Over the past few weeks we have seen a number of changes to the site including the return of free subscriptions! Please tell your friends and colleagues.
Improved Download Pages
We have also introduced a "Version History" link on each down load page so that authors can keep track of how a download changes with time. We have also improved the download comment feature so that authors are automatically emailed when a user raises a comment or question about their calculation. These new features remove any confusion regarding when to use the forum and when to use comments.
New Version History Feature
Here is a sample link from Alex Tomanovich's IE2006 spreadsheet. You can check the version history to see how this calculation has changed over time. Use the Subscribe button to receive an automatic email should this calculation be updated to a higher version. Use the Favourite button so you can easily find this calculation in the future.
New "Like this?" Feature: More submitted by this user - this will take you to Alex's profile page and list all his other calculations.
New HTML Link Feature on All Download Page. Copy and Paste into your own website.
New HTML Window Feature on All Download Pages. This creates the complete download page including zooming graphics and description without the ExcelCalcs menu, borders or google-ads. This makes a simple way to reproduce our content on your own websites. Here it is in action on the MoreVision website.
The Good Calculation GuideNew
We have published a guide based on best practice employed by our finest authors. Learn from the best and follow the guide yourself.
Simplified Upload ProcedureNew
We have made it easier than ever to upload your calculations. Just browse to your spreadsheet and click the submit button.
Top Author ListingNew
We have introduced a top 40 authors list based on the number of calculations they have published on the site.
Premium ServicesNew
We have introduced "Premium Services" to the site menu. Sometimes users need a little more help in solving their engineering problems so we offer additional services like finite element analysis, strain gauge, processing test results, Excel addin development, bespoke software development, website development and of course custom spreadsheet development and training courses for engineers. There is a list of case studies to demonstrate how we help our clients solve problems and where possible we link to repository calculations so that anyone can learn from our experience.
Repository NewsNew
We have also introduced a "Most Recent Calculations" feature too. This produces a list like the one shown below with easy links to the relevant repository file, folder, author (and all his other calculations) and the calculation Version History.
Changes to Author Prizes
The author cash prize was introduced in March to see if it would fuel site growth and encourage more uploads. I have received quite a lot of correspondence from authors with regard to author prizes. Most authors have expressed that their motivation for uploading calculations is to contribute to the engineering community and is done for purely altruistic reasons not for financial gain. I fear that I have manage to offend our best authors and to make matters worse I have not noticed a difference in growth or number of uploads. I will run the prize scheme in March but I will ask winners if they would like the cash prize or if they would like to donate to a fund that I will use to pay student interns to prepare calculations over their summer vacation, as I did last year. I apologise if my enthusiasm for the site caused any offense to authors whose continued support I most highly value. John Doyle ExcelCalcs creator.