Team Realtree Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 We met with an agency yesterday that specializes in a lot of things web related and it just so happens that a lot of the conversation centered around these forums and some things we could do to grow and improve them. Besides things I have mentioned before like tie-ins to Facebook and other social media, we began the discussions about building a mobile version of Realtree.com. We know some folks already access the forums from their phones, but the site isn't optimized for that and it is more than likely a pain to move around or view things in here.There are many things besides making the site easier to browse and view through a mobile device. One of the best is allowing members in here to participate through the phone wherever they might be. That got me on the subject of Tim Andrus' live hunt threads and how we might can feature those more and make it easier for him (and those who help him) keep the threads almost live and as the hunt happens. If you can imagine any user with a smart phone narrating their hunts while they happen and for all to see in here. And even instantly uploading pics and video from that hunt. How about spending slow times in the stand reading other posts, writing your user blogs and uploading images to Photo Post? This mobile optimization will probably change the whole dynamic of these forums and how they are used. The paperwork has been completed and we are well under way with the mapping and outlining. It won't have everything the main site has and will look and work much like a phone app does. However, it won't matter what phone you are on (there is no downloading or buying) and you will always have access to the main site if needed. I will keep everyone updated. It is hard to give time frames or launch dates on projects like this, but I will say that it should be up way before the start of the 2011 archery season. In the meantime, we would like some answers to some questions we have for our members in here: Do you access Realtree.com on your phone? If so, what kind of phone do you have, what parts of the site do you go to, and is it hard to navigate or see? If you could name 1, 2, 5, or 10 different parts of the site you would like to see optimized for phone use, what might those be? If you have other comments regarding mobile web usage, let us know. I am gathering as much information as I can during this process. Thanks, S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dawg Posted March 24, 2011 Report Share Posted March 24, 2011 This will be awesome to have! I have a Droid and only browse the forums on it. Looking forward to the mobile site. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunt or be Hunted Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 I NEVER use my phone for Realtree. I get on the computer for that! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 will not use it,.or facebook or blog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RangerClay Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 (edited) I could see where this would be really helpful for Tim but I will not access Realtree on my phone. I will go to the computer to view his updates. Edited March 25, 2011 by RangerClay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92xj Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 Sounds like this will eliminate the need for the 'middle man' while doing live hunts. I personally will view the forums .05% of the time (the few times I am sitting in an airport on a layover) throughout the year. It sucks looking at a tiny screen on the phone. I would rather wait and get to a computer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohiobucks Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 I would use this quite a bit.... Thanks Scott! Do you access Realtree.com on your phone? If so, what kind of phone do you have, what parts of the site do you go to, and is it hard to navigate or see?I do, sometimes. I have a Droid. I go all over the site. I can pinch zoom to anything and the text adjusts to fit my screen. No problems seeing or reading anything. If you could name 1, 2, 5, or 10 different parts of the site you would like to see optimized for phone use, what might those be? I would suggest getting rid of the ads, smilies, and tweet bar. No pull down menus either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted March 25, 2011 Report Share Posted March 25, 2011 If you can imagine any user with a smart phone narrating their hunts while they happen and for all to see in here. And even instantly uploading pics and video from that hunt. How about spending slow times in the stand reading other posts, writing your user blogs and uploading images to Photo Post? This mobile optimization will probably change the whole dynamic of these forums and how they are used. THAT SOUNDS AWESOME!!! In the meantime, we would like some answers to some questions we have for our members in here: Do you access Realtree.com on your phone? Yes. But its very hard to navigate as you know. I do or try to alot during the hunting times when things are slow......OR when I am traveling about. Sure viewing on my pc is 100% times bettter and easier but when I am out away from the pc and bored and I PAY for internet on my phone I might as well use it. SO I come get my realtree forum fix :D If so, what kind of phone do you have, what parts of the site do you go to, and is it hard to navigate or see? Currently I have a Blackberry. However the newer android smart phones seem to be more web/app freindly these days so I will probably be going that route very soon. I generally just visit the forum. It is crazy hard to see and navigate. I have to scroll down FOREVER just to get to the forum. Then once I click on anything to view/read I again I have to scroll down forever to read or see whatever I clicked on. All the links, pictures and what not at the top of the page is what I have to scroll down through......and there is ALOT of that. If you could name 1, 2, 5, or 10 different parts of the site you would like to see optimized for phone use, what might those be? If you have other comments regarding mobile web usage, let us know. I am gathering as much information as I can during this process. Thanks, S Anything to make the mobile version more mobile friendly would be better. I would obviously use the forum. I would probably make use of the stuff in the resources section of the site (weather, fish & game forecast and maps). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Kat Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 I cruise the forums more on my phone than on my laptop. When I am at work waiting on welders to finish up I check the forums. I use an iphone, and just hit up the forums only. I never check the rest of the site out anymore...... Changes I'd make to the new forum would be lose the tweets, likes, etc. Other than that, the format works just fine. Looking forward to seeing what happens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruttinbuc Posted March 26, 2011 Report Share Posted March 26, 2011 The simple answer is I don't have a smart phone and don't plan on getting one anytime soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoosierhunter Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 I have an iphone and I do use the forums a little on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
okiedog Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 90% of my forum time is from my phone now. I am using a I-Phone 4 now, and have no issues. I was using a Samsung Soltice the last couple of years and it was a real pain. Every time I opened the forums I would get a "pop-up" saying page was too large to display fully. I really never had a problem with the phone loading until all the ads were placed on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Team Realtree Posted March 30, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 Thanks for the feedback. The purpose of a mobile app is to make everything easier to read and interact with, so it might change some minds of those that say they won't come to the forums on a phone. I know I would if I'm stuck somewhere like a Dr.s office, airport, or slow day on stand. And don't bet on it cutting out the middle man on Tim's hunts. Have you ever talk tech with Tim? Might take a lot more than this:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogdoc Posted March 30, 2011 Report Share Posted March 30, 2011 I think that is an awesome plan. When in the deer stand I use my i-phone a lot. Browsing the web and actually have videoed deer under the stand. good job todd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toddyboman Posted April 2, 2011 Report Share Posted April 2, 2011 Thanks for the feedback. The purpose of a mobile app is to make everything easier to read and interact with, so it might change some minds of those that say they won't come to the forums on a phone. I know I would if I'm stuck somewhere like a Dr.s office, airport, or slow day on stand. Couldn't agree more. This is when I do most of all my phone forum browsing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Andrus Posted April 2, 2011 Report Share Posted April 2, 2011 Hey Scott watch it ! lol I was thinking Ill have to take a I phone class lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikebohio Posted April 3, 2011 Report Share Posted April 3, 2011 would love to be able to take photos from my stand with my phone and share them with the forum in real time. would love to see my friends realtime hunts. photos or video of passed deer. in field recovery pics. heck im getting excited just thinking of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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