View Full Version : Trail Days website - webmaster wanted
We're looking for someone in the hiking community to take over the Trail Days website (www.traildays.info) (http://www.traildays.info%29). There is no pay, the work is rather tedious from February through May, and there is little recognition for your work. But it can be enjoyable if you don't care about those things.
The person we're looking for should have several websites currently online so we can see what you can do, should have design skills (the current webmaster has no design skills, alas), should have some free time during the months before Trail Days, and should be a knowledgeable member of the hiking community. Our preference is for someone in the whiteblaze forums who has good communication skills.
You would be working with Tonya, our town clerk, who would be sending you information concerning the schedule and the various events (presentations, bands, vendors, etc.). You would have a fairly free hand in design and other content, unless you put in 320 photos of Billville after dark, in which case there might be some editing by us.
Here's last year's site: http://www.traildays.info/index2.html
If you're interested please contact me through e-mail at grsmith07 AT gmail.com .... you know the routine about the @ and removing spaces.
If we have more than one good candidate the morning group at Mojoe's will meet to discuss who would be best. Any whiteblazers who might be visiting would be invited. Pirate just left town so there is a cultural gap here and someone would need to take his place.
He may not have had any designing skills in your opinion but, it looks OK to me and is standards compliant.
Hey, Sly, I was talking about myself. I currently do the site, and am graphically challenged. It's also good to hear the site is standards compliant. If you get a chance, would you mind checking www.damascus.org (http://www.damascus.org) and www.vacreepertrail.us? (http://www.vacreepertrail.us?) Or could you teach me how to check these?
Hey, Sly, I was talking about myself. I currently do the site, and am graphically challenged. It's also good to hear the site is standards compliant. If you get a chance, would you mind checking www.damascus.org (http://www.damascus.org) and www.vacreepertrail.us? (http://www.vacreepertrail.us?) Or could you teach me how to check these?
LOL... You're too modest. I use Firefox and you can right click on any site and view page info or view page source. You can also add some extensions to the browser to help with development.
I'm fairly illiterate when it comes to design, css, php and all that stuff. I'm trying to find a tutorial that will help, that I can understand.
Anyway, I'm using (the free) Kompozer (http://www.kompozer.net/) to update the Southern Ruck website this year but , it's (the website) simple with few frills.
Hey Local, you can validate your HTML and/or CSS at: validator.w3.org
Hey Local, you can validate your HTML and/or CSS at: validator.w3.org
Chief, thanks. I ran this on a few sites, and most of the validation errors are in copied and pasted script (don't want to turn this thread into a geek thread so I'll be brief). The code for the sites is Dreamweaver-generated so I'm not sure what's up with the errors. I'll fix those I understand and leave the rest. Thanks for the advice.
Sly, I check the Kompozer site, and it's a spinoff of NVU (http://www.nvu.com/), which I've used at times. Interesting. I'll experiment with this version. Thanks.
In reference to the topic of this thread, we have had several very good offers from skilled people to take over the Trail Days website. All are hikers and on whiteblaze, which is great. We hope to make a decision after certain political things happen in the next week. Don'tcha just love local politics?
Sly, I check the Kompozer site, and it's a spinoff of NVU (http://www.nvu.com/), which I've used at times. Interesting. I'll experiment with this version. Thanks.
Yeah, it *supposed* to be the bug free version of Nvu. The trouble I usually have is that the images don't always show. Perhaps it's because I don't publish with Kompozer (or Nvu) but Cute FTP. It keeps the fileC:\\ whatever in the code. Anyway, on the FTP program I need to change the code a little abefore I publish nd then it works fine.
Where can you get templates and style sheets? A good book or online tutorial?
Uncle Silly
11-04-2007, 20:11
The code for the sites is Dreamweaver-generated so I'm not sure what's up with the errors. I'll fix those I understand and leave the rest.
If it's generating code that includes extensions specific to one browser (ie, IE) the code will never validate. You could find another way to do the same thing, say using CSS instead of an IE-specific leftmargin attribute, or you could decide it's Good Enuff (tm).
I would be willing to help anyone that takes this over from Local but I can not devote my time to doing it full time.
Lone Wolf
11-04-2007, 21:22
if i may ask, why is a trail days website needed? hikers know all about it. when they get here, they know what to do. the internet has no bearing on Tdays
Frolicking Dinosaurs
11-04-2007, 21:32
I can help with the graphics, but my web programming skills are so rusty that I wouldn't be much help there.
if i may ask, why is a trail days website needed? hikers know all about it. when they get here, they know what to do. the internet has no bearing on Tdays
Stats, www.traildays.info: (http://www.traildays.info:)
<table summary="The Yearly Report shows total activity on your site for each calendar year. Remember that each page hit can result in several server requests as the images for each page are loaded. Note: Most likely, the first and last years will not represent a complete year's worth of data, resulting in lower hits." border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="85%"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" colspan="2">Year</th><th scope="col">Number of requests</th><th scope="col">Number of page requests</th></tr><tr><td class="alt2">1.</td><td class="alt2" align="left">2006</td><td class="alt2" align="right">310,576</td><td class="alt2" align="right">55,726</td></tr><tr><td class="alt1">2.</td><td class="alt1" align="left">2007</td><td class="alt1" align="right">338,704</td><td class="alt1" align="right">60,726</td></tr></tbody></table>Most active year 2007 : 60,726 pages sent. 338,704 requests handled.
