Hey guys.
It's time to get some feedback from you, the users of the site, on what you'd like to see improved, new features added, things you don't like, etc.
One of my motivations and goals is to integrate the site and forums a bit more.. At the moment, people will find the site or be linked to the site, have a look around, come to the forums, stay on the forums (good) but probably never go back to the main site. And that's expected if there's largely static information on the site.
So one of my aims is to have more content on the main site. That includes:
- More upcoming events and event reports (need input and submissions from club/society secretaries)
- More observatories and club/society listings (just need time to find all the details and add them)
- More reviews of astro equipment/accessories. I need your submissions here, unless you can convince telescope shops to lend me stuff to review
- Content in the "How-To" section, including the promised GS Dob FAQ, Astrophotography with a dob guide, as well as general how-to guides for lots of different things, such as mirror centre-spotting, making a hartman mask, etc. I need your ideas and submissions! Astronomy DIY'ers I need your input!
- More astro news on the front page (just need more time to add them)
One of my other aims is to have some more dynamic/changing content on the site, to give more reasons to go back to the site and have it as an allround astronomy resource. Some ideas/potential features include:
- IceInSpace Member Map (due for launch in about 2 weeks)
- Integrated Sky Chart, linked to your forum profile which has your lat/long. Kind of like the S&T site interactive sky chart.
- Satellite/iridium flare pass information.. A popup/flashing button will let you know when a bright ISS pass or iridium flare is going to pass over your location in the next 24 hours (for example), and you can click on it to see the details etc.
- A dark observing site database with location, maps, instructions etc of observing sites around normal suburban locations (will need submissions from members).
- Integrated Observing Plan generator, so you can plan a nights observing by picking objects from a database and creating/printing a list to take outside with you.
- Integrated Observation Report database, where forum members can submit their own observing reports to be stored in the IceInSpace database. They'll be able to search for old reports, and if the member chooses to allow it, other people will be able to view your reports etc. Potentially, sketches can be uploaded etc.
- A "What's in the sky this week" section, which lists and highlights the best objects to view this week, any special events such as occultations or conjunctions, best features to view on the moon given it's current phase, etc. Just needs time to write each week as it's not a 5 minute job.
Most of these are just ideas and thoughts at the moment, they may be technically difficult to implement so it may rule them out..
So i'm after your feedback and ideas on the above lists, and your suggestions on what you'd like to see on the site.
And for the forums, how can they be improved? How is the current breakdown of sub-forums? Should there be a split of sections or categories, more sections added, less sections? What other features would you like to see on the forums?
This site is for you and the amateur astronomy community down under in australasia, so I need your help and content submissions, ideas, suggestions and feedback to make it the best site it can be.
Thanks for your time. You can reply here with your feedback, or if you'd like to do it privately, just email me or send me a PM.
Thanks