News from the Inside!

***GatorJay*** · #1 05-24-2007, 08:41 PM

Hey everyone! Some great news for you all, and for me too! I've recently been moved to work full time on HostGator forums, and the HostGator blog. This includes putting a team of employees together to deal directly with the forums. Which means ill be here more for all of you, as well as bringing you more information about HostGator and what goes on around here.

As always, I want all of your ideas and comments on the things being planned. Here are some of the big tasks on my todo list.

1) Have the HostGator Blog up and running with content relating to HostGator and the industry. This may include finding some of our customers such as you to write articles for us!

2) A complete redo of the Forums. I am in the process of redoing the forums from the ground up. All the sub forums will be better organized, this includes the signup process and theme.

3) Better ways to bring you all server information, information such as when chassis swaps are made, when a drive goes bad and when there will be network downtime. This may be in the form of a newsletter, or possibly a secondary blog.

4) Contests. I'd like to start getting some fun contests up with prizes for customers, maybe even a site of the month!

Please let me know what you think, feel free to reply here or shoot me a private message!

Nocek · #2 05-24-2007, 09:05 PM

I like the contest idea alot. What would the prizes be?

chaloupe · #3 05-24-2007, 09:17 PM

It is a wonderful projects GatorJay!

Section 2 and 3 are my favorites of all 4 you mention. Can't wait to see if I will be able to write an articles on your blog

.. After Serra and quitFinn of course!

kmaw · #4 05-24-2007, 11:14 PM

I'm not as excited by contests... I'd rather see the time spent on constructive things -- like 1-3. I'd rather see things working right then spending time doing giveaways and contests.

It's like radio stations -- I wish they'd get rid of all their contests and spend their time playing good music instead..... but that's just my thoughts.

Glad to hear about your new promotion, great for HG.

prhost · #5 05-25-2007, 12:04 AM

Nice to hear that there will be further interaction and more communication with your clients. I'm sure that this will go down well with everyone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorJay

3) Better ways to bring you all server information, information such as when chassis swaps are made, when a drive goes bad and when there will be network downtime. This may be in the form of a newsletter, or possibly a secondary blog.

This issue has been discussed many times in the past and I feel it is vital to implement now.

I'm sure that you'll figure out the best way to keep those concerned with that particular information, well informed.

Wish you all the best with your new assignment.

Cheers.

***GatorDaveC*** · #6 05-25-2007, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nocek

I like the contest idea alot. What would the prizes be?

I think the prize should be to have GatorJay go over to the contest winners house for a week and clean, or do what ever they want him to do =). Does everyone agree?

#7 05-25-2007, 12:16 AM

I second the motion! All in favor of GatorJay doing manual labor.....?

slapshotw · #8 05-25-2007, 12:32 AM

I always really liked the way this forum looks and works. The time it takes to get access for customers has been a problem in the past, but what kind of changes do you mean?

***GatorLance*** · #9 05-25-2007, 12:35 AM

I am also in favor of gatorjay doing manual labor. I support Dave's discision 100%. I am looking forward to the updates and improvements in the hostgator forums and the new blog, these are going to be some exciting and fun times for the hostgator family

kmaw · #10 05-25-2007, 06:20 AM

ouuuu more gators came out of the swamp to post in the forums...

Sam · #11 05-25-2007, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmaw

ouuuu more gators came out of the swamp to post in the forums...

How am i gonna get 1.000 posts now

jojoyohan · #12 05-25-2007, 07:28 AM

How about adding quick reply buttons to the posts? Unless there is some setting that I'm missing, I've never seen the quick reply button.

ldearing · #13 05-25-2007, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaloupe

... Can't wait to see if I will be able to write an articles on your blog

.. After Serra and quitFinn of course!

...they will be your first Reviewers

eLIANT · #14 05-25-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorJay

3) Better ways to bring you all server information...

