New ALSCCA WEBSITE !

[DAB21]

05/17/09
TO: all ALSCCA members
RE: ALSCCA website up-grade

The good people who make up the Board of the ALSCCA voted to proceed with the up-grading of our website. I will be the Project Manager for the conversion process, and of course Ricky and the Board will have complete oversight. I prepared a short PowerPoint presentation to partially illustrate the new concept. The actual look of the new website is not as important as its structural nature. Each ALSCCA program, such as AutoX, will have its own “container” or page. When complete, we will have 8 different people up-dating specific containers whenever they choose. This should eliminate the “static” nature of our site as something will likely be changing all the time. To eliminate the “boring” nature, the content should focus on: a) close-ups of faces, b) close-ups of cars or parts of cars, info and pics of noobs, pics and stories about the fun we are having, etc.

Once we have it up and running, I encourage every one to contribute something, pictures/stories/dirt/antidotes/jokes/whatever of usual interest to our club members, on a continuous basis. For example, if you are active in AutoX send your stuff to AutoX Chairman Jamie Holladay; RallyX, send to Shea Serian, etc. I will be heading up the “Garage Crawl” so send me your garage items.

Before we get to that, right now I want all the comments and suggestions I can get about the site itself. Please tell me specifically what you like about the PowerPoint presentation and more importantly, what you dislike. I need this feedback so we can incorporate the best (and light the grill with the rest ).

GIMME some- dab_sr@bellsouth.net

David Branch, Sr.

If you have MS Publisher ver 2003 (or +) the link is http://www.rotarymiata.com/NewAlsccaWebsite.ppt I recommend you download it first and then run it.

If you don’t have MS Publisher, get a viewer first: [url]http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=048DC840-14E1-467D-8DCA-19D2A8FD7485&displaylang=en

[engled]

Way to go David, Alan sent me the presentaion a week or so ago and I really liked it. I will be glad to add my $0.02 when I can.

[TouringBubble]

I sent some lengthy feedback David ... please don't throw anything at me ... =(

[Cholewa]

The pages look like adverts in the back of a magazine.

The format of the site currently is fine, it could stand to be updated a bit with some larger fonts, maybe some clickable buttons instead of words to help fill more space. Having the main money makers/regular events be large on the front page would be smart. The home page is fine in my opinion, but it's the sub pages that need work. NDCCC should be HUGE, as well as the autocross/rallycross buttons. People should not have to actively search the page to find links to those, and once they go to them they should be large and interactive. Your NDCCC mock up actually looked pretty good, a lot of pictures, the video, and some streamlining and that could be awesome.

The autocross page... Too cluttered. I think by hosting videos and having them clickable would be great, just a few small ones, or compilations to get people interested. the schedule should be large and immediately viewable upon entering the page. In this day and age, quick videos will be a great asset to let people in on what's going on, instead of reading or looking at pictures (if there are pictures they need to be fun pictures of cars on 3 wheels, spinning, making absurd turns, passing through the lights, etc.)

[DAB21]

Good feedback-

[dr_phatcity]

It's not clear to me what the good stuff and garage corner are supposed to represent. It seems odd to make them equal to the six primary functions of the club; solo, rally, TT, club racing, PDE, and NDCC.

Perhaps akin to the message board (which rocks by the way -- thank you jamie); we can highlght the six primary functions of the club(with the message board link - maybe an automatic list of new posts in each forum subsection) and have smaller areas for other topics on the webpage -- i.e. garage corner (which could include the technical section of the forum), worker opportunities (which could include that section of the forum), and Market place (those forum sub categories).

Given that the forum is such an integral portion of this website to members, it would be a shame not to integrate the "front page" with the forum.

-Jamie

[dr_phatcity]

I nominate Chuck Shultz for the PDX section of the webpage ... his performance on the alscaa facebook page and his persistant interest in making it work leads me to believe he can pull this off well...

