What can PCM do for you?

[kstatefan40]

With the summer months approaching, we are looking for ideas. This summer, we are going to try new things, venture into different mediums (already this year we've moved into the print media with our BYOPC book, audio with the podcast), and offer new products, services, and content.

Any idea is game here - we are willing to consider any idea that will make PCM better for you. If you are interested in helping with any of the ideas, please feel free to email or PM me.

Expect a lot of new things in the coming months. We are working hard to make PCM the best site for plain english computer advice on the internet.

Thank you!

Tyler Thompson
PCM Public Relations Manager
tyler@pcmech.com

[786ARS]

video BYOPC tutorial?

[bailey]

if I remember correctly, PCM used to have a download page, what ever happened to that and could you bring it back and include some of the good tips and other goodies ?

[Kareeser]

oh... 786 has a good one... simple videos like "how to install a HSF" or "how to insert RAM" may help many of the newer users

[kstatefan40]

We could do those pretty easy. A PCM Recommended Download and BYOPC video - both great ideas. I think we may be able to do that.

[rspassey]

Bump.

[RazorDX]

Something like a weekly/semi-weekly video tip would be great. Could be just a minute long, something like properly testing a power supply or even applying thermal paste. I'd be glad to do a few videos, if it's something people would like.

[rspassey]

Similar to doing video tips, how would you guys feel about screencasts? Basically, they are video tutorials in which the actions on the screen are recorded to show the steps in how something is done. It could be the most basic task, such as how to create a folder, to something much more comlex. If you like the idea, what kind of screencasts would you like to see? And, how would you like to see them structured; one longer screencast / month (or fixed time period) ... or a more short screencasts, each over one thing (which would probably be no more than two minutes long).

[786ARS]

problem with that is that it would have to be limited to the most "important" topics - otherwise bandwith and space could become an issue as video files can take up a lot of more space then audio.

[Stuey]

Well, although the online free BYOPC guide is very descriptive, a few photos or diagrams might be helpful without much effort required in implementing them.

I'd definitely buy a BYOPC book, if only to pass around to my family members and friends who don't know their USB port from their floppy drive.

Also, a lot of people ask about laptop vs. desktop for college, and for laptop suggestions. Perhaps an article on that? I know that such an article would really have helped me a few years ago as I learned a lot the hard way.

[thefultonhow]

Originally Posted by Stuey83 Also, a lot of people ask about laptop vs. desktop for college, and for laptop suggestions. Perhaps an article on that? I know that such an article would really have helped me a few years ago as I learned a lot the hard way.

I'm in the research and planning phase for such an article. Hopefully you will see it fairly soon.

[kstatefan40]

Originally Posted by 786ARS problem with that is that it would have to be limited to the most "important" topics - otherwise bandwith and space could become an issue as video files can take up a lot of more space then audio.

Bandwidth isn't currently an issue, at all. We've got PLENTY of bandwidth more than we need, so I think we could handle it, and a web server doesn't take much space on a hard drive - even with a database as large as ours, it still isn't coming close to the max for the hard drive.

[Kareeser]

How about a Review team for newer and not-so-new hardware/software? I haven't been a member of PCMech for a long enough time to note how often a review gets posted, so I'm just throwing it out there.

[kstatefan40]

We have been tossing that idea around alot. We are not trying to get top of the line reviews, but reviews that actually help our members make a smart choice.

So yes, that is definately a possibility as well.

[Stuey]

I've also noticed that reviews are very infrequently posted; I actually think this is a good thing.

If you guys decide to implement more reviews, you're going to have to be careful. There are so many review sites out there that it would be hard to stand out. The last thing you want to do is write a fantastically written review on a product that's already been reviewed a hundred times.

I just took another look at the BYOPC guide, and at the forums. I've noticed that while there's a presence of cooling info, there's no real focus on it. Perhaps an article or guide on component cooling. Fan speeds, airflow considerations, different types of CPU heatsinks, etc. I'm hesitant to suggest adding some info in watercooling just because that's another subject which has been done. But, to be honest, I would have been interested in it a lot sooner if I had read about it on pcmech.

Another random thought, what about a competition of some kind? I'm not sure what I mean by this, but maybe you do!

[kstatefan40]

Originally Posted by Stuey83 I've also noticed that reviews are very infrequently posted; I actually think this is a good thing. If you guys decide to implement more reviews, you're going to have to be careful. There are so many review sites out there that it would be hard to stand out. The last thing you want to do is write a fantastically written review on a product that's already been reviewed a hundred times. I just took another look at the BYOPC guide, and at the forums. I've noticed that while there's a presence of cooling info, there's no real focus on it. Perhaps an article or guide on component cooling. Fan speeds, airflow considerations, different types of CPU heatsinks, etc. I'm hesitant to suggest adding some info in watercooling just because that's another subject which has been done. But, to be honest, I would have been interested in it a lot sooner if I had read about it on pcmech. Another random thought, what about a competition of some kind? I'm not sure what I mean by this, but maybe you do!

