Java Programming Forums Custom Software

[macko]

Just thought i should ask..

Whats the votes for me building a custom program to easily access this site wit multiple sections easy access

--Desktop icon (Double click to start)
--In program loads the main page of javaprogrammingforums.com
-- A button toolbar at top clicking a button will navigate the program to that page directly..
-- Includes buttons to search, Register, Login etc...

+ any more features somebody may fill me in with that would be good

Included a poll, Please vote and will do what it said tomorrow

[macko]

Should sticky this

[KevinWorkman]

What would be the benefit that your custom software provides? As far as I can tell, the forum already has all of those features. Plus, people are going to be wary about giving their login credentials to a third-party software.

If you're very serious about this, go for it. Create some software that lets you view and interact with forums (maybe set up your own forum at first, for testing purposes). People aren't going to try out new software unless they see that it works. I predict you'll discover that this isn't a trivial project.

[macko]

It would be used mainly for faster navigation via the forums.. & would provide extra sections for say java tutorials etc..

Also you've got to remember, If the user doesn't trust logging in via the program then they don't. As you know you may also use all the program features and just browse as a guest.. I would purposly remove the login feature just incase of the untrusted new software.

[copeg]

To be honest it sounds like you want to write a web browser to me. It is unclear (to me at least) how this would enhance my experience in these forums. I don't want to dissuade you, but like Kevin said this is not a trivial endeavor and if you want people to use it you need to turn up the volume above and beyond how we currently interface with the forums. Just my .02

[macko]

Hence as i said one of the features would be faster navigation via the forum sections, Maybe link to a java tutorial section etc etc.. thats why i'm asking for opinions on what do YOU think those exteneded features should be.

[KevinWorkman]

Hence as i said one of the features would be faster navigation via the forum sections, Maybe link to a java tutorial section etc etc.. thats why i'm asking for opinions on what do YOU think those exteneded features should be.

How could you do it faster than how it's currently done? And where are you getting the tutorials? Keep in mind that we do have tutorials here already.

Asking us what we think those features are is probably not going to work. Most of us probably don't think the forum is missing much, which is why we like it so much. And JavaPF is very open to suggestion, so I'm sure he'd be happy to hear about any room for improvement you have in mind.

It's completely up to you, but the "power users" here probably know the workings of the forum enough that they have their own system, and it's hard enough to get anybody else to read the "read this before posting" page, let alone download, install, login, and learn to use an entirely separate piece of software.

If you're serious, I'd recommend you don't worry about what we say, set up your own test forum, and then write software that parses it in a useful way for interaction. But I really predict you'll soon discover why we're being resistant to your idea.