I am wondering if there is anyone out there among the Wissota Drivers who would want to take over this website.
As you may have noticed, it has been quite a while since I have added anything new. I have just been too busy with other things to give it the attention it deserves.
Not only that, but because I have sold my own racing operation, and will not be a licensed Wissota driver in 2008 (unless my Powerball ticket hits tonight) I am now technically not able to be a member of my own site!
So, if anyone is interested, here is what it would "cost" to take it over.
The domain name, "wissotadrivers.org" costs $10 per year to own. It would need to be renewed before the beginning of November.
The hosting company charges $95.40 per year to house the site. If you own your own web server, or have a hosting account with a provider, this would not apply.
I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 hours of work into the site. That includes learning about the Content Management System (Joomla) that is the framework for the site, plus the normal design work, and the time spent confirming membership applications, and creating and managing the polls. I am willing to spend a little time training someone, and helping out on a as-needed basis, at no cost.
So, I have $105.40 out my own pocket, plus a couple hundred hours of work into it.
To the right person, I am willing to give the site over, for FREE.
To qualify as the right person:
You would need to be very familiar with the technical end of how websites work.
Ideally, you should already be a web developer.
You would not necessarily need to continue with the very same tools I have used to build the site, but you *would* need to carry on with the spirit of the site, by providing a message board and a private polling mechanism for discussing issues that affect Wissota drivers and then voting on those that require it.
Although I have done it at no cost to the members, I see no reason it couldn't be monetized in some way, such as selling advertisisng or charging a very small membership fee.
If any of you techie, web designer type folks out there want to be of service to your fellow Wissota drivers, please contact me.
After you fill out the registration form if you are a new user, or when you try to log in if you already have an account on the site, you will be presented with a new page that asks you to pick a (FREE) membership subscription
These subscriptions are for the purpose of letting you select which "class", ( Street Stock, Modified, etc...) you want to be a part of.
Website Changes
Wednesday, 05 December 2007
As long as it seems to be a slow time of the year on the website, I thought I'd take some time to work on a few things to make the site easier to use, and finish a couple things that have been on the back burner for a while.
The first thing is the Drivers Forum.
I have trimmed it down a bit, to make it clearer and easier navigate. Unfortunately, the trimming process deleted all the old posts ( there were only a few so far). Also, I eliminated the "Suggestion Boxes" as it was confusing to have them separate from the main categories. So now, just post all messages in the main categories.
I have broken the Forum down into 2 main categories. First, there is the "Announcements" category, which includes a place for me to announce changes/additions to the site, as well as a place for announcements from WISSOTA, from Track Promoters, and from you guys and gals.
And the "Drivers Forums" category, where the discussions about issues affecting WISSOTA Drivers can take place.
In the coming days, I also plan to be experimenting with some different looks and layouts for the site itself, just to make it a bit more attractive. Because I work on the site mostly during the evening hours, and into the night, don't be surprised when the page you are on suddenly changes layout, or colors,graphics, or all of the above!
And last, but maybe most important, I am working on a better way for drivers to register for a membership on the site.
The current method is functioning quite well, but it is somewhat confusing to some folks, and to be honest, a bugger for me to keep up with when more than a few drivers register in one day. I am trying to cut down the number of steps needed for both drivers and for me to complete a registration, to speed the process, make it more accurate and automatic, and make it a little less work for me at the same time.
I have also added the ability for drivers to add a picture of themselves, their car, or whatever to their profile, and also a tab for "Additional Info" about themselves. Put whatever information you would like other folks to know about you and your racing career there.
And as always, please send any suggestions for improving the site, requests for new features, and reports of problems to me at admin@wissotadrivers.org
Attention Promoters!
Wednesday, 05 December 2007
Track promoters are now encouraged to register for an account on the WISSOTA Drivers website. (Please see instructions below).
By creating a (FREE)basic account, promoters will be able to contribute to the discussions on the Forum.
Promoters wishing to create and edit their own track information listing in the Track Directory will need to choose a (PAID) subscription upon registering. In either case however, Promoters will NOT be able to vote in driver polls.
For an example of a track listing, which can include logos, pictures, and graphics, a link to the track website, and automatically includes a Google Map and driving directions, please click on "Wisconsin" in the Track Directory, and then select "ABC Raceway -Ashland".
Instructions
As the current online registration process is not entirely suitable for promoter registrations, promoters MUST register for an account by sending an email to admin@wissotadrivers.org that includes:
Track Name City, State Business AddressTrack Address (This is the physical address of the track, not a mailing or PO address. This is needed to make the Google map funtion properly for paid subscriptions)Promoter or Track Contact Name Business PhoneRaceday Phone email address
Once we have your information, we will send you an email with instructions on completing your registration.
Get the Word Out!
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Let's get the word out about this site!
As of Wednesday, October 31st, we have 94 WISSOTA drivers registered and approved to use this site.
As of Monday, Nov 12th, we have 146 WISSOTA Drivers registered and approved to use this site.
As of Monday, Nov 26th, we have 179 WISSOTA Drivers registered and approved to use this site.
Anyone have any ideas on how we can get the word out to the other 2000+?
Post your suggestions in the All Classes area in the Drivers Forum.
ALSO:
Many more drivers have registered, but have not been approved because they have not confirmed their email address yet. If you submitted your registration days ago and have not been approved, please click the FAQ button on the left for information on what to do next.
This site is now "LIVE"
Sunday, 28 October 2007
Well, here it is. A members only website for WISSOTA Drivers.
Think of it this way:
The current internet message boards and forums are a great place for drivers, as well as crew members, fans, and the general public to start the ball rolling on issues and questions that affect racing in WISSOTA country. They are like meeting folks at the local coffee shop, restaurant, bar, or other places where folks casually get together to visit and talk about what's going on in their lives.
The WISSOTA Drivers website is then the 24 hour a day/ 7 day a week Drivers Meeting Hall where only registered members can discuss the issues, and propose changes in a more formal, meeting-like way.
And then finally, the National WISSOTA Drivers Representatives can bring the questions to a vote by creating a poll, or survey, with ONLY registered members able to vote.
Fans, crews, and public are invited to "observe" the proceedings by being able to view the messages in the Drivers Forum, and once the voting period on a poll has expired, the results of the poll or survey results will be viewable by anyone.
So that's it. The site is ready to go.
We are taking drivers registrations now, and the Drivers Forum is open for business.
As soon as Drivers Reps send us surveys that they want published, we will do so.
Once you have logged in, a "Contact your Reps" button will appear in the menu, that list all WISSOTA National Drivers representatives contact information.
Please browse the site and let us know what you like or dislike about it. Send any comments, questions or suggestions to : admin@wissotadrivers.org
