make a list of the best ones and then start a poll for the one people like the most?

I have to give this whole thing more thought before I start it. So for right now I'm just looking for suggestions/help. Thanks all. :D

Here are some websites I've found that show how I would like to organize it. So hopefully it would look something like this, with the categories, and then the main info on the category, and then all the things listed with ratings. If you click on one of them like Provigil you can see how their rating system is setup. That's what I would like to have for all the parts.
http://www.remedyfind.com/hc-Depression.asp

It could also have a comparison system like this:
http://www.bodybuildingforyou.com/protein/whey-protein-compare-1.htm

And what Nova13131 was saying about checkoff boxes. I don't think I mentioned that but that would be another important part of the site. It's important that you could choose every possible 'category option' or whatever you want to call it to narrow down your search to specifically your needs. I was thinking about something like this system:
http://www.bodybuilding.com/store/proteinfinder.htm

I already have around 1000 DSM related links categorized in my favortes. So maybe I could start the site with just that and some other stuff and go from there.

Let me know what you guys think.

Well if it is going to be more of a access point for information, like a condensed search engine, then i see this project being a lot more feasibe. I like the concept and would be willing to help when i could. so when a design phase is innitated let me know. i am also favoring the absoluteDSM name. it has a nice ring. but i also like onestopDSM. lets keep this going. :thumbsup:

as soon as someone decides on a domain name then I can register it. I kinda favoried dsm-one or dsmone.

Reasons: I think domain names should be easy to read. So Onestopdsm has 3 words and at that point it's hard to pull apart the words to remember them. I'm sure it's possible but a bit harder. I'm not sure i even like the dsm-one name that was suggested earlier but I like the ring. I think it's hard to remember to put hypens in. If we grabbed both at once I think we would be better off. For example, I visit penny-arcade regularly. I often forget the hypen and end up at some dumb site not related.

Just some thoughts let me know what you all think. I'll register whatever anyone decides on and setup the hosting account asap.

I was pulling around idea in my head of how to do it. I really like the idea of custom search fields. Thats definately something we would have ot write on our own, which isn't a problem at all. Do we have anyone that can come up with a nice (not crappy looking layout)? My photoshop skills/css are limited.

I can come up with a design layout... I've got a few sites that I've done that you guys can look at and decide if you want me to do the layout and designing or not.

http://www.geocities.com/blackcrow42785/threadline2/

http://www.geocities.com/blackcrow42785/talon/home.html

I think the second one would be awesome. MAybe we could put a black background behind it and have the text area in white with rounded corners at the botton..

As for the graphic of the car at the top that would work perfect I think. It's up to everyone else really though.

An idea I had maybe behind the logo we find a place to meet up some cars and take a picture of a

1g eclipse, 1g laser, 1g talon, 2g talon, 2g eclipse, 2g spyder

all lined up like on a slant then throw a logo over that. It would be hard to find all types of those cars though close to each other.

If you guys can give me a list of possible links that you may want on the site and some basic color theme ideas, I can come up with a pre-design for ya. I'll even make us up a header using some 1g's and 2g's and the name DSM One or whatever name you decide on. It'll help get this thing rolling a little quicker I figure.

If you guys can give me a list of possible links that you may want on the site and some basic color theme ideas, I can come up with a pre-design for ya. I'll even make us up a header using some 1g's and 2g's and the name DSM One or whatever name you decide on. It'll help get this thing rolling a little quicker I figure.
Let's do a "face-off". You do your idea, Black, and I have an idea for a flash banner. I'll post mine up back in this post when I finish it.

EDIT: Here is just a quicky - http://www.clipsekid99.com/other/test.html . Everything can be done in much more detail, ect. I also know some PHP coding, which could make the site coding much easier, and I am good friends with my host, so I could prolly get a good deal on the site - maybe even free if we put a bunch of their ads up.

I played around in gimp a bit. Keep in mind I suck at graphics it was more to realize the idea I was toying of with black's design

i really like a blue and black contrast, so I used the paint bucket and filled in the simple parts of the stuff iwth a dark blue..

I then went and the car being red looked out of place I spilled some blue paint on it. Just randomly. Thought it looked kinda funky (obviously wouldn't stay this way, it looks uber lame)

So I put in text and the black/white border I was talking about.

As per the general idea and not quality of it what do people think?

