'Site Development' Discussion Thread

[Passenger Mark]

Yep... we now will have our own corner of cyberspace! :woohoo

Here is the confirmation...

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The following domains have been registered and will be placed into your account:


takingflight.us

Sorry that it is not .com, that has been taken.

So get those ideas flying! :duck And be ready to upload some photos!

BTW... taking photos is a great way to keep the mind busy during a flight! ;)

Take Care,

Mark

[Chelle]

The first item on the agenda will be to get our smiley collection uploaded to our own webspace as I see we've lost a couple guys :happyguy

Very important you know :lol

[Chelle]

Hey all,

Mark has registered the domain "takingflight.us", and we're going to try to fill it up with lots of good resources, articles and anything else we can think of. We're going to keep this ezboard and have it linked from the main site.

Having lots of useful content on the site serves a couple purposes.. it provides more information to those looking for and needing help with their fear of flying, it will give us more exposure on the web as the more info we have on the site, the more it will start getting picked up in the search engines, which will increase exposure to our forum and ultimately bring more people in need of support in here. So, it's all good :)

I think we're going to start off by installing a photo gallery, where we can upload and share pics, make different categories, like "Who we are" "in flight pictures" "vacation photos", so, we'll need some suggestions there....

In terms of articles and other content, we're calling on you all for help. Maybe we could put together a collection of success stories from those who have overcome their fear, and how they did it. Maybe a FAQ section, helpful tips, etc, etc.

I'm not going to be able to really dive into it until I get back from California on the 12th, so we have a couple weeks to toss some ideas around, and while we're working on the content, I can work out a design for the site.

So, let's hear some ideas! :D

[xiknal]

...some THING took some of our smileys? :(
that alone is reason enough! we can have our pick of every (um, non-political, non-obscene, non-bashing) smiley in the universe. :mickey

I really like the idea of an "adjunct" site where we can put up pages of all sorts of things. Don't look now, but we're about to be number one! :blowhorn

I would be happy to contribute links and articles from both the aviation and psychology corners. I have done a bit of that here, but with our own site, I can envision a lot of cool options. I also love the idea of peoples' recovery stories. I would be happy to contribute mine.

I still believe we should avoid politics, off-color content, and bashing, even with our expanded territory. We all know that those things don't *really* stay "over there" even if the posts do physically. Whaddya think, Mark?

Anyway, excellent to hear about this!

Barb :nod

[Chelle]

Awesome Barb, that's exactly the kind of stuff we need, you rock! :banana

Ok, our hosting account is set up and I just pointed the nameservers. We're in the 12-14 hour 'propagation period', the time it takes to broadcast the domain name around the world. I'm going to put up an 'under construction' page with a link to the forums, so when you type in takingflight.us and see that page, you'll know the site is resolving.

This is going to be fun! :woohoo

[beaugest]

Happy to start thinking of resources to add as well. I'd just like to caution that as far as the psych stuff go that we be careful how we present it. I'm sure you all have noticed that many psych theories are controversial. So,I imagine we don't want to come across as promoting them. Just listing thenm as a possible resource.
I think it's great that people are putting so much energy into this. Monica:lol

[Chelle]

Good point Monica, and we should also put a disclaimer up to cover that aspect.

I put a makeshift homepage up that you can view with this temporary URL: pluto.f5hosting.com/~takingfl/ (http://pluto.f5hosting.com/~takingfl/)

Once the domain name fully propagates you'll be able to reach it by just using the domain name :)

[Chelle]

Actually, I wrote a disclaimer for one of my sites that would probaby suffice for here (just change the names and re-word a little) here: Disclaimer (http://www.parentingmiracles.com/disclaimer.html)

[WillFlyToDisney2]

I cant offer any psych stuff or cool aviation info but I may have some more pix somewhere taken in-flight and if background music or clips are needed, well, I know this band.... :dancers :dancers

Actually, my favorite song on our CD is a ballad called "She Can't Fly"....

Kelley

[MadScientist]

I have a rather extensive post on Tom's extended threads board under a thread started by Barb. I think it was called something like "Testimonials of Recovery". My personal; story is on that thread. Please feel free to cut-n-paste.

BTW...Can I have a smiley with big Kahoonas named after me since I stood up to that a-hole in Pitt? :rolling

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Great idea, Ken. Personal testimonials would be a great addition to the site. :pompoms

Chelle, can we get a Big Kahuna smiley for Ken?

