myTobago – your questions, review and comment about Tobago

Hi James

Good idea, but sadly the resources needed to host the huge amount of bandwidth that such a venture would take are way, way beyond the scope of a non-commercial site. The new site (hopefully before Christmas) will have a lot more illustration than the current site (thanks to all those lovely readers who have sent good stuff) so I think you will find more than enough to get the real 'flavour' of Tobago and I'm always on the lookout for new shots.

Given that these photos will be spread across 100+ pages, it is my hope to condense all into a photo gallery as well as just having them on the individual pages.

Nevertheless, thanks for the suggestion.

Steve,

I'm torn 50:50 between thinking that there should be something left to surprise the first time visitor, and providing as much information as possible. I guess that the visitors that want to be surprised won't end up here anyway, so the majority of visitors to MyTobago seem to be HUNGRY for more information, which is what makes your site so good. I can of course only tell you how I use the site, and what would help me (which I hope is what you are looking for here). It is possible that I may have something in common with the rest of your users!

My main reason for visiting MyTobago is to research my next holiday. I would probably divide that into closely related stages, that do not necessarily occur in order, and are often repeated, but approximately:

1) Deciding on the rough location which will become my base.
2) Selecting accommodation within that area.
3) Identifying the Restaurants and facilities (beach, snorkelling, boat trip etc) within the chosen area.
4) Planning a few day trips away from my starting point, and also making sure that I don't miss something un-missable, having already driven the length of the island.

So for me, a lot swings on location. For example, having already read plenty of visitor reviews of the areas, I would really like to base my next trip in Castara. To make that easier, ideally, I would like to see a map or list of accommodation available in that local area, perhaps organised as numbered blobs on a local section of the map, or something, a bit like your beach guide, but covering a smaller section. Clicking on each blob would then take me to the appropriate MyTobago listing for the property. Perhaps the same map could also show restaurant blobs in a different colour, and sites not to be missed? (I still believe that I haven't visited Pirate's Bay yet, because I didn't know it was there until I saw it on a TV Holiday guide, though I've actually been to Charlotteville twice).

In summary, I would like to be able to focus my research on a particular area. The information is already all there within the site, but it is not easy to find sometimes. (How many places are there that I could stay in, in Castara?). Perhaps I am just too lazy, or too easily confused. You've probably got some of this coming already on the eagerly awaited new website, so I hope not too much repetition here.

To be honest Steve, I would have thought that you have enough to maintain as it is, do you really want to take on even more?
Steve F.

Hi Steve

Thanks for your input. I am sure that your sentiments are shared by the vast majority of our readers.

With over 7000 posts in the forum it's not surprising that you've missed those that have already discussed this. Yes, the new site will make all of this very much easier. I was literally working on it as your post dropped in. I will be dividing all lists - accommodation, restaurants, etc., up into regions so that visitors can more easily identify what is in each immediate area. After many, many months of negotiation, I am also delighted to tell you that I have managed to wangle a licence from the cartographers of the Insight Fleximap of Trinidad & Tobago. They have supplied me with the raw cartography images that will allow me to create location maps for each region.

Hopefully, the new site will be published before the end of the year.

Steve Wooler wrote:I am also delighted to tell you that I have managed to wangle a licence from the cartographers of the Insight Fleximap of Trinidad & Tobago. They have supplied me with the raw cartography images that will allow me to create location maps for each region.

That's fantastic news Steve!

Yes, I'm chuffed to bits - even if it does mean many, many hours of graphics work creating all the location maps.

So, everybody, make sure you show your appreciation to Insight by going out and buying their excellent laminated and foldable FelxiMap of Trinidad & Tobago. Plug over!

Steve

I am happy for you to supply those WMP films I sent you ... these could give people some idea of Tobago if they have not been before.

The underwater shots would be of interest to snorkellers.

I recall you saying that there could be a problem downloading them off the website so maybe they can be supplied by CD or more likely DVD.

I have been compiling more footage from 2004 and combining it with 2001, 2002 and 2003 ... it will be alot better when I get it done.

I will send you the updates if these are of interest.

One day, if I get the proper kit and the time I can be a bit more professional about it, but what I have done so far is passable ... I think?

