ShipSpotting.com Forum
Shipspotters all over the world => Site related news, functions and modules => Topic started by: Tomas on April 05, 2011, 02:34:31 PM
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When i joined this site, it was a small and tightly knit community.
As something grows, this may change, offcourse.
I would like to know what you woman and men of this site would like this place to be.
post quality, not quantity
Tomas
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Hi Tomas,
I am only since a few years with this site. When I started here I too had that same feeling.
That is all gone for me. I don't feel that strong bond anymore. The way this site navigates is no fun for me anymore. This all does not affect me anymore since I started making video's.
I hope this feeling will come back in the near future. Sorry I don't have any further sugestions
Have fun
Fred
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Well said Fred. I am not a photographer but use the site for other purposes such as ship-spotting picture references and I too find getting around this site somewhat more difficult than it was before. I do look forward to your videos though. Rgds jw.. :) :)
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Hello, interesting start, to read the above. I must agree, to be honest.
In the first time, it was so, that members were making comments to eachother's photos. It was a kind of friendly atmosphere and it was not always the same people who communicate with same people.
I think, here now there are many "groups" who just communicate inside groups, but have a bit of a problem, to simply use the comment function more often and say "nice photo, hope you had a good trip" - etc., some little starter for a community-feel. It's always the same folks, with the same folks. It's easy to notice, and I personally find it a big pity.
Also I miss one feature very much: The new posted photos are not visible long enough on the first site, it's always these favourites, which are very nearly often same and do not represent really what most members do upload. This was better on the old site, I think.
Apart from that, I am very satisfied with the new site, can't complain.
Greetings from Basel,
Cornelia
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Hi All,
We can't better say than with Fred his words, we only add some more: [Fred thanks for using them ;)]
When we started here (26-09-2005) we too had that same feeling, nice community not to big, and a great group with the same hobby, all like ships & shipspotting and all around.
That is all gone for both of us. We don't feel that strong bond anymore, since many nice friends have left the site already.
The way this site navigates is no fun for me us anymore.
This is also the reaons why we stopped our photo uploading on 31/12/2010.
We're still a member but our visits are less often.
Best regards,
Freger65 ;)
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The site has changed, true, but I cannot imagine that so many "old" members have changed in such a short term.
I think you do and have done a lot of good work for this site and for me you are Mr. Shipspotting.
Members who organize harbour trips are very welcome and the idea of these trips is now for the first time taking place at the other side of the big water.
That makes me come back to the site. When I logged into the old site, it was quiet easy to see what people had been doing that day and it was very easy to participate. The amount of clicks on the new photos for me seemed fair. Nowadays I feel "lost" on the site and the amount of clicks on new photos to me look somehow unfair.
Maybe I am to lazy to get to know the new site better, maybe I give it a new try when I have some more time. The unfair amount of clicks remains a problem.
I hope my English is not to crappy and understable for all.
Cheers Fred
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Hi All,
This is an interesting thread for me as i believe this could give the site's higher powers a real insight into the true mood of the members.
I have to say that as a member since 2007, when i remember a site that had little to no "infighting", and which was a real homely place to be. That as Fred has mentioned above has changed. I don't really know why that would be the case but feel that the site has gone down the road of being almost to flashy when in essence all people wanted/needed was a site that does the basics simply but well.
I myself don't see the need for co-orinates for example from your camera position to let others know where you took a photo, i find the description of where you took the photo more than enough for example! Likewise the facility to sort your album by popularity of photo or date is a great miss in my eyes and takes away the very purpose that this site was all about, posting a photo and seeing it grow in hits and stature.
I myself still post away when i can and that won't change as i feel sharing with others is an important way to see photos of shipping i will never see in Shetland, and likewise ships that don't venture outside of Shetland waters with others.
However this does not take away the problem of the coldness of this site at this moment in time...the answer to this?, i wish i knew, as this site is still a fantastic resource.
Perhaps it's a case of getting back to basics and not look towards over complicating things but as i said i don't know...
Cheers
Richard
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Interesting question Tomas and it will be good to see people's suggestions.
I too miss the 'atmosphere' that existed when I joined. But I suppose like many good things in life that is 'of the moment' and will change over time. I suppose it has to feel less personal because it is now so big and we can't all keep up with everything that is going on due to pressures of time.
