Questions about TPR's Front Page - Please read!

[coreyml]

1. seeing the big stories so i dont have to sort thru the forums

 

2. idk

 

3. the pictures are cluttered and too small

 

4. i dont

 

5. at most once/week

 

6. dont

 

7. if you hover over, say, "forums", a dropdown thing would appear so i could immediately click on "gaming" or "RCs TPs n donkeys"

 

8. nope

[cprocks22]

1. Usually show's what's new/interesting on the boards

 

2. If anything the search, personally I have never used it.

 

3. Nope

 

4. Not very far considering how often I check it.

 

5. Daily.

 

6. Never honestly.

 

7. Not that I can think of at the moment.

 

8. I personally like the layout, its simple and easy to navigate.

[TheLastGunslinger]

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

 

It let's me know when there are new photo updates, which always bring a smile to my face.

 

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

 

It's all pretty useful. The top bar links get you where you need to go and the picture combined with the headlines let you know exactly what you're getting into.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

 

Nope.

 

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

 

It depends on how long it's been since I last looked. Generally about 1/4 of the way.

 

 

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

 

At least every other day.

 

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

 

Rarely. I either get a heads up from another site like Westcoaster or see the update columns.

 

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

 

I can't really think of much. Possibly a box that shows the recent 'hot' threads in the forums.

 

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

 

Love the site, keep up the great work.

[Olsor]

My response to all questions: I go straight to the forums. Because that's where the coaster pr0n is.

[fuzz2306]

1. I like finding the new updates ASAP, so the front page makes it very easy.

2. Ummm.. nothing.

3. Nope, not really.

4. Sometimes, if I want to refresh my memory about a certain park or event.

5. Almost every day

6. Once in a while, if I want to see a more compact list of updates.

7. I can't think of anything else I would want on the front page... it's all pretty much covered.

8. Nope, love everything the way it is!

[Mechanic]

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

 

I usually glance at the top of the updates list to see if anything catches my eye.

 

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

 

I honestly don't usually navigate to anywhere other than the forums or an update link from the front page so I'm not sure how useful anything else there is, or isn't.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

 

No. I can't say that I've had any trouble getting to anything that I wanted to see.

 

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

 

Usually not at all, and if do scroll down I would ordinarily stop once I see updates that I'd already seen before.

 

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

 

Not too often. I usually enter the site from the link in my email that tells me a topic to which I'm subscribed has received a reply.

 

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

 

I had no idea it was there until answering this question. I did go take a look at it and found it pretty handy though. Now that I'm aware of it I'll use it more often.

 

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

 

I can't think of anything off the top of my head.

 

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

 

The forum search engine and I don't get along all that great. It seems to bring up a lot of stuff completely unrelated to what I'm actually searching for. Maybe I just don't know how to use it properly? I've read the little instruction box next to where you enter the search terms, but even when I do what it says, I still don't have very good results. I've seen several posts where mods, or backseat mods more often than not, refer posters to the search engine because their topic has already been addressed. I often kind of feel for the poster because if their search results are anything like mine, then I could easily see how they may have tried a search but not found what it is they posted about.

 

Please don't take that as anything other than constructive criticism because that's how it's intended. The search engine thing may be entirely my fault so if you have any tips on how I can better utilize the search functions I am more than willing to listen.

 

Thanks for the site and for trying to make it even better.

[onewheeled999]

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

Probably the Recent Updates section

 

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

I'd say the Special Features section. I don't really know why.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

Not really.

 

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

Just a click or two, I have a low resolution.

 

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

Every time I'm online!

 

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

Never. Might as well use the 'Updates' lists.

 

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

A login/logout button or link, it's not very convenient for it to be on the Forums page

 

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

Nope, nothing I can think of.

[SFNEFan123]

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

Updates, espicially forum ones.

 

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

There's nothing useless.

 

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 need to to see missed ones.

 

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

Everyday I'm on the computer!

 

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

If I want to see an update that's not on the front page anymore.

 

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

Just re-arrange things. New button layouts (the links at the top of the page like "Store, Forum, etc.)

 

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

^Read 7.

 

Hope that helps.

[pagemaster_b]

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

 

Forum Updates, News, and other stuff. Great for whenever I don't visit the forums for a while or something good comes along.

 

 

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

 

Probably the Special Features section -- most of it is outdated. Official Updates section above it is more useful.

 

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

 

No. The front page is very straightforward and there are no distracting background images (one of my biggest complaints about people's MySpace personal pages).

 

 

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

 

Depends on how long I've been gone from the forms.

 

 

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

 

Whenever I visit the site. It's the first page I look at.

 

 

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

 

Never use it. Often keep forgetting its there.

