Washing hair or filing nails, you know, the normal stuff.

Seriously what request was that?

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Formerly: Ackland the Wonderkid / Army the Wonderkid / quivering mess / molsey / Tony Lynn Fan Club

...err thanks HTP but I haven't done anything yet - you should thank GWS, steve and jarusa for their thoughts / efforts. All I seem to have done is link the Club to a thread where I complain about not having my articles up so I look like a big sook right about now!

Athorn: I can't find the article but it was a Club request for volunteers, particularly those with technical skills, from a year ago or something like that. The response was mind-numbingly poor, either through lack of interest or people couldn't find the request. I don't think the Club is going to do a similar thing this year but sometimes - wait for the soapbox - I think people like the idea of helping the Club alot more than actually doing it.

You misunderstand my observations, Molsey. The fact that you're getting off your posterior and contacting the club [even though it may be with others' ideas] is what I'm backslapping. That, and actually revisiting this thread and not letting it disappear like some disappearing ... thing

And my compliments and general sucky tones were aimed at ALL who have contributed to this thread

And just one final little * BUMP * to get it out of my system.

* waits quietly for opportunity to use LMAO in constructive manner oneday *

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"In better news for Blues fans, Jarrad Waite was not named on the club's injury list."

Update:

* No update really.
* AFL is still working through all the rights packages, with radio being debated now. Internet is expected next month, and the Clubs (incl. Carlton) are pressuring the AFL to try to get this sorted. After all, without a host next year, we'd have to rebuild the site from scratch.
* Carlton Communications expecting / hoping to be resolved April / May
* Given this update, it would appear Carlton is only considering an AFL sponsored move similar to the current AFL arrangements. I do not think the go-alone / self-development route is being considered. Given resourcing and cost focus, this appears consistent.

Concept:
* GWS's posts earlier in this thread have stayed with me for a while. After all, its not often I get told I'm not understanding something.
* How about the Blueseum as a hub for Carlton sites? We could set up a page with links to forums, and links to personal sites of some posters... oldblue on TBV has a great site, I've seen a few more of them

This may compromise with the Club taking over the Blueseum but that would appear to have some water to go under the bridge before that could happen. Ideas?

There is a facility at the Blueseum to add Blues related links.

http://www.blueseum.org/tiki-directory_browse.php


Thanks for the info re the internet right, will be interesting to see what happens.

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|♥♥♥♥♥♥| http://www.blueseum.org |♥♥♥♥♥♥|

20 bucks a year to maintain a domain name, and there would be people happy to provide hosting and/or redirection services and development services similar to what Telstra probably do for the club now (a posting service with user login I assume).

The only issue is traffic costs. Interested parties should contact the club and get an idea on the daily/weekly/monthly traffic. Hosting is not such an expensive thing.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Bah. Very disappointing to hear. Locking ourselves into another contract like the last one would be a major mistake. I know, shortage of funds, etc but I hope at worst they look for a short term option to plug the gap until they have the funds to do it properly.

Internet video is going to make some big leaps forward over the next 5 years. The technology will be ready to challenge normal TV delivery methods within that time, but I think the lack of foresight by the politicians and rights holders (AFL, clubs) will mean it's not taken advantage of.

I wonder how many extra members we could get if we offered an overseas membership package (available to all those who aren't covered by normal TV coverage). Say for a price similar to normal membership, you'd be able to view a TV quality replay of every game (on PC, or on TV via cheap, plug and play network devices of which there are already plenty available) within an hour or two of the match concluding.

It's all possible, it just needs some imagination and interest in opening up new possibilities.

jimmae I don't understand what you're suggesting.... are you saying that its cheap to set up a website because the fans would look after it?

Not sure if you've noticed the stampede to help the Blueseum but I just don't think that would work.

Ahh... It's not quite that simple. You couldn't just piggyback the site onto someones spare server space and pay a few dollars here and there on bandwidth. You'd need to pay for a few dedicated servers, and bandwidth costs would be reasonably significant.

The website currently is fairly complex, and if they implemented proper membership integration (which is a must) it's only going to become more complex still. It's not a problem that can be solved just with an off the shelf solution. But that shouldn't scare the club away.

Missing out on all the benefits should be more scary to the board than spending some money and taking on a new project. I doubt they see it this way though.

You're probably right about multiple servers but wouldn't that be setup for something as large and loaded as TC?

I would take a punt and say the number of hits would be quite similar, though not the number of unique users. You also implement things like RSS feeds and compression techniques to minimise bandwidth costs.

The shopping side of things could still be handled by the afl as it is under a different portal. As for the blueseum point molsey no offense but I think there would be more willing to put their hand up to directly help the club than for a club encyclopaedia.

I'd help but I spend too much time posting on here, let alone throwing myself into extensions of TC.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

US$49 a month would get the club a server more than capable of handling anything they would need in the medium term.

At the moment while the site is one of the busier of the AFL, when compared to all websites the traffic CFC gets is not enourmous.

From an internet advertising point of view it would be considered a bit of a minnow, it only has just above average presence and traffic.

Consequently, hosting needs are not that significant.