But on the flip-side we must also appreciate that becoming bigger has allowed some positive changes to be made. Its all too easy to forget the times when it took forever to upload a picture, or indeed when it became impossible to do so for long periods at a time. That sort of thing I do not miss! And this was a regular problem which could have ended the site there and then.
So yes, things change. But with some helpful feedback to your question perhaps some more positive changes can be introduced.
As mentioned by Richard above, I also feel the inability on the new site to view one's own photographs in order of popularity etc. is a loss. It gave a good reference as to what was appreciated and what was not which acted as a good indicator in terms of what to photograph / how to photograph.
Best Regards
John J.
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Vision? The "vision thing" was once a major issue with a certain candidate for President of the U.S. Who actually won the election.
I find that under the "new" shipspotting I spend very little time on the site and do not upload many photos although I have several hundred that I have not posted yet. On the one hand it is a "time thing" and on the other hand I just do not have the urge to post photos or look at photos others have posted. I also do not feel the sense of community and friendship at the level that previously existed - I have seen members treated in a very uncivilized manner that has no place on this site or any other.
I used to view every photo taken each day and took great pleasure downloading photos I liked, making comments on photos I liked, having a little fun with the several members I became good friends with and enjoying seeing new members post spectacular photos-- now I rarely check the site. It is very easy to get lost or disoriented in trying to view all the day's photos.
I do not want to open a can of worms but some of the rules about posting are rather inane, at least to me. That may be part of things as well but I do not want to get another war of words going here--I circulate those photos elsewhere which means there is less time and interest in posting here.
As for my vision, I am so damn busy and so damn tired that my only vision is to make it through the day. I usually log on here when I am tired and want to relax and enjoy some decent ship photography (I am landlocked so do not have easy access to ships without traveling). So my only vision is (1)to have a continuously unending stream of ship photos.
One thing I do appreciate is the freedom of speech so far enjoyed on this site although sometimes it has been taken advantage of, myself included. It is nice not to be censored. Freedom of speech includes the opportunity of making a complete fool of oneself and that is often painfully entertaining when it happens!
The old grouch Magogman has spoken.
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As a viewer of thi site since 2005 I and found it excellent in every facet.The quality of the subscribers such as Tomas for maritme photography and Fred for his video input, have given me great pleasure and so have the many other subscribers. The maritme information available on the site and general information have also been more than usefull.As a retired
Chief Engineer the site has given me an armchair view of the world I still miss.I wish to thank every body associated with the management and administration of the Ship Spotting site.I hope in the near future to submit photographs to the site, when my photographic skill
and ability improves.
All the very best to all SHIPSPOTTERS.
Fernley James Harris.
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It,s to bad some of you " site oldsters" are getting a bit peeved with this fantastic site. I arise every morning & am so very greatful to be able to sit here & access this beautiful site, which is so freely given & has become part of my life. I am not a photographer but a 71 yr. man who spent sometime at sea & from a child right up to now, have always loved the sea & everything related to naval life. I,ve sailed tankers. cruise ships , bulkers, tugs & just about "the works" & would still be doing so but for age. Any oppurtunity i get i spend a lot of my time trying to access any means to communicate with the beautiful sealife & it,s ways , means & it,s people & have found "SHIPSPOTTING" to be a fantastic way to do this. For god sake if you are looking for perfection go & search elswere as there is no such thing in this life. To you administrators, i say from as deep as my heart will allow thank you so much for this site. I hate to start naming names, but fred vloo has for one made my life such a better one with his videos & a lot more of you people have brightened my life also. Keep positive & thanks so much. "BOB".
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Hello All
I am menber of Shipspotting since the year 2005, I used to post all my photos in this site, as well as, to maintain a very friendly dialogue with another friends in this site, however all this changed with the new standars and rules for photos, which of course I respect but I do not agree at all, therefore I downloaded all my photos in February 2010 and now I visit the site from time to time.
Kind Regards
Tomislav Raymondi.
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My vision is,
you can view only photos on shipspoztting no copy, if you want to copy them you have to get permission.
If that will happen I will spot again my pictures. Actually I show only a very small number.
