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The site is growing very quickly, and we have a good set of "regulars" now. So, I'd like to see what new features or content you might like to see on the site.
Some ideas of things we could add:
On the forums:
- user points...get points for posts and comments, shows a badge for "newbies", "experts", etc.
- private messages or chat between users
- buddy lists
- "facebook" style "moods" like "Im feeling: __fill in the blank___"
- other ?
On the site:
- A contest perhaps ? Maybe an area to submit tips for a contest to win an amazon gift card or some other prize ?
- more functionality than just tips ? I'm committed to the site being about saving money, but doesn't just have to be tips.
Anyhow, just ideas, perhaps some of them don't make sense. Very interested in your suggestions and ideas.
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billeater.com editor
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I never noticed how much attention I pay to badges until it dawned on me the other day there wasn't any here. Those are useful for finding a mod or admin if you need one. I also like to see my levels going up the more I post. I vote yes for user points. :)
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I agree with the previous posters' requests. Buddy lists I've never used although I've seen them on a lot. That's not to say others might not like them. I like the moods idea.
Contests? I'm in!! I love contests and any chance to get something for nothing perks my ears up LOL.
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Hi billeater. The calculators are excellent! I enjoy interactive things. Anything else like that would be right up my alley. Have you thought about a newsletter? And I can't resist shoutboxes. :)
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"Private messages would be good."
Private messages added...let me know if you have any problems with the functionality.
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Thank you for taking my suggestion on board billeater. I've been to other sites where feedback is asked for and ignored completely once you give it! Kudos to you. Once I figure out how to send one, you'll be the first to get it. Hope you feel honored LOL. ;)
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Once I figure out how to send one, you'll be the first to get it.
frazzledmom, I can help you there. :) There's a new button now under each of our names in posts for pm's. Just hit that for whoever you want to PM and it opens a text box.
To check for any you've sent or received, go to Messages on the left hand side of the forum pages. You'll see it at the top listed under your name when you're logged in.. That gives you your inbox and sent message list. I've sent one to you and billeater to test it out. :)
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I think the ladies have beaten me to all the good answers with their suggestions! The only thing I can think of is smilies. Could we have printables like budget templates or something along those lines? I'm a pen and paper girl and if I can't physically write it down it doesn't sink into my brain very well. Looking at figures on a screen doesn't have the same effect on me.
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Contests are a good way to promote the site and drive traffic, so it would be good for your site.
Also, letting your users create content would be a good idea too. I have some well-written articles on two of my blogs about saving money and learning how to do simple appliance repairs yourself. Also advice on when to replace appliances and how to maintain them so they last a long time and run efficiently (saves money). I think that would be relevant to this site, but having an editor to weed out the shameless spam is a good idea.
Points are good to, check out Yahoo Answers to see how they run their forum.
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Have you not been to the homepage yet appliancepartshelp? There's truckloads of fantastic content there and some is by guest authors. You might have missed it if you came straight to the forum. You're missing out on a great big part of the site if you didn't see the money saving tips and articles.
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Hi appliancepartshelp. Welcome to billeater.com! :) It's nice to meet you.
Billeater, how about an Invite A Friend or Tell a Friend button/link? I've used them before when I've been on sites I thought were good enough to pass around. Otherwise I'd clean forget to mention them.
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Can I suggest we have some more calculators added please? Anything that will let me demonstrate to the family how we can save around the house would be good. Keyboard in one hand and water bill in the other, I hauled my son in the other night to show him what leaving the tap dripping in the bathroom costs in water. He always does it! Stuff like that would be most helpful. :)
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I would suggest that links open in a new browser window/tab. Sometimes I go look at a link and forget my way back here because I start looking around the link site. If they came up in seperate windows, I wouldn't. :)
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Hi appliancepartshelp. Welcome to billeater.com! :) It's nice to meet you.
Billeater, how about an Invite A Friend or Tell a Friend button/link? I've used them before when I've been on sites I thought were good enough to pass around. Otherwise I'd clean forget to mention them.
I second this idea. Or an "email this" button on a thread?
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Private messages would be good. I might want to share something a bit more personal about my own financial struggles with a member that thinks they're the only one but that doesn't mean I'd be happy about posting it in public. Thanks for asking.