OpenRails.org time for a re-vamp?
#1
Posted 08 August 2020 - 04:41 AM
What do you think of our project's venerable website?
It dates from 2014 and I'm very grateful to everyone who contributed all those banner images, but perhaps it's time for an update?
I think there's a lot that could be done better but, rather than go on about its shortcomings, let's hear what you think?
#2
Posted 09 August 2020 - 04:34 AM
I usually dont like change just for the sake of change.
I prefer the familiarity of where things are...
Change should be made to get things better in any way, and in that matter I dont have anything to point out.
#3
Posted 09 August 2020 - 04:45 AM
The site's design appears to be a part of ORTS brand, so, it's better when it's recognizable and well-known for many years.
And is's a good question, do it needed to radically change it?
Are any screenshots needed?
#4
Posted 09 August 2020 - 11:52 AM
Then, however, I'm definitely not over-using it, so I might not be the one to "ask" when it comes to shortcomings of the site - there too rarely, used to it too much.
Cheers, Markus
#5
Posted 09 August 2020 - 01:01 PM
Three suggestions:
1.) Under "Learning" -- some of the lessor known manuals and older whitepapers on different aspects of OR could listed...how about Joe Realmuto paper ( it's attached in one of the threads at ET) on OR brake parameters...this should be the "one stop" learning center/library for everything written about OR.
2.) How about a new menu item: Open Rails around the World or World of OR --- emphasis on the global cooperative aspect of the project with photos.
3.) Maybe solicit some new banner images, there's some quality OR routes...Ruel, Mullan, old venerable ones Blue Comet ( that's being currently revised ... get some current screenshots from that project ) and of course the European routes, with their magnificent architecture and complexity. Some screenshots of the cream of the India Rails routes with models ( some are wonderfully detailed ) would also be good...there's so much to choose from....that abundance of routes and rolling stock around the world should be emphasized -- ties in with suggestion #2.
I also like the familiarity of the web site, the overall design does not need to be changes, imo. It is an attractive, well laid out website. Cheers, Gerry [doing well on our little "virually enhanced blue ball in the cosmos")
#6
Posted 10 August 2020 - 09:56 AM
R H Steele, on 09 August 2020 - 01:01 PM, said:
1.) Under "Learning" -- some of the lessor known manuals and older whitepapers on different aspects of OR could listed...how about Joe Realmuto paper ( it's attached in one of the threads at ET) on OR brake parameters...this should be the "one stop" learning center/library for everything written about OR.
2.) How about a new menu item: Open Rails around the World or World of OR --- emphasis on the global cooperative aspect of the project with photos.
3.) Maybe solicit some new banner images, there's some quality OR routes...Ruel, Mullan, old venerable ones Blue Comet ( that's being currently revised ... get some current screenshots from that project ) and of course the European routes, with their magnificent architecture and complexity. Some screenshots of the cream of the India Rails routes with models ( some are wonderfully detailed ) would also be good...there's so much to choose from....that abundance of routes and rolling stock around the world should be emphasized -- ties in with suggestion #2.
I also like the familiarity of the web site, the overall design does not need to be changes, imo. It is an attractive, well laid out website.
Thanks for the suggestions, Gerry.
There are some technical issues (e.g. HTTPS) but let's focus on the structure and content for now.
I'm pleased that the structure (menus and options) has stood the test of time.
Yes, the images are showing their age. Even worse, there are no videos showing off the best features of OR. Rail around the world is a good idea too.
Your first point is really good. There is so much information carefully garnered over the years and difficult to access . . .
#7
Posted 10 August 2020 - 11:41 AM
#8
Posted 17 August 2020 - 04:14 AM
cjakeman, on 10 August 2020 - 09:56 AM, said:
Yes, the images are showing their age. Even worse, there are no videos showing off the best features of OR. Rail around the world is a good idea too.
Your first point is really good. There is so much information carefully garnered over the years and difficult to access . . .
Is anyone interested in working on this?
If so, please send me a PM.
#9
Posted 29 August 2020 - 07:54 AM
for http://openrails.org/download/program/ page:
OR_FAQ.txt (4.03K)
Number of downloads: 453
for http://www.openrails...wnload/content/ page:
OR_Cont2.txt (2.79K)
Number of downloads: 309
for http://www.openrails...-and-tutorials/ page:
OR_Manual.txt (1.56K)
Number of downloads: 319
for http://openrails.org...re/multiplayer/ page:
OR_Mult.txt (1.61K)
Number of downloads: 420
for http://www.openrails...reporting-bugs/ page:
OR_Bugs.txt (1.73K)
Number of downloads: 302
for http://openrails.org/contact/ page:
OR_contact.txt (404bytes)
Number of downloads: 324
for http://openrails.org/share/community/ page:
OR_Sharing.txt (2.51K)
Number of downloads: 303
for http://openrails.org...r/project-team/ page:
OR_Meeting.txt (1.71K)
Number of downloads: 419
for http://openrails.org...ining-the-team/ page:
OR_Team.txt (1.03K)
Number of downloads: 317
for http://openrails.org...uilding-models/ page:
OR_Modeling.txt (2.43K)
Number of downloads: 326
for http://openrails.org...code/#compiling page:
OR_dev.txt (4.87K)
Number of downloads: 326
for http://openrails.org/learn/activities/ page:
OR_Activ.txt (2.01K)
Number of downloads: 322
for http://openrails.org/share/gallery/ page:
OR_Gallery.txt (483bytes)
Number of downloads: 314
for http://www.openrails...ver/open-rails/ page:
OR_OR.txt (2.56K)
Number of downloads: 341
for http://www.openrails...er/our-mission/ page:
OR_Mission.txt (3.13K)
Number of downloads: 311
for http://www.openrails...over/our-plans/ page:
OR_Plans.txt (1.02K)
Number of downloads: 327
for http://www.openrails.../learn/physics/ page:
OR_Physics.txt (5.93K)
Number of downloads: 374
for http://openrails.org/trade/ page:
OR_Trade.txt (2.03K)
Number of downloads: 320
#10
Posted 27 September 2020 - 11:01 AM