Questions about TPR's Front Page - Please read!

[TPDave]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

 

- The updates column on the right had side

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

 

- Nothing confusing, but theres just quite a lot of stuff and all i ever really look at is the right hand column

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

 

- I don't, I just look at what I see at the top

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

 

- Daily

[Fallen Heretic]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

Most recent updates.

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

The old stuff at the bottom, but only cos I rarely use it. If I looked at more of the older stuff, it would be invaluable.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

Not at all.

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

I generally dont need to scroll.

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

Pretty much every day.

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

Not often, only if I havent been on in a while.

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

I really cant think of anything I would like that isnt already there.

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

Nope, I like the front page, it does everything I need it to, plus a bit more.

[DaveH80]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

 

You always seem to pick the best pictures associated to the updates, this makes you very excited to see the update/TR

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

 

The ability to search within the site & not thru Google, not that Google isn't a great serch engine...it's just being directed to a page on the site with search results may be better.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

 

No, actually everything is very explanitory.

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

 

All the way, then sometimes to old updates or the "What's New" page when I want to find older pictures from past TR.

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

 

Always

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

 

I click on it a lot, I'm familiar w/ it as that used to be the way to obtain several new updates & it's the way now I know how to scroll thru past updates/TR.

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

 

I like it the way it is, I check throughout my day at work for new updates & I like how everything is right there.

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

 

I say leave it, I always want to see more TR but I understand they are a lot of work to post sometimes, especially when they are from the group trips. All in all, this is an excellent web site. Thanks guys!

[Airtime&Gravity]

I didn't mean the park index page, but rather the amusement park section of the forums.

I'm not following what this would be. How would an amusement park section be different than "Theme Parks, Roller Coasters' and Donkeys"

 

--Robb

 

I meant, instead of just one section for roller coasters, maybe it should be broken down into a few more. Maybe if not by region, then into sections like discussion, news, and trip reports(not the archive).

[eskater132]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

I use the forums button a lot.

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

The search bar.

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

No.

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

I don't really scroll at all.

5. How often do you look at the front page?

Every time I get on TPR.

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

Every now and then.

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

I think that taking the coaster picture out of the TPR logo and just having a black background to "Theme Park Review Theme Parks - Roller Coasters - Fun"

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

Pretty much #7

[Dombel]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

 

The updates and organazation....

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

 

The search bar thing....

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

 

No, not at all....

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

 

No not really ever....

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

 

Every time I come on....

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

 

Alot....

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

 

Random pictures from your trip to liven it up, so it isn't just black....

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

 

No...

 

 

[Flippero95]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

 

The index on the right hand side, showing new topics in the forums. (surprise!)

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

 

Nothing

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

 

No

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

 

I don't usually scroll.

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

 

Every time I log on.

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

 

Never, until today.

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

 

Nothing!

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

 

Nothing. I like the special updates section, it makes for good rainy day reading. : )

[ernierocker]

Ok, here's a question for all of you - What should the two columns on the front page be called? I realize they are confusing. Help us fix that!

--Robb

 

1st Column: "Featured Updates"

 

2nd Column: "Forum Updates" or "Forum and Member Updates"

 

I think "Official Updates" works well for the 1st Column because the word "official" demands attention. Maybe, you could just increase the font size so it stands out a little more and perhaps center it in the middle of the column instead of the left alignment?

 

For the 2nd Column, maybe just simplifying the title will help?

[jten11]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

Finding out the lastest coaster news and/or reports

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

nothing

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

nope

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

I usually read what's at the very top

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

(before my hiatus) Damn near 5-10 times a day

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

We have a "whatsnew" link?

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

Just an updated look. Everything else is fine, to me.

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

Probably limit how much news you have on the front page. Maybe have up to 5 BIG features/updates (with pictures) at the top. And maybe put up something like "past updates" and have links or the older features/updates (without pictures)on the side or at the bottom on the front page

[Chadley]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

The new news items you most, as well as, photo & video TR's, and announcements/info. about the upcoming trips.

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

The link to the links page. It's seems to need added to/updated. Maybe see about moving the archived stories to another page of their own.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

Nothing I can think of off hand.

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

All the way baby!

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

Every single day that I don't have "connectile disorder"!

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

Occasionally.

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

Maybe add a video viewer right to the front page. That would play footage for regulars and first-timers. Something that would add to their interest to delve deeper into the site.

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

Maybe play with the backrounds a little, color schemes on the backrounds, but leave the logo just the way it is...still the very best enthusiast logo in existence!

