The Future of TrekMovie.com February 3, 2008
by Anthony Pascale , Filed under: Uncategorized , trackbackTrekMovie.com has been in operation for 18 months now, and in that time it has grown to be the number one site for Star Trek news. By next week our migration to a new robust platform will be complete and so the site will be able to not only sustain continued growth in visitors, but also finally add some new features as well. Below is an insight in the where we are headed.
Focus
TrekMovie.com started out focused entirely on the new Star Trek movie (hence the name) and then soon added Star Trek Remastered to its repertoire. Over time we have grown to include more content from other aspects of Trek and that will continue. However, it has grown more and more important that this site be a total Star Trek site, open to all fans of all series interested in all aspects of the franchise. Due to the emphasis at both Paramount and CBS in the last year, there happens to be more news related to The Original Series, but that does not imply a bias. In point of fact, your humble editor’s favorite Trek series just happens to be Star Trek Deep Space Nine…but I love all Trek. All fans are welcome here and no one’s Trek is better than anyone else’s…no one is better at being a fan. We will be the place for everything to know about the new Star Trek movie and Trek Remastered (and yes we will be doing more of that again), but we will also expand our coverage of other areas of Trek.
Columns
One area where we will be diversifying is the regular columns…some of which have already started to show up. These are in part an expansion of what used to be ‘This Week In Trek’ except now each subsection will get its own regular column. So you have seen:
- Trek CelebStalker by Chuck Trotter
- Science Friday by Kayla Iocovino
- Sci-Fi Saturday by Rosario Calabria
coming up are…
- TrekInk by Alex Fletcher (on Comics)
- Library Computer by Rob Lyons (on Books)
- The Collective by John Tenuto (on toys and collectibles)
- FanMade (on Fan Productions)
- GameOn (on Trek games)
- FanWatch by Chuck Trotter (on the fan community, clubs, etc)
Some columns will be weekly, others semi-monthly or periodically. New columns may also crop up as well. Columns will offer reviews, previews, mini-interviews, retro-reviews, retrospectives, etc. We are also working with the various Star Trek licensees to ensure that we cover new books, comics, products, etc in a timely fashion…and to get some great previews and exclusives too. The goal is to have one column per day, except Sundays. Sundays we will do some kind of editorial or other feature. We will also have ‘guest columnists’ periodically. Once the site is redesigned (more on that later) the columns will sit in their own area.
Community
One look at the comment count and it is clear that TrekMovie.com has a strong community. However, all of the output is now contained within article comments. This month we will finally be adding the forums that we have been talking about for so long. The article comments will remain as is…they are so much a part of the site that we have decided they shouldn’t change. But the forums will allow folks to start their own discussions. We are currently looking at various technologies for the forums. One thing that is under discussion is to also offer more features like letting people write their own blogs, upload their own images and videos, do live chats, etc. However, none of this will change the simple design approach of the front page, articles and comments.
Design
TrekMovie.com has a nice simple design and there are advantages and disadvantages to that. Too often sci-fi sites are hard to read with lots of flashing stuff, and I happen to prefer light backgrounds and dark text so that will all stay the same. However one that that is likely to change with an upcoming redesign is a move to three columns. This will allow the regular columns to sit in their own area (probably on the left side) and have the news items sit in the middle. The right column will have ads, polls, some videos, static content, etc. The goal is to have the redesign carry over as much of the simple look, while making it easier for people to find the type of news that they are most interested in. In addition we will be adding more ‘tabs’ at the top for information on books, comics and other Trek products.
Branding
TrekMovie.com has built a brand as the leading source of Star Trek news, with regular scoops in the world of Trek. However the name is also a bit limiting…and clearly this site is already about much more than just Trek movies. So it is likely that sometime in the next 12 months the site will transition to a new brand that more reflects the general nature of the site. I know change is difficult, but too often I hear people say ‘oh that is the site about the new movie’ and that obviously cannot be the way this site should be perceived…this is a site about and for Star Trek and its fans…all of them.
Multimedia
Another area that is being looked at is to move beyond just text. In the last year TrekMovie.com has been doing more video interviews and expect more of that in the future. Under discussion now are a regular podcast and possibly a videocast as well. Also under discussion is a mobile version of the site and email updates. Some of these things are probably more long term.
Global
Currently about a third of the visitors of this site come from outside the USA. At the very least, I would like to say hi to you all. One area we hope to improve is covering what is going on with Trek around the world.
Fun
I take this site very seriously. However, Star Trek is fundamentally a form of entertainment. And many aspects of the franchise and those who inhabit it are pretty funny. We will never take ourselves too seriously and never forget that this is supposed to be fun. We will continue to try and inject some humor into our coverage and if you don’t think it is funny…that’s OK too. But we need to do something to lighten up.
