Test Drive the New Firehouse.com

[webteam]

Test drive the new Firehouse.com, launching next week:

http://www.firehouse.com/index_2005.html

Feel free to send any feedback right here. Please try to include your connection speed, browser type (IE or Netscape, etc) and version. The site is maximized for the vast majority of our audience which includes having cookies enabled, Flash installed and Java enabled!

The new site is designed for maximum amount of content delivery, featuring some new web development tools and unique features include:

- Rotating home page 'hot shot' using Flash
- More content above the fold using our new tabs so you can quickly access our most popular content and features without scrolling down
- A new streamlined look with easier navigation to our most popular features from the home page.
- Today's featured PhotoStory, In Quarters and Apparatus are now under the 'Images' tab. Just click it and there you go!

Starting next week with the launch of the new home page we're also moving to new servers to compensate for significantly more traffic we've experienced in the last few months. Traffic is at an all time high and we thank all of you. You should see noticeable increases in site speed, especially during daytime hours.

In the coming months, we'll be expanding the redesign to the rest of the site.

We're also pleased to announce exclusively on the forums that we'll be opening registration for our next Webcast in a few days. The webcast, featuring FDNY Battalion Chief John Salka, will be the last week of November. Plus *10* more webcasts will be scheduled over the next 6 months, on topics ranging from leadership to extrication to strategy and tactics.

If you missed our first webcast, featuring Chief Billy Goldfeder, be sure to view the archive for free at http://www.firehouse.com/live/goldfeder/

Thanks for your continued support!

WebTeam

[firenresq77]

Looks good, WT!! Keep up the excellent work!

[WTFD10]

Looks great Webteam. I really like the rotating hot shot & headlines (which incidently did not work when using the Mozilla Firefox browser but I may need to download a flash plugin for it.)

That's great news about the upcoming live training events too. The first one was really great! I'm really looking forward to the rest.

Keep up the great work!

PS, I'll post later how it looks & works on a computer without Flash or Java. Our IT dept. at my full-time job has both blocked.

Edit: Everything works good with no Flash or Java except the scrolling pics & headlines.

[MTFD07]

Looks great webteam. I give it two thumbs up! :)

[Engine7Cadet]

I have designed a bunch of sites for people. Personally I think it would look more proffessional and neat if it was all centered. On the browser theres nice white column of open space on the right margin and the left margin is non existent. Balance it out equally and it would look good. The design though is very nice. Nice Job, Just Center It.

[webteam]

I have designed a bunch of sites for people. Personally I think it would look more proffessional and neat if it was all centered

When CNN.com and ESPN.com are centered, so shall we :)

[Resq14]

No problems on my end with Firefox 1.0 (even though it still seems like Firefox is slower for "total load time" per page... I realize it renders a little different from IE).

Looks sharp.

[FF2BKE]

I like it, looks good webteam.:)

[CaptOldTimer]

Originally posted by Engine7Cadet
I have designed a bunch of sites for people. Personally I think it would look more proffessional and neat if it was all centered. On the browser theres nice white column of open space on the right margin and the left margin is non existent. Balance it out equally and it would look good. The design though is very nice. Nice Job, Just Center It.


What does he know?



Leave it like you have it Dave. It really looks good.


Good Luck and Keep it all going well.



:)

[superchef]

:D Great job Webteam!!!! Now if you could figure out a way for me to email you dinner and dessert for all your hard work...

I am on a T-1 line and have IE here at work so it loaded almost instantly. I'll have to test it at home with my dial up and AOL. But overall, the format is very well organized.

Cheffie :)

[hwoods]

Dave & Co.: LOOKS GOOD! Go for it.:D :D :D

[Weruj1]

I dontk know what I am on at work.........? T-1 I think .......IE....I would center it too........at home I am on the cable and IE.......I think it looks ok............not sure.........like anything else will take some getting used to.

[superchef]

SBC fed the dial up squirrels tonight or your site is faster. It loaded up fine here too although I don't have Flash and Java at home (and I use AOL here). But overall, another great job Webteam. I like it off center. :D it keeps people in a state of confusion wondering what might be in the mysterious space.

:D

[ChiefReason]

Let's see; Compaq Presario 5400 Series with Windows XP, Internet Explorer and a 56K modem with a dial up.
For a minute there, I thought it loaded a little faster.
Maybe it's because I'm on Central time and you're on Mountain.:D
I liked what I saw. Some great features.
Looking forward to it.
CR

[webteam]

It defenitely should load faster. The 'old' home page will reappear Monday morning for a few days while we work out the last parts of the new home page, but its here all weekend :)

We've also upgraded servers and bandwith as well this weekend so the site should run faster overall.

