RE: AIS Website

To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
Subject: RE: AIS Website
From: "Janet Smith" <4f80107e1@rewrite.aisboard.org>
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2014 09:48:28 -0700
Old-from: "Janet Smith" <ypauls@sti.net>
Here, Here!

---- Original Message ----
From: 100T@rewrite.aisboard.org
To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
Subject: RE: [AISdiscuss] AIS Website
Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2014 10:24:57 -0600

>Hi all,
>   To table this motion at this time is wrong.  We are not even 24
>hours into
>a 7 day discussion.  We know what we are funding.  We don't need to
>research
>this to death in order to update the website.  I say let the 7 day
>discussion
>continue.
>Susan Boyce
>
>> Date: Wed, 4 Jun 2014 11:55:26 -0400
>> To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
>> Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] AIS Website
>> From: 101p@rewrite.aisboard.org
>>
>> As I have said before I wish we had our own data on the AIS website
>to
>digest. But not having that one can turn to a service like Alexa that
>gives
>data it collects. Free data is limited but Alexa does give global
>Rankings.
>(The lower the number, the higher the ranking). The rankings bounce
>around a
>lot from month to month but they give some idea of how we are doing
>in
>comparison to other sites. Unfortunately ALEXA does not separate the
>Website
>from the wiki so all data is for both because the wiki is a
>subdomain. ALEXA
>does show that 82% of the traffic ultimately heads to the wiki.
>>
>> So how are we doing compared to other sites? The AIS website is
>globally
>ranked 250,994, so there are that many websites that get more traffic
>than we
>do. We do better than all the websites that Andi mentioned with the
>exception
>of the Huntington at 187,320; (Descanso-487,730), (Presby-4,711,278),
>(Butchart-557,009) and (Arboretum-992,788). If one compares the daily
>page
>views/ visitor one sees 4.6; 3.5; 1.3; 2.9; and 3.8 respectively
>while the
>Irises get a whopping 13.0. With an average of 9.55 minutes for each
>visit our
>visits spend over 3 times the amount of time looking at the combined
>Iris
>sites. Of course this is mixing apples and oranges and the wiki is
>incredibly
>content dense compared to these other sites.
>>
>> Perhaps it more fair to compare to other plant societies; the
>Hemerocallis
>Society ranks 740,568; the Daffodil Society 2,595,913; The American
>Rose
>Society 673,746; the American Orchid Society 369,768 and visitors
>spend about
>one fourth the time they spend on the Iris Site.
>> So we are not doing badly. We are undoubtedly servicing various
>groups. The
>question at hand is how can we guide visitors to material they would
>find of
>interest. The words used for the links are important. I do not agree
>that one
>person should make those decisions. What we have now maybe intuitive
>to John
>but not to me.
>>
>> I do not feel AIS has ever thought through who we want to appeal to
>with the
>website and how we would go about doing it well. If we want new
>members we
>need to demonstrate visually on our website the benefits of
>membership. So I
>agree with Andi that beauty is important also. I think jumping at a
>thought is
>not appropriate in this case and I MOVE TO TABLE THE MOTION until we
>can
>discuss what these concrete steps should be. I do not see where there
>would be
>any problem funding if we knew what we were funding.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "John Jones" <100h@rewrite.aisboard.org>
>> To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2014 10:58:52 AM
>> Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] AIS Website
>>
>> Actually I had not designed a new layout yet. It is difficult to
>architect a
>navigation scheme and I thought it better to know that a new scheme
>could be
>implemented before spending the effort to research and design a new
>architecture. Additionally, until the revision of the layout is
>undertaken we
>cannot know for sure how many additional items we could have.
>>
>> When we first did the new website design the Board reviewed and
>approved the
>navigation architecture. I intend to go through the same process of
>soliciting
>input, presenting, and iterating as often as needed until the board
>is
>satisfied that the navigation it what they want. There will never be
>an
>architecture that satisfies everyone. I pay attention to critics,
>obviously,
>or I would not have embarked on this process. It is also true that
>people that
>are satisfied with something rarely say so. The ones that are unhappy
>speak up
>(or at least we hope they do). It is the negative comments that
>prompt us to
>consider the issues, make revisions and try to get better. That is
>not to say
>that there should be a knee-jerk reaction to anything, but rather a
>considered
>response.