Help
One of the reasons that TrekMovie.com is growing and expanding is the amazing team that we have been building over time. People like Matt, John and Chuck have been invaluable. And additions like Rob, Kayla, Alex and Rosario are sure to bring new voices and dimensions to the site. And of course having Leonard Nimoy and other ‘guest bloggers’ contribute is an honor and a thrill…and hopefully more will follow. And the more the merrier. Right now I am talking to a few of great talented guys who hopefully will be helping with all of the new technology and designs. But we can always use more help too. If you feel that you have something to offer, please send in a note via the TIPS link on the right column.
News
This all sounds like a lot, and it is. However I want to assure all the regulars out there that one thing that will never change is that this site will be the place to go for the best and most accurate news and scoops on all aspects of Star Trek. Since its inception, no site has announced more breaking news on Star Trek than this one…and it is our goal that this will never change.
Feedback
One may be wondering why I wrote out everything above. Well it is because I see this site as a community effort. Feedback is important and I want people to know where we are and where we are going. So please offer some feedback below in the comments section about the site as it is now, and our plans. We are especially interested in hearing from some of those lurkers out there. 99% of the visitors to this site never make a comment…it is now time to be heard.
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Comments»
Congratulations Anthony, and thanks!
Keep up the good work!
More power to you!
as long as everybody can complain that the shat aint in the move thats fine.
First!
Great job with the site.
You have my blessings . Great work so far. I love this site.
I think this site works because you have immediate feedback from other fans with every new article.
. And I am overwhelmed by the enormous number of my fellow german visitors..Trekmovie is a nice place to meet. Let’s enjoy the year to come together..waiting..hoping, having fun discussing evera little new rumour
Great job, Anthony
I hope I can contribute to this site one day. I am digging and let you know
Yay! Forums!
PS, I suggest the smf style forum (see forum.rifftrax.com for examples) - wonderful usability and postability.
Fantastic news.
I’m counting the days til that happens.
-cs™
Is it soon with the new design, similar with the enterprise redesign making, over the new canon and communication with these aspects and series, reflecting the range upcoming of the new film and its fans to reflect or is this a that personal search for, on the part of the producers and the line to carry out to the Design of the fans and the desires with the other Trek?
great site, keep up the good work.
“this is a site about and for Star Trek and its fans…all of them.”
I like it. I like it.
Gene himself would be proud
Looking forward to seeing the site makeover. You’ve done a great job making this site the authoratative voice on the upcoming movie. Keep up the great work.
Looking forward to all of the above.Thanks for all the hard work Anthony and team,best wishes for continuing sucess in the future.
Sounds exciting! Best of luck!
you guys have managed to make a really exciting fansite, and the community is invigorated for what seems like the first time in years… thanks, keep up the good work, if there is anything i can do to help, just say so!
I usually don’t comment, but I wanted to make my voice heard on this story. I first started visiting TrekMovie.com when rumors about the new movie had first started swirling. I’ve watched it grow and evolve and it is now my number one site for Star Trek news. I’m thrilled by the coming changes, especially the books/comics coverage, which is one area I still have to visit other sites for news on. Here’s to the future of one of the best sites the internet has to offer!
It’s been so nice to see this site develop into such a fantastic fan site. As soon as you launched (I saw the link posted in your IMDB postings Anthony almost as soon as you launched) I’ve been coming here nearly everyday. While I don’t always post comments, It’s always like getting presents when brand new exciting articles about an array of Trek topics has come up. I can’t for the new iteration and of course all the best Trek news throughout 2008 and beyond!
Keep up the great work Anthony and crew!
Great news!! especially Now that the “Official” site is Dead in the water.
Anthony, I just wanted to say that you have done a great job since 2006 with this site. I accidentally discovered trekmovie.com. But I have checked the site every morning since discovering it. I look forward to development of the site and keep up with the good work. :)
By all means please keep the humor aspect of this site. Some of the funnyiset home made ST videos have been found on this site!
I am a fan of all ST and this site has something for all fans.
Great job guys, Thank you!
I always go this site first for Trek. How about a pic of the “Master Control Room”?
Good Luck!
Hey man, just wanted to say that I lurk far more than I post, but I check this site every day, not just for the movie news, but because of the community you’ve helped foster. It’s entertaining, interactive, and most of all, fun to visit. Believe me, if it weren’t, I wouldn’t be here.
But by far the best thing you’ve done for me is get me excited for the new movie. I had a passing interest the whole time, and as a lifelong Trekkie I of course am interested, but this site has ratcheted my interest up by a factor of roughly 376%. Well, that and the fact that not only is it a JJ Abrams production, but it’s based on TOS as well.
So EVEN THOUGH you’re a DS9 fan, I have to give you your props - you’ve made this old-school TOS fan very happy. And for that, you have my thanks. And my daily website hit. :)
Anthony,
I would love to contribute more to the site. Any openings?
