We're slowly getting the new F16 website into some sort of order. Tom is currently working on adding content to the site. I've added a calendar to the site - but it's a bit empty at the moment. The calendar is here:

http://f16.beasts.org/index.php?option=com_extcalendar&Itemid=28

Anyone can sign up for an account on the site and start submitting new events, so please go ahead and start adding your local events. If you need a new category for your region, submit them as international and send me a PM and I'll set it up.

Users also get their own photo gallery, so feel free to upload photos too -- but ignore the rest of the content - we're still working on it!

Paul

F16 beasts!? That's really enticing.

More and more content is showing up on the site. Take a look and post feedback. Be gentle, I am new at this.

Congrats guys,

starting to look really good!

Any chance of adding a .pdf download version of the F16 rules?

As a 'work in progress', I trust that someone will be doing a little proof reading?

Good luck,
The web site looks great!!!

I would love to see that too, but some volunteer has to make these PDF files for us. Are you a taker. I've got a version of a rules PDF filel, made by somebody else, but the layout went wrong and it is too mixed up to be presentable. It has to be redone. I can't do it as I don't have the software or the experience to do so. Any takers ?




Yep, I busy rewriting some content but after that we're looking for proof readers. Are you game ?

Wouter

OK Wouter,

I've generated a set of SPELLCHECKED rules in .pdf format. Where do you want them sent?

Can we have a Downloads section please?

Oh, and how about a Videos section as well?

I see that there is an option to generate a .pdf file in the top right of each window, but the formatting leaves something to be desired. As I said above, I now have a .pdf file of the F16 rules, properly formatted and spellchecked. Do you want me to send it to one of you so that it can be added to the site for download?

John,

Which version of the class rules did you you (what orgin) as Mark Thompson has done a full spell- and grammar check on the class rules last spring time.

I think we opted for US English over UK English, although Mark is a kiwi so we may have ended up with NZ english !

Wouter

I used the version off the geocities site.

Downloads and videos: yes. For the moment, just send me the links (or email as attachmeents) to pdw@ex-parrot.com and I'll put them up there.

Paul

The rules section and news section have been somewhat standardized. Check them out and offer any advice. I'll proofread tonight, but now must do my day job.

Also - can one of you creative geniuses come up with a good intro to put on the home page? The intro I have out there could be improved upon. I am talking about the piece right under the Wouter graphic on the home page...Thanks.

Last time - Paul I put a section for videos accessible of the main menu.

I don't have a clue what is going on. Are you guys replacing the old web site with this beasts web site, or what? Is the old web site going to be gone? What was wrong with the old one? I thought it looked really good.

Sorry, but I must have missed something.

Content is being migrated away from the www.formula16.org site (obviously, not complete). Is that the site your are referring to? What pieces do you like? I want to make sure we keep the good parts intact, if possible.

One reason for the move is to encourage regional/national participation by allowing others a site they can post to themselves. Part of a "growing up" the class is experiencing.

Yes. The beasts.org name is just a temporary name while we are developing the site. In due course, this will become the formula16.org site.

As Tom said, one of the things we are trying to do is to make it possible for more people to contribute content to the site. We already have the calendar and gallery to which anyone can contribute. By using a content management system we can share the job of keeping the site up-to-date, rather than relying on the time of a single webmaster.

Personally, I think that the new site is a big improvement cosmetically too.

Paul

Well, the original site is much more dynamic and exciting looking. Interesting fonts, colors, pictures, things happening. The new site is kind of blah and generic-looking. Looks like something you get when you google a topic about fabric or flooring.

Maybe it is just a woman's viewpoint. But I think it is important that the first thing you see when you open a website is something exciting and interesting that will make people want to explore the site further. This one sure doesn't do anything for me.

But since most sailors these days are men, if the men think it's cool, that's great. Go for the existing audience.

That's the cool part of using a content management system like this. When we get bored with the "look", it is an easy template change (with new banners, menus, flashes, etc.) and no one has to re-enter the content - yippeeee!!! Basically, just wrap some new graphics around the existing content on the site and the next time you hit the site, BOOM - it looks completely revamped.

We are still concentrating on content and will be able to "jazz" it up later. Not quite ready for prime time.

Regional F16 class sites (USA, AUS, NEL, RSA, etc.) are coming, also.

Hi Tom,
Website looks good, uncluttered and quick to load, no animated stuff and pop-ups !
Only criticism is the big white open space next to the menu, if you click on a heading in the menu, it is not apparent that the page loads, unless you scroll down. Folks not familiar with this might think that the page failed to load or does not yet exist. Maybe it`s just the way my browser loads the page ? I know very little about these things, which is a good reason for me to NOT try and add content to the web-site !