Already included 🙂

(As Marc stated previously) : I definetly support a greater seperation of categories - tick categories to filter just the type of products you are interested in.

 

As currently having for example: someone selling specialist glass valves, home theatre gear, headphones etc in the first list category, really clogs the system up.

Whereas to me the first category to me is Amps, Dacs, Speakers, CD players, Streamers.

By clogged up, I mean someone browsing has to flick past so many varied items, and with people selling gear they too quickly get shuffled back many pages in no time.

 

So, the proposed update of more selectable categories will make the classified section even better.

We were actually working on the categories last night. It's not perfect (due to how many levels deep you can go in subcategories), but a massive improvement on what we have now. I'm happy with how this is progressing. 

I've always found the classifieds to be pretty fantastic already.... Happy without change really.  🙂

You're easier to please than most 🙂

Just to reiterate, this wasn't change for the sake of change. This was forced as our current platform will become redundant, and then stop getting security updates ... eventually it would all just stop working. So i"m biting the bullet and developing our own system that will sit on top of the current and future forum software that will give us full control of most aspects. Rather than being at the mercy of what someone else decided is a one size fits all approach.

Another feature now being implemented is just one section for Classifieds for all regions. Not seperate, Australia & New Zealand, UK, Asia, etc. The first choices when you post an ad will be Region (and then corresponding state), and Currency (GBP, SGD, AUD, NZD, USD etc). It will default to Australia and AUD. This will neaten it all up and condense the forums a little too.

Members, following our discussions of the dilemmas we faced with our Classifieds and the upcoming forum platform upgrades, we have proceeded to develop an entirely new Classifieds system from scratch.

 

It's in early stages, but the basic functionality is now in place and it is here working on StereoNET already. It's hidden from view while we continue developing it. I am looking for 3-4 members to assist with this, adding dummy ads, going through the processes and working with me to report bugs and issues, share ideas and raise concerns. 

 

It's early stages and pretty rough aesthetically right now, so we don't need someone over enthusiastic with 100s of ideas that are not practical or achieveable 🙂

 

For now, it's testing basic functionality, and some relatively simple, structured feedback. Have your say on how the classifieds are developed to take us into the next decade (hopefully!).

 

You will be part of a test membergroup with access to the new classifieds, and a sub-forum where we can share information, feedback, ideas etc.

Let me know if this is something you would be willing to be involved with, and preference would be given to those with experience beta testing, and/or user interface design.

I fit the “dummy” part 😂

Marc, I'd like to participate. I'm a UX/UI designer / researcher/ educator. Please pm me to discuss. 

 

Happy to participate, using the site most days while listening to music.

Thanks all. Just working through a new beta now overnight. Loads of bugs were zapped overnight and we're close to widening the test group. I've had some PMs also from members, but I will be in touch with all over the weekend.

On 27/02/2024 at 2:43 PM, rantan said:

Further to the existing suggestion about being prompted to lower the asking price after multiple attempts to sell, I think it best to allow two repeat listings, after which the price must be lowered by a meaningful amount and if not sold then no re listing would be possible for six months.

I've not sold anything on SNA so don't know how repeat classifieds are created but if they are simply copied over without any changes I'm wondering if the system could enable the end user to apply a filter to show only new classifieds or, in case they miss the original post, a classified that has been listed only once before?

Excellent suggestion! I'll add that to our list.

We're now in Beta 2.0 as of last night, and very close to starting testing with a wider group.

2 hours ago, Marc said:

Excellent suggestion! I'll add that to our list.

We're now in Beta 2.0 as of last night, and very close to starting testing with a wider group.

Very cool - both the inclusion and the beta!

 

It appears I can't pm you direct... So off topic I didn't hear back from you re user testing - are you still looking for testers? My PhD was in interaction design so I reckon I'd make a good guinea 🐖.

2 minutes ago, Dystoria said:

are you still looking for testers? My PhD was in interaction design so I reckon I'd make a good guinea 🐖.

100%. I haven't opened up the beta to members yet. I just wanted it a little further along before we do so.
Getting close though.

Hi Marc,

Thank you for the inclusion of state identification on the Classifieds - All Other. It was actioned very quick considering all the other stuff going on.

I have another idea, that may or may not tickle everyone's fancy?

Now that Vinyl is growing more in popularity and CD less so, could you consider splitting the formats? Keep them in the same classified space, just one button for CD/BluRay and one for Vinyl.

I am sure there are other's like me that trawl down the list waiting for CD to pop out on the end of a line. I have tried searching on CD, but it sometimes spits the dummy and the computer says NO!

Cheers

Andy

@Dr.Funk Hi Andy, I seem to recall in the early stages of the classified update there was mention of a 'filter' requiring a minimum of 3 letters - that could be why 'CD' doesn't work. Mark

Now I think about it that was in the 'keywords monitoring' but perhaps the same criteria rule around the number of characters required ??

6 hours ago, Dr.Funk said:

Now that Vinyl is growing more in popularity and CD less so, could you consider splitting the formats? Keep them in the same classified space, just one button for CD/BluRay and one for Vinyl.

 

This has already been addressed in the new classifieds system. Seperate categories.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Volunteer Mods plus help from @Steff and @Dystoria the beta test of the new system is progressing very well. We've implemented lots of functionality to not only match the existing classifieds, but already there are loads of new features (some that were requested for a very long time).

 

It's hard going and saying this is a rapid development would be an understatement, but just wanted to keep everyone up to date.

 

My hope is to expand the beta test group in around 2 weeks, and then hope to launch around early May.

I think we're at a stage we can open up to a wider group of testers at this point.
Anyone keen and willing to help shape the "new" classifieds. Must be prepared to place lots of bogus ads, add comments that would normally not be allowed in public forums on other ads, be a lowballer, tyre-kicker, window shopper .... 

Basically just want to start load testing the system and getting an idea of what it looks like when "fully loaded" with ads.

Giving feedback, ideas and suggestions, would be preferable too 🙂

You all wanted "Categories" ... you got 'em!

 

 

Please ignore the item posted in Racks & Stands ...🧐

 

Note - there are many ways to browse the Classifieds. This is just one view.

I'll put my hand up to be a beta tester, if you need more.

 

I don't have a PhD in anything but I'm an insufferable pedant and very forthcoming with my Opinions on user experience 🙂

 

Thanks @RankStranger but the development and testing has been fast - more than expected. We've ironed out almost everything already and may be ready for first public testing in less than a week's time.

 

We might do one more round of testing before that so I'll let you know. Appreciate you raising your hand!

On 30/3/2024 at 9:30 PM, Marc said:

You all wanted "Categories" ... you got 'em!

 

 

Please ignore the item posted in Racks & Stands ...🧐

 

 

How’d that get in there ?!? 😬