??? Your Opinion Wanted: The state of AI

ghost_user_nameghost_user_name
Posted:
in General Discussion edited January 2014
So, this is your chance to really impact the future of AI.



pscates brought up several good ideas in Suggestions (<a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=11&t=000223"; target="_blank">here</a>) which intrigued me.



So, i'm soliciting feedback and trying to gauge the amount of enthusiasm for such ideas as expanding to include a user gallery, user articles, a shop (underway, but I need design help, email me) and the like.





Basically, if you think any of these ideas are good, or would like to help, please let me know here!



Thanks...



Jonathan
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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 30
    jet powersjet powers Posts: 288member
    I think there are a lot of people at AI who could contribute informative content to the rest of us.....



    Certain members are obvious experts at key Apple market areas.....we have Pshoppers, DV gurus, chip tech smart guys, lyrical miracle whip writers, and others.



    I would suggest that a corps of writers commit to two columns a month or more, until the front page is updated on a daily basis with content..



    Also, consider an Ars-like frontpage, where interesting (and not neccessarily related to Apple) articles are often posted.



    No more rumors! Leave that to the bottom feeders like SPymac and MOSR.



    Finally, I think user reviews would be a great addition.....



    All in all, content is always the problem with a website, so if we distribute the content creation load around to as many as possible, we can create a great website for Apple enthusiasts.



    My two cents.



    ting5
  • Reply 2 of 30
    gringo viejogringo viejo Posts: 42member
    Continued diversification is welcome.
  • Reply 2 of 30
    leonisleonis Posts: 3,427member
    If someone could help me fixing my writing grammar errors I wouldn't mind writing a review or two.
  • Reply 4 of 30
    spartspart Posts: 2,060member
    I think we can't do news because that would be impeding upon Big Brother's turf.



    FAQ = This is neccissary.



    Stats Page = Extremely Good. Would have to get some people to come up with a list of systems though.



    User Gallery = Extremely Good. Have specific areas for mockups, desktops, screenies, etc. This is the only aspect of SpyMac that I like.



    Shop = Good. Personally, I would buy a nice mug.



    Member Written Reviews/State of Mac articles = Good on one condition. We need mods or someone to review the articles and make sure they are written in English. That means good punctuation, spelling, etc.



    Here's an idea for the news page. Most if not all of the news is from MacNN, and when you read the full article it goes to MacNN. Probably wouldn't be sensible but I'm just throwing that out there.
  • Reply 5 of 30
    qaziiqazii Posts: 305member
    [quote]Originally posted by Spart:

    <strong>

    Stats Page = Extremely Good. Would have to get some people to come up with a list of systems though.

    </strong><hr></blockquote>



    Like <a href="http://www.info.apple.com/support/applespec.html"; target="_blank">this</a> one?
  • Reply 6 of 30
    cubedudecubedude Posts: 1,556member
    I like the idea of user reviews, a shop, and a gallery. A shop would be great once you have the products, you can borrow most of the design from the current AI. User reviews are nice as long as you get enough. The gallery would be great, with all the photoshop, 3D, etc. talent.
  • Reply 7 of 30
    nebagakidnebagakid Posts: 2,692member
    OHKAY, like:



    Bi weekly Graphics/Multimedia columns of How-To's and reViews...



    Maybe a meet the Moderators thing,...



    Spotlight on AI Member where an AI member is interviewed...."So Eric, is there anyone...special in your life?...."



    And so on and so forth.





    Also, shop, but please do not make it like "AI Dork"



    Something that says "we are people who like the Apple, but we do not want to be barraged with insults so we can just go on with our day and a sensibly priced shirt



    i would post more but i need to pooo.... <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
  • Reply 8 of 30
    pscatespscates Posts: 5,847member
    Hey, I like the "Monthly Member Profile" idea! We can base it off the Playboy centerfold questionnaire (DOB, birthplace, interests, goals, turn-ons, turn-offs, etc.).



    No naked pics, however. Please!







    A mixture of the Playboy thing AND those silly 10 questions James Lipton asks actors at the end of Bravo's "Inside the Actor's Studio" ("what's your favorite curse word?", "what sound do you hate?", etc.).



    There are lots of interesting people here with interesting jobs, hobbies, opinions, fashion style, outlooks, etc.



    Picking one randomly every month and giving him/her their 30 days of fame would be kinda cool.



    I'm actually curious about a lot of you.