I like the meeting and the trips as STEVO makes at the moment and my wishes are that there will be more in other europe harbours to see the best places and to meet my friends
I agree with Cornelia that the photo show on the other side was much better.
The site has changed it is less personally and the comments on the forum are much less.
Tomorrow I will be again in Hong Kong I hope I can spot another gigant.
Peter-Xylad
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:) I have been surfing to this site over the last several years. I just uploaded some photographs for the first time yesterday. I live in Maryland very close to the Chesapeake Bay an the Delaware River and Bay. I was a Coast Station Radio Operator at RCA Chatham Radio WCC back in the early 80's. I enjoy seeing the ships transit the C and D Canal which I drive over on my way to and from work. I also like the International participation on this site to let folks contribute photos. I thank the Web Administrators for putting this site up.
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.....and I forgot something:
cancel the topic: random photo of the day
today everytime I looked on shipspotting I saw the same photo of the yacht Blue Moon. In which direction is this site going will the next random photo of the day will be a rowing boat!!!!
we are shipspotters and interested in maretime things but a yacht as random photo of the day ?
Sorry Mac this is not your fault you are quite a good shipspotter
Peter- Xylad
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Peter,
Blue Moon is a 60 metre superyacht, so has every right to be on shipspotting.com. However,I have yet to see a 60 metre rowing boat.
Brgds
Phil
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Phil
I have not seen one, but I remember reading about the Phoenicians, Greeks, etc who had rowing boats over 60 meters ;D
Never say never! ::)
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I think you might be right Magogman, but I can say without a doubt that we will not be seeing any photos here from the ancient Greek era. For one thing, there is no category to post them to ;D.
Brgds
Phil
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but not as random photo of the day !!!!!!!!!!!! shown on the whole day
a yacht is a yacht and a playmobile.
peter
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but not as random photo of the day !!!!!!!!!!!! shown on the whole day
a yacht is a yacht and a playmobile.
peter
That's the whole point Peter, it's randomly generated by the software. We can't pick and choose which photos are selected. I think it's a bit selfish to suggest removing the random photo feature just because you might not like the subject matter. On the other hand, my personal view is that the feature does not serve too much purpose, so I would not lose any sleep if it was discontinued.
Brgds
Phil
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you got it that is the exact problem, we loses space for photos which someone upload at the moment.
Good night actually I'm in Hong Kong form my hotel I can overview the harbour a lot of space for tomorrow. Let us see what MSC and Maersk will send. 5 berthes are free and at the 6th there is a HOEGH Car carrier and uploades cars at a container terminal where are 6 cranes free
Peter
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Peter, good job you won't be watching later, otherwise you might just spot a photo I will be uploading of a superyacht that I took today. ;D
Brgds
Phil
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Good morning Peter.
Well, no visions in this post.
Just want to call your attention to the fact, that Maersk
has already sent something to Hong Kong.
To be more specific exactly 39% of that Hoegh Autoliner you
saw last night (which equals the Maersk share of this
Norwegian/Danish outfit) ;).
Niels
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Hello, now we have it: It is not here, as it used to be ;D !!!
But now ? Do we want it to stay like this ? Or do we want it to change ?
If we want it to change, I think it is time to come up with IDEAS and then forward them to the technical guys, perhaps they can help us with something.
I have also been thinking, what I do miss here, and what stops me from keep in contact with more members.
I remember very well on the old site you were able to see all recently uploaded photos. I could for example in the evening see all photos which were uploaded during the day, and for example I know, a new ship comes to Hamburg, I check the photos taken that day, I might find some, takent here, and I can make a comment. Or photos from anywhere else.
Now, it is just boring, because some people seem to cheat with hits - always the same folks with their TOP RANK photos on first site ? Until they get bored by this themselfes too ?
So my wish would be, to get this feature of seeing recently uploaded photos again.