Sean
#26 - John, mega props to you from a fellow TOS fan!! :D
I can’t wait to see the “remastered” version of the site; I think it’ll work very well and continue to serve the Star Trek fan community as well as it has thus far.
TOS FOREVER!!!
I am one of the lurkers of which you speak Anthony. But I check this site everyday and I read most of the comments. I must agree with you that I really like the simplicity of this site and I am glad to hear that you plan to keep the additions as simple as possible.
Oh, and DS9 is my favorite too…
I would suggest a somebody write a column about the Star Trek Role Playing community on Myspace.com. It is a quite a fascinating thing, seeing how some of the RPers stay true to canon and how others like to make the characters their own . It is a diverse field of players . Anybody interested can check it out by linking on my name.
good luck to you all!
Great site, Anthony. I confess I pop in here several times a day.
Speaking with my expertise as a long-time, professional mediocre graphic designer, I really like the clean layout. I can barely stand looking at the new official Star Trek movie forum. It scares me. This site is open, friendly, easy to navigate, easy to understand and impossible to get lost in.
You’re doing fantastic work. I look forward to the “new and improved” version.
Cheers,
Scott B. out.
I am delighted that this site is growing and continuing to evolve. I like the comment format, so I’m very happy you plan to retain it but also add forums to help folks “do their thing” without having to wade through so many back-and-forths in comments. Hopefully some of the flames can be diverted into the fora.
Kudos to all for their hard work.
I very rarely post here, but thanks very much for building and maintaining the site. It has very quickly become one of my favorites.
RE: contribute to the site
anyone who feels they have something unique to offer that will help the site should click the “Got a tip?” button on the right.
We do appreciate all the comments of thanks…but please feel free to give some feedback on some of the planned columns, designs, the community, podcasts, etc.
and it is nice to see some people delurk.
Anthony are you sure TrekMovie.com shouldn’t become a general Scifi News site? You could make it the number one place on the net to go to for both Trek and Scifi and Trek news. I think doing daily reports on Scifi news would be cool you could get scoops on that type of news also. What will Trekmovie.com do to report on just Trek news after the new movie? Unless their would be rumblings of a new Trek series after that. Or what would happen to Trekmovie.com or TrekHQ.com if the new Trek movie fails and their is no more Trek? You can ignore my other post in the Scifi News column it’s basically the same post but then I saw this new article.
Glad to hear the comments under the articles will remain (because otherwise we’d just have to create a post for every one anyway).
It also sounds like you’re not going to radically change the “look” of the site too much, which i appreciate. There’s nothing I hate more than when a site completely redesigns the colors, font, and layout, or becomes way too flashy and cluttered with images.
There’s a lot to be said for a website that’s clear and simple and easy to read.
WOO HOO! Great to hear Anthony. I love this site and am deeply grateful for all the hard work done by the staff. I’m looking forward to seeing the site grow. BYW DS9 is my favorite trek as well but I love them all!
Sweet. DS9 is my favorite too!
Indeed #1!
Keep up the good work!
I remember when I first found Trek Movie on a Google search.
Bookmarked it with my daily surf’s of trek:
Trek Web, Trek Today & Star Trek.com.
In no time at all, Trek Movie beat all those sites on breaking movie news.
Sometimes covering stories nobody covered at all. Exclusives if you will.
This site has covered the new Star Trek movie the best.
Even better then the official site which I think is Sad!
Anyway we’re #1!
Another cool trek site I found a couple of months ago:
http://www.trekcore.com/
Anthony you’ve done a great thing for all treksters with this site, thank you for all your hard work and I hope the expansion of your little empire goes well! Damn the photon torpedoes and full speed ahead! BTW, I know Mugatu finally did get out of rehab because my good silverware is gone and the garbage is tipped over again. Could you tell Lord Garth to keep that malicious monkey on a short lease please?
Anthony, I think it’s great you’re going to offer more features. Good work.
I love this site.
I forgot to add from my previous post I hope the new movie doesn’t fail and then we get a new series.
Dear Anthony,
Congratulation! You are “Number One” and for good reason.
The thing that you’ve done that makes it “SO EASY” is the design. As a regular, you just read the column and have your say. No logging in, no flashing lights just the best Trek ever. Take a leaf out of the number one search engines home page. Just GOOGLE’s name, a search window and some functional links. Not like Yahoo and MSN with all their annoying pages of paraphernalia. I subscribe to the K.I.S.S approach. It’s usually always the best way to go.
Whilst a slight cosmetic adjustment here and there may be desirable, the simple nature of your approach, breaking news and analysis daily plus near instantaneous publishing of comment makes the site easily accessible to any one.
Other sites and forums become far to complicated. Go ahead with all the new extra columns, topics, whistles and bells but put them all on ‘PAGE 2” with a small link on the main page.
Anyway….you are my 1st stop on the net after checking emails several times a day. I look forward to your enduring hard work as we continue the count down to Xmas 2008!
