How are we doing? Tell us!

[Ops Manager]

Hello all DiMA users!

We know this site had prior history as MAC and we wanted to give those users new features and an improved home. We admit, the software had some major hiccups to start, and fortunately we worked directly with our software vendor and were able to take care of most of them relatively quickly. We are awaiting another release of the software that will fix some other additional bugs.

In the 2 months we have been open we've seen our user population grow to over 500; the collection system is now being more widely used, and we've greatly expanded out our offerings:

• Model Trade System
• Member List
• User Collection System
• Automated Want List emails
• Model Popularity Score
• New Models List
• Enhanced Model Detail view
• Airliners.net and JetPhotos.net integration
• Mobile view for phones and other devices
• ForumRunner app support

We aren't done, we have so much more to do and I will say that we are doing it very quickly. We are here for the hobby and the collectors - that is our promise.

Please vote below, and more importantly, tell us why you voted the way you did. Tell us what you like and what you don't like. Be open, be frank with us. We can take the heat, so throw us some fire and we'll work to fix whatever it is. No one has thrown a brick through our office windows yet, so we can't be doing that bad of a job. A little word of thanks now and then would be appreciated as well.

We realize you have a choice in forums as well as collection systems, so we thank you for your support and patronage!

[Phrog74]

It's a small issue, but I'd like to see how many hits a thread has had on the forums. This is something that DAC does, and although it's not completely necessary, it's cool to see how many people are curious and checking things out. Also, I've had trouble viewing a lot of the photos that are included in threads that have been posted. I'm not sure why I can't see them, but I can't. Maybe it would be possible to improve the way pictures are posted in the threads making it more universal so that people find it easier to post their pictures and easier for the rest of us as users to see them without any weird HTML code appearing in place of the pictures. Other than those things, I think the site is great. Fairly easy to navigate, decent pictures of the models (not the stock photos in most cases), and good resources.

From an avid collector with a growing collection...Thanks!

[Ops Manager]

It's a small issue, but I'd like to see how many hits a thread has had on the forums.

Yes we'd like to see that too, however the version of the software we are using (which is a newer version of the software that DAC uses) oddly removed this in the latest version. There are grumblings that it may come back.

Also, I've had trouble viewing a lot of the photos that are included in threads that have been posted. I'm not sure why I can't see them, but I can't.

That is a bug w/the forum software and should be fixed w/the next release. This is an issue w/remotely hosted images and URLs

Maybe it would be possible to improve the way pictures are posted in the threads making it more universal so that people find it easier to post their pictures and easier for the rest of us as users to see them without any weird HTML code appearing in place of the pictures.

This already exists, just above the reply box is a "Share Photos" link. Same as the "attach photos" option on other sites. Also, you have a personal gallery, if you go to your profile, click the Media tab - you can upload photos and videos there. Once you upload photos to your Media area, you can use the "Share Photos" link to share them in posts.

Other than those things, I think the site is great. Fairly easy to navigate, decent pictures of the models (not the stock photos in most cases), and good resources. From an avid collector with a growing collection...Thanks!

You're welcome! Looking forward to our future too!

[RStretton]

Your poll appears to not be open for editing. Anyway I'd say you're doing good and almost great. Some of the new features you've recently added are excellent (photos and model score) however the lack of thread counts and average model prices (both available on DAC) is annoying. Also I much prefer the collection list on DAC in terms of its columnar formatting - though yours shows photos which is great. Also something I miss a lot are the graphs on DAC about the collection and its value (even though some have stopped working there recently).

Personally there is a bit too much advertising here for me too and I don't care for the eBay tie in being so in your face when you look at an individual model record. At the moment I'm a bit on the fence due to the things above and the small user base. In the end unless DAC goes bye bye then I am not sure your user base will grow enough to make the forum useful. I hope it does as you've shown more willingness to improve things here but until then I'll use DAC and DiMA.

[RStretton]

This already exists, just above the reply box is a "Share Photos" link. Same as the "attach photos" option on other sites. Also, you have a personal gallery, if you go to your profile, click the Media tab - you can upload photos and videos there. Once you upload photos to your Media area, you can use the "Share Photos" link to share them in posts.

But to use that you have to own the photo don't you? What if you just want to embed an image used elsewhere on the web into the post. Its a real pain at the moment. Its ok to post a link but you really want to be able to post an image which requires you to be able to write HTML. Attaching photos if it works like it does on DAC always places them at the bottom of the post which isn't ideal.

[admin]

This already exists, just above the reply box is a "Share Photos" link. Same as the "attach photos" option on other sites. Also, you have a personal gallery, if you go to your profile, click the Media tab - you can upload photos and videos there. Once you upload photos to your Media area, you can use the "Share Photos" link to share them in posts.

