One Year Online
Feb 24, 2004Today marks the one year anniversary of coasterimage.com! Things like this screenshot from alexa.com make my heart go all a-flutter. That’s pretty good company to be keeping. And before you say it - yes, I know Alexa is far from perfect. However, it is the most reliable resource the average internet user has of knowing how internet traffic stacks up and it is certainly a good tool for comparisons among related sites - especially in a niche community such as roller coaster/amusement park sites. So I’m quite happy knowing that in one year I’ve taken this puppy from “non-existant” to “among the most popular”. The usual thanks to everyone who’s been visiting and passing the word along. I appreciate the fact that you all (or y’all) like what we’ve been doing here.
What’s in store for the next year? More of the same! The new camcorder I’ve been wonking about for the past 6 weeks indeed kicks ass and I’m really hoping to step up the video we offer in the next year. More videos with better quality. That sound fun, huh? We were just working out some possible trip itineraries and by the time this season winds down the photo gallery is going to be a hell of a lot bigger and farther reaching geographically. If anything we could say we’re going into “sniper mode” for 2004. We’ll still do big sweeping trips taking out as many parks at a time as possible, but I see more “pick and choose” trips happening this year than in the past. Little day trips (or two day trips) just nabbing a smaller or more isloated park and coming back. Guerrilla style! Make sure you keep an eye on this year’s schedule page - I’ll be updating it as the info is finalized and that’s also where you’ll find all of this season’s “personal” photos if you’re the sort to be interested in the people behind this site. And who knows, maybe our path crosses yours. A quick hello is always welcomed. In fact, we’ve just confirmed South Florida for the end of March and I’ll know next week at this time if the West Coast trip is a go or not.
As far as the site right now. I said it before, but we’re sort of running on cruise control. I’ve been doing smaller updates and am always tweaking things behind the scenes to keep everything nice and neat, but as far as a full blown gallery update goes - you’re looking at next month. I’ve also been spending some of this slow time working with a few of the programs I use. I’ve discovered some new things that will increase productivity/quality for future work. So even though you’re probably thinking “Sheesh! When are those coasterimage idiots going to do something?” - I’m constantly on the ball. Whether it be trip planning, site tweaking, buying new equipment, working with some of my software or even writing this goofy updates there always seems to be a little time each day put into keeping coasterimage.com moving forward. Keep checking back, year 2 should be a fun one.
Car Crushed at Disney
Feb 13, 2004(singing) Oh Mandy, well you came and you gave without taking…ahem. Sorry.
I figure if you’re going to sing (or type that you’re singing) it might as well be Barry Manilow, right? Good, we’re in agreement. I added a new special feature and it’s a story that not too many people have been told. Originally it was going to be called “I went to Disney World and all I got was a crushed car” but as I wrote it out, it made more sense with the title “I went to Disney World and all I got was a new car” - the second title makes more sense with the way I wrote the story, but I don’t like it because it makes the situation seem positive. In the long run it was, but there was nothing positive about a tree on top of my car at the time. Intrigued? Then go read it - it’s in the Special Features section of the site.
You might also want to check the RCT2 files. I added a couple of half-hearted designs. How’s that for an endorsement? At least I’m honest.
I can say with 99% confidence that we will be hitting Florida in late March. I won’t know about returning to the west coast for a few more weeks. Right now, I can’t say where we’ll be heading because each trip is kind of dependent on the other. In simple English - I don’t know how long I’ll be in Florida (and thus what parks I’ll hit) until I find out if the west coast trip is going to happen. At this point it just means new pics coming sooner rather than later.
And finally, the usual thanks to you guys buying merchandise. I say it every time, but I really appreciate the support. If you haven’t checked lately, be sure to take a look at the new “Shut Up & Ride It” stuff. It’s moving way quicker than I ever imagined. It seems you guys like a hint of deviant humor. I like that!
Talon Video, Stone Mountain Park Pictures
Feb 1, 2004Closing in on one year of Coasterimage goodness. I decided to redesign the page header slightly. It’s pretty much the same, but I find it a tad more pleasing. I also redesigned some of the “uglier” pages, put the Talon video back online (for good) and finally added that special feature on Stone Mountain Park.
I’m not sure exactly what’s coming next. I’m still pounding out the details of both the South Florida and West Coast trips for March and I can say with 100% certainty that we’ll either hit one or the other…or neither…or both. How’s that for non-information? Best case scenario is you’re looking at as many as 6 new parks coming your way in April. Worst case scenario is a mean dog biting your ass…and no new parks in April. As soon as I know what’s going down you will too. That’s all I have for now.
