North American Motoring Version 2.0

Sections: Uncategorized Jun 7th, 2004 3 Comments

The ever-popular North American Motoring (or NAM, as it's known) has just relaunched with a complete front- and back-end redesign. More specifically, the site was upgraded to vBulletin software (similar to MINI2) and the interface was thoroughly redesigned for better usability.

The site was originally set to launch around Christmas of last year but with everything from software issues to BMW legal action rearing its head in the process, the launch was delayed for months. To put in perspective just how long how much time and effort as gone into this launch, I designed the NAM logo to be used on the new site back in early 2003!

p>Here's an explanation of the process by long time NAM moderator Dave Bunting:

The migration itself took me and Mark working together for about 12 hours each to get the database converted and the site configured (everything from setting up all the forum permissions and moderators, to adding in some new smilies).

We're very pleased with the results. The new site is already a huge improvement with a cleaner layout, thread subscription, and improved tools to help users create and format their posts.

This is however, only the first step. With the additional flexibility that vB has, Mark is going to be able to add more functionality to the site.

As you point out, it's been long discussed, and we appreciate everyone hanging in there.

So a big congrats must go to NAM owner/founder Mark Ferguson, David Bunting, and the handful of other key contributors who put in countless hours to create NAM 2.0 – well done guys!

Written By: MF Staff

http://www.gbmini.net Ian Cull

I am wondering if the new design – as you say much similar to MINI2 – will dramatically alter NAM? Like your favourite pub/restaurant/whatever suddenly going all fancy and being nothing like you remember. In the past I have seen comments from people that vehemently prefer either MCO/NAM or MINI2 – now that the “look and feel” are very similar for both, will the discussions become similar too? There was a time when MINI2 was UK centric and MCO was US based but this is not so true now … can both sites survive long term?
Mike

If the mods keep things civil, and the servers handle the load w/o slow page loads then both should survive.

It will be easier to jump ship now if one of the sites goes to hell. Hopefully that won't happen.
Randolph Lee

Well now that I am not forced to view the nasty (to my eyes) white type on black that it used to be I will use it more often so thumbs up here

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