"UtilityBank"?

[si_the_geek]

We have a CodeBank forum, how about adding a UtilityBank?

We could post our own utilities (add-ins, ocx's etc), and links to others (like MZ Tools (http://www.MZTools.com)).


What do you think?

[brad jones]

Utilities like these can be posted in two other areas. These areas are on site associated with VBForums. The primary area for these (being VB) would be at http://www.codeguru.com/vb This is the Visual Basic section of CodeGuru. You'll see that this page has articles that are on Visual Basic (that anyone can submit) as well as a resource section at the bottom 1/2 of the main page. It is the resource section that is for utilities and other programs. You can submit a utility to this site by selecting the "Add A Resource" link on the left nav bar or on any resource page.

The second area where utilities can be uploaded is on Developer.com. At the bottom of the main page (www.developer.com) there are links for uploading resources.

Brad!

[MartinLiss]

I like si's idea. One problem with going to Jupiter's other sites is that it doesn't add to the poster's post count here. Another is that it would be nice if we could do "one-stop shopping" here.

[brad jones]

If we did this within a forum, how would the items be organized? what would be the rules for posting? Let's think about some of the details.....

Brad

[MartinLiss]

Here, or Moderators forum?

[brad jones]

I'm okay with discussing the basics of this here.

Brad!

[MartinLiss]

OK si, you're idea. How should it work?

[si_the_geek]

oops... sorry folks, switched email addresses over the weekend so I didn't get the new post emails!


Right then, I looked at the sites that Brad linked to, and I have a few comments based on those sites.

Developer.com:
bad points:
• lots of duplicate items (moderation would be a good idea I'm afraid!)
• badly organised - no grouping by subject/language
• no search facility
• no screen-shots

good points:
• The screen for each item is well laid out, and includes lots of useful info/links.
• Good descriptions for each item.


CodeGuru.com/VB:
bad points:
• no obvious indication in the list of what is a tutorial, what is code, and what is a link to a site that is selling the described software.

good points:
• The screen for each item is well laid out, and includes lots of useful info/links.
• Good descriptions for each item. (including feature list)
• screen-shots
• user comments


So based on what I have seen at those sites and various others that I checked (on another computer, so I dont know the addresses :( ), this is what I personally would like to see:


Posting via moderators.. sorry guys, but duplication is rife, and lots of people will post questions (as they do in any forum they find, like CodeBank :().

There is also the possibility that someone will post something that doesnt work, or does intentional damage to your system. It would be nice to have some level of testing before it is given to the public.

A thread subject that describes what type of thing it is (eg: Tutorial, VB-Addin), followed by the name and brief description.

Well organised - if the above isnt enough (but it may well be), then possibly a grouping by subject/language (although I'm not sure exactly how!)

A standard format for posts, including:
Title & description
Feature list
Screen-shots (if apt)
Author name (&web site if any)
Product web site (if any)
System Requirements / License info


everything else (such as search, post date, etc) will obviously be handled by the forum software.

[plenderj]

Originally posted by si_the_geek

Posting via moderators.. sorry guys, but duplication is rife, and lots of people will post questions (as they do in any forum they find, like CodeBank :().

If it were a success, do you think that a moderator would be able to cope with the submissions etc. to the forum ?

[CyberSurfer]

What about maybe nominating a few trusted users to approve submissions as well? Y'know, people the mods know and who have been here for ages.

[si_the_geek]

Originally posted by plenderj
If it were a success, do you think that a moderator would be able to cope with the submissions etc. to the forum ?
I think so... it isn't like the codebank, where people post any little snippets there that they think will be useful, it would be for full programs/utilites only.

As long as you have a "guidelines" thread to make sure that people know what is required, then hopefully it will only require a slight tidying up of the text that they post, and some sort of checking of the software.

[mendhak]

I have a question:

The utility would be uploaded to the forum, or simply linked to an off-site location?

Because if it's uploaded here, then the file size limit might pose a problem.

[mendhak]

Could the person who voted "no", please state their reasons? This thread consists of everyone basically agreeing with each other. We might miss out on some important points if the disadvantages are not posted.

[MartinLiss]

The UtilityBank is going to happen, but not until around 1/5.

[mendhak]

Originally posted by MartinLiss
The UtilityBank is going to happen, but not until around 1/5.

January 5th, or January 2005?

[MartinLiss]

Jan 5th, 2004.