>>
>> There  is no hidden agenda here.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> John
>> __________________
>> John and Joanne Jones
>> Registrar-Recorders, American Iris Society
>> aisregistrar@irises.org
>>
>> John Jones, Chairman, Electronic Services Committee
>> aiselectronicsvcs@irises.org
>>
>> 35572 Linda Drive
>> Fremont, CA 94536
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jun 4, 2014, at 6:06 AM, "Robert Pries "
><101p@rewrite.aisboard.org>
>wrote:
>>
>> > I am not against the change, but the last time we changed most
>people
>found the titles of the left bar difficult to understand and as to
>what would
>be under each. It is not an easy task to create a title that
>represents what
>is under it. I would suggest that it just makes sense to let everyone
>see what
>the new proposed titles and their categories are so that if possible
>the best
>words could be chosen. In this case it would be better to review
>these words
>before we spend the money to insert them.
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "Judy Keisling" <a3f86f581@rewrite.aisboard.org>
>> > To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
>> > Sent: Wednesday, June 4, 2014 8:10:03 AM
>> > Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] AIS Website
>> >
>> > I agree that this change should be made.  What John is proposing
>will
>make
>> > navigating the site more user friendly.
>> >
>> > Regarding the cost, while we could
>> > probably get some one to make this change at a reduced cost, from
>my
>working
>> > experience I can tell you that whenever you use a company/person
>other
>than
>> > the original developer to modify a website, application, program,
>etc.
>the
>> > seemingly lower cost turns into a higher cost and something
>usually
>breaks.
>> > As John points out - this is not a redesign, simply an upgrade
>(there is
>a
>> > difference).  And, as he also points out, the expense does not
>affect the
>AIS
>> > operating budget one way or another.
>> >
>> > I say, let's go for this change.
>> >
>> > Judy
>> > Keisling
>> >
>> >
>> > On Wednesday, June 4, 2014 6:45 AM, Robert Pries
>> > <101p@rewrite.aisboard.org> wrote:
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> > Cost is not my only concern. I would
>> > like to know what the topic arrangement of the left bar would be.
>You
>have
>> > suggested 4 extra topics, presumably rearranged from the topics
>that are
>> > already treed on the left bar now. Why donbt you tell us the new
>arrangement.
>> > If you know what you want to do it should be easy to present it
>as an
>outline.
>> > Then we could make a rational decision as to whether it is worth
>the cost
>and
>> > the effort. I see no reason to approve something nebulous since
>to do it
>you
>> > must know what it is you want to do.
>> >
>> > ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "John
>> > Jones" <100h@rewrite.aisboard.org>
>> > To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
>> > Sent:
>> > Wednesday, June 4, 2014 2:15:37 AM
>> > Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] AIS Website
>> > Everyone seems to be concerned the cost.
>> >
>> > Please note that I said "not to
>> > exceed" $1200. I also believe in planning for contingencies. The
>bid from
>the
>> > developer was $720. I added $480 for contingencies and additional
>changes
>that
>> > may up come up.
>> >
>> > In any case the new Electronic Services Chair is going to
>> > have to deal with the current website until a new website (if
>authorized)
>is
>> > in place.
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >
>> > John
>> > __________________
>> > John and Joanne Jones
>> > Registrar-Recorders, American Iris Society
>> > aisregistrar@irises.org
>> >
>> > John
>> > Jones, Chairman, Electronic Services Committee
>> > aiselectronicsvcs@irises.org
>> > 35572 Linda Drive
>> > Fremont, CA 94536
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >>
>> >> ----- Original Message -----
>> > From: "John Jones" <100h@rewrite.aisboard.org>
>> >> To: <aisdiscuss@aisboard.org>
>> >> Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2014 1:21 PM
>> >> Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] AIS Website
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Well I am sorry, but your IT people are not graphic designers
>and
>> > frankly have no clue what all has to be done to the graphics to
>accommodate a
>> > longer menu list. The list code is custom designed to fit with
>our look
>and
>> > feel. The software used it up to date and from reputable
>companies.