Finally….“Your dismissed Commander and by the way …. Nicely done!”
A Star trek site with near 70% single males???? Who would have thought!
From Venezuela I send you my congrats! This has been a Benchmark Trek Site for more of a YEAR! Great Work!
Simpler is better.
I’m usually a lurker, but I’m very excited about where this site is headed. I am particularly thrilled about all the new columns. The future layout sounds great and won’t be too much of a change from what we have now. Simple is always better when it comes to websites, IMO. Keep on beating the heck out of the competition!
Thank you so much for this site!! I have been lurking here ever since the StarTrek.com team got canned….You are amazing! New items daily…sometimes more than daily! I get all my Trek info here….
This site has been my homepage for 2 months now.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK!!!
If I get fired, this site is the reason why.
Great work, Anthony.
I can’t wait! This is gonna be a great ride and this site is already a fantastic community for Star Trek fans all around the globe! I’m most looking forward to the mobile version of the site (iPhone anyone?!) and the new forums. I usually lurk around the comments and rarely post.
Thanks TrekMovie.com!
Yes this site has been a dream come true! Especially for us TOS fans who now have a direct link to the creative forces involved with the new project. It still seems unimaginable to me.
Thanks to everyone involved!
Anthony, what do you do for a living outside Trekmovie? How do you find the time?
“You know engineers. They love to change things.”
I’m happy with the current set-up. Don’t mess with it TOO much.
All great news! This has become my #1 site for Star Trek information and look forward to it’s further growth!
How about TrekUpdate.com as the new name? Or TrekUniverse.com?
DS9’s my favorite series, too.
I’m a TNG baby all the way! Although I LOVED Enterprise.
For forum technologies…. PLEASE stay away from vBulletin. Go for something more flexible like Invision Power Board.
Like to say… great stuff guys… shout out to PowderedToastMan… great site! :)
… the human adventure (online) is just beginning!
I think it sounds WONDERFUL.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Michael in Taiwan
This is a great site and from the sound of it, it’s about to get a whole lot better. Keep up the good work guys!
Congrats on the growth of Trekmovie, Anthony. If you are using this site and TrekHQ dot com as a template, one simple change I would like to see is increasing the font size a point or two on comments and darkening the same comment font a couple of steps toward black like on TrekHQ. It would ease readability somewhat on my 1280×1024 screen, in my opinion.
#36, I agree with your comment, unless this stretches Anthony and his staff too thin. Crawl before walking, and all that…
I agree, the appeal of this site lies in its simplicity. No crazy flash animations bogging down my system, no digging and scrolling and clicking through 20 windows to find what you want. You always know the latest greatest info will be the main headline . This site always sticks to the meat and potatos of the story, and I like that.
I think this site is wonderful, always come here because not only does it get scoop on the first trek news as and when it happens, its easy to navigate and we get the producers of Star Trek to come here too - fantastic job, keep up the good work!
I’m gonna miss the simplicity of this site as well. First Trek site I visited which I actually liked because of that fact. I really don’t like where this is all headed.
This site has grown because there isn’t any new news at StarTrek.com. Emediatly after they reported on the writers strike they were all fired. Check it out, and as soon as somebody at this site pisses off the wrong people it will be gine too. Star Trek is bigger than any of us fans think it is.
AWESOME!
If you need to change the name of the site how about, TrekBulletin.com, TrekFederation.com, or TheTrekReport.net, or even TheTrekUniverse.com.
All these domains are available and perhaps you should jump on one while the anti-matter is hot…
(my bet is you may have already secured a name.)
Just a thought…
Hey Anthony… do you think you could ban the word “first?” Or perhaps just ban all posts with less than three words??? ;-)
On a serious note, I like what I see, and I’m impressed with what you’ve accomplished, and what you hope to accomplish. Keep up the good work.
The demand for mobile friendly sites continues to grow along with the smartphone industry. You’re right on target about the growth & evolution of your site. Lots to look forward to!
PS I hope the mobile design doesn’t have to sacrifice access to multimedia.
As long as there’s a place for people to keep looking at this new movie with rose tinted glasses, then that’s fab!
Yeah…all things Trek & sci/fi too..love it!
Love this site and is my first stop everyday in cyber reality. Enjoy the news & banter that follows.
You all are doing a great job….keep it up! :-)
~Peace and Long Life~
I dig this site also great job Anthony and crew! One other thing I know I am in the minority here, but I like the way this site is set up. Posting comments seems easier here to me than most other sites. I guess part of that is not having to login or something like that. ;) In addition something about it seems more open or all together in my mind. Forums seem to seperate everyone/everything to me. But that is my minor 2 cents. I guess because of your setup here I have posted more comments here than on any other site in the Internet. I go to AICN on a occasion and maybe posted there 5 times. They have a somewhat similiar set up at least with comments to this site. CHUD another favorite site of mine I have not posted yet. There are a few others I lurk on, but this one I tend really interact at this one. Maybe it is the subject matter also, but something about this site brings me in. ;)
Also cool that you will have a fan film section. I am not a diehard fan film person, but I really do enjoy them every so often. Also I like the passion of the people that create them. Fun stuff all!
