Site Suggestion- Front Page

[Gambler68]

not to p.o. anyone, but instead of having year old info that NEVER gets changed..well..once a year..why don't we put up a pic, nice quick loading b/w maybe of a few jeeps, instead of upcoming events that have long since came?

it looks lame.

I'm talking about: http://ifsja.org/

[Rogue]

a constantly changing front page would be nice

i'm not sure how hard that is from a workload/time standpoint but heck I believe IIRC that krista, flint and micheal all have some kind of webpage building/working experience.

[BRUTUS]

random image loader script... I always go right to the forums though so in all actuality don't listen to me.

[Gambler68]

Did someone hear the driver of Brutus say something?

random image loader would be neat, if it came from a USDA and sysop approved image gallery.

[Jeep4myBoys]

Originally Posted by BRUTUS

I always go right to the forums though so in all actuality don't listen to me.

I do to. Except when I'm on a new computer, I never even see the front page.

[fulsizjeep]

I have had some discussion with other mods and it is beginning to look like it might be best to just have a static home page that does not change. Based on what I understand about maintaining & changing information for that page and the resource requirements, etc., I support making it static until a more dedicated resource can be allocated to deal with it.

Yes, it does look lame.

[BRUTUS]

I appreciate the front page but I am just gonna skip it

[jdubya]

I never go to the front page. I link directly to the forum, and the technical library. I'm guessing that is what most people are doing.

It would be very easy to use a CMS (Content Management System) that would dynamically build the front page based upon recent posts and other information. I've used Joomla a bunch and it would be a perfect fit. It would give the front page a e-zine style/feel. http://www.joomla.org

The beauty of Joomla (and other CMS) is that you can incorporate syndicated data from other sites. You could incorporate data from all of the local sites, craigslist, and any other site that is allowing data syndication. This is definitely bleading edge!

The question is: Do IFSJA users really care? I've pondered this question often, and my opinion is that the user community of IFSJA doesn't care. This group seems to be about bare bones information sharing.

Just my .02

[fulsizjeep]

I use CMS at work to maintain the new look and feel of our public web pages launched last year. It is a corporate solution driven by beaurocracy way above me.
http://www.nps.gov/meve

It has it's drawbacks if you are used to freelance design. It is great for getting mass production done with a lower level of technical wizardry. Since it is a WAN based tool, bandwidth can be a concern in author mode. I still support a large set of pages with Dreamweaver for the park that will fade away later this year.
http://www.nps.gov/meve/home.htm

As far as I know, LRRH and Dome are the only two who have access to modify the home page. Maybe other mods know more on those details. The rest of the mods have various access to moderating sections of the forum. I hardly ever go to the IFSJA home page myself and don't see an issue with just making it static. I consider it the landing place for a lot of new lookers and having dated info on events there leaves it looking less than professional.

[rockjeep44]

This site has so much untapped potential it's rediculous. The home page that changes once every 5 years and a vendor forum where posts are stickied at random is just the start. Sadly, the owners have neither the time nor the drive to do anything about it. And I don't want to hear any BS about money/costs or if I don't like it then leave, etc. I've heard it all before and made suggestions that could be easily implemented.

See the thing is, I love the site which is why it makes me sad to see it just languish in mediocrity. At this point it's a dead horse as far as I'm concerned. I even got in touch with the owner and offered to buy the domain for a fair price. No dice.

[fulsizjeep]

To keep things in perspective, the home page has never been more outdated than it is right now, so 5 years is an exageration.

I like this place too. Probably the only ones who really think it sucks are banned. The rest probably go to FSJ Network for a bit saner and slower pace. Regardless of how mediocre it is, it is still the best resource for FSJ enthusiasts.

[Gambler68]

Originally Posted by fulsizjeep

I consider it the landing place for a lot of new lookers and having dated info on events there leaves it looking less than professional.

that was my point, good sir. *tips hat*

[fulsizjeep]

Oh, I forgot this bit of news...

LRRH has tried to update the page with Invasion info a couple weeks ago but can not access the FTP. Meanwwhile, he waits to hear back on getting access.

Another reason to just dress it up with generic welcome and leave it once access is fixed.

[Gambler68]

[turtlejoe]

I vote for a static page with a really cool image/images.

[rockjeep44]

Take the pirate4x4.com approach which I copied on my own site. Single image, dressed up a little bit, your name, and that's it. Then when you want to update the home page you have to upload one image...one. Take 5 seconds and you have a new look. Done.

Once you enter have a generic home with some navigational menus and an interface that is easy to tweak. That way you can just swap a color here and there and some text and have a fresh look for that page as well.

[Tad]

Originally Posted by fulsizjeep

...As far as I know, LRRH and Dome are the only two who have access to modify the home page. Maybe other mods know more on those details. The rest of the mods have various access to moderating sections of the forum...

From what I understand this is correct.

We have a home page?

[londonhogfan]

How about a logo contest. Then just use it as a splash page.