Classifieds Template

[kit]

With the classifieds being one of the busiest areas on this forum; I suggest implementing a template to ensure the ads placed have enough information for prospective buyers.

Here are a few ideas:

- Item Description
- Age
- Condition (N/A for Livestock)
- Price ($ or trade)
- Item location / pickup location (specifics - Sydney doesn't count as an item location)
- Will or won't post? (estimate postage if possible)
- Contact details (PM/email/phone)

[culturedreef]

I think it is worth considering i will make the suggestion to the Masa committee.

[chromus]

Unfortunately we are limited by what the addon supports.

Maybe down the line once all the upgrades are in place it could be considered

[a_cam]

I would recommend against it myself. There is no reason why this information can't be put into the current description text box.
The reason for not modifying it is when we go to upgrade it, then it will require all the modification to be done to the new version.
This isn't a huge job if the work is documented, but I would hate to leave behind a highly modified set of mods making future upgrades harder.
Also when a new version of the Classifieds Mod comes out we would probably have to install the new version and manually update the database and then apply all the mods instead of just being able to run the upgrade script from the guy that codes it.

[kit]

Hi guys,

I think a template doesn't have to be programmed into the actual submission form.
It could be as simple as a sticky at the top of the forum or a modification of the text on the submission page so people can cut and paste.

Rather than have separate fields like we do now, If there was some way to pre populated the text into the description box that would be even better. Users would simply need to type in the text and there would be no excuse to post poor ads.

There seems to be some really poorly listed ads (by laziness or otherwise) and it would be great to clean them up.
Even if people don't see the template, if everyone follows suit, they will be inclined to post a more descriptive ad.

The guidelines must be enforced with an "ads not following the template will be deleted" policy however.

[cam]

That is a much better idea in my opinion.
If someone does up a template for the description box, I can make it the default text when they create an ad, that way they have a guideline to follow.

[notsomot]

That is a much better idea in my opinion.
If someone does up a template for the description box, I can make it the default text when they create an ad, that way they have a guideline to follow.

Can you make it when they choose what they are selling in the drop down tab

That it pre fills a template into the text box?

[a_cam]

You can, but all modifications make upgrades all that much harder.
Adding one template to the Description is pretty simple.
Changing the code so it updates the template when I assume you change the Category is getting pretty big.
It would require (to work effectively) to move the Category input above the description, and then some javascript to populate the field.
Problem is there are 20 odd categories, so you need up to 20 templates.
I really think you are making this way more complicated than it needs to be.

[Rusty1]

Why not just go back to a forum based CA like we had previously?

We were always just going to see if the CA add on worked with no issues and to me there appears to be just as many issues either way.

A forum based Template would be easier, just lose the search functions I guess.

[chromus]

Search tweaks is one of the most asked for features, so losing what searches we do have is probably a negative.