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Web site clean up
- markm
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Mark
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- stonysmith
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We're always open to suggestions for how to improve content here. Thanks!
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- markm
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stonysmith wrote: The two items you're referring to are not so much "on the homepage" as they are instead "in the archives".
Does that mean that technically we don't pay for bandwidth to load them?
I'm stuck on dial-up over the weekend and while I was waiting the 3-4 minutes for ZCS to load, I started to figure out the cost of loading the homepage over time.
For example since your article in Wired was posted, I figured I've downloaded the magazine image to the tune of over 36MB, about 4 hrs on dial-up, and about 10 times more than the actual article (good piece BTW).
I just end up wondering how many people use, ot even notice their IP address, or the quick links icons, or that there are links to the items I mentioned on both sides of the homepage? Or for that matter how many members have actually read the items or notice when they change? Perhaps a simple "There are new articles" is all that's need on the homepage? At the same time might there be a clearer way to identify that there are people in chat?
I really don't have any specific suggestions, just wondering what parts of the homepage actually get used and whether the page could be streamlined?
Mark
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- garthah
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my thanks to the crew that keep this going, thanks for caring and giving your time to enhance my hobby experience.
regards Garth
cheerz Garth
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- markm
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I'm not complaining and trying to be a bit constructive. I realize this site is maintained by volunteers. But it seems to me we should be able to help them determine the best use of their time.
Does the IP address at the bottom of the page enhance anyone's appreciation of Z scale or this site?
If the answer is no why should they maintain it? What about the Quick links, do you use them? Or do you use the tabs on the top of the page like I do? Should they maintain the Eventz calendar if it's nearly always empty?
The same holds true for bandwidth. While I notice throughtput more on my dial-up days, somebody is paying for the bandwidth regardless of speed. Doesn't it help ZCS and us if that bandwidth is used as effectively as possible? If you use my Wired example and assume 1000 visits a day, that's 64GB for one thumbnail, more than I buy for my humble site in 2 years. Again does that thumbnail enhance anyone's experience?
I'm not suggesting any radical changes and certainly not immediately, but if we make some suggestions as to what's important, the next time the homepage gets editted minor changes could be made. It's good for the bandwidth and good for the maintenance effort.
Frankly, I have unlimited bandwidth for all my internet access. But I've yet to met a hosting provider that doesn't charge by the MB and GB for storage and bandwidth.
Mark
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- Mr.JA
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And, before anyone tells me to use a different browser... save your typing. I'm not interested in loading three different types of browsers on my computer when I must use IE for different work contracts.
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- stonysmith
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markm wrote: Does the IP address at the bottom of the page enhance anyone's appreciation of Z scale or this site?
In a word, yes. We can, and have, used that IP address to help identify problems that specific users have had trouble with. That also has helped us ward off several <ahem> nefarious visitors. Also.. it's automatic, no maintenance or labor involved. It's really there to let you know that WE know where you are <grin>.
If your browser is working properly then many of the images from the site should be cached, in other words, should only be downloaded when/if they have changed - that would not add extra bandwidth or cost.
Beyond that.. a single image can be up to two million bytes in size .. that IP address field is a whopping 15 bytes long - it's not contributing to any delays.
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EVERYONE is welcome to make suggestions. It's just that JohnK (site owner) retains the right to ignore them. <grin> He's a benevolent despot. <grin> We DO care, and there are some tweaks that we are more than willing look at making. Everyone.. keep making your suggestions - we DO want to improve the site.
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Personally, yes, I use the quick links more than I use the top bar menu items. Those also are a bit of a shortcut for some of the links.
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If you don't like the fact that the calendar is usually empty, then chide your brethren to TELL US when an event is happening. Or even better yet.. SCHEDULE a new event and invite everyone over to your house for BBQ, DCC and chenile tree making.
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Mark: thanks for the critique. Keep it up.
Garth: thanks for your support.
Alex: The gallery uses some javascript to do it's work and some browsers process that faster than other browsers do.
Fred: you actually READ this?
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Timothy Dike
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