[Chelle]

:rotflmao I will make a point to find a smiley just for you :kahoonaken :D

Actually I still need to get on that smiley site you sent me and get some more of these babies loaded...

[Chelle]

Holy cow, the domain is already resolved for me here in Canada :mg

www.takingflight.us/ (http://www.takingflight.us/)

That was fast!

[JPenny]

Here's some suggestions for content:

FAQ page with answers to the most common questions (what meds work best, what to do to prepare, what causes FOF, exercises that help, etc.)

A page that lists all the kinds of planes, their features, maybe seating (or links to sites that give those details), and gobs of info about safety

tracking capabilities, of course

And you know the phone counselling? Maybe some of you recovered folks in addition to some of the pros (Capt. Ray, Furloughed Again, Bonnie??) could offer phone support for immediate help. Where is Bonnie, anyway???

I'm really impressed with how Chelle is jumping on this and doing so much to help. You too, Mark. We all know how miserable it is to be on the fearful side of things, and it's so commendable that you are incredibly motivated to help others deal with their fear.

:hail :hail :hail

Jean :wave

[Passenger Mark]

Wow! That was fast. We are already up and running.

Can type in takingflight.us (http://takingflight.us)and there we are!!!

All these ideas are great.

I think it would be great if we could get photos of planes and seating charts on there. On a Virgin Atlantic site which is private, is not owned by VA, you can go on their seating chart, put your mouse cursor on a particular seat, and see comments from folks as to whether it is a good seat or not.

As for the Psych stuff, I asked Monica a few days ago to be our Psych "editor" as to content etc. So Monica if you do not mind, I would like for you to do it for the website as well.

And Barb, you are correct, no room for political mumbo jumbo.

Maybe we could get a big red circle, with the word "DRAMA" in it, with a BIG RED SLASH through it!

Thanks for the ideas, keep them flowing!!!

Mark

[xiknal]

I'll be happy to go grab that one, Ken...I can save it on my computer until we're ready for it.

:nod

[Disney fan]

Great suggestions! This is really beginning to feel like a community!!

Lynda:beep

[Chelle]

I still can't believe we propagated that fast! The registry is on the ball tonight :D

[xiknal]

Hi, Monica,

I turn my own BS filter up to nine when I go looking for therapeutic resources, but in this case, anything that I propose be posted I will ask you to review first. Then we can decide if it's bogus, or needs a carefully-worded introduction. I agree completely that you, as a professional therapist, should have the editorial clout in this arena. I don't mind doing the search-and-fetch, since I have been doing that re FoF for some years.

Wow...what an opportunity this is to be a clearinghouse for the best resources!

Check your Inbox soon, as there's one point I'd like to pursue forthwith!

Barb :noevil

[Chelle]

I still can't believe we propagated that fast! The global registry is on the ball tonight :D

[beaugest]

This is very cool how everyone is using their skills. Remember the thread in the other place "what do we do..." We have such variety of skills and training here.
I like the idea of having posts that address re occuring issues(oops, sound like a therapist here). I was thinking about that when I read Ray's board. Some of the same questions arise over and over through the years. For example, the safety of the A300. Then we won't burn people out answering the same thing but new people will get their answers.
Happy to be "psych editor." Does my title get it's own smiley face too???:barf
Barb, you are the queen of resources. That should get you your own smiley face as well...

[xiknal]

well, let's see what wonderful new smileys Chelle comes up with, so I can set aside my little green flying lizard doppelganger...

and thanks, Monica! I will do my best on the resources.

Barb:nod

[Passenger Mark]

Kelley,

You wrote...

music or clips are needed, well, I know this band....

Could we do that??? That would be cool



Come on everybody else... If you could find the "perfect" FOF website, what would you want or expect to be on it???

[Jeff California]

good job!!!

One thing, every time I look at the main picture of the plane in Vegas, it looks like the plane is taking a leak!! The luxor is to blame.. Maybe its just a small thing that only I notice, but I thought I'd bring it up.:scratch

Anyways, keep up the good work!!! Did the site cost much? I'd be willing to contribute if it did/does..

Jeff


edit- i just asked my wife and kids what it looks like the plane is doing, and they all said peeing.. lol

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Jeff! Hysterical. I never noticed that at all. By the way, check your inbox!!

