What do you want to see in a regional's web site?

[Billfred]

I recall there being a thread asking teams what they wanted in a regional website in the past here on CD, but I can't seem to find it. (I searched both the Regional Competitions section and the General Forum for about fifteen different terms, and found nothing going back to the 2005 build season.)

I've been approached to help out with the website of the Palmetto Regional. They're also planning to expand the site's FLL section, and add sections for FVC, Project Lead The Way, and the College of Engineering and Information Technology's outreach programs. (Did you know that they're in charge of the University's annual Tiger Burn, held the night before the Clemson game? I didn't until this year.)

So as the powers that be of FRC, FLL, or FVC teams, what do you like to see in a regional web site? Information on past events? Local information? Team Social information? Something else?

Additionally, what would be helpful to you as a local FRC, FLL, or FVC team? (Local might be the wrong term for it, as the site is aimed at the whole state, but when the University is three hours away from the furthest point in the state, we can get everyone together for the important parts.)

[sanddrag]

Entrance, parking, and food info.

[RoboMom]

consider including a link to NEMO www.firstnemo.org

if site will be up this month, consider including camps. Quite a few FLL camps going on in this area.

[JaneYoung]

store locations and maps for parts and materials
examples:hardware stores, Home Depot

Drugstores and Emergency care might be helpful.

[Joe Matt]

-Google maps of the location, so people don't have to search around for the venue's address then google from there to their house, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks, etc.
-Distinct FRC, FLL, FVC sites with standings, awards, and math lists.
-History of the regional
-Video via Google Video or YouTube that is a highlight reel of the past competition.
-CROSS PLATFORM AND BROWSER!

This is adding on to what other sites currently offer, like www.virginiafirst.org

[JudyVandy]

Maps for getting there, maps for restaurants, maps for 'near-by' hotels. Plus all of the above, of course.

A link to the webcast, if there is one.

Lots of information about the site: interior maps, food service info (items and cost), etc.

Thanks for asking!

[Jherbie53]

Maps to and from hotels, of different food choices [ nicer places to eat like Fridays or just the local McDonalds ], fun stuff to do in the area, and any local Home Depots, Lows, or hardware stores.

Info about where the regionals are being held, like maybe a link to a website about where its being held at. Maps of the regional site, with parking and any places with food close by.

The more information about all of the FIRST programs, the better. Past information about the FRC/FLL/FVC competitions, with the awards that were given out.

Really as much information as you can get about the events would be nice, and thats not going to over whelm you making it or people trying to find it.

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

I'd like to stress the "fun stuff in the area". Gives teams a chance to plan ahead.

[AmyPrib]

Found this in a couple minutes with general search for "regional website". This is probably what you were thinking of, as it was a cross between a Poll and "what do you want to see on a reg website".

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40210&highlight=regional+website

The stuff I'd want to see is the stuff I wrote in the other thread - pretty much the stuff we put on our reg website. It must be easy to navigate and links must be titled such that it's obvious what it contains. I would rather have a longer menu of obvious links than have to search for info (but that's my opinion).

[GaryVoshol]

I've been approached to help out with the website of the Palmetto Regional. They're also planning to expand the site's FLL section, ...
I'm not sure if you are talking about a state FLL competition, or something to do with FLL at Palmetto.

In any event, here's Michigan's FLL site: http://home.comcast.net/~mifll/ or www.michiganfll.org

It is updated throughout the season for regionals, and then has a lot of info for the state tournament. It includes a schedule for judging and competition rounds which is very helpful for coaches to have a week or so before the competition. (Unlike FRC, in FLL there is no competitive alliance advantage to having the information early.) It's hard enough herding the little rugrats around; knowing what kind of time restraints you will be up against before coming is a big plus.

In addition, there are awards and results following the tournament.

[dubious elise]

Billfred -

I know you are working on website stuff but another resource that I have found to be extremely helpful is the ultra-handy, uber-compact paper copy. Ask Amy Prib about this if you want more information or examples. What I am referring to are the miniature (think 3"x5") sized booklets that were handed out at the Boilermaker Regional this year that contained campus maps, a brief overview of the game, tour information and times, sponsors, team social information, etc. Basically, a vast majority of the information that you provide on the website can now be found instantly at the venue itself without the need of a computer or internet axcess (crazy, I know ;) )

What I noticed at the WI regional was that many people came to watch and had a great time seeing the robot action, but few actually knew what was going on or how the scoring system works. I highly recommend looking in to printing up some sort of durable, pocket-sized document if not for the visitors, at least for the team leaders and event staff.

