New features - ideas and discussion on how it could work...
I was thinking... at the end of each blog entry form, a standard could be used that could somehow be pulled by you or moderators. for example the form would be something like this:
(totally off my head just for the sake of the idea!)
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Travelblog.org's Guide to the World!
-The guide is entirely user created by real people- not paid writers.
-The guide is improved everytime you add your own experiences in your travelblogs
-The guide will be free to every travelblog.org user online, or available for purchase in paperback.
-Take a minute to add your favorite restaurants, excellent service and great places to stay.
-Your help is greatly appreciated!
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Accomodations:
- Name, price, ammenities, location
- star rating(1-5)
- comments:
Restaurant:
- Name, price, menu offering location
- star rating(1-5)
- comments:
Destination:
- Name, highlight, location
- star rating(1-5)
- comments:
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In this way, user have the option and ease to add this information everytime they add a new blog and are posting text. Some programming tag could then reference the info to compile(non programmer here!). Slowly but surely, information will grow. First Thailand, then New Zealand, the France.... right down to that country that only has 2 travelblogs, right?!
Reply to this It really is an interesting idea... It would be quite the guide, to be simply a compilation of independent traveler's recommendations and to provide access to the author's blogs to review their trip (i.e. credentials) etc. With all the blogs I've read, there are definitely some writers (and certainly photographers) out there that are better than the LP authors. If you could create just a basic form like the one Stephen outlines above, I am sure you could get plenty of recommendations on guest houses, restaurants, etc. in just a short bit of time. The history and phrase portions of the book wouldn't be too difficult to get together with a little research. A few weeks of research on the history of a country and you could write a few pages on it that would be enough for most travelers base desire. I would think the hardest part of really pulling off a good guidebook would be to get good, accurate maps and transportation information.
As for authors, just the responses on this post seems positive enough that people would be willing to help out. I'm not as well traveled as most, but would be willing to help out with the places I know well. And heck, I quit my job for an adventure, this sounds like one!
Reply to this I tend to think that the types of travel guides travel sites would produce would be an over kill.
There is so much information already available in existing guidebooks and on the internet.
A couple of Lonely Planet style guides on the market is more than enough in my opinion.
I prefer the idea that somebody here went through with a while ago, which was the best of TravelBlog 2007. I think travel stories certainly are something there could be more of. I find them inspiring. The more the better if they are unique and interesting. 😊
Mel
Reply to this Yeah, reading other's stories from the road are extremely interesting, and inspirational in many accounts. I know all my friends back home live vicariously through my stories, and I know I did the same when my friend had his blog while I was working the daily grind. A book of the best stories and photos would be fantastic; no doubt I would love to pick one up.
Same time, I think pulling the best restaurants and hotels from people's opinions would be easy, provide many peoples opinions (instead of just one like in guide books), and completely legitimate. It would at least give me a place to start looking when I land in the next city.
Reply to this I love reading other people's perceptions and thoughts on the countries they visit. That's one of the reasons why I like visiting travelblog.org, because it's made up of lots of different and varied adventures, which inspire me. It's when I get to my destination that the guidebook comes in handy - basic travel info like maps, accommodation, opening hours, local sights etc. I usually do travel with a LP and find they're a good reference, but not the be all and end all.
I agree with other bloggers - I'd rush to buy a "best of" Travelblog book.
Reply to this I like the idea of a Travelblog travel guide, thats why I mentioned it, I didn't know everyone would be so into it lol. There's a site worth checking out called
Wikitravel. Ive been contributing to it for a while but being a wiki, it requires absolutely everything to be original. With a TB travel guide, you could use some pics already on the site (with owners permission of course).
Although I have to say, even though I really like the wikitravel, I wouldnt use it over a Lonely Planet. Since it's updated by casual users, there are many missing parts of countries, cities etc.. Still would be great to see how a TB travelblog would work out tho.
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