Coaster sites - Here, there, everywhere!

I started my site because the B&M information on the web was all scattered at the time. I'm not too good about updating it, but I figure it's fine since it's not a site based on dynamic content.

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http://www.bolliger-mabillard.com

I see alot of these sites, and I want to see pictures, alot of them just don't do it. Coastergallery, rcdb, all that is awesome. I just see too many of these sites that are just pages, pages are cool, but they manage to squeeze a really bad or unoriginal shot in there and then go to the great length of copying the description off rcdb, like anyone that may visit thier site hasn't been to the classics.......

I only code mine my hand too, using textpad. And that is why I take photos of the ride from every angle to give you the feeling that you are there, including on ride photos.

And B&M guy, I didn't realize it, but I've always been linking to your site for B&M information, since they don't have one of their own. I didn't know you changed your domain though.

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ULTIMATECOASTER.com - In Search of the "Ultimate"
http://www.ultimatecoaster.com/

I agree p_c_r, I'm working with rcdb in expanding his photo archive, especially of photos of coasters he doesn't have pics of, like the Williams Grove Cyclone.

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ULTIMATECOASTER.com - In Search of the "Ultimate"
http://www.ultimatecoaster.com/

I feel I just have to say that it is no crime to copy the info off RCDB, as long as you change the format - as it is factual and CAN NOT change from site to site. In fact the only site that I have ever seen that properly handles factual information is Coasterbuzz, who say that you can use the factual information so long as you dont use the same style.

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Webmaster - Coaster Force
http://www.coasterforce.com *** This post was edited by Iron Wolf on 7/14/2001. ***

I have no design experience, I can only make pages using wizards or Netscape something, and it irritates me some of the stuff I do see. What I was talking of was how on the info for the coasters on rcdb.com, I've seen way too many people copy the descriptions. If I look at a coaster on a person's site and it says, "the swooping drop does not qualify as an inversion, it doesn't meet this sites requirements", they haven't done a very good job. I like peoples' homepage/photo albums much better than these sites that change a few names, add prefixes, and copy the headlines of good sites. Not to mention, I was bored last night, and I wish I hadn't checked into some new sites that I did, most are poorly designed and load slow; fanpages, I saw some new ones I was impressed with, IMO. Non-member driven portal, I can't figure that out guys, I'm not trying to sound like I'm picking or something, I really can't figure up how that's supposed to work.

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Iron Wolf said:
"Well, I get thousands of visitors everyday and I dont pay anything."

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Thousands of people and only 16 people registered for your forums? OK...

Building dynamic sites are the only way that normal people can maintain an active and fresh site anymore. I give Bob Coker credit for that about ThrillRide. While I'm not a fan of the platform he was using (PHP), it was smart of him to get someone involved to program the dynamic stuff. There are a lot of bright people out there doing this stuff, and some of them are really young (look at what young Will is doing on http://xpp.coasterbuzz.com for example).

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"

I run a review based site so i can't get accused of copying really. Although it has expanded dramatically to include loads of information after researhing various sites.

John

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JawCoasters - Site for UK Coasters
www.wilkes2536.freeserve.co.uk

I think I'll throw some into this excellant topic. Right now my site is almost 2 years old. I started it as someone else said, as a way to show off/learn more about the web and such. I had dreams of learning perl/php/asp even. I tried finding some books at the library but there really isn't much there. Plus, I only knew BASIC. However, when I entered high school right after beginning my site (I'll be a junior this fall), I quickly found 2 major school activities that I loved, both involving other aspects of technology. These kept me at school until 12 AM some nights for a week at a time... So, I just keep my site up now, updating it as much as I can but I am in no way trying to make money from it. I break even with ad sales and the cost of registering the domain name and processing some pictures. Hosting is free for me. Anyway, I learned how much work it takes, and I grew to more greatly appreciate people like Jeff who spend so much time to keep us entertained. It's been a great ride so far, and I am hoping to take some programming classes at school this year to once again work on upgrading my site. It can't hurt.
By the way Jeff, what exactly do you need this T-1 for? I have a cable modem, and it works great for me!
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Matt B
http://www.6flagsohio.com

The T-1 is so I can host from home. That, and I can't get DSL or cable! When I can move to an office, I can transfer the line there at no cost.

ASP is pretty easy to learn, though it helps to have a little object-oriented programming experience. If you want to learn the Microsoft platform stuff, I suggest everything published by Wrox press: www.wrox.com. Start with "Beginning ASP 3.0."

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Jeff
Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com
"From the global village... in the age of communication!"

I happen to be a fan of Photo sites myself. The main problem is that they're a dime a dozen today and 99% of them aren't really that great. I have no desire to see poorly scanned shots taken with a disposable camera. There are a few sites out there that have above average pictures but still the quality from print to my screen suffers - some of these people need to learn how to scan and use photoshop. As far as news and info on coasters and parks, a quick scan of the main page here at coasterbuzz gives me all the info I need. I don't really see the need for all the silly stats and opinions and miscellaneous info many sites give, it's like wading through a whole lot of nothing to find one or two pieces of useful information.

I'm just interested in current events in the industry (rumors annoy me more than anything) and photos of the parks and rides. A good site (to me) would be one that offered both of these to me without all the added cluster.

(By the way, has anyone seen that coastergallery.com is selling prints? Hurry up and get yours before Joel gets into a heap of legal trouble over this one!)

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Lord Gonchar said:
"(By the way, has anyone seen that coastergallery.com is selling prints? Hurry up and get yours before Joel gets into a heap of legal trouble over this one!)"

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I hate to say it, but he's not going to sell them. I know Joel (we're kinda related), and he just got so many requests he put that on there, but then realized that would be way too much trouble. He has had many pictures used by magazines and books, but they have gotten the property releases, etc. that were needed to do it 100% legally. The only way we could figure out to sell was just selling the pictures that were taken on public property, which seems to be 100% cool.

You'll notice that there is no mention of selling prints on the site anymore!
(Sorry for those who wanted to buy prints from him!. I have several poster sized ones myself, but I just took his negatives to Walmart one time I was passing through his area.)
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- Peabody

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Peabody said:
I hate to say it, but he's not going to sell them.

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Awww, man. I was hoping to snag a few before he took the offer down!

I just checked his site (when I typed that last post) and it was still in the FAQ section that you can buy prints. I just checked again (while typing this post) and you're right it IS no longer offered. Oh well, I'll just have to get good at taking pics too...then maybe I can start my own site and join the insanity! ;)

LG, I used a 35mm point & shoot camera with 400 ASA film & then scanned the photos at 150dpi so that they would fit onscreen & 300dpi for zooming in. Are they any good? Yeah, I haven't learned to use Photoshop yet & want to buy a Digital Camera to save time & money. www.yourphotos.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=view_public_album&aid=4681&album_name=Shaft%20of%20Terror