One more idea…
Maybe from time to time there could be a special report on EVENTS like ST:The Tour, Conventions, and “The Menagerie” showings, etc…
I guess that might fall under FanWatch, but I think that column sounds more like it will follow clubs and fanzines.
There is enough gravity for these types of events to have their own reports and column as they occur.
NIZE !! You’ve come a long way baby!!!
Send some Trek Papparazi over to hound Ballzio
Nice try, Lord Garth….but, I warn you….what the paps would photograph couldn’t be printed in Hustler magazine! :)
99% of visitors don’t comment? I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Keep up the good work Anthony. I’ve been a “regular” since early on and I’ll be following things thru the premiere of the movie.
Check today’s poll results re ;demographics-
mostly male, mostly single, not a good portent for the future of Trek, because that’s where it’s been for the last 15 years.
Plus, insofar as demographics are concerned, my male/married doesn’t count so much since I am now 55.
Paramount should just buy this site and make it official.
Anthony, you rock. I am looking forward to the Forums, and what the team is going to be putting out. Thanks for all you do!
Very exciting. Great work!
This is only my second post here after visiting it for over 6 months now.
Mr. Pascale, can you correct a typo please? Under “Global” section of your article, you say “at the very list.” I think you mean to say “at the very least”
Kind Regards
Tango, Pike’s horse. (No he can’t talk but he can type–keyboard designed for hooves)
Looking forward to the new site. Keep up the good work.
Ah ha Ballzio old bean I was just checking to see if you hadn’t nodded off during this 7-3 Super Snoorefest.
I vote for a new weekly column, Ballzio’s Blog.
The evolution of trekmovie.com continues. It’s been so much fun to watch this site grow over time, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing what the future holds here.
Anthony, if you ever need the assistance of my humble talents, don’t hesitate to drop me a line. I’m always happy to lend a hand.
Ballzio’s Blog….to discuss all things Trek…………
and likewise, I’m sure….woo, woo, woo………..nyuk, nyuk, nyuk! :)
I just hope the mods of the forums aren’t zealots like they are at the Trek BBS.
Ballzio that’s 2 votes for Ballzio’s Blog… Come on people Trek Limricks.
Amazing! I’m so glad there’ll finally be a forum at Trekmovie. I usually don’t post here because by the time I have something to say there are already about 100 posts above mine. I feel like my comments get lost in the pile. The addition of forums will change all that.
Lord Garth….your efforts as my press secretary are appreciated and your cheque is in the mail!
Redshirt. This site has covered many events such.
http://trekmovie.com/category/trek-franchise/con-report/
but we hope to expand on that…with con reports coming from every con…For anyone attending a con, especially those faraway ones…please let us know in advance via the tipline and maybe you can be a correspondent for TrekMovie.com
Anthony…
I hope the comments section stays exactly as it is now…..it’s perfect in that it’s clean, simple and easy to use!
So Anthony is Trekmovie.com, becoming the new Star Trek.com? It would only make since as this site is preferred by most trek fans and by the movie production staff?
You can tell us!!!
Just wondering……………..
Anthony,
Sounds like you have remastering of your own ready to go and it does sound exciting. Please, just don’t clutter the page with too many “flashy icons”. We have never come here for that, keep it simple. I’m glad you are for expansion and that you are preparing the site for the future post-Trek 11, just don’t do something (like podcasts) and not go all the way like you do for this site. Podcasts I guess are fine but really, how many people here actually listen to podcasts all the time? I tried with a couple of trek related ones and a few others but I never got around to listening to most of them and ended up deleting them. I think most people prefer reading words to podcasts because you miss the long pauses, goofy laughing at something you either can’t see or just wasn’t funny. And you (the editor)can condense any rambling that a guest may do and give us the important facts that we have grown to love. Plus, it’s easier to scroll back to find a statement or comment that the guest made than trying to scroll on an iPod and try to remember at what time frame that was. Did he say that around 4:30mins into the show or was it later? Then you get frustrated and delete the whole show and missed a juicy tidbit because the rest of it was a pain in the ass. And finally, with a podcast we wouldn’t have this forum to add our perspective and if we did I just don’t believe it would be the same. You could add a link to the interview you did so if people want to hear the guest’s voice they can. Just don’t rely on the podcast as a sole source of information broadcasting. Can you tell that I don’t hold podcasts in high regard, print rules!
I am living up to my name now aren’t I?
#69 “If you need to change the name of the site how about, TrekBulletin.com, TrekFederation.com, or TheTrekReport.net, or even TheTrekUniverse.com.
All these domains are available and perhaps you should jump on one while the anti-matter is hot…
(my bet is you may have already secured a name.)
