Help with a new dance website

[Lee Bartholomew]

OK. Im just about to put an dance website together. It's not for any particular class or association.

It is going to contain Links, Gallaries, messageboard etc etc etc. I know there is a few out there but I belive that if we all put ideas and if the us geeks out there, get together, we could put something together which wipes the floor with other dance sites.

Anyone want to jump onboard or have any ideas?

First thing i need is a domain name.

[littlewiggle]

Gosh ...don't know....(LW puts thinking cap on...)

Jive Alive? All the good names have gone I fear!

As usual, dance partner thing would be good & competitions thread

[Minnie M]

OK. Im just about to put an dance website together. It's not for any particular class or association.

It is going to contain Links, Gallaries, messageboard etc etc etc. I know there is a few out there but I belive that if we all put ideas and if the us geeks out there, get together, we could put something together which wipes the floor with other dance sites.

Anyone want to jump onboard or have any ideas?

First thing i need is a domain name.

how about http://www.on8.co.uk:whistle:(our very own Gus)

[Lee Bartholomew]

Should add at this point, that it is going to be a non profit site. Any profits made will go back into advertising and paying for the servers.

I really like little wiggles sugestion and having spent the last hour going through names that have all already been taken, have just ordered www.jive-alive.co.uk .

Fo those that want to know and help out, the hosting is done on a windows server. Have the following at our disposal:

UNLIMITED POP3 E-mail Addresses
UNLIMITED Web Space
ODBC, MS Access, ASP 3
Perl, CGI and FTP

[littlewiggle]

I really like little wiggles sugestion and having spent the last hour going through names that have all already been taken, have just ordered www.jive-alive.co.uk .

/B]

YAYY!!!!:clap: Is there a prize?:D I'll settle for a dance!

[angelblue]

OK. Im just about to put an dance website together. It's not for any particular class or association.

It is going to contain Links, Gallaries, messageboard etc etc etc. I know there is a few out there but I belive that if we all put ideas and if the us geeks out there, get together, we could put something together which wipes the floor with other dance sites.

Anyone want to jump onboard or have any ideas?

First thing i need is a domain name.

ok as a self confessed geek here are a few

dancedomain
jivelife
onedance

good idea though!

[littlewiggle]

I look forward to seeing the finished product!

[bigdjiver]

...I really like little wiggles sugestion and having spent the last hour going through names that have all already been taken, have just ordered www.jive-alive.co.uk (http://www.jive-alive.co.uk) ...A quick search using www.dogpile.co.uk (http://www.dogpile.co.uk) on "jive alive" brought up too many references for my liking.

including UK-Jive .......... AK Jive Alive Events

[Lee Bartholomew]

A quick search using www.dogpile.co.uk (http://www.dogpile.co.uk) on "jive alive" brought up too many references for my liking.

including UK-Jive .......... AK Jive Alive Events

Thats OK. Im fairly good at getting high listings in Search Engines.

Have started working on a logo. Will post a few up in abit.

[David Bailey]

I don't want to get all miserable about creativity, but it strikes me that it's always easier for people to vounteer to start something new, rather than to try to improve something that's there already.

I had exactly the same reaction when Andy McGregor proposed setting up yet another umbrella MJ organisation.

We've got loads of "link" sites out there, and as a punter I'd much rather see those sites improved, than have to remember yet another site, which might or might not have the information I'm looking for.

Ideally, I'd want 2 - 3 sites, and at the moment I use about 4 - 5.

I don't want to dampen the enthusiasm for "spreading the word", but why not volunteer to help out with some of the other sites? I'm sure they'd love assistance and suggestions.

[Lee Bartholomew]

I don't want to get all miserable about creativity, but it strikes me that it's always easier for people to vounteer to start something new, rather than to try to improve something that's there already.

I had exactly the same reaction when Andy McGregor proposed setting up yet another umbrella MJ organisation.

We've got loads of "link" sites out there, and as a punter I'd much rather see those sites improved, than have to remember yet another site, which might or might not have the information I'm looking for.

Ideally, I'd want 2 - 3 sites, and at the moment I use about 4 - 5.

I don't want to dampen the enthusiasm for "spreading the word", but why not volunteer to help out with some of the other sites? I'm sure they'd love assistance and suggestions.

