CONSULTATION EXERCISE

[TC]

As there was LOADS of feedback from a similar question I asked about this years\' Boat Comp, I thought it would be a good idea to get your views, generally.

This is your chance to have a say on any future changes / improvements

What\'s missing from the current layout?
Would you like to see more forums?
Would you like to see different forums?
Would you like to see LESS forums?

Do you think the site\'s easy enough to negotiate around?
Could the overall layout / design be improved? - if so, how?

Basically, I\'m asking \"Are you happy with what\'s provided?\" - if not, then tell me what changes YOU\'D like to see.

I\'m well aware of the old saying, \"if it ain\'t broke, don\'t try to fix it\" (and I firmly believe in that), BUT......I\'m also aware that needs change and that changes must be made to address those new needs.


THIS IS IMPORTANT ........ please...... HAVE YOUR SAY

[Edited on 28/8/2004 by TC]

[willywetegg]

As a shore fisherman I would have to say that as far as I am concerned everything is fine. I havn\"t really thought about it before but will give it some over the next few days.
As I have said on here before I think you along with Mark, do a fantastic job and have no reason for complaint at all.
I would also like to say that all of the regular posters on N.E.S.A. are a great set of lads that are never shy about giving out helpful information on all subjects.

Jim.

[TC]

Thanks for that, Jim.
Over the years, I\'ve tried to improve what\'s available on the site as much as I can........charter boat details, links to other useful sites, support for the RNLI, new forums, etc. But they have largely been thrust upon you by me, now I\'m asking what YOU would like to see on the site.
Mark has done a great job in providing such things as the photo uploader and chatroom facilities - things which were unavailable on the NESA site.

I realise that what I\'m asking for will take some thought and I\'m not really expecting a quick response. I\'ll give it a couple of months and hopefully, I\'ll get some good suggestions in that time.

[TC]

Here\'s a few things I\'ve been thinking about.......they\'re not in any particular order of preference..........

1. Have a specific date for an annual shore comp (like the opens). This would mean that everybody would know when the comp was coming up and be able to make arrangements accordingly, if they wanted to take part.

2. Have a webcam facility for the \"sea state\" section. Either our own (expensive? and frought with technical difficulties?), or a link to another site which already has a suitable one.

3. Forge stronger links with other bodies (e.g. Port of Tyne, Port of Sunderland, Local Authorities, press & media, RNLI, marinas, etc)

4. As many members have young\'ns - start a \"Juniors\" area and possibly hold junior comps

5. Have an annual social night - again on a fixed date basis, so that everybody would know when it was coming up and could make arrangements if they wanted to come along.

6. Facilities such as the photo uploader & chatrooms to be an integral part of the site.

7. Explore ways of making money for the RNLI Fund FROM the site - NOT only from donations or comps - but from the site, itself........Mark knows more about the ins & outs of this than I do..

These are just a few things I\'ve been thinking about......maybe they\'ll happen, maybe they won\'t, but it\'s a start.


[Edited on 28/8/2004 by TC]

[willywetegg]

Some good ideas there Tony. Especially the fixed dates for annual events I would think it would probably generate a lot more interest that way and make it easier for those working unsociable hours to attend.
As for the Idea for the junior section and maybe a junior comp great idea. I am sure plenty of the lads on here would be willing to help out with that, I know I would.
Just had another thought. I know there are a lot of members that are not from the north east but I would have thought that if there was enough interest there would be enough to have an annual FUN sea league comp. Nothing too serious but as we all go out regularly anyway we could get together fortnightly or so for a bit of a comp. It would also be a good way for new fishermen to find new spots or fish different areas.

Jim.

[Edited on 28/8/2004 by willywetegg]

[bribones]

works fine for me tony ,although i do agree with the stonger links bit,ive noticed nesa links to a lot of sites ie rnli but when you visit said sites theres no links back to nesa,id like to see a fishing marks thread where people can post about fishing spots specificly instead of having to search the different sections but apart from that spot on ,good show etc

[alan]

Very happy with the way it is Tony,the only thing i\'d like to see is some of the info from the old site moved over if its still available,i know its out of your hands that one (Elton) i believe.
The only other addition could be a fresh water section fly/course,i\'m not interested in fresh water fishing but the site is not for me ! I think theres a few on here who do a bit of fly/course fishing so it may be worth considering.
Just to follow on from Jim,I\'ve really enjoyed my time with NESA,theres always good crack and never a wrong word and probably if it was\'nt for TC,Mark,Jason and John the site might have went to wall along time ago,THANKS. (Think thats all the mods and rockers lol)

[Edited on 28/8/2004 by alan.f]

[Edited on 28/8/2004 by alan.f]

[jeff]

Hi TC,

The only other suggestion I have and someone has suggested it before is to share GPS positions for wreck/marks via some section in the forum. However, I\'m sure there will be reluctance by some.

I think the whole NESA thing is great, the site, the people and the crack. Great job TC and team!!

Thanks,
Jeff

[Norman]

LOL jeff share marks ........????? I got one just inside the piers if its any good to you

[gag1]

The site is great the way it is Tony. All your hard work is greatly appreciated.

Cheers.

gag1

[Norman]

On a serious note TC , I agree with gag1 .... keep it as it is mate , its totp

[alan]

You could state briefly under the forum headings what is expected to be posted in certain sections as posts are sometimes put in wrong sections and maybe don\'t get read,like you say TC the casting posts are mixed with other topics,just a thought thats all.

[TC]

Thanks for the votes of confidence, lads........BUT I really think that the site could offer more.........more of what?.......well, that\'s what I\'m looking for from YOU.

Good idea about having a small forum description under the title, Alan.
We used to have that on previous site layouts........it\'s those \"obvious\" things that tend to get overlooked.

\"....the only thing i\'d like to see is some of the info from the old site moved over........\"
Alan, I\'ve been promised AGAIN and AGAIN that a lot of the \"old stuff\" would be transferred over to this new (now not-so-new), site.......like a lot of other people, I\'m still waiting........all I can advise is DON\'T HOLD YA BREATH, m8.

[Edited on 28/8/2004 by TC]

[TC]

Bribones........re. fishing marks......
We used to have a really good section on N.E. fishing marks (all North of the Tyne, though) - it had maps & ariel photos. That\'s one of the things in the \"old stuff\", which hasn\'t been transferred over to this \"new\" site.

[alan]

Whats your thoughts on a freshwater section TC or anyone else thats interested.
TC/Bri theres still fishing marks available to view on the main site page which tends to get overlooked,maybe this could be brought into the forum section or made a bit more clear as i think like myself most people go straight to the forums.