What would you like to see on the Car Talk web site?
That’s right, we're throwing open the doors to ideas. No matter how wacko, we want to hear from you!
We realized we haven't heard from you guys in ages. Other than via your hate mail, of course.
What feature, web application, service, or time-killing idea do you feel is missing from cartalk.com? (Sorry, Jim in Boise, that "Tom and Ray as living piñatas” concept was nixed by OSHA, though wholeheartedly endorsed by NPR.)
You mean as in "10/16/2007 12:56:27 PM," which is the time you posted your reply? I think they've already got that one covered, unless you want them to specify the time zone.
On the main Cartalk web site I'd like to see the test drive notebook updated more often, and more prominent.
And with new cars! I don't care what your '52 MG is like. I like to read many different reviews from many different sources on new cars. Even your opinions are worth something, but you don't seem to be doing this any more.
I'd like to see a separate "Miracle" forum for the same questions that keep coming up about oil & gas additives, mileage gadgets, and perhaps even the great dino vs synth oil debate.
I'd like to see the number of posts a user has made and how long they've been a member, next to their name when they post something. And for replies to be in chronological order, no "nesting" of posts...waay too easy to miss a new post that way. People can quote someone if they want to make sure their response is directed.
Tom and Ray, is that really you? Of course the popularity of your show has been built on your great sense of humor, but I'd like to see a little bit more hard-core technical info- maybe a discussion of new technologies like CVT transmissions or variable valve timing(with a humorous twist of course!) I just recently registered with your website and I've already received valuable car repair advice. Thanks for being there!
I was an addicted reader/poster on the old Rand&Rave, Car Questions, Tow Truck Drivers Reading List, etc. That format was outstanding. Why was it trashed? Could it be revived?
The website as it stands, is great. This forum... is showing promise but just lacks so much still. Here's what I'd like to see on the forum in order to bring its level of functionality back up to, say, that of any other reasonable forum software.
Display the date of the original post when viewing the post: Hellokit mentioned this. I can't see when you guys posted your comment! That'd really be pretty handy.
Mouse over previews: This is standard forum fare. Rather than having to click a topic to read it, you should be able to hover your mouse over it and see a small preview in a pop-up.
List whose post a reply is addressing: This is so so so important. I like how replies cascade here. That is, I like how a reply indents beneath what it replies to. Unfortunately, that only applies to the first couple of replies. After that, they stack up with no distinction. It would not take a lot to add a little tag line with "re: user name". Again, that is standard fare.
Longer display for links in posts: This isn't a big deal, but under the current system, links in posts are truncated very short. At least show the domain part of the link before truncating. This could actually kind of a liability.
Display more recent posts in profile: This was mentioned too. It seems really strange that only 3 recent posts show up in the View Profile mode. Especially with the large volume of posts on this board, it makes if nearly impossible to go back and find a post you've made that is over a few days old.
Personal messages: Since the idea here is to cut-down or eliminate external moderation, you invite lots and lots of off-topic chatter on the board if there is no personal message system.
More robust search system: This speaks for itself. Click the search button on this forum, then click the search button on any other forum, and tell me what this one's missing. I tried to go back and find the last thread that invited user feedback on the forum. I tried several pieces of search criteria, came up with nothing, and gave up in frustration.
As I have said in other posts: I can understand how you'd like to keep control of your own code, and that's why this forum software was constructed. But you have to realize that you're missing tons of "modern" features because of that, and the development of those features (which have come to be seen as basic comforts) has been very, very slow or non-existent. That's very unfortunate.
First of all, I think you folks have done a truely good job of making requested changes. It's good to see responsive people out there.
I'd like to see a forum on the automotive business. Who's buying who, what's coming for the future, when are the Chinese copymobiles coming, etc. A nontechnical business forum on the industry.
Agree with Mountainbike. In the future American drivers will be hit by cataclysmic changes, we have the obligation towarn them:
1. The US imports 50%+ of its oil. Much of this oil comes from unstable and/or dangerous areas. Most supplying countries are hostile to the US. Canada is one of the few stable, friendly suppliers with huge reserves. Oil prices will be set by the highest cost producers, plus a "fear and uncertanty" factor. $100/barrel oil is just around the corner, and $4.00/gallon gas should be in everyone's budget when planning to buy a car. Gas in France sells for $7.50 per gallon, as it does in many other countries. Buying only as much car as you need should be our message. Clic & Clac have mentioned this several times.
2. Motorists are becoming more & more interested in calculating operating costs, which include insurance, depreciation, repairs & maintenance, fuel, etc. A dialogue on the best combination of these would be beneficial.
3. Because of all the safety and environmental gear, cars are becoming mindlessly complicated and expensive to repair. I was stunned to find out that a car without air bags was cheaper to insure than one with them. Most accidents are property damage, and replacing air bags is very expensive. Consumer Reports still pushes people into buying the maximum number of safety features rather than urging US drivers to raise their driving skills to the levels of Germany, England or other European countries. These countries have 50% of the fatality rates on 4 lane hoighways that the US has, and they have much higher speed limits. Driver ed courses in US schools have pathetically low standards for passing students
4. When posting a repair or maintenance topic, the poster should state:
a) Make, model, and year of car
b) Driving style, urban, highway, mixed, miles per year, and what region of the country they live; climate is important
c) Try to accurately describe the problem to the best of their knowledge
This will get better and quicker responses from us.
5. The car business is also changing rapidly. We need to regurlarly inform readers on major changes, and warn them if a car is becoming a potential orphan, without access to future service or parts. As mentioned elsewhere Chinese companies will make a major impact in the future, but parts makers such as Canada's Magna International are able to produce a whole car with key engine research partners. They already build Chrysler minivans and Jeeps in Europe. The globalization of the car business will see Research & Development, detail design, testing, manufacturing and final assembly all carried out in different countries by whoever can do it best and cheapest. The Chinese are doing more research on fuel cells and other leading items than many developed countries.
I would like to see a webcam or better yet, maybe two. One in the studio while Tom and Ray are actually "on the air" and one where the rest of the staff is.
I like the webcam idea. If that's too intrusive a couple more pictures would be nice. Post photos of some of the people who are always mentioned, too, like Doug the subway fugitive not a slave to fashion bongo boy Berman.
10/16/2007 12:56:27 PM
