[SamirDarji]

Originally Posted by KerryF

Ah, I see. This is where the confusion is then. In response I propose a question: By using Styckyd: Classifieds, why do we need a traditional classifieds system at all?

You don't, but the problem is that which is common in forums--users don't like to change something that works. Why bother changing from the existing system? That's the barrier that's got to be overcome. I can see users using the styckyd system more than a regular forum to the point the regular one gets phased out, but only after they are ready to let go of the existing system. They're going to need hand-holding and training wheels through this time or they'll demand their old system back. Tight, seamless integration with a traditional classifieds forum is the only way I can see my users accepting and using styckyd. And I think it's going to be similar everywhere. In the last week, I've had two requests to add a classifieds forum, and yet I can't get one bit of feedback from my users about styckyd:
http://www.huntsvillecarscene.com/showthread.php?t=3876

Originally Posted by KerryF

Until the system is also able to appropriately handle cars I see Styckyd: Classifieds along with a regular forum for cars and then a regular forum for everything else (couches, watches, etc.), those things that people sell on forums that don't fit within the car domain.

Exactly. This is why I see tight integration as crucial.

Originally Posted by KerryF

As with above, Styckyd becomes the classifieds on forums and the functionality I'm referring to (customization) isn't viewed anywhere on our site. These things are served for just your forum and just your users. The experience will be different on everyone's forum as we build out these customization features. They're easy for us to do but useless for us to create them unless we have data to work with.

Hmmm...so are there site requirements to have this sort of customization?

Originally Posted by KerryF

With the understanding above, have your thoughts changed on this? If I'm still missing something, please help direct me so I can understand better.

I think I'm still missing something. I know that styckyd is customizable, but how will that make transitioning from one system to another smooth, or running both traditional forum-based classifieds and the styckyd system concurrently feasible?

Originally Posted by KerryF

One way that we'd like to make this more relevant to the users in time (And our goal is to be useful while not being invasive) is to have a text based results search on forum threads. For example, if a product is mentioned within a thread that matches with a search result from our database we can deliver information that is relevant to the content in that page. Like more details provided by Styckyd: Part Forensics, or even some parts for sale. This, too, needs to be developed after we have data to work with, though. So we're at the beginning of our journey.

All of this will be able to be turned on and off at the admin's discretion. For example, if you just want Styckyd: Part Forensics to take advantage of the Tire Rack referrals and links to your other vendors, you can disable Classifieds entirely.

Sounds like a neat bunch of features.