Advice for my website: timelines and comprehensiveness
May 29, 2010 8:11 PM Subscribe
How can I improve my political action site?
I registered Revoke BP's charter a few weeks ago, and I'm struggling for ideas on how to keep it up to date while not being overwhelming. I want to keep facts simple and straightforward, but maintain a comprehensive timeline of BP, Transocean and Halliburton's actions.
If you also have general advice for the site I'd be grateful to receive it as well.
I registered Revoke BP's charter a few weeks ago, and I'm struggling for ideas on how to keep it up to date while not being overwhelming. I want to keep facts simple and straightforward, but maintain a comprehensive timeline of BP, Transocean and Halliburton's actions.
If you also have general advice for the site I'd be grateful to receive it as well.
Response by poster: Well, I'm not sure if it's a manifesto in the strictest definition, but I do want to set up an argument or declaration in semi-formal sense.
I see what you're saying about the color. I wanted it to look a little like an oil sheen itself, but it is probably hard to read.
posted by boo_radley at 8:37 PM on May 29, 2010
I see what you're saying about the color. I wanted it to look a little like an oil sheen itself, but it is probably hard to read.
posted by boo_radley at 8:37 PM on May 29, 2010
One suggestion: On the right side, under Take Action, it's not clear at first that the "Write you Congress members" (you have a typo there, btw) and the "Track the oil spill's progress online" sentences are separate links. Maybe put a space between them?
posted by amyms at 8:43 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by amyms at 8:43 PM on May 29, 2010
oops, I made a typo myself... Write your* Congress members
posted by amyms at 8:46 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by amyms at 8:46 PM on May 29, 2010
The text is hard due to the background image, so you should get rid of photo.
It contains several statements that I'm not sure are true. You should provide links to back up those statements.
posted by >> at 8:57 PM on May 29, 2010
It contains several statements that I'm not sure are true. You should provide links to back up those statements.
posted by >> at 8:57 PM on May 29, 2010
@boo_radley: I actually do this for a living (there's a whole number of businesses that do so). The design's OK, I suppose, though @Think_Long does have a good point about the font.
The first question that I'd ask you is: what's the action that you want people to take?
Writing elected officials is too generic; what do you want people to tell these elected officials? Clean the Gulf? That's too generic - everyone wants the Gulf to be clean, just like everyone likes kittens/puppies/America. So you narrow it down even further. &c. I don't want to sound harsh, so I'll stop there. Suffice it to say that there's a real art and craft to driving successful online actions.
What would I suggest? Well, you have a couple of options:
- Contract with an online communications film. This will cost you money, which I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you'd rather not spend (unless you have that kind of discretionary funding!).
- Contact one of the various progressive organizations that are beginning to mobilize around this disaster. That will, of course, depend on how independent you want to be. If you want to keep on doing your own thing, but are seeking advice, I can put you in touch with one of my old bosses, who was just down on the Gulf coast documenting the disaster for FireDogLake.
Yeah, I know FDL ain't that popular 'round these parts, but FDL's a pretty multi-faceted site. And what does it hurt to ask for advice? :-). This is assuming that you're down on the coast yourself.
MeMail me if you have more questions.
posted by arkhangel at 9:04 PM on May 29, 2010 [3 favorites]
The first question that I'd ask you is: what's the action that you want people to take?
Writing elected officials is too generic; what do you want people to tell these elected officials? Clean the Gulf? That's too generic - everyone wants the Gulf to be clean, just like everyone likes kittens/puppies/America. So you narrow it down even further. &c. I don't want to sound harsh, so I'll stop there. Suffice it to say that there's a real art and craft to driving successful online actions.
What would I suggest? Well, you have a couple of options:
- Contract with an online communications film. This will cost you money, which I'm going to go out on a limb and guess you'd rather not spend (unless you have that kind of discretionary funding!).
- Contact one of the various progressive organizations that are beginning to mobilize around this disaster. That will, of course, depend on how independent you want to be. If you want to keep on doing your own thing, but are seeking advice, I can put you in touch with one of my old bosses, who was just down on the Gulf coast documenting the disaster for FireDogLake.
Yeah, I know FDL ain't that popular 'round these parts, but FDL's a pretty multi-faceted site. And what does it hurt to ask for advice? :-). This is assuming that you're down on the coast yourself.