[AmyPrib]

Thanks Elise.

Yes, the 4x6 booklet was a result of less than perfect communication before and during the event itself in our first year. So, in the 2nd year, I wanted to make sure that everyone (rpc, teams, spectators, volunteers, joe schmoe) was on the same page and knew what was happening when. I believe we printed enough to give about 2/3 of estimated attendants (we had head counts from our social registration). We found that people would ask various people questions, and we would have to track others down to get an answer. For the most part, this resolved it.

The website is definitely a must-have, but we found the booklet to be useful as well. Many people don't view the website prior to the event, and sometimes team leaders may not distribute "update emails" to an entire team. It's esp beneficial to "walk-in" spectators or family/friends.

Our booklet contained much of what was on our website, including:
FIRST background, public agenda, game description, team participant listing, location, maps of campus and city, surrounding area restaurant/hotel reference, logistics for unloading/loading and parking, general info (restrooms, wireless internet, lost/found, volunteers, machine shop, etc), pic of event layout (pits, field, seating, concessions, etc), concessions menu, scholarships being offered, "enrichment" activities (campus and building tours, college/company fair info, etc), Educator's Program info, Lego League demo info, Team Social, Special Award info (we give out "best play", etc), Judge Bios, Planning Comm Bios, blank page for notes, and a "suggestion form" page. Some people didn't want to tear the page out of their book to drop in the comment box. The back cover had our sponsor listing on it. The whole thing was only 28pgs (front/back).

If anyone wants to see mine as a template for their regional, just PM me.

[RoboMom]

Links to local media stories published. Means someone has to be updating.

[Ed Sparks]

A venue map that includes the pit layout.

[Lil' Lavery]

Regional history. As simple as who won what award each year would be adequate, but more would be alot cooler.

The elimination "ladder"

List of all volunteers (including speakers, judges, etc.)

TONS of pictures/video/other media (hey, why not get audio of speeches?)

[JaneYoung]

Always within history is trivia - some trivia would be fun and may also help rookie teams - things like
buttons
tee shirts
team colors
names of the teams in the regionals (that would link up with history)
the evolution of FIRST logos -
---
give and show an example of a good pit setup with some easily accessed and affordable materials used.
give and show an example of a crate and materials used
provide the safety information during build, Regionals, the Championship
show an example of the proper method of downing a dozen KK's. :)
Jane

[Rohith Surampudi]

i would like to see a website in general for NJ.

[katiyeh07]

ORGANIZED PICTURES!! :)

[Billfred]

Well, I took all of it in and tried to hash out a good outline for the site. (In the end, we decided to make the PalmettoFIRST site a sub-site of the COEIT Outreach site, as opposed to the other way around. Makes more sense to me.)

Here's what I have thus far:

$@# $@# $@# PalmettoFIRST

$@# $@# $@# $@# $@# $@# JFLL

(still in development)

$@# $@# $@# $@# $@# $@# FLL

About FLL

Starting a team

South Carolina teams

Regional Tournaments

Locations/Dates/Times/Directions

Spectators

Volunteers

Teams coming to the events

The State Tournament

Spectators

Volunteers

Teams coming to the event

Hotels

Local Places Of Note (Lowe's, grocery store, Wal-Mart, etc.)

Detailed Site Info (where toolboxes go in, where people go in)

History

Resources

$@# $@# $@# $@# $@# $@# FVC

About FVC

Starting a team

South Carolina teams

FVC Orangeburg (any other FVC events get their own section)

Spectators

Volunteers

Teams coming to the event

Hotels

Local Places Of Note (Lowe's, grocery store, Wal-Mart, etc.)

Detailed Site Info (where toolboxes go in, where people go in)

History

Resources

$@# $@# $@# $@# $@# $@# FRC

About FRC

Starting a team

South Carolina teams

Palmetto Regional

Spectators

Volunteers

Teams coming to the event

Hotels

Local Places Of Note (Lowe's, grocery store, Wal-Mart, etc.)

Detailed Site Info (where toolboxes go in, where people go in)

History



Ideas? Thoughts? Comments? Showers of praise?

[DonRotolo]

Under detailed site info, include parking details, including where folks with trailer can park.

I praise the 2006 Palmetto site for the driving directions - some humor, but ultimately accurate 'I live here' directions. I don't need MapQuest to find Columbia, and the rest was off the web site.

Include locations for spare parts (e.g., Radio Shack - down Greenway to 5 corners...)

Genia's idea for team-friendly fun spots (& restaurants) is good.

Venue rules as you know them - for example, if banners were prohibited above the mezzanine, no coolers, etc.