    This is shaping up to be some good framework for a re-vamped/improved AI.



    For what it's worth, I'd be interested in helping in whatever way I can or makes sense. I'm not the most web savvy person, but I can write and doodle a bit. I wouldn't mind having a hand in things.



    I'm kinda a "big picture" guy. I can close my eyes and see it and imagine it, but some smarter, more talented people than myself are going to have to make it come true.







    This is, by FAR, my favorite place on the Web. It's my second home in some ways, so I'll do whatever I can to make it cooler, more fun, exciting, etc.



    Sign me up or contact me for help or more ideas!
  • Reply 9 of 30
    ghost_user_nameghost_user_name Posts: 22,667member
    "I moderated the AppleInsider forums and all I got was this lousy T-shirt."







    Anyway, I think a community page like this would be nice. It could link to Leonis' photo gallery. A FAQ page is a must. Stats would be interesting, but I wonder if people would try spamming to raise their stats. Isn't that why we banished the title ranking system (ie. Junior, Senior, Elite Member)?



    ::looks sharply over at EmAn::



    On second though, no, spam shouldn't be a problem with the New Mod Squad on board.



  • Reply 10 of 30
    nebagakidnebagakid Posts: 2,692member
    My mom was on the MOD Squad, she was an extra <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
  • Reply 11 of 30
    drewpropsdrewprops Posts: 2,321member
    Lots of good ideas.

    I'd contribute a couple of rambling articles as time permits. My advice is not to shoot out of the gate trying to do all of these things because they're all not going to fly like we think they will. Build it slowly but surely and it'll be great.



    I could do some graphics too, but again, per my schedule.



    TSHIRTS?

    I have a bazillion t-shirts and don't need any more....BUT, I think that I'd even be willing to buy an AppleInsider shirt IF it looked cool enough. Right off the bat I'm saying black t-shirts with white artwork......long sleeve shirts would be even better (hint, we could have a fun little poke at Steve this way). The major artwork should be on THE BACK, not the front. I hate t-shirts with crap on the front...won't buy 'em, won't TAKE 'em, won't WEAR 'em. It should be classy, and there should probably be a contest to design it.



    I'd love to make a graphic TIMELINE of the history of AI. This would be a GREAT primer for newbies and a fun thing for us old farts.



    I know that one site, Macsurfer.com supposedly has a lot of good Mac links, but that wouldn't stop AI from having some "suggested reading" links. The bad thing about links pages is that they always fall out of date, so this should be considered several times before it's initiated.



    News? Nah, too many other GOOD places to get it. That's the good thing about the forums, members drag in stories and provide the links. It's like going to the bar to discuss current events.



    Reviews? Sounds good. Should it be limited to just Macs, or could we also get into other gear like cellular phones and video cameras? I like to get the skinny on stuff before dropping dosh on it.



    Again, do let it unfold as it wants to...don't rush it out the door too quickly. This really could be the start of the legitimization of AI, although I enjoy the dumbass-dork-pirate reputation it has now.



    D
  • Reply 12 of 30
    commander maxcommander max Posts: 25member
    [quote]Originally posted by Jonathan:





    So, i'm soliciting feedback and trying to gauge the amount of enthusiasm for such ideas as expanding to include a user gallery, user articles, a shop (underway, but I need design help, email me) and the like.



    Thanks...



    Jonathan[/QB]<hr></blockquote>



    Yes! Reviews, Technical Articles, Whitepapers, with a Mac focus would be great. I am a regular reader of XLR8YOURMAC.COM but it would be nice to have another source for Mac technical information.

    I especially like the concept of making Apple Insider a kind of "ARS Technica" for the Mac.

    With regard to a shop, I'm sorta on the fence. If the merchandise is good then it's a good thing, if not, well, I'll pass.
  • Reply 13 of 30
    pscatespscates Posts: 5,847member
    Well, there certainly can be more than one T-shirt design. I didn't even think of a black, longsleeve thing until drewprops brought it up. That would be cool.



    But I TOTALLY agree with him on the "stuff on back, nothing - or very little - on front". I, too, will not buy OR wear T-shirts with shit all over the front. Just not my style.



    Ideally, I like a little something on the left chest (under, say, 5-6"?), then something nicer/larger on the back. Just a cooler, nicer look.



    Maybe a shirt with a small AppleInsider logo on the left breast. Then, on the back, something large. Either funny or serious. I like the idea of "CONFIRMED" being worked in somehow.



