Just an observation...

[WoodenJefferson]

I would like to see an error specialist like Fred Weinberg...when Fred speaks, they listen. As I understand it, Fred is under some sort of obligation with PCGS to inspect rare errors or else he would enjoy posting here, sans the conflict of interest.

[Kurtdog]

I would like to see an error specialist like Fred Weinberg...when Fred speaks, they listen. As I understand it, Fred is under some sort of obligation with PCGS to inspect rare errors or else he would enjoy posting here, sans the conflict of interest.

The way those forums are controlled, I wouldn't doubt it, nor that he's the only expert there so obliged. Let's just call it they know what they're doing in terms of how to control the public perception of their brand.

[Houston Investor]

I like the NGC forum here and it gives me a very positive opinion of NGC. I am also an NGC submitter and find the NGC price guides on World Coins, World Gold, and World Currency very helpful. I also submit to PMG.

 

While I post on both forums, I have found the culture here in the NGC forum very friendly and helpful. There are a lot of quality, knowledgeable posters who have a lot of insights to offer.

 

The forum ATS certainly has a different culture as many have pointed out. I prefer to mainly just lurk there gleaning what info I can. I prefer to avoid forum politics.

[mrkbrown8709]

+1

[mrkbrown8709]

I started seriously collecting coins only 1 year ago. Early on, I visited many websites looking for a "home". I found myself visiting this one more frequently than any of the others for many of the reasons mentioned above.

 

As far as the "mechanics' of the site, IMO, this is by far one of the easiest to navigate. ATS, navigation is painful. I don't think any changes need to be made from that perspective.

 

The members of this site also seem to be more objective when it comes to collecting coins. ATS, there is a clear bias and it just rubs me the wrong way, so I stopped visiting. I've learned so much about this hobby by visiting this site on a daily basis and using the recommendations from the many members. I have PM'd many asking questions and found everyone to be helpful and interested in helping a newbie. I do find it a bit intimidating to post on this site, primarily because of the knowledgeable members. Not that they've been unfriendly or anything like that. It's that I don't have the depth of knowledge possessed by most members and I only post when I think I can add something to the content. As I've only been collecting for a short period of time, it's not easy to expound on comments already made by the more seasoned collectors.

 

I will continue to visit here on a daily basis and read the threads to further educate myself. At some point in time, I'll feel more comfortable offering my opinions, but to date, I'll just choose my spots carefully.

 

This goes for me as well. I started about a year ago and have learned so much more here than ATS. Keep up the good work NGC

[e1cnr]

I think part of it is the software

 

the search function here rates about a 1 while theirs is much better, easily getting to threads 10 years old...

the 'quote' stuff gets rediculous after a couple quote replys...

the ease of moving around the website to different areas is much easier there

 

 

content here and there is comparable, although they have more authorized dealers post there

[Kurtdog]

I like the NGC forum here and it gives me a very positive opinion of NGC.

I know what you mean. I think NGC does, too. That's why, at least, as long as I've been here, they've never tried to control collectors' opinions. NGC rather seems to operate on the philosophy, if they're doing something wrong, they want to hear about it. And that means, at least, to me, they're doing something very right.

[Coindude]

I agree with e1cnr. The search function ats is quick and easy to use. You don't have to leave the main page to do a quick search. If it were instituted here I feel it would be a big bonus. Please consider that.

[brg5658]

I think part of it is the software

 

the search function here rates about a 1 while theirs is much better, easily getting to threads 10 years old...

the 'quote' stuff gets rediculous after a couple quote replys...

the ease of moving around the website to different areas is much easier there

 

 

content here and there is comparable, although they have more authorized dealers post there

 

While the search function may be "better" ATS, the forum software ATS (in general) is an absolute dinosaur. I don't know what you mean by "moving around the website" as being easier ATS. Both sites are basically the same, only difference being that NGC has a drop down selection list for forums, while PCGS requires one to always physically return to the "main page".

 

I am on 8 different coin related forums, and visit each at least every 2-3 days. Not to pile on the PCGS issues, but the fact that they don't use standard forum tags for things like URL hyper-linking is annoying (they use a [L=] tag, which is not used anywhere else). I'm glad that NGC has adopted the "forum" standard for UBB tagging.

[nk1nk]

I agree this site is far superior to ATS. I also agree the only thing I would change is the search function, very frustrating here. I also think its beyond awesome that NGC would chime in and ask for input for improvement, class act over here. ATS you feel like you have to re read and re word any comment you want to make so you don't risk offending the host. I can't think of more distracting way to try and learn and contribute to a sometimes controversial subject.

 

Nick

[bsshog40]

I agree this site is far superior to ATS. I also agree the only thing I would change is the search function, very frustrating here. I also think its beyond awesome that NGC would chime in and ask for input for improvement, class act over here. ATS you feel like you have to re read and re word any comment you want to make so you don't risk offending the host. I can't think of more distracting way to try and learn and contribute to a sometimes controversial subject.

 

Nick

I have to agree with this. I can't stand having to re-read my post before submitting to a thread to make sure I haven't written anything that would get my thrown out.

[copper toning]

Email notification to threads you are interested in would be nice.

 

Similar to the notifications when you have a PM

[messydesk]

There are things I like and dislike about both sites. If I concentrate on what I like, it's easier to enjoy them both.

[Scott_Schechter]

The search function ats is quick and easy to use. You don't have to leave the main page to do a quick search. If it were instituted here I feel it would be a big bonus. Please consider that.

 

So I started to look into this. I noticed there is a search bar on the right =>

 

Is that new? Cool!

 

It does return forum-wide results, though, so you have to know exactly what you're looking and be fairly precise in your search.