Many posts in the forum are asking for info on CPU usage and MySQL connections to avoid account suspension. If there is a way to provide this, I recommend adding these stats somewhere - even if it is in the form of weekly or monthly averages instead of real-time.

newhall · #15 05-25-2007, 11:32 AM

Great initiative and approaches! Look forward to the updates and the information!

kmaw · #16 05-25-2007, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jojoyohan

How about adding quick reply buttons to the posts? Unless there is some setting that I'm missing, I've never seen the quick reply button.

I've got one... in the bottom right hand corner... it says QR

slapshotw · #17 05-25-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kmaw

I've got one... in the bottom right hand corner... it says QR

Not me on firefox, even though the vB Quick Reply buttons work on other sites with firefox.

ufopsi.com · #18 05-25-2007, 02:07 PM

Good ideas, Jay. Keep us informed.

Break the Silence · #19 05-25-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorJay

Some great news for you all, and for me too! I've recently been moved to work full time on HostGator forums, and the HostGator blog.

Congrats on your new position, it'll be nice to have you around!

Serra · #20 05-25-2007, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorJay

Hey everyone! Some great news for you all, and for me too! I've recently been moved to work full time on HostGator forums, and the HostGator blog.

That is good to hear. An active forum is a great way to build customer loyalty and reputation.

ufopsi.com · #21 05-26-2007, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorJay

4) Contests. I'd like to start getting some fun contests up with prizes for customers, maybe even a site of the month!

Please let me know what you think, feel free to reply here or shoot me a private message!

We have some experts here who could write...

riostyles · #22 05-26-2007, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorJay

......
2) A complete redo of the Forums. I am in the process of redoing the forums from the ground up. All the sub forums will be better organized, this includes the signup process and theme.
.........

Hello,
If you do some remodeling, I suggest that inside of the thread we have under the join date and the # of posts two usefull informations:
The forum where the thread (shared ...) was posted and if we are subscribed to the thread as contributor (The Icon or not).
Why? I open all was can be interesting or where I can help. After 2 or 3 threads I have to come back to the opening page for to see the context (It is a shared, ded, Do I posted here) meaning this two points.

admiral · #23 05-26-2007, 12:41 PM

What you all seem to want is some of the features restored in vBulletin.

I run 2 busy vBulletin sites, and can tell that most features seem to be disabled or are not supported in this skin. This site does need a overhaul and a major change in the design and settings and skin.

vBulletin is now on version 3.6.7pl

vBulletin.org is also a great place for add ons and security enhancements.

vBulletin is the best (fee based) forum software out there.

If you need any help with vBulletin, please let me know.

***GatorJay*** · #24 05-28-2007, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapshotw

I always really liked the way this forum looks and works. The time it takes to get access for customers has been a problem in the past, but what kind of changes do you mean?

Mostly functionality that was lost because of the original forum admin. But also i'd like to see some changes in the sub forums, as is some of them are confusing and not needed. And some need to be added.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jojoyohan

How about adding quick reply buttons to the posts? Unless there is some setting that I'm missing, I've never seen the quick reply button.

I'm able to see these in IE6, IE7 and FF2. Not sure why this would not be working for you, but the current template is a bit of a mess which is another reason for the changes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by riostyles

Hello,
If you do some remodeling, I suggest that inside of the thread we have under the join date and the # of posts two usefull informations:
The forum where the thread (shared ...) was posted and if we are subscribed to the thread as contributor (The Icon or not).
Why? I open all was can be interesting or where I can help. After 2 or 3 threads I have to come back to the opening page for to see the context (It is a shared, ded, Do I posted here) meaning this two points.

Thank you for the suggestions, I will most definitely look into these with the remodel.

***GatorJay*** · #25 05-30-2007, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapshotw

I always really liked the way this forum looks and works. The time it takes to get access for customers has been a problem in the past, but what kind of changes do you mean?

I feel silly, I found out what the problem was and now it should be working for you and anyone else.