I extracted my following 2/21/05 post from another thread since the proper place for it is in this one.
Brian Jackson said:
Quick question. What is it about the current site people are so angry about?.......
Well, I can't say I'm angry but the screen looked much better before it was tinkered with. Jamie did a good job with it. Also, for us old guys, get rid of that dark border and use the area to make everything larger, especially the text! In fact get rid of the dark colors on all the screens and brighten the site.
Hmmm, just doing some random thinking which in the past has got me in all kinds of hot water but.......
While you guys are at it, give us a download area for some of the spreadsheets that we use to have available to us on Norm's Conference. The EAA reference downloads in their magazine(s) whenever an article uses a spreadsheet. I don't like the fact that they are almost impossible to find on the web site (they have some problems also!) but it is nice that they are made available to members.
Speaking of members, has there been any thought given to a members only area where the real goodies are displayed. It might serve as an incentive to join the PRA. Glimpses of what is available to members could be displayed on the home page. There were several other items on Norm's Conference such as ones from either Peter Lovegrove or Jean Fourcade that would be nice to have available again.
I know several people have talked about a database for PRA mag article topics. If one were created could it be part of the web site? Membership database? How 'bout a 'Meet the Expert' where a short profile, including a picture, of our more respected members could be displayed. The same with the BOD. How 'bout an area for PRA convention award winners pictures. Maybe a PRA hall of fame for past Man & Machine winners? I like the idea of the tributes page but can't something be done with it instead of just links. How 'bout pictures of the people and link from that? A BOD candidates rogues gallery?
What about providing links to help pilots such as flight services and weather info? I see many sites that display the local weather/temp, could this be done for different chapter areas and etc?
Any thought given to aviation related ads (tastefully done so as not to overwhelm the screen) for the purpose of at least paying for the web site?
I just extracted the following from the PRA web site.
(Classified Advertisement Policy
Ads for these homebuilt rotorcraft items for sale or trade are purchased for publication in Rotorcraft magazine. They are published in Rotorcraft magazine prior to publication on this WEB site in order that PRA members may have first access to the ads. To receive Rotorcraft magazine and get an early look at what's for sale, click here to Join the PRA. To place your own ad in Rotorcraft magazine, click here. Rotorcraft magazine is presently published 8 times per year, those issues are: February, Mar/Apr, May, Jun/Jul, August, September, Oct/Nov, and Dec/Jan. Ad orders to Rotorcraft must be received in the PRA office 7 weeks before magazine issue month.)
You see where it says to click here to join the PRA? Well, there ain't no clicker place!
What about dating the classifieds? When they are submitted they are only published for two issues initially. This is according to the web site. If that is the case, is there a way to have them expire from the web site at the end of that time unless they are renewed.
I find that at least half of the pages displayed, when clicking on the menu items at the top of the home page screen, display very little except another menu on the left side. Isn't there something interesting the rest of the screen can be used for? Seems a waste not too! I'm sure someone here can think of something that won't conflict with the prime purpose of the display.
2/22/05 - Would links to FAA docs such as the Rotorcraft Handbook be useful?
Okay, are we about to run out of storage space and/or programming energy yet?!