 

The advanced search page seems pretty powerful and restricting to subject makes it easy to find a post by title. I'm in favor of upgrading this tool (if possible) if it will improve the site. But maybe playing around with the existing tool and getting used to the way it works is all that's needed.

 

I don't know why we have a two year limit on searches. I assume that this can be expanded, but I'm not sure this is strictly necessary. Two years is a long time in the message board world.

[Kurtdog]

I also think its beyond awesome that NGC would chime in and ask for input for improvement, class act over here. ATS you feel like you have to re read and re word any comment you want to make so you don't risk offending the host. I can't think of more distracting way to try and learn and contribute to a sometimes controversial subject.

PCGS is using those members to market its brand. Over here, NGC just wants to see what its members think. That's a big, big difference.

[comicdonna]

I'm in favor of upgrading this tool (if possible) if it will improve the site. But maybe playing around with the existing tool and getting used to the way it works is all that's needed.

 

I don't know why we have a two year limit on searches. I assume that this can be expanded, but I'm not sure this is strictly necessary. Two years is a long time in the message board world.

Gemma posted instructions on how to use the search function.

 

You want to first click the "Search" link at the top of the chat boards.

Next, select the section of the boards that you want to search in the box on the left.

Then, type the keywords that you are searching for in the box at the top on the right.

Use +keyword for required keywords.

Use -keyword to exclude posts with a keyword.

Use quotes around a phrase to search for a phrase.

Use a * at the end of the word to match partial words.

Below that you want to set the timeline of your search parameters (default is Newer than one week).

Finally you want to have the engine search the boards.

If you get too many responses you may want to try more keywords, not enough responses, try fewer keywords or less-specific variations.

 

(Unfortunately it's not the best search engine, but it is the one that was provided with this Chat Board platform.)

 

Also, seems it's limited to a two year search, you can set it newer than 6 years and older than 4 years, to search further back.

[bsshog40]

I know NGC has a comic section but I was wondering if they've ever thought about a sports card forum also?

[Coindude]

Thanks for the direction to the sidebar search. I'll bet it's always been there I just never saw it. I guess I'm old school message board and I'm used to seeing it right up above the board list.

[comicdonna]

I know NGC has a comic section but I was wondering if they've ever thought about a sports card forum also?

There used to be a card forum here. It was removed, due to lack of interest.

 

BTW, I remember when this side bar appeared. many hated it. I believe there was an option under my preferences to shut it off. Most did including me.

[Kurtdog]

There's something in this recipe that's missing, though, I'd think. Putting my finger on it, that's a different matter.

There is definitely something to this...

 

If anyone has any suggestions about how NGC can improve its message board, or any of its web services for that matter, post it here or drop me a line!

Scott, here's a big one. I went back and dug up this thread just to tell you this. The "all" button to summon up all the replies in the given thread. It's a PITA when you come in new to a long thread and have to open page after page just to be brought current so you can reply. I love the "all" button. It's my favorite button. I mean, as far as buttons go, .

[delta]

There's something in this recipe that's missing, though, I'd think. Putting my finger on it, that's a different matter.

There is definitely something to this… If anyone has any suggestions about how NGC can improve its message board, or any of its web services for that matter, post it here or drop me a line!

 

Hi Scott, I believe the viewing screen at PCGS forums is much easier on the eyes, and there's less wasted space. Within each PCGS subforum (such as "Precious Metals") you can easily view 25 thread titles per page, whereas here at NGC the most you can see is about 19.

 

Also, at NGC, there are more permanent threads at the top of each page which are preoccupied space and confusing to new users. The PCGS navigation system, although lacking in various respects, is easier to learn, in my opinion.

 

The blue color of the PCGS thread titles is much easier on the eyes than the maroon of NGC.

 

There are other aspects of the forum design where NGC is definitely superior, but a major flaw with NGC is that topics cannot be searched beyond 2 years, so archival material is almost inaccessible. The search engine definitely needs to be completely revamped, as it is problematic in other ways as well.

 

Despite the comments above, the real main reasons why PCGS gets more web traffic than NGC is immersed in the histories of the forums and the companies, it can only be explained in terms of their historical development.

 

[Scott_Schechter]

Hi Scott, I believe the viewing screen at PCGS forums is much easier on the eyes, and there's less wasted space. Within each PCGS subforum (such as "Precious Metals") you can easily view 25 thread titles per page, whereas here at NGC the most you can see is about 19.

 

The blue color of the PCGS thread titles is much easier on the eyes than the maroon of NGC.

 

Under MY STUFF, click on "My Preferences." Then change "Your preferred stylesheet" to "Coins_Smaller_Font". The headings will be in blue and the fonts are smaller.

 

You can play around with various style sheets to find one you like most.

[delta]

Under MY STUFF, click on "My Preferences." Then change "Your preferred stylesheet" to "Coins_Smaller_Font". The headings will be in blue and the fonts are smaller. You can play around with various style sheets to find one you like most.

 

Wow, many thanks Scott, I never had any idea about those options during my almost four years here. Was I the only one clueless?

[Houston Investor]

I like this site a lot. It is well organized and pleasant. The people here are very helpful and professional, anyone I disliked here was from ATS. Each site has its positives and negatives. I monitor both sites. I just try to blend with the culture of a site and not make any waves.

 

Where there are two experts duking it out, I just lurk.

[Kurtdog]

I like this site a lot. It is well organized and pleasant. The people here are very helpful and professional, anyone I disliked here was from ATS. Each site has its positives and negatives. I monitor both sites. I just try to blend with the culture of a site and not make any waves.

 

Where there are two experts duking it out, I just lurk.

I think the rule we got that only one member and Roger can be logged-in at any given time might be reconsidered. If we would up that to just five or even ten members and Roger, I would think it would be a positive step, in that it would likely increase the volume of traffic.