Fair warning: I'm a comp sci/philosophy major and not graphics/art in anyway.

www.novaslp.net/pics1/dsm.jpg

I like it... It'll take a little bit of work, but I definetly can make it look just like that. I'll try and get it done and posted up on my site as soon as I can for ya.

It looks good. But you have to keep in mind, the site has to load quickly, so unless you are on a fast server, an all graphical site may not be the best choice. Take a look at my site - http://www.clipsekid99.com . Some graphics, but it is kept clean and to the point. Just remember KISS- Keep It Simple, Stupid. lol

I have almost that entire site made already and its only 34 kb for everything... Should be no problem for any type of internet, no matter the speed. I always take those sorts of things into consideration when designing my sites since I had to grow up with dial-up. :wink:

Here ya go... 34.3 kb is the final size for the entire page without content. That means it should be able to load in less than a second on somebody running at 56kbps. (dial-up) :) :thumbsup:

Lemme know what ya think of it.

http://www.geocities.com/blackcrow42785/dsmone/index.html

I don't know if this has been said, but what about a wikipedia style website? Make editing available to registered users only. That way, instead of getting tons and tons of emails, a whole community could put together a an encyclopedia specific to DSMs. I think it would be a cool idea, unless you're only thinking of a basic information website. Sorry again if this idea has been said or if it's too much work than what was expected. My mom's yelling at me to go walk the dog so I'm kind of in a rush :)

I like your designs a lot guys. I wish I knew how to do that. My only experience designing sites is when I took a computer class in high school seven or eight years ago and had to do some simple html. I agree we should just start something simple for now and then build on it. Who knows, it could turn into the biggest DSM source on the net.

As for the name. If everyone could give their ideas we could pick like the top five and then start a poll for the one people like the most. I'll try and get some ideas from other forums too. I like DSM-ONE just because it kind of sums up my idea of the site's purpose. But I also really like AbsoluteDSM just because it sounds cool. The other ideas I had were: TotalDSM, all-dsm, EverythingDSM, CompleteDSM, and PanDSM. I think it should be a name that reflects these qualities: complete, concise, community, singular or one, starting point.

As for links, I can try and post them. Or if there's a better way just let me know.

Hey guys, it was brought to my attention that my site was appearing all messed up to some people. Here is a screenshot of what the site is supposed to look like if it appears messed up on your computer. I am currently working on the coding problem for those of you who cannot view it correctly yet.

http://www.geocities.com/blackcrow42785/dsmone/1.jpg

http://www.clipsekid99.com/other/layout.jpg

This is just a little thing I just whipped up. The layout is simple, but effective. The navigation system works like this: you click the link on the left side, and a little menu will pop up below the main link with the secondary links. This can be done with simple javascript (I think), and it gives a cool effect to the site, and interactivity with the user. The search field is located in the top banner. The login fields are located under the links (submissions can only be made by registered users). Content is located right in the middle. I even gave space for a banner ad, if we so choose to have sponsors to pay for server costs if needed.

Whatcha think?

EDIT: I found a working example of the navigation system - http://javascript.internet.com/navigation/category-menus.html

i still like blackcrow's "layout" the best but those menus that clipsekid mentioned would work pretty well, imo. good job guys

i love blackcrows layout! and clips kid thats a good idea but i would like it better if it was like on the start menu when u highlighted it it would just pop out to the side. more effisiant and easier.

then from the first one u could have sub catagories like


Engine-performance/cosmetic/repairs-then have a list of the vendors and home made ways all that kinda stuff

I can usually push about 1 meg per connection downstream. I don't really have a faster connection then that to test it on. It can probably take more..

It has a 100 meg per second connection to the server and I have a 15 gig limit set on the dsmone account which will definately be plenty (even if we do small video's sounds and pics).

Most of the delay you see in graphical websites is the banner hosts.

My rendition on the layout actually I know can be done with css and html/tables. You don't have to have that all graphics just part of it. You just have to be creative with html. I'm more then willing to help with the html part. I just suck at graphics (as you can tell from my oh so awesome picture there)

I am just posting so I can be a post whore ;)

after now just going through the thread and checking out the pictures a few comments..

1) The talon looks awesome in blue why in the world was that not a stock choice color...

