It’s been a while since I’ve done a post about some general site and Web updates.
On In the Loop Podcast for Intimidator Talk
After Carowinds announced Intimidator for 2010, I was invited to join the In the Loop Podcast to discuss the new ride with the hosts and Danielle Swords, Public Relations Manager from Carowinds. I had fun doing it even though it was hard to know when to talk because we couldn’t see each other. It’s a show for grown ups and there is some adult language, so I won’t link to it here. But, you can find it at Blog Talk Radio. It’s the September 1st episode.
Williamsburg-Yorktown News Article on Busch Sale
When the Busch-Blackstone deal was announced, I was interviewed for my take on the story by the Williamsburg-Yorktown Daily News. Read the full article here: “Relief, Enthusiasm Over Busch Gardens Sale”
A Groundbreaking, Earth Shattering, Jaw Dropping New Endeavor
You may have noticed the ‘Help Wanted’ links on the site. I’m still looking for help from anyone who would like to work on a new theme park news site. There’s nothing like it on the Web (at least in the theme park world) and I’m really excited to launch it. If you like to stay on top of the latest theme park news and like to write, go here to learn more.
Follow Me on Twitter!
I was skeptical at first, but I’ve enjoyed using Twitter this year. Sometimes, I don’t have time for a new post and it’s a great tool to share my thoughts on things or share cool links/tweets from others. It’s also been fun tweeting micro reviews during my theme park trips this year. Every once in a while I sneak in some non-theme park related tweets. Like my new found appreciation for Hall & Oates “I Can’t Go For That.” I currently have over 290 followers. Help me break 300! Follow me on Twitter.
Be a Good Commenter
I’ve never posted an official policy on comments, but I’ll be working on a few new disclosure/policy pages this winter. Until then, here are a few simple guidelines. No swearing. No personal attacks. Make sure your comment is about the post. And do not post as different people. Follow these simple rules and I’ll approve your comment. For the most part everyone does a good job of following the rules and I love all of the interaction and discussion.
What’s Your Take?
Got any general feedback on the site or these updates? Leave a comment below.
Coaster Critic 
42 responses to “General Site & Web Updates”
Does this "new website" have any thing to do with the eleven 99 thing, by any chance?
I'd help, but I can hardly use a flashdrive for all my computer skills. I'm amazed that I figured out how to post.
id like to do the website, but i dont like using email, so please dont use this one!
Hey, C.C., could you be a little more specific about what kind of help you need for the site? Is it programming stuff, or forum moderators, writers, editors, etc? Sounds awesome to be able to help do something like that. I think I could make a good editor, as I can show right now in the following example: The Hall and Oates song you mentioned above is called "I Can't Go for That", not "You Can't." Ha!
"You Can't Go For That" was the remix. 🙂 As you can see, I could use the help. I'm so busy sometimes I can't even re-read my posts before publishing. I'll email you details Austin.
what about some one who could set up polls, im pretty sure i could do that
Nice idea, QB3. Maybe I can look into doing something new and different with polls. If I find a way to integrate them into the site, you're first in line as my Poll Administrator.
ill be the southern dude… im pretty up 2 date with that kind of stuff
Thanks CC,
P.S-JaMeS, did your computer crash again, or is that someone else?
Hey C.C., I would definitely be up for helping you at your new site. Just send me an email with details ( on what I can help do…write, edit, etc.). Thanks for your consideration, and your hard work on this site and endeavor in the future.
i got a new lap-top, so it changed my icon
Question for CC: Is there any way to make more than 5 "Recent Comments" visible (right-hand column)? On days that there is heavy traffic on the site (yeah!), I feel like I might be missing out on some comments.
I was just thinking the exact same thing Judy P!
Oh and TCC I would like to help out any way possible so if theres anything you need done I can help out!
I'd be beyond happy to help.
Also, i would like to write blogs and be a forum moderator if that's what you need. I am also willing to do something else, but i think that I would be better in those positions.
Grr, when it comes to a posting code of conduct, can we do something about double posting! It drives me nuts!
Judy & Schwarz, the sidebar now shows the 10 most recent comments. And for those of you who expressed interest in the site, you'll be receiving an email with details shortly.
Thanks!
Way to go, Joel … that was QUICK!! I think it's a great compliment to you that you are getting so many responses to your posts. It's also a compliment to your readers/responders that we enjoy sharing each others comments.
Yeah, it's great having so much discussion. I've even thought about adding a message board so people could start topics of their own and interact more, but I don't think that I could manage it. Maybe the Eleven 99 announcement will change things……
What about adding a place where we could suggest topics. Right now, suggestions are sometimes given within existing threads. You wouldn't have to act on all of them, but it might givee you some ideas.
You're right, Judy P! Doing something like that would be a fantastic addition to the site.
I agree that would be a great idea. So, here's a shiny new Discussion Page for suggestions and off topic comments. If your comment does not have a 'home', you've got a general suggestion, or there's no good place for it to go right now, please use this page. There's a link to it in the footer and I'll be adding another one to the side bar when I get around to it.
great idea with the sidebar thing, its realy useful.
You just got 300 followers.
5 days to the 11-9-9 anouncment CC, serioiusly, do you know anything about it, and if so, how would it make a change to the site.
Yep Tom, I broke 300. Thanks to those who answered the call.
QB3, I can't reveal anything just yet. 4 more days and you'll get all the details…
is it coaster or site related.
Both 🙂
a big coaster, theme park review page, and tickets to go with you 2 carowinds
Do you mean coaster and site as in this is a coaster site or dose a theme park have news you know about and theyre going to unviel at the time that you are going to update the site. as in, you chose to update the site and a theme park chose to tell everyone some news on the same day.
or do you mean something else…
CC, is there a way for you to get to an article easier without hoping there's a comment on the article on the sidebar? Just a thought.
CFC, what type of article are you looking for? There's the search box and the second row of navigation across the top that categorizes the posts.
Quil, you'll know everything in just a few days. Even sooner if you're Facebook fan or Twitter follower. I'm giving them the big reveal a little earlier. Just so you know the post will be up early Monday morning. One of your guesses is pretty close. That's all I can say.
I'm just talking about various places on the the site. Just a way to get around faster. Is there any way you could do that? That would help, since my computer is SLOW.
Sorry, CC. Just to clear things up, when GroovyDude asked about the "Your comment is awaiting moderation" sentence, that was really me. I just didn't want to look like an idiot. And I didn't read the part on this article about Be A Good Commenter until just now. Sorry for that.
i thought the groovydude thing was someone who was just joking around, i mean like pretend your a hippie. just like a joke.
It was, sort of. I was trying to find out something and make a joke. There was a method to my madness. Ha!
CC, what happened to the discussion page? Why did you take it down?
He moved it here http://www.thecoastercritic.com/forum
Now we have LOTS of space for discussions and we can keep them organized by topic so people don't get confused. Go check it out. We need more contributors!
It wasn't working with the upgrades I did to the site. But like Judy pointed out the Forum is better anyway as it's better organized. Let me know if you need something from discussion page.
Oh that's okay. I was just wondering what happened to it. I mean, have you ever heard of the phrase "Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow"? That what the discussion page felt like.
Yes, but now no one's using the forum anymore.
yeah, it wasn`t up for too long.