Other Scottish Communities Web Sites.

Gemini · Post by **Gemini** » 16 May 2003, 00:23

Hi All

Thought that the following Web Site would be of interest to everyone using Porty Online, which firstly is very needed and welcomed in the Portobello Community - thanks to all who took the initiative to build it and we believe that it will now go from strength to strength, again very well done.

the link is for Scottish Communities Web Sites:

www.scotlandinter.net/community webs.htm

bobbygee · Post by **bobbygee** » 13 Jun 2003, 04:07

Sorry but your link to this doesn't work!!

Kirstielove · Post by **Kirstielove** » 13 Jun 2003, 05:42

Try this

www.scotlandinter.net/communitywebs.htm

Kirstie

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 16 Jan 2005, 20:01

Thought I'd resurrect this thread to show that although I joked about the number of regular posters we have, I think POL is streets ahead of the rest!

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 17 Jan 2005, 14:28

Having had a quick look at some of these Web sites perhaps we should consider including some features on the Porty Web site e.g. Information and maps of Porty, details of the shops, pubs and restaurants etc.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 17 Jan 2005, 14:38

I can imagine what some of the details about certain pubs might say Brian

Seriously, the design of the web site (not the Forum) is due for some change though it's still 'under construction' as the professionals would say....oh, and there is a map there if you look under information.

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 19 Jan 2005, 18:20

Will this construction/design be shown to the Forum before too much work is committed or will it just be launched without input from members?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 19 Jan 2005, 21:13

The truthful answer Brian is that the changes to the site were under-development long before Bellybabe and myself became Administrators, so we know only a little of them ourselves. Bob is best placed to give you a more detailed response, though anyone who visited POL at our stand at the "Festival of Learning" back in Sept. would have been given a glimpse of the new layout by Jane. I suspect, though, that it is not so much the 'look' of the site that needs adjusting, but the management of its content so that information can be easily updated by users such as "The Portobello Reporter", for example.

My niece has been involved in setting up and marketing a web-site for Berwick-on-Tweed which has much of what you have suggested - minus a Forum . The difference is that hers is not a site that runs as a community effort, but as a privately run, profit making concern, funded by fees levied on the businesses featured on the site.

Remember that POL is supported entirely by volunteers and as such our behind the scene techies hold down demanding full-time jobs of their own. What we ask them to do in their valuable spare time is no small task and all unpaid...

Post by **wangi** » 19 Jan 2005, 23:42

Brian McCrow wrote:Will this construction/design be shown to the Forum before too much work is committed or will it just be launched without input from members?

???

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 20 Jan 2005, 12:04

wangi wrote:
Brian McCrow wrote:Will this construction/design be shown to the Forum before too much work is committed or will it just be launched without input from members?
???

Agreed Wangi

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 20 Jan 2005, 13:43

I much appreciate the work being carried out by unpaid volunteers however I think the community facilities such as shops, restaurants may want to advertise on this dynamic site and hence be a source of funds for future development/maintenance.

I have suggested to Bob that we have the following sections:

Local events
Weather reports with a Web cam showing the beach (I would think that the Council might put some money to this to encourage tourism)

How to report issues such as pot holes in roads, litter, anti social behaviour

etc etc

I'm sure other people have more ideas.

bellybabe · Post by **bellybabe** » 20 Jan 2005, 14:17

Brian McCrow wrote:I Weather reports with a Web cam showing the beach (I would think that the Council might put some money to this to encourage tourism)

Erm...you do live here, don't you? I would have thought webcams and weather reports would discourage tourism - all those people that head out here because it's sunny in the west of the city would be able to see the haar!

Post by **wangi** » 20 Jan 2005, 18:16

Brian McCrow wrote:I much appreciate the work being carried out by unpaid volunteers however I think the community facilities such as shops, restaurants may want to advertise on this dynamic site and hence be a source of funds for future development/maintenance.

Local events
Weather reports with a Web cam showing the beach (I would think that the Council might put some money to this to encourage tourism)

How to report issues such as pot holes in roads, litter, anti social behaviour

Are you volunteering?

