The ETRC website

[TriMax]

It is not updated on any kind of regular basis. I am working on fixing that problem. BUT, I have some questions. First, however, some of my thoughts, not all, just some:
I think I only use the website to get meeting time and directions, check who is who as far as RC nicknames go, and put a face with a name and nickname. Maybe more, but that is not much.
Actually before I served as Sec. and President, I probably did not look at the site more than monthly, if that. I think we need to maintain a website, if for nothing else, so new folks can find us, and so, we can show our appreciation to - and display the advertising of - those who sponsor the club. It seems like it could, should, and might be able to â€"œ be more than it is now. Even with more updated info, it could be more if changed.

Please go to the website, look it over, and answer all questions and make additional comments. Don’t just fuss.

Question:
If it were changed it, would you use it more?
Comments:
Those changes that should be made for me are:
Those changes that should be made for the club (maybe I would not use this part, but, I can see how it might be beneficial) are:
Other constructive comments:

Please take this seriously and make reasonable and responsible suggestions.
Thanks
Eddie

 

[knoxtnreef]

Hey Eddie

I'm not sure how much we use the club forum because I can't login. It may be better to unlock the forum to the public (with a login of course). I know it would help me a bunch if everyone could post their favorite dealers for livestock, materials, and deals when they find them. I'm always trying to find good reputable businesses when dealing with the internet. I guess my point is we must provide a everyday reason to visit the site. When the only new information we post on the site is the monthly meeting that only gives me one reason a month to go there.

I work in IT so I can help update the site when needed. I don't do code so it would be limited to basic updates such as text and pictures.

 

[Runner]

If you were to unlock the forum to the public, you would need better anti-spambot patches which I do not think the free board I used has. You would need a vbulletin board like RC has to make it secure and keep spammers from flooding our membership registry with garbage.

The username and password for our forum was etrc and etrcpw last time I checked.

When I tried to remake our boards, I probably tried to keep on too much historical content. I would have officer, member, meeting histories, and directions pages. A web board would be good, too, if properly maintained. Other good content would be a photo album -- especially if we can work out a standardized way that members can log on and submit their own. The old DIY content is a nice reference a good contribution to the world, but nothing has been added to it lately.

 

[TriMax]

thanks for a response Scott and Adam.

The level of response kind-of makes me think the club as little to no interest in the website.

Could we generate some? Or, are we too busy with the RC forum and our personal lives? I am not saying this as a put down, just asking.

Eddie

 

[Runner]

I think there may be something in the MACNA support/membership rules about needing some sort of website. You might want to check that for content requirements, if any.

 

[TriMax]

Scott

I was not saying that we were not going to have a website. I was asking for suggestions to make it more useful to the members.

Eddie

 

[EvilMel]

If it were changed it, would you use it more?
NO. I would not use it more than I use it now, which is never.

Comments:
I only use it for meetings, if that. I honestly haven't looked at it in months because I come here.

Those changes that should be made for me are:
I would make a "next meeting" tab, members tab, and a "here's our forum...come talk to us!" tab, with each being VERY prominently featured on the front page. These things aren't super difficult to find now though, so I'm not criticizing...just saying it wouldn't hurt to emphasize them more. Like, why isn't the "forum" tab in RED or something? A button that said "COME TALK TO THE MEMBERS ONLINE! We'd love to have you join the discussion!" in red might get people to come over here more.

Those changes that should be made for the club (maybe I would not use this part, but, I can see how it might be beneficial) are:
General information about frag swaps and what/when they usually are.

Other constructive comments:
If it were up to me, and I had a bigger tank (without flatworms), I would offer all new people a free frag just for showing up. So on the front of the page I would put:
RECEIVE A FREE FRAG AT YOUR FIRST MEETING ALONG WITH POTLUCK-STYLE FOOD.

 

[ct_vol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13854391#post13854391 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilMel
If it were changed it, would you use it more?
NO. I would not use it more than I use it now, which is never.

Comments:
I only use it for meetings, if that. I honestly haven't looked at it in months because I come here.

Those changes that should be made for me are:
I would make a "next meeting" tab, members tab, and a "here's our forum...come talk to us!" tab, with each being VERY prominently featured on the front page. These things aren't super difficult to find now though, so I'm not criticizing...just saying it wouldn't hurt to emphasize them more. Like, why isn't the "forum" tab in RED or something? A button that said "COME TALK TO THE MEMBERS ONLINE! We'd love to have you join the discussion!" in red might get people to come over here more.

Those changes that should be made for the club (maybe I would not use this part, but, I can see how it might be beneficial) are:
General information about frag swaps and what/when they usually are.

I agree with all of what Melly stated here... I don't think that there is much of a benefit for our current ACTIVE members in using the website... I believe the website is needed more for members that can not keep current with the forum, and for new/potential members. It should give a synopsis of what the club is, activities we do, posting of meeting minutes.... Etc etc... It would also be nice if those that were interested in being social with us could more easily find RC from our website...

All of that being said, club website "hits" are what helps us get better donations for our frag swap... There is not much of a benefit, besides a tax write off, for commercial entities to "donate" to our club, in trade for posting a banner on our website, when no one visits the website and hence doesn't see their banner...

 

[EvilMel]

I also suggest that we update the members pics section because the last pics are form 2004, which makes it seem like we aren't very active...though we ARE.

 

[seased]

adding to what Mel and Randy said - I think the site should be like a brochure that we could point new potential members to get club information. It would have a membership app, activities (meetings, swaps, special trips, etc...), and a link to the RC forum. Also, I like the links to some of the talks and DIY stuff that has come from meeting topics.

 

[macclellan]

I agree with what Randy, Mel and others said.

Speaking as a new member....When I first heard about the club, I found the site and my first impression wasn't very good (no offense intended to whoever designed it). It looked kinda basic, outdated, etc. and I wondered if the club was still active. Then I saw that membership required $, and that the forum wasn't accessible made it all seem pretty mysterious...I could see plenty of people turning away at that point. - let's be honest, the $ is offputting, especially considering the above and that no explanation was given as to what the $ was for. Paying for a hobby-related club was a new concept to me (not that I regret it or that the $ wasn't warranted - I'm now privy to info that's not expressed on the site).

I ended up having to email Randy (who was then, and still is listed as president) with questions and such because the site wasn't too helpful.

"If it were changed, would I use it more?"
It depends on how it is changed! Catch-22. Considering I use it none now, I wouldn't use it less if it were changed, and likely would use it more, depending on what is added.

Hopefully that's taken constructively and doesn't come off as too harsh - at least it's honest.

 

[vipjd39]

I have just enough code knowledge and web design to be dangerous. I know I am not a current member, but would be happy to help update the site.

 

[EvilMel]

McLovin, I think your comments came off just fine...this time. hah hah.

 

[Runner]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13882477#post13882477 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vipjd39
I have just enough code knowledge and web design to be dangerous.

As do I, which is evident in the current web pages.