TOPIC:

I am working with Trevor to move the web site onto a new server.

The move will take place within a few weeks.



At first there will not be a noticable change (except for the forum). Once the move is complete it will enable a site update that will make looking after the web site much more straighforward as well as adding new features.



Migration of the forum is proving to be a bit of a headache as we have to change the forum software.




Bear with me on this, you may have to re-enable you account after the change so it would be a huge help if you can ensure that your email address is up to date in your settings (so that the system can email you a password reset instruction.) You can hide your email to prevent anyone else viewing it if you wish.




Plans for the new site will include:

An improved small ads (

similar example here )
Photo Gallery
Site Search feature
[*]The ability to upload photos and files in the forum and possibly the main site too (eg gallery).


If you have any further suggestions of things you would like to see on the site please post them here.

John W.

JohnW2010-07-14 14:04:50

Excellent work Guys, looking foward to seeing you in Lyme



Cheers



Phil

Can I suggest members only access to certain functions. We can discuss at Lyme over the weekend.

Cheers

Spot on Jean.



On a rather lighter note we'd also like to see a UK Albacore on our lead page rather than a US one (sorry Barney!). After all, it IS the UK site.

John,

I'd like to see a section on Tuning or 'setting up and sailing your Albacore.'

What we currently have is very sparse and there have been some very good and interesting posts about adjusting the rig etc. These just seem to get lost after a time when they have slipped off the current pages.



Additionally I agree with Jean that people should be association members to advertise boats for sale. It often seems that people register with the site purely to advertise their boat. They collect the money and the class gets no revenue.



To advertise on the Laser Mart you have tyo be a association member and that is Ł27 nearly twice as much as ours. It is still a cheap advert and the association gets something back as well.

dom315 wrote:

John,

I'd like to see a section on Tuning or 'setting up and sailing your Albacore.'

What we currently have is very sparse and there have been some very good and interesting posts about adjusting the rig etc. These just seem to get lost after a time when they have slipped off the current pages.



Additionally I agree with Jean that people should be association members to advertise boats for sale. It often seems that people register with the site purely to advertise their boat. They collect the money and the class gets no revenue.



To advertise on the Laser Mart you have tyo be a association member and that is Ł27 nearly twice as much as ours. It is still a cheap advert and the association gets something back as well.

Tuning section request noted.



I have to strongly disagree on charging for advertising boats for sale or insisting on NAA membership. It is in the class interest to have a good freely available channel for boats to be advertised.




Another boat in the fleet (rather than in a garage) is worth far more than any advertising revenue especially, as there are many alternative free options eg, apolloduck, boats and outboards and now even Yachts and Yachting (for the cheaper boats).



Anyone selling their boat is unlikely to join the association just to sell it when there are free options available, but anyone finding a boat to buy on our site is more likely to join up when they see what a lovely bunch of helpful people we are!!



A Members section will be available but we have to be carefull what we put in it. Hiding away stuff may seem like protecting the family silver, but I think it puts prospective members off, it looks like we have something to hide.




When we get quotes like this:

JohnWin wrote:

I must say that the Albacore forum is a really friendly place to chat - everyone has been very helpful so thanks.



Cheers John

Im sure we wont have any problem signing John up once he finds himself boat.




JW

You make good points John and the last thing I would want to see is the loss of people from the class. And it is about getting the balance between both perspectives.



We could still be a friendly class and still charge a nominal amount for an advert. And I agree that the best place to buy an Albacore should be the class association and when we look at formm membership numbers compared to association membership, there is quite an imbalance. So what can be done to increase the latter as ultimately association members are subsidising the forum members.

Good to read that our already excellent website is about to be upgraded, and it certainly will be a huge improvement when we can all post photos.



I feel that John is right about not charging for adverts. With all the competition out there we do need all the marketing we can get, so a free advert section is bound to increase interest in the "Class" in the long run.



We do however need to find fresh ways to entice new owners of Albacores to join the Class, and the current very reasonable annual fee cannot be a disincentive.



The very fact that due to the long life of the class there are boats out there to suit everyones' pocket and sailing preference, as well as those seeking the latest Alb. rocket seems to me to be why the class is thriving.



Therefore I do feel that the Alb. website should be the first port of call when someone is seeking an Alb. and unless free of charge this is unlikely.



A members only section for the more serious technical details is another matter, and I suport that idea. Good information is valuable, so there is no reason for anyone to expect to get it free.



Wishing you all fair winds and great sailing at the Nationals.

JohnW - you are so right - the friendliness of the forum is one thing that has pushed me towards the Albacore. Another dinghy type on my shortlist needed me to join the association before I could use the forum. Really, at this stage, if I had to join the association of every dinghy I was considering before I could find out more about them, I would have had to spend over Ł100 on association fees.
At the end of the day, helpfulness and friendliness in the class is a big selling point for the dinghy as a whole.
Cheers
John