TOPIC: TD Site Overhaul

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photos locked into place with no ablity for others to copy and paste without my, or Jeff's, okay

<br /><br />You can force people to just through a hoop or two, but if you put an image on-line, there's always a way to copy it. I have yet to come across an Internet image I couldn't snag.<br />

<br /><br />True enough.  We can do a lot of disabling, but in the end, an image online is an image online =-/  The best we can really do is make it difficult, unfortunately.<br /><br />

<br />Two things.<br /><br />One is that we really need to look at the main website for marketing of TD to new users- while a lot of cool whiz-bang features would be great, let's not lose sight of making it useful for new people. I don't think the main site has been updated in a while.<br /><br />The other is that I do web development full-time in my day job, so if you need someone to help out let me know. I do full enterprise level work (and I know others on the forum do as well), so I can do database work or any web related coding. My mail toolset is Microsoft .Net, SQL Server, so that may not jive with what tools you all chose to go with.<br /><br />I would be glad to help,<br />WJ<br /><br />

<br /><br />Absolutely.  We've been talking about how to make the site really useful... We want to make sure that when someone visits the site they can quickly and easily find out exactly what TD is, and how they can volunteer.  We won't let all the talk about flashy features detract from what I think is the real focus: making the site what TD really needs to grow.<br /><br />We've yet to nail down hosting specifics, but I doubt we'll go Microsoft with any of the software just for the sake of cost.  If you (or anyone else) have experience with PHP that would be ideal - that's what Joomla is built on and I've only a passing familiarity with the language.  We're in talks with the same guy who did the Dwarven Forge site to do all the heavy lifting, but I'm sure we'll want to add more features down the road...

<br />The guides have been updated for shielding information.  <br />

<br /><br />Ah, I see now.  I clicked on the "Combat System" link on the front page and used the link on that page that leads to the Players Guide.  That Guide is out of date though.  Using the link in the forums got me to the new, updated guide.  <br /><br />Thanks,<br />-Scot

Your welcome.<br /><br />One thing an overhaul needs to do is have a central location for all document links that are generic ("click here for the most up to date version") so that guide updates are easier for people to get and easier for me to publish.<br /><br />Dave

In the volunteer section perhaps we could have people include their forum handle with their real name.  It's hard to keep straight who's who sometimes.<br /><br />Kim

<br />Your welcome.<br /><br />One thing an overhaul needs to do is have a central location for all document links that are generic ("click here for the most up to date version") so that guide updates are easier for people to get and easier for me to publish.<br /><br />Dave<br />

<br /><br />Definitely.  And maybe a way that we can have both an html and a pdf version of the players guide available - even if we just load the pdf in a window.  Joomla should make it easy to give certain people file upload capabilities.  If not, I'm sure we can build a quick tool.

<br />In the volunteer section perhaps we could have people include their forum handle with their real name.  It's hard to keep straight who's who sometimes.<br /><br />Kim<br />

<br /><br />We could probably rig something where if the name under the photo matches a forum user account, the forum handle is displayed...

Please include an option for security-conscious volunteers to opt out of having their names and/or pictures displayed.

I think the data I have set up for the Character Creator and the Token Inventory may both assist in creating the online database.  It already tracks who can use tokens, what stats they affect, 1 hand vs. 2 hand weapon, token type, etc.  Might need some tweaks but it will get us started.<br /><br />I'm sure this is really a pipe dream, but if we could web-ize the character generator and link the selections to people's logins we might be one step closer to automating some of the coach's work. 

Thanks for all the help guys! <br /><br />The site is in dire need of some updating.  It will be good for players and volunteers to take the lead on the website design.  I think you guys know what is important how it should be presented.

Can you fully integrate the Token/Swag store with a robot that comes in to the office, chooses the purchased items, puts them into a box, prints out a nifty shipping label (that includes the postage, of course) and then loads it all on it's back and hauls it to the post office every day?<br /><br />.....wait....that's Jeff.  Nevermind.

*snicker*

<br />I think the data I have set up for the Character Creator and the Token Inventory may both assist in creating the online database.  It already tracks who can use tokens, what stats they affect, 1 hand vs. 2 hand weapon, token type, etc.  Might need some tweaks but it will get us started.<br /><br />I'm sure this is really a pipe dream, but if we could web-ize the character generator and link the selections to people's logins we might be one step closer to automating some of the coach's work.  <br />

<br /><br />Awesome.  I'm sure it will be a huge head start at the very least.  Just having a tested db schema out of the way would be a big help, but if you've already got all that data accounted for that's a giant load off.  Thanks!!<br /><br />The character generator being linked to the player's login is an interesting idea... you could spec out different characters long before the con using the tokens you have in your "inventory"...  hmmmm...  Way down the road, but a very neat thought.<br /><br />Jon and I worked up a basic site map this weekend using the ideas we already had and what we've gleaned from this thread.  I'll post it momentarily for everyone's feedback.