The Future of Firehouse.com

[webteam]

Below is a glimpse at the future of Firehouse.com

http://www.firehouse.com/images/preview.gif

Some items to note with this redesign, coming later this year:

- Faster loading, dynamically served content
- The 'tabs' above the main headlines will swap out the center content, offering faster access to the site's most popular features right from the top 'console' of the home page
- The daily hot shot will be a thing of the past, now enhanced with a larger photo, which will rotate between the five most recent PhotoStories added, or photos from breaking top stories. You'll be able to scroll through the photos, just like you might find on AOL or ESPN's front pages.
- New integrated login features

And much more.

Overall this new redesign will greatly improve the load speed and ease of navigation of Firehouse.com. It will start with the front page and evolve to all interior pages within a few months. Our e-newsletters and other features will also be impacted.

Thanks again for making Firehouse.com the most popular destination for firefighters anywhere.

Feel free to submit your comments, or things you'd like to see -- design wise, content, anything -- in the future on Firehouse.com.

Thanks
Dave Iannone
Founder/Publisher

Chris Hebert
Co-Founder/Associate Publisher

P.S.

ENTER THE LADDER 49 CONTEST TODAY! (http://cms.firehouse.com/ladder49/contest.jsp)

[firenresq77]

Looks GREAT WT......... Keep up the good work!!

[Weruj1]

Could you please prioritize the "MOST" important stories ;) ;) ;) ;)
looks great ........cant wait to see it "live"....

[FORTff]

Bring back the fire ticker on the home page?

[webteam]

Sorry...but the fire ticker is on the news page....

http://www.firehousenews.com

[hwoods]

Not a bad job for a bunch from Pee Gee. :D What was the Virginia Slims Commercial line? "You've come a long way, Baby". And indeed you have. Looks good, and, I'm sure, It'll get better. My only "dislike", if I may, is with the Links section, specifically looking up a Company that is far down the Alphabet. I just don't think every page needs to repeat the list of "Newbies" in that State. Thanks again Dave and Co., See you all at Branchville.

[CaptainGonzo]

Looks great! FH.com is like a fine wine... improving with age... now if only some of the people who post here could do the same! :D

[superchef]

Great job WebTeam. I like the new look. You guys do an incredible job with this site and for those who take the time to utilize all that is available, there is a wealth of information here. It certainly is helping me in my pursuit of my degree.

Keep up the good work. :)

Sherry (aka Cheffie)

[lutan1]

Looks good;)

[martinm]

Looks good from this side of the water. Keep up the great work.

[WTFD10]

Looks good...still would like to see the newer version of vBulletin for the forums though ;)

[DrParasite]

looks good, great job WT

[sbfdco1]

:)

Kudos to the WebTeam! Site is a real nice source of information. The redesign is a welcomed improvement. I agree with FORTff - I would like to see the ticker restored to the homepage.

There is one feature I find a little querky, could be where I work, (firewalls, etc.) when I log in the Members->My start page, which automatically logs me in, then I'll go to the forums and either 'reply' start a 'new thread'. For whatever reason it take me back to the login page. At that point I have to either have to log out or log in again.

Again, could be the setup here are work.

:)

[Resq14]

Looks like a much cleaner interface... appears to be easier to find what you're looking for.

Very sharp. I'm impressed.

[FiftyOnePride]

Nice, new sleek design, not as bulky, I hope that it really does load faster, that'll be great.

[Truck106]

It looks great I can't wait until it's up and running.

[firefighter105]

I agree. Can't wait for the New site to be up and running. It Looks awesome. Keep up the great work WT.

Jason

[spyonline]

Anything faster for us 56k noobs will be great

[Dickey]

I like it very much. Not all cluttered up with ads and crap. very clean looking. Keep up the good work!!!

Keep your head down and your powder dry.
____________________
Lt.Jason Knecht
Altoona Fire Rescue
Altoona, WI

[FB1138]

Looks Great! Thanks Webteam.

[5pts384]

Sounds great,I hope that it is faster if your back in the woods (like me):( 28.8 takes a long time:rolleyes:

[SPFDRum]

Looks great, I just hope that the Ad1.firehousezone.com server crap loads just as fast...

[ChiefReason]

Sure; now that I finally figured out how to navigate your site, you change it up on me!
I have become quite the gourmet cook waiting for the page to load.
Gonna have to cook in the microwave from the sounds of things.
Dave/Chris:
Your quest for excellence never ceases to amaze me.
I look forward to the new challenges.
Between the changes and my getting DSL, I should be smokin' hot.
CR

[webteam]

An astounding 70% of our audience is using high speed connections (cable modem or faster), so stay tuned for more exciting features. We think everyone will enjoy the live slideshow and bigger photo on the home page, among the other features.

WebTeam

[Weruj1]

CR.....ditch the DSL and go cable baby !

[latigo]

Would be an easier link to log into the email program. It changed a while ago, taking you into the memberszone login. Then you have to click on interact again, click mail, again, then log in. Unless you have a hidden, direct link I haven't found. LOL. I liked the old way, where I could just click firehousemail on the front page, and go there. I do read the articles, etc, but like to go directly to mail sometimes. Also, if you are going to change login sites, procedures, etc, could you mass email everyone before it happens, so we know it is coming and how to do it? Just a thought.

But the new update looks really cool. You guys do a great job with a huge site. That and keeping things cooled down in the Forums.:D Kudos to you all, and thanks for keeping us updated on new developments.

[hwoods]

Originally posted by Weruj1
CR.....ditch the DSL and go cable baby !

