AutoDirector forum

The AutoDirector support and advice forum

V2.0

Post Reply

Page: 1

Author Post
Member
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
So what have you in mind?
Administrator
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 324
There are many improvements that we want to make across the whole of the system. The most requested features appear to be:

- vehicle categories: e.g. 4x4, sports cars, manufacturer, etc.
- improved language and currency support
- custom options and fields
- an alternative to pop-ups when opening images
- allowing KMs as well as, or instead of, miles
- an advanced search facility
- generate showrooms from two or more AutoDirector 'sites'

We're open to suggestions and appreciate all the feedback you can give.
_______________
AutoDirector administrator
Member
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 67
An extra field for Petrol/Diesel might be useful. I know we get that data option from out portfolio/hpi import feeds, if that was then in the display order field too? ie. show by fuel type, or show only petrol/diesel.

Cant say I have had an interest in that but its an option!

I like the sound of the showroom from several sites - many garages have more than one dealership/showroom in the local area, so a "show all cars by Smiths cars" ability would be nice.
Currently I have been re-importing all the dealerships into a "combined" showroom, which is a bit of a chore.
Member
Registered: May 2008
Posts: 5
When is the new version due?
Administrator
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 324
v1 is still actively in development (all upgrades are free for registered users).

v2 is in the planning and requirements stage, so any good suggestions you have will be appreciated and have a good chance of getting in the product.
_______________
AutoDirector administrator
Member
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 67
suggestion - image size convertor. In these days of mega- megapixel cameras I get (as a third party) sent most of my images send as multiple megabytes no matter how much I tell the photographer not to.

I tried writing a php script to convert the size of the image, but its seems to max out at 2Mb. trawling the net didnt find any better solution.
So - if autodirector could detect the image was larger than the prerequisite 1mb it could choose to reduce its size?

This is more of an issue for me on the auto import tool as that's how I receive my files - a spreadsheet and a zip of images.
Administrator
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 324
If you use the importer, you can upload images using an FTP program. The importer will resize the images and you shouldn't get problems uploading individual files.
_______________
AutoDirector administrator
Member
Registered: Jun 2008
Posts: 2
I have noticed a number of major car portal websites are introducing digital imaging (video) in addition to usual photo's any plans/cnsideration of introducing mpg or something similar in V2?.
Administrator
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 324
Video's a great idea, but how would you want to use it? One way would be to store the videos on your server and have AutoDirector manage the upload and possibly file conversion. However, that's far more complicated than images and might cause problems for your web host.

Would you consider uploading them to a service such as YouTube first, where the video would be optimised and stored? AutoDirector can then grab the video from YouTube and display it on your site. That also has the advantage that your vehicles are publicised elsewhere.

I think MPG is a good option to add - especially with fuel prices being what they are!
_______________
AutoDirector administrator
Member
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
Location: Oklahoma City
I would like to see a search function that allows for pricing, vehicle type, or such.

I am in the process of writing this, but thought I would post here as a suggestions.
_______________
Job 26:7
<><
Member
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 8
Location: Oklahoma City
I was thinking of something else that would be cool. A lot of times I enter a description of a vehicle that I have previously used. What if there was an option to save a description that could then be recalled at a later date to use again? Maybe some sort of drop down that you provide the name for or something that you do a file/open type action to load the saved criteria.

I will try to come up with some screen shot examples or something if I am not explaining right.
_______________
Job 26:7
<><
Administrator
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 324
I know exactly what you're referring to, and it has already been done for one or two customers as a one-off job several years ago. It was in an old version of the product, so I'll check if it can be ported over easily.

Great suggestion though - thanks for the feedback.
_______________
AutoDirector administrator
Administrator
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 324
We've just released a mod that allows you to create default templates for the "additional information" box for any showroom.

See this thread for more information...
_______________
AutoDirector administrator
Member
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 67
just for the sake of it - but since you are using ajax, maybe the admin tool could be ajax too.
When you click edit on a car it expands like the dreamweaver spry accordian effects. Probably not that good an idea really..

I did wonder whether the used car list on the site could use the expandable accordion style effect as well?
Not sure it really suits it or not?

Just throwing ideas in the air!
Administrator
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 324
Definitely. When AutoDirector was initially developed, Ajax as a concept didn't even exist. The showroom was still basically an Ajax-like application, but it was a little too tough to use in the control panel since client-side development tools were non-existent (Firefox was still in beta - anyone remember Phoenix/Firebird?)

Anyway, times have moved on and we'll definitely implement Ajax techniques where appropriate, e.g. paging through the vehicle list, help panels, live statistics and all that sort of stuff.
_______________
AutoDirector administrator
Member
Registered: Oct 2008
Posts: 9
can someone tell me what languages will be supported in de new version (v2.0) ?
Administrator
Registered: Apr 2008
Posts: 324
At first, it'll just be English. However, we'll make it much, much easier to configure the language - probably just by editing one file. Over time, more languages will be added to the installation.
_______________
AutoDirector administrator

Post Reply

Page: 1