Good job, that outline is fairly complete. (shower: off)

Don

[Evenstar_342]

Well, I took all of it in and tried to hash out a good outline for the site. (In the end, we decided to make the PalmettoFIRST site a sub-site of the COEIT Outreach site, as opposed to the other way around. Makes more sense to me.)

Billfred, I like your planned site. Does it have a URL yet? This is the only FIRST/FLL competition site I know of for SC, http://palmettofirst.engr.sc.edu/

Edited: In general for Regional sites, it might be nice (and this goes for FLL competition sites too) to have a schedule for runs and presentations posted a day or two before a regional, if possible. I'm not an HTML expert, but if you don't want the entire public to see the detailed schedule, I would think the page could be password protected and the password given to teams when they register. Schedules, in my opinion, are very convient to find out who needs to be where when beforehand.

[BandChick]

i would like to see a website in general for NJ.

Not to steal Billfred's thunder (actually, he's the one that kicked me into gear for working on the NJ website), but....

Here's the outline I put together for the NJ/NYC FIRST Website. Keep in mind, this website is not only for the Regional itself, but FIRST and its involvement in the NJ/NYC area.

Billfred, feel free to grab any of this information that you find pertinent. :)
Anyone else, PLEASE give me feedback (positive or negative) and what else you think is important!


1. Home Page
Overview of FIRST - key messages
Link to current newsletter ( "hot" news )
National & Regional Competition calendar & sign-up links
Information on Starting a Team (or link to it)
Search bar
2. Sponsors
Why sponsor a FIRST team?
Why sponsor NJ/NYC FIRST?
Current NJ/NYC FIRST sponsors
• who they are
• links to websites
• sponsor news relevant to NJ/NYC FIRST
Sponsor newsletter
Sponsor FAQs
3. About FIRST
Featurette on current year's game (basic rules, scoring)
About FIRST in NJ/NYC
• mission
• video
• success stories
About FRC
• about FRC in NJ/NYC
• past events/ awards/ standings
• link to more information on FIRST website
About FLL -
• about FLL in NJ/NYC
• past events/ awards/ standings
• link to more information on FIRST website
Abut FVC -
• about FVC in NJ/NYC
• past events/ awards/ standings
• link to more information on FIRST website
FIRST trivia - relevant to NJ/NYC FIRST
4. Media
Photo Gallery - arranged by year, event
Local media stories (newspaper features, news footage, etc.)
Promotional NJ/NYC FIRST footage
Past Regional montage videos (aka "Smile Video" from NJ Regional 03)
5.Teams
Why start a FIRST team?
How to form a FIRST team - link to RINOS (http://www.raiderrobotix.org/RINOS.html)
Current team news/media
Team List
• Divided by State
• How to Contact - gmail setup for each team to forward to TIMs account?
• Willing to mentor?
• Website Links
Awards/Hall of Fame
Team Hosted Off-Season Events
• Organized by date
• Website links
• Locations, Addresses, Directions
• General Event Information
• Contact Information
6.Regional Event
National & Regional Competition Calendar & sign-up links
History of the Regional
Venue Info
• Address, Directions, Google Map
• Venue website link
• Layout map of venue
• Entrance, parking information/details (include where trailers/buses can park)
• Pit Layout
• Food information/options
Information for Spectators
Information for Competing Teams
• Local restaurants/hotels/places of interest (with addresses, directions, google maps)
• Local hardware stores, drugstores, etc. (with addresses, directions, google maps)
• Team Social Information
Information for Volunteers - link to volunteer section of website
List of Attending Teams (can link to FIRST website)
Webcast
Link to past events photo galleries
Regional Sponsors
How to Get Involved
7. Volunteers
Link to VIMS on FIRST website
Why Volunteer?
Past Volunteers (speakers, judges, etc.)
Volunteer of the Year Award
Volunteer Success Stories
8.Mentors/Educators
resources for starting a team
white papers
• Holding successful fundraisers
• Contacting local sponsors
• Community Outreach suggestions
• Creating a business plan
9.Committees
members list
contact information for each committee
past meeting minutes
shared documents
announcements
resources
10.Forum - (setup with permissions)
Mentors/Educators Section
Student Section
Commitee Section
11.Contact Us
12. Links


Sorry for being long-winded, as usual! :D

[987HighRoller]

It would be nice if the regional's website had a short and easy to remember url, that way non-FIRSTers could view information about the regional. Match results so that you don't have to go digging through USFIRST.org. Maybe even a match list. Also good food places w/ a map that ranks the affordability of these places.