Yep, music clips are no problem as long as they aren't the whole song or aren't sold or downloaded.

:)
Kelley

[Passenger Mark]

What have yall been drinking??? :cheers Or you guys must have better vision than me! :blink

Are you talking about the spiral thing coming up with LUXOR on it???

Hmmm

[LesliePHX]

Aw, Mark, you know that's the fabulous Luxor hotel, don't ya? I always thought it looked like the plane was being stabbed by the Luxor. I guess the picture is kinda like a Rorschach test.

It's a good picture though. If ever there was a reason to fly, it's Las Vegas.

Les

[Passenger Mark]

Oh yea... I knew it was the Luxor! ha ha

Seen that view from the plane.

Well, I guess it is a conversation piece!

[Passenger Mark]

Come on folks, we need ideas!!!

Get those brains a-crankin! :scratch

[xiknal]

I would be happy to provide my entire album of original flying songs, titled "Air Circus". I can arrange for upload of the whole thing, rather than just clips. Unfortunately it's only on cassette (produced in 1997) but I trust that someone (Kelley?) has access to equipment that could make a CD. Let us know what you need, Chelle, and where it should be sent, Kelley, and I will send out a copy ASAP to whoever should receive it next.

Here are the lyrics to one song, titled "Grows You Up And It Grows You Down"--just for a peek at what I write (and how much I love to fly!). :lol



Grows You Up and It Grows You Down
words and music by Barb MacLeod

Wingtip turns above the far horizon;
Dive into a quarter roll and pull up toward the sky;
Wind has brought a turning of the season;
The year rolls by;

Sing a happy song and think of harvest time below,
Watch your tach and airspeed, listen to the radio,
And grin in wonder at the leap that got you off the ground;
It grows you up and it grows you down!

Silver rivers thread the velvet nighttime;
Lakes are burnished golden mirrors in the waning day;
Roads that you have traveled through a lifetime
Just fall away;

It paces your survival with your faults and foolish pride,
Finds you so accountable there's little left to hide,
And gives you such humility you wear it like a crown;
It grows you up and it grows you down!

`Spin' and `auger in'--they're said together;
Maple seeds will auger in, but birds go spinning too;
Spins will draw the line down at the hangar;
They always do;

But climbing up to altitude through sky of brightest blue
To stall and roll, to pirouette like all dust devils do,
Then laugh and climb again to watch the ground go
whirling 'round and 'round and 'round--
It grows you up and it grows you down!

If you, like me, have lived afraid of dying,
Then study stick and rudder and the law of gravity;
There's nothing like a simple dream of flying
To set us free;

It's the voice of every river, it's the vision on the hill,
The fire in the belly and the dance of wind and will;
It fills your days with sweetest peace and turns your life around;
It grows you up and it grows you down, yeah..
It grows you up and it grows you down!

:banana :banana :banana

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Barb,

That sounds great! I'd love to hear it. I'll be in Cali next week and I am sure that our Producer has something that can transfer a tape to an MP3 format in his studio. I'll PM you my mailing addy so you can get that tape to me in time.

Kelley

[JPenny]

:hail :hail :hail

BARB!!!! Those lyrics are absolutely great!!! :pompoms :pompoms

We have a poet here, and she flies too!!! This is unbelievable. We should really build a self-contained community somewhere in the mountains (with a little airstrip of course). With all of our combined talents we could surely survive very easily. I could take care of all the kids, how 'bout that?!! Just don't ask me to cook please.

Jean

[Jeff California]

The line that is visible on the edge of Luxor.. its only below the plane. see it?:rolling

[xiknal]

Kelley,

I will send you a tape via Priority tomorrow!
Thanks! This is gonna be fun...to have a place online for this whole album... :banana

Jean,

Gawrsh, thanks! Cabins in the mountains sounds way cool, too; maybe we could have a FlightFest in Colorado sometime.


Barb :nod

[xiknal]

...tape's on the way! They said you should have it by Tuesday. I will PM you the confirmation number.

:banana

[WillFlyToDisney2]

Coolio! I'll let you know when it arrives, Barb.

