burningsquirrels
Member
my first impression of CZF was "very nice site, but *** is this yuku crud?" :-\
I personally can't stand Yuku, and would be more than happy to see it move to a VB backend (I'd even help do it!). Yuku makes things far to cluttered, and strikes me as being overly complex to administrate.
Traditionally, CZF has wanted to remain independent of CZ-USA and CZ-UB for reasons of objectivity, independence, etc. I think that attitude is still pretty common in the core membership, but the only way to find out is to ask...
The idea is to remain an independently ran and opinionated, but since there is rarely negative critique of CZ, I wouldn't see why being an affiliate of the CZ company would be an issue as long as they let the community leaders run it the way they see fit.
I think a more in depth and informative discussion about our intentions with CZ is needed to convince them that this project is good for both CZ and the community. I definitely think it would drive more people into the realm of CZ firearms if they could see a community established and backed.
As for the content work. That's a another whole ball of wax in itself. In order to provide the kind of content I was thinking about, there would need to be a staff dedicated to providing consistent and updated information on what's going on in the world of CZ. That means a Public Relations contact with CZ, companies who make parts and accessories for them and professionals involved in the shooting community.(Min. 5 writers, including a chief editor).
I haven't talked with anyone outside that post about it yet. If you'd direct them to the post, our discussion and see what their thoughts are about this project, I'd appreciate it. I'm a good web designer, but I'm know where nearly as knowledgeable as some of you guys about firearms and the CZ end of it specifically.
Here are my keys to making something like this work:
1. The CZ forum leaders need to acknowledge that a major change is needed and this is a good direction for the CZ online community to go.
2. If it is, then CZ, the company, needs to know about it and understand what its about, why we're planning to do it and how we plan to run it. More importantly, if CZ was willing to pitch in, proving we can get the project going, finish it and moderate it effectively to our independent standards. I can finish all the design work up, no problem, but my coders are going to want around $500-600 to complete it. (that's me getting a buddy deal, it would normally be over $1000 easy)
3. There needs to be financial incentive to writers and content contributors in researching, purchasing and providing quality content to the site. If the site is to make money to stay on top of things, it needs to have advertising, which I will provide the means to do. That revenue needs to be impartially and honestly kept to provide for the sites expenses. Also think about ways that members to can get incentives for contributing financially. (VIP Membership) Exclusive content, news letter, discounts, etc.
I'll add more later, but we're talking about going from just a forum of enthusiasts to a full blown "Official CZ Club and Information" site in my eyes. It's an undertaking that frankly, some may not have time to do unless they some benefit for doing so.
Let me know what you think and by all means, get this info to the right folks.
Alex "Zan" Gillis
zandog(at)gmail.com
GZOh said:Zan... you did a great job, made a great presentation and I'm sure, got alot of people thinking!! In reading your "keys to making this work"... it's obvious you've done this before and have good experience in this area. But it's also obvious that alot of things would have to be done/put into place to make YOUR CZ Forum concept work and become a reality.
GZOh said:I have no idea of the finances and money involved in operating and maintaining a site like CZ FORUM. But what I do know is, that these guys are true Gun Enthusiasts, they love the CZ product and are very committed to working with others of 'the like' to share experiences and the joys of CZ shooting.
GZOh said:BTW: I'm sorta 'semi-computer literate', can someone kindly explain what a 'YUKU' is??
armoredman said:Well, now, isn't this interesting. Very nice webpage pictured. Looks like the Guns and Ammo home page.
armoredman said:Zan, CZF was designed and created several years ago buy a gentleman who posts here as CZF. I took over last year. That board has always been run by and for CZ enthusiasts. This same gentleman has been running CZshooters for some time, as well.
armoredman said:If you want to float your own page, by all means, good luck.
armoredman said:As for CZ-USA, they have a link to us from their website. I speak to their sales and technical people quite often, and we have done quite a bit of reaching the web based community with advertisements and information since inception. I think a few people here may have seen a pic or two I have done over time.
armoredman said:Perhaps the product you offer is what they would like, I certainly don't work for the company, and cannot speak for them in any way.
armoredman said:Changes are underway at CZF, to streamline and improve our forum, and based on the number of new members we recieve every day, we must be doing something right. We are strictly donation based, as well, for those who can, and it is definately not a requirement for membership in any way, same as here. Keeping it simple keeps it inexpensive, and on my state salary, that's important.
armoredman said:I appreciate the support shown to CZF on this thread, thank you all very much, we try to remain the best niche in the Internet for all things CZ.
Best of luck, Zan.