Mercedes Chat and member pics

I was thinking that one good idea might be to set up a member chat room where guys could talk in real time about mercedes. Another idea would be to have a forum where members can send in pics of their cars and have them posted. Any ideas or things too add to these ideas, I am new to mercedes shop and love it, it was actually what I have been looking for.
thanks
cavan

[need2speed]

A member's picture gallery sounds like a GREAT idea...lets ask the web master.

[Bill Wood]

The webhost we are currently using is not very enthusiastic about chat room programs.

We would consider a "member's picture gallary" IF we could also get the members to include a "review" of their cars as well. We can't possibly review all of the various MB models but, if the members would review their own cars...that has value. This is an idea that has come up at least twice before. If you read the archive of posts in General Feedback you will see the prior suggestions. We said we would do it but, no one ever sent us pics and a review of their car. We're still open to the idea.

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

[This message has been edited by Webmaster (edited 01-19-2000).]

I think that the problem with no one sending you pics is probably becuase you haven't really set up the page yet and so people would not send them in. I think maybe on the main page you should advertise that this could be an option and if you get enough cars and reviews sent in, then you could set up the the page. Obviously you are the guys doing the work so it is up to you, but I think this would be a great addition. I don't have pics of my car now but could take some a write a review of the kompressor c class. I can see how the chat thing could be a problem with others, I wonder how many of these guys have aol accounts?
anyway, thanks
cavan

[Bill Wood]

I will set up the page if at least 1 person will send me pics and a review of their car.

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC

[Larry Delor]

Hi Bill!

What kind of things do you wish to see/be included in the review?
Date built, type, model, mileage, engine mods, tires used, repair history, other mods, comments. Something like that?

How about image size, any max. on file size? (for those with megapixel cameras, a single picture can be quite large).

Any particular angle photo? might be cool to have at least one pic taken at the same angle for everybodys car, and another pic(s) that is up to the owner. (this could take up a good bit of Aarons time, seeing as he has over half a dozen vehicles.

Thanks! -Larry

[Bill Wood]

Larry-
As far as the pictures go, I will use Photoshop to crop and compress the pictures so they don't take too long to download on the web. Don't worry about the size of the pictures, I will change them anyway. It would be nice to have a couple of exterior shots...maybe a front and rear, an engine picture and an interior pic.

The writeup needs to be written so that it answers most of the questions someone might ask if they were considering buying a similar model. Features, maintenance/reliability, driving impressions, performance, likes/dislikes, value, etc. It's also good if you can compare it to other models you have owned or driven.

We don't need to receive a "finished product". We can move the text around to best match up with the pictures and make the article flow. An e-mail with some text and a few attached pics is all we need.

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Bill Wood - Webmaster
MercedesShop.com, LLC