 

 

Robb & Elissa,

Honestly, I tried to give you some ideas up above, but it was really hard. TPR is easily one of the better attended sites I know of, and as enthusiast sites go...it's just the best. So if nothing else, just keep doing what you do the best, and that simply is...making being a coaster enthusiast fun!!

Most sites I see out there take themselves way too seriously...TPR is the leading site because you keep in perspective how this community should work.

[Guest]

for all the disabled riders and non ridershow bought a disabled section

[HAJiME]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

- Imagery. I can find the article I was after quickly.

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

- The search function isn't brillient. If I'm searching the main site, why do I want links to stuff on the forums?

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

- No.

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

- As far as I see new stuff.

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

- Often.

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

- Never.

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

- Can't think of anything.

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

- No.

[BrownStreak]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

The "Official Updates," "(Major) Forum Updates," and "Announcements"

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

Stuff that's been on there longer than I've been a member

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

Some items appear in more than one location i.e. "Official Updates) and "Forum Updates"

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

Not far unless its been awhile since I've visited

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

95% of the time that I "surf" to your awsome site

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

Where's that?

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

A bunch of pictures of Diabetic Dan

-but seriously, maybe a text only list of current Photo Trip Reports that are active in the forums as opposed to just the ones that are news worthy

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

Have you ever considered giving audio comentaries for your PTR's?

[NINCUB]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

 

The updates that are posted and then of course the menu is a very good place to go to navigate the site.

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

 

Nothing

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

 

No.

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

 

I normally do not scroll down as I have already viewed the previous updates.

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

 

Each time I visit the site I look for anything new and then I continue on to where I want to go.

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

 

Have only a couple of times.

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

 

Maybe a link to the Calendar?

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

 

Well I know for myself that I am not able to attend any TPR trips this year, but I could possible meet up with you guys at a park close to home on the East Coast trip.

 

So maybe a shortcut to the Calendar on the home page and maybe if the calendar could be updated with the parks the group will be at each day of the trip.

 

And maybe while trips are actually happening, have a "Where are we now!" link?

 

I know this might be too much for you guys to do with the work that you have to do while actually on a trip. But maybe a good idea?

[robbalvey]

I didn't mean the park index page, but rather the amusement park section of the forums.

I'm not following what this would be. How would an amusement park section be different than "Theme Parks, Roller Coasters' and Donkeys"

 

--Robb

 

I meant, instead of just one section for roller coasters, maybe it should be broken down into a few more. Maybe if not by region, then into sections like discussion, news, and trip reports(not the archive).

Ahh, I see what you mean. While I can appreciate the suggestion, I don't think you'll ever see TPR do this. For the main reason that I see it on other sites and I personally find it terribly confusing. It means I have to weed through a number of different forums to get information, and I think good threads that people put effort into never get read because they are in very specific forums.

 

And then there is the feeling of "where do I put this?" which I've encountered on other sites. Because something could potentialy fall into a number of different categories.

 

I am a firm believer of the "less is more" and "keep it simple" mentality.

 

--Robb "This is why Google is so popular!" Alvey

[jamesdillaman]

Robb, to be honest I never look at the front page. I have a link to the forum index in my toolbar, and I always just click on that. I get your emailed updates from time to time on what's new and what's going on, but besides that I just read different threads, posting on a few of them that catch my eye. I think the site is great and if you revamp the front page I'll be sure to check it out.

 

-James Dillaman

[BeemerBoy]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

Everything. I'm not real picky about the layout of it. I've always felt

that everything I needed quick navigation for was there. I guess the

thing I find most useful is the ability to quickly go back and search for

some of the more popular TRs and forum topics, though.

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

Nothing, really.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

 

Nope, not to me, anyway.

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

 

I usually log on *at least* once a day, so generally I don't need to scroll down very far to know what's new on the forum.

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

 

Fairly often I guess.

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

 

There's a "what's new" link?

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

 

Not sure. I'll get back to you on this one.

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

 

Regarding the topics, or categories of the forum, perhaps it'd be

beneficial to somehow separate the US and Foriegn related park topics

somehow. What I mean is, maybe it would give some of the foriegn

parks a bit more exposure by not being grouped with the majority of

US related threads. I've seen many foreign park TRs that seem to get

lost in the shuffle sometimes.

 

And along those lines, it works pretty well with the "Ask Alvey" section,

but maybe have one section renamed "Travel Questions," or something

along those lines. To me, getting travel advice and suggestions from

fellow enthusiasts is one of the most appreciated elements of these

boards.

 

One other curious note. For some odd reason, I kind of like the way

YouTube has those "thumbs up/thumbs down" thingys on the comment

section. Is that something that you think would work on here? Not

important, just curious.

