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

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

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

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

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

ORGANIZED PICTURES!! :)

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

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:

Ideas? Thoughts? Comments? Showers of praise?

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

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.


[PRAISE]Good job, that outline is fairly complete.[/PRAISE] (shower: off)

Don

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

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.

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

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

1. Overview of FIRST - key messages
2. Link to current newsletter ( "hot" news )
3. National & Regional Competition calendar & sign-up links
4. Information on Starting a Team (or link to it)
5. Search bar

2. Sponsors

1. Why sponsor a FIRST team?
2. Why sponsor NJ/NYC FIRST?
3. Current NJ/NYC FIRST sponsors
   • who they are
   • links to websites
   • sponsor news relevant to NJ/NYC FIRST
4. Sponsor newsletter
5. Sponsor FAQs

3. About FIRST

1. Featurette on current year's game (basic rules, scoring)
2. About FIRST in NJ/NYC
   • mission
   • video
   • success stories
3. About FRC
   • about FRC in NJ/NYC
   • past events/ awards/ standings
   • link to more information on FIRST website
4. About FLL -
   • about FLL in NJ/NYC
   • past events/ awards/ standings
   • link to more information on FIRST website
5. Abut FVC -
   • about FVC in NJ/NYC
   • past events/ awards/ standings
   • link to more information on FIRST website
6. FIRST trivia - relevant to NJ/NYC FIRST

4. Media

1. Photo Gallery - arranged by year, event
2. Local media stories (newspaper features, news footage, etc.)
3. Promotional NJ/NYC FIRST footage
4. Past Regional montage videos (aka "Smile Video" from NJ Regional 03)

5.Teams

1. Why start a FIRST team?
2. How to form a FIRST team - link to RINOS
3. Current team news/media
4. Team List
   • Divided by State
   • How to Contact - gmail setup for each team to forward to TIMs account?
   • Willing to mentor?
   • Website Links
5. Awards/Hall of Fame
6. Team Hosted Off-Season Events
   • Organized by date
   • Website links
   • Locations, Addresses, Directions
   • General Event Information
   • Contact Information

6.Regional Event

1. National & Regional Competition Calendar & sign-up links
2. History of the Regional
3. 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
4. Information for Spectators
5. 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
6. Information for Volunteers - link to volunteer section of website
7. List of Attending Teams (can link to FIRST website)
8. Webcast
9. Link to past events photo galleries
10. Regional Sponsors
11. How to Get Involved

7. Volunteers

1. Link to VIMS on FIRST website
2. Why Volunteer?
3. Past Volunteers (speakers, judges, etc.)
4. Volunteer of the Year Award
5. Volunteer Success Stories

8.Mentors/Educators

1. resources for starting a team
2. white papers
   • Holding successful fundraisers
   • Contacting local sponsors
   • Community Outreach suggestions
   • Creating a business plan

9.Committees

1. members list
2. contact information for each committee
3. past meeting minutes
4. shared documents
5. announcements
6. resources

10.Forum - (setup with permissions)

1. Mentors/Educators Section
2. Student Section
3. Commitee Section

11.Contact Us
12. Links


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

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

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.