____________________

Greetings:

Barry brought up a question about pop-ups. I'm assuming he's referring to the NOTAMs window. Quite frankly, I don't see what the big deal is--I typically shut down the main VPC window and operate/navigate throught the NOTAMs window (yes, all of the links works in NOTAMs).

Anyway, my feeling is that while we're in Beta, NOTAMs or some other method of letting people know we're in Beta must be there to avoid misunderstandings.

I also feel that after we "go live," we need to be able to let people know about news, upcoming events, and system status--which the NOTAMs page is designed to do. I suppose we can just cram that stuff in the main VPC page (which will make the page take even longer to load), or have a click through before the we load the main page (e.g. in the same window), but I really hate either of those ideas.

Then again, crew have crew access without the pop-up. Perhaps we should just have a member access page? As a member, you'd think that members would be know enough to check NOTAMs for the information found there?

If you feel strongly about any of this stuff, please make your feelings known.

Thanks!
Ben

• RE: Pop-ups,Hodgo, 02:06z, 07-09-01
  • RE: Pop-ups,Ben Chiu, 11:16z, 07-09-01
    • RE: Pop-ups,Madape, 12:25z, 07-09-01
      • Auto NOTAM control added,Ben Chiu, 22:47z, 07-09-01
        • RE: Auto NOTAM control added (a note about cookies),Ben Chiu, 22:51z, 07-09-01
• RE: Pop-ups,Madape, 10:21z, 07-09-01
• RE: Pop-ups,The Jim, 16:07z, 07-09-01
  • RE: Pop-ups,BDEchols, 21:09z, 07-10-01
    • RE: Pop-ups,Ben Chiu, 23:55z, 07-10-01

____________________

I personally believe the pop-up NOTAMs window should be there for all users. It serves a useful purpose informing people of the latest service status and what's going on in the VPC and I don't mind it coming up when I arrive at the site.

However since Barry (and probably many other users) don't like the pop-up NOTAMs I think it would be a good idea to offer the user a choice of whether or not the window comes up in future. This could be done by creating an option to place a cookie on the user's system which disables future display of the window when visiting the homepage. This means that for those who dislike the pop-up they only have to see it once
How easy is that to write into the page, Ben?

-Stephen.

____________________

Hi Stephen:

Actually, I like a variation of that idea. How about a user enabled cookie that will allow NOTAMs to disappear until we post a new NOTAM?

This those that don't want to see the NOTAMs every time they log on can get their way, but as soon as we post a new one, they'll have to click and accept the new cookie to have the new NOTAM dissappear again.

I'm just waiting to hear the uproar about us using cookies to come!

Ben

____________________

Sounds like a great idea to me, giving the user control

Sam

____________________

OK, I've added a switch to for automatic NOTAM window operation. If you click OFF, the system will stop automatically opening up the NOTAMs window until there's a newer NOTAM posted. In other words, you won't see the same NOTAM until a newer one is available. At that time, you can opt out of it opening by clicking OFF again. (There's also a link to turn automatic NOTAMs back on again.)

I realize this isn't exactly what some of you wanted, but it's the best compromise we've come up with so far. Jim's idea of the scrolling news window is a good one, but I think something like that would disturb the "atmosphere" and might be a bit too intrusive for some tastes. I feel if we start doing that, banners aren't too far off.

Personally, I think the solution we've come up with mimics the real world the best. An FBO would only stick a NOTAMs sheet on the counter if it was new. Once you've read it, you'd ignore it unless you'd want to check something you've already read again. (NOTAM's are still always just a click away.) So in essence you now have the same option and the VPC still has a way to communicate important information to everyone without plastering it on the virtual walls--just like real NOTAMs.

Let us know how it works.

Ben

____________________

Doh! One more thing...

This new NOTAM control works through cookies. If you don't accept the cookie, we'll you'll be doomed to see the NOTAM window. Ahhhhhhh!!!!!!

Seriously, the cookie is harmless--it only stores the single function/preference, so fear not.

Ben

____________________

IMHO the NOTAMs pop-up is a very useful tool/window, its quick loading and displays the information I want to see, and also what our visitors want to see. It quickly displays current issues if we have any with the server, and also upcoming events!

Sam

I don't particularly care for NOTAMs myself. What's new on the site should be displayed on the main page. I know you're trying to go for the whole "GUI" idea, and it's working great...except for the popup. Maybe a "NEW and IMPROVED!" sign somewhere in that little office-type area?

If you must keep the popup, letting the user choose would be the best bet. I don't even really like my site because of the popup, but it's the only way Tripod allows without plastering an ad on my beautiful HTML. Best bet would be to let the user turn it off permanantly, and re-activate it if they wish.

Another alternative could be a scrolling Java Script. An example is on my school's webpage: www.lycoming.edu. On the right is a Java Script telling of all the latest happenings there.

Maybe I'm just sensitive, but popups really are distracting, especially when you're trying to get the user to appreciate and take advantage of your GUI. Just my thoughts on the subject...

-The Jim
--------------------
"Those daring young men and
their flying machines..."
--------------------

I did not intend to make such a big issue about pop-ups in my original post. The use of pop-ups on the VPC site is done for informational purposes, and is very skillfully done.

It is just that I hate pop-ups. On so many sites on the web the pop-up is used to sell you something. That unsavory use of the device still makes me flinch whenever I see one, as I instinctively feel I am being force fed an advertisement that I did not ask for.

I was trying to relate the perception that a brand new visitor to VPC might have. That first impression on the initial entry to VPC can make or break the site. Simple and elegant would be my choice, without distractions. Many first-time visitors might not stick around long enough to figure out the pop-up has a noble purpose.

I do suggest that you remove my posts from the General forum. I should have posted it in this beta thread.

Barry Echols

____________________

Greetings Barry:

Oh, no sweat. You're right, it isn't a big issue, but I think you'll find that here at the VPC, if we can find a good way to fix something, we will. That's one of the main advantages we have over our former Forum providers--we are in direct control over all of this stuff.

I fully understand where you're coming from regarding pop-ups. (Although they don't bother me as much any more since I stopped visiting those girlie sites!)

Seriously, yes, pop-ups are abused by many web sites, and as Jim pointed out, service providers. I also thank you for your recognition that our NOTAMs window is for informational and navigation purposes--not an advertisment to sell anyone anything. I personally don't think it's fair to group our use in the same catagory as others, but I am a realist and I can see that people are so shell shocked by majority of them that it does have the potential to send a negative first impression.

Nevertheless, I think we've taken the best option we've come up with so far. We've given the user the option to view them or not while not losing the ability to make announcements. Our overall vision about the VPC is we want to build a community here. Although allowing people whiz through the VPC without some knowlege of our state might be good for hit counts, I believe that a genuine community is more important that wham-bam-thank-you-mam visitors who won't spend the time reading a bit about what's going on here.

My personal opinion is that the kind of people that will appreciate what we're doing here and have to offer will take the time to look around and will not be turned off by a sole pop-up window. If a visitor is truly turned off to the VPC from that single window and never returns again, well, is that really some future community member material for us?

Well, that's my $0.25 on that.

Finally, thanks for giving us permission to remove your message from the main board. I think we have the ability to move threads between forums, so I'll give it a try. If that thread doesn't appear in this forum, well, that means I messed it up somehow. Wish me luck!

Ben