site changes

[admin]

hi all
I had some time to fix a few bugs on the site this weekend;

The search function in the forum is now working, though to keep the database to a decent size ive had to have it exclude "common words", eg if you searched for a commonly appearing word such as "sydney" you'll find that it doesnt work so well, but if you expanded that to say "sydney harbour moorings" it should work ok

You may also notice some advertising across the site, ive tried to keep it to a minimum, but with the costs of bandwidth, time, and back-end administration something had to be done to make the site pay for itself!

Im working on a new photo gallery section, and hope to have this live in the not too distant future, along with a few other functions.

Im also working hard to have the site perform better for viewing on mobiles, ie iphones etc..

Any suggestions welcome

cheers
dan

[bearmcnally]

Hi Dan

Just a suggestion with the photo gallery, why not do like a "Where are you located " type page . With a brief history etc about our Top Hats and a few photo's . Is this possible ?

Cheers Bear

[admin]

good idea, i'll look into this and how it can be done!

[karl010203]

Dan

Maybe we need to run a raffle etc to help pay for costs? Or happy to make a donation to help cover costs.

Or maybe there is a nice chandlery out there that would like to pay for sponsorship of the site?

Thoughts?

[admin]

im working on something

[Shaun]

Gday,
Personally im not a fan of advertising, I think it brings down the ambience of our Top Hat site, & could be off-putting to new members.

Is there anyway of getting rid of the top group of ads, & just maintaining the lower group if neccesary?

I like Karls raffle idea, I could find a few boatie items to donate.
Remember the Burgees were made to help contribute towards costs....I think Phil is looking to cover the initial outlay costs first then the remaining burgees will be Top Hat site Profit, any further info on that Phil?

Dan, your doing a great job with the site
cheers
Shaun

[storm petrel]

What does it cost annually to run the site?? Perhaps members just need to throw in a few bucks each?

Cheers,
Mark

[Dolphin]

What ads?
I don't think they are particularly obtrusive and some can be informative. I think its a smart idea to use it to keep the website running.

This post was brought to you by Felicite Cruising, no animals were hurt in the typing of this post.
By the way just click on one every time you enter the site as they are probably monitoring the leads from the site and watching what interest there is in certain ads. So they can tune them to your interests.

Greg.

[bearmcnally]

Hello

Roller shutters...? on a Top Hat ? Might solve the storm board problem Christian dating on line ...? Dating Chinese women ? 7000 + would never get them all on board the 1st wife and the 2nd wife would kill me Hey Shaun they 'd look fantastic on your Top Hat

Hey this advertising stuff might just work !

Bear

[Phillip]

Evening All,

Just a report on possible funds from the Burgee sales.

Out of the 50 made I have sold 28 so far. We are holding 22 [Shaun has 12 and I have 10].

To break even I need to sell another 16 and then all sales will go to the site costs.

If you want a burgee from me, be quick as I sail north [for about 4 months] in around 2 weeks,
after that you will need to contact Shaun for delievery, the $35 cost for each burgee can still be paid via the system I have set up. If you see me on my voyage north I will have Burgees with me.

I had thought that sales would be quicker than we have experienced. Remember once the last 22 have been sold THATS IT, unless somebody else refinances the Burgee Project.

Phillip.