Hi Paul

Thanks, but I'm afraid video from the site is a big no-go! I'm running myTobago on the back of a commercial webserver. I cannot do anything which restricts or slows access to client sites. Remember, a web server is just a stripped-down version of the sort of computer you would have at home. OK, so it's pretty beefed up and capable of a lot of work, but my ecommerce clients are not going to be happy if customers complain that their site is running too slow and I know it's largely because others are wataching videos off the site. To be honest, even the photo enlargements are a dilemma for me. The new site has been designed for 1024x758 minimum screen resolution, but even so I'm restricting the photos to 800x600 simply out of resource considerations. Sorry, but unless I can find a way to make the site pay without altering the nature and ethos of the medium, I can't exactly afford to give it the resources it might deserve.

The CD is another thing altogether - except that it will be impossible to publish the new site on a CD-ROM. It's largely database driven and written in a language that does not transfer to home computers without major software installation which would be beyond the scope of the average non-technical user. There are also copyright considerations re the photo enlargements.

What I shall probably be doing, however, is to produce Word and/or Acrobat copies of all the articles specially prepared and formatted for proper printing and these will be available on CD. It would be possible to include video on that - so watch this space and I'll be in touch.

Thanks for the thoughts, however, and keep shooting.

Just an observation or two... my biggest wish-list item is restaurant reviews sortable by location/rating/menu (ie the items available/type of food eg "pizza" etc). (maybe an uber list of hotel, beach and restaurants all sortable by name, rating, location? (mini reviews here, ie address, room size, AI available etc)...

On another point re MyTobago taking the mystery out of a visit. Whilst that's possible I think if someone wants to know the be-all-an-end-all re the island they'll not stop in their quest until satisfied, so why not have it here anyway.

I can genuinely think of no better holiday destination web resource than here. I look forward to the relaunch and will not be plaguing Steve for a release date. Being a designer of (amongst other things) websites I know the answer to "when is it being released?" is "when it's ready"

Hi Marc

Thanks for the input.

I haven't got to it yet, but I have a feeling that the only realistic search option (other than alphabetical) on restaurants is going to be by location. I hesitate to attempt a ranking system. Food is just too subjective.

A good example. Ru-B-Lous in Crown Point is one of our very favourite restaurants on the island. I made the mistake of using the big and uninentional mistake of describing the restaurant as featuring "home cooking". However, I should have qualified that by saying 'North American' or 'Canadian' home cooking. I've had emails (and a post or two in the forum) giving negative reports of Ru-B-Lous. When I examine the reports of these readers, and particularly when I check other posts that they have made to get a better 'feel' and understanding of their nature and tastes, I have found in every case that they have been people who have been really looking for that local experience. They've gone to Ru-B-Lous, based on my comments, expecting to find great Tobagonian Creole cooking. Naturally they are dissapointed - it's a whole different ball game. Are these visitors wrong? No, they're just looking for/expecting something different.

Sorry, I'm waffling. What I'm saying is that it would be wrong for me to attempt to rank restaurants. I mean, I would automatically be giving every fast-food type restaurant a -10 rating. That's my personal issue. I'm told that there are a strange group of people (probably a cult) who actually LIKE fast food restaurants. Strange, but that's life.

Categories of food are also difficult, although I guess there should be some quick way of discounting Pizza Boys from the Seahorse Inn. Anyway, I'm taking it all on board. Once I've got everything into the database, I can do SQL searches by all the various possibilities and see what gives sensible results. I suspect that once the entire list is divided into regions, each list will be so short that sorting on other criteria will be less necessary. We'll see, but I hear and understand what you're saying, so will bear it all in mind.

It takes a little time to get going first thing on a Monday morning and I'm only on my first cup of coffee, but the old brain's been trying to get out of first gear.

Can I have some thoughts on categories of eateries, please. I need a simple grouping of types of restaurants/cafe (when does a cafe become a restaurant? When it has a tablecloth? Not in Tobago). Given that most restaurants serve a fusion of International with Caribbean overtones, they are difficult to categorise. But when does a restaurant become "local".

I guess 'take away' is one obvious one. There's not enough restaurants to start thinking of categories like 'Chines' or 'Indian'. Anyway, thoughts would be appreciated.

Nightmare scenario Steve. Will think hard.

I agree that once the restaurant/eateries are sorted by area it'll be very easy to see the details.

I also agree re ratings. That will only work if you allow readers to cast a vote and then show a mean rating.