Kelley

[Chelle]

Great ideas everyone :)

The only downfall to having downloadable music files is they tend to be large (3-6 MB apiece on average) and something like that can eat up bandwidth pretty quick. Our hosting account gives us 10 GIGs of bandwidth per month. Since the forum is remotely hosted any bandwidth from that doesn't count on the hosting. What we can do is try a few files and I can keep an eye on the bandwidth and if it's eating it up too fast we can always remove the files :)

What we should do is make a structure of the sections we're going to want and what's included, for example:

Homepage - introduction, who we are

FAQ's -

Success Stories -

Relaxation tools - breathing techniques, music files (if we can do it)

Links and Resources -

etc, etc.

If we can get that part structured and get some content together to start with, I can start building it all once i get back from my trip. If anyone has anything they want to write in the form of an article, etc, you can do it either in email or Word format and send it to me, then I will convert it to an HTML page.

It should all come together really well :)

[xiknal]

I understand about the bandwidth! Maybe we can start with, say, just one or two shorter songs from my album (the one I posted would be my favorite for this site) and see how it goes...or swap them out after a while, add others from elsewhere.

I'll be happy to contribute to links and resources, and I have two long testimonials (Ken's and mine) ready to go when the site is ready.

Barb :)

[Disney fan]

Clever and talented lady barb!:tiphat

Lynda

[Chelle]

Barb, yep that sounds good. We'll just monitor it and see how it goes :)

[Passenger Mark]

Chelle,

If more bandwith is needed, just let me know, I think I can get it in packages

OH! And Chelle... is there a way to "animate" the plane actually taking off... moving???

Ok everyone... keep those ideas flying! ha ha

Mark

[Chelle]

Animated graphics aren't really my forte (the smilies are open source, I don't make them lol)

I usually don't like to see any 'movement' in the design structure of a site, to me it always looks spastic.. it's visually distracting (and borderlines cheesy) :lol I don't even like flash for that reason, but that's just me :p

I can see if I can find a nicely done animated plane graphic, but I haven't done enough animation design to come up with anything show-worthy I'm sure :D

[Passenger Mark]

No problemo!

You are right, it has to be done right to look good, and the reader has to have the right machine to see it right.

But let me know about the bandwith if we get close.

Thanks,

Mark

[Chelle]

No problem. If everyone could spend the next week gathering whatever content they are wanting to contribute, I'll collect it all when I get back from CA and start putting things together. First I'll put together a design template and we'll tweak it until we're all happy with it, then everything else will fall into place.

I'll monitor the bandwidth and keep you posted on that front.

After the content is in place we will rally anyone who wants to get involved in search engine submissions.. it's an easy but time-consuming task of submitting our site URL to various multi-submit engine facilities (which I will provide links to), but if we get a bunch of people doing a few on a daily basis, it pays off pretty fast :)

[Passenger Mark]

Ok folks...

While Chelle is in San Francisco, we can finish getting all the ideas put together, and ready for when she returns.

So... what I would like to do is ask everyone (Including Lurkers) this question....

If you came across what you felt was the perfect Fear of Flying website... what would you expect to be on it?

[Jeff California]

I would like to see a list of helpful sites dealing with anxiety.

[xiknal]

Jeff, we have a start on that in the 'Links for FoF Help' forum, and I am sure that Monica and I can get a page up for that on the new site. Of course we have to be careful not to be endorsing any programs or methods.

[beaugest]

Hey Barb, I can't take any credit for the links page. Looks like you and Mark did all the work there.
I think the idea of links is a good one too. My tendency would be to go for as many free ones as possible and to be careful to not seem as if we're endorsing anything we're not 100 percent sure of.
Just as a quick guide to anxiety until we get started---The National Institute on Mental Health website has pamphlets on just about every topic you can think of. Most of their pamphlets are free or very low cost. They are quite simple but often list symptoms and resources.
Haven't seen anything on FOF recently there tho(I'll look again when I have time). Interestingly enough, many folks with FOF don't have generalized anxiety. It's often very specific to the anxiety as it relates to flying. That's why a lot of standard methods don't work for FOF.
Of course, a lot of the standard stress reduction/relaxation techniques really, really help. If they would have massages on every flight I bet it would go a long way to reducing FOF...:lol

[Chelle]

*bump*

I'm baaaaack :D

Been working on a design template tonight, I'm a bit tired to go much further with it tonight (dang this 3 hour time change, I'm all discombobulated now :yawn ) but should have something to show you guys in the next couple days :)