New Community(please Read)

[Phat_Kat]

For quite some time I've wanted to setup a site based around boating but have not had the time for it. I now have the time but I'm not sure if I can actually attract any attention and don't want to put all that work in for nothing. I'm sure you all can understand my reasoning. I would like to know if anyone would actually visit my site. It would have a message board, product listings where users can submit a new product, look up parts for it and, rate the product. Basically it would be like havasubarney.com times 10, just a whole lot more content. I'm hoping that when it gets large enough we could set up little amerature races, poker runs, or just outings. If those that are interested would please reply to this thread so that I can have a clue as to how many people would come. If you have any questions just post them in a reply as well.
[ April 01, 2003, 11:50 AM: Message edited by: Phat_Kat ]

[Jbb]

Barney....x10..?
are you sure the world is ready for that???
If so ....Im in.... :D
[ April 01, 2003, 11:58 AM: Message edited by: JETBOAT BRIAN ]

[Phat_Kat]

well no offence to barney but his scripts aren't right on and I am a bit of a perfectionist. Is there anyone else inerested??

[Stupid Fast]

Can I be the MIDWEST rep? Or is this another Cali Cliq wink thing?

[Jordy]

Phat_Kat:
well no offence to barney but his scripts aren't right on Then why would you use that as a reference site times 10?
Not to rain on your parade or anything, but I can think of a dozen or so different boating boards that are up and running right now that all have a little something different to offer. Everytime a new one pops up, it just thins the herd a little more. Many are met with great response and traffic early on, only to wither away on the vine as time goes on. Just a little something to think about before you throw alot of time and energy into something like this. Good luck at any rate. :D

[Dyce51]

Hey Phat Kat....
Take a look at Chris from RiverRacerX.com he went out on a limb and started his site. Its just an issue of getting your sites name out to the online community. Chris started with an idea and it flourished into a heck of a site full of Great people and lots of information. He is even hosting Regattas and Poker Runs now...So I'd say what the hell take a chance and go for it...Most of the members from RRX are also members here. so Its up to you to make sure the site is worth our time and enjoyable and to promote it..

[Phat_Kat]

I personally am from California however, if I get some help from people in different parts of the country I WILL add tabs for the different areas(ex:west, midwest,east,etc.)

[Tom Brown]

Throw in a Saskatchewan tab and I'm there.

[Phat_Kat]

jordanpaulk:
Phat_Kat:
well no offence to barney but his scripts aren't right on Then why would you use that as a reference site times 10?
Not to rain on your parade or anything, but I can think of a dozen or so different boating boards that are up and running right now that all have a little something different to offer. Everytime a new one pops up, it just thins the herd a little more. Many are met with great response and traffic early on, only to wither away on the vine as time goes on. Just a little something to think about before you throw alot of time and energy into something like this. Good luck at any rate. :D I reffer to his site because it seems most popular among boaters. I have my doubts that mine will fade if I go into it. Why am I so confident??? well judging by the responses for starters and also I will have so much content that it will be nearly overwhelming. Just enough to keep you hooked but not so much to where you get lost.

[Jbb]

Can I post useless drivel such as this?....
What are you....? (http://members.shaw.ca/wpgclan/whatyouare.htm)

[Phat_Kat]

Yes you can post that and I may consider that. However, I'd really like to run my own gig, but I will definatly look into it. Thanks

[GlastronGuy]

http://www.realjetboats.com/realjetboats
http://www.banderlog.com/cgi-bin/banderlog/dcforum/dcboard.cgi
http://www.laidbackboaters.com/
http://pub16.bravenet.com/forum/show.php?usernum=1347831208&cpv=1
http://forums.dragboatracing.com/portal_content.asp
http://www.network54.com/Hide/Forum/157337?achk=1
http://www.jetheaven.net/
http://www.havasubarney.com

[Phat_Kat]

My site will look far better than those. The only one that comes close is havasubarney

[GlastronGuy]

http://www.ipv6forum.com/navbar/events/birmingham00/presentations/PeterKirstein/img003.gif

[syke-o]

is phat_kat the same person as bigger=faster??????????? :confused: :confused:

[Mandelon]

There's too many sites now.

