Central Exotics - LAUNCHED!

THE SITE IS LAUNCHED!
http://www.centralexotics.com

So, I wanted to wait until I had EVERYTHING done before launching the site. I have since decided that the majority of the stuff that is left to do is repetitive data entry. I need to get the morph directory up to date (and that will take FOREVER!). Even after I finish that, it will be in a constant state of renewal. The other thing I really wanted to get finished up was the links directory, but I would like others input on that, so for them to see the site, and be able to know what I am looking for, I could maybe get some ideas.

For those of you that have not had the privilege of seeing the site when it was in BETA, Welcome! I am going to run down some of the things that make Central Exotics different, and some of the cool features you get to use when you signup!

All of the community links are located under "Central Exotics Community"

1) BLOGS - Under the Central Exotics Community link, there is a section for blogs. Everyone that signs up to be a registered user on the site can blog here. All new entries will show up on the main page, then rotate off with more entries being entered. The cool thing about that is that it can create a central place for updates. Each user can add others to the Friends blog list, and when you click on the link in the side bar it will only show blog entries from those users on your list.

It's where I am going to blog from here on out, and I hope some people will try it out as well!

2) Blog Roll - A few of the breeders and herp community people already keep their own blogs. The feeds with RSS feeds can be fed into the Blog Roll. You will see a list of their most recent entries, and when you click on them and lightbox will open to that entry. This is another feature that will help bring the community to a central place for updates. A "One Stop Shop" if you will with the going on of the herp community. I can and will be adding more blog flows to this section, and I can't wait to see it grow!

3) Photos - All users have the ability to upload pictures to the site. There is a lot of interaction with that such as Voting and commenting right there in the gallery. This will come in handy if we ever want to run some contests. All photos thought are random selected and put in a rotator on the front page. It gives visitors a quick glimpse at some of the skill and personality of the community at large.

4) Videos - See a video that you liked on YouTube or video sites? You can share that with everyone visiting this site under the Videos link. Click the add videos button, input the information it asks for, and publish it. This will hopefully create a way for the community at large to make it a place of helpful information and entertaining content about herping ( and other random stuff! :) ).

5) Classifieds - We are offering another place for those wanting to sell their animals or supplies to post here. All posts will remain published for 30 days. They can all feature details and photos. Post your items there and get them some traffic!

We also have the old standbys; Forums, news updates, chat, etc.

Please, comment below and tell me what you think of the site and give me tips on how I can improve it. I want this to be a community engagement, and as such your input is greatly appreciated.

I like it!! You sure did get up and going fast!!:O

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Originally Posted by stangs13

I like it!! You sure did get up and going fast!!:O

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I was surprised myself! I still have a ton to do, but I hate having the site locked .. I want to share it with people!

here is the intro to my series of YouTube videos I will be doing!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJ6gtzXvCCI

The only thing is your morph dictionary... your pretty much just copying/rewording what nerd put. I know you have permission but really whats the point of doing it if its already been made, and made good. Id just save your time and put a link to their picture ball morph page unless you have your own pictures and paragraph. I just cant see the point of you doing that without your own photos and stuff. Kinda corny if you ask me. Im not trying to be mean or anything, so I hope this helps some.

:twocents:

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Originally Posted by Beardedragon

The only thing is your morph dictionary... your pretty much just copying/rewording what nerd put. I know you have permission but really whats the point of doing it if its already been made, and made good. Id just save your time and put a link to their picture ball morph page unless you have your own pictures and paragraph. I just cant see the point of you doing that without your own photos and stuff. Kinda corny if you ask me. Im not trying to be mean or anything, so I hope this helps some.

:twocents:

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Great point, and I agree. What you see there is actually only the start of what I want to do with it. I assure you that it will not just be copy and paste .. I promise!

I was using their content, with permission, to begin that project. There are many morphs that NERD doesn't have listed, and some being created right now. I was using their content as a base for the truly epic adventure ahead.

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Originally Posted by cuda

Great point, and I agree. What you see there is actually only the start of what I want to do with it. I assure you that it will not just be copy and paste .. I promise!

I was using their content, with permission, to begin that project. There are many morphs that NERD doesn't have listed, and some being created right now. I was using their content as a base for the truly epic adventure ahead.

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Yeah, it would be nice to see alot of the morphs not on Nerd.

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Originally Posted by Beardedragon

Yeah, it would be nice to see alot of the morphs not on Nerd.