2) I really like the mockup.... But I saw the menu's on the side on the other layout and definately think it would be nice to have it so if we clicked like say a button that says motors... It opens a small area below it that lists types, or if you do electrical it says, audio, ignition, dash below it. Stuff like that. And when you click that it essentially searches the database for stubs without having to type

3) To the wikipedia comment. That was essentially what I was going to do.. but in a bit more limited sense... Since this is alot smaller of a topic what I thought was on each article you can click edit (if you are logged in), then you can make your changes and when you hit submit they go to an editor who reviews them. It's a bit more policing, members can still contribute and add articles, but we don't have any of the nonsense with people deleting crap. I think basically people that submit alot become mods and anyone we already know on here thats trustworthy

just my 2 cents.

Blue definetly should have been a stock color... I did that to see what mine would look like blue. lol :wink:

But yeah, this is gonna take some time to get it all together and running... The only thing I'm good at is creating the appearance and main html layout. I know some other tricks here or there but I don't know how to do user logins and how to make the search bar actually work. I went to college for my graphics, but now I'm wondering if I should go back again to learn everything else about the actual html and all the other web languages out there.

if we get a template i can throw the entire site together with ruby on rails in about 8-9 hours completely working as we described. The problem is I only have about an hour to two max daily to work on it. So it will take me about a week and we will have a site that you can...

login
- if user submit edits and changes
- if admin approve edits and changes, create new articles
create an account
search the database
create and add a headline for the front page
view statistics of articles in database and users online
creations of articles includes:
- title
- topic area
- engine info and mods
- 420a
- 4g63
- 4g64
- 4g63T
- electrical
- stereo
- ignition
- dash wiring (safc and stuff)
- turbo systems
- wastegates
- turbo chargers
- blow off valves
- intercoolers
- boost controllers
- turbo conversions
- suspension
- springs
- shocks
- sway bars
- wheels
- tires
- rims
- body
- lights
- body kits
- painting
- leather upkeep
- cleaning
- transmission
- clutches
- flywheel
- cylender (slave/master)
- brakes
- anti lock
- rotors
- pads
- drums
- big brake mod



All the links on front page would be working in that time(they are mostly search items just quick linked)

Does this sound like a good plan of attack? Or does someone else have a better recommendation and or stuff to add to my list. You would be able to select multiple boxes in each section so things that pertain to a few engines would be checked off and searchable.

http://www.clipsekid99.com/other/layout2.jpg

This is a little tweak on Black's layout. It can still use the navigation system I talked about, or the simplified way xavier3jr said. The layout is self explanatory, but the place where I put "morphing logo", I can make in Flash all of the mitsu, eagle, and plymouth logos morph into eachother. It would be pretty cool.

i like where you have the login box on yours clipse.

If you can do the morphing in a gif that might be better then flash.. I dunno how it would work in id have to see it first i guess. I have a problem with flash being I don't run windows (linux here), and since it's 64 bit there isn't flash available yet. If I load up a 32 bit browser I'm fine just not with flash 8.

So as to make it compatible it would be nice if it was flash 7 and below or a gif. But I'm a minority I'm sure.

I personally like the tweak clipsekid did to blackcrows design. I dont dig the black,blue,white color scheme. I really liked the look of clipsekids website with the carbon fiber look to it, use some deep blood reds with the color scheme he is already using and it would look badass.:thumbsup:

Hey guys, I've got a test tomorrow so I'm busy studying. I'll post some more ideas after I get back. Have you guys been able to make any more progress on the design/layout? Looking good so far though! :thumbsup:

once we got a finalized design look I'll build the database in ruby. Until then I'm going to sit and twiddle thumbs. Same thing for the domain name. Have to pick one..

once we got a finalized design look I'll build the database in ruby. Until then I'm going to sit and twiddle thumbs. Same thing for the domain name. Have to pick one..

What is ruby? I have used PHP and MySQL in the past for databases, but I'm not that good. I do have a friend who is a whiz at it though.

it's a scritping language that takes the pain out of dealing with forms and databases. You can write a full featured blog in under 100 lines. If you can do that with php let me know because my php skills can't do that.

It makes it very easy to switch out templates and alter databases without screwing up everyting.

Like I said I could get the full site functioning with logins in all in about 2 days.

A good example is here: http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/onlamp/2005/01/20/rails.html

Look through what they produce with little to no code. Ruby on rails handles everything. It's quick when running too!