    But again, there doesn't necessarily have to be just ONE T-shirt design, right? I'd like to see a white one, a black one, long sleeve, short sleeve, a funny one and a more serious, stock one.



    What about drink/coffee mugs? Same thing.



    I was thinking about all this earlier. There's no reason this site couldn't be a little more "famous" (not the exact word I'm looking for, but you know what I'm trying to say).



    I'm convinced if it had more to offer than just a UBB forum, it could potentially be a pretty popular, happening place.



    And I also agree on the reviews. Doesn't have to be just Macs. But ideally, should have SOMETHING to do with them. Just like how Macworld and Mac Design magazines review digital cameras, video cards, pen tablets, CD burners, speakers, etc., we could certainly do that here too. As long as it was for a Mac, augmented a Mac, etc.



    I don't think we should get into stereo or appliance reviews necessarily. Keep it Mac and/or "digital hub" oriented. If it's meant to work with, on, beside or for a Mac (software or hardware), it's fair game.



    How's that?
  • Reply 14 of 30
    powerdocpowerdoc Posts: 8,123member
    [quote]Originally posted by Leonis:

    <strong>If someone could help me fixing my writing grammar errors I wouldn't mind writing a review or two.</strong><hr></blockquote>



    I hope that The Installer would be please to help you (if you do no tease him too much). I am helpless for this task
  • Reply 15 of 30
    pixelpusherpixelpusher Posts: 73member
    I'd like a How-to thread/area with tips and tricks. Instead of a thread going "I did it", it would be nice with a thread going "I did it and here's how I did it". Just a suggestion
  • Reply 16 of 30
    nebagakidnebagakid Posts: 2,692member
    gallery and how-two's.



    also, "meet the member"



    Contests with guessing what will be coming out when for points, and maybe those points are worth stuff?



    Like, you have to guess what will come out when... and you get a certain amount of points for gettig the right things...

    Like "17" iMac", just that would be one point. Add some specs and you get more...

    the person with the most is the leader of the board, it is a giant guessing game <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
  • Reply 17 of 30
    leonisleonis Posts: 3,427member
    I can write a "how-to" for this...







    [ 07-25-2002: Message edited by: Leonis ]</p>
  • Reply 18 of 30
    nebagakidnebagakid Posts: 2,692member
    Hey, what do you guess think of this stuff? I made it at my User Group (washington apple pi) camp:

    <a href="http://homepage.mac.com/nebagakid/3d_photos/"; target="_blank">my 3d landscapes</a>



    Anyone? <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />



    Leonis: good pic, cool moon <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />
  • Reply 19 of 30
    paulpaul Posts: 5,278member
    [quote]Originally posted by Nebagakid:

    <strong>Hey, what do you guess think of this stuff? I made it at my User Group (washington apple pi) camp:

    snip



    Anyone? <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" />



    Leonis: good pic, cool moon <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> <img src="graemlins/smokin.gif" border="0" alt="[Chilling]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>



    It looks almost like Portifino Italy if it wasnt so mountainous along the water... great scene--i would love to learn how to do this kind of stuff.... be it 3D or pics like what leonis did...



    We should take advantage of the diversity of AI with regard to talent... but instead of a major redesign... maybe when an inresting thread that teaches something is posted and makes good sence we could send it to a DB of some sort that people could search or browse almost like another forum... ike a "best of AI" or "how to" kind of forums.... they could have bkrnd info on the threads.... there are a lot of different ways we could go with this idea... they key is just to do SOMETHING and then refine it later.... just talking about it like this really isnt going to do anything very producive or tangible.. criticisim is much easier then coming up with ideas out of nowhere... lets start with something--anything (FAQ... whatever...) and then we can critique it and make it better and then move on to a new idea...



    only problem is--who is going to be incharge of it? Jon? Mods? Admins? anyone who wants to? the "first plunge" IMO should be started by Jon (FAQ?-history of AI?) with a colaboration with old AI members to add in on his commentary...



    for example... I have NO IDEA how AI started or how it works... who pays for the bandwith? the server? whos idea was it to "partner" with MacNN... etc...



    [ 07-27-2002: Message edited by: Paul ]</p>
  • Reply 20 of 30
    ghost_user_nameghost_user_name Posts: 22,667member
    "'partner' with macnn"



    <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />



    IM me one day and i'll explain the terrible irony of this.





    /me mutters something about having our bollocks in a leash
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