Yearly average: 58,226 pages sent. 324,640 requests handled.
This report was generated on November 4, 2007 02:29.
Report time frame March 13, 2006 13:15 to November 3, 2007 23:56.
Web statistics report produced by: analog 5.1 (http://www.analog.cx/) / Report Magic 2.21 (http://www.reportmagic.org/)
Hum. Dr. L. Wolf, I invite you for a mocha at Mojoe's so we can discuss these ethereal (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=ethereal) matters.
Yeah, it *supposed* to be the bug free version of Nvu. The trouble I usually have is that the images don't always show. Perhaps it's because I don't publish with Kompozer (or Nvu) but Cute FTP. It keeps the fileC:\\ whatever in the code. Anyway, on the FTP program I need to change the code a little abefore I publish nd then it works fine.
Where can you get templates and style sheets? A good book or online tutorial?
Sly, you might want to try Filezilla, a good and free ftp program. I use it as a backup for ws_ftp, an older version.
For free website templates, just do a google search for that. You get a plethora of stuff like http://www.freewebsitetemplates.com/. I do a lot of charitable and free sites for folks, and just borrow some ideas from these free sites and adapt them. It beats having to think or create.
Miss Janet
11-04-2007, 23:25
Hey Local, you say you are somewhat of a novice but you are using jargon that I sure is well above that!!! I think you are doing a great job.
L. Wolf you live right in the middle of Damascus and most of the 10, 000+ people who will attend do not... I think the website will be great for all the rest of us.
Hey Local, I found a nifty add-on for Firefox called Total Validator. All you have to do is right click on any page to get results. Here's yours...
Lone Wolf
11-05-2007, 02:13
Stats, www.traildays.info: (http://www.traildays.info:)
<table summary="The Yearly Report shows total activity on your site for each calendar year. Remember that each page hit can result in several server requests as the images for each page are loaded. Note: Most likely, the first and last years will not represent a complete year's worth of data, resulting in lower hits." border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="85%"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" colspan="2">Year</th><th scope="col">Number of requests</th><th scope="col">Number of page requests</th></tr><tr><td class="alt2">1.</td><td class="alt2" align="left">2006</td><td class="alt2" align="right">310,576</td><td class="alt2" align="right">55,726</td></tr><tr><td class="alt1">2.</td><td class="alt1" align="left">2007</td><td class="alt1" align="right">338,704</td><td class="alt1" align="right">60,726</td></tr></tbody></table>Most active year 2007 : 60,726 pages sent. 338,704 requests handled.
Yearly average: 58,226 pages sent. 324,640 requests handled.
This report was generated on November 4, 2007 02:29.
Report time frame March 13, 2006 13:15 to November 3, 2007 23:56.
Web statistics report produced by: analog 5.1 (http://www.analog.cx/) / Report Magic 2.21 (http://www.reportmagic.org/)
Hum. Dr. L. Wolf, I invite you for a mocha at Mojoe's so we can discuss these ethereal (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?book=Dictionary&va=ethereal) matters.
what is a mocha? and like i said, no website needed for something that's been goin' on for 20 years. your numbers mean s^^t
what is a mocha? and like i said, no website needed for something that's been goin' on for 20 years. your numbers mean s^^t
This website isn't totally needed either but plenty of people check it out. There's no harm in having a website.
Lone Wolf
11-05-2007, 02:37
This website isn't totally needed either but plenty of people check it out. There's no harm in having a website.
no harm at all. just not NEEDED. except maybe for non-hikers. T Days ain't about hikers any more any way
no harm at all. just not NEEDED. except maybe for non-hikers. T Days ain't about hikers any more any way
it is true that the main theme has lost its gist in "YOUR" hiking community, but its the biggest event that Damascus has going for itself and it brings in alot of needed money to the few businesses that are already here and some of the vendors that show up.
i may or may not always agree with the current committee that is overseeing the task of providing information or who is in charge of making sure this event happens. but if i don't get involved, and choose to sit back and point things out that only "I" see as "Bullhockey," then i am no better than the person who has never registered to vote but still has an opinion about the way America is being run.
go down there to the next meeting Lone Wolf and get involved. you are very knowledgeble about the trail and just maybe you might be able to persuade some of those who are in charge to see things differently.........
