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cschuerm(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 3:59 am Post subject: web site

nico,

dead links on the "maintenance" page:



SB235

Upgrade kits

Service center locator

all overhaul resources

Commander tips.



Just my two cents work, but I consider it good style to somehow identify 

"off-site" links differently than local links.  Can come as a surprise 

when you end up somewhere totally unexpected.

chris

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steve2(at)sover.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 5:59 am Post subject: web site

Just a suggestion......



I remember some time back Nico was busier than a one armed paper hanger with 

a business.



Does it make any sense to have one or two others who understand this stuff 

to pitch in and lend a hand? I know enough (to think I know) that a web page 

could be updated, created and submitted remote for posting.



Steve

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cschuerm(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 8:06 am Post subject: web site

Steve W wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		  

 Does it make any sense to have one or two others who understand this 

 stuff to pitch in and lend a hand?


	


The contract that Jim and I have which transfered stewardship of the web 

site to the TCFG has provisions for exactly this scenario Steve.   Seems 

like an excellent idea to accept volunteer efforts to update the site 

with new information and keep it fresh and interesting.

Chris

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nico(at)cybersuperstore.c
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:26 am Post subject: web site

My thoughts on it are that folks can post articles onto the site which then

are moderated and accepted and posted to the appropriate pages. This makes

the process seamless and yet controlled. Much like You Tube's comments that

one can post in reference to video clips. When one posts a video clip, there

is a choice whether the comments from users are subject to approval or not. 



I would like to continue with the redesign of the site's architecture so

that new features are not additional add-ons but part of the architecture.

Similarly, Commander Tales, Commander of the Month, pics, and other

contributions are envisioned to be an auto-upload feature (subject to a

moderator so that junk and unwanted stuff can be deleted before they are

published) so that members' participations are not lost in some archive

somewhere.



It's a second-best feature to link to outside sources such as the FAA and

Aircraft vendors websites, because the user becomes subject to another

website's rules and character. To circumvent that, permissions are needed to

copy information to one's own website and then someone must manage that,

which might be too much to add to the burden of the volunteer army of the

Group right now. So, outside links should be part of the architecture.



Then, the banner advertisements on the current site. Are they maintained

(must be because I see different ads running every now and then) and how

should they feature in the new site? Are payments collected from these

advertisers or are these banners a courtesy to loyal suppliers?



My current goal is to take the functionality of the current site and rebuild

it into a new design, incorporating the stuff that I mentioned above. I'd

hate to see volunteer contributors scratch around in the code to publish

things; that can be done through auto-uploads, which will preserve the

integrity and functionality of the code.



Just my thoughts and some light on the direction in which I am heading.

Your input would be very much appreciated.



Thanks



Nico



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cschuerm(at)cox.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 1:48 pm Post subject: web site

nico css wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   I would like to continue with the redesign of the site's architecture so

 that new features are not additional add-ons but part of the architecture.


	




Nico,

What tools are you using these days for web authoring?  I agree 

absolutely with a well-thought-out structure.  Back when I was doing the 

web site, I was generating all the framework HTML by hand, so the 

behind-the-scenes file and directory structure was critical to being 

able to maintain the site.  I accepted word documents as submissions 

along with individual image files so that I could simply save the 

document as HTML, add in some IMG tags, and plop it in the proper directory.

Surely things are even easier now, but I have to admit that I haven't 

looked at any authoring tools in many a year.

  Unless modification tracking and management tools are much better than 

they were 5 years ago, I don't think it would be wise to allow open 

modifications (although it might be interesting if you had a rigidly 

controlled group of "maintainers" who could all edit at will - ie: the 

wikipedia model).

How about providing site framework structure of some type so that people 

who are interested in submitting new data (or entire pages) would have a 

reference to work off of.  Would that make your life easier as far as 

integrating new content?  The software modification management tools 

that I use would allow someone to download a section of the site, edit, 

them re-submit for your approval without any risk of mangling the online 

copy.



I was wondering about all the banner ads too.... I thought you were 

hosting the site pro-bono for the TCFG?  If so, get rid of them unless 

they're directly paying either you or the FG.

chris

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don.barry(at)sbcglobal.ne
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject: web site

Nico,



What do you think about using one of the commerical forum software packages,

like vBulletin?



I have a site dedicated to my fond love of electric riding lawnmowers that

we made in the 1970's (http:/www.elec-trak.com) - after two years of fussing

with HTML and such - I went to the forum software. It has all that

functionality you mentioned built into it.



There is even an add-in now to allow posting to the forum via email, with

email broadcasts to all the subscribers (just like this matrionics site).



Regards,



Don B

Houston TX

FCOS(Future Commander Owner Someday) 



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nico(at)cybersuperstore.c
Guest

Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject: web site

Chris,



I am not hosting the site, it's being hosted by LogicalSolutions in

Rochester NY (at least that's to whom the IP address is pointing) with

Jeffrey Cagwin listed as the Technical Contact (1-585-244-9930). I never

heard of him. Currently there are no complaints about the hosting service. I

have full FTP access to the web server and experienced no problems with

accessing the site. 



I inherited the banner ads and since someone else appears to be adding new

content, I thought it best not mess with them. My (and my staff whom I

oftentimes use) labor is free for the Group because I'd like to see the site

become something of value for all. If there is money exchanging hands for

the advertising privileges, it's not at my end and I have no control over

that. Personally, I don't care if the Group gives advertising space away to

make the site more attractive for this small band of fanatics, but if money

exchanges hands, I would recommend that full disclosure is maintained. I

just don't have that information.



Currently I am not utilizing web authoring tools but my shop is geared at

developing directly in the current scripting platforms (customers'

privilege). It's just the manner in which we are set up. What I am working

towards is much like a Wiki-type experience, except that folks wouldn't be

able to edit others' work. Pilot A would, for instance, submit a story. It

would end up in a moderator's inbox who edits it a little bit for language

(pilots do not necessary come from the English classroom) and check that the

submission is in line with the kind of content that belongs on the site in

terms of usefulness and interest. Once the moderator checks the box that

approves the submission, it is automatically posted to the page's content

files. No messing with the HTML or other scripting code of the site,

guaranteeing it's integrity and stability. 



If the Group would like to comment on the designs before roll-out, I'd

recommend that we nominate a few persons who get access the to the

development platform (which I created on the existing web server) who would

check and sign-off on new developments and changes. 



Right now I just steam ahead and roll out what I think is best and if there

are changes, I apply them as soon as I can. If that's OK, then that's good

too. I don't mind working alone - we are making a living in this space, so

we won't be too far off too often. 



Just my thoughts. I hope I have addressed some of your concerns, Chris.



Thanks



Nico

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