who knows about ...

[GreenV8S]

We've got umpteen thousand people in the Pistonheads community, and they seem to cover just about every trade and skill going. You can get an idea of what the more prolific posters do, and sometimes there's a clue in the name, but usually if you're after specialist help the only way to get it is to post a question in general gassing and hope the right person spots it.

Wouldn't it be great if people could put an entry in their profile saying what knowledge and resources they have to offer and where they're based, that other members could search geographically and by keyword? I'm thinking of something much more widespread and low key than the trade adverts, so I could look for a plumber in Milton Keynes, or a lawyer in Luton, or find a stainless steel stockist anywhere in the UK. These experts would benefit from having a 'shop front' in PH land, and the rest of us would benefit from being able to find them. What do you reckon, is it worth a try?

[FourWheelDrift]

There is a field for 'Occupation' and 'Region' in your profile, not everyone uses it though.

[BrianTheYank]

FourWheelDrift said:

There is a field for 'Occupation' and 'Region' in your profile, not everyone uses it though.

I think he is saying that he wants there to be a search function so u can search for diff occupations......
Cant u read right FWD

[docevi1]

Imagine if you will someone who is very good at their job, say a stockbroker. Imagine how many emails they'd get from people asking for advice...

Much better to allow the person to choose if they want to answer a topic by putting it in the GG forum rather than asking one person directly imo.

[FourWheelDrift]

I meant to say the fields are already there only the search bit needs to added.

Just me trying to do 3 things at once and not concentrating properly or typing out what my head said

[BrianTheYank]

docevi1 said:

Imagine if you will someone who is very good at their job, say a stockbroker. Imagine how many emails they'd get from people asking for advice... Much better to allow the person to choose if they want to answer a topic by putting it in the GG forum rather than asking one person directly imo.

or just allow a user to choose to have their name not show up in a search.

[docevi1]

Thinking outside of my thoughts aint something I do well

If it's off by default all the better

[swindorski46]

BrianTheYank said:

or just allow a user to choose to have their name not show up in a search.

A bit like having the option of filling in your occupation and region in your profile then?

[BrianTheYank]

swindorski46 said:

BrianTheYank said: or just allow a user to choose to have their name not show up in a search. A bit like having the option of filling in your occupation and region in your profile then?

well, they could have it filled in so if people care what they do specifically they go clicky el profilo and see. but they may not want to come up in a search.

[Tripps]

docevi1 said:

Imagine if you will someone who is very good at their job, say a stockbroker. Imagine how many emails they'd get from people asking for advice...

rich1231 would be inundated with hair-styling requests for instance

Seriously though, skills and occupation are very different, our good friend Podie is an ergonomist and nob gag specialist but also rather more handy in IT than some professionals are, so some sort of skills database might be more useful perhaps?

[PetrolTed]

It's a good idea. I will implement something along these lines.