[DAB21]

It's not clear to me what the good stuff and garage corner are supposed to represent. It seems odd to make them equal to the six primary functions of the club; solo, rally, TT, club racing, PDE, and NDCC.
Everything about the Home Page is designed to "hook" the reader into visiting his/her area of interest, and expose him/her to other areas at the same time. "Attraction" and "User-friendly" should reel-in noobs.
The Good Stuff is simply a more interesting way of presenting the static data (who's who for 2009, the R.E.Port, etc), and give the RE a place to bloviate.
The Garage Crawl is a "commons" area, a place to showcase our members garages and demonstrate members solutions to everyday problems, such as working out of a closet. The Garage Crawl will also feature members versions of "the Man's Room" or Man Cave which are becoming more popular.

Perhaps akin to the message board (which rocks by the way -- thank you jamie); we can highlght the six primary functions of the club(with the message board link - maybe an automatic list of new posts in each forum subsection) and have smaller areas for other topics on the webpage -- i.e. garage corner (which could include the technical section of the forum), worker opportunities (which could include that section of the forum), and Market place (those forum sub categories).

Given that the forum is such an integral portion of this website to members, it would be a shame not to integrate the "front page" with the forum.
Making direct links to the various sections of the Message board is a great idea.. This will be incorporated right away.
-Jamie

THANKS for the ideas, and keep 'em coming-
David

[Cholewa]

Keep in mind also that this is a website that most of us browse from our computers, a flashy GUI is unnecessary. The simpler the better. Feng Shui

[Welacey]

Dave you are the man. Looking like you are catching us up to the present and future.

[DAB21]

Dave you are the man. Looking like you are catching us up to the present and future.

Thanks. All I can say at this point is "yer pays yer money and yer takes yer chance." (keeping all fingers and toes crossed!)

[VroomGrrl]

Thanks for your work on this project!

I hope the designer of the current page doesn't see the powerpoint proposal, though, as I thought the criticism and mocking of the current site design would come across pretty harsh to that person, whoever it is.

In my opinion, the proposed design is way way way too busy. I don't mean any offense, but I would rather look at the old page than the proposed new design. I think there are improvements that could be made to the current page which would make it much more useful and attractive, without entirely reinventing the wheel. And without going way overboard in the other direction, as this one seems to me to do.

Here are a few SCCA sites who have "done it right" in my opinion:

http://www.sfrscca.org/

http://www.oregonscca.com/

Those two appear to be from the same basic template, which makes me wonder if SCCA provides web design support to local clubs, or some type of easily modified template?

http://www.scca-chicago.com/

http://www.azscca.com/

That said, it seems this design train has already left the station. If so, here are a few specific suggestions:

Pages with text need shorter blocks of text with much more white space. Otherwise, visually it's just a blur.

I think photos look better with some kind of border or delineation between them. Again, white space.

Where print pages have two or more columns of text, there needs to be much more space between the columns. Boy am I repetitive. This is also a "white space" thing.

I do appreciate your work and your enthusiasm. You know what they say about opinions! And you did ask! I would just hate to see us invest a lot of time and money to trade one set of problems for another.

PS If it takes a paragraph to explain what a feature on the site is for, I think it'll be unlikely to reel in noobs (or anyone else) as easily as is suggested.

[chuck schultz]

No matter what anyone thinks of any design, the most-important thing to remember, and the reason I support the change, is that the new system will allow easier, more-timely updates by the club directly, instead of having to funnel changes through the web provider.

This will be a double-edged sword - we will be able to update content easily vs. we will need to update content in a timely manner, with no excuses.

I nominate Chuck Shultz for the PDX section of the webpage ... his performance on the alscaa facebook page and his persistant interest in making it work leads me to believe he can pull this off well...

Well, I don't always have the time available that I've had the last couple of weeks.

I've been asked to do the Volunteer section of the site, and I'm glad to help. However, I do think that any program-specific sections should be the responsibilities of the individual event chairs, whenever possible.