1) We are trying not to review items that have been reviewed alot previously. We have a forum set up for staff to discuss, debate, and work out projects such as these. We've got several things lined up that you don't find at every site.

2) We are working to make more concise articles that are short, easy to read, and cover commonly misunderstood tasks. People tend to read and find shorter articles more. It also puts us in a position for getting googled. If our article title is "How to Cool a computer properly" and someone types that into google, chances are, with the amount of traffic we generate, we are going to be one of the top results.

3) A competition would be cool - feel free to expand on this if you can. Ideas? I think we could work something out.

We've tossed the idea of a convention around alot in the last couple years too, I personally think it would be awesome, but it would be a logistical nightmare. Is it still a possibility? Yes.

Basically, we are working to make this site rule. Thanks for all the suggestions, please keep them coming!

[flanzig1]

How about articles/reviews on some of the less main stream items used with computers such as: KVM switches,extenders(long cable,CAT 5,wireless), computer cameras, keyboard/mouse dummy loads(for the Folding crowd), cable adapters, etc.

[RevCLB]

Originally Posted by ryan124712 Similar to doing video tips, how would you guys feel about screencasts? Basically, they are video tutorials in which the actions on the screen are recorded to show the steps in how something is done. It could be the most basic task, such as how to create a folder, to something much more comlex. If you like the idea, what kind of screencasts would you like to see? And, how would you like to see them structured; one longer screencast / month (or fixed time period) ... or a more short screencasts, each over one thing (which would probably be no more than two minutes long).

I could really use tutorials on the simple tasks. Don't know about structure, but the more short over one thing would help me me more as I visit this site many times a day.

[RevCLB]

Originally Posted by Stuey83 Well, although the online free BYOPC guide is very descriptive, a few photos or diagrams might be helpful without much effort required in implementing them. I'd definitely buy a BYOPC book, if only to pass around to my family members and friends who don't know their USB port from their floppy drive. Also, a lot of people ask about laptop vs. desktop for college, and for laptop suggestions. Perhaps an article on that? I know that such an article would really have helped me a few years ago as I learned a lot the hard way.

Have you checked out the BYOPC book from PCMech? Go to PCMech home page, hit Store & look over stuff. This might be what you want.

[kstatefan40]

http://www.pcmech.com/store/byopcbook.htm

Complete with 150 or so pages full of pictures, descriptions, etc.

[Stuey]

Huh, I didn't know that existed. I'll have to bookmark it for now.

Thanks for pointing it out to me!

[RevCLB]

Originally Posted by kstatefan40 http://www.pcmech.com/store/byopcbook.htm Complete with 150 or so pages full of pictures, descriptions, etc.

How do I add links as you did? This goes along with what I responded to Ryan about simple stuff. I want to build a computer. I see people listing liinks to New Egg & other companies to check and I DON"T know how. Hope this isn't out of line for these forums but I am a dummy.
Almost everything I learn about computers is from this site & just muddling through. I get info from other sites but you people seem to want to help. Please forgive an old dummy. Thanks in advance, RevCLB

[Stuey]

Originally Posted by RevCLB How do I add links as you did?

Well, do you typically type in the "quick reply" box at the bottom of the thread, or do you click the "post reply" button?

You can get to more options by either clicking "post reply" or by clicking "go advance" at the bottom of the "quick reply" box.

I've attached part of a screenshot, showing the bottom you have to click. It used to work a bit differently, but now, when you click the button, just paste the URL/link that you copied from the address bar or elsewhere. Then, after you click ok, text is highlighed. Type in what you want the link's text to be. Instead of having a 60 character URL, it'll say "newegg link" or what-not. OR, select text in your post that you want to reflect a link, and click the "add link" button. Paste in or type the URL, and then the text you selected will be a clickable link.

The screenshot is of low quality b/c I used MS paint to save it, and because I had to take a few shortcuts to keep the attachment below the max.

[RevCLB]

Thanks Stuey83, I use the quick reply button. Looked at advanced a couple of times but was to ignorant to understand it. Will study info you gave me. Thanks, RevCLB

[blue60007]

The quickest way is to just plop the url into your post.

http://www.google.com
www.google.com


If you put the http:// in the forum software automatically makes it a link. (EDIT: Looks like you can just put www in and it makes it a link too.) You can make the link text something else by doing what Stuey described...

Google

[Stuey]

Originally Posted by RevCLB Thanks Stuey83, I use the quick reply button. Looked at advanced a couple of times but was to ignorant to understand it. Will study info you gave me. Thanks, RevCLB

No problem!