Question detail: 8. How can we improve THE ENSIGN website? (blank or none responses deleted)

 

Design (9)

  1. Include pictures of people of other races that enjoy boating as well.
  2. More pictures and better pictures
  3. The illustrations are dim; the mouseovers and vertical text are distracting
  4. Hate the homepage with the mouse-over graphics for the menu. Just have the homepage the features page. Otherwise I like the site better than the magazine.
  5. move link to USPS home page instead of, or in addition to the Sect. Dept. to make it easier to find.
  6. Get a better search engine
  7. Eliminate all color
  8. Sometimes, I would like to respond directly to an article in a way which would generate discussion with other members, or to ask follow up questions regarding an article.  Having some BLOG system which would keep reader's response threads to articles would be useful.  Interactive forums usually keep people engaged and reading more.
  9. make links page more noticeable?  highlight or bold most visited selections

 

Editorial (62)

  1. more in-depth articles & info that spin off from short intro versions in the printed ensign
  2. Highlight the website with pertinent facts relative to boating information and safety.
  3. Broader scope of boating activities.  Seems the same sort of stories each month.
  4. Include less 'internal USPS' info.    Include more info. on boating....
  5. Magazine web sites need to be continually updated.  The Ensign site currently looks the same as it did 2-3 months ago.  Keep the content and the pictures changing to keep bringing people back.
  6. Get some professional staff! The Ensign is an embarrassingly amateur production! Compare it to any other boating magazine and it comes in dead last. It normally contains stories by unknowledgeable authors, saying 'look at the dumb thing I did, but because I took a squadron boating course, I survived'!
  7. more on education courses, more cruising areas
  8. Offer more articles that concern the everyday boater pertaining to repairs, maintenance, etc.  Not that interested in hearing about how someone spent the summer sailing here or there.  
  9. Set the record straight on membership and requirements
  10. I like it very much, although sometimes it seems there are a lot of new products mentioned, maybe too many.
  11. more adventure stories what sailors did to survive
  12. Make it more of interest to those who are not so tradition-bound, and address its focus towards younger boaters who only boat recreationally. More articles comparing smaller boats, money saving operating tips, and get rid of all the technical articles that are only of interest to that 2% of people who take this seriously enough to take all those old-fashioned courses.
  13. More how to's and on boat modifications.  More DIY stuff.
  14. Continue interest stories about individual squadrons and there members,
  15. I would like to see more articles on what updates other people have made to there boats and if the updates were worth the bother.  Sometimes people spend good money on the hottest item to find out it is real junk.  This could help others who are thinking of the same upgrade make a better decision on what to buy.  Bottom paint would be a good place to start, parceled out by region.    Thanks, I hope my input helped.
  16. Would like to see more 'West Coast' interaction and stories as that is where we live. We boat year around out here.
  17. Tired of all of the same old stuff rehashed. Do something different. There are other places in the USA besides the East Coast!
  18. Give us more How To information.
  19. More Educational classes available
  20. More personal ads
  21. articles on fishing boats
  22. Feature ordinary members, their stories, their passion for the waterways, their pursuits for safety and education
  23. Feature articles about boating and safety.
  24. How to articles.  Sales listing -- keep them up to date 
  25. Ensure the articles and point of reference don't sound quite so elitist.
  26. I think the most helpful information either on line or in print is that which teaches or assists a boater in the practical application of safe boating techniques. For instance, the series on anchoring I felt to be a share practical information about a skill far too many boaters won't admit they feel comfortable with.
  27. more maintenance and pre-maintenance procedures for both sail and power.
  28. I like letters to the editor to see what others think.
  29. CATER A LITTLE MORE TO THE WEST COAST MEMBERS
  30. Would like to see more articles on our internal education programs.  More 'how to' articles.  More individual boating trips to unusual places.
  31. less gripe articles, gets old hat, repeated  we know the organization has problems, stated in one form or another every month. why continually beat the organization into the ground?   Good news in recent editions, I read more positive than negative articles.
  32. i am just getting into boating and still do not have a lot of time for boating.  I just wanted to belong to USPS to support the activity.  so I can not provide adequate comment.
  33. I don't like reading off the computer, so it needs only an address and phone number
  34. The latest issue was more to my liking. I like the more technical oriented approach.
  35. Provide more practical, everyday, types of information that would be of interest to the active boater and USPS member. Too many articles are restating the obvious USPS focused information. It's as if you’re trying to recruit and or educate new members. Remember, we are already members.
  36. articles on boating tips, along with technical recommendations are very helpful. Also, stories on boaters real life experiences
  37. Fishing and other hobbies by members that might like more information would probably have a positive outcome for the ensign. 
  38. MORE TECHNICAL ARTICLES
  39. Need more do-it-yourself articles about repairs
  40. Show some younger members!    Our organization is really struggling to stay afloat.  I doubt if this is an isolated case.  Provide articles how to enlarge and survive!
  41. get more insight from the newer members
  42. I am more interested in diesel motors. Offshore fishing. sea rescues. wiring of electronics. ABYC  standards. Changes and understanding rules of the road.
  43. Become more interesting.
  44. Inland small sport boating issues.
  45. Might I suggest a one page synopsis on a specific squadron every issue.      Oh, and cease promoting Magnetic labeling and plotting!
  46. Not sure. Since I know what my squadron is up to I look for articles that will affect me and my SAIL boat. I do like the burgee and name articles.
  47. I would like to see a broader section for those selling trading, etc in boats (private owner sales).     Also, have some kind of section for us new members that are not yet up to speed on boating or own a boat just yet. 
  48. Without any input from this survey.. I would not be able to determine just what the majority of our boaters are interested in, etc.   The west coast, the mid-states, and the east coast all have their particular interests.  This is why I am the safety officer of our squadron... EVERYBODY NEEDS TO KNOW ABOUT SAFETY   and it applies throughout our 'whole fleet'.
  49. Interesting Cruises from start and prep to landmarks enroute, facilities, interesting channels,facilities,good restaurants,safe home,incidents and emergencies,how USPS handled same,fuel considerations,et cet.
  50. I am far more interested in the training and technical aspects of the Ensign as opposed to the business, administration, or social aspects.
  51. More technical and self help articles
  52. is there anything on chartering for the older, retired members
  53. More Articles from different squadrons across the country.
  54. Perhaps feature information or expanded articles not available in the printed ENSIGN.
  55. Mention in The Ensign what is on the web site and do it frequently.
  56. 1 include more inland boating activities  2 recipes for on the water cooking  3 woman in boating   4 sea scouts (more exposure with articles from the scouts about there program) 
  57. Write articles on how to attract younger members.
  58. More articles on electronics. comparisons, how to use
  59. It would be nice to have some information on how to put on a successful boating activity.  Also, perhaps some general suggestions on care, safety, boating activity, recipes.......
  60. More instructional and how to articles.
  61. Would like to see more local news;  one page for East Coast and one for West Coast and one for the Midwest. Have the squadrons list the classes they are holding. Just a thought.
  62. I like more history especially about the Great lakes. I also like articles the stars and navigation