Keep the feedback coming ... and be sure to install flash and be java enabled! More cool features coming.

Thanks
WebTeam

[Adze39]

I like it and it loads up faster

[mvfdkrazydogg]

well i think that the new layout of the web page is great. i like the new look.

gentlemen F#$k YOU

[mdcook]

Interesting design, but, in my opinion, I would like to see the link to the free e-mail easier to find. I had to go to one of the sections to find the e-mail link. It's a good start, but I think still needs some work.

[Engine58]

Site looks great! It loads 1000x's faster, Im using a Cable Modem & internet explorer and also AOL both load extrememly fast....good job!

[Reliance]

:) Very nice layout, well laid out, easy to follow and navigate. Keep up the good work.:) It loads a lot faster than before. Appreciate the good work.:) We are running Internet explorer 6. 0 with DSL Sympatico High speed internet.:)

[lance38]

Nice job guys. Looks good.

[fieldseng2]

I thinks its awsome.....Very cool...

I had a little trouble finding the email link too...

But Im just a bonehead fireman so leave it how it is....lol

[clutch105]

I'll be the first naysayer. I dont care for it. Maybe I'll come around. Time will tell.

[arhaney]

I like it, loads much faster on my dialup at home. I would like to see the "last update" time on the start up page. Keep up the good work!

[firenresq77]

Originally posted by arhaney
I like it, loads much faster on my dialup at home. I would like to see the "last update" time on the start up page. Keep up the good work! I second the motion for the "Last Update" date/time... Especially on weekends, it's nice to be able to look at the date/time to see if there has been anything new posted on the page............

WT, can you add this to it, somewhere near the top?????

[FSIUT1]

I like it, but could you make the font bigger so it is easier to see. You seem to have space at the right.

[wallsfd949]

Connection - Dual OC-48s (last check)
Browser Firefox 1.0 PR w/adblock (http://www.wallsfiredept.org/images/firehouse.com-firefox.jpg) and Internet Exploder (http://www.wallsfiredept.org/images/firehouse.com-internet-exploder.jpg)

Site loads fairly quick for me. What kind of upgrades did you do? It looks like you maintained the same IP - Host and are still running on Linux / Apache 1.3.29.

I like the new design. It is more modern and was a needed change. I'm looking forward to seeing what you have for the rest of the site.

[Newguy55]

I agree that it was time for an update, and that the new design seems faster and more functional. I also agree that it will take some getting used to, but I like it in general.

I too, however, had a helluva time finding the link for FirehouseMail. I liked that little "FH Mail" link that was always nice and promenant right in the top corner, where it always loaded way faster than the rest of the page.

That way I didn't have to waste any time getting into it when I was using it to back-door my personal pop-mail from work. (Where the ever-so-smart IT guys have all "known avenues" of downloading POP-mail disabled for "security reasons"; I guess they don't know ALL the avenues! Hey Webteam, thanks for making POP access part of FirehouseMail!)

[spnorman]

The new format is great. Keep up the good work!!

[doogie1]

Just when I get used to something, it has to change AGAIN! I don't know if it's me or not but I have a huge white strip on the right side of the new page. Also, I can't find the hot shots or new apparatus or new stations nor can I find the time and date it was last updated!

[SPFDRum]

At the beginning it loaded much faster. Now you have out done yourselves. I thought that ad1.firehousezone was slow, but ad2.firehousezone may even be slower. Congratulations, a few more ads and just maybe it will never load...

[JorieH]

Great set up! I like the new look.

Though this puzzles me. The first time I checked it out it was very fast, my jaw dropped.:D But when I took a second look and it was slower. I don't understand why. Would the different time of day make a difference? I don't know I'm internet stupid.:rolleyes:

Keep up the great work.:D

[EdShanks]

Internet Explorer 6.0 on a cable modem - don't know how fast but plenty fast everywhere else.

OMG, is this slow!!! I'm averaging one minute and five seconds at EVERY page load! I download extended version songs in less time!

[ffdamone]

Website looks great!! Took a little while to find stuff like station profiles, but once I figured it out, realized that it is structured quite nicely. Will have to see how well I can browse it while at work. With our city system, can't always get through sites very well. Keep up the good work!!

[webteam]

Folks

Thanks for the feedback but PLEASE put your browser type and version, and connection speed, and whether you have Flash installed on your comments.

Thanks
WebTeam

[Kobersteen]

I already spoke to WT about this, but on an eMac, IE 5.2.3, Java, Flash and cookies enabled, DSL line, I can't get anything but the 'Firehouse.com lite' screen to come up. I type 'firehouse.com' and lite comes up. I hit the button to 'Switch to the Full Homepage' and it brings the lite up again. I have had trouble with a number of websites with IE for Mac, so I'm not sure if there is anything to do about it. It's the price I pay for being a Mac guy!