Anyone else ? ;)
Greetings
Cornelia
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I agree Cornelia. Why all these silly functions. The old site worked fine. If it AINT BROKE DON'T FIX IT. Rgds,Ken
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I agree Cornelia. Why all these silly functions. The old site worked fine. If it AINT BROKE DON'T FIX IT. Rgds,Ken
The trouble is Ken, the old site didn't work fine. It was broke and needed fixing. That said, it doesn't mean that improvements shouldn't be made to the new version, but at least there is the capability to do that now, which with the old software, there wasn't
Brgds
Phil
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My Dear Mr.English: What I was refering to was the 'User Friendliness" of the Old Site VS the New. I was not interested in the 'Computer Geek's' analysis as I was responding to Cornelia's comment,and I await her reply. Thankyou nevertheless for your two cents worth. Regards,Ken ;D
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Well I'm hardly a "computer geek" Mr Watson, but the fact remains that without the switchover to a new software platform, the site would very probably not exist now. Some people may not like the new site, just as they may not like the latest TV, mobile phone, or ship design! Others do. I'm one of those that do, in fact, I find this version more user-friendly than the old version. But you are probably not really interested in that either ;)
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To nobody in particular: One thing I have noticed about the site is the abruptness of certain administrators. This site was built by the membership,who deserve a degree of respect, it seems this has gone adrift since the changes were made. Technical changes are one thing to contend with,but high handedness to the point of rudeness by some have been it seems, prevalent on here since the changes were made.It is not a surprise that many members have left,or reduced their inputs here since the sale of the site. Quite a shame to see such a wonderful community disband.Having spent years in the company of men in cramped quarters (vessels) one learns to regard others as one would wish to be regarded. Maybe this SHIP could be made to operate that way,or is this just wishful thinking on my part. Regards,Ken
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You are quite right Ken, the members do deserve a degree of respect. But of course respect is a two-way thing. I always work on the pinciple of giving as good as I get. If people show me courtesy and respect, I will show the same. Sadly, the admin team and webmasters have all too often dealt with ignorance, abruptness and abuse from a small minority of members, but I am not going to dwell on that. There will always be disagreements with a membership as large as this but I have made some good friends here and I am grateful for that.
Brgds
Phil
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I agree Cornelia. Why all these silly functions. The old site worked fine. If it AINT BROKE DON'T FIX IT. Rgds,Ken
Hello Ken,
it is nice, that you agree with me. But I did not mention silly function, but I have been thinking about, where does the new website make it MORE DIFFICULT than the old site for members, to keep in contact ???
So I actually did think back to the old site, and I remember, that after a long workday I often did browse, the latest photos taken. It was possible, to see all photos which were taken that day - or before.
This way, I was able to see WHO did upload WHICH photo, for example today, for example last weekend. This way, I was able to see: Which ships came to Hamburg ? To Rotterdam ? Elsewhere ? And I am able to say something to fellow shipspotters like "good weather in Hamburg last weekend and nice photo of new Maersk...whatsoever". It does sound superficial, but such messages, make the bond of members strong.
Now, this is not possible anymore, or very hard, and I do miss this feature.
I talk about THIS feature. Perhaps, some of you think of other features which made it easier ? I think, we should come straight to the point, and NAME things we would like to have different, rather than saying "silly features" and things, which do not really lead to a solution. I have also forwarded my previous written message to Mr. H. Soderberg, and a link to this discussion. Perhaps we can help the tech-guys to make this site a better one ? But they need examples !
I am usually VERY good at swearing about new sites, new applications etc., as it's not really my thing. I like it simple and easy. But, I did get along with this site, it's no problem to upload photos, and no problem to read comments, write PM's and that. Site is quick, and relieable, as well. No complaint here. Also admins.. I quit this, because of constand firing by some members and private reasons. I personally, did not yet receive unfair and rude treatment by admins here, they are an experienced team who try only make their job good.
So.. ideas ideas ideas !!! How can this site be made a better one ? :-)
Greetings,
Cornelia
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I think that you should reduce the number of pages that the contributers can look through. At 12 images a page , it can take quite a while to look through all your pictures. Maybe about 36 images a page would suffice. I don't know how technically difficult it would be but this would be more user-friendly. I have also noticed that individual image titles have not been checked , one of my photos has a title that has nothing to do with the image uploaded. I have reached my 150th upload on this wonderful site and you are quite correct to change the category if the contributer chooses the wrong one , as long as you let them know.
