A can of worms?

[Keith]

I don't know if this topic has come up recently, but here goes.

We all know how lively and up-to-date the Addiscombe Forum is. However, today I mentioned to a friend that I'd put some La Marmotte photos on the internet. This was the reply that I received;

[quote]
I just looked, and it is impossible to find them because the Addiscombe website is so crap!!!

Why did you waste your time posting them there? - they will never see the light of day!

[huw williams]

I must agree entirely

The forum is a modern, well oiled machine which looks after our needs in many areas - the website looks like it belongs to a club which went out of existence a few years ago.
As a potential first point of contact for new members, there's no immediate message coming through as to what the club is all about.

As Keith says, it may well be opening a can of worms suggesting that we entirely revamp it - but I think it needs doing if its to fit in with where ACC is at the moment, ie one of the biggest clubs in the country.

I'm no web expert but I'll certainly volunteer to help out with any writing requirements that need to be undertaken to achieve this

[Ivor]

seconded, I think it needs a bit of a style makeover. If/when I have time I don't mind knocking together a few ideas and showing them around.
Perhaps we need to put a bit more emphasis on the website for publicising our news rather than just everything going on the forum... just need someone with a bit of magazine experience to provide editorial expertise to keep the content organised and tidy.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

OK guys, with any of these ideas, it takes people (volunteers) and time to do.

That's great that you 2 (Ivor and Huw) are prepared to devote some time to it.

Our next committee meeting is at the beginning of September, because the holiday season is upon us.....can you put together something for then? and anyone else?

If you have some ideas and are prepared to put in some time and effort, then PM me and come along to the meeting.

Perhaps we can get a few more people (Marco????) involved.

Cheers

Guru P

[Andrew G]

I think the website has served us very well in getting new members in over the years. Marco did a great job getting this going and updating where he can (time allowing) at certain intervals, it probably does need a revamp but I know nowt on web design and building. I doubt it's a 5 minute thing though.

Possibly depends on what the website is for too. If it's your people grabber for potential newcomers then it's a different animal to a flowing more up to date site which might need quite a bit of time dedicated by someone/people to keep it up to date. I think a site ages more if it starts out all "up to date" and then fades (due to time/commitments or those doing it) than if it always stays as more of a reference point.

I think the Kinston Phoenix one at [url]http://www.kprc.org.uk/[/url] is pretty good for an up to date type one that's fairly straight forward, I expect it takes quite a lot of time to keep on top of it though.

[Snoop Doug]

for what it's worth.....

I started a new job a few months back. The associated intranet was waaaaaay out of date. First thing I did was take it down all bar the home page on which we left a few headlines, brief statement about a revamp and how to get in touch in the meantime.

Then we set about trimming the huge pile of out of date content. For the most part we just binned it. Then split the content review into small chunks put it out to relevant people. Passed the draft input past a small editorial team and then uploaded it. Have a quick review every month and add hot stuff in on an ad hoc basis. Pretty much all run by a team of volunteers with me as the person accountable. Once the initial overhaul is done the overhead is manageable.

Some very good work been done on ACC site over time, methinks we could probably simplify it a lot as part of the overhaul.

Cheers - Snoop

[huw williams]

[quote="Sean Hogan - 何祥"]Right, first things first. we already have a site that can be used as more than a companion to the main somewhat static and content dated club site. It's called the Digest: [url]http://agreeabledigest.typepad.com/agreeabledigest/[/url] Right thats my pennies worth. Sean

[adrian]

I'd be happy to chip in with editing/subediting/copywriting if needed.

[Dombo]

I too know nothing about website design. However looking at other club sites, eg Ajax and Jif in Cardiff, London Dynamo etc, they all have a homepage with tabs linking to all the relevant bits including the forums, where to meet, how to join etc.

[MJ_1993]

i agree. with everyone.

the website needs a bit of surgery.

[Andrew G]

[quote="Mo Jaffer"]i agree. with everyone.

[Will]

the eternal battle is getting content for a website

the blog helps in that respect as it is easier to update

the most active material will inevitably be in the forum - as there are lots of people adding to it every day - and that is probably one of the the best ways to attract new members

of course opening up the forum will make it a lot "livelier" which has pros and cons

big credit to marco for his stirling efforts - and perseverance - in building the site!

[Marky Mark]

[quote="Mo Jaffer"]i agree. with everyone.

the website needs a bit of surgery.

[mrP(Boonen)VT]

That's a bit fishy

[Jon H]

If the primary function of the website is to attract new members then our target audience should be as broad as possible. As well as getting non/new cyclists into cycling there must be loads of experienced/club cyclists looking for a club to join - for example people moving into the area, people fed up with their existing club etc.