MeMail me if you have more questions.
posted by arkhangel at 9:04 PM on May 29, 2010 [3 favorites]
Spellcheck ! ("memebers" ? "saftey" ? "aggrivated" ?)
I'd also replace the background image with something else. It makes the text harder to read.
posted by agregoire at 10:01 PM on May 29, 2010
I'd also replace the background image with something else. It makes the text harder to read.
posted by agregoire at 10:01 PM on May 29, 2010
I'd want to what law or authority would allow the government to sieze BP's assets and/or dissolve its corporate status. And what sort of due process would be involved.
Also, I don't know why you think a liquidation is the best way to deal with the assets once seized. There are a couple big problems with this:
1) the process will be disruptive to business operations, which will impair value to some extent,
2) it may be difficult for potential buyers to raise the necessary capital to acquire these assets due to the economic situation generally and the shock to the industry this sort of plan would cause (in other words, the capital markets won't want to lend/invest money in an industry where the gov't has established a precedent like this),
3) there would likely to be a lot of temporary and permanent loss of jobs as the assets are divvied up and sold
Why not propose that the business be kept intact, but operated for the benefit of the US government and various other affected parties. You'd replace senior management, of course, but the rank-and-file could keep their jobs.
posted by mullacc at 11:01 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, I don't know why you think a liquidation is the best way to deal with the assets once seized. There are a couple big problems with this:
1) the process will be disruptive to business operations, which will impair value to some extent,
2) it may be difficult for potential buyers to raise the necessary capital to acquire these assets due to the economic situation generally and the shock to the industry this sort of plan would cause (in other words, the capital markets won't want to lend/invest money in an industry where the gov't has established a precedent like this),
3) there would likely to be a lot of temporary and permanent loss of jobs as the assets are divvied up and sold
Why not propose that the business be kept intact, but operated for the benefit of the US government and various other affected parties. You'd replace senior management, of course, but the rank-and-file could keep their jobs.
posted by mullacc at 11:01 PM on May 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
Other than the comment box at the bottom, the entire site looks like something I might have made in my 4th grade internet lesson in 1995. I agree with the message, but:
That vague, textured image as background is very difficult to read off.
Links should be in a different color from the text to draw attention to what they are and what they are promoting.
Agree with the advice to add <> and to use spellcheck.
The "Take Action" box should be way bigger and not shoved over into the little corner. I almost didn't see it and the only reason I did is because I went looking for the links someone here already posted about.
On a more subjective note, when I was going to Wikipedia to pick up some more information on this even I noticed that BP has been responsible for two other serious incidents in the last five years. I think somehow directing people's attention to the fact that this isn't the first time BP has done something atrocious will make them more likely to see what a continuing problem we have on our hands that needs to be fixed.
This is not in any way meant to degrade the importance of what you are doing. The widespread influence we can have on the internet makes it so much easier to take action where action needs to be taken, and I applaud your intent.
posted by Night_owl at 11:41 PM on May 29, 2010
That vague, textured image as background is very difficult to read off.
Links should be in a different color from the text to draw attention to what they are and what they are promoting.
Agree with the advice to add <> and to use spellcheck.
The "Take Action" box should be way bigger and not shoved over into the little corner. I almost didn't see it and the only reason I did is because I went looking for the links someone here already posted about.
On a more subjective note, when I was going to Wikipedia to pick up some more information on this even I noticed that BP has been responsible for two other serious incidents in the last five years. I think somehow directing people's attention to the fact that this isn't the first time BP has done something atrocious will make them more likely to see what a continuing problem we have on our hands that needs to be fixed.
This is not in any way meant to degrade the importance of what you are doing. The widespread influence we can have on the internet makes it so much easier to take action where action needs to be taken, and I applaud your intent.
posted by Night_owl at 11:41 PM on May 29, 2010
Also, Wikipedia is actually a pretty decent place to keep track of updates on the story.
posted by Night_owl at 11:43 PM on May 29, 2010
posted by Night_owl at 11:43 PM on May 29, 2010
You definitely need to change the site design. The oil sheen adds nothing to your message- it just detracts from it. You don't see Apple selling computers on a website with computers on the background. Make it normal, like every other site on the web.