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EJFH272, We would rather members corrected their own mistakes, if they realise that they have done so. Mistakes are easily made, but it's impossible for admins to spot them all. There are a huge number of uploads every day and we cannot monitor them all 24/7, but those errors we do spot are corrected. Unfortunately it is not always possible to contact members individually when corrections are made because we do not have the time. We are simply volunteers with lives outside of shipspotting.com :-)
Brgds
Phil
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G'Day All
I just wanted to put my 10 cents worth in about the site.
I love posting images here, and I must admitt, I get a kick knowing that people around the world enjoy them too.
I do have one comment to make about the new website though, the one function I'd like on this site, that the old site had, were the red and green arrows that sorted the images from most to least popular and vice versa. I found that function most useful, as it gave me ideas in what type of photo was good, or bad.
Just a thought ;D
Battlestar
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...the one function I'd like on this site, that the old site had, were the red and green arrows that sorted the images from most to least popular and vice versa
it is not only "most popular" order setting option, that should be brought back, but also sorting according to other criteria (as it was in old website) - date of adding the photo and others...
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I would like to thank all those that has replied.
I think there are signs of a more positive trend, with many new members.
What i dont understand, or wish was different, is the collosal amounts of shots posted at once, i mean, i have looked at new photos, very nice, top of the line shots, that NEVER got more then.... Yeah, very little amounts of hits.
I may miss the sharing, and camaraderie, but i wish shipspotting.com all the best in the future
Myself is stepping down a little. There are only so many angles on the bridge, haha!
Have a nice spring/summer.
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A Very good remark from Peter Schneckenburger,
"You can view only on Shipspotting,no copy.If you want a copy you have too get permission."
In the past a lot of members have been annoyed too see their photos appear on other web-sites where someone else basks in the glory of something they have stolen from here,where the photographer gets no recognition for their talents or protection from theft.too say you have copyright is not enough,this web-site should be protecting it's members work that they have put onto Shipspotting.com.After all without the Members & their photos you have nothing.
I have heard members say in forums,they don't have time too reply too all requests,COME ON. are any of us that Famous in there hobby that they are inundated with that many request that a simple reply cant be made.or perhaps they just don't want their photos ending up in collections all over the world without a note under it too say who took the photo,at the end of the day a lot of it comes down too common courtesy.
Also there are disgruntled members who have deleted their entire Albums from here, maybe these people will start too upload again.
Regards: Wayne ( Skain )
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...the one function I'd like on this site, that the old site had, were the red and green arrows that sorted the images from most to least popular and vice versa
it is not only "most popular" order setting option, that should be brought back, but also sorting according to other criteria (as it was in old website) - date of adding the photo and others...
Hi all,
- To those whom it may concern, I'm writing this as a member of Shipspotting.com and not as an admin. -
Yesterday I got (again) very critical feedback from a friend of mine whom I had given a link to my photos on Shipspotting.com. He was most annoyed about the very limited way he could view my photos, not enough per one page and basically no way of sorting them, only by categories. His bottom line was: "It's a total waste of time to upload these huge amounts of photos when the album's structure is from the 1990's, we are living 2011 now, and the way the photos are uploaded, they will get lost in the site's labyrinth and no one can find them."
I couldn't say more than it's not my fault and I can probably do nothing about it. I tried to convince him there's a developer working on it and maybe one day, one day...
Cheers,
Aleksi
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Hi,
I'm following this thread as we all (admins & webmasters) do, taking notes on priorities.
You should have noticed already that the "new photos" page got a few more options in how to view them and how many to see per page. Still a bit limited. This was launched for testing.
Obviously all new changes will apply to all photos, no matter when they were uploaded.
We now have a stable "cdn" functionality. CDN stands for "content delivery network". Our content is now served not only by the web server, but also other servers keeping local copies of data / information. The result from this is that the load time for a page with for example 100 or 200 thumbnails is improved A LOT. We felt it's no idea showing up to 192 thumbnails on a single page, if you have to sit and wait for them anyway.
This basic functionality will soon be available for all search options and various ways you browse the images on the site.
The member search makes it easier to find photographers, but photographers and ships (instead of currently photos only) will get their own customized search features, separated from photo only details.
So, keep uploading, keep posting suggestions of changes and keep watching for the new features =) Without input from photographers, members and visitors we're just making qualified guesses on what you want to happen on the site.
Thanks all!
Regards,
Henrik