[DAB21]

No matter what anyone thinks of any design, the most-important thing to remember, and the reason I support the change, is that the new system will allow easier, more-timely updates by the club directly, instead of having to funnel changes through the web provider.

This will be a double-edged sword - we will be able to update content easily vs. we will need to update content in a timely manner, with no excuses.

Well, I don't always have the time available that I've had the last couple of weeks.

I've been asked to do the Volunteer section of the site, and I'm glad to help. However, I do think that any program-specific sections should be the responsibilities of the individual event chairs, whenever possible.

My concept was to make the website attractive to get noobs excited to join the fun, and easy to find basic info to be able to become active. The website should not be the only place for info, just the jumping-off spot, a fun, friendly starting point. That is why I recommend up-dates have no deadlines. Up-date it when it is convenient for you. I also recommended the Chairman of the Program initially be the key holder because he/she will likely be excited enough to want to up-date his/her container after each event. The Chairman can always delegate to a helper if so desired (flexability). But, if people clammor for you to up-date more often and you don't have the time, then pass your key to someone more able. With 8 different up-daters, something will likely be up-dated all the time, thus giving us a MUCH LESS static and/or boring website. Our old website has the style of having been written by one engineer to speak to other engineers. This is not a "dig", it is an observation. Moreover, when it was written there were not a lot of choices and cost was an overriding concern. Today is all about marketing. Today is a new day and the driving force is to climb up, out of the old mould into a fun, attractive, frequently up-dated and enjoyable site, attractive to non-engineers too.

Chuck, I recommended you for the Volunteers Container because you were not currently a Chairman of another program, and because I think you have the most experience. You work many, many events in different programs, at different tracks and locations, and manage a lot of people as well as knowing ALL the schedules in the world . Its a tough job but you do it extreemly well.

David

[DAB21]

WHEW! You gave me a ton to review- THANKS!

Thanks for your work on this project! My pleasure-

I hope the designer of the current page doesn't see the powerpoint proposal, though, as I thought the criticism and mocking of the current site design would come across pretty harsh to that person, whoever it is. Nothing meant as derogatory- simply contrasting a very old style, strick limitations, tight cost constraints, with todays more market-wise offerings.

In my opinion, the proposed design is way way way too busy. I don't mean any offense, but I would rather look at the old page than the proposed new design. I think there are improvements that could be made to the current page which would make it much more useful and attractive, without entirely reinventing the wheel. And without going way overboard in the other direction, as this one seems to me to do.

Here are a few SCCA sites who have "done it right" in my opinion:

http://www.sfrscca.org/

http://www.oregonscca.com/

Those two appear to be from the same basic template, which makes me wonder if SCCA provides web design support to local clubs, or some type of easily modified template?
I reviewed these and you're right-they are similar. The thing I especially liked is the "club calendar" of up-coming events. I did find the flipping pictures a distraction because they are so big.

http://www.scca-chicago.com/

http://www.azscca.com/

I found Arizona to be even busier than our proposal! I do plan on making ours less busy.

That said, it seems this design train has already left the station. If so, here are a few specific suggestions:

Pages with text need shorter blocks of text with much more white space. Otherwise, visually it's just a blur.

I think photos look better with some kind of border or delineation between them. Again, white space.

Where print pages have two or more columns of text, there needs to be much more space between the columns. Boy am I repetitive. This is also a "white space" thing.

I do appreciate your work and your enthusiasm. You know what they say about opinions! And you did ask! I would just hate to see us invest a lot of time and money to trade one set of problems for another.
I'm seriously looking into space, white space! You guys are determined to make me into some kind of decent page designer yet!

PS If it takes a paragraph to explain what a feature on the site is for, I think it'll be unlikely to reel in noobs (or anyone else) as easily as is suggested.

I really appreciate all the criticisms. Please keep them coming.
David