Just a thought… ”
Problem with those names is length, the best marketing practice on domain names is to have it as short as possible and try to secure a .com if available. If you get a .net name and someone else owns the .com there is a good chance they could use your sites success to benifit the .com verson of the name they have. I would say that if anyone reading this owns any cool Star Trek name that they could give to Anthony to let him know, hey you never know if it somthing he may like.
“So Anthony is Trekmovie.com, becoming the new Star Trek.com? It would only make since as this site is preferred by most trek fans and by the movie production staff?
You can tell us!!!
Just wondering…………….. ”
You guys have to realize that Startrek.com is the official site as owned by CBS and the same holds true on the Viacom site with the new movie site and forum. Even though this site get in some instaces more traffic than startrek.com, Cbs or Viacom is not going to come here and ask for it to be the new official site, things just don’t work like that
re #92
I know you have covered the cons… in fact I think you do a fantastic job in doing so. I was just saying that EVENTS would be a good topic for a column …
You listed the following:
* Trek CelebStalker by Chuck Trotter
* Science Friday by Kayla Iocovino
* Sci-Fi Saturday by Rosario Calabria
and
* TrekInk by Alex Fletcher (on Comics)
* Library Computer by Rob Lyons (on Books)
* The Collective by John Tenuto (on toys and collectibles)
* FanMade (on Fan Productions)
* GameOn (on Trek games)
* FanWatch by Chuck Trotter (on the fan community, clubs, etc)
First!
I’d like to recommend VBulletin. It’s the most robust messageboard software out there that I’m aware of, it’s reasonably cheap, and it’s the easiest to administrate.
OK, Anthony, you have shamed me into de-lurking. I have been a huge fan of the site since virtually the very beginning, and visit daily. Although I know it is very much a team effort, the success of the site is a huge tribute to the fine work you do. There used to be 3 Trek sites I would check regularly, but since the demise of startrek.com and the other being far inferior to this site, this is the only one for me now! I honestly can’t come up with any improvements over what you’ve done and what you are planning…just keep up the great work…thanks so much!
I agree… GREAT SITE. I check it every day. Thanks for all your hard work.
I also agree with the sentiment of those above, that since the demise of startrek.com THIS is the “go-to” site on the web. Keep up the great work because it is greatly appreciated… and I hope your making a mint from all the lonely singles out there!!! ha HA.
And me — out of the shadows, and into the light. I’ve ben watching the site for only a couple of weeks, but now here I am to say: bravo, and well done! I appreciate the straight-forward front end, and the good news and easy to access links. A proper forum will do the site good. Keep it up!
Anthony, you have the right formula. Just don’t get burned out. Delegate.
I think posts connected to the news is perfect. Forums may give a home to the fans to reside and… rant? I hope everyone remembers to have a good time. This is a place of escape.
Thanks again Anthony. Looking forward to the new changes. Looking forward to access by the IPhone.
I enjoy TNG. As Picard would say… Make it so.
This is a wonderful site Anthony. I am one of the ones who visit daily.
But the main reason for my posting, I just have to give you kudos for the design. Almost every Trek site you go to is so dark you need a flash light to look at them. They all tend to look the same with all the black and grey. It is all rather oppressive for a property built on a bright future. But this one is a breath of fresh air with its clean crisp lines and bright pallet. Being a professional designer myself I tend to design things that are easy on the eyes and simple so I applaud your aesthetics here. With a few modifications and some minor clean up, this place has the potential to be really top notch. (Of course if you need any help with ideas… )
Black type please… not gray.
Hi all,
First time poster, though I’ve been lurking for months now.
Anthony, you’ve done a great job with this site. Since I’ve found it, I’ve visited at least a few times a week, usually to stay and read for at least a half hour, and sometimes longer (much longer lol).
I have found myself wondering the direction of the site now that ll the major casting choices have been revealed and the teaser has been released. But regardless, your description above sounds like you’ve got a great vision for a great long term addition to the on-line trek community.
Thanks for all your hard work. You can bet I’ll be around for a while.
#30
In response to this idea of keeping tabs on the ROLE PLAYING COMMUNITY, I think its a great idea. Would be nice to see you folks here at trekmovie.com keep tabs on some of the internets larger role players. Articles offering insights and exclusives on not worthy communities of this nature would be great to read.
That community has become just as popular and as part of trek culture as the comics or toys, or either trek related things have. They deserve to be reported on or at least covered occasionally.
[click the link in my name to a sizable community]
Anthony,
thank you for giving people like me a place to hang out. it is your commitment to all things trek that makes star trek so special to me… Seriously dude, thank you for everything you have given to the trek community… It’s people like you that have made trek fun for me again…
-blake
- …but too often I hear people say ‘oh that is the site about the new movie’ and that obviously cannot be the way this site should be perceived… -
Sounds very, very good to me. I‘ll welcome more news covering genuine Trek and providing a distraction from the new film.