[spangle]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

 

The updates bit, it is the first thing i look at

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

Nothing

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

For me, nothing, i can navigate around with ease

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

I dont, i check it so often that once i have looked at one update i dont tend to go back to i again unless it has been updated furher like trip reports

 

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

Umm every day, every hour i love the updates and TPR is my home page!

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

I dont

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

i know it happend in some reports but if ore photos have been added can they be pu to the op again on the home page so we know somehing is new

 

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

Nope for me i love i!

[nojarama]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

The recent updates section

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

It's all pretty relevant, but Id have to say "special features" because it's updated the least

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

No

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

I check the site quite often so not very far

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

At least once a day because I have it bookmarked instead of the forums

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

Almost never

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

There's really nothing I can think of

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

I like how you have the column for "unofficial" updates from the forums alongside the official updates column from you guys

 

This is pretty much how I feel. I honestly never noticed the "What's New" part either... Great job on the updates & keeping us all in the know on parks all over!

 

Oh, and more pics of Dan never hurt either! He-he!

[dr.gumbo]

I personally like it the way it is, the only thing I would change is the amount of updates on it.

[disneyland255]

Ok, here's a question for all of you - What should the two columns on the front page be called? I realize they are confusing. Help us fix that!

 

The first column will be for TPR Updates, like when we do an update from a trip, West Coast Bash, something "major". I envision we would add to this column 2 or 3 times a month, and these are the updates that we would like to "feature" on the front page, thus we don't want them to be integrated with the 2nd column because we want them to be in position longer.

 

The second column is for stuff on the forum. News, trip reports, etc, etc. I see this section being updated at least every day, sometimes twice a day, occasionally 3 times a day.

 

Please give us your thoughts!

 

--Robb

 

This seems like it would alleviate some of my confusion with the front page Robb! Sounds like a great idea!

[ETapley0687]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

A: The Forum Updates on the right side of the page.

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

A: I don't know the name of it, but it's the panel at the bottom left side of the page.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

A: No not really.

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

A: I usually look at the first 5... If I haven't been on in awhile, I look at everything until I get to the last thing I saw last time I was online.

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

A: The front page is favorited, so that's the first thing i see everytime. Sometimes when I'm headed to the forums for a specific reason, I just click on the forum button and not bother to look at what's on the front page.

 

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

A: Unless I've been clicking on it and not realizing it, I would say I haven't used it.

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

A: I can't think of anything at the moment. Everything I "need" is on there already.

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

A: Not at the moment.

 

Hope this helps! BTW, I absolutely love this site! No Joke!

[roland303]

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

The chronologically listed updates are good; and you break out special events, which is nice.

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

It's just a little cluttered and somewhat imposing when you first see the site.

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

The navigation bar stuff is a little small and the updates tend to be not very distinctive from each other.

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

All the way, if I want to look for certain things.

5. How often do you look at the front page?

Most of the time I'm on the site.

6. How often do you click on the "whatsnew" link?

Almost never, now that you mention it.

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

Just better organization of updates and events, plus a less headache inducing font for categories.

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc? To be honest, when I first came across this site, it seemed rather unorganized and very "grassroots". That's not bad, but I was used to these other sites like Coasterforce, who have a rather slick graphic design and whatnot. So I actually would not visit this site due to that impression, until I realized you guys had some of the best content around, plus you're just one of the better humored sites around. So I was wrong about that first impression!

[nowaymang]

Hey everyone!

ummm hi

 

 

TPR needs your help!

Where? Is my super-suit?

 

1. What do you find most useful about the front page?

That it exists, it also has the most recent site/forum updates.

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?

nothing really.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

No, I was confused long before this site.

 

4. How far do you scroll down the front page looking for updates?

Little or none with daily visits.

 

5. How often do you look at the front page?

It's the page I have bookmarked. So every visit.

 

6. How often do you click on the "whats new" link?

Never, I check the front page for updates.

 

7. What would you like to see added to the front page to make your visits to TPR better?

I like the page style. It loads fast on my relic machine here.

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?

I appreciate the chance for input, I just would like to say please keep it simple. I enjoy this site because it works on my sub-par machine.

 

--Robb

[ETapley0687]

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc? To be honest, when I first came across this site, it seemed rather unorganized and very "grassroots". That's not bad, but I was used to these other sites like Coasterforce, who have a rather slick graphic design and whatnot. So I actually would not visit this site due to that impression, until I realized you guys had some of the best content around, plus you're just one of the better humored sites around. So I was wrong about that first impression!

 

I agree, because I was like that when I first came on here lol.