>> >>
>> >> You
>> > are correct the websites that Andi referenced are very pretty. It
>is also
>true
>> > that they don't have anywhere as much information to present as
>we do.
>> > Navigation is a significant problem and we provided a reasonable
>solution
>that
>> > is accessible on the home page and is most cases does not require
>going
>to
>> > another page to find where something is.
>> >>
>> >> I never intended to "put my
>> > mark" on a website. I intended to present a website that
>reflected the
>style
>> > and needs of AIS, and despite one or two perennial detractors,
>did so in
>a
>> > manner that reflects the image the board wanted.
>> >>
>> >> If the board wants a
>> > redesign, I am all for it, but I do not have the time to
>undertake the
>effort
>> > to incorporate a new structure and revise all the information
>that we
>present
>> > today. I am sure we will hear how all the information should be
>on the
>wiki,
>> > but the wiki is not the AIS, has a look that could be best
>described as
>> > confounding, and has its own significant difficulties for anyone
>trying
>to
>> > search for something.
>> >>
>> >> If the board does not want to improve the current
>> > site with money from the ESC Restricted fund raised primarily by
>the Geek
>> > Dinner auctions, then that can be their decision. This effort
>would not
>affect
>> > the AIS General budget in any way.
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> Thanks
>> >>
>> >> John
>> >>
>> > __________________
>> >> John and Joanne Jones
>> >> Registrar-Recorders, American
>> > Iris Society
>> >> aisregistrar@irises.org
>> >>
>> >> John Jones, Chairman, Electronic
>> > Services Committee
>> >> aiselectronicsvcs@irises.org
>> >>
>> >> 35572 Linda Drive
>> >>
>> > Fremont, CA 94536
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Jun 3, 2014, at 12:46 PM, "Robert Pries
>> > " <101p@rewrite.aisboard.org> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> I did some checking with some IT
>> > people. What John is proposing could be done
>> >>> at half the cost. And it
>> > actually could be done at the $60 I was suggesting if
>> >>> the website was
>> > running on todaybs state of the art software. But the
>> >>> website is outdated
>> > and making the changes suggested would actually cost about
>> >>> $600 keeping it
>> > running on the same static system.
>> >>>
>> >>> I agree with Andi; the websites he
>> > displayed are GREAT!!!! Ours should look
>> >>> that good. But I do not think we
>> > have the personnel capable of making those
>> >>> changes. I do believe we should
>> > have the new electronics chair tackle this
>> >>> problem and not someone who is
>> > leaving. B  New people like to place their own
>> >>> mark on something and
>> > certainly there is a need.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> ----- Original Message -----
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> > From: "Ron Killingsworth" <102w@rewrite.aisboard.org>
>> >>> To:
>> > aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
>> >>> Sent: Tuesday, June 3, 2014 3:07:10 PM
>> >>> Subject:
>> > Re: Fwd: RE: [AISdiscuss] AIS Website
>> >>>
>> >>> I agree with Bob Pries that the
>> > price seems high to me - but admit I am no web
>> >>> site guru.B  Seems we should
>> > have some computer experts within our
>> >>> organization who could make small
>> > changes to the web site -- ok, this may not
>> >>> be a small change -- what do I
>> > know? - but again I think that's a lot of money
>> >>> honey.
>> >>>
>> >>> Second, I
>> > agree with Andi that we should not rush into making changes for
>> >>> cosmetic
>> > reasons.B  Have there been complaints about the menus?B  Would
>Bob
>> >>> Pries
>> > ideas be better?
>> >>> I looked at all the web sites Andi suggested and wow, we
>> > are really have a
>> >>> model A ford website compared to those web sites.B  I can
>> > think of many great
>> >>> pictures that could fill the beginning page of the web
>> > site, like the web
>> >>> sites Andi suggested looking over, and yet our site has
>> > such a bland first
>> >>> page.