In other news: eMac, Safari browser, Java, Flash and cookies enabled, DSL line, it loads great! I also agree that the update time and date should be brought back. I don't mind the centering issue so much, but the top is a bit 'busy' and it is a bit more difficult to find the 'major stories' whereas before it was always on top and, depending on importance, in a larger font.

But hey, I can take change... I ain't skert. ;)

[AC1503]

The changing advertisements have aready almost made it where I can't use it at home.

[Jim917]

I'm running both IE 6.0.28 and Firefox 1.0 on my PC. I'm connected to a high speed line - it's T1 or better. There's a definite problem this morning with speed. It's like watching paint dry!

I'm not familiar with the term "Flash". How would we tell if it is installed?

[Bones42]

I'm on a T1 line at work and the load time is HORRIBLE. I.E. 6.028 and Flash.


Nothing gives an update/change a bad impression like slowness.

[AFD368]

IE with cable modem
I have to wait for every page to load up now.
Seems extremely slow to load.
Design ok, but you have to scroll more to locate information.
The magazine archives evidently are still not up and running, as an error page appears.

[LaFireEducator]

ON DSL it's dang slow ... at home on my dailup it takes 5 minutes to load a page and thats not a lie .. this is just not cool gentleman ... why why why must we always tinker ???

[smitty91]

Originally posted by AC1503
Well you have finally done it! I'm on a T1 line at work and the load time is HORRIBLE. I haven't tried it at home on the dial up line, but it most likely will not be usable at all.

Why do you have to continually monkey around with the system?

The changing advertisements have aready almost made it where I can't use it at home.

What happened to the Plain Jane version for slow connections and computers?

I really enjoy Firehouse.com, but paying for membership renewal is now questionable.

DITTO, DITTO, DITTO! I have a T1 at work and a dial-up at home, with both locations using the IE 5.5. As far as flash yes for both locations. Not sure what versions though. I'm guessing at least 6. It takes forever and a day to load up, even with the T1!!! I too am discouraged by the fact that the page is always changing. Call it 200 years of tradition unimpeeded by change sort of thing. I too will seriously rethink about paying for the member sections if I can't access the site in a reasonable timeframe. With all this being said, I do offer a suggestion... Have an option for viewers to view the "old" webpage layout that seems to load faster for some.

If I could access it easily, I'm sure I would feel differently, however, right now that's not the case. Let me go back to the old layout.

Respectfully,

Smitty91

[CaptOldTimer]

Does the headlines and stuff ever change?

What happen to the date and time?

I sure miss that as it told us when the page was updated.

[webteam]

Folks

Mostof the speed issues were this morning. Please check to see if this is still happening.

Thanks
WebTeam

[webteam]

Last updated date should be live soon.

Also note that a combination login area for Members of Firehousemail users is coming soon near the top nav.

For now, the Firehouse Mail links is in the Quick Links section right below the top stories.

Thanks

[Jim917]

Much quicker right now at 3 PM eastern.

I'm one of the folks that don't pay for extras, basically just monitor and participate in the forums. From my narrow, limited, self serving perspective, your changes are very pretty and I'm sure the Marketing people love them.

I don't, but that just me.

Jim "pissing folks off since 1946" 917

[smitty91]

Pages are loading faster than this morning. So the T1 is doing it's job. Have to wait to see what it's like at home on the dinosaur dial-up. The only thing I notice now is that the spacing is off a bit. You have a white bar along the left hand edge of the "mouse over" section and just below that section is a large blank brown space. It looks like the page just needs to be moved up from just below the mouse over/disolving photo section. If not, that's ALOT of wasted space for a website.

On a side note, anyway to tweak the signing in process? When I wanted to reply to this thread, I signed in and it took me to the main page of the members area rather than the last page I was looking at in which I needed to sign in for. That gets to be frustrating when I was just at a page, and just because I signed in, I have to look for that page again.

Thanks.

[DrParasite]

Originally posted by smitty91
On a side note, anyway to tweak the signing in process? When I wanted to reply to this thread, I signed in and it took me to the main page of the members area rather than the last page I was looking at in which I needed to sign in for. That gets to be frustrating when I was just at a page, and just because I signed in, I have to look for that page again.yeah, that would be much easier. it would be a nice thing to look into doing.

[eeyore]

Sorry to be a grumpy old fart, but it seems that, until Broadband is available in my home area, like the old song says "So long, it's been good to know ya."

