Roadfood Professionals Micro-Site

What do you guys think about having a micro-site within Roadfood.com that is more than a couple forums dedicated towards you?  If so, what do you think it should include?

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so I can push out a bunch of site updates around then.  Let me know you thoughts.

Stephen Rushmore Jr.


What do you guys think about having a micro-site within Roadfood.com that is more than a couple forums dedicated towards you?  If so, what do you think it should include?

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, so I can push out a bunch of site updates around then.  Let me know you thoughts.

Stephen,
I’ll preface my statements with this.  I believe you have been very accommodating with your site.  You’ve been very gracious in responding to any requests that I have made, and I appreciate it. I think that most would agree that the Pro forums are an enjoyable and valuable resource.  There is a lot of room for growth and improvement.   If you believe that this change improves Roadfood.com and the Pro forums, I say go for it.  With that in mind, I have a couple of questions.
 
You mention a micro site within Roadfood.com.  Would this be an area under separate password protection?  Would the new area be visible and accessible from the Forums page on Roadfood.com?  This may be a way to end all of the “Why does the Restaurant Pro forum have to be on the home page?” and “OMG the hot dog people are taking over the world and ruining everything” crap. 
 
Would the new site continue to benefit from the search engine ranking of the Roadfood.com site as a whole?  Would the search engine traffic be routed directly to this new micro site?  We certainly want it to be easy for people to find us.  I’m not an internet guru or search engine optimizer, so I don’t have any idea how all this works.  I am assuming the new area would integrate with the search function and archives without issue.  Is this a safe assumption?
 
As far as what I’d like to see in the new forum; I’d like to see an integrated photo gallery with an easy uploading feature.  This would eliminate the need to have our photo galleries as stickies, thus limiting the information that can be pinned to the top.  I don’t know if this is within the capabilities of this forum software, but I’d like to see an “instant chat” feature added so that members can communicate privately in real time.  One of the unintended benefits of this chat feature may be that some of the stuff that ends up on the board, that shouldn’t end up on the board, won’t end up on the board.
 
As long as the Pro forums continue to be a place where there is a free exchange of ideas, and a place where we can continue to learn from each other, I’m satisfied with whatever you decide to do.  I look forward to hearing others’ ideas.
 

Thanks for your comments Steve.  Should I take it that the lack of response means it shouldn't be a priority?

Best idea I've heard in a long time.   Anything you or anyone else can do to keep these incessant hotdog cart postings from clogging up the Forums section of the homepage (typically 5-7 of the nine listings are hotdog cart related in one way or another) will earn you your place in heaven.

Stephen Rushmore Jr.


Thanks for your comments Steve.  Should I take it that the lack of response means it shouldn't be a priority?

I don't think the lack of reples are an indication of that. Honestly since you made the thread I have been waiting for feedback from others so I could see exactly what a micro site would involve. I am not clear exactly what a micro site is and what would make subject matter appropriate for that micro site. So I guess I was waiting for a little more detail to emerge.

rjb


Best idea I've heard in a long time.   Anything you or anyone else can do to keep these incessant hotdog cart postings from clogging up the Forums section of the homepage (typically 5-7 of the nine listings are hotdog cart related in one way or another) will earn you your place in heaven.

I think that if one felt the hot dog section was clogging up the site for example they should turn off that section so it does not display to them. I still think that each member has the ability to select what shows and what does not by simply selecting or de-selecting it. This would go for any section that one may or may not be interested in seeing.  Only takes a few seconds, its called the Forum Filter. Check it out.

That'sMyDawg

Stephen Rushmore Jr.


Thanks for your comments Steve.  Should I take it that the lack of response means it shouldn't be a priority?

I don't think the lack of reples are an indication of that. Honestly since you made the thread I have been waiting for feedback from others so I could see exactly what a micro site would involve. I am not clear exactly what a micro site is and what would make subject matter appropriate for that micro site. So I guess I was waiting for a little more detail to emerge.

Thanks for speaking up That'sMyDawg. I share much the same feeling. Exactly what does a "micro site" look like?
My personal interest in Roadfood is in the professional forums.

Although an area for members to construct their own blogs in order to share their day to day experiences running their establishments would be kind of cool.

Mike

Stephen Rushmore Jr.


Thanks for your comments Steve.  Should I take it that the lack of response means it shouldn't be a priority?

Stephen, I think it's more of a priority for people who inhabit other parts of the site.  Rarely, if ever do I hear participants in the Pro forums complain about the site, or the accommodations we enjoy here.  When positive changes have been suggested, they have generally been implemented.   I think the term micro site is a little confusing to some (me included).  Perhaps you could elaborate a bit on what you would like to see?  We also don't know what the capabilities of the new area would be.  I would like to see a database, probably by state, of requirements for mobile food vendors.  I recently received a PM from a member suggesting listing towns that are friendly/unfriendly toward cart/concession operators. 
 
I left this thread alone after my initial response hoping for some feedback from other members.  I would like to see the forums taken to the next level.  I guess we just need to know what's on your mind.

Maybe an example of microsites would be useful to people. One example is a college that has a main site and lets different departments set up micro sites. You'll notice the micro sites have their own "feel".

The index page to microsites:
http://www.northwestcollege.edu/info/other.dot
A few microsites:
http://area.northwestcollege.edu/area/psychology/
http://area.northwestcollege.edu/ptk/
http://www.northwestcollege.edu/nursing/
http://www.northwestcollege.edu/math/
http://area.northwestcollege.edu/area/drafting/

i'm not sure what this thread is about, but as a happy user, i will follow what Popsdoghouse does.  he does unsderstand it.  he has my best interest at heart...as I do every hot dog person on Earth.