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Well now that we are in the New Year (hope yours went well) I figured it was time for me to unveil my plans for new initiatives in the coming year.
This year my main focus is to get better static content throughout the site. We have a ton of good info imbedded in the forum and the trick is going to be to pull out the most useful info and keep it in a format that makes it easy to get to and generally more useful. Not saying the forum is a bad thing but I feel as time goes on we just lose a lot of good info that deserves its own dedicated area of the site.
So here we go. These are ranked in order they will be done.
* Site Redesign
It has come time for a full revamp of the spey pages site. Nothing wrong with how it is now but it is time for a change. I am looking at implementing a new contact management system that is fully integrated with the forum software. This will enable us to get member photo galleries going, targeted content, upcoming events, spey casting encyclopedia, better calendar visibility, better sponsor visibility and a host of other things off the ground.
* Chat
Also in conjunction with the site redesign we will be launching new chat software. Look for general chat sessions and also spey pages subscriber chats to discuss with Dana his latest articles and video.
* Spey Q & A
In conjunction with the site redesign I want to start up a monthly feature of local and internationally known spey experts. This will be an interview style feature where we track down spey legends and get info from them as to influences, where they see spey casting headed, casting tips, etc. I am formulating a list now and if you have any ideas of interviews you would like to see please PM me. Will also be looking for some field agents to help with this feature, PM me if you are interested.
* Rod and Line Matching System
I have spoke on this in the past but it is time for it to become a reality. This will be where you can find rods and all the lines recommended for it by spey pages members and professionals in the field. Reviews will also be a part of this and I hope it to become the place you first look when you pick up that new rod and are wondering which of the hundreds of lines out there will work for you out of the box. Line specs will be called out as well as grain/gram (for Willie Gunn) windows will be shown for the varying line lengths for each rod based on what people are using. This will be a huge step in getting all that line and rod info out of the forum and into a place easy for members to find. Am currently writing up functional requirements for the tool and will be asking for your input over the next couple months on how you think this tool should take shape.
* Spey Pages Line Review Program
Another idea I have been kicking around for awhile. In conjunction with the rod/line matching system I want to launch a netflix of sort but with spey lines. We will work with line manufacturers to try and procure every line we can and in turn make them available to you for testing purposes. Members will be able to check out lines to be returned in a timely manner and be expected to do the following:
-Enter your review and what rods you used it on the line/rod matching tool
-If you plan to buy the line after testing it please use a sponsor
That makes it a win-win all around.
Of course this will entail a small yearly fee to cover my shipping costs which I think is reasonable. Still a lot of details to work out on this one but I am very excited about bringing this opportunity to spey pages members. I hope you will as well.
In closing we got a lot of work to do and my plan is to have this all implemented within the next 6 months. Look for the site redesign in early February and the others will fall into place after that. The redesign is my top priority and I have already started work on it.
So that is what I have in the coffers and I know Dana has some stuff up his sleeve as well. 2005 looks to be a kick butt year to be involved with the Spey Pages! I know I am looking forward to it.
-sean
This year my main focus is to get better static content throughout the site. We have a ton of good info imbedded in the forum and the trick is going to be to pull out the most useful info and keep it in a format that makes it easy to get to and generally more useful. Not saying the forum is a bad thing but I feel as time goes on we just lose a lot of good info that deserves its own dedicated area of the site.
So here we go. These are ranked in order they will be done.
* Site Redesign
It has come time for a full revamp of the spey pages site. Nothing wrong with how it is now but it is time for a change. I am looking at implementing a new contact management system that is fully integrated with the forum software. This will enable us to get member photo galleries going, targeted content, upcoming events, spey casting encyclopedia, better calendar visibility, better sponsor visibility and a host of other things off the ground.
* Chat
Also in conjunction with the site redesign we will be launching new chat software. Look for general chat sessions and also spey pages subscriber chats to discuss with Dana his latest articles and video.
* Spey Q & A
In conjunction with the site redesign I want to start up a monthly feature of local and internationally known spey experts. This will be an interview style feature where we track down spey legends and get info from them as to influences, where they see spey casting headed, casting tips, etc. I am formulating a list now and if you have any ideas of interviews you would like to see please PM me. Will also be looking for some field agents to help with this feature, PM me if you are interested.
* Rod and Line Matching System
I have spoke on this in the past but it is time for it to become a reality. This will be where you can find rods and all the lines recommended for it by spey pages members and professionals in the field. Reviews will also be a part of this and I hope it to become the place you first look when you pick up that new rod and are wondering which of the hundreds of lines out there will work for you out of the box. Line specs will be called out as well as grain/gram (for Willie Gunn) windows will be shown for the varying line lengths for each rod based on what people are using. This will be a huge step in getting all that line and rod info out of the forum and into a place easy for members to find. Am currently writing up functional requirements for the tool and will be asking for your input over the next couple months on how you think this tool should take shape.
* Spey Pages Line Review Program
Another idea I have been kicking around for awhile. In conjunction with the rod/line matching system I want to launch a netflix of sort but with spey lines. We will work with line manufacturers to try and procure every line we can and in turn make them available to you for testing purposes. Members will be able to check out lines to be returned in a timely manner and be expected to do the following:
-Enter your review and what rods you used it on the line/rod matching tool
-If you plan to buy the line after testing it please use a sponsor
Of course this will entail a small yearly fee to cover my shipping costs which I think is reasonable. Still a lot of details to work out on this one but I am very excited about bringing this opportunity to spey pages members. I hope you will as well.
In closing we got a lot of work to do and my plan is to have this all implemented within the next 6 months. Look for the site redesign in early February and the others will fall into place after that. The redesign is my top priority and I have already started work on it.
So that is what I have in the coffers and I know Dana has some stuff up his sleeve as well. 2005 looks to be a kick butt year to be involved with the Spey Pages! I know I am looking forward to it.
-sean