 

Kudos/no changes (32)

  1. Everything seems to be working okay!
  2. No suggestions.  It is a first class publication that the members can be proud of.
  3. I have no suggestions. It seems OK as it is.
  4. No suggested improvements; it's already very good....
  5. I have no problems with it as is.
  6. Good as is.
  7. I think it is great the way it is!
  8. it seems ok the way it is
  9. Looks fine. Is there linkage to Squadron and District Newsletters?
  10. I think it's great the way it is.
  11. Pleased with the way it appears.
  12. No Change
  13. Keep it coming!
  14. It seems OK as is to me.
  15. I think it is fine
  16. It works just fine for me.  Keep up the good work!!!!
  17. I think it's ok.
  18. I am not sure how to improve it. I enjoy it.
  19. Looks great ---- We've been out of boating for 11years ---lost interest.    Don't do much at the Squadron, worked for about 25 years, now it's time for the newer members to put in an effort.
  20. I enjoy it.
  21. ! I LIKE IT AS IS.
  22. Keep up the excellent work.
  23. Keep up the good work.
  24. Been a member for over 20 years and the Ensign keeps getting better. The more contemporary the articles the better.
  25. No specific need for improvement. It's excellent as is. Continue the good work
  26. You are doing super. Very good articles.
  27. It is fine !
  28. if it isn't broke don't fix it ! !
  29. continue as is.
  30. You’re doing a great job now.
  31. It's pretty good as it is. 
  32. It is very good and I don't have any current suggestions.

 

Referring to magazine (17)

