Hello everyone. First of all I will like to say I am glad there is a site like nairaland. I have spent a couple days on this site and I am very impressed. A few months ago I was in a discussion with some people(I am based in the US) about Nigeria. I was amazed that a lot of people still see africa as an undeveloped continent.

That got me thinking of putting together a site(mynigeriapics.com) that showed all the beautiful and developed side of Nigeria that we don't see on the TV.  It is still in Beta mode and I need your input what you like and don't like. What you would like to see on the site and what you don't want. Also if you have any good Pictures  or imaged of Nigeria please Upload them.

Thank you for the input

ThePhantom,

First and foremost, welcome to the forum. If you are like me, when you were first told of this forum (for me, that would be 1.5 years ago), you spent a lot of time reading various posts without actually being a member. Once you were convinced, you then joined. Be that as it may, once again you're welcome.

Unfortunately, when all you have is a hammer, everything to you is a nail. Speaking for America, when all you have been taught with respect to Africa is famine, hunger, AIDS and corruption, even in these internet days, what else do you expect? I am sure there are stereotypes that you have which as hard as you fight them off, still remain lodged in your genes. Be that as it may, good luck on your project.


What I would like to see?
1) Photos of the various tourist attractions in Nigeria (refer to slideshow in the right column of http://nigeria.gov.ng/ , as bad as it is, for pointers

2) Short videos/audio clips beside each phot describing such attractions

3) Interviews with accomplished Nigerian citizens in Nigeria (video would be great).

4) A list of Nigeria's accomplishments in Sports, politics, etc

5) A list of efforts Nigeria is making to clean up its image (think EFCC).

Suggestions:
1) To entice skeptics, I think the site would be better served if implemented in Flash

2) I think the photos you have on the site presently aren't crisp enough

3) I also think you should control the flow of photos, articles, etc to the site. Users can submit them to you, but you should be in control of what goes up on it. This is all about image. A little propaganda wouldn't hurt.

I hope these help. Once again welcome and good luck!!

Another good link:
http://www.nigeriantourism.com/index.htm

@ my2cents

Thanks for the feedback and the links. Iam working on adding more features.

@Phantom

see ceaser-web dot com for the mapping engine.

The phantom, could this site have all you intend doing, which implies there is probably no need for yours, unless of course there is something unique about yours that isn't highlighted on this site?

http://www.nigeriantourism.com/

@my2cents

The site does kinda have the same idea I am going for, but my site is different because of how I want to deliver it. The site right now is more in alpha mode and I am working on getting it offically lunched by march.

cool,

I look forward to the launch. Hopefully, there will be some Gordon Spark there

ThePhantom

Good luck on the project bro!

wish u success

@ ~Sly~(*_*)

Thanks

When over 75% of the Continent is under developed, I do not believe it is wrong to assume it is underdeveloped. I mean you can post pictures of the small spaces that are developed but that will not change the mind of those who fly into Lagos and see all the dirt and filth all over the place and then the wooden stalls and all but then 3 or 4 High rise buildings in the distance. I myself have an idea for a site such as yours but different in that I actually prefer to show things as they really are to Nigerians who are abroad with delusions that the place is developed and they do not need to do anything at all about the situation down there.

@Kobojunkie

The site will not only just show the developed side of Nigeria. It will show all of Nigeria. I want people to see that Nigeria has potential to be greater. I want them to see the real Nigeria not the one they show on TV. Check back in March when it is offically launched.

phantom,

haba! March too long now.

Hi Phantom,

I think you have really done a great job sourcing for and editing contents for your site. I accept it is not easy creating a site like this. I have been working on a project too and would be lauched real soon.

I will like to point to you that visitors on your site would not find it easy to navigate on picture categories. The pictures could be arranged in categories and there should be links to the various categories on all the page, unlike it is now where you have to click on the logo to go to the home page.

You should also avoid srinking the pictures. I mean resizing it from one side. The dimension should be adjusted uniformly from the corners and each photo must carry as much description as possible, not like 'Building in Abuja' as it is now.

I wish you the very best in everything you do.

BroadCode

@my2cents
want to make sure everything works.



@BroadCode

Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate all that you pointed out. About the descriptions,I do plan to add more information. I working on a system that will request users to help update or provide information for a images

I have to disagree with my2cents about implementing the site in flash. Flash is too heavy, and nowadays, there are many ohter ways to artfully display a picture site without the use of Flash. eg. shutterchance.com
But you also need to get more pictures of better quality.

And if u can get it looking more professional than nigeriantourism.net as my2cents gave an example, it would be definitely more impressive.

I have to disagree with my2cents about implementing the site in flash. Flash is too heavy, and nowadays, there are many ohter ways to artfully display a picture site without the use of Flash. eg. shutterchance.com

Ony, that is true, generally speaking. However (you knew I was going to go there ), if carefully architected and implemented (using fewer frames, using objects, using high quality yet web optimized images, etc), it doesn't have to be heavy.

Having said that, I do prefer the shutterchances, lightboxes and mootools of the world. They have made flash-illiterate people like me look very professional