New Old Clown Website

[azzy]

Good afternoon sillyfaces,

(FYI, this is almost more of a diary than a forum post - beware!)

I'm a big tech guy, so when I get interested in something, I use internet resources as much as possible. I started looking into clowning on a whim, so one day I just started browsing. There are a few good reference sites for clowning, and a lot of specialty sites. There are also a lot of external references to books, and to history.

Thankfully I found this site. Clown-Forum is invaluable to me. If not for you all I would have most probably just stopped and forgotten about this crazy dream. Even with this resource, I'd love to have something more structured - to learn from, to share freely, and to reference here!

When I came upon Hickory's Clown Alley, it had a big banner on top saying the site was for sale. I took a mental note of that, and every time I saw it over the next month or two I thought about it. It's a good resource, it's dated but there is a lot of information up there. I'd hate to see something like that lost.

I emailed Hickory a couple weeks ago, things went well, and we've completed the transfer. I'd like to point out that it was not a sale; Geoff didn't request anything monetary for the site. The hosting is only costing me a few dollars out of pocket. I'm grateful for the opportunity, and I think he was happy that the site can live on.

So now what? The site is dated, but has some great information. The first thing I did was speak with our wonderful Princess about this - I don't want to take anything away from the Clown-Forum. At the same time I would like to build a community focused site with content provided by anyone and everyone who's willing to help out. I’ve got experience with that, and overall it’s worked well.

First off, any and all relevant content currently on the site will be kept but re-structured. The "Clown Registry", "Alley Registry", "Seminars & Events" will all be kept and expanded (and updated).

Clown-Forum and Clown-Chat will be heavily advertised, I feel like these resources are more important than anything I could put together!

The clown photos section will be expanded. This is one area that is a bit duplicated at Clown-Forum, sorry... I just want to offer a whole lot more. Lots of different places for clown pictures can't be a bad thing.

I want a section that lists Retailers, Dealers, products, and other resources. I'm looking at adding product reviews, and things like that. Of course there will be links to other clown resources also.

Then I'm looking at creating an always-evolving "Book of Clowning". Now, I'm a newbie and I know nothing, which is why this is important. I've been soaking it in for months, and I will continue to soak it all in for years. I can't think of a better time to start a guide for new clowns than right now. This does not exclude experienced clowns. I want to cover every angle. Everyone needs to keep learning, and everyone has something to offer.

Last but not least I plan on offering something to clowns out there who need a hand online. Some sort of website service, where clowns can have a 'semi-professional' website hosted at something like clownname.webclowns.com - Hopefully free for contributors. I always like free better than not-free, don’t you? We'll see how that works out.

So this is my brainstorming book. I could go on and on and on in more detail about everything I typed out above, so if you’ve got questions please let me know. Otherwise what would you like to see in an all-inclusive clowning web site?

[milo]

I like it – A lick of paint and some updated content and I think it’ll be a great resource for clowns new and old.

If you need anything from me, just shout! (really loud)

Milo

[Scruffy]

Congrat's Azzy!

[Sir Toony Van Dukes]

Congrats. I don't think I has stumbled upon that website before. Looks like it has a lot there, but will take some work to reformat the content and get it looking like a modern website. If you need help with something, I may be able to offer a hand.

[Miss Petunia]

Azzy,
I checked out the website a couple of days ago, and saw the notice that you had taken it over, congratulations. It definately needs updating. the content hasn't changed much since I started clowning 10 years ago!

Petunia

[Finito]

Bravo, Azzy! Way to be!

[The_Princess_of_Bozonia]

Azzy, I'm glad someone who cares about the site took it over, instead of some spammer. That would have been a crying shame. I know the clowns here will support your efforts to improve it!

[Chance Marmalade]

Very cool project! If you have need of a vaudeville specialist I might be your clown! (If there is no one better!). Just let me know if I can help out. Looks like a great thing to be a part of.