On 15/02/2013 2:340 PM, Jan wrote:

Hi <Name Removed>,

Thanks for the feedback, appreciated.
I’ve added this into the list of things to put in the “How to prepare for events” section when I build it. Some good suggestions in there, excellent stuff!

All the best,
Jan

On 9/02/2013 5:10 PM, <Name Removed> wrote:

> Let people, especially newbies, know that they WILL have to walk everything in and out if they can’t take extra days leave. Pack stuff in waterproof containers that are easy to carry – you WILL be a long way from your car and probably won’t want to visit it and miss out on things.
> You REALLY do need your own trolley, as the hierarchy (or people pretending to be hierarchy) will take the “communal trolley” off you unless you are part of a large group or they recognize you by sight. Spending 3 hours trudging through pouring rain to leave, while the trolley sits unused beside a nobles tent leaves a very sour taste at the end of a good festival.
> Also that you need to pack your car so your things are accessible, as you will NOT be allowed in the gate wearing mundanes, even to change in the loos 20m away. Your own gear is much better than the loaners. Idea – could we have a changing tent outside the gate?????? Please??? Just some canvas and a couple of stakes???? Not everyone wants to stop in public places wearing hosen or even a tunic.
> If you are self sufficient for all food and bedding, or have prearranged all your needs, before the event, you will be much happier than assuming something will be there and finding it is not. Things happen and other peoples plans change at the last minute – maybe after you’ve left home.

Hey Dragana,

Great info and suggestions, thanks!

Minutes, added into the structure.

Newcomers – Absolutely to everything you said. I’ll make a note to contact Shaun and Berenger too.

Usability and navigation – Check. I think the currently planned structure should help as there is hopefully a proper place to put most things. The menu across the top is all well and good, but maybe it doesn’t give an idea of what is available well enough. When I’ve filled it out with all of the currently proposed structure changes I’ll have a look again and ask people to give feedback. Another thing I’m considering is potentially having a copy (or replacement) the menu on the right or left where the hierarchy is viewable. Further, a sitemap always helps

Guide / How to use the site and better about us information – Agree. I’ll have to address this when there is a bit more to see. I’ve added some information to the front page and a Where Is Everything Else? page which are an improvement for now.

Galleries – Of course. Completely agree with the wow factor and it improves what I’ll call stickiness. It certainly adds a whole different dimension. In the structure plan I’ve now added galleries to each area I think could need them. You are certainly not the first to mention this.

Notices – Great point. I had news / notices together before you mentioned it. I now see the important distinction, thanks. I’ve split them out as separate parts of each area I see could need them.

Calendar – You could say I’m working on it. I hope to have it back up soon. As for the added functionality, I’ll think that can be achieved, but will have to look into it. Ability to show / hide specific parts is a good idea. I’ll also see if I can do something about the overall look which is too confined and rather dated looking.

I would appreciate that chat re your time as Chronicler at some stage. Other people’s opinions and insight are hugely valuable to help me do things in such a way that accommodates as best as possible, rather than for me

Jan

On 8/02/2013 9:23 AM, Dragana Rozsa wrote:
>
> Hi Geoff,
>
> I cant really take on a role atm but I would like to assist you.
>
> I was chronicler last year and have a few thoughts for the website. I’m sure many of these thing are already on your to do lists but I thought I’ll mention them in case they help.
>
> Sorry to start with a boring point, but one of the most important things that hasn’t been addressed yet, is the minutes of the baronial meetings. They haven’t been put up in years. When I was still chronicler there was discussion of having something on the webpage so people could access the meetings minutes. I have some from 2012 that I’d like to get rid of
> Also I noticed you mentioned you are going make the site more newcomer friendly. I think this is great. I’ve had a few people show interest in joining the SCA and we need a decent place for them to go. The site is a bit clumsy at the moment and not easy to navigate. At some point, Shaun the Bastard was set up as a person for newcomers to contact and he and Berenger were designing recruiting posters to use. They made one fighting orientated design some time ago, maybe you can find that and see if they got any further?
> So, it would be great to have a good place on the site so anyone interested, can get more info about us and what we do than is there at present (even if much of it links to other sites). Oh oh, or even on the front page of our site, after the intro “who we are” part, have a bit of a guide on how to use the site (e.g. if you want this go to this tab “EVENTS” etc.)
> ……AND PHOTOS!!! I’m not just saying this as a photoholic, photos are a great drawcard. Someone can see a good picture of something and think “oh wow, that looks interesting, I’d love to try / see that!” Other than the odd photo on pages of the site, the topic of creating a gallery has come up and I’m sure it was agreed to be a valuable idea, but nothing has happened as yet. LOL, I can supply one or two photos for you if you want or you can scroll through my Julie or Dragana facebook photo albums if you want? Some of the ones I regularly use came from the festival albums. I focused on activites (A&S, Court, fighting etc) when taking photos last year. Other years are less categorised but still have some great shot.
> Coming back to my time as Chronicler, I recall wanting a place on the website for notices. Notices may take a lot of room but they are important. People did mention that it would be a good place to store info. YES, as you pointed out, messages just get pushed down on emailing list and facebook and it becomes difficult to scroll and find.
> Regarding the events calender, I don’t know how other people feel but I think it would be great if there was an easier way to view it than currently shown on the site. Different colours for regular events and Rowany vs Lochac events is good, but (if possible) is there was a way to view just the regular events (like fighter prac) and maybe other buttons to see other specific event types (e.g. feasts, tourneys, festival etc.) as well as all at once like it is now. I know Facebook can do this with birthdays.
> Actually I’ve just gone to check a few things and the calender is not working. Are you working on it atm?
>
> Oh I’ve forgotten what else I thought of. I’ll probably email you again soon. Hope this helps in anyway. Willing to discuss ideas from when I was Chronicler any time.
>
>
> Julie (Dragana)
>