Yes there are loads of MJ and dance sites out there. What I am looking to do is get people who actually use these site together to create a definative one. If you need to use 4-5 sites to find what you are looking for, post the things you are looking for and they will be added to the site.

Does anyone want to have a pop at a logo for site?

Have photoshoped 2 quickly. Not happy with either.

http://www.go-dance.co.uk/1.gif
http://www.go-dance.co.uk/2.gif

[littlewiggle]

I'm not that great with technology so can't assist but out of the two, the first one is better. I like the big glitter ball as the basis.

[bigdjiver]

Yes there are loads of MJ and dance sites out there. What I am looking to do is get people who actually use these site together to create a definative one. If you need to use 4-5 sites to find what you are looking for, post the things you are looking for and they will be added to the site.

Does anyone want to have a pop at a logo for site?

Have photoshoped 2 quickly. Not happy with either.

http://www.go-dance.co.uk/1.gif
http://www.go-dance.co.uk/2.gif

John Brett's site is called JIvelive and he hosts a Glitter Ball most years Dec 28th next one.

http://www.jivelive.com/jonbrett/index.html

[Yogi_Bear]

Yes there are loads of MJ and dance sites out there. What I am looking to do is get people who actually use these site together to create a definative one. If you need to use 4-5 sites to find what you are looking for, post the things you are looking for and they will be added to the site.

Does anyone want to have a pop at a logo for site?

Have photoshoped 2 quickly. Not happy with either.

http://www.go-dance.co.uk/1.gif
http://www.go-dance.co.uk/2.gif

I'm not convinced of the potential of creating one definitive all purpose site.
Let's say I use Site X. I search for a place or a date and it gives me a link to someone else's site, say Site Y. I follow the link and find all the details I need to know. Or maybe not, and the information I really need will only be found in an email from Site Y sent the other day because I had registered for their mailing list. So Site X is a great source of information but there's no way it can ever give me all I need to know, and that's just sticking to mainstream MJ...

[spindr]

Hmmm, a general purpose site:

1). includes a forum like www.cerocscotland.com or www.cerocforum.com or www.mjda.org
2). includes event information like www.uk-jive.co.uk or www.lyndaslist.com
3). includes move descriptions like www.jiveoholic.org.uk or www.afterfive.co.uk
4). includes a history like www.howtojive.com
5). includes lead/follow techniques like www.afterfive.co.uk
6). includes maps like www.modernjive.com or www.afterfive.co.uk
7). includes a wiki like www.cerocwiki.com if that's still going?

Oh and deals with info' for all organisations and both hemispheres, etc.

Good luck :)
SpinDr

[DavidY]

We've got loads of "link" sites out there, and as a punter I'd much rather see those sites improved, than have to remember yet another site, which might or might not have the information I'm looking for.:yeah:

My analogy is searching for a particular hotel's website. Usually if you search for: ' "XYZ Hotel" Casterbridge' you won't find that hotel's website in the first few pages of search results (unless they're part of a big chain), because of the hundreds of "link" sites, none of which are definitive.

I don't think another "link" site is the answer..

[bigdjiver]

Hmmm, a general purpose site:

1). includes a forum like www.cerocscotland.com (http://www.cerocscotland.com) or www.cerocforum.com (http://www.cerocforum.com) or www.mjda.org (http://www.mjda.org)
2). includes event information like www.uk-jive.co.uk (http://www.uk-jive.co.uk) or www.lyndaslist.com (http://www.lyndaslist.com)
3). includes move descriptions like www.jiveoholic.org.uk (http://www.jiveoholic.org.uk) or www.afterfive.co.uk (http://www.afterfive.co.uk)
4). includes a history like www.howtojive.com (http://www.howtojive.com)
5). includes lead/follow techniques like www.afterfive.co.uk (http://www.afterfive.co.uk)
6). includes maps like www.modernjive.com (http://www.modernjive.com) or www.afterfive.co.uk (http://www.afterfive.co.uk)
7). includes a wiki like www.cerocwiki.com (http://www.cerocwiki.com) if that's still going?

Oh and deals with info' for all organisations and both hemispheres, etc.

