This puzzles me. Aren't there a bunch of S websites already? Or, are you
talking about a magazine-type website, with articles?
Hmm. Let's assume that you are talking about a magazine-type site, and
brainstorm a bit about what that site might contain. I actually do this
kind of a thing for a living, so I'll start, but I don't know that much
about the scale, so I'm sure I'll miss a lot. Please feel free to chime in
with whatever you think is missing.
Site Vision. This is actually the most important (and most often missed)
part of planning a website. What do you want to accomplish by it? As I see
it, the central purposes of such a site as people are articulating would be:
A. To new draw people into S Scale modeling
B. To provide a clearinghouse of information about S Scale modeling for
people in the hobby
Does that cover it, or should there be others?
Site Objectives. Under the Site Vision, what specific objectives need to be
addressed?
1. to provide an introduction to S scale modeling, so newcomers can have
a place to find resources conveniently gathered
2. to provide a home for relevant articles to be found, searched, and
viewed by anyone
3. to provide a few static pages related to why choose scale modeling,
and why scale in S, beginner's layouts, AF vs. scale, etc.
4. to provide an ongoing listing of upcoming events of interest to S
scale modelers
5. to list websites of interest, including manufacturers, online
retailers, groups (including this Yahoo group),
6. to list relevant classified ads
7. to display relevant commercial advertising to pay for the site
8. to have files of interest available for download. (I know, this
group has a large download section, but it would also be convenient to put
files on a site.)
9. to list clubs and local retailers who don't have a web presence
In addition to the above, given that first purpose under the Site Vision, I
would have the home page prominently showing something demonstrating why S
is a good scale.
Were I doing it, I would set up the articles as WIKIs, with approvals
required for modification by people not already known. People posting an
article could check off whether it would be eligible for editing by anyone
other than the site editors, so some articles would NOT be WIKIs.
The upcoming events and relevant websites would also be editable content, so
people could add their own club events.
The classified ads I would set up as based on an inexpensive fee (like $5
for up to six months,) so we have a way to expire them if people don't get
back about whether the items were sold or not. To avoid harvesting of
emails from the classifieds for spam, the ad would contain a link, so the
visitor could email the advertiser directly from the website, without the
email being revealed.
The commercial ads would be of two forms: banner or sidebar advertising,
and in the listing of classifieds, as larger commercial advertisements. The
commercial classifieds could contain images.
What is missing? Personally, I don't see the need for a blog, since that
would compete with this group.
Speaking as someone has built over 200 websites (but none quite like the
above,) it is not difficult to do all of that, but it IS difficult to keep
content fresh, as anyone who maintains a site for a long period of time can
attest. There would need to be a constantly changing home page, for
example, if you want people to keep coming back. Perhaps a listing of
newest articles, soonest upcoming events, and perhaps the most recent
home-page-worthy article as the main content -- or the first paragraph and
picture of it.
The home page of a good site should be planned very much like the cover of a
magazine. Some people won't see any more of your site than they would of a
magazine from six feet away while it is sitting in the rack, unless you can
catch their eye and draw them in. IF you catch their eye, they will pick it
up, riffle through it, and put it back on the rack unless you REALLY catch
their interest, in which case they will probably buy it (or click in.)
Given the size of the community, I think non-commercial is the only option
you have for this (i.e., all articles are viewable for free, and writers do
not get compensated for submitting articles.) If you go commercial (pay the
writers and charge for the articles) I think you will have a much tougher
row to hoe.
So, is there not something that already does that out there? If there
isn't, is it something that would be helpful?
Brian Groover
aka Vivamus
_____
From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of
G C
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 11:24 AM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} Re: S-Scale Magazine support and S popularity
If those truly interested in doing something nice for S in the way of a
website, then perhaps lGoogle something called Micscape. One of my long time
interests has been microscopes and this site has it all. I understand that
most of you won't find the content of interest, but I have for a long time
thought it to be a good way to go. Yes, there is work involved, but it sure
has some great features.
Gene Cimino
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