 

 

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

 

You might want to keep some of your trip announcements up longer. I know your still "shopping" for more people for the some of the TPR trips.

 

 

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 can think of at the moment.

[coastercrzyjames]

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

The fact that it shows updates, thats good. One can easily see at a glance if there is something new posted or going on.

 

 

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

Hmmm, I dont really think that there is anything that could be called not useful on the front page.

 

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

Not really. It's pretty self explanitory and easy to navigate. Overall it's well organized however I think that the registration icon could be a little easier to find, just my opinion.

 

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

I usually scroll down all the way to make sure i don't miss anything, especially if i haven't been on in a few weeks, but normally i'm on quite regularly.

 

 

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

Whenever I come to themeparkreview.com I take a quick look at the front page unless I have a direct place that I'm going.

 

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

I honestly haven't ever clicked it yet since I've been a member. SHAME ON ME!!

 

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

Random pictures from photo tours would be a cool feature to see on the front page. Those are always interesting.

 

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

I think TPR looks great and is very well done. Any further improvements to make it look even better would be awesome. I'm sure everything will look great!

[spacemtfan]

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

A: I like how you put trip updates on the left and any new updates on the right.

 

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

A: Ummm...that's a toughie. Everything is pretty useful to me.

 

Basically, I would like to see just some comestic changes. Leave everything as it is, just freshen it up with donkeys or coasters or something like that.

[DenDen]

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

Forum Updates

 

2. What do you find least useful about the front page?The google-based Search Function

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

Nope

 

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

I look at the latest update, and don't go down any farther.

 

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

Every Visit

 

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?

Nothing really, it covers everything.

 

8. Anything else you would like to mention? Like any thing else you would like to see us add/change/leave alone/etc?Actually, if I were designing the front page, I'd make it "lighter". There is a tad too much there, and a lot of it is really dated. I personally feel you could fit everything you need on an 1024x768 screen without scrolling. A lot of your content gets lost past the initial display.

[Airtime&Gravity]

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

Like everyone else, I like that it shows the best stuff on the boards.

 

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

Probably the search function

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

Not really as it is simple and straight foreward

 

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

I usually catch every update, but if I'm away for a while, I scroll down until the most recent update that I remember.

 

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

Every day

 

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

Probably a few times a month

 

 

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

I don't think anything needs to be added to the front page as it is simple but effective

 

 

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

I know you put a lot of time, money, and effort in to the site, and I respect that. Even though TPR doesn't really have to compete since it is by far the largest coaster community, some extra features could be added such as a user gallery. Also, I don't know how much work it would be, but would it be possible to organize the amusement park board section by region?(west coast, midwest, south, east, europe, etc.)

[chmilo24]

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

That include only the important Theme Park updates or important threads that were posted. Also the search bar and TPR link bar.

 

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

The really old TPR trip updates that are posted on it months after the trip.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

Not really.

 

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

Not that far.

 

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

Every time I look at TPR, it is the first thing I go to.

 

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

Didn't know there was one.

 

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

A theme park search, were you can easily see any updates that have happened to a park, like Screamscape.

 

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

Save the search bar, and TPR link bar.

[coasterguy4]

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

 

To see if there are any new updates.

 

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

 

Park index.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

 

How the updates and special features are located.

 

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

 

I don't.

 

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

 

3-4 times a day. Sometimes more.

 

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

 

When I'm bored.

 

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?

 

To add Forum Updates, Official Updates, and Special Features into one big bar, like it used to be.

 

I hope I helped.

 

Great site!

[Ibztone]

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

 

The “forum updates, news, and other stuff” section.

 

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’ll scroll down if I want to re-look at an older update or if I missed an update.

 

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

 

At least once a day.

 

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?

 

A random photo box similar to the rcdb.com site that when you click it brings you that photo trip report page.

 

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 the color scheme the way it is.

[firstbase11897]

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

It displays all of the recent updates.

 

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

The three divided sections for different types of updates.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

The three divided sections

 

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

None

 

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

Daily

 

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?

A single area for updates.

 

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

I'd like to see the homepage a little more simple. There's too much going on at once.

[DBru]

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

- The "Forum Updates, News, and Other Stuff" section

 

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

 

- The search feature that leads to Google (not a TPR search...)

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

 

- Sometimes the "Official" updates are the same as the "Other" updates...

 

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

 

- I scroll down to the last update I looked at

 

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

 

- Every time I get on TPR (its my home page...)

 

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?

 

- A TPR search function, instead of Google...

 

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

 

- I'd like to mention that I like the layout of the front page. It doesn't take too much time to load, but still has enough "stuff" on it to keep us (well, me) satisfied. I think you could do without the "whatsnew" link though, because I don't think that many members click on it...

