Now that the new server is up and running I'm going to add some new features. One of the first ones will be a links directory for model railroads.
Most of you should be familiar with our model railroad supplier directory, which lists hobby shops, manufacturers and suppliers. If not, you can visit it here: http://www.modelrailroaddata.com/
That list is for commercial interests, and I'm going to add one for non-commercial sites as well. My problem is figuring out how to lay that one out. Some of the topics are easy, for example we'll have categories for sites on weathering and scenery and DCC etc.
Two areas are giving me fits though.
The first is the layout pages. Lots of folks have websites for their model railroads. My question is how to sort them? Do I sort them by scale? HO, N, O, S etc, or do I sort them by theme Mainline, Narrow Gauge, Logging, Current Era, Steam... What about multi-scale layouts, or ones that don't really have a theme? If I go by category, what about layouts that fit a couple categories. For example, a narrow gauge logger, does it go in narrow gauge or in logging?
I need to find a way to sort the hundreds of layout websites, but I'm kind of at a loss for the best way to do it. I need some suggestions on what would work best for the folks who'll use the directory, and that's you...
The same applies for general model train sites, you know the ones, they have a bit about the layout, and a couple general features, and maybe some shots of full size trains. No real theme or main subject. Do I lump those all together under "general" or is there a way to try and sort them out?
Please post your comments, ideas, and suggestions here. I'll use your input to help decide how to lay out the directory.
Most of you should be familiar with our model railroad supplier directory, which lists hobby shops, manufacturers and suppliers. If not, you can visit it here: http://www.modelrailroaddata.com/
That list is for commercial interests, and I'm going to add one for non-commercial sites as well. My problem is figuring out how to lay that one out. Some of the topics are easy, for example we'll have categories for sites on weathering and scenery and DCC etc.
Two areas are giving me fits though.
The first is the layout pages. Lots of folks have websites for their model railroads. My question is how to sort them? Do I sort them by scale? HO, N, O, S etc, or do I sort them by theme Mainline, Narrow Gauge, Logging, Current Era, Steam... What about multi-scale layouts, or ones that don't really have a theme? If I go by category, what about layouts that fit a couple categories. For example, a narrow gauge logger, does it go in narrow gauge or in logging?
I need to find a way to sort the hundreds of layout websites, but I'm kind of at a loss for the best way to do it. I need some suggestions on what would work best for the folks who'll use the directory, and that's you...
The same applies for general model train sites, you know the ones, they have a bit about the layout, and a couple general features, and maybe some shots of full size trains. No real theme or main subject. Do I lump those all together under "general" or is there a way to try and sort them out?
Please post your comments, ideas, and suggestions here. I'll use your input to help decide how to lay out the directory.