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|♥♥♥♥♥♥| http://www.blueseum.org |♥♥♥♥♥♥|

Thanks Jars.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

You're probably right Jar. The current site could be handled on a pretty standard hosting arrangement. But the website as I see it should be the main communication tool of the club, and I'd be wanting some redundancy in that situation. Plus if the club is taking over the website, they should be setting their sights higher than the status quo. More media streaming, more content etc is going to increase the hosting demands.

Either way the hosting costs are going to be minimal compared to the development and maintenance costs. But I think the indirect revenue that could be brought in would easily counter those costs.

The club do not own the game footage. It would be handled by the AFL and their provider. And you're dead right - it would create a bit more revenue for the club, especially if they want to add a section for online orders from the club shops on top of AFL's spat out marketing branch.

You make it sound as though it's nigh on impossible. It's not.

And in good time the club can take full control of the site and even have their own dedicated server setup and the ongoing costs would be quite reasonable considering the offices could use the same connection.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

I certainly don't want to make it sound impossible. From a technical and managerial stand point I think it's very much doable. I just don't think the club understands that. Nor do I think they're very interested in looking at or listening to ideas. Without the right people at the club on board, it is impossible. Which is the impression I'm getting.

Regarding the game footage. I know the club doesn't own it. But it should be in there negotiating access to the footage either directly with the AFL, or with the people bidding for the rights. It would cost money, but the club doesn't pocked 100% of entrance based memberships either.

Mordan I think your impression is spot on.

I understand that there was a fair level of concern over Carlton Communications's spending on the website last year! If we can find a 'Champion' on the Board, then thing s will change. It has to come top-down because down-up it gets lost in the long line of things that we're falling behind on. Once there is support at the top changes can be made.

Does anyone have Greg Lee's home phone number?

Think of it this way. What you post here will be forgotten in a few days (if you're lucky). What you post on the Bluseum could be read for many years.

They would be fine if they were provided links to the coverage sites, streaming would be a bit much to ask.

Settle down BW, I'm sure I'll have an opportunity at some point. Let me put it from another perspective of mine. I have turned down 4 seperate offers to do data entry at 21 dollars an hour, which is pretty good cash for casual work based on no creditentials. I hate the stuff.

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29 different attributes,
And only 7 that you like;
20 ways to see the world,
Or 20 ways to start a fight.

Linking to a coverage site is the current methodology. But it really does nothing for the club. It doesn't generate income. It doesn't bring more members. It doesn't get those people involved directly with Carlton. We might only be integrating and re-badging someone else's service. But even so, we'd still be gaining the benefits I mention above.

Sorry to jump into the discussion as an uninformed observer, but if the game footage is owned by the AFL, what's to stop us making our own footage. Sure we cant film the games, but how about streaming video of training via a 'members only' login etc. Maybe make it an option as part of the membership package and have the members pay the costs. If it cost $20 to take it as part of the membership and 5000 members signed up it would have a $100000 annual budget. It could be amateurish and kitsch, that would be part of the attraction. Carlton TV!! We dont need Stephen Spielberg directing and hugo weaving doing the voiceover. A couple of blue blood fan guys taking us on a tour of the inner sanctum etc would just about do it, a trip away with the team for an interstate game, a visit to the Cheer Squad making the banner one night, those kinds of things. All Carlton...all the time!!!. maybe even sell Carlton TV packages to people if they arent members. Some of our overseas supporters might want to get on board for it!!!

Sign up those Sexy Squad guys to fill the site up with content, hell they're doing it for fun at the moment anyway!!! A package of training clips perhaps with some kind of cult guy giving a commentary would be a huge hit!! Then we get the same cult dude doing a webcast of interviews with the greats, how about a 1 on 1 with Ken Hands this week. How about a 'where are they now' with some of the ex-players that have moved onto other fields of endeavour. I'd pay more for that than for a higher level of membership! Let's get an 1 on 1 with Big Nick, Jezza, Peter Dean....the list goes on!!! Carlton TV!!! if you have a look at any of the EPL teams web sites, they are all trying to do this! They all offer these premium content web packages with streaming media etc. Not having the games is only a challenge I reckon. If you want the games get Fox Footy or go to the AFL site. If you want to be part of Carlton and be part of the club, come to Carlton TV.

Just my ideas!!! I pay my membership, not because I worked out how to get value on game entry across a season, hell I hardly ever make it to games anyway!!! I pay up because I want to feel loyal, committed and part of something. Anything that makes me feel more included, involved and part of something will do more to keep me on board than just about anything I can imagine.

Onto the Talking Carlton mag. I know there are some that don't understand the net etc, but if I can elect to receive my Company Annual Reports via e-mail or download to save paper and costs, why not my Inside Carlton. There wouldnt be many people on the board that dont have share investments. Couldnt they make the linkage between big business seeking to move all of their correspondence onto the net and the club's current plight. How much would it save to e-mail all that stuff out rather than print it and post it? Even if only 1/2 the members wanted it e-mailed, how much would that save?

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"Who discovered we could get milk from cows, and what did he think he was doing at the time?" Billy Connolly