In
last month’s column, I explained why we have had to start
paying to have our website hosted. Since then,
Paul
Dumont
has helped me research several different alternative
providers. We are looking seriously at two different
solutions – one with a proven track record, the other with
incredibly low rates. We will discuss the options and
make a decision at the November meeting.
Meanwhile, we also have a FREE backup plan, thanks
to Jim Mixon and TCI. Jim offers free space
for TCI clubs to post a small website on the TALL.ORG
server. Because space is limited on this server, only the
main pages are available directly by connecting to
this “backup” site. However, the site does have links to
the other content (the photo archive), which is stored
only on our main (pay) site. Both sites look
identical, so if they are both running properly, visitors
shouldn’t notice any difference.
WHAT
DOES ALL THIS MEAN??? MAKE IT SIMPLE!!!
Okay,
in plain English, you can now reach all the material on
our website by going to either of two web addresses:
www.highcincinnatians.com
This
is the site we pay for, where all of our web content is
stored. This is the address that we publish in
advertisements and promote on our business cards, and is
probably the easier one to remember and tell to others.
www.tall.org/clubs/ohio/highcincinnatians
This
address is our free site on TCI’s server. You should save
this address in your “Favorites” folder when you first
visit so you don’t have to remember it. This site is a
little slower than the other, but it is an excellent
“backup” resource if our other site ever goes offline.
(That’s never happened, right?!)
WHAT’S
ELSE IS NEW? ONLINE REGISTRATION
is now available from our website! Once again, thanks to
Jim Mixon, prospects visiting our website can click
a button and fill out a form online! This feature allows
them to submit their name, address, phone number, email
address, etc. When they click the "Submit" button, they
are returned to the page they were previously viewing and
the system sends out three automated emails. The first
message goes to the prospect to confirm the information,
while the other two are sent to two designated club
members.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Paul and I will be working behind the scenes for the next
few months, giving the site a new look and a higher level
of functionality. Meanwhile, this column will focus on
HOW TO USE OUR WEBSITE. We will take a tour of the
website and discuss how to move around and find what you
are looking for! Next month: THE HOME PAGE – START
HERE!
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