  1. Throw in a Nautical type crossword puzzle in each issue. This keeps the magazine around longer and become entertainment for my wife and daughter. 
  2. By covering things not cover in other publications such as Boating. Perhaps, following up on things briefly mentioned in other boating publications.    If it is possible tailor coverage regionally. Example, the 'Story behind the Burgee would be more interesting if it was more local.
  3. It can be improved by making it more relevant to the average boaters' needs.  Take a look at the Boat U.S. magazine.  I find it very informative.  I read many boating magazines each month since I work in the boating industry.  I am looking for practical, relevant information that affects me as a boater and U.S.P.S. instructor.  For example, what are the Feds doing with GPS and Loran.  Did they add another WAAS satellite?  This information would be helpful to me and others.  Bill Isenberg
  4. Fewer issues, more content
  5. Great publication.  Keep up the good work.
  6. A fine publication that is informative for boaters.
  7. There are MANY members who receive the Ensign who no longer have boats.  Some articles directed to these readers would be appreciated.
  8. It looks DRAB.  Take a look at the AARP member magazine to see how interesting and pertinent the articles are and how bright the mag. looks.    We are not all COMMANDERS, military minded, avid mariners.  A lot of us are casual boaters who need practical info. and want to make friends.
  9. MAKE THE MAGAZINE A QUARTERLY MAGAZINE WITH MORE  INFO, PICTURES, LETTERS ETC. IT SEEMS TO ME THERE IS ALOT OF PRESSURE TO PUT OUT A MONTHLY PUBLICATION WITH DATED MATERIAL....
  10. I think that it is well done now.  I enjoy reading it.
  11. I know that there is an issue about cost to publish and the possibility of having less issues produced each year.  I think that the mix of articles published is good, and the content short, to-the-point and educational.  So keep up the good work even if we have to have a lesser number of issues each year.
  12. I enjoy reading the magazine.
  13. Rather then mail The Ensign to everyone, why not have it available on the web?  Then ask the membership if they would like to have an e-mail sent to them with a link to the web site where they would have access to The Ensign.  This has the potential to reduce publication and mailing costs.   
  14. allow me to receive the ensign on line instead of by snail mail
  15. It is a very nice, informative magazine and it needs very little improvement
  16. honestly I think that you are doing a great job. I look forward to each issue.
  17. I read a great many boating mags...mostly sailing related.  The ensign is a quality product, great photos and it certainly holds my interest due to refreshing approach to interesting topics.  Certainly a great source of squadron news but it  also deals with general boating issues.  A unique balance of information and news.  Please continue the pics...perhaps include a feature on destinations   and different cruising grounds. 

 

Referring to USPS website (4)

  1. I don't know exactly how, but I seem to have to do an awful lot of searching before finding what I want.  Perhaps there is too much 'vernacular' used for a relative newcomer...especially one who is not completely used to the terminology used in official seamanship.
  2. Make it a little more user friendly when searching for forms.
  3. I'm not sure - but it seems very old fashioned.
  4. Make it user friendly - easier to find what you are looking for.  Not everyone is a computer person

 

Unaware of website/publicize it (36)

  1. Prominently display web address on cover
  2. I was not aware there was an Ensign website.
  3. Will have to look at it and then let you know.  If I have not been to the site then more than likely it is not promoted enough.      Website should be a BIG to see URL on the front cover.  And then repeated through out the magazine.
  4. Oops;  I didn't know about it.
  5. Remind us it's there!
  6. I just went to the website for the first time.   Couldn't access it via Google.  Found it by carefully reading usps.org main page.  Perhaps it should be advertised more.
  7. Don't know have not checked out the site
  8. ????????????????
  9. Unknown
  10. I have never seen it.
  11. Make it appear more often in the Ensign
  12. Let people know that it exists
  13. I will visit the site.
  14. Haven't seen it.  Can't answer.
  15. Haven't gone to it so can not say.
  16. Don't know, did not know one had a website.  Will look now.
  17. Haven't been there.
  18. Never visited the site
  19. never visited
  20. I was unaware there was an Ensign website.
  21. I have never visited the website but I will in the future.
  22. I don't know.  I need to check it out.
  23. Having never visited, have no idea.
  24. Guess I am not sure of benefits.  It takes me a lot of time to go to Web Site
  25. Have not made enough visits to offer a good suggestion
  26. Not in position to comment
  27. I didn't know it existed.
  28. Publicize it.
  29. Promote it .... since I did not know of its existence
  30. I’ve never visited the web site so I can't be of any help.
  31. Haven't had the time to check - but will
  32. Having not visited it I don't have a clue.
  33. I have not seen it, so I don't know.
  34. Guess I need to take a look...
  35. Hardly ever use websites.
  36. For whatever reason, I didn't know that The Ensign had its own website. perhaps this is where breaking news should be posted rather than delaying for the printed edition.

 

Other (3)

  1. Probably not at all, as it is a reflection of the entire organization, which has really failed to keep up with the times. Now, with printed media on a decided decline, I would concentrate on the web site and use a much reduced ENSIGN to be a web site feeder and pointer. A 'How to get started with a Computer' series for novices and a squadron sponsored 'How to improve Computer skills' program might help to create additional interest in the organization, provided the organization targets young boaters instead us old fossils.
  2. I expected the website to mirror the hard copy
  3. don't do web???