Lone Wolf
11-05-2007, 08:21
go down there to the next meeting Lone Wolf and get involved. you are very knowledgeble about the trail and just maybe you might be able to persuade some of those who are in charge to see things differently.........
dude, being knowledgeable about the trail means nothing. Trail Days is run by the town, not hikers. hikers have gotten involved in the past. hiker input was/is rarely taken into account. ever wonder why dave, jeff, tom, sundog, jim, elise, myself and other hikers don't get involved? there's a reason.one day you and local will see
Wheeze. Gasp. It's too beautiful a day for negativity. I'm going to ride up to Whitetop and see if any bears are out wandering around.
Wheeze. Gasp. It's too beautiful a day for negativity. I'm going to ride up to Whitetop and see if any bears are out wandering around.
Take LW with you! ;)
Lone Wolf
11-05-2007, 08:40
it is true that the main theme has lost its gist in "YOUR" hiking community, but its the biggest event that Damascus has going for itself and it brings in alot of needed money to the few businesses that are already here and some of the vendors that show up.
i'm not part of any "community". Tons more $$$ is brought to this town by bikers than hikers will ever bring. town businesses would do fine if Trail Days never happened again.
Lone Wolf
11-05-2007, 08:43
Wheeze. Gasp. It's too beautiful a day for negativity. I'm going to ride up to Whitetop and see if any bears are out wandering around.
bears won't be up that high. go south on the AT out of town for 3 miles or so and you will see bears. negativity? nah, just the facts is all. you even said you're ready to quit the comittee
Lone Wolf
11-05-2007, 08:44
Take LW with you! ;)
he can take wanderer. they can discuss trail days
Thanks to all of you who have offered to help the new Trail Days webmaster. We have several strong candidates from the hiking community who have volunteered to take over this site, and hope to make a decision in the next few days.
I've been asked to chair the Creeper Trail Advisory Committee, an oversight group for the jurisdictions involved in our 34-mile rail trail (http://www.vacreepertrail.org/), so I'll be cutting back on some volunteer activities, including Trail Days, to work on this biking, hiking, and equestrian trail. The new Trail Days webmaster might be needing some help from those of you who have offered, and I will let him or her know of your generosity.
dude, being knowledgeable about the trail means nothing. Trail Days is run by the town, not hikers. hikers have gotten involved in the past. hiker input was/is rarely taken into account. ever wonder why dave, jeff, tom, sundog, jim, elise, myself and other hikers don't get involved? there's a reason.one day you and local will see
Well, I don't really plan on doing much there myself but just kind of offer a hand where I am needed if I have the time. I didn't realize that you were ever involved there before. And I never heard jeff mention that he was either?
i'm not part of any "community". Tons more $$$ is brought to this town by bikers than hikers will ever bring. town businesses would do fine if Trail Days never happened again.
I will agree that the biking community that is here every weekend brings much more money into the town than the hikers do and the town knows that, but everyone that is in a service related business here makes a pretty good chunk of change from TD's after a very restful winter that sees some of them very deep in debt just to stay alive during the off season. And TD's helps catch the bills up for some and others it puts a few extra dollars in the pocket..............
he can take wanderer. they can discuss trail days
we had coffee this morning. i hiked with Local from his car into MoJo's and then from MoJo's over to Sundogs and then i hiked home by myself. i was winded when i got back here. and you know what Local and i decided to just take the whole TD thing and put it up someones kazoo.........can you believe that?
...... and you know what Local and i decided to just take the whole TD thing and put it up someones kazoo.........can you believe that?
Say what? Uh, TOW, maybe go a little easy on the Kenyan Dark Roast next time. I only remember talking about Carhartt knit beanies. I don't remember any kazoos. Are they in the Carhartt catalogue?
Uncle Silly
11-05-2007, 19:11
I don't remember any kazoos. Are they in the Carhartt catalogue?
Try the denim kazoos in A minor. I think they're on page 84.
Much better than those dratted wool kazoos. Except the wool kazoos keep you warm when they get wet. Whatever; I keep mine in the armpit of my Frogg Toggs so they stay dry.
Stinky, but dry.
Say what? Uh, TOW, maybe go a little easy on the Kenyan Dark Roast next time. I only remember talking about Carhartt knit beanies. I don't remember any kazoos. Are they in the Carhartt catalogue?
you know that was some strong coffee, i'm still tripping...........of course i was tripping before i even went with you psyching myself up for our hike from your car into the coffee shop..........
Try the denim kazoos in A minor. I think they're on page 84.
Much better than those dratted wool kazoos. Except the wool kazoos keep you warm when they get wet. Whatever; I keep mine in the armpit of my Frogg Toggs so they stay dry.
Stinky, but dry.
that's what he said............
Jester2000
11-05-2007, 21:52
"Bullhockey"
Billhockey!
I'm going to start an outlaw fat boys hiker club. anyone want to join?
:welcome We're pleased to announce that "Possum Bill," a whiteblaze member, is the new webmaster for the Trail Days website. He has several sites online, has excellent graphic skills and is a great photographer (see his gallery on whiteblaze). He lives within a hour of Damascus so that will help with any logistics necessary. (We won't ask him to attend a Trail Days committee meeting until we get our act together.) We welcome Possum Bill and appreciate his volunteering to help us.