 

Also, you should consider giving yourself and Elissa some credit (on the front page) for all the work you've put into this site. I don't think it would be saying how superior you all were, but would just let everyone new know that you really care about TPR, and just give them some background. Does that make sense?

[JJboy100]

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

the most recent updates on the right hand side

 

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

special features

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

nope

 

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

not very far

 

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

even time i come to the site

 

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

theres a whatsnew link?

 

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

maybe TPR member of the month or forum topic of the week?

 

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

more modern looking website?

[printersdevil78]

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

Major updates at a glance so when I have five minutes to kill between projects (my 'net time), I don't have to waste those five minutes searching to see if I missed anything important.

 

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

It's all useful.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

Not in the least.

 

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

I don't. If there's nothing new at the top of the page when I open the browser, I go directly to the forums.

 

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

6-8 times per day

 

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

Add me to the club--I didn't know there was one.

 

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

Yeah--as if my visits to TPR could be any better!

 

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

Keep the site free and full of photo TRs, and I'll be happy regardless of what the front page looks like. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into making this such a great site.

[robbalvey]

some extra features could be added such as a user gallery.

When you say "User Gallery" do you mean the ability for users to upload photos and videos (and not just one at a time on the forum)? Because that's actually one of the improvements that may be coming in the future.

 

but would it be possible to organize the amusement park board section by region?

Yes. A revamp of the park index page is actually the next thing on my list after the front page. And for the first time, Theme Park Review may actually include *gasp* REVIEWS!!!

 

Thanks again to everyone for your feedback. This is GREAT stuff!

 

--Robb

[JimmyBo]

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

The constant updates on the left hand side. SOmetime if I don't make it to the site in a couple days it's nice to see what's new by looking at the Forum Updates. Also, there are usually things that I might have skipped by when I browse through the froum.

 

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

The Special Features section. I believe you could probably combine Special Features and TPR Official Updates...they kind of go hand in hand.

 

3. Is anything on the front page confusing?

Yeah, what's with that myspace crap?

 

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

As long as I need to until I see something that I have already seen.

 

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

Nearly every day when I get home from work. TPR is the second website I look at when I come home (Yahoo is the first because that's my email)

 

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

Pretty much never because the "Forum, Updates, and Other Stuff" Section keeps me in the what's new

 

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

Actual Theme Park Reviews. I think you guys have been to enough Theme Park to start your very own reviews of parks and coasters. Since this is called Theme Park Review I think it would be great to hear about Robb and Elissa's reviews. I don't really want to hear about members reviews except in the forums but to have a place where Robb and Elissa review parks would be great. I little bit of reading never hurt anyone.

 

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

A "Theme Park Reviews" section as stated above. I think it would be great to see that. Plus, if parks come onto the site and read your reviews...hell...they might change some things in the park!

 

Hopefully this helps you guys out.

 

By the way...thanks again for everything you guys have done with this website and trips. I know it takes a lot of hard work and long hours to do this stuff for people so I want to thank you guys so much for it...and for staying somewhat normal people and not freakin lunatics!

 

Jimmy "TPR's official drunkaholic" Bo

[robbalvey]

The forum search engine and I don't get along all that great. It seems to bring up a lot of stuff completely unrelated to what I'm actually searching for. Maybe I just don't know how to use it properly?

AHH! You just brought up something that reminded me to fix this! Since the forum opened the default was set to "search any terms" instead of "search all terms" so if you input "Cedar Point Roller Coaster" you would get like 250,000 responses because it was looking for threads that had any of those words in it.

 

I have just changed that so it searches for *ALL* of the words in one thread or post.

 

I think this should help. The other option is there if you need it, but the default now makes more sense.

 

--Robb

[Airtime&Gravity]

some extra features could be added such as a user gallery.

When you say "User Gallery" do you mean the ability for users to upload photos and videos (and not just one at a time on the forum)? Because that's actually one of the improvements that may be coming in the future.

 

If I understand what you are saying, then yes. If you go over to RCPro, you'll notice that in each members profile is a feature for that members photos which can be organized into separate galleries.

 

but would it be possible to organize the amusement park board section by region?

Yes. A revamp of the park index page is actually the next thing on my list after the front page. And for the first time, Theme Park Review may actually include *gasp* REVIEWS!!!

--Robb

 

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

 

I do like the idea for reviews, but will anyone be allowed to write them? I'm just saying that if I was reading one, then I would want to read a review that was understandable and respectable, and not just a piece of crap like: "OMG MF is the best coaster ever! It is so fast with crazy airtime...etc."

[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