Doesn't he need Electricity first??:D :D :D

[Weruj1]

it is hard to type by candlelight !!!!!!!!!

[backdraft663]

WT, How long would you expect it to take to do these changes to the site? Also from the picture its going to look more profesional(SP?)

[webteam]

Firehouse.com is already professional :)

The site redesign will take effect sometime this Fall.

Thanks
WebTeam

[Resq14]

Hehe.

While we're talking about this, can I suggest a

"Frequently Asked Questions"

or

"Frequently Posted Threads"

area in the forums?


We've talked about this a bunch, and I truly think it would be a good idea. I'm not sure how to implement it, whether it's on a category-by-categoy basis, or 1 FAQ page with them all on it categorized or what. Just repeating a thought that's been kicking around on here for a while.

[RspctFrmCalgary]

I like the idea someone had awhile ago about splitting up the New Thread and New Post tabs so that new threads aren't accidentally started.

[firenresq77]

Originally posted by Resq14
Hehe.

While we're talking about this, can I suggest a

"Frequently Asked Questions"

or

"Frequently Posted Threads"

area in the forums?


We've talked about this a bunch, and I truly think it would be a good idea. I'm not sure how to implement it, whether it's on a category-by-categoy basis, or 1 FAQ page with them all on it categorized or what. Just repeating a thought that's been kicking around on here for a while. I second that, WT. Just label a section "Frequently Posted Topics"........ Then people can check in there and post in there for the common stuff.........

Calgary also has another good idea. Either separate the buttons or re-name them so the new people aren't as confused.....

[webteam]

Have you guys seen the FAQ (linked from the left)

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/misc.php?s=&action=faq

What questions/answers should be added?

Thanks
WebTeam

[firenresq77]

Originally posted by webteam
Have you guys seen the FAQ (linked from the left)

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/misc.php?s=&action=faq

What questions/answers should be added?

Thanks
WebTeam WT, I think when he said "FAQ" he meant a "Frequently Posted Questions" section....... Just for the stuff that people ask about/has been discussed numerous times things such as smooth bore vs. combo, helmet types, what's in your pockets, etc....

Basically another section of the forums for these kinds of threads......

[Resq14]

Originally posted by webteam
Have you guys seen the FAQ (linked from the left)

http://cms.firehouse.com/forums2/misc.php?s=&action=faq

What questions/answers should be added?

Thanks
WebTeam

Yup, and that might be a good format to use.

Just something that lists the stuff that is always posted here over and over, so people can skim it then know whether to search, or to at least get an idea of what had already been beaten to death. Obviously I don't want to preclude fresh thought and discussion... I just think it would be useful.

- Which is better, smoothbore or combination?
- What is your favorite fire apparatus manufacturer?
- What color should fire trucks be?

etc etc etc

They don't need to be answered... maybe there could be a link to a forums search done on the topic so people can see prior discussion... but they could be arranged in general categories.

I'm sure people on here could come up with them the FPT's (Frequently Posted Threads) and suggest categories.


++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ALSO, I think it would be great if there were an overall forum search option, rather than having to search by category or subcategory. I can't seem to be able to search all at once... perhaps I'm doing something wrong?

Thanks!
Tony

[FlyingKiwi]

But it is STILL upside down

And it STILL spins the wrong way in the toilet bowl.

:D :p :D

(Nice layout by the way, once I get the damn monitor upside down and going clockwise.)

[SIGNAL99COM]

I like what I see.

Now if you can only make it so when I'm browsing the forums (not logged in) and then I decide to post a reply, and hit reply, it makes me sign in, which is OK.

What I don't like is that it makes you start from the beginning and then I have to surf my way back to what I was replying to.

[firenresq77]

Originally posted by SIGNAL99COM
Now if you can only make it so when I'm browsing the forums (not logged in) and then I decide to post a reply, and hit reply, it makes me sign in, which is OK.

What I don't like is that it makes you start from the beginning and then I have to surf my way back to what I was replying to. Instead of going back through and searching again, just click your "Back" button a couple (maybe 3 or 4) times and it should take you back to your reply window. I just can't remember exactly how many times.......

[WTFD10]

Originally posted by Resq14
Just something that lists the stuff that is always posted here over and over, so people can skim it then know whether to search, or to at least get an idea of what had already been beaten to death. Obviously I don't want to preclude fresh thought and discussion... I just think it would be useful.

- Which is better, smoothbore or combination?
- What is your favorite fire apparatus manufacturer?
- What color should fire trucks be?



To add to the list:

Lights/Sirens on POVs
Glasses with SCBA
What's In Your Turnout Pockets

A few other forums around the net have a "New Users" section. You could have the FAQ in there as well as a Frequent Topics section.

And I really think that removing the New Thread button on each page will cut down on the multiple threads on the same topic problem.

Oh and another suggestion for it's own section (even though it will probably die down after November): Politics

[JimMccarthy]

Super, Dave & the Web Team!
I love this site.

Jim Mc Carthy, RNC, FF/EMT
White Bear Lake FD

[Fire2123]

Hopefully with the "new integrated login features," I can login from my home computer. I've tried a million times, and it will not work. It is not my security/browser settings, they are fine and I don't have any problem logging in to any other web site. When I log in, it says thanks for logging in. When I click on the forums and try to post, it tells me I am not logged in. I click login and it tells me I am already logged in. Yes, I have tried getting help from the support people, but their solutions to the problem don't work. And yes, I log myself out of my work computer, and remember password is not on. Sorry for venting here, but this is so frustrating to me. I no longer want to post messages at work, but at home. Thank you.