Right now, your site comes off as fanatical and kind of loony. You'll want to specifically cite your statements from credible sources.
posted by unexpected at 12:51 AM on May 30, 2010
Right now, your site comes off as fanatical and kind of loony. You'll want to specifically cite your statements from credible sources.
posted by unexpected at 12:51 AM on May 30, 2010
First of all, thank you for taking a stand.
Some suggestions:
1) Use WordPress or similar CMS. Within minutes, you can have a standards-compliant website with clean design and legible text. By choosing an existing CMS/theme, you can focus all of your time and effort on your message and let the CMS do the rest. Maintaining an accurate time-line and replying to inquiries will take a lot of time. Do you really want to be coding the website and design by hand?
2) Go through your content with a fine-toothed comb and fact check everything. Make sure that every statement on your site is backed up by a credible reference. Provide links to reputable, third-party sources wherever possible.
3) Rewrite your message constantly for readability. If there's a simpler word you can use, use it. If there's a word you can erase, erase it. Rewrite, rewrite and rewrite again. Don't use a twenty dollar word when a five dollar word will suffice.
4) You need a specific call to action. It has to be something ordinary citizens can do right now with minimal effort but maximum impact. Contacting politicians is good but try to think of other things people can do.
For example, find out what businesses in the USA purchase oil or other by-products from BP. Ask your visitors to contact those companies and request that they stop buying from BP. If the companies refuse, boycott them until they do. It's not hard to switch brands or drive an extra few blocks to another gas station. It may not affect BP's bottom line noticeably but every time a person avoids a BP-related product/company, it reinforces the message. Action on a daily basis keeps memories fresh, passions burning and your message alive.
Good luck!
posted by stringbean at 2:36 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
Some suggestions:
1) Use WordPress or similar CMS. Within minutes, you can have a standards-compliant website with clean design and legible text. By choosing an existing CMS/theme, you can focus all of your time and effort on your message and let the CMS do the rest. Maintaining an accurate time-line and replying to inquiries will take a lot of time. Do you really want to be coding the website and design by hand?
2) Go through your content with a fine-toothed comb and fact check everything. Make sure that every statement on your site is backed up by a credible reference. Provide links to reputable, third-party sources wherever possible.
3) Rewrite your message constantly for readability. If there's a simpler word you can use, use it. If there's a word you can erase, erase it. Rewrite, rewrite and rewrite again. Don't use a twenty dollar word when a five dollar word will suffice.
4) You need a specific call to action. It has to be something ordinary citizens can do right now with minimal effort but maximum impact. Contacting politicians is good but try to think of other things people can do.
For example, find out what businesses in the USA purchase oil or other by-products from BP. Ask your visitors to contact those companies and request that they stop buying from BP. If the companies refuse, boycott them until they do. It's not hard to switch brands or drive an extra few blocks to another gas station. It may not affect BP's bottom line noticeably but every time a person avoids a BP-related product/company, it reinforces the message. Action on a daily basis keeps memories fresh, passions burning and your message alive.
Good luck!
posted by stringbean at 2:36 AM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
I would agree that, above all else, you need to be clear on what you want people to do. What am I supposed to tell my senator? And plenty of people are watching the webcam.
If it's sheer effectiveness you want, you need to go where actions are regularly taken. Your single web page is not going to create anything. For casual users go to Facebook and work on the Boycott BP page.
Daily Kos has a well-established network of activists who will take action. If nothing else, they aggregate data well; this, for instance, is just one diary.
One well-written Daily Kos diary or Facebook group will reach many, many more people than your website will. But, again, once you've reached people, what are you telling them? Think it through.
posted by argybarg at 7:38 AM on May 30, 2010
If it's sheer effectiveness you want, you need to go where actions are regularly taken. Your single web page is not going to create anything. For casual users go to Facebook and work on the Boycott BP page.
Daily Kos has a well-established network of activists who will take action. If nothing else, they aggregate data well; this, for instance, is just one diary.
One well-written Daily Kos diary or Facebook group will reach many, many more people than your website will. But, again, once you've reached people, what are you telling them? Think it through.
posted by argybarg at 7:38 AM on May 30, 2010
Honestly, the image in the background doesn't look like an oil spill to me. It just looks like a gray mess. And the yellow text makes the site hard to read.
