A few weeks ago we launched a “consultation” into the future of British Trams Online and what we did well and what you would like us to do going forwards. A huge thank you to everyone who took their time to either comment on the article or to send an email through. On the whole you told us you liked what we did – it’s always good to know we aren’t wasting our time and effort! – but there are a few things you asked us to feature in the future. After much though what follows is just what you can look forward to on British Trams Online in the future.
* A fresh new design to the website. The main purpose of this will be to make it easier to maintain from my point of view (to try and save time!). Unfortunately none of the packages on the market will give us exactly what we want so this will be a bit of compromise solution but we will still feature all of our favourites. [Medium Term]
* A new logo. If there is anyone out there who is a bit artistic and would be willing to design a new logo please let us know! [Medium Term]
* We will be consolidating the website into five main areas: News & Features, Fleet Lists, Photos, Events Diary and Tram of the Year. This is in effect the main areas we are regularly updating now so you shouldn’t notice any major changes to the site. [Medium Term]
* All existing feature articles and tram profiles will be moved onto the news pages over the next few months. [Short Term]
* All news articles from pre-November 2011 will gradually be added to the current news pages. This will eventually give us a searchable news archive all the way back to September 2002. [Long Term, very Long Term!]
* The Fleet Lists section will be completely redone with all fleet lists being in a consistent style, including colour coding. One question for anyone who cares: we currently have operational trams as red but it has been suggested we should change this to green as green does normally mean go! Does anyone have any opinions on this? [Medium Term]
* The Links page will be removed – at least initially. As you may have noticed it is still on an old design and always seems to be second or third on my list of things to do. Some links will be added to other areas and the Links page may return in the future. [Medium Term]
* Several of you asked for us to feature the LUAS system in Dublin and so we will! Initially starting off with news coverage and photos (starting very soon in fact!) we will also eventually include a fleet list. We will also be including the Volks Electric Railway more regularly rather than just the occasional photo gallery. [Short Term]
* Several of you also asked for a complete list of preserved trams in the UK. We have always avoided this before but as you asked we shall give – eventually! [Long Term]
* Live Coverage – our live coverage on Facebook will return during this year although we will possibly be pulling back with the number of updates (it depends how we feel to be honest!). We are also stopping the “Today at…” coverage on Facebook and so this will be only as it happens coverage. [Short Term]
There are also likely to be a few other additions over time but in the main
that covers just about everything. As you can see a lot of this is medium term which could mean anything from about 3 months to 12! I will be fitting these improvements in between other BTO updates (in reality I should have done this over the winter!) and life so there could be delays but I thought it would be handy to let our readers know exactly what we have planned.
These changes will be fantastic. I could of created a logo but im busy sorting my editing software
And you thought you would get more of your life back! I’m glad to see that you are building on your strengths and enhancing the site rather than changing it radically. One suggestion, you have ‘subcontracted’ your logo change by inviting designs, perhaps you might do the same with the presrved trams list? There is potentially a lot of work and it is likely that there is someone out there with enthusiasm, and the time, to do it. All your efforts are appreciated.
I look forward to the new site. Also if possible could you please put the PICTURE IN TIME articles on it’s own page instead of just hidden in the news page. I think this could be beneficial to site visitors and potentially stop visitors from sending pictures twice as they will easily be seen.
It is unlikely that we will move the Picture in Time onto a separate page as part of the idea is to try and consolidate the site into less areas and we have found that most people visit the news pages first and then follow any links from there to photos etc. However you can easily find the latest Picture in Time updates – or indeed any specific news series or particular system – by using the categories on the right hand side of the screen. All you need do is click on Picture in Time there and it brings all of that series up.
Delighted to hear that you will be covering Luas in future. A very, very small point: the name ‘Luas’ is not an acronym, but the Irish word for ‘speed’. It should not, therefore, be spelt in capital letters.
Fully support and appreciate your response. The LUAS addition does make sense, as does the list of preserved trams, although the precise meaning of the latter is open to interpretation if the railway model is anything to go by! I would assume (hope!) that in tramway terms the situation is far less complicated. Finally I’m sure we all appreciate that this is a ‘leisure activity’ for yourself and Andrew and that changes, as with everything else on the site, have to take their place timewise, and once again sincere appreciation for everything that both of you do to keep us informed.
Well done on a fantastic website. I have to say that this is my favourite website and visit it daily so any updates/improvements you do will be very much appreciated. I do use the links page but like you say it is in need of updating. Lots of your suggestions above sound great. Many thanks for all you do.
The red for operational puzzled me too.
Very well done on a great website. Like others I normally visit it every day. I for one appreciate the work and time which you put into the site.
It’s a great site and the news pages are fantastic. A nice subtle refresh will be great, but I agree with others who think a wholesale change would not be beneficial. I think Gareth and Andrew do a great job and there is perfect mix between old and more modern tramways. I also agree that adding Luas to the site is a good idea, as there is lots to report from that particular tramway and it will be good to find out what is happening there.
I met Tony Sullivan briefly last week on Midland Metro (nice to meet you Tony) and he was commenting on how much he enjoys this website and I know adding Luas was also on his wish list.
Keep up the good work chaps – it is appreciated by many of us.
Good to meet up with you too Andy. I shall look forward to the book on the Midland Metro T69’s. I took several shots at Priestfield when the system was still under construction – all black and white though!
I don’t visit your site as often as I would like so didn’t post when you consulted. The news section is excellent, it’s how I know what is happening in trams in England. Links in the news stories to each network’s site would be helpful -especially if there is an announcement on their site (eg the Notts. timetable changes).
so would longer articles from guest writers about particular developments – as your counterpart site in USA- Light Rail Now does from time to time.