[flat broke]

hmmm,
Been there done that... 2x
Ask Jason from Rivertoys, or myself, or HackJob, or Kwicherbichen, or... about how much work you are stepping up to take. If you don't work, or have a nice job with a tech company that doesn't track your hours and let's you fool around on your workstation all day, maybe you could do it. As far as pulling in a crowd that is as big as you are hinting at, good luck. You'll get the inital traffic numbers (I have site stats from multiple sites to back this up), and then things will taper off. To build a site with great content etc is only a small portion of the gig. To build a "community" you have to invest yourself in such a way that would honestly be life altering.
Now for a little constructive criticism. It's my opinion that when you ask for support, it would probably be a good idea not to belittle the efforts of other non paid webmasters that are just trying to carve their little niche on the web. Comments like, "My site will look far better than those. The only one that comes close is havasubarney" are probably just overly ambitious and weren't meant to be disrespectfull; but might well offend the guy that started a website knowing nothing about programming, IP connectivity, etc just so he could share info about his hobby. These are the people you should be complimenting and recruiting to assist you.
The bottom line, what you're talking about is a full time endeavor (or at the very least a huge undertaking to write all of the scripts etc to fully automate the site for picture submissions, article submissions, writeups etc) While it can be done, and done much better than anyone is currently demonstrated, you would have to have some financial motivation to carry forward. In doing so you will sucumb to the same pressures that this site does and ultimately compromise on your initial precept.
The internet will always be a factional enviroment; it is the epitomy of diversity and as such your efforts would probably be better focussed in working with one of the existing web ring groups to unify the various elements that are already in play, as opposed to rewriting the book many of us have already contributed chapters to.
Just my .02
Chris
Liquidaddiction.net (http://www.liquidaddiction.net) Classic Boat Beach Bash (http://www.classicboatbeachbash.com)

[spectratoad]

Well Kat if you are so confident then just do it. Glastron give you a list of references that alot of the people here also visit and you reply, My site will look far better than those. then what the hell are you asking our opinions for? Just do it man. I am sure I will visit and check it out but you really shouldn't slam other sites as inferior to yours when you don't even have one yet. wink then again maybe I read your reply wrong. In any case go for it and good luck

[Phat_Kat]

to answer syke-o's question NO. However, I do know him and am a "friend" of his. We share a lot in common except he's a extremely hyperradioactive pest and I'm not. You guys drove him from the board with your insults and he's focused more towards work. On the note about my site, well it's not going to be the most amazing thing on earth. What I really mean is that I will have a large amount of content, that is what will make it better. I know how to program and I'm taking my skills pretty far on this one. I already have a logo in mind and I will make it my avatar as soon as it's complete. The domain has not yet been chosen but I have some in mind.

[GlastronGuy]

Phat_Kat
I noticed your sig.
http://www.edro13.com/pics/chops/goatdinnerfixed.jpg

[Phat_Kat]

meeeeeeeeooooouuuuuch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kwicherbichen]

Phat Kat,
I run a site that I feel has good content, I designed the site and created all of the features myself and yet, the only tip I can give you is to take Flat Broke's advice. I'm only able to keep my site updated decently because I have some job flexibility. If I changed jobs to something more traditional my site would probably tank in no time. Check it out for yourself Kwicherbichen's.com (http://www.kwicherbichens.com)
BTW, I am grateful to all of the other webmasters. We bounce ideas and tips off each other and it makes running our sites much easier in the end. If you start kicking dirt in peoples faces it will hinder you in the long run regardless of how well you can program.
[ April 02, 2003, 01:46 AM: Message edited by: Kwicherbichen ]

[572Daytona]

Building a successful online community takes a lot more than flashy graphics and slick code. Online forums were thriving back long before the WWW in the days of 300baud modems and ASCII line graphics. In my opinion you need specialize in some area that distinguishes you from the rest out there, just saying you are going to do more of the same but better is not the right approach. Barney's forum works because he's a recognized authority on gel coat work, and people visit his site for that expertise. He also has a unique approach to life and his love of boating and babes and that has carried to his website and community. Be aware too that 99.9% of the websites out there cost money to run, they don't make money. If you are in it to make a profit and not for the love of what you do it probably won't be successful. Just my 2cents.