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norcold

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Joined: 06/02/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 670

Posted: 09:23pm 31 Dec 2012

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Glenn,
Just wondering if it would be feasible to expand our profiles, with a section dedicated to our individual alternative energy systems, a few photos and text outlining what we have in our systems. Somewhat like the Blog section or perhaps in the blog section but editable by the member it pertains to as we add to our systems.
This would allow us to refer to that page in posts, rather than repeating ourselves a lot in different threads.
Realise this may be an unachievable goal for reasons that you as an administrator knows, but an understanding of working systems will assist not only new members but those who have been here awhile. A sort of system database.

We come from the land downunder.
Vic

Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5078

Posted: 09:44pm 31 Dec 2012

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Hi Vic

Actually if we can use blogs, its a very good idea.

I've been experimenting with the blog idea with Phill, as you can see by his two blogs at http://www.thebackshed.com/Windmill/blog.asp.

Basically, Phill set up a tumblr account for himself, wrote a couple of blogs, and then gave me the blog details. I then put together a page that requests his blog feed ( in XML format ) and displays it on this web site. The advantage is Phill can easily edit his own blog, it wont get lost in a bunch of replies or old posts, and its easy for me to incorporate it into my web site.

So I cant see why we couldn't make the same system work like you just asked. Members could put together their own blog page, send me the details and I'll add it to the web site. Then you could just link to it from your post. Or you could bypass me all together and just link straight to your Tumblr blog.

I would need to put some rules in place, like keeping the content of their blog politically correct, as it is with the forum. If a blog gets out of hand, I can just remove the XML feed and it wont display. Of course members could then link to their own tumbler blog feed and bypass this site all together, I have no problem with that.

How does that sound?

Glenn

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ

norcold

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Joined: 06/02/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 670

Posted: 10:09pm 31 Dec 2012

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Sounds spot on, have viewed Phill`s its great. Problem is I have no idea of tumblr accounts. Would it be possible if I were to just PM you or even have a temporary topic for you to transfer to the Blogs. I`m just thinking of a few photos, list of components from HWS, solar,wind and water pumping and not neccessary to have much in the way of explanations, leave that for posts in the threads, just a method to refer to the blog.

Have no drama with you having full control re. delete or edit, that really goes without explanation.

We come from the land downunder.
Vic

MOBI
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Joined: 02/12/2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 819

Posted: 10:57pm 31 Dec 2012

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It sounds great to me as we are totally wind and solar both PV for 240vac and thermal for the hot water plus the wetback loungeroom heater.

A picture, as it is said, is worth a thousand words and if it is in one place then it makes referencing dead easy.

Like Mr Singer said .. "make it so" (sew???) :))

David M.

David M.

Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5078

Posted: 01:11am 01 Jan 2013

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Sorry guys, but a big NO to that. Putting together a profile page for members would be very time consuming, and I just dont have the time to spare.

Thats where the tumbler feed works so well, all I have to do is make a little thumbnail, a link, and thats it. Its up to the "blogger" to write up their story, add photso etc.

Using Tumbler is not much different to putting posts on this web site. You sign up to become a member, then create a new story, upload photos, etc. If there's enough interest I can put together ( or find ) a basic step by step guide to getting started on tumblr.

Another approach would be to use the forum itself, let a member create their own profile page using the forum interface, and then provide a link to the "post". But this would be some time off, again I'm short on time, only if I get enough interest from members to go ahead with it.

Glenn

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ

norcold

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Joined: 06/02/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 670

Posted: 06:16am 01 Jan 2013

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No drama, understand you completely there Glenn.

Bloggers, tumbler accounts ???? I`m lost, been in the bush too long, think its time to get the grey matter into gear and check it out.

So there it is guys. Anyone else interested ? No real sense in the concept if there will only be a few participants.

We come from the land downunder.
Vic

MOBI
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Joined: 02/12/2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 819

Posted: 12:20pm 01 Jan 2013

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Is it possible to start a topic or forum that can only be posted to using password acess? If so, then only the holders of the password could post their 'blogs' and would stop posts that "bury" the original post.

David M.

David M.

yahoo2

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Joined: 05/04/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 1166

Posted: 05:47pm 02 Jan 2013

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I think blogging is a great idea, there needs to be a clear boundary between the forum and members personal stuff.
If it gets the thumbs up from Glenn, I would think that placing a link to our blog's home page in your own signature line would be all that is needed to give this a test run, very quick and easy. Perhaps a little sticky topic on how to embed a link, using tiny URL to keep it compact (and leave room for the all important witty comment) and a bit of a prod in the right blog-a-sphere direction for us blogging n00b's.

I think saving Oztules fantastic "homemade solar panels" posts from oblivion was a stroke of genius. I am still gobsmacked by his ingenuity, when 100% of posts I read at the time said that it couldn't be done without a commercial vacuum chamber and anyone who tried was a complete idiot.

If blogging is the way to get this sort thing showcased I am all for that too. Hope Glenn has a hard job choosing what to list on his projects page!

I'm confused, no wait... maybe I'm not...

Gizmo

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Joined: 05/06/2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 5078

Posted: 11:46pm 05 Jan 2013

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Blogging is one way to go, which is why Phill is using it for his builds. I did sone research a few months ago into a way members could easily put together a web page about their own project, a bit like making a post on this forum. The tumble blog stuff seams to fit the bill, but I'm keeping an eye out for other systems that could be easier to use.

What I might do is put together, or find, a set of easy to follow instructions on creating a tumblr account, and writing your fist blog. As Phill has shown, its easy once you know how.

There is also the option of using this forums software too, but like I said earlier that would involve too much of my time just at the moment.

yahoo2 said Hope Glenn has a hard job choosing what to list on his projects page!

The way I see it, if its a finished project, and its family friendly, then its good to go. I dont care if its about a solar powered toy car you built for $5 with your kid, or a 5kw wind turbine that took 2 years to make. If its finished and working, then someone will learn something reading your story.

Glenn

The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is right now.
JAQ

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