Just when you thought SaabWorld couldn't get any better... I would like to introduce the Garage.

SaabWorld - Saab forums, media, blog, news, archive - Saab Garage

I have been looking at many different gallery and image add-ons because the standard vBulletin albums are very limited. Most were just OK and nothing really stood out or had must-have features. Until I found this. I think the Garage is perfect for our needs to share with and show off our Saabs to the rest of the Saab World.

Currently, the basic version is installed and i am waiting for the purchased license details and download. The free version has many cool features already and the upgraded version has even more.

I think there is not much to explain to get started and add your Saab(s) to the Garage. There is a Garage button in the navigation bar and random Saabs will be displayed in the main forum area. I have tested adding a few cars and so far so good.

Please give it a try and report any errors or problems. There are many configurable settings and I am still going through them all.

The licensed version has been installed. Besides loosing a few images/settings and crashing the entire forum database for a short period of time, it all went pretty smooth.

Too many new features to list for new so check it out. I'll need to get some sleep sooner or later.

We're getting an error when adding a modification to a vehicle. It seems to be happening with the Install Mileage field.
MySQL Error : Unknown column 'install_mileage' in 'field list'

I am checking with tech support for a fix.

The Google map is enabled and working now. You can fill in the zipcode field when adding or editing a vehicle and it will put a marker on the map. SaabWorld - Saab forums, media, blog, news, archive - Saab Garage

Not sure if it will work with locations outside the US so give it a try.

Originally Posted by Wulf

The Google map is enabled and working now. You can fill in the zipcode field when adding or editing a vehicle and it will put a marker on the map. SaabWorld - Saab forums, media, blog, news, archive - Saab Garage

Not sure if it will work with locations outside the US so give it a try.

goole maps:
it works great, many spanish streets names, la paloma, santa ana, sierra blanco; in the other side pleasure ave....
the car pictures links the car photo album.

congrats, good job.

I just changed my location to a zipcode in the Netherlands and the marker was moved. You can drag the map and see the new marker location.

If you want to show your vehicle details on the map, make sure the setting "Hide Details On Map" is set to 'Show".

Originally Posted by Wulf

We're getting an error when adding a modification to a vehicle. It seems to be happening with the Install Mileage field.

This problem is fixed now. I added a modification and all seems good.
SaabWorld - Saab forums, media, blog, news, archive - Saab Garage

The only downside as I can see it so far is that the s/w won't resize images.
I created my garage but it wouldn't accept my photos.

Originally Posted by SaabScott

The only downside as I can see it so far is that the s/w won't resize images.
I created my garage but it wouldn't accept my photos.

Just load them in paint, click on the resize, and then resize it to the desired number of pixels (largest allowed is 800x600)

Originally Posted by SaabScott

The only downside as I can see it so far is that the s/w won't resize images.
I created my garage but it wouldn't accept my photos.

I just tried to upload a 1024x768 600kB image and it was re-sized without any message or problem. These automatic image downsizings are not really high quality though and you get much better image results when you use imaging software. But it still should work though. Did you get any messages?

I sometimes use Automator on my Mac to quickly resize a batch of images but most of the time a batch process in Macromedia Fireworks or Photoshop for best results.

This is the resized image by the SW Garage
http://saabworld.net/garage-attach-91/

I use iPhoto on my Mac to export a ton of photos at once, in custom resolution. There are really a zillion ways to do this, aren't there.

Originally Posted by euromobile900

There are really a zillion ways to do this, aren't there.

I guess you could open it on your computer, take a picture of your computer screen... after setting up desired resolution on your camera, then upload that picture. I think quality might suffer a tad though

There is a new Vehicle Class field. This was originally used for Compact/Midsize/Large/Fullsize etc but it'll be used for Bodystyle on our site. So when you go to Search for vehicles in the Garage, you can select this field and search for just Wagons, for example.

You'll need to edit your existing vehicles if you want to include this field for your Saab. It will automatically show up when you add a new vehicle.

So far, I have these body styles in there.

Sedan/Saloon
Wagon/Estate
Convertible/Cabriolet
Hatchback
Crossover/SUV

Anything missing? What bodystyle is a Sonett? Is that a Coupe?

neat! Has lots of very neat things to add to the cars. Very cool program for the site - hope it does not use too much bandwith! lol

For the mods - you need to get a much more complete list. Takes too long to add them and get approved, then it doesn't even stick the pending mod onto the profile when it does get approved. VERY time consuming Overall neat however and I am willing to waste many hours on the program - but alas I will have to do so from home since the work PC is too slow with java.

Originally Posted by Burnsside42

For the mods - you need to get a much more complete list.

For all the SW members, we need to make a list!

Another option is not to require approval for now so anyone can add new products. But that may create duplicate entries with different/wrong spelling/wrong categories etc. This can be cleaned up though.

I think it will take some time to make a comprehensive database but it will also be an important asset. Like when you search for a certain product and you can immediately see all other Saabs it has been installed on. Or checking out a vendor and see who purchased from them.
http://saabworld.net/garage-shops/

Did you add the zipcode and country to your vehicle? It's not showing up on the map.
http://saabworld.net/garage.php?do=veh_map

Any reason that under the "Browse" section it isn't updating how many cars are under each section?

Originally Posted by Shazam

Any reason that under the "Browse" section it isn't updating how many cars are under each section?

There is a manual update of the numbers available (done 5 minutes ago) but need to find out if that can de done automatically.

Here is a motorcycle forum with the same Garage software.
BMW F800 Riders Forum & Registry - VB Pro Garage

It's interesting to see what a valuable resource/registry it can become with 1000+ vehicles. Keeping all these records of your car can also be valuable when you want to sell it.

Future versions will have a VIN field and you can already move a vehicle in the garage from one member/owner to another. It would be cool to see a complete history of a car by different owners.

I'll be doing some maintenance and making a few changes in the Garage in the next few hours. The Garage may be closed or links can appear broken or missing. Don't add any new cars/mods etc for now. I'll update when it is safe to do so again.

We're trying to convert dynamic URLs to static and more descriptive URLs for the Garage. Search engines like static URLs much better. It's an ongoing process but you can use the Garage to add and modify entries. But it still may appear unavailable at times.

Originally Posted by Wulf

We're trying to convert dynamic URLs to static and more descriptive URLs for the Garage. Search engines like static URLs much better. It's an ongoing process but you can use the Garage to add and modify entries. But it still may appear unavailable at times.

In layman's terms, I think it means we have a great admin. Always improving little things here and there, and spending countless hours tweaking and working on the site. Thank you Wulf!