But to use that you have to own the photo don't you? What if you just want to embed an image used elsewhere on the web into the post. Its a real pain at the moment. Its ok to post a link but you really want to be able to post an image which requires you to be able to write HTML. Attaching photos if it works like it does on DAC always places them at the bottom of the post which isn't ideal.

Click "Toggle Advanced Editor", click the Image Icon (next to the two globes w/links on them). Put in the URL the box that comes up.
Here is an example:



You can turn the advanced editor on by default in your profile.

[admin]

Poll is fixed for voting

[jetboy311]

I am loving how much I can do on this site! Way better than any other site I have been on in the past. I really enjoyed adding my collection last week and I am looking forward to more adding to my collection! Great work!

[RStretton]

I would just like to add that I am very impressed with the support. Of the issues I raised only a few hours ago all have had great responses. This is very much appreciated.

[CPAIR007]

MIGHT BE SILLY TO ask.....how do I update my AVATAR..??
Secondly,again minor issue ,but how bout highlighting the LOG IN TAB...the first time here I could not find it...yeahh I know duh!!...but it is so light in color/font.

GREAT SITE so far ...the way I look at this site and DAC plus any others is AWESOME...I love my AIRPLANE COLLECTIBLE'S and the more sites like this give me a better chance of finding cool models!..

WESTERN CANADA(EDMONTON,ALBERTA) sucks for any retail selling PLANE COLLECTIBLES!!
Here that retailer's!

JAS0n

[admin]

For your avatar http://www.diecastmodelaircraft.com/settings/profile
You can also get to this by clicking your name at the top of any page and selecting "Edit Profile"

[CPAIR007]

MIGHT BE SILLY TO ask.....how do I update my AVATAR..?? Secondly,again minor issue ,but how bout highlighting the LOG IN TAB...the first time here I could not find it...yeahh I know duh!!...but it is so light in color/font. GREAT SITE so far ...the way I look at this site and DAC plus any others is AWESOME...I love my AIRPLANE COLLECTIBLE'S and the more sites like this give me a better chance of finding cool models!.. WESTERN CANADA(EDMONTON,ALBERTA) sucks for any retail selling PLANE COLLECTIBLES!! Here that retailer's!JAS0n

ok...cool...figured out the AVATAR ...and it is a GREAT FEATURE to allow you to see if the picture configure's to the AVATAR SIZE..2 thumbs up!

jas

[Ironclaw]

I think this site has a lot of potential and what you guys have done so far is great

[Ops Manager]

I would just like to add that I am very impressed with the support. Of the issues I raised only a few hours ago all have had great responses. This is very much appreciated.

Glad to hear you are happy with our support. We are working hard for everyone here. All of your issues (and one of your suggestions) has been implemented/fixed!

[JeffinMass]

* When I receive my "want list" through the email it only consists of half the ones that are on the website.
* In the "Google" search I would like to see the letters "DiMA" next to "Diecastmodelaircraft" in the headline.
* When you conduct a search for any aircraft and it's box comes up, it's very confusing. You have to look up, down, left and right. No rhyme or reason.
* I'd like to see a "what I paid/what it's worth" column.

I have exported, or have been helped, to list my diecast collection here. It was difficult for me to make the change
but after talking to Michael he convinced me to support this . I'm glad I did. We just need more members so that I
can find more diecasts I am looking for.

[admin]

* When I receive my "want list" through the email it only consists of half the ones that are on the website. * In the "Google" search I would like to see the letters "DiMA" next to "Diecastmodelaircraft" in the headline. * When you conduct a search for any aircraft and it's box comes up, it's very confusing. You have to look up, down, left and right. No rhyme or reason. * I'd like to see a "what I paid/what it's worth" column. I have exported, or have been helped, to list my diecast collection here. It was difficult for me to make the change but after talking to Michael he convinced me to support this . I'm glad I did. We just need more members so that I can find more diecasts I am looking for.

Jeff here are answers for you:

1. Want list email only sends those that are in stock; if its not instock or not avail on ebay we do not report it to you. Some users have hundreds of items in their want list; this cuts down on what you need to look at in your inbox.
2. The DIMA name in google indexing will not be coming back; there was a feature change plus we renamed items, and it is not inline with SEO in title needs for proper indexing with search engines.
3. Not sure what you mean by "up/down/left and right" - please provide exact steps to replicate.
4. Value of collection and what its worth may come later. There are many issues with doing this; its not trivial; and other sites have major pitfalls with how the values are computed. We will figure something out in the future; right now we need more data points to make it more accurate.

Spread the word!!