TOPIC:

It has been mentioned that reviews of beer kits would be a good idea on the site.
I agree and would like to contribute. However when thinking what to write I feel that most of us that do kits, like myself are in-experienced and not sure what to write.
What about a [i:ac63b0nz]list type form [/i:ac63b0nz]that can be filled in e.g.

[b:ac63b0nz]Kit name--
Ingredients added--
Yeast used--
OG--
Primary / secondary fermentation time--
FG--
Primer used--
Bottles or barrel
Time maturing--
Results (most important!)--
Problems—[/b:ac63b0nz]

Perhaps some of you guys could add or deleat from the list and make it user friendly on the site.
Doug.

The subject of reviews (of all sorts) has been on my mind since starting on the site, and is certainly something that would be really useful. I've been looking into the best and most flexible way of incorporating this into the main site body, and I think I've found a really good solution, but it costs. I'd like things to settle down with the site a little (this new format only launched 2 weeks ago <!-- s:) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_smile.gif" alt="" title="Smile" /><!-- s:) -->) before taking that step, but it will be taken.

What it should allow us to do is provide forms exactly like you suggest, so a product can be reviewed with particular criteria being taken into account, and even scored, and then other users can add to that, so an average rating can be achieved. I was thinking this could apply to kits, books, equipment, websites and resources, online stores, anything!

So bear with is for a bit on this. The more t-shirts sold and other things that help us break even, then the more can be added to the site <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> (yes, a shameless plug <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->)

Other things in the thought pipeline (no particular order):
User blogs
Galleries
Chat room
Better forum/site integration

In the meantime I'd sugest that people do reviews, but perhaps in the forums, that way things are being captured while fresh in peoples minds, and can be moved to a more structured system when I get around to putting it in place.

I agree and i was gonna buy a t shirt til i seen it would take 2 weeks for delivery and from what i can see somebody is making most of the bucks?. Why not go the whole hog and ask members for a donation paid to a paypal account? i want this to work as much as Barry and Sean and i'll be the first to sign up so come on guys we can make this a site irish home brewers can be proud of <!-- s8) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="" title="Cool" /><!-- s8) -->

Humm— Fist of all I should have said before [b:4lq4l245]“the site is great”[/b:4lq4l245] you guys have done a fantastic job. I was delighted to find I was not alone brewing my own beer and could call on this resource. I would very much like to contribute if I can -- hence the post.

It never occurred to me that it cost? Just thought you guys were “tecie” types who could make these things work.

Having viewed the site since January it is obvious that you site builders are beer enthusiasts. I can however see where A.T. is coming from - is some rather un-Irish transparency needed? Is a paid-up membership similar to CAMRA UK is a possibility?

Ordered T-shirt to show solidarity

AT, I got mine in 5 days <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> There is a base price for a T, plus a cost per print and then a small commission for ICB (1-2 euro). And I thought this was already a site we could be proud of! <!-- s:P --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_razz.gif" alt="" title="Razz" /><!-- s:P -->

For transparency: The Content Management System itself is free. I picked one that was as good as it gets for free and has a huge support community, so things like backup modules, forum integration and stuff like that that you never notice, I got free. However, even though I am a techie, I opted to pay for some components to give a better experience for users, and of course things like domain names etc cost a bit. We're not talking huge sums, but still. Apart from that, the main investment was time! I was lucky that my other half was away for a few weeks, so I could spent every evening prior to launch getting stuff ready.

This was not done to make a profit. It was done because Séan and I like beer and wanted to give something to help the community. Donations may be an idea, but we've shied away from it for the moment. I'm too proud to be accepting charity <!-- s;) --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_wink.gif" alt="" title="Wink" /><!-- s;) --> <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D -->

(and the t-shirts are good quality! <!-- s:D --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_biggrin.gif" alt="" title="Very Happy" /><!-- s:D --> If there's a product on <!-- w --><a class="postlink" href="www.spreadshirt.net">www.spreadshirt.net that you'd like to see an ICB logo on, let me know!!!)

Maybe I'll swallow my pride. I'll have a chat with Séan about it when he gets back from his brewing course.

I would not be in favour of Camra style compulsory 'paid up' membership at the moment as this would stall the growth of the site. We all want new members as this will create momentum.

I'm all in favour of voluntary donations though and the tshirt thing seems as good a way as any to start the ball rolling. I notice Barry wore one of the tshirts at the meetup so he's already put his money where his mouth is (not to mention his time).
Paypal donations are a good idea, again as long as it's on a voluntary basis.

Now, I must go and order something.