Good luck :)
SpinDrAnd has a video introduction to a Modern Jive class night, along the lines of the one on Ceroc France.

http://www.cerocfrance.com/Video.htm

[littlewiggle]

Now Woodface - I do hope you weren't looking for encouragement on here :tears:

Have a hug :hug:

[El Salsero Gringo]

I don't want to get all miserable about creativity, but it strikes me that it's always easier for people to vounteer to start something new, rather than to try to improve something that's there already.
Yes there are loads of MJ and dance sites out there. What I am looking to do is get people who actually use these site together to create a definative one. If you need to use 4-5 sites to find what you are looking for, post the things you are looking for and they will be added to the site.
Now Woodface - I do hope you weren't looking for encouragement on here :tears:

Have a hug :hug:I don't think it's a case of being discouraging; just some realistic reactions from people. For my part I have to point out the phenomenal amount of work involved in keeping an up-to-date website that people will want to read regularly. Gus put a huge amount of work into On8 but even that was updated only once per month; and have a chat with Minnie about how much grief she puts into www.lyndaslist.com (http://www.lyndaslist.com). Asking people to contribute themselves while you sit in heaven and pull the strings is all very well but it really *doesn't* work on a regular basis... at least that's been my experience!

If you're really up for it in the long term - month on month, year on year - then good luck, and we will all hope to make use of it.

[Andy McGregor]

I had exactly the same reaction when Andy McGregor proposed setting up yet another umbrella MJ organisation.But then you're not an MJ organiser that has looked at the LeRoc Federation found it wanting and sees it as stuck in the past and resistant to change.

I'm still moving forward with the idea, I'm just not posting about it here at the moment because this is a forum for Modern Jivers, not Modern Jive organisers. What I can tell you is that the first meeting is 2nd-5th February 2007 in Southport - if you are an organiser and are interested in getting together do do things we couldn't do as individuals - like organise insurance deals, set up teacher training and national examinations,etc - please send me a PM.

[Minnie M]

.......... and have a chat with Minnie about how much grief she puts into www.lyndaslist.com (http://www.lyndaslist.com). Asking people to contribute themselves while you sit in heaven and pull the strings is all very well but it really *doesn't* work on a regular basis... at least that's been my experience........
:yeah: so true :yeah:
My list has been about for over 10 years now and it gets harder and harder to keep it going. I believe it is the only one that has survived that long and that is because it IS hard work. To keep it going I have to update it at least once a week and sometimes 'nag' organisers for info, besides doing a lot of homework myself, and I am only getting dance events together. And ESG is quite correct I often get lots of grief (from all sides)

I have tried to keep it very simple with a very boring website and very very few links, although I have had many lucrative offers to expand it.

[El Salsero Gringo]

To keep it going I have to update it at least once a week and sometimes 'nag' organisers for infoAstonishing, isn't it? I spent the best part of a year recently running a local newsletter for my neighbourhood, with *completely free* write-ups and publicity for any kind of event or happening - yet getting community groups to tell me what events they were planning and wanted the public to come to was like getting blood from a stone. Why are people so crap like that?

[Gav]

Astonishing, isn't it? I spent the best part of a year recently running a local newsletter for my neighbourhood, with *completely free* write-ups and publicity for any kind of event or happening - yet getting community groups to tell me what events they were planning and wanted the public to come to was like getting blood from a stone. Why are people so crap like that?

:yeah: :yeah: :yeah:

I run a professional association and we get the same. We want to give our members relevant, timely information, but the people who should be telling us about their events and courses are notoriously crap. Don't expect people to come to you with info, even if it is to benefit themselves.

[David Bailey]

Now Woodface - I do hope you weren't looking for encouragement on here :tears:
I'd very much encourage anyone to get involved in improving the level of information available on the Web about MJ dance events, classes, etc. And I'm very supportive of people who want to give something back and help people.

I spend my entire professional life* providing information to people. It's a laudable aim.

But "encouragement" doesn't equate to "blindly support a new website as the answer".

I bet someone like Minnie would love some help in chasing organisers up, in helping with her website, in providing links, and so on. And to me, that'd be much more useful as a dancer than another site.

Also, the level of information on MJ events, and MJ websites around, is actually pretty good - at least, compared to the absence of anything resembling a decent Tango list. Woodface, if you want to start a dance site, then Tango's wide open, believe me.

* That is, the 10% of time I'm not on the forum, of course.

[Minnie M]

I bet someone like Minnie would love some help in chasing organisers up
:yeah: :flower:

.............the absence of anything resembling a decent Tango list. Woodface, if you want to start a dance site, then Tango's wide open, believe
I would love to add more Tango and also Salsa on my list, as I don't do either I don't know where to get info.