Anthony:
Love the site but don’t understand all the talk about startrek.com. Is it shutting down? I was just there the other day and it seemed to be up and running. I’m here much more often but wondered what was happening over there.
Thrilled that you’re expanding. You’ve got one of the few dream jobs there are and most of us are Vulcan-green with envy.
Hope your fondest dreams come true (and please take us with you)!!!
kg
I’ve always considered it my greatest fortune to have discovered this website and to have seen it grow over the past several months. I’m in favour of all the proposed changes, especially with the idea of a more streamlined appearance (I’m in total love with the current underrated simplicity of the design).
However, I really think the name “TrekMovie.com” should stick. I honestly don’t foresee CBS going back to a serial format (unless Lucas’ Star Wars television series does exceedingly well) and movies do seem to be the primary way to go for Trek. If Trek indeed does live on in the movies (fan productions, novels and comics notwithstanding) then the naming of TrekMovie.com would have been visionary.
Nonetheless, whatever your decision, Anthony, I’m here for the long haul. Keep up the excellent work and thank you for everything.
Peter Lin
Singapore
This is now my favourite internet site. I live in the Uk and too love Deep Space Nine which we are currently enjoying on Virgin 1.
Keep up the good work and I will continue to visit as others have done several times a day.
Thanx
18 months already?! Wow, that’s how long I’ve been visiting your site Anthony. Great job and I know I speak for everyone here when I say we’ll support you every step of the way… Keep up the good work and thank you for everything! My day isn’t complete without visiting the site. (It’s the first site I visit when i open my browser.)
Energizing….from manila, philippines,
Nani
The more I think about it, I think the name of this site should stay the same!.
People go to weird word websites all the time.
We set our bookmarks and homepages and come back again and again.
The web address could be dddooooppiiiiieee.net and if the site is as good as this one is, we will find it and come!
…when was the last time you TYPED a web address?
LINKS!
it’s about links, not site names.
link it and they will come…
What a top notch site that is being produced here. I am quite impressed. I mean to have all the other trek site saying “Trekmovie.com reported this… or reported that…”. I also am liking all the non trek stuff espeically the science section, that talks about cool science and trek science, and how tech. is almost about to match or surpass what trek can do.
I love this site patrly because of it’s simple design, Hate Star Trek.com because it isn’t. Keep up the good work look forward to the new name.
It might be too muck to ask of you but how about setting up a sister site as a general sci fi site using this design.
LLAP
I seem to be a little late on the discussion, but one thing that intrests me is: who are the people who run this site. Anthony, I´m curious about your background and why you decided to do this site, as well as your contributors. So how about a column about YOURSELVES?
Anthony,
I like many others here visit your site several times daily. There is no better place for Star Trek news PERIOD.
I appreciate the fact that you are branching out to some other sci fi news with your new column, however my hope is that you always make Trek your overwhelmingly #1 priority. There are tons of sci fi sites out there. What makes Trekmovie.com so appealing is the sheer quanity and QUALITY of the Trek stories you put on this site every day. Your dedication shines through in many ways. The recent chat with Abrams, Orci, and the rest of the Star Trek cast and crew (from the set no less!) is a prime example. That’s going above and beyond the call of duty. You are tireless and we all can’t thank you enough. I’m just afraid diverting resources to cover other shows extensively would take away from that.
Another point is that, while I have always liked STARTREK.com and visited that site frequently as well, It was always my impression that the folks over there were somewhat constrained by having to tow the Paramount company line. Your unique position allows you to be OBJECTIVE and give us unfiltered reporting. If Paramount were to offer you a gazillion dollars for this site, I wouldn’t blame you for taking it, but I would also be a little sad. This site is so good based on your vision, it would be a shame for you to have to take direction from higher ups.
This site has been my number 1 destination on the web since I discovered it more than a year ago. Keep up the good work, and God Bless. We are all rooting for you!
There is so much about Trek out there.
I really do like this site, because it’s so straigt to the topic. One click and I’m up to date without being lost in frames, columns or other “hip” things.
That’s perfect and it’s nearly my daily Trek-newspaper. I seldom read the paper from yesterday, want to be informed and go on - perhaps commenting (forum would be nice).
Don’t add too much, please, but go on with your ideas and good work.
The visual style - light background and grey/black text is very okay - better for the eyes.
Thanks from germany
Stef*
If only 1% of the readers comment, and 25% of the people who answered the poll are married males, I’m in quite a smaller minority than I could have imagined!
As for the site, everything sounds great, change-wise. I wish I had something unique to offer. I could run the Facebook group, if we wanted one, but that’s about it…
Anthony,
I love the site! I visit at least 3 - 4 times per day, hoping for new news.
I support all the changes that you outlined in the article. I especially look forward to the forums, as the “comment” format is a bit limiting.
