The immediate future
- posted by Michael Walsh on August 5th, 2008
- (5)
OK. Let’s get this show on the road.
The first thing I need to clear up is my Aspire One. It hasn’t arrived and I’m not happy. Got an email from the online retailer saying that “…due to delivery delays on a national level…”, I won’t be receiving it until after the 8th August (which means the 10th at the earliest).
National level?? Ingram Micro what do you have to say for yourselves? Probably nothing as you probably don’t even track your incoming links…
So the Aspire One review will have to wait. Ho Hum… 
But onto more important things:
The Acer Guy – YOUR website – is going to get a complete make-over, starting right now. I know I’ve been toying with the idea for a while and have mentioned it on more than a few occasions but this time it’s for real.
But being me, I want to do things differently. Of course I have my own agenda and things I want to see happen, but I’d REALLY love to incorporate some ideas that come from the people who use this site. The REAL Acer Guys in other words.
I mean, the idea of setting up a forum/community *IS*on the to-do list, but how should it be done? Should it be moderated (and by who?) or is setting up a “member’s section” enough to keep out the spam we’ve been seeing so much of recently?
I *LOVE* surveys (like: please rate Acer Customer Support from 1-10, or at the other end of the spectrum, Do you want an Aspire One 1-10?) but there has to be a purpose to it. Would you guys like to see something like Dell’s IdeaStorm (just for fun – not officially sanctioned remember? (yet)) or should I just stick to the classic question layout – might be a bit boring no?
How about another “How To…” section where members (you) can upload videos and instructions on how to get the best out of Acer notebooks/PCs?
The list is essentially endless as this is potentially one big blank sheet but I’m very open to suggestion. Comments welcome!
I’m also looking at getting some T-Shirts designed and will be sending them off to the most persistent contributors and reviewers (Morris, you’re top of the list).
I’ve asked the web design agency to have a go at creating a new logo but again, if any of you are expert graphic artists, well hey, I’d be honored…
Look forward to hearing your thoughts.
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Morris Lee wrote, on August 8th, 2008:
Sorry to hear that your “one” has not arrived yet, I am also looking forward to see the review from you Michael, but i can wait, no worries.
I can’t wait until the new design is complete!! I am very interested in the how to section, I have just got a USB hub in my laptop, a 4 port hub, works flawlessly with both my wireless mouse and bluetooth plugged in(as for them being video guides, i need to do some practice on my English ahhaaha)
Jing Yeow wrote, on August 14th, 2008:
I think the idea of the “How To” section could really kick off. Especially because even though it’s not officially sanctioned by Acer, it has credibility being engineered by an Acer employee as long as the videos are kept of good quality and the advice more importantly SAFE.
I would have liked to know for instance how to setup my laptop to it’s optimum as soon as it came out the box. Effectively a walkthrough of setting up you new laptop including creating recovery discs as well as explanation why there are needed. Plus advice such as what a recovery actually does and where data is erased from…
One problem I find with the site Michael is that the loading times are extremely slow. When I’m using a slow connection it can take over 45 seconds to view the front page.
By the way, when I was in Singapore mid July I got a chance to use the Aspire One. It was pretty good. Much better in my opinion and easier to use than it’s closest rival. The air hockey game especially entertaining
On a side note:
On my trip I was surprised to realise how big Acer is in Asia. It pretty much has most of the advertising space in store and billboards for laptops. In comparison, Acer in Europe is tiny compared to Dell/HP. I believe that Acer with it’s competitive pricing and good hardware can break Europe but it’s support will have to improve. Asians usually purchase their computers in small specialised computer stores where they can take it back to an authorised Acer qualified tech if something is wrong. In the UK this support will usually end up the burden of Acer directly.
Michael Walsh wrote, on August 15th, 2008:
Jing!
Haven’t seen your name attached to a comment in a while! How are you?
OK. I like the idea of a “How To…” section too, but the problem is where to put it as logic dictates that it sits between the blog as it currently is and the forum as several people have requested, right? It’s doable all right, I mean it could have its own section with indexed posts with printable instructions and videos, but done the way it is now, it’ll always have a flaw: the knowledge base is the wrong way round.
Which means opening it up to guest writers (nirvana for me, not sure how to keep it “useful” and “credible” for the viewers, though, unless I build in a sort of voting system for the most popular articles… Food for thought.
Either way you look at it, in order to get the content up fast, not to mention come up with great ideas in the first place, the site will need to open its doors to outside help.
Your set-up video is something I’ve wanted to do since I started this blog. I guarantee it’ll be the first one I do…
I’ve noticed the site’s been loading really slowly myself lately, although I’m accessing it from a 3G USB modem from the mountains…
However, I think there’s an explanation. Ever since the Aspire One hit the high streets, my server has been under a lot of strain. I’ve just doubled the available memory so let’s see if that helps.
One of the things I will be doing is transferring the site over to an Italian hosting service. Anyone any knowledge on server set-ups?
Morris Lee wrote, on August 16th, 2008:
Hey! jing, sup? I am have very much faith in the “How To” section since now another person also stated that he/she liked the idea. I can’t wait until it is out, we can finally have a “organized” section so people don’t have to scroll through to find the guide. I have so many more things to share with your guys! Physx, internal USB hub, Powermizer configs and etc!
Jing Shyang wrote, on August 26th, 2008:
Yeah, good ideas deserve a response I guess guys..how else are you going to know if a feature you add will be utilised.
For instance I clicked on the link on your name Morris Lee, and that bluetooth guide you wrote is extremely detailed and informative as to improving the laptop. I won’t be trying it…lack of skill as well as soldering gun but…it’s not going to put anyone off looking for a new laptop with wireless bluetooth built in, but it’s ideal for existing adventurous laptop owners.
If I find any good tips I’ll be sure to pass them along Michael.
Michael, keep up the good work with the various video reviews I’ve had a chance to see on youtube. Very informative and entertaining.
Wish everyone reading this a good summer. May this blog go from strength to strength.