As an open question ......... if any forumite goes to an event worth listing, please let me know, or give them my email address please and I will be more than happy to list them.

Thank you :hug:

[jiveoholic]

Warning...

If you look into a crystal ball and think very carefully about exactly how you design a new web site, spending time to make all the right choices early on, the ISP, the languages, any databases, the page structure, navigation ensuring it is structured for easy scaling up......

....you will get so depressed with the effort required that you will never start!

Of course you can start small, have some fun and then never get around to putting all the now-necessary work to improve the site and end up with a tottering edifice instead!

I am proud of my edifice....but I would like to scrub it and start again!
As a starter for 10...


I would not use ASP - too unreliable
I would make it XHTML compliant - allows static checking
I would fully use CSS - changes are easier
I would always write code directly and not use fancy FrontPage wizards
I would carefully examine the rules and comply with them and not do what happens to work today

[Dreadful Scathe]

very good advice :)

[Gus]

OK ... if we take a radical approach (and I know this will cause ire with the techies :na: ) but how about building something people actualy want? Given the plethjora of information already available, what WOULD be usefull is a single contcat point ... but isn't that what Portals are designed to do? I'm not sure where web portals are these days but I remember working on an employee portal project with a major Financial institution some 6 years ago. That was SOTA then but I'm sure that technology must be more widely available. If a portal could be developed and agreements developed with content providers (i.e. existing websites) ... could that be a total solution?

[David Bailey]

OK ... if we take a radical approach (and I know this will cause ire with the techies :na: ) but how about building something people actualy want? Given the plethjora of information already available, what WOULD be usefull is a single contcat point ... but isn't that what Portals are designed to do? I'm not sure where web portals are these days but I remember working on an employee portal project with a major Financial institution some 6 years ago. That was SOTA then but I'm sure that technology must be more widely available. If a portal could be developed and agreements developed with content providers (i.e. existing websites) ... could that be a total solution?
I suspect you'd need a lot of functionality (for both the portal and contributor sites) to make such a system work - each system would have to have a database outputting xompatible data (XML?) to the central site, on a regular basis.

Lot of work.

[Dreadful Scathe]

OK ... if we take a radical approach (and I know this will cause ire with the techies :na: ) but how about building something people actualy want? Given the plethjora of information already available, what WOULD be usefull is a single contcat point ... but isn't that what Portals are designed to do? I'm not sure where web portals are these days but I remember working on an employee portal project with a major Financial institution some 6 years ago. That was SOTA then but I'm sure that technology must be more widely available. If a portal could be developed and agreements developed with content providers (i.e. existing websites) ... could that be a total solution?
Gus please stop with your assumptions - as far as Im concerned the most important consideration in any application is the users - building what they want in a way that is very easy to use. Of course the big problem is them not knowing what they want in which case its up to me to design what they want before they know that it IS what they want :rolleyes: Asking hundreds of people what they think about something is worse than pointless :)

I am using Web Portals on a daily basis at the moment and I can say yes that IS a good solution - but I use Oracles Portal solution which is far from cheap. There are a few open source ones such as http://www.metadot.com/ which has a logo cruella will like :) No idea what it is like.

However good the idea is - to do this successfully you would need a bit of work on the part of the content owners as well as the new portal site organiser, but with some revenue stream (e.g. google ads) there could be a financial reason for joining, as well as the social reason.

[Dreadful Scathe]

I suspect you'd need a lot of functionality (for both the portal and contributor sites) to make such a system work - each system would have to have a database outputting xompatible data (XML?) to the central site, on a regular basis.

Lot of work.
not really - RSS feeds are fairly easy to set up or your cut-price other option is to use iframes on the portal site to "steal" content.

[Gus]

Gus please stop with your assumptions - as far as Im concerned the most important consideration in any application is the users - building what they want in a way that is very easy to use.Hey ... spot the smilie?? I KNOW that there are many techies who think about the users ... but have found them to be in the minority. I'm not complaining ... thats what keeps me in business :grin: Currently dealing with a project where the techies have gone out reseraching and developing kit ... and now they are trying to work out what customer problems they can use this kit to solve :what:

If I was making any point at all, I was wondering if there is actualy a need for another reousrce site. I made a similar mistake when I set up On8 ... a solution for which there was no need/demand.