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For sure! I am working hard on making that happen, but it take cooperation from many of the top breeders (as, if we are going to have a complete list is will require the guys that actually have some of the rarest ones to help) and getting that coing is what I am working on now.

NERD was on board right away, and I think that is awesome

Also, I just added a little "Content provided by:" area under the text so there is no confusion on who is responsible for the content of the page.

http://centralexotics.com/images/promo/rdr.jpg

Well, as I stated, I want the Morph Directory to be the most complete collection it can possibly be, and today that goal was given yet another hand-up by one of the most prominent breeders of Ball Pythons around. Ralph Davis of Ralph Davis Reptiles has given Central Exotics permission to post some of his information and images into the directory. This of course will mean that I have a lot of work to do (he has a TON of stuff to post), but it will get us one step closer to the goal.

Thank you Ralph for giving us the opportunity to make this project a reality. Users, be on the look out for updates this weekend. The morph directory will start to take shape!

http://centralexotics.com/images/promo/bhbbanner.jpg

Yet another vote of confidence! Brian at BHB has been awesome working with me on my ideas, and he has done so much for the online community as a whole. He is also the latest breeder to offer me a helping hand with my morph directory project. He will be supplying pictures for me on ones that I need and just generaly being an awesome guy!

I want to thank Brian for being there for me, and to the other two big names that decided to help me out aswell. With your insight, experience, and collection of photos I know that I will achieve my goal of making the morph directory something that all enthusiasts will find useful in their hunt for information! You guys need to go check these guys out and support them all. They are all great assests to herpers everywhere!

So .. .. I have been working with a few new ideas, to keep the good and lose the bad ..

http://www.centralexotics.com

Thoughts?

I dont know what you had before... but wow. That main area on your home page is mundo messy and confusing. What is it supposed to be?

If your looking to make a news type section, my thoughts are to keep it with newest on top, oldest at bottom. It really looks quite mashed on my screen. I'm not sure if its your intention to make it look like that or a design mistake, but it was quite discouraging and I didnt want to read any of it.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I dont know what you had before... but wow. That main area on your home page is mundo messy and confusing. What is it supposed to be?

If your looking to make a news type section, my thoughts are to keep it with newest on top, oldest at bottom. It really looks quite mashed on my screen. I'm not sure if its your intention to make it look like that or a design mistake, but it was quite discouraging and I didnt want to read any of it.

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Yes .. I agree. That was one of the new things I was messing with .. will it be permanent? Good question. Do you like the look .. layout .. anything?

If the front page is the only thing that gave you bad vibes, I would like to know that.

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

I dont know what you had before... but wow. That main area on your home page is mundo messy and confusing. What is it supposed to be?

If your looking to make a news type section, my thoughts are to keep it with newest on top, oldest at bottom. It really looks quite mashed on my screen. I'm not sure if its your intention to make it look like that or a design mistake, but it was quite discouraging and I didnt want to read any of it.

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I changed it back to a more traditional front page (like the one I had before)

Better?

It's better because it feels like there is seperation between the bits of news instead of a mash. I'm still not a fan of how you have it running back and forth left to right. I know you obviously want the two columns, but I dont know if it works best in that format ya know?

newest----------second newest
third--------------fourth
fifth---------------sixth

Usually when reading two columns you have the news running down the first column to the bottom of the page like a newspaper, then you start back up at the top again.

Newest--------------fourth
second---------------fifth
third----------------sixth

I just honestly prefer one column main body, your eye is drawn to one thing at a time that way ...

I guess it's just what I'm used to, but its your page!! Don't go changing it all around on my account. ;)

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Originally Posted by littleindiangirl

It's better because it feels like there is seperation between the bits of news instead of a mash. I'm still not a fan of how you have it running back and forth left to right. I know you obviously want the two columns, but I dont know if it works best in that format ya know?

newest----------second newest
third--------------fourth
fifth---------------sixth

Usually when reading two columns you have the news running down the first column to the bottom of the page like a newspaper, then you start back up at the top again.

Newest--------------fourth
second---------------fifth
third----------------sixth

I just honestly prefer one column main body, your eye is drawn to one thing at a time that way ...

I guess it's just what I'm used to, but its your page!! Don't go changing it all around on my account. ;)

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Its a valid point. I can change it to one column .. and will to see if I like it. Do you like the design? That was the main change ... I found something I liked better, and tried it out real quick and liked what I saw .. so I continued to chnage things around to see how they look .. and I like it more and more.

I can change it back .. like 15 minutes of work will get the old site back, but after seeing this .. I dunno ...