Brian McCrow · Post by **Brian McCrow** » 21 Jan 2005, 18:14

I'd be happy to help decide on the facilities to be included in the revamp of the site.

I believe that we have more sunny days in Porty than most people are aware of. We could also show photographs of the crowded beach - as happens sometimes.

Let's be positive about the place we live in - no one else will be.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 21 Jan 2005, 18:33

Brian McCrow wrote: Let's be positive about the place we live in - no one else will be.

Well, I was trying to be Brian when I said that we ought to be proud of the website and Forum but as the man said:
'The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley'

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 21 Jan 2005, 19:16

Just back and have only skimmed through a few of the posts I've missed, but this one caught my eye.

The website (as opposed to the forum) has made very slow progress and this has been a source of frustration to me for a long time, and others too I'm sure.

We have a long-standing agreement with Brenda Molony that we don't seek advertising revenue from local businesses, since the Portobello Reporter depends upon this income. In any case, money isn't really the issue. I have always been convinced, and remain so, that there is enough talent locally to produce the site. Anyone who has worked with volunteers will appreciate the difficulties involved, but that's part of the challenge.

I'm always happy to get input and ideas on site content, but we need to sort out the basics before we start adding things like webcams. A user-friendly content management system remains the priority so that new content can be added simply and quickly. That's been the hold up but we have set a target to complete it within the next few weeks.

If there was something specific that we needed funding for, then there are grant sources we could look at, but I don't think we are at that stage yet.

I have lots of ideas for the site, including a local business directory, and hopefully this will be the year when it all comes together.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 22 Jan 2005, 10:16

I imagine webcams on the beach area would certainly get the Paedophile vote, although the Paedophiles would probably want internal webcams on the swimming baths too.

One problem I forsee is if a family or group of young children spontaneously put on a summertime nativity play. Would parents be happy at live footage of their swimwear clad children? I don't think so! Look how batchy some of them get when their kids are hidden inside hideous homemade costumes.

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 22 Jan 2005, 12:25

PoP has PM'ed me to confirm that beach webcams would definetly get the blondes in bikini admiration vote too.

I hope I have not unleashed a Monster here. What if Paedophiles start a campaign group for webcams? There has to be more than a fair chance that they ape the Superstore campaigners and call themselves PCATS.

Bob Jefferson · Post by **Bob Jefferson** » 22 Jan 2005, 12:52

I find it difficult to get excited about webcams. Even with broadband technology the picture tends to me small and grainy, but my main gripe is that nothing ever seems to happen. You could watch a section of Portobello beach for 20 minutes and if you were lucky you might see a dog walk by. On the other hand we could fill the site with some of wangi's fabulous photos, showing Porty at its best. The former would involve thousands of pounds. The latter involves me asking Lee nicely.

Can anyone can show me a genuinely interesting webcam site that doesn't involve me having to use my credit card?

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 22 Jan 2005, 13:02

Bob Jefferson wrote: Can anyone can show me a genuinely interesting webcam site that doesn't involve me having to use my credit card?

If you log onto Haggis Hunt you'll see a selection of webcams which are normally surprisingly clear. The Oban one has a wee variety of views and was great to watch when the storms were on.

Maria · Post by **Maria** » 22 Jan 2005, 13:03

Porty wrote:PoP has PM'ed me to confirm that beach webcams would definetly get the blondes in bikini admiration vote too.

You big clipe Porty!

foxy · Post by **foxy** » 22 Jan 2005, 16:45

Porty wrote:. What if Paedophiles start a campaign group for webcams? There has to be more than a fair chance that they ape the Superstore campaigners and call themselves PCATS.

...and what would that PCATS stand for ...dare I ask

Paedophiles (for) cams at the seaside???

Porty · Post by **Porty** » 23 Jan 2005, 03:49

Clipe!!! Marya what a wonderful word, I had forgotten.

Foxy, you almost got Pcats. Paeodophile Cameras At The Seaside.

I'm not looking forward to the Calendar

Talk Porty ~ Portobello

Other Scottish Communities Web Sites.

Other Scottish Communities Web Sites.

Community websites