[Jonathan]

As I'm sure everyone has noticed by now (or years ago), this site is really lacking. Obviously at the current moment it's not even a site; just a forum. I do not have the time, the desire, or the knowledge to get this site to a level that it should be. At the same time, I really feel like there needs to be a comprehensive and professional looking Carowinds fan site out there (you'll find one for every other park in the chain).

If anyone out there has an interest in building a new site and an up-to-date knowledge in web design, please email me at jonathanNOSPAM@jonathanhawkins.net (remove 'NOSPAM'). If someone takes this project on, I will help in whatever way I can and continue to pay the bills, but a complete overhaul of the site by myself at this point is out of the question.

By the same token, if someone ever decides to independently start a new Carowinds fan site, and creates one that is of an adequate standard, I would gladly throw my support behind it.

I appreciate the support of everyone who has continued to post here even when there is little or nothing to the site other than the forum.

[Chris]

I will be glad to allow you to use my portal. It even has a built in forum. Here are two sites that use the portal. The second site has millions of visitors, but IMO, looks too "MySpace" like.


<a href='http://www.moddedxbox360.com' target='_blank'>www.moddedxbox360.com</a>

<a href='http://www.othaz.com' target='_blank'>www.othaz.com</a>

You can completely customize it to your liking. Change colors, etc. If you want, I can create you "Admin" access so you can see how easy it is to update the site. It would be easy to even have a gallery and history page. The portal could work out well for you.

[Chris]

On that "Othaz.com" site, you must click on "Home Page: ENter the Movement (or you could just click the following link).

<a href='http://www.othaz.com/index_main.php' target='_blank'>http://www.othaz.com/index_main.php</a>

[swampfox43]

Jonathan, I thought the site looked great before. What ever happened to the html for the previous version? It was very informative and had everything anybody needed to know about planning a visit to the park. It had a great color scheme and easy to navigate and loaded with photos.

BTW, the forum is awesome! Sure, anything can be improved and I completely understand "losing the desire" to put in the massive amount of time it takes to overhaul a site. Our interest and desires change as we get older. I got into web design back in the mid-90's and really thought that was going to be my calling. I did several business web sites and a few personal web sites.

Out of the blue, I just lost my desire to continue web designing. That's when I got into movie editing, LOL. But all this stuff is very time consuming and I was going blind staring at the computer monitor for hours.

Anyway, my main question was "what was wrong with the previous version before it mysteriously disappeared?"

[Jonathan]

Well, I guess the previous version was better than what there is now (nothing), but I still was not satisfied with it. It was buggy and not very professional looking and the content was a bit of a mess. When I changed servers I never got around to switching it over, but I still have all the files.

Thanks for showing me that, FSUNolez06. I've worked with a lot of similar portal software, and honestly I'm still hoping for a bit of a more customized site. I guess it's not so much the design as it is the content, which I really wasn't able to keep up with before.

Some of my favorite park fansites:

<a href='http://www.sfne.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.sfne.com/</a>
<a href='http://www.bgescape.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.bgescape.com/</a>
<a href='http://www.gadv.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.gadv.com/</a>

[ttdmfwtm]

So I take it there is no good Carowinds fan site? Bummer.

[Chris]

Can we change the image now since they are dropping Paramount?

[Edwardo]

So...What would the CarowindsConnection community like to see in a comprehensive Carowinds site? Suggestions?

And if anyone can find a free version of this font:

<a href='http://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/forum/viewthread.php?threadid=65851' target='_blank'>http://www.myfonts.com/WhatTheFont/forum/v...?threadid=65851</a>

Let me know.

[bgwfreak]

Here's what the site used to look like: <a href='http://web.archive.org/web/20050817194715/http://www.carowindsconnection.com/' target='_blank'>http://web.archive.org/web/20050817194715/...connection.com/</a>

I thought it was a good format. Maybe make it look a little more "professional" but overall it was fine the way it was. Just maybe add some graphics or whatever.

It amazes me that the archive even had my website out there. I thought it would just be for bigger sites. Interesting.

[kewlaidkiddd]

Hiya Jonathan,

I will first off say that I am by no means a web designer at all.... though I do work for a large internet based company. I can ask around and see if anyone here would like to take on the project if you like.

Also I come in here quite often as I am a true Carowinds fan... and am more than willing once the systems are in place to take the time and add in new content that you would like to add in.

Let me know how everything is going... if you have anything in mind as far as whichc content you would like to see go up, etc. and I would be more than happy to help out.

Also check out <a href='http://www.allspark.com' target='_blank'>http://www.allspark.com</a> I go here daily as well to check into new Transformers material... Their setup is real basic, but very informative.. and they have been around for a while.

Thanks
Chris

[MarkD]

I gave up on software and web designing as I got tired of having to keep up with all the changes that seemed to come out daily.

Things I like in a parks site:

1. A section for updated photos of the many sections in the park.

2. A good History section complete with time-line. What would be exceptional is if the time-line was coded so you could scroll thru time and, either below it or above it, the screen could fill in with a sub menu for, photos at that time, the new features for that year and the removal of things for that year.

3. A good Tip and Tricks section. Like a planner of sorts. But all submissions would have to get weeded thru before getting posted to keep the useless stuff out.

4. Links to Re-creations, if any, of the rides and or the park.

5. A front page with a random photo, any HOT news and a couple snippets of the most resent topics in the forums.

6. A current weather listing.

7. A section to Rate and write a small comment, maybe 100 characters or less, on the rides.

8. And of course the Forums. But, it really needs an Off Topic section.

The problem with running sites, as I used to also, is it takes a lot of time so the aid and input from several people would be needed.

[Chris]

There is a new site up using my portal.
<a href='http://www.DeaconQuad.com' target='_blank'>www.DeaconQuad.com</a> It's a fan site for Wake Forest fans.

[Carowindsman]

this was a long time ago when i was thinking of putting up a carowinds site of course it was another times change type thing. But i have some time and just wanted to show it.

Enjoy

<a href='http://img250.imageshack.us/my.php?image=untitled1copyib5.jpg' target='_blank'></a>

[RollerBee]

Dumb question, will Carowinds Connection ever have a site again, or will it always be just forum?

[wdwspider]

I know I'm a long term member who typically stays on the outside looking in, but I have always enjoyed the forums. The members and the content are top notch when it pertains to Carowinds and several other "local" parks.

I know that the guy who runs http://www.Screamscape.com lives around the Charlotte area now. I am not sure if he is a member here or not, but I seem to recall that he has referenced facts and rumors from our site. At any rate, being that Carowinds is a local park for him now, maybe it would be worthwhile to ask if he would like to create a site dedicated to Carowinds. It seems the allocated space and forums are already in place, and I bet a lot of resources could be pulled from to throw together something quickly to get started. We just need someone with the time and resources. Perhaps he could suggest someone that could help us out since he has access to many different resources? For that matter, I got lots of ideas for a site, but I just don't have the time to dedicate to make it happen. Between Kids, an Engineering job, and work aruound the house, I just can't do it.

Just my thoughts. I would love to see a bigger and greater Carowinds Connection in the future as well. If the site is done well enough, it could actually contribute to more visitors to the park and more buzz over the net.