[RiDeWaRrIoR]

For a long long time I have always wanted to make a carowinds fan type website, and I think now is a good time to do this. The main idea behind the site will be for carowinds fans to share there pictures and things like that. I am also going to make the site have a No Limits Coaster section, RCT3, and maybe even the sims 3 (I am a die hard sims fan as well). The reason why I am posting this thread is to see if you guys have any ideas, such as a name for the website what you would like to see on the site, etc. The site will in no way take a way from carowinds connection and if anything just help it out (I will definately link this site to the one I want to make). If anyone can help me build it or has any ideas, please respond or even send me a private message! PhatomCat and I are hard at work brainstorming and trying to come up with some ideas and we need more ideas, because the site is for all of us on this site and all coaster/carowinds fans as well. I also need some ideas about who to use to host the site, some place that allows users to register and to upload files etc.

[Chris]

The main idea behind the site will be for carowinds fans to share there pictures and things like that.

What's wrong with Carowinds Connection?

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

There is nothing wrong with carowinds connection, I have always wanted to make a coaster fan site, I have actually started like 4 of them and just never finished. The idea is just to have all pictures in one spot and also with the NL and RCT3 files just to share files....

[Jay]

The internet isn't what it was 5-10 years ago. Everything is so community based now with sites like Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Wikipedia, Flickr, etc. It is so hard to make a individual webpage, and even harder to attract and KEEP an audience interested over any period of time. Perhaps the hardest thing is an ORIGINAL idea that will make people tell other people about your site, but I don't know if a simple fan page can offer that.

If you want to say "screw viewers, I just want to make a site I enjoy" then that is okay as well.

Good luck.

[Blue Moon]

Look into a photo album type software, like http://www.encaps.net/

With that it pretty much satisfies what it sounds like you're looking to accomplish while it allows for guests to submit their own content and comment images as well.

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Yea, that is true jamminjay. I may do a site that is more focused on all parks etc. I know that a No Limits and RCT3 type site might be OK, but it would be a lot of work... On another note I will be making some of it my electronic sales as well so I dont know how I can incorporate that into it... Thanks blue moon for that suggestion, I will look into it. I will have to do some figuring out to see if this would be worth it. Would anyone on this site consider contributing to a site like that, like a carowinds fan site or a general coaster fan site with downloads for games etc?

[PhantomCat]

Let the truth be told...
I'm not going in with RideWarrior to create a new site. I'm just offering my suggestions for him to build it. While there is nothing wrong with Carowinds Connection and there is no aim to pull people away from it, I agree with RideWarrior that it needs it own theme and it needs to be a little different.

While I have graduated college with a graphic design degree, website building is a totally different area of study at the school. I will not be building his new site, nor do I know the first thing about building it. I even had to ask someone, which was RideWarrior, how to upload pictures on Carowinds Connection. RideWarrior helped me with that, and has only asked me for ideas, just like he is asking all of you now.

RideWarrior have you thought about a live site?
1. Live chat with PMs capabilities.
2. Maybe the site could have a meetup room where folks can meet traveling buddies for trips?
3. Site names: Amusement Park Chat; Theme Park Chat; Vacation Times; Coaster Chat; Speed Demons; Reality Check... as soon as you know what theme you are going with, brainstorming will become a lot easier.
4. I love the way Jonathan has an area for Everything Carowinds and another for Everything Not. You'll also have to have this for your topics of discussions and maybe have one area where pics are uploaded so when people go there, they will be expecting to see pics will and be more patient while they load.

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

Yea, I will most likely include live chat. I dont really want to make the site into a forum, since this one here is great as it is! I just wanted a site that focuses more on the physical things, like pictures, where they are more "organized" and also some sections for the games that are focused on coaster design etc. I am just not to knowledgeable on HTML and all those types of languages for website construction, I hate programming.... My biggest problem now is finding something that has the abilities to "join" and upload files and all that so I am still trying to find a good host for this, that is either free or really cheap... I will probaly have to focus more on it being all parks rather than just carowinds... but a big part of it will be about carowinds, just because its my home park of course. I dunno, we'll see if it will actually work out. Thanks again for helping with the ideas and stuff!

[PhantomCat]

I suggest you talk with people who already have sites up, similar to the one you're trying to create. Write all your questions down so you will have them ready. You're at the most overwhelming stage of not knowing where, what, when, who or how? Allow for advertising because you will make money every time someone clicks on their links. Ebay just may participate since you're already signed up with them and you, hopefully, have a good name as a trusted merchant. Ask people about advertisers on their site and how it all works. I'm sure there's money changing hands some kind of way.

If this all works out and your successful, you may not even need a day job. Then I'll have two great sites to visit often. Carowinds Connection is helping me become a better writer, while your real-time-chat site will help increase my typing speed. How can I lose with you and Jonathan?

[billcollins531]

I'd love to see one site full of coaster stats/theme park news gathered from a bunch of different reliable websites.

[Jay]

^http://www.coasterbuzz.com? http://www.rcdb.com? http://www.screamscape.com?

[Wormy]

....and http://www.themeparksyndicate.com ?

[billcollins531]

Oh! Well will you look at that!

[The Coaster Critic]

My 'ears were burning'. Someone mentioned one of my sites (Theme Park Syndicate).

Anyway, I think that I can help you with your new Carowinds site. I love building sites that are different and I think there's definitely room for another Carowinds site that could compliment this great site. Since this site is more community driven the new site could be information, reviews, or like you suggested photo sharing. I would lean towards a Carowinds only site as it would be easier to gain a local fanbase than compete with the larger "all coaster" sites. Just my opinion though.

As far as hosting, I'd be willing to host it in the same place that I host all of my other sites for free. I'm trying to start a little web design business on the side so I'm looking to build my portfolio. Anyway, let me know if you're interested.

[RiDeWaRrIoR]

I am definately interested, I know some basic web stuff but I am no programmer and would end up using some free crap like homestead or something. Please send me a message or something and maybe we can figure out a good plan for the site! I am down with making it just carowinds, but I also want to have RCT3 and No Limits sections as well, I think...