So we've got a new forum... now what?

[Pseudonym]

Step 1)   Build forum for all of NZ's gym citizens.
               Tick. ✔
Step 2)   ????

Now that we've got Gymnation more or less launched, I'm wondering what the next step for us is. I've got a few ideas about cool features I'd like to add. The question is, which one comes first?

Gymnation mobile
Pretty self-explanatory. Gymnation is already better for mobile than the old NZBB site was, but there's room for improvement. For phones, I think we need to simplify the front page in particular. Having a mobile-friendly site is also critical for the success of the other features...

The next three items all link together, but they’re stand-alone features as well…

Workout Journals
You’ll still be able to log your workouts just you do now, of course. But you’ll also have the option to enter your workouts in a format that we can analyse and graph. And you can create workout programme templates or adopt other people’s workouts. Most importantly, it’ll be optimised for phones, so you’ll be able to easily access your workout programme in the gym and enter data as you go.

Progress tracker
Graph your progress in lifts, weight, BF%, running speed – whatever you want to measure. You’ll be able to cross-reference the various metrics (compare BF% against weight or strength, etc) and record important milestones like competitions or photo updates in a timeline format. You’ll also be able to set future events as goals to work towards.

Exercise Encyclopaedia
Want to know how to do an exercise properly? Looking for a certain stretch? If we add this feature, we’ll set up a database with videos giving expert advice on common exercises. Members can then add comments to an exercise or add their own. It would then link into the Workouts feature so when you’re following a workout programme you can check an exercise (even on your phone).

 

So what do you guys think? Good ideas? Bad ideas?

Or is there something else you’d like to see here? It can be as big or as small a feature as you like.

Gymnation belongs to you guys. You tell me how it should work.

[soundsgood]

In my opinion Gym nation is not as mobile friendly as nzbb was.  Navigating the front menus is not seamless. The menus stack each other way to fast to see the topics.  I didn't have a problem zooming in and out on my iPhone on nzbb, I could see everything at once. 

If you can sort out the mobile app you will prob get alot more traffic as I'm sure I'm not the only one who does 90% of their web browsing on their phone? 

[Leeroid]

I agree with SG regarding the stackable menu. I am not a fan of it. It's not too bad on the computer but on the mobile, if you don't want to wait for the forum you're after, you have to click on the tab which takes you to the full list which can be annoying.

 

I browse Gymnation a lot off my phone but I don't like posting off it. I have found that I can't quote posts, maybe it's a problem with the browser on my Android phone. Having the site optimised for mobiles would be great as long as the mobile version retains all the features of the full site. That being said, it's not really that bad atm.

 

The other features sound really good. Are you able to get attached pictures to show inline in full, not just as attachments that you have to click on?

[Kalidane]

I think I've been able to successfully quote just once on the new site and that was yesterday IIRC.  Maybe something changed?

 

I suspect mobile is the most important development (no personal interest - a phone is for phone calls).

 

I don't suppose you have a mock-up of the proposed journal and tracker?  I already do a lot of the simple stuff in a spreadsheet but it does sounds like you're proposing quite a few cool extra bits, and in a more visually appealing way.  Stats-geek approves.

 

The encyclotronomo-thingy sounds close to exrx?  I suspect a lot of work would have to go into this and I'm not sure of the yield on that effort.

 

Dun like the stackable forum menu (in part because it doesn't fit on my netbook screen).  Been wanting to mention that for a while but couldn't figure out how to describe it lol

[Gym rat]

I also spend a fair bit of time looking at gym nation on my phone as well like when I am having afternoon tea at work but I can't post phone on my phone which is cool with me and any other time when I am looking at gym nation from my phone like when I am doing cardio in the gym

[Pseudonym]

Thanks guys, that's the sort of feedback I need. Very helpful - cheers!

 

In my opinion Gym nation is not as mobile friendly as nzbb was.  Navigating the front menus is not seamless. The menus stack each other way to fast to see the topics.  I didn't have a problem zooming in and out on my iPhone on nzbb, I could see everything at once.

Absolutely agree. And I probably should have been clearer in my explanation above.

The original idea was that Gymnation would scale its pages to fit whatever sized device you happened to be browsing from - phone, netbook, ipad, computer monitor, whatever. I think that can still happen, but there are a few things that are making it a less-than-seamless experience. The wide banner at the top, for example, is stopping everything from scaling down enough to fit a phone screen properly, so text overflows the edge of the page. Very annoying!

 

I agree with SG regarding the stackable menu. I am not a fan of it. It's not too bad on the computer but on the mobile, if you don't want to wait for the forum you're after, you have to click on the tab which takes you to the full list which can be annoying.

