The Iowa College Ad Project and Grassroots Web Portal - Chip-in Included

[D.A.S.]

Alright, I'm back.

I will clean up the site and release it this weekend as it stands now - I'm sick and sleepy right now.

why don't you just use http://ronpaulsocialnetwork.com - people are already using it, it looks pretty good.

That site looks nice! Is that yours one based on the Joomla?

I will release what we got this weekend on terms of the site we've been working on, and then we can see which site to advertise based on what functionality we have to reach directly to the users, ok?

 

[Eric21ND]

when is this running?

 

[parocks]

Alright, I'm back.

I will clean up the site and release it this weekend as it stands now - I'm sick and sleepy right now.



That site looks nice! Is that yours one based on the Joomla?

I will release what we got this weekend on terms of the site we've been working on, and then we can see which site to advertise based on what functionality we have to reach directly to the users, ok?

No, http://ronpaulsocialnetwork.com has nothing to do with me. Dusman gives his thumbs up to it. Apparently it's based on phpfox.com

I have quibbles about that site, this and that. But it's there, it's working, it has thousands of users. I'd call it very close to a facebook clone. It seems to have all the functionality of facebook. It seems to allow apps as well, like facebook does, so if someone is an app wiz, they can write an app that will work with that site.

If a functionality of that site seems missing, the app writer will be able to add that functionality.

Specifically, since I know what you were going for, I can say that you can create a page to that site, and direct everyone to that iowa college page.

 

[GeorgiaAvenger]

Only 260 more bucks needed? hell yeah

 

[D.A.S.]

We're ready to release our site.

Please understand that it isn't perfect, and it isn't as complete as we would have liked it to be at this point in time, but timing is coming due. We've had several setbacks - both personal and with development - but we've worked very hard to bring this project to where it is right now. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes efforts going into this that won't be apparent - from the standpoint of site design, development, and research. Additional functionality is still being developed by orenbus. Not all of the core features we've planned for are available yet but they will be eventually, when they will be needed.

We'd like people who are USA residents to start registering with the site, giving us your thoughts/feedback, and letting us know about any problems or concerns. As I've said in the past - this site is absolutely in no way a competition to Ron Paul Forums, as we do not include a forum component into the site. In fact, we include the link to Ron Paul Forums on our site.

Here is the web address for the portal:

www.ronpaulcountry.com

Thank you for your patience.

 

[69360]

Looks good, I registered and it's working, I show up on the map.

 

[D.A.S.]

Looks good, I registered and it's working, I show up on the map.

Thank you!

 

[lucent]

Looks nice. You should try a background that is white with the light blue lettering. I think it would look better and would give a less oppressive feel.

Also, you guys should do a targeted Facebook Ads and Google Ads run. You would reach a lot more college students than any magazine or newspaper.

 

[D.A.S.]

Looks nice. You should try a background that is white with the light blue lettering. I think it would look better and would give a less oppressive feel.

Also, you guys should do a targeted Facebook Ads and Google Ads run. You would reach a lot more college students than any magazine or newspaper.

Those are good suggestions.

As far as design, we were going for a war room type feel, so I envisioned a darker theme. We were fortunate to have the services of one graphic designer who volunteered to help with the site, as it certainly isn't easy to find people to work on this. Eventually, that graphic designer fell ill, so we never implemented the design concept to its full extent. We're definitely open to suggestions, though! If someone's willing to work with us to develop another graphic design template and help us implement it, then by all means, we can go at it. Otherwise, primary emphasis is on functionality right now.

As far as google ads and facebook ads, that's a good suggestion. I have not a clue about the rates for those. The reason for why we are targeting Iowa college kids is because they are Iowa residents, and we can hopefully get their contact info and get them onboard and be able to bring them into the grassroots fold.

 

[lucent]

Those are good suggestions.

As far as design, we were going for a war room type feel, so I envisioned a darker theme. We were fortunate to have the services of one graphic designer who volunteered to help with the site, as it certainly isn't easy to find people to work on this. Eventually, that graphic designer fell ill, so we never implemented the design concept to its full extent. We're definitely open to suggestions, though! If someone's willing to work with us to develop another graphic design template and help us implement it, then by all means, we can go at it. Otherwise, primary emphasis is on functionality right now.

I think the overall design is fine. The black background though really gives it an oppressive feeling. Blue on white will give it a lite feeling and I think would encourage people to stick around longer. Ultimately I think you should at least try it and decide then.

As far as google ads and facebook ads, that's a good suggestion. I have not a clue about the rates for those. The reason for why we are targeting Iowa college kids is because they are Iowa residents, and we can hopefully get their contact info and get them onboard and be able to bring them into the grassroots fold.

You can target both people living in specific States and specific topics while advertising online.

 

[D.A.S.]

I think the overall design is fine. The black background though really gives it an oppressive feeling. Blue on white will give it a lite feeling and I think would encourage people to stick around longer. Ultimately I think you should at least try it and decide then.

