« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Changes to CacheWalker, June 2014  (Read 650 times)

Offline Griff Grof

  • Administrator
  • CacheWalker
  • *
  • Posts: 4254
  • Karma: +40/-1
  • The joys of caching
  • Location: The Cotswolds, UK
    • View Profile
    • My Geocaching Blog
Changes to CacheWalker, June 2014
« on: June 13, 2014, 03:48:47 pm »
Hello! I'm back in the Admin seat ;D
I'd just like to thank @walktall for doing such a brilliant job over the past five months; he will stay on as Deputy Admin :)

So... Changes. There'll be a lot of them, over the next 16 days!

The updates will take effect over three phases:

1) Merging of the website and adoption of .co.uk domain. Other visible minor changes (1 week)
2) Revamp of the entire site including some new features. New site pages go live. (1 week)
3) We may launch a trial Facebook Group. New promotion banners available, and update wrap-up (2 days) 

There will be more information on the updates on this thread if needs be as a new phase is entered/completed. This may include a summary of key elements.

Be sure to report any issues/suggetions/I'd Prefer on this thread - your voices are always louder :)

Important updates, if any, will otherwise be noted on the homepage.

However, there will be no disruption to forum life, and hopefully there'll be plenty of discussion during this period! ;) Exciting times for CacheWalker!  ;D
Logged
~Caching in the Cotswolds and beyond ~
My Geocaching Blog ~ SUBSCRIBE

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter

Offline Site Admin

  • Administrator
  • Rambler
  • *
  • Posts: 205
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
    • CacheWalker Forum
Re: Changes to CacheWalker, June 2014
« Reply #1 on: June 21, 2014, 11:19:17 am »
Phase 1 is now complete:

  • All new webpages written and formatted.
  • We can now be reached via cachewalker.co.uk BUT will post details about this later when something is sorted out, as doesn't quite work as I'd like yet  ;)
  • Other visible minor changes - you'll notice them eventually

Next up Phase 2: this is THE BIG ONE. You will see plenty of new features including a new Portal and Shoutbox, the webpages will go live, and much more.  :)
Logged

Offline Griff Grof

  • Administrator
  • CacheWalker
  • *
  • Posts: 4254
  • Karma: +40/-1
  • The joys of caching
  • Location: The Cotswolds, UK
    • View Profile
    • My Geocaching Blog
Re: Changes to CacheWalker, June 2014
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2014, 11:05:11 am »
Right, we have nearly finished Phase 2!

Just need to really look at some of the CSS to combat some raised points (the user box  ::)) and sort out a few formatting issues before making the new webpages live!

On the note of the .co.uk domain, you CAN now reach this website via cachewalker.co.uk BUT the .createaforum address will be displayed in your URL bar. Initially, we had it on frame redirect, which means that cachewalker.co.uk ALWAYS displays in your address bar - which is good, BUT page names and links never change  :( so decided that this was the better option.

The forum does have a service to 'park' your domain, which would result in the official adoption of the domain, but does anyone know if, say, we parked it here and then for some reason we needed it to take you somewhere else, could you un-attach it from a service like this  ???
Logged
~Caching in the Cotswolds and beyond ~
My Geocaching Blog ~ SUBSCRIBE

Offline Site Admin

  • Administrator
  • Rambler
  • *
  • Posts: 205
  • Karma: +0/-0
    • View Profile
    • CacheWalker Forum
Re: Changes to CacheWalker, June 2014
« Reply #3 on: July 10, 2014, 01:17:28 pm »
Phase 2 is (finally complete)  ;D

  • cachewalker.co.uk domain now redirecting to us
  • Cleaner Header
  • New welcome configuration and welcome messages.
  • New site pages are now live
  • Updated homepage
  • Tweaks to existing Shoutbox
  • New navigation bar
  • Other more minor changes, which you'll spot eventually  :D


STILL TO COME:

  • The Scroll Down function (finally) on the 'Recent Active threads' block on the homepage - out of my control, need to wait for the person who initially made the code to get back to me  :)

Was hoping to tweak the colour scheme, making it the most significant visual change, but there really wasn't any need - it's fine as it is  :)

Now for Phase 3......
Logged

Offline Griff Grof

  • Administrator
  • CacheWalker
  • *
  • Posts: 4254
  • Karma: +40/-1
  • The joys of caching
  • Location: The Cotswolds, UK
    • View Profile
    • My Geocaching Blog
Re: Changes to CacheWalker, June 2014
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2014, 03:43:26 pm »
Phase 3 is now underway, we have launched the Facebook Group!

The group will exist for a minimum of two weeks from today, and a variety of factors will influence its future there after: such as, is there enough interest, are people posting, has forum activity increased or decreased etc...  :)

It'll be interesting to see how it goes - watch this space, and if you are on Facebook, request to join!
Logged
~Caching in the Cotswolds and beyond ~
My Geocaching Blog ~ SUBSCRIBE

Offline Griff Grof

  • Administrator
  • CacheWalker
  • *
  • Posts: 4254
  • Karma: +40/-1
  • The joys of caching
  • Location: The Cotswolds, UK
    • View Profile
    • My Geocaching Blog
Re: Changes to CacheWalker, June 2014
« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2014, 10:59:32 am »
One of the last changes to be made as we wrap-up.

You can now add your Terracaching.com and Opencaching.org.uk profiles if you have them.

