I have put up a new front page on the site announcing that we are going live Jan 18, 2006.
http://www.expertsrt.com/There are some things I had hoped to have in place before going live, but not everything I wanted is going to happen. There are members who are working on things but they have other commitments as well. This is just a Web site; and we need to keep our priorities straight. In some cases we have lost a few members because I am stubborn and want things done my way; so I will have to do them myself.
I think there are some who are getting tired of waiting. I hope none have given up on the site. It is going live. We have all we need, but not all we want. Many of you have shown a lot of faith in me and worked very hard to help me make this site a reality. I am doing my best to not let you down. I still need a lot of help in this last couple of weeks.
- If you see something that need to be done; let Sandi or I know.
- If you can help with what needs to be done; volunteer. You will get it dumped on you in a hurry. :wink:
- If you want to know about the status of a feature; ask. Some things are being worked on; some will not happen until after we are live; some may have been dropped or forgotten; some may be in the hands of a member with limited time; some might be waiting for you to volunteer your services. :glasses7:
- If you have content to go on the site; we need it now, if it is going to be ready for the live site.
- If you have not done a bio for the introduction pages; WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
For anything that is forum related please refer it to Sandi. She has full authority to deal with forum issues. For anything regarding the server, site, or general issues PM me; or better, yet post a thread and put HEY Cd& in the title.
I don't know what is going to happen after January 18. We might die like a lot of other sites; or we might be an instant hit. Somewhere in between I suspect. I am going to spend a little on targeted advertising, and hopefully we will do SEO well enough to get some hits off the search engines. For the site to be successful it must get links on other sites, and word of mouth (BUZZ) is the key to the launch.
- If you have a site please add a link.
- If you participate in forums that allow links in signatures please put us there; but please do not do anything other sites consider spamming.
- Of course recommending the site is a good thing.
I have and will continue to do everything I think I have to do to make this site work and be successful. If I was doing it alone, it would just be an ego bucket; little more more than a bloated blog.
I have tried not to put pressure on anyone in so far as helping on the site. After all everyone is a volunteer. Now I am going to pressure a little. If you want this site, and you want this site to succeed. You need to get involved in this last few weeks and give all the effort you can give; in time; in support; in work effort; and in promotion. It does not matter that something is not your specialty; if you can contribute to making the site better, and help with solutions between now and January 18 then focus on that and in the future when they talk about the sacrifices and contribution of the ERT site builders they will be talking about you.
That is the pressure. Talk is cheap. If all you have to offer is talk please save it up until after Jan 18. At that time talk will be of value in the forums, but right now those of us working on the site don't have time to listen and we might think you are a negative influence by wasting our time with suggestions and ideas you are ready to help make a reality.
To any who I have not said thank you to at appropriate times; I appologize. Sometimes I am too focused on what I am doing and don't pay enough attention to the folks who are trying to help me. You can smack me around after Jan 18, but for now let's do what we can to get this thing ready for the world.
Whatever happens with ERT; 2006 promises to be an exciting ride, and I find myself in great company for the trip; where ever it ends up going.
