The website is a buzz, slight improvements more sponsors great articles. Compared to previous years its a indication how far the club has come and how much it is improving

It's still pretty average though.

As yet, there's no photo gallery of the Wizard Cup and the player profiles still haven't been updated since last year.

The official site could be amazing, but they just move too slowly. Perhaps the communications department is under-resourced?

dude you have to remember that websites cant be that big or it would take for ever do down load and not everyone has cable. And the thing with websites is that most dont make you any money therefore thats why people dont spend big to have fancy websites when all you really need is to get information and sponsors across. I thought that the club is not responsible for the websites that telstra and the AFL run the sites.
John Elliot wanted like the bombers have there own website. Thats why the bombers make so much money cause they can control what is posted, the extra sponsorship. John Elliot had allocated money in our budget to get our own website were you could purchase a membership and watch the games live on the net for over seas and interstate supporters.

Bwahh, ha ha... Jack had a budget?

I know that the club doesn't own the site as such, but they choose the content. All I'm saying is that it would be good if it was up to date.

There are photos on there from every match last season but nothing so far from our Wizard Cup campaign. I got a members newsletter 2 weeks ago saying there would be WC pictures posted on the official website in the next few days but it still hasn't happened.

That's my only criticism.

I agree slow-mo. I tried to purchase the Wizard Cup DVD through our website- trying to do the right thing and ensuring the club gets my money as opposed to the AFL. Well unless I am completely blind, I couldn't find a link anywhere. I even tried the Carlton Shop link and they haven't updated their dvd list to include the match.

Pretty poor. They should be trying to capitalize on the win, and have a massive link to purchase the dvd on the main page.

Budgets were made to be broken...thankfully the one I scrapped together for work is holding up and profit is up 100% gotta love the safety net!

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

http://carltonfc.com.au/default.asp?pg= ... =wallpaper

I believe the club is aware of these issues that we are discussing. However, I'm not too sure there appears to be any great plans in place to improve the situation with the drastic action that is required.

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I think the club is aware that the website could be better, and that the Bombers are leading the pack. They have spent alot fo time with Sportal to modify the site, with the changes I think coming 1 at a time over the next few months.

Carlton knows how many individual users use the site on a daily / weekly / monthly basis, and this has led to them realising that more resources are required, however, i think there is limited ability to do much on structure while the current sportal contract exists. Therefore, the effort has been on content and well, not blowing my own trumpet (or DB's) but we have a bucket load of writers now and given the success in the Wiz, so many positive articles have come out. Check our site against opposition clubs for news and I think we are clearly in front...

Also, they know what the popular pieces aer, and where we're running behind. Never looked at it but I think they are going to spend a bit of $ on the kiddy's area. They've also sought to move some of the writers around to cover more areas - plus they have a new Bullants writer associated with the local paper.

Overall, i think teh club knows some of the issues, and is working on them, but they're a little hamstrung due to resources and the current contract.

I've said it before, I'll say it again: the club site is shit. A detailed site doesn't have to have everything on one page, so it doesn't have to take ages to download. The site needs a revamp of both its content and its look.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

thats most constructive. any suggestions?

the site won't drastically improved until after the current Telstra deal expires

BY ALL MEANS BLOW DB'S TRUMPET

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This type of slight is alien in the more cultured part of the world - Walsh. Its up there with mad dogs, Englishmen and the midday sun!

Nothing against the articles, but the layout is crap IMHO. Also, I'd like to see the articles in a searchable d/b, so you can look for articles by a certain author - eg the ghost , year, subject etc.

I'd like to see the club post their own training reports, update the site more often, eg pictures, profiles, etc. Pages for each decade/era, each flag, every 50+ gamer, etc. Make the site THE repository for Carlton, there is well over 100 years, that's a lot of content.

I know this is a lot of work, but it would get footy fans there....

While there is a lot of good work behind the site, the best stuff is by volunteers. There is so much room for improvement it's not funny.

Good ideas steve.

The writer log was to have been put in in February, with links to each writer. History pages of players / teams etc. sounds like something that will only get done after sportal contract expires, but a great idea - would attract more & more carlton fans.

In terms of layout, is there 1 that you like? Not sure any are that user friendly?

I'm definately the wrong person to be asking about design

Maybe Camel would like to field this one???

Welcome McKaysMistress, ahh Macca I still have a soft spot for him

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Today, when I take a close look at my Baggy Green, as I often do, I see mateship, camaraderie and teamwork, and a sense of belonging. I hope that its legacy lives on and the spirit it provides stays strong. Stephen 'Tugga' Waugh - Never Say Die.

I am a graphic designer i admit the site is not the best looking but you have to realise that there is alot of content that has to be displayed on the home page such as key dates, sponsor, articles, advertising, club issues, images and that is alot of information just for a home page. The club does not run the website Telstra do and you also have to realise by having a "designer" website would it make the organisation any better and will it make carlton more money and the answer is no. In the business world if a company needs to make cost cuts one of the first things they will look at is there website, websites are a media to get information across like sponsorship and club key dates and the site does this with minimal fuss.

Html text takes very little time to download. making text-based links is very little work, or hassle to look at.



Why has Essendon* gone out on a limb then? They aren't in the business to lose money. Graham Jackson was on Talking Footy last year, and said words to the effect that the website is the first and only point of contact for some fans, which they like to get from all across Australia and the World, and as such, it has to provide to every fan the most information possible.

I agree 100%, and as one of the biggest clubs in the country, we should be thinking exactly the same way. Fans shouldn't have to go to 3 or 4 footy sites for information on the Navy Blues, they should be able to get any information which is as good, if not better than the papers' sites from the club site.

Why is this considered too hard? I think it would be possible to negotiate rights for some articles from the major papers and news bureaus about Carlton to appear on the site, without it being massively financially burdensome.

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

Spot on KK. The website is an opportunity to leverage the history and success of the footy club to build the brand and make people want to come back to the site. The more they come back, the more exposure for sponsors, the better value equation.

And we can push the Blue Membership worldwide.