  • For Terracaching, simply visit your profile, click 'Basic stats banner' and then 'Get banner link'. Paste the numbers at the end of the URL in to the field.
  • For Opencaching, simply visit your profile and paste your User ID which is the number at the end of the URL.

Remember, to edit any field on your profile:
  • Look at the navigation bar, hover over 'Profile'
  • On the drop-down menu, click 'Forum Profile', the option furthest down
  • Scroll down to the bottom, where you will see the three fields for listing sites
  • Fill them in. Remember the Geocaching.com one is compulsory for new members (to make sure no one is joining to spam) so try and fill this one in too if you haven't already :)

If you have any more suggestions, post them here, can modify and add basically any option to your profile!

Still to come:
CacheWalker Awards (a little like GC.com souvenirs, but with a twist, and you can disable them)
CacheWalker Promo Banners to place on your cache pages, website, or anywhere else!

 :)
« Last Edit: July 21, 2014, 11:04:29 am by Griff Grof »
Logged
~Caching in the Cotswolds and beyond ~
My Geocaching Blog ~ SUBSCRIBE

Offline Gackt

  • ABH Walker
  • *
  • Posts: 792
  • Karma: +12/-0
  • GeoVampire
  • Location: Cirencester
    • View Profile
    • about.me
Re: Changes to CacheWalker, June 2014
« Reply #6 on: August 29, 2014, 05:58:27 pm »
Quote from: Griff Grof on July 10, 2014, 03:43:26 pm
Phase 3 is now underway, we have launched the Facebook Group!

The group will exist for a minimum of two weeks from today, and a variety of factors will influence its future there after: such as, is there enough interest, are people posting, has forum activity increased or decreased etc...  :)

It'll be interesting to see how it goes - watch this space, and if you are on Facebook, request to join!
How is the FB group going? I have not seen any difference in activity here, is posting happening there?
Logged

Offline Griff Grof

  • Administrator
  • CacheWalker
  • *
  • Posts: 4254
  • Karma: +40/-1
  • The joys of caching
  • Location: The Cotswolds, UK
    • View Profile
    • My Geocaching Blog
Re: Changes to CacheWalker, June 2014
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2014, 09:25:17 pm »
No post made since shortly after the Sugar Loaf event on the FB group. There's been a decrease in activity on here, if anything.

I've been quiet as of late because I really don't know what to start threads on, how to get new discussion going. I've possibly started a hundred this year  :o  :D

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the fate of this forum really relies on thread making - if there aren't hot topics, replies will become less frequent as existing threads get points covered: the reason why I haven't been replying to things, and probably why many choose not to as well.

It's a shame as I've put in so much time in to writing and formatting the new pages, tweaking the CSS code to make the site look nicer and threads, some of which have still received 0 replies  :D

I think things will pick up, the summer is always quiet on both forums. Perhaps it is time to merge on either platform and just keep the events going under the CW name. It's sad, but one strong force is better than two weaker ones. Perhaps it's something to talk about other PM @SangueG ? Or maybe we just continue see how things go... I think things will likely improve anyway  :)

We still have a lot of member logins, and a big move and change just two years on perhaps isn't wise.  :D

As I said, things will pick up anyway - it's only a forum after all, when there's need for discussion there will be plenty of it here  ;D
« Last Edit: August 29, 2014, 09:28:05 pm by Griff Grof »
Logged
~Caching in the Cotswolds and beyond ~
My Geocaching Blog ~ SUBSCRIBE

Offline Gackt

  • ABH Walker
  • *
  • Posts: 792
  • Karma: +12/-0
  • GeoVampire
  • Location: Cirencester
    • View Profile
    • about.me
Re: Changes to CacheWalker, June 2014
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2014, 09:54:26 am »
I am surprised that the FB group was not more popular going by what I keep hearing many people say which is "FB is the place all Geocaching talk is now."

Something I want to do more on CC which could also be done here, and does increase activity from what I have noted during just the couple of times I have done it, is set up a competition with real prizes. Prizes do not have to be big, and they do not have to cost you anything. Contact any geocaching items suppliers and ask if they would like to donate something as a prize for a competition, and in return you will place an ad for their business on here for the duration of the comp and promote that they have donated something to you via social media (your FB group, twitter etc). I have had a couple who have said they would be more than happy to do that. I am sure they would if you asked, as long as you don't be cheeky and ask for a new Garmin GPSr or such like  :D

I think regular (monthly or bi-monthly) events would boost the awareness of CW. I have no doubt that it would do the same if I got myself organised and did for CC too. I know events can take a bit of your time up, and time is something I flap about at the moment, but the events would not have to have a long walk associated with every one. There is a monthly event that is held in Swindon, there's another in Devizes, and another in Melksham. They are just get together's, and very popular. I don't know of any regular 1 to 2 hour pub events that take place between the north of the Cotswolds and the West Midlands. I think there's a gap there to be filled. Pick a date that the regular meets I have mentioned are not held on and go for it... a pub event with no quizzes, raffles, themes, just short meet 'n' greet with friendly chatter. If such meets took place I would get myself to as many as I could and we can talk face to face about ideas.

I don't think merging needs to happen. Time is not on my side, but I am more than happy to head up another CW bannered event in my area of the Cotswolds some time next year, and still help promote the group wherever I can.

It will pick up. It is summer and people are out more of the time at the moment. Even if they are not getting out to do much caching -> am getting for a dog show shortly.
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »
 


CacheWalker - for those who love geocaching and walking
© 2012-2021 CacheWalker
Header Image: Trees © Griff Grof