The problem we had was how to fit all our new forums. Moving from NZBB to Gymnation intoduced six new forum blocks AND loads of photos, so without some way of saving space, the page was ridiculously long. It was just totally overwhelming.

So we compressed the training forums into the stackable "accordion" menu, and rotated through them. Had you guys worked out that the panels open when you mouseover them, and the rotation pauses while you're hovering?

(I ask because it seems not everyone found this as intuitive as I thought it was, so I've recently added an "instruction" bar at the bottom of the stack)

That's all fine on a computer, but there's a problem with the mouseover technique on tablets and phones - no mouse. So we need an alternative to the stackable menu for those devices.

I browse Gymnation a lot off my phone but I don't like posting off it. I have found that I can't quote posts, maybe it's a problem with the browser on my Android phone.

Good find. My Android phone is the same. That is rather inconvenient, and should be fixed. I'll ask the developers about that one.

The other features sound really good. Are you able to get attached pictures to show inline in full, not just as attachments that you have to click on?

I'm sure we can. I don't know if it's easy or hard, but I'll ask. It's definitely something we should have.

 

I think I've been able to successfully quote just once on the new site and that was yesterday IIRC.  Maybe something changed?

Are you saying you can't quote from your netbook either? I don't think anything changed yesterday as far as I know.

The encyclotronomo-thingy sounds close to exrx?  I suspect a lot of work would have to go into this and I'm not sure of the yield on that effort.

Fair point, although I think this would have a few advantages over exrx. It would be closely linked to the proposed workouts feature, for a start. So here's a situation - you're at the gym, using your phone to follow someone else's workout programme. You come to an unfamiliar exercise. You click it, and up pops a video showing you how to do it. You finish the set, log it directly on your phone, and admire the graph it creates of your PBs.

 

I don't suppose you have a mock-up of the proposed journal and tracker?  I already do a lot of the simple stuff in a spreadsheet but it does sounds like you're proposing quite a few cool extra bits, and in a more visually appealing way.  Stats-geek approves.

I do have sketches. I'll post these up for people's feedback when we get to that stage, but it sounds like for now the priority is getting Gymnation Mobile up and running. I'd rather get everyone's attention on that first.

So... any suggestions on how to take our front page and compress it into a phone-sized space? *unknw*

[Kalidane]

Hmm successfully quoted somebody for a second time yesterday. 

 

Pseudo: You're the only one I've not been able to quote, to the best of my recollection.

Edit: Off that.  Just tried to quote somebody else now without success.  V.confused.

 

I can see the encyclotronomo-thingy being a nice icing on the cake but it looks like it comes last in the dev queue from the tasks listed (given that it ties in to other cool stuffs).

 

I'm guessing the devs aren't going to be finding a lot of time for the gym this quarter!

[justhell]

Cool new site psudo, Iv just purchased a new fone and can now see the post, on my last fone cracks on the screen made it difficult to see stuff.

Also I cant log on here on my computer either? (Stops working) so im usually on my fone browsing.

I agree with soundsgood about this site not been as user friendly ss nzbb.

I purchased a galaxy s 3 yesterday & holly shit the gymnation site is alot easier to see & browse now.

Im sure you'll iron out the creases eventually psudo.

Onward & upward gymnation lets keep on pumping...

[Pseudonym]

Hmm successfully quoted somebody for a second time yesterday.

Pseudo: You're the only one I've not been able to quote, to the best of my recollection.

Edit: Off that.  Just tried to quote somebody else now without success.  V.confused.

Now I'm confused. So this is on your netbook? And you can't quote anyone? Or just me? If you can give me a bit more detail, I'll pass it on to be investigated.

 

Also I cant log on here on my computer either? (Stops working) so im usually on my fone browsing.

That's a worry. How do you mean it stops working? As with Kalidane, give me a bit more detail, and I'll look into it. I don't like leaving any of these issues unsolved, because if it's not working for you, if may not be working for 10 other people who don't report it.

Onward & upward gymnation lets keep on pumping...

Thanks mate. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster, so I appreciate the support.

[justhell]

Hey Pseudo,

I think its a problem with my computer as it also does it on my internet banking.

I have found if I use a different search engine its ok. (Chrome)...not sure why this happens ?

The page will just come up with stopped working.....? Internet Explorer is the search engine that I always use & im havin trouble with..

When I get the time il set it up to work properly but at the moment im happy using my fone to browse....

Cheers Pseudonym

[Kalidane]

Now I'm confused. So this is on your netbook? And you can't quote anyone? Or just me? If you can give me a bit more detail, I'll pass it on to be investigated.

Same :-(

 

For ages quoting wasn't working from my netbook but now seems all-clear.  Erm I'll keep an eye on it