Good luck!
Re: Demographics poll
According to the Shat, shouldn’t there be another option:
Male (Single - living in parents basement)
;)
Hi Anthony,
I tried to send this to you last week, but not sure if you got it. Since it directly relates to this article, I thought that I would post it in the comments to get the opinion of others:
This morning I had an idea for a trekmovie forum. Before I started visiting trekmovie.com, I had always assumed that Star Trek fans were, on the whole, an enlightened, and tolerant bunch of people. I based this opinion on the people that I have met (face to face) over the course of my life.
However, since frequenting your site, my opinions have changed somewhat, based on what I’ve read in the article comments. Instead, I find more intolerance and insensitivity (for example, how people jumped all over Anton Yelchin’s comments last week) than I ever would have expected. Certainly not all of your members are guilty of this, but there is definitely a significant percentage. My theory is that it’s because of the anonymity that the internet provides them. In this venue, people can be jerks and insult people at will, because they are safely distant from them, hidden and protected behind their monitor and keyboard. I doubt that people would act this way if they were face to face with the target of their insults.
I’m not sure of the forum technologies available to you, but I was thinking that you should establish a forum member rating system… a combination between an “Amazon.com produect review” and the “eBay user feedback functionality”. For each post that a member makes, others should be able to rate rate “How useful was this comment?” (Amazon). This rating should be permanently associated to that member (eBay), so that over time, the average rating of their comments becomes indicative of what other members think of their comments. Their average rating should appear beneath their name on each and every post that they make, along with the total number of posts to date.
Perhaps if people realize that insensitive or inflammatory comments well forever be associated with them.
123. John N
Slashdot.org has something like that. They call it “Karma”, and each post can be labeled any number of things, insightful, funny, flamebait, etc.
It’s pretty nifty, but I’m sure they own some kind of copyright on it.
I’m really excited by all your direction plans, I think they sound wonderful. I’m an avid Trek fan, yet have never really found a community online that I would call “home.” There are plenty of Trek sites, but they never seem on the same level as communities like TheForce.net or GallifreyOne.com, which I’ve always found odd considering it’s Trek we’re talking about here, and fanaticism isn’t something Trek has ever had a problem inspiring.
So I hope your community, as you envision it now, comes to life. I would love to see forums, blogs and podcasts, because if it’s anything like your news reporting, it should be fantastic. It’s about time someone stepped up to the plate, and I’m glad it’s you guys!
-This is the most interactive and..likeable trek site..ever.. is made from real trek and sci-fi fans..for trek fans..
-Good luck..!
124. doubleofive
Well, Karma would be a perfect name for it! Thanks for the tip… maybe Anthony can look into it if he’s interested in that sort of functionality.
Cheers!
Always loved this site. It’s easy to see any new developments and discuss them. There are already other sites for endless debates about every minutia of Trek. And it’s ok to let all those folks hang out here if they want to debate every little thing of every little series and every movie, but please dont make the headlines hard to find.
Trek is a very big playground and the site could get very congested very easily. Once a site takes longer to navigate than it does to read the article I’m interested in, it’s time to bail.
Also, don’ t spread yourself too thin trying to please all the people all the time. It can’t be done.
Sounds good, Anthony! Here’s to the undiscovered country. ;)
This site is the best Trek website that I had ever visited and I go to this site several times everyday. Great wrok Anthony!
Why don’t you create a section called Harry Ballz’s limerick. ;)
If you seek any donation to make your site better, improve your server in any way or whatever, I will be glad to make a donation thru Paypal.
Captain Hackett
thanks for the kind words…….it’s much appreciated! :)
Anthony,
Congrats on the massive success and the impending evolution.
And, oh yeah,
DS9 FOREVER!!!
-QuasiOdo
Although I do like the format of the site….would this forum section have avatars like other sites?
Anthony,
I started out here as a lurker, and I never really read any of the comments. However, in the last few months I started joining the fray a bit. I don’t look anywhere else for Trek news, although admittedly, I really only care about the movie news—unless someone is bringing Trek back to the small screen. Still, the Trek actor news bits are mildly entertaining. What impressed me the most was the interactive chat with Mr. Abrams, Mr. Orci, etc. I don’t care about glitches, or that my question was not answered. That was fantastic, and you have my appreciation. It sounds like you are headed in a fine direction to continue to serve Star Trek fans of every incarnation. May the wind be at your back.
Love the site, can’t wait to see what’s next.
And yes, DS9 rules!!
did i already post this? u must take stalker out of celebrity news colum- it is uncomfortable to approach something with thoes connotations.
yes i need to lighten up- and will when it is “celebrity tracker” or something less desturbing.
#136
How about Star Tracker?
#133
I pray to God that there will be no avatars. If there are, one of you computer types will have to lend me a hand to get mine up and running. I like the simplicity of the comments section but I guess if we have to have a forum I don’t need it to be much different.