New MHR Website:

Well Phil you are entitled to your opinion just as I am entitled to mine. However I refuse to start an argument with you as I know that you care about the railway, just do not keep it to yourself thats all.

Regards
Chris

 

And with quite frankly pointlessly small images that are of no use to anyone. I can only repeat what i said a month ago:

And before anyone says to get into contact directly with the person in charge of the website, i have done so in the past only to be ignored. I was even ignored when i sent in pictures last year. I am assuming there are people who are at least involved with the MHR if not involved with the website side of things in some way responding to this thread, so perhaps they could pass the message on from someone who is a customer of the railway...?

I also cant see the logic in waiting 3 weeks to post the shots of the cab lift of the Black 5, surely there was time to upload a few pics sooner of what now seems rather old news?

 

Good point, and I notice that when pete waterman visited Ropley last Wednesday the news and piccies went on the website that very day.

Hmmmmmm

Regards
Chris

 

I would like to add something regarding this and posting pictures. I have been slightly berated by the Marketing Manager in conversation about other matters via email as I dont send pictures in for use on the web site.
Unfortunately his tone was not quite what I would expect and I did point out to him that I ALWAYS send stuff to John Elliott at the Mid Hants News.
I sent pictures to the website only to see them down sized smaller than the others in what was a rather poor Gallery of Camera phone shots and others that we have had conversation in this forum before.
So will I send any again. Not Until some changes are made regarding the display of photos.
However The Mid Hants news will always get some.
Frustrated of Winchester .

 

Yes that was interesting.

I would also back those who suggest that the pics are too small to be of any value.

i think that with most people running their screens at a resolution of at least 1280*1024 or 1920*1080, that 1024*768 should be the minimum size when clicked on. Sadly nowadays we dont seem to get the option to view a larger image.

The old chestnut, about loading times is rubbish, as most have broadband connections of 2meg minimum, and a 1024*768 image will be compressed down to 100/300K, retaining good enough quality for web use.

 

I also want to know what idiot decided to publish the photo of 9f on goods train in centre spread of current issue, its not good its blurred.

 

Actually that wasn't what i was doing. Although i do miss the original website i was commenting on the stupidly small images on the loco shed page, they are of no use to anyone. And of course as has been pointed out, the Pete Waterman thing was uploaded pretty instantly (yes i realise it's a big thing for the railway), yet loco related news has a delay on it. Sort of gives the impression the locos aren't as important even though they form a huge part of the railway!

 

Please let me point out that the Mid Hants News is run by the Mid Hants Pres Society and has its own Co Editors . And Nothing to do with the Corporate Website.
So pictures submitted to there are submitted to them rather than Watercress line PLC.
A forum on the Website isnt relevnt to the Mid Hants News . I havent seen this issue yet so cant comment on that particular shot.

 

A number of Heritage line websites serve a dual purpose, they are there for the general public, but in the menu you can select an "enthusiast" section.

Not rocket science.

46118

 

I 100% agree with you 46118 it is not rocket science and I understand that this it was the original intention to do it this way.

However it was not to be and it is now run be someone who has not got the time and experiance to operate the website this way.

The MHR website urgently needs another Tony Wood to satisfy the enthusiasts market otherwise in my opinion Tim Beere is going to fail through lack of "hits", this is self destructive.

Just my opinion although I would be grateful for any constructive feedback on my statement.

Many thanks
Chris:

 

A great example is the Gloucestershire and Warwickshire website. Decent enthusiast section but also very well laid-out for the general public to access.

As railway websites go, visually, the MHR's is certainly one of the best, but they really need to learn to find a happy medium between public and enthusiasts because both are important.

 

Sidmouth: As mentioned, the Glos-Warks have an "enthusiasts" section, as does the NYMR, and the Swanage have "Around the Railway" which takes you to details of the various departments and their work.
It is unfortunate that the "Loco Shed" part of the Mid-Hants site is not being updated very often, but maybe that is down to there not being many people around on a regular basis who happen to carry a digital camera.

I can think of a major Heritage line that we both know well in the Midlands that does not have an "enthusiasts" section, nor is there an "Unofficial" website like the excellent WSR one. There's a project for someone if so motivated.

46118

 

What about the Bluebell? In my view this one beats all the others, hands down.

 

That might change soon as the Webmaster may be moving because of his job.

Regards
Chris

 

Yes quite agree, I feel Richard Salmon does a superb job for the website.

 

Couldn't agree more Chris , though I think that the way forward is via a new unofficial website, with a committed volunteer given access and resources to put together a regularly updated website in the same mode as say SDRonline.org.uk.

I have made enquiries and www.mhronline.org .uk is a domain name that is currently available for £5.99 for two years. PM me for details.

The official website would remain as a mouthpiece for the Marketing Manager who ever that turns out to be, updated only when Ivor the Engine or Pete Waterman care to visit!