You need a BOLD look. If it were my site, I'd design something dead simple and powerfully bold. Like this (for example).
You want Bold design!
Bold text!
Make a bold statement!
posted by 2oh1 at 12:15 PM on May 30, 2010
You need a BOLD look. If it were my site, I'd design something dead simple and powerfully bold. Like this (for example).
You want Bold design!
Bold text!
Make a bold statement!
posted by 2oh1 at 12:15 PM on May 30, 2010
Again, I just want to say that the text is so hard to read. I've now looked at the page a few times, but I can't force myself to actually read it.
The hard part about a site like you want to build is that it's more work than you realize. For example, your take action section.
"Take Action
Write your Congress memebers.
Track the oil spill's progress online"
Due to the design, it's not apparent that either of those statements is a link, and it's definitely not clear that they're actually two separate links. And really, saying "Write your congress members" is filler. You need to link to a page with a letter people can use as an example for what specifically to say to their congress members. At least give some organized talking points. AND, you should post links to each congress person, organized by state.
You want people to take action, but people are lazy. If you don't make it dead simple, they won't do it. If you want them to take action, you need to do the vast majority of the work for them.
Also, you need to make sure everything you're saying is accurate and true because it makes your site look foolish if it isn't, and it belittles your cause.
posted by 2oh1 at 12:27 PM on May 30, 2010
The hard part about a site like you want to build is that it's more work than you realize. For example, your take action section.
"Take Action
Write your Congress memebers.
Track the oil spill's progress online"
Due to the design, it's not apparent that either of those statements is a link, and it's definitely not clear that they're actually two separate links. And really, saying "Write your congress members" is filler. You need to link to a page with a letter people can use as an example for what specifically to say to their congress members. At least give some organized talking points. AND, you should post links to each congress person, organized by state.
You want people to take action, but people are lazy. If you don't make it dead simple, they won't do it. If you want them to take action, you need to do the vast majority of the work for them.
Also, you need to make sure everything you're saying is accurate and true because it makes your site look foolish if it isn't, and it belittles your cause.
posted by 2oh1 at 12:27 PM on May 30, 2010
You should just do it as a Facebook petition. The Internet is too big and full of alternatives for people to stumble on or rally around a page like this, however beautifully designed it could become.
posted by thelastenglishmajor at 1:05 PM on May 30, 2010
posted by thelastenglishmajor at 1:05 PM on May 30, 2010
In addition to spell check (it's punitive, not "punative"), proofread, proofread, proofread. There is missing punctuation and in the second to last paragraph, it should read "forfeited" not forfeit. There are a bunch of other errors, so you may want someone to double check your grammar.
Poor grammar will weaken your message.
posted by murrey at 1:12 PM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
Poor grammar will weaken your message.
posted by murrey at 1:12 PM on May 30, 2010 [1 favorite]
One more thing...I agree with mullacc that you need some legal authority to dissolve BP and distribute its assets as you suggest (and I agree with mullacc that keeping the business intact is probably a better solution).
While there may be some specific legal authority out there that provides this remedy in the case of an oil spill or other massive disaster caused by a corporation, I am not aware of the ability of the government to do what you request in general--due process, blah, blah.
posted by murrey at 1:24 PM on May 30, 2010
While there may be some specific legal authority out there that provides this remedy in the case of an oil spill or other massive disaster caused by a corporation, I am not aware of the ability of the government to do what you request in general--due process, blah, blah.
posted by murrey at 1:24 PM on May 30, 2010
Response by poster: Thank you all for your advice. It's just the kick in the ass I needed to get really motivated.
I've installed wordpress, and gotten a good and austere theme installed.
Working on getting Simile timeline installed as well.
For various reasons, I don't plan on joining facebook, etc. I appreciate the point that the support would be great in existing communities, but it's just not something I'm going to do.
posted by boo_radley at 4:33 PM on June 4, 2010
I've installed wordpress, and gotten a good and austere theme installed.
Working on getting Simile timeline installed as well.
For various reasons, I don't plan on joining facebook, etc. I appreciate the point that the support would be great in existing communities, but it's just not something I'm going to do.
posted by boo_radley at 4:33 PM on June 4, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'm not sure what this site is for, is it a manifesto type statement? Or is it a full summary of the situation?
posted by Think_Long at 8:30 PM on May 29, 2010