PDA

View Full Version : Display Finder



kychristmas
01-03-2011, 02:20 PM
I have decided to move forward with my Light Display Finder website. Although there are a number of good sites, I think a single site that is good for the public and allows for integration (data sharing) with applications.

Now that the season is almost over (my lights still have to come down) I have started developing the first part: The XML schema. The Schema will allow other sites and applications to easily consume and submit data from my site. There will be no cost to use it. Just acknowledgement and the registration for a API Key. (similar to Google)

In addition, you will be able to create groups/categories so members of a particular organization or site such as DIYC can designate themselves as such. Along with this will be the ability to create a "Branded" Display Search/Finder page for the particular group. Included in the Branding will be the ability to upload a Push Pin icon for the Map

Another aspect of version 1 will be to allow developers to post links to their mobile applications that utilize the data. So potential visitors can easily identify apps that are available for their mobile devices.

The entire idea is to provide a very open, but controlled tool for the entire light display community. Private and Commercial displays, but especially our potential visitors.

I think one thing that is important for potential visitors is the ability to register for a specific location/area/region and get notifications when a display is added or updated in their area. They won't have to keep stopping back to look for new ones.

For Display owners, I also hope to plan to provide a contest management tool for organizations such as TV and Radio stations, HOAs and Cities to manage their contest. Including voting tools.

General comments are welcome, but for now, please hold tight on feature suggestions. After a year of stewing this over, I have a 100+ bulleted item list of features and functions. I don't want anyone to say I stole their idea without credit :)

The intent is for this to be totally non-profit. All proceeds (if any) will go back into the site with any excess being donated to a Charity of my choosing.

Kelly

dirknerkle
01-03-2011, 11:16 PM
Sounds great, Kelly! There are always interesting things that can be added to the mix, but doing the basics extremely well is a great place to start and is often the differentiator between something of value and just another hum-drum "okay" site...

kychristmas
01-04-2011, 01:18 PM
I know I asked for no suggestions, but last night I was thinking that maybe I'm doing something unnecessary. I would like to take a look at other similar sites.

We use the Local TV News sites and also Tacky Light Tour.

If you knows of other Display Location/Finder sites, please let me know.

Kelly

mattrob
01-04-2011, 01:45 PM
http://yulefinder.com launched this year in our city. I think adding my display to their site helped increase my traffic.

One observation, they had a star rating system, but sometimes I have reason to believe some people would down-rate everyone else so that their display would be on the top of the list. (Not trying to make a feature request to factor such things in your algorithm, but mentioning a flaw I noticed. ;) )

budude
01-04-2011, 02:25 PM
http://christmaslightfinder.com/

kychristmas
01-04-2011, 02:32 PM
http://christmaslightfinder.com/

Yeah, I went after that Domain name so that one I saw. Definitely closer to what I'm looking for. The only thing is that is shows displays from all over the U.S.

I acutally registered on it last year, but I noticed its not there.

Superfreak3
01-04-2011, 02:34 PM
http://yulefinder.com launched this year in our city. I think adding my display to their site helped increase my traffic.

One observation, they had a star rating system, but sometimes I have reason to believe some people would down-rate everyone else so that their display would be on the top of the list. (Not trying to make a feature request to factor such things in your algorithm, but mentioning a flaw I noticed. ;) )

WOW, looks like a lot of nice displays in your area!

jpb
01-04-2011, 05:27 PM
Here is one from Australia. It looks very commercial and I did not register my display on it.

http://www.ozchristmaslights.com/

Jon