Here's a toughie re definitions. We tried the outlet by Pizza Boys at Crown Point - it was similar to the Store Bay Beach facility. ie "fast food" by way of presentation etc but good old local cooking and very tasty. Not sure "take away" or "fast food" would do either justice in terms of the actual food available but neither could be described as a restaurant.

I guess ultimately "fast food" or "take away" makes much more sense than anything aspiring to pretty them up as a potential (confused) night out for two!

Will get thinking re the actual question of how to categorise the restaurants etc.

PS adding a "V" would be handy, happy to help add that info to any list - ie can you get a veggie meal etc. Again, this all depends on how much of a description is used. I think ultimately you should do a small editorial but allowing some degree of 'review' by everyone else is best suited to the forum.

Steve,how about a system that is on the lines of 'user friendly'?That is to say suitable for a 'special romantic'dinner down to a raucous evening of entertainment.Obviously some mention of location and price guide must be included and a children friendly guide(I meen suitable for little ones).Cheers David

Hi David

Yes, food for thought there.

Steve Wooler said:

food for thought

groan

OK, at the risk of stating the obvious, price. Well in fact price range would be useful (as opposed to just one fixed price per head).

Perhaps this would correspond with the 'purpose' rating mentioned earlier, eg. My classifications; Fast food / Take-away (Pizza Boys, Bartons), General (Pelican Reef, Bonkers), Special (Melange), Rather posh (Arnos Vale?) etc, though it does not always follow.

Also how about an indication of 'regular live entertainment' which some offer, and others definately don't.

A value rating is more difficult. An example would be that for me, Crystals and the take away Barbecue's would score high on value, but obviously not suitable for a special evening out!

Tricky this one. Good luck.

Steve F.

Yes, a price indicator would be nice, but I think it would have to be in very broad categories - i.e. grades 1, 2 and 3 - expensive, moderate, cheap. But in truth, even applying that would be difficult. I don't claim to have visited EVERY restaurant and eatery on the list and simply haven't the time to do so, so where do I get consistent price informatin that would allow me to award a rating? The vast majority of restaurants have no email, so I can't even contact them easily.

Live entertainment needs to be something in the editorial comment, not a sort category. It changes throughout the year, dependent upon how busy the place is. Value is also too subjective and would require some reliable means of getting prices from every establishment.

As you say, tricky!

Steve,a further thought,could you base classification on forum members' remarks.I know this could be subjective(tripadvisor syndrome!!!) rather than objective but it is a thought.David(counting down rapidly )

Nice thought, David, but sadly given the lack of support for the hotel ranking system already available on the site, I don't feel inclined to dedicate additonal time into extending the system.

Steve,

Don't be discouraged about the poor response to Hotel Ranking. There seem to be a lot of extremely enthusiastic visitors to your site, though perhaps many of those enthusiastic members don't regularly use the larger hotels?

If there was anything on the site that I could vote on, and I knew about it, I assure you that I would not hesitate.

With restaurants, we visit more than one on each trip (probably about 10 on the last trip) so it is much easier for us to compare. If you had categories, I would be in a position to vote on at least 15 Restaurants straight away. The same would probably apply to many of the visitors who rave about small places that they have stayed in Castara etc, that have no voting forum.

But then maybe you are right. Perhaps I am one of only a few that would bother. Steve F.

Hi Steve

It would certainly be a useful feature, if I could simplify the voting process to make it as quick and easy as possible. The only thing I'm worried about is user validation. The easiest way would be to have a simply "Vote Now" option within each restaurant listing and allow the user to click on various grades. Simple. However, this system is also open to tremendous abuse. Doing it through the forum works in so much as only registered users can vote - and only vote once. This reduces the incidence of manipulative voting tremendously.

I'll just keep scratching the old bonce and see what I can come up with, but I don't think it will be in the first release of the new site.

Thanks for your input however.

Hi,Steve.

We have been twice on Tobago in 2003 and 2004. We went to Tobago for great rides on the mountainbike, last year I bring my on bike. We biked with http://mountainbikingtobago.com and have a great time with Sean (Iceman). We stay at Sherwood-park both times also a great place to be,Nigel and his staf are great. What we missing on your site is the activitie Mountain biking. We read that your are looking for new pictures for the site, if you mail your adres to us we send you a cd with al our pictures include the bike pictures. Look for our holiday pictures 2004 on http://home.hetnet.nl/~jmj.kunnen/Tobago.htm