benblee 0 #1 January 23, 2007 I have been working on this www.collegeskydiving.com website and wanted to make it a site that people can check for anything and everything they would need, or want, to know about skydiving. It's still just getting started, and there can be a lot more added. Post what you would want to see here ... assuming dropzone.com has all of your forum needs answered. There is also a page on there of weather links for any USPA dropzone so check that out. Go to the "DZ Weather" link in the menu. If you hate this post, don't be condescending ... just go search for boobies instead.Ben Lee www.CollegeSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Squeak 17 #2 January 23, 2007 Probably a link to DZ.com but you can block out the bonfire, Speakers Corner and womens forumYou are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky) My Life ROCKS! How's yours doing? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benblee 0 #3 January 23, 2007 I figured that would be the answer. And, yes, we do already have a link up to DZ.com. To avoid the advice that comes from whomever can login, I have put up a "Tips from the Pros" section where only those who know can submit. Yeah, I know the next question is how do you know who really knows? Well, I figured PD has a fairly good handle on things, so I'm harrasing those guys first, then I'm gonna harrase Germain, and then it's onto those skydivers that are dive engineers in World Records. That's in no particular order. I figured that skydivers wouldn't spend all that money to travel across the country (let alone the oceans) to be a part of a World Record, unless they knew someone that knew good practices was in charge. I could be way off, but that's where I'm starting. This can grow into whatever skydivers make of it, so post what you want to see up there.Ben Lee www.CollegeSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Icon134 0 #4 January 23, 2007 QuoteIf you hate this post, don't be condescending ... just go search for boobies instead. don't take this the wrong way or nothing but if you're looking for a skydiving related answer then you probably posted it in the wrong forum. Since you brought up weather in the post I believe there is a skydiving related weather website but I also remember it being wrong ocasionally... ok... it was wrong a lot. Oh and what's wrong with linking non-USPA dropzones... my home dz isn't a USPA dz but its a great DZ. Livin' on the Edge... sleeping with my rigger's wife... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #5 January 23, 2007 Probably the items I use most on DZ.com are the DZ locator (which, unfortunately, doesn't list all the DZ's out there... A prime example is the buckeye airport in AZ about 30 miles west of Phoenix) and the classified ads. I always read the articles that make it to the main page too.Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveStMarys 0 #6 January 23, 2007 "(which, unfortunately, doesn't list all the DZ's out there" Thats up to the DZO to post their DZ. HH is far too busy for that shit. BobbiA miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #7 January 23, 2007 but it's listed on the USPA website....Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #8 January 23, 2007 Quote but it's listed on the USPA website.. So? If its that big of a deal go make the listing yourself. If a DZ doesn't care enough to post its own information on the largest skydiving website in the world, then that's their own problem. HH has made it straight forward in terms of listing a DZ and has left it up to DZOs and jumpers to make the listings. Seems simple enough to me and hundreds of DZs have been able to accomplish this without having their hand held.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #9 January 23, 2007 All the DZO has to do is put it here.You should make a phone call.Make some thing happen.Be a team player.Do something.You can doooo it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkydiveStMarys 0 #10 January 23, 2007 Then they are a USPA member. Duh. BobbiA miracle is not defined by an event. A miracle is defined by gratitude. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benblee 0 #11 January 23, 2007 I was just looking for what people wanted to see on a site. As for the weather links for DZ's, I picked the USPA dropzones because that's a huge list to start with. I also just linked to the DZ zip code on weather.com. That seemed like it would be more reliable. It was also the best way to get a lot of listings up quick. I do think that the USPA is a great organization and I'm curious as to why a DZ wouldn't want to be a group member with them?Ben Lee www.CollegeSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #12 January 23, 2007 Do a search, the USPA GM program has been discussed a few times in the past. Basically the short answer is its very expensive to be a member and there's not a whole lot of real benifit, especially since if you're a USPA member the 3rd party insurance covers you even if you're not at a GM DZ. GM DZ does not equal safe, it equals money spent.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #13 January 23, 2007 QuoteAll the DZO has to do is put it here.You should make a phone call.Make some thing happen.Be a team player.Do something.You can doooo it. But that means I'd be doing something useful with my life (however minor that may be... I don't want to prove my parent's wrong... I wanna make them proud by living up to what was expected of meSome people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #14 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuote but it's listed on the USPA website.. So? If its that big of a deal go make the listing yourself. If a DZ doesn't care enough to post its own information on the largest skydiving website in the world, then that's their own problem. HH has made it straight forward in terms of listing a DZ and has left it up to DZOs and jumpers to make the listings. Seems simple enough to me and hundreds of DZs have been able to accomplish this without having their hand held. it's not that big a deal... I've just been up since 3:30 this morning and all that's on tv is infomercials... kinda sad that this is the next place I turn... I mean... come on... look at the people and things I have to deal with... sheesh... Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #15 January 23, 2007 Well then carry on. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benblee 0 #16 January 23, 2007 Back to the web stuff. What's more important, Pics, Vids, Info, Stupid Stuff, Bad Jokes ... come on people, be creative. Ben Lee www.CollegeSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSpenceFLY 1 #17 January 23, 2007 BTW Ben,I would not try to make this a catch all site unless you were just meaning adding links.I would concentrate on the college aspect of the site first with just added links to the other stuff for now.Then when they least expect it you can swoop in and take over the internet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sangiro 24 #18 January 23, 2007 QuoteWhat's more important, Pics, Vids, Info, Stupid Stuff, Bad Jokes ... From the little experience I have I can tell you that if you add the first 3 on this list, the last 2 will take care of itself. Safe swoops Sangiro Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #19 January 23, 2007 If DZ's are missing its because the DZO's or staff have not added them to the Database. If you know of details on one thats missing please key it in and calim the listing. To the original poster, its usually better to determine the roadmap to the site after allowing the members to originally contribute their concepts. As you can see everyone comes to Dropzone for lots of reasons and if you try to please everyone you will end up pleasing no one in the end. Decide the top 3 things you want the site to do and then decide the next 3 things it should also do. Build the site to do those 6 things really well then revisit the design and improve it then. If you want to focus on the college groups it might make sense to have a place that all the school's groups can upload their charters so that potential new clubs can examine them and reuse them to start their own groups also. You might want to have a section that focuses on things unique to college groups like ensuring that the group remains in tact even after its officers graduate, or do a section on financing and ways to increase club membership. Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gonzalesna 0 #20 January 23, 2007 I would imagine that most college student's haven't made a skydive yet. I would think that introductory information regarding skydiving would be best. LOTS OF PICTURES OF HAPPY PEOPLE WOULD DEFINATELY HELP!!!Some people refrain from beating a dead horse. Personally, I find a myriad of entertainment value when beating it until it becomes a horse-smoothie. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
livendive 8 #21 January 23, 2007 QuoteQuote but it's listed on the USPA website.. So? If its that big of a deal go make the listing yourself. If a DZ doesn't care enough to post its own information on the largest skydiving website in the world, then that's their own problem. HH has made it straight forward in terms of listing a DZ and has left it up to DZOs and jumpers to make the listings. Seems simple enough to me and hundreds of DZs have been able to accomplish this without having their hand held. Unfortunately, when a DZ folds there's nobody charged with deleting the dz.com listing. Blues, Dave"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!" (drink Mountain Dew) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benblee 0 #22 January 23, 2007 A whole thread and finally an idea for the site. This is good advice and I like the idea of clubs being able to post their paperwork. I have sections about 'Starting a Club' and 'Maintaining a Club' with some of the Georgia Tech files posted, but every school is different and has something to contribute. If you haven't checked it out yet, I'd like to know what you think so far: www.collegeskydiving.com I'm also struggling with making this a site for clubs and people in the sport and leaving the recruiting to the schools, or making a section for "wuffos".Ben Lee www.CollegeSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PeterB 0 #23 January 23, 2007 Hey. The key to keeping users interested (and coming back) is to enable them to participate, to be a part of the crowd so to speak. Dropzone.com has been pretty good at this, primarily in the forums. So, you need the basics of a portal. Login system, news (where authorized users can post), calendar (same thing), video- and picture gallery, preferrably with user feedback (comments, ratings), a simple forum. Localising stuff to the person and personalizing the website is pretty standard, too. Make sure these things figure prominently on the front page. The life of the website won't come from you primarily - the users will supply the content, so it's important that this is highlighted. Try to avoid design traps, such as hard coded font sizes, restricting screen size to some arbitrary value etc. I know it's tempting because design becomes much easier, but it's annoying when you got a decent computer and monitor. Sounds like a lot, but there are a number of free content management systems that come with all this out of the box - pm me if you want details. I have some links (including another skydiving portal) that might be helpful to ya. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benblee 0 #24 January 23, 2007 Also good advice. Right now there is a Gallery that users can have their own album and upload to. There is also a forum that's getting pretty popular for not being up too long. We will also be hosting a virtual competition where there will be a draw and then students can submit their videos to be judged online. It should be pretty cool. FYI ... we are using Joomla for a CMS and it's been great and has a ton of plugins for just about everything. Again, if you haven't seen it yet: http://www.collegeskydiving.comBen Lee www.CollegeSkydiving.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #25 January 23, 2007 Lots of pictures and a break down on how to make skydiving an option on a college budget. Good tips like becoming a packer, stop eating out, stop going to bars (drink at the DZ...duh), "donating" plasma, selling your stuff on e-bay, etc.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