I'm using a 56k modem, clean phone line, IE6.02, Flash and all the other stuff enabled, and the load times are just horrible. If people on T1, DSL, etc are having load time problems, just imagine what it's like for dial-up users.

Incidentally, I have my browser set to "Ignore colors specified on web pages" (in Tools, Options, Accessibility) which usually helps to reduce load times - but it also loses the new tabs at the top of the page. Any way of making those visible some other way? Don't know how to explain the HTML aspects of this.

Agree wholeheartedly with Smitty91 re having the old page available as an option - maybe you could maintain this as long as there are significant numbers of dial-ups out here? Would be nice to keep up with the important stuff, and I, for one, can live without all the new bells and whistles for a while longer.

Your curmudgeonly friend,
Eeyore.

"Not pissing folks off as long as Jim917"

[firenresq77]

I too noticed problems with slowness last night and this morning. Eceything seems to be OK, now...........

[webteam]

Speed shouldn't be a factor now.

For those on 56k, please note that the new page isn't loading slower than the old one because its a new page. It should load faster.

Nearly 80% of our audience is on high speed, and more than 75% have flash and Java installed, and we expect that number to grow.

You can always access the lite version of the site at http://www.firehouse.com/lite/ but we believe any speed issues are resolved.

Thanks
webTeam

[capton]

Big improvement, Great job webteam.


_________________________
NYFD 343 "Never Forgotten"
"Always Remembered"

Joe

[truck6alpha]

I'm running IE 6.0.28 with Service Pack 1 on a T-1 line. Needless to say, I was a little shocked because you guys made the change while I was actively logged in. I kept going back to the front page thinking I hit some other page by accident (I don't see an emoticon for "moron").

I like it- it looks clean/less cluttered. I like the tabs. I like the everchanging pix and article link. I also tried it at home on my broadband connection (same IE and Serv Pack) and it was sluggish Sunday, but runs fine now. Then I ran the laptop on a 56k, just out of curiosity, and it was fine too (same IE and Service Pack there too). So performance wise, I think it's okay as well.

Thanks for all of your work to try to improve your product.

[MIKEYLIKESIT]

I know it was brought up before to no avail, but I do miss the ticker being on the front page.

[mtomek112]

I agree with a few others that have said that the front page needs to be centered and less "busy."

[EdShanks]

If the forum was going to be slow because of loads of users, this would be the time (7:30 pm EST) and things are moving much faster than the last time I looked in here.

IE 6.0, Flash, Java.


Looks like it's fixed!

[LaFireEducator]

Still deathly slow on my dail-up ... guess I'll only be able to access it at the fire station and on my college campus which has dail-up ... really too bad ...

[webteam]

The new site is faster, even on dial-up, than the old site. There is no difference there.

If you're on dial-up, make sure you have at LEAST IE 5 (6 prefereably), with Flash and Java installed. Should be fairly quick, even on dial-up.

Thanks
WebTeam

[Tiger5]

The new and improved home page has a great feel, look to it. Clean, well organized, much easier to navigate, more info in a smaller space and faster loading... what more could you ask for in a home page.

Nicely done.

Stay safe. Train often.

[Truck106]

Great new look but, how about enabling microsoft internet explorer for a dial up system. So I can access my start page on members zone.

[Weruj1]

also............could the site updater time thingy PLEASE be put back...?

[webteam]

Truck..not sure your question.

Also the update time was added last week. You should see it with the top headlines

[Weruj1]

thank you ..........I will try to be a little more attentive in my new surroundings ! :o

[eeyore]

Thought I'd give it a few days to stabilize - pleased to say the speed is a whole lot better than when I last posted. Now taking about 45 secs to load, instead of 3-4 minutes. Well done, WebTeam.

eeyore

[smitty91]

Webteam,

Why does the new page do what the attached pic shows? A blank space to the left and below the revoloving photos? Is this suppose to be like this?

Thanks.

[webteam]

What is your browser type and version?

Thanks
WebTeam

[smitty91]

IE 5.50.4807.2300

[backdraft663]

I think that on the photostory you should show at least one picture of each story maybe from two days prior.

[webteam]

"I think that on the photostory you should show at least one picture of each story maybe from two days prior."

Thats exactly what it does. 1-2 new ones daily weekdays, and another 2-3 of the previous days.

Thanks

[smitty91]

Any word on what is causing what I show above? ^^^^^ It's still doing it. Not sure if it's something on my end or not. Thanks.

[webteam]

You have flash installed?

Try upgrading to IE 6.0..could be a bug in that specific version of 5.5

[smitty91]

If that's the case, I'll have to wait until the rest of the City upgrades. Since I am not allowed to install anything on the City computer! Thanks!