We'll give it a try when time permits!

Here is the new version of the ad destined for the papers:

 

[D.A.S.]

Bump for open registration at the newly released grassroots portal, part of the Iowa College Ad project.

We need people to register to populate the nationwide map! Doesn't cost anything, and your info is kept safe. Centralized effort to help turn-out at grassroots events.

www.ronpaulcountry.com

(link to Ron Paul Forums on the site).

 

[D.A.S.]

Need some Iowa folks to register, please... As well as anyone in the midwest and the west to begin filling in the map. So far, New Hampshire seems to be leading!

 

[D.A.S.]

Bump...

 

[parocks]

Bump for open registration at the newly released grassroots portal, part of the Iowa College Ad project.

We need people to register to populate the nationwide map! Doesn't cost anything, and your info is kept safe. Centralized effort to help turn-out at grassroots events.

www.ronpaulcountry.com

(link to Ron Paul Forums on the site).

http://ronpaulsocialnetwork.com/ - use that.

I looked at the site, didn't really see too many features. I might go ahead and sign up, but the apparent set of features is slim. That aside, ronpaulsocialnetwork.com has a lot of activity.

 

[lucent]

http://ronpaulsocialnetwork.com/ - use that.

I looked at the site, didn't really see too many features. I might go ahead and sign up, but the apparent set of features is slim. That aside, ronpaulsocialnetwork.com has a lot of activity.

Uh, that would be worthless for what this is trying to accomplish.

 

[D.A.S.]

http://ronpaulsocialnetwork.com/ - use that.

I looked at the site, didn't really see too many features. I might go ahead and sign up, but the apparent set of features is slim. That aside, ronpaulsocialnetwork.com has a lot of activity.

I registered with the Ron Paul social network just now, and it requires absolutely no geographic data of its users - it's basically a Facebook for Ron Paul community.

With Ron Paul Country, we're not seeking to socialize - in fact, it isn't so much a site for users as much as it is a management tool for the grassroots network. And the point of Ron Paul Country is to require geographic data of its registrants, so that users can be informed by site operators of the grassroots activity happening near them, such as promoting meet-ups, grassroots projects, get out the vote, etc.

So our site won't have many features for its *users*, other than a way for users to contact us with feedback and to suggest an event based on if they see other Ron Paul supporters on the map near them and would like a way to link up with them. It's more a management tool for the grassroots, not a social network at all. Ron Paul Forums already serves fine in that capacity. So we provide a geolocation profile of the grassroots, ability to search for grassroots supporters on a map and near some specified location, and a way to communicate with those supporters by email regarding relevant events.

Eventually, we will streamline a "suggest an event" feature, but for now, we're just trying to get off the ground and get people signed up. The functionality our site offers isn't at all like the functionality Ron Paul Forums or Ron Paul Social Network offer, and it isn't our intention to duplicate any functionality already present elsewhere.

 

[parocks]

Uh, that would be worthless for what this is trying to accomplish.

have you been able to log on to this site.

I don't think this site even works.

WTF

Where do we get our Password?

Because on sign up, we aren't asked for a Password.

Yet on log in, we are.

Is the password emailed to us?

If so, I haven't gotten my email.

 

[parocks]

I registered with the Ron Paul social network just now, and it requires absolutely no geographic data of its users - it's basically a Facebook for Ron Paul community.

With Ron Paul Country, we're not seeking to socialize - in fact, it isn't so much a site for users as much as it is a management tool for the grassroots network. And the point of Ron Paul Country is to require geographic data of its registrants, so that users can be informed by site operators of the grassroots activity happening near them, such as promoting meet-ups, grassroots projects, get out the vote, etc.

So our site won't have many features for its *users*, other than a way for users to contact us with feedback and to suggest an event based on if they see other Ron Paul supporters on the map near them and would like a way to link up with them. It's more a management tool for the grassroots, not a social network at all. Ron Paul Forums already serves fine in that capacity. So we provide a geolocation profile of the grassroots, ability to search for grassroots supporters on a map and near some specified location, and a way to communicate with those supporters by email regarding relevant events.

Eventually, we will streamline a "suggest an event" feature, but for now, we're just trying to get off the ground and get people signed up. The functionality our site offers isn't at all like the functionality Ron Paul Forums or Ron Paul Social Network offer, and it isn't our intention to duplicate any functionality already present elsewhere.

You just tell the people to enter their geographic data.

 

[D.A.S.]

have you been able to log on to this site.

I don't think this site even works.

WTF

Where do we get our Password?

Because on sign up, we aren't asked for a Password.

Yet on log in, we are.

Is the password emailed to us?

If so, I haven't gotten my email.

You will receive an email with the registration link only - there's just one email you need to receive.

No, the password you're asked to enter is the one you SET for yourself, not a pre-determined one that the site makes up for you. The password is essentially blank when you register. The password you enter is the password you wish to have, and then it becomes your password.