WoW.. great topic.. and very good features/comments by users. I would like to pitch in my 2 cents too (my comments are mainly for Links SQL).
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What do you think of the XHTML+CSS design described in the announcement? Do you think this is a good or poor move, and do you have any suggestions, alternatives, or other ideas that we might consider?
Very good Idea :)
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Gossamer Update: an automatic update system that downloads updated files from our server, auto-detects current version and updates only the files that need to be updated. You'll never have to run install.cgi again for an update, and never have to upload files manually for posted Official Bug Fixes.
This is a good idea, however an option where admin can disable this feature and have an choice for manual upgrade (as current would also be appreciated)
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How important is backwards compatibility with older browsers to you? When we say compatibility, we are talking about extremely old browser versions - that is, Netscape 4 and IE 4 - which already are incapable of displaying much of what is on the internet successfully.
I still think there are good number of people out there still using Netscape 4.7 and IE 5.0. Personally I would not care for the support for browsers older than Netscape 4.7, IE 5.0 & Opera 5.0
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using javascript to add functionality
This is a very bad idea. As even today many people disable javascript within their brower for various reasons, however the number of such people is not that big. But if I am not wrong, dosen't load time increase with the use of javascript ?
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What suggestions do you have, if any, for the product manuals? Do you find the current format (PDF) useful, or would you consider that we make the manual available in another format, such as MS Word (.doc) or perhaps even broken down into multiple HTML pages?
PDF is just fine, however I would still prefer an online HTML version along with downloaded chm version. As both can load faster and are better than pdf.
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Have you had any problems with the installation of our products? How can we improve the installation process? Would an installation tutorial be useful?
Current installation method is just perfect. I don't really think a tutorial is required. However a small update would be great.
While installing it ask for the path for "cgi pages" and "build pages", right? however about users ability to specifiy path for "admin" folder too? As right now if anyone is using Links SQL it is too easy to figure out the path to admin location and hence maybe someone trying to test their hacking password too? However the ability to change the /admin/ folder location as desired by user can pratically eliminate this issue.
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Are there any specific weak spots in our programs currently that you would like to see addressed, with respect to how the overall programs work? We do not refer here to individual product feature requests for this question - but rather areas that affect all of our programs, such as installing, modifying templates, upgrading, etc.
I LOVE THE CURRENT TEMPLATE METHOD BEING USED IN LINKS SQL. If you guys are working on adding mores then I am all for it, but please do not remove the current method of working with templates. Select All - While Validating Link
When admin clicks on Validate Link, it shows 5 links per page, however each link are required to be selected individually and if there was an option where all the links can be selected by "Check All" type of button, it would be great.
Stronger Rating Security
Current rating system at Links SQL can easily be abused and can such abuse can actually cause the site's reputation go down the gutter. So any work on setting up a better security system would be very much appreciated. Multiple-Pages per Listing
We all know that Links SQL is already better than any other Link Management Script in the market, however by adding this feature Links SQL would not only gets extra 1000 steps leads over other link management scripts, but it also actually eliminates the use of most content management systems.
Hide/Un-Hide Categories
This feature has been requested by many users and is actually a wonderful suggestion.
However if this feature is added, it might also be good to make sure that links from hidden categories does not show up on Search Pages, New, Top & Cool Link pages.
Link Sorting for public view
I think this should be pretty easy, but a small section within Tutorial would be even more appreciated.
Link Sorting while Validation
This is a huge requirement. Suppose if there are 500 Links waiting for validation there is no way of sorting them in any manner, however it there was an option to sort this pending validation links based on Title and Date Submitted and Link Owner and URL.
Multiple Link Modification
Current Links SQL Function allows admin to delete multiple links at a time, however if there was a way where admin can do a search and the output result pages is actually editable link section, then such a function can save admin lot of time while keeping up with regular updates in the directory.
Update multiple users
Same as above, but instead of updating links, this request is for updating user profiles by admin.
Delete User & do not delete Links
In current Links SQL setup, if a user is deleted all the links within that Users account are also deleted. How about a option that if user is being deleted, admin have the ability to move all the links to any other account.
Ad Spots - inherit Option
This would enable users to serve targetted advertising within specific categories. An ability where admin can create new category property columns from Links SQL admin, however an option if such columsn will have the inherit property or not. This would save lot of time on a long run.
User Profile (with features)
One thing that Links SQL really lacks is the ability of User Profile. How about a User Profile, which can also be made publically available (admin &/or user optional), along with options where users can manage their favorite links within the directory and also their reviews.
RSS Ability (entire + category specific)
Considering the marketing trend, I personally think RSS is the "must have" for Links SQL. How about RSS function for
1) Top Links for Entire Directory
2) New Links for Entire Directory
3) Top Links for any specificed Category
4) New Links for any specified Category
5) Latest 5/10/x Reviews for entire Directory
New & Top Links
Ability to display New, Top & Cool listing for any category and/or sub category. Where if it is being displayed for Category "Test Name 1", it will also display New or Top or Cool for sub categories below it too.
Advanced Search Guide
Within the tutorial is would be great to add a section on setting up custom search function. So admin can actually customize their advanced search page and give users abilities to search by selecting only Title and/or Description and/or any other Link Property.
Better layout for New/Top/Cool Link Pages
I think New, Top and Cool Links pages can better layouts options, especially New Links Pages. Yahoo is a good example (http://dir.yahoo.com/new/20041125.html)
Ability to Offer & Change Rank order of Sponsored Listing
I am not sure how easy/hard this would be. But an option, where if 5 links are setup as Sponsored (or as described by GT Team), then on every page reload the sponsored link position will be rotated, so every sponsor listing owner gets better exposure. In addition, if the admin is using static build, then the position will be rotated every time the rebuild process takes place.
In addition an ability to setup a time limit for the sponsored listing would be even better. So the listing will remain as sponsored listing for time specified by admin, and if admin does not extend the time, then the listing will change to normal listings on the last day of the specified date.
Link Owner (if Choosen) & Reviewer email notification on review approval
Every time when a link receives a review and the review is approved by admin, I think it is only fair that Link Owner also receives an email with this review. In addition, there should be an option where the link owner have the ability to opt out from receiving email for the review of their listing too.
Link Owner ability to reply for reviews
Once a review is posted for any link, there should be an option for the Link Owner to reply. Such replies will also require admin approval/validation as regular reviews (Links SQL setup optional)
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Again I would like to thank GT team for the wonderful work and awasome support they have provided.
Vishal
Vishal
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