Done programming for 6 years...Have the same idea in mind but if you want an organized site, sketch it out on paper, scan it, email to me, and i will review it. Email is [email protected] Let me know exactly what you have in mind

it's a scritping language that takes the pain out of dealing with forms and databases. You can write a full featured blog in under 100 lines. If you can do that with php let me know because my php skills can't do that.

It makes it very easy to switch out templates and alter databases without screwing up everyting.

Like I said I could get the full site functioning with logins in all in about 2 days.

A good example is here: http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/onlamp/2005/01/20/rails.html

Look through what they produce with little to no code. Ruby on rails handles everything. It's quick when running too!

Alright, so it's kinda like PHPNuke. I think Ruby would be a good idea because the coding should be the least of problems besides all of the content and layout heh.

Programming is the least of problems considering its my job. The layout, design, and information is the most important in project like this; therefore any project. Before you can start you need to know the navigational diagram and what features are contained within. Like i said, "You sketch a layout i can do the rest." Flash design can all be implemented later.

I actually already have most of the site working but thanks for your offer l3gacy. It's done in ruby so far.

Ruby is like phpnuke but it's it's own language. Ruby on rails just lets it work for websites. PHP nuke harnesses the power of php. The problem with nuke is your stuck with their cms code and it's not as flexible for changing the themes and stuff.

I should have something up monday thats pretty much complete we just need to drop a layout around it and hook up the links. It's super trivial to do actually.

I think im at like 130 lines of ruby code or something...

l3gacy if your interested in helping with extra features or ways of sorting once I post the demo site and you can see how it works let me know. Do you code for a living or just a past time and in school still?

Hey guys. I'm still working on getting my favorites up. I'm using this program called Bookmark Wizard to turn them into a webpage. I thought that would be easier to post. And I've made a list of categories for the parts. I'll post them soon. You guys can just add to it if you want since I couldn't think of every category.

I like L-Spec's idea of having the site be similar to wikipedia. I don't know if totally unrestricted editing would be a good idea though. I would think it would work better if only registered users could modify the site. But we could always try it and see if it works out.

So it looks like 3 or so people are working on the site. Do you guys want to work together on it? Just wondering if you guys have worked something out or whatever.

Thanks again to all of you. I have a feeling this site is gonna kick ass! :D

I think that once Nova gets his demo up, we all need to have like an IM chat meeting to discuss ideas and crap.

I think that once Nova gets his demo up, we all need to have like an IM chat meeting to discuss ideas and crap.
Sounds good. I'm thinking when it's up we can just go around to all the sites and pull the info and put it into the categories. If Nova sets it up like Wikipedia like he said, we can just work on adding the content. At first why don't we just edit it and then when it's pretty built up and ready we can open it up to others. I still have to get on an IM sometime since I've never used one (kinda weird I know). Which one should I get on?

Edit: The more I read that Wikipedia site the more I realize it's what I was trying to create for DSMs. Apparently unrestricted editing works, at least with enough people. But like that site, my thinking was that everyone has some pieces to an information puzzle on any given subject. Alone they're only part the the whole story, but together they are complete. Off topic, but this is also half of my theory on why people disagree.

AIM - Aol Instant Messanger and MSN are very popular

id look closer at how wikipedia is structured. Every article is reviewed possibly by someone who doesn't know much about it. So for instance I did a study last year when i had a class about information in the digital age on correct facts on wikipedia. In 25 articles I checked versus several encyclopedia I found almost 3 date discrepancies in every article.

While thats permissible when it can be researched elsewhere what happens if it's a tuning setting that ends up injuring alot of peoples motors before we catch it. there is no good way to stop that but it at least prevents someone from doing it anonymously if we require them to login first. The way I have it setup now each edit will require moderator approval before it gets posted.

What im struggling with is what happens when 2 people edit the same article. Right now I have it calling out the differences in each edit and then I guess leaving it up for the mods to decide what stays and what goes.. I'm not sure on how that will work and at this point I'm open to suggestions. I have about 2 hours this weekend to work on it (I'm getting my new car so I'm going to spend most of my time reinstalling mods on the new one) and then monday night I'll have alot of time free and can post a tech demo. By that point I expect there will be lots of changes needed to make sure it works like everyone envisions. I'm open to critcizism as long as it's constructive (you suck and are teh noobers is not constructive :grin: ) and will gladly tailor it in anyway the community see's fit.

We should start a poll for the name of the website.