>> >>>
>> >>> Third, I agree with Jim Morris that the new
>> > "electronic services chairperson"
>> >>> should be involved in this discussion.B
>> > The question is:B  Are the changes
>> >>> worth the money?
>> >>>
>> >>> So, I guess I am
>> > saying I feel this needs more study and that if we are going
>> >>> to update the
>> > front page, maybe we could really update it to include a better
>> >>> visual
>> > picture of who we are. And, to me it makes no difference where
>the
>> >>> money is
>> > coming from, out of the left pocket or out of the right pocket,
>we
>> >>> are
>> > still looking at a lot of money at a time when the budget seems
>to be
>> >>>
>> > running over.
>> >>>
>> >>> Ron Killingsworth, Director
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> On 6/3/2014 13:56,
>> > Michelle Snyder wrote:
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> Hello all,
>> >>> Since I am traveling until
>> > late Thursday, I am forwarding the made and
>> >>> seconded motion for official
>> > discussion via my cell phone.
>> >>> Michelle
>> >>>
>> >>> Sent using CloudMagic
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> > --------Forwarded message--------
>> >>> From: Susan Boyce <
>> > 100T@rewrite.aisboard.org >
>> >>> Date: Tue, Jun 03, 2014 at 11:30 AM
>> >>> Subject:
>> > Fwd: RE: [AISdiscuss] AIS Website
>> >>> To: aisdiscuss < aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
>> >>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> <blockquote>
>> >>>
>> >>> I second the motion.
>> >>> Susan Boyce
>> >>>
>> >>>>
>> > To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
>> >>>> Subject: [AISdiscuss] AIS Website
>> >>>> Date:
>> > Tue, 3 Jun 2014 11:00:11 -0700
>> >>>> From: c95039e11@rewrite.aisboard.org
>> >>>>
>> >>>> I move "That the AIS Board approve an upgrade to the AIS
>Website to
>> >>>
>> > increase
>> >>>> the number of menu items available on the left side area of
>the
>> > webpage.
>> >>> Such
>> >>>> upgrade not to exceed a cost of $1200.00, funding is to
>> > come from the
>> >>>> Electronic Services Restricted Fund.B  Such upgrade to be
>> > managed by the
>> >>>> Electronic Services Chair on behalf of AIS."
>> >>>> Cheryl
>> > Deaton
>> >>>>
>> >>>>
>> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >>>> To
>> > sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
>> >>>>
>> > <aissecretary@irises.org>
>> >>>> The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>> >>>>
>> > http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >>> To
>> > sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
>> >>>
>> > <aissecretary@irises.org>
>> >>> The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>> >>>
>> > http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>To
>> >>>
>> > sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary The archives
>for
>> >>>
>> > AISDiscuss are at: http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>> >>> </blockquote>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> > To
>> >>> sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary The
>archives for
>> >
>> >>>
>> > AISDiscuss are at: http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >>> To
>> > sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
>> >>>
>> > <aissecretary@irises.org>
>> >>> The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>> >>>
>> > http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>> >>>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >> To
>> > sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
>> >>
>> > <aissecretary@irises.org>
>> >> The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>> >>
>> > http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>> >>
>> >>
>> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> >> To
>> > sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
>> >>
>> > <aissecretary@irises.org>
>> >> The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>> >>
>> > http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>> >>
>> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> > To
>> > sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
>> > <aissecretary@irises.org>
>> > The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>> > http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> > To
>> > sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
>> > <aissecretary@irises.org>
>> > The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>> > http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>> >
>> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> > To sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
>> > <aissecretary@irises.org>
>> > The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>> > http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>> >
>> >
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> > To sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
>> > <aissecretary@irises.org>
>> > The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>> > http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> To sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
>> <aissecretary@irises.org>
>> The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>> http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>>
>>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>> To sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
>> <aissecretary@irises.org>
>> The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>> http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/
>
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>To sign-off this list, send email to the AIS Secretary
><aissecretary@irises.org>
>The archives for AISDiscuss are at:
>http://www.aisboard.org/lists/aisdiscuss/

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