Does anyone know if you can use your own html on the websites, or do you have to use their included templates?

I like it.

THIS is the best topic of the entire café. It really did something for me.
I didn't know about this possibility that IBM offers, even if I was member. Actually I knew it but I thought it was difficult with FTP and usually not accessible from a macintosh computer etc etc..
This topic made me to go there and to have my website. I have cancelled my previous one and only kept a link to a good friend of mine.
International Brotherhhod of Magicians: the correct place for a magic website!

Thanks

// Andrea Bonetti (The Bonnie Kids)

Yes, you have to use their template layout. But if you're careful you can use html to format the areas they provide.

Regarding the free IBM Websites... Does anyone know how to make an email address 'active' within the website pages? I've tried a few things, all unsuccessful.

If you simply add your address in the form under "Contact Page Information" it will automatically make an active link for you on your Contact Page.

Or, you can use html code anywhere in the body of the page by using
<a href="mailto:your@address.com">your address</a> like this. It won't display properly here, but it will work on the IBM pages.

Is it possible to make the pictures a little bit larger (by working with some html formatting for instance)?

// Andrea

I don't know. Try it and see. There's not much you can do to break the pages.

There may be restrictions on size for storage reasons. You can try adding a "width=400 height=600" or whatever to the <img> code and see if you can stretch the image yourself.

I would use the IBM Web pages for an "agent-friendly" Web site. Many agents want to show you to their clients, but they are afraid the client will try make an "end run" and contact the performer directly to save money. By creating a URL just for booking agents, pointing the URL to the IBM pages, and putting NO contact info on the site - voila! Instant "agent-friendly" site. unfortunately, the site generator requires an email address, so I just used a dummy address.

Mine is at http://www.magician.org/member/erichenning and my regular site is at
http://www.HenningMagic.com

Hope this helps,

Stand-by Gang,

We have a tutorial coming that will help you jazz up your personal I.B.M. member Website.

It is being written by Luis Villamonte. Take a look at his Website: http://www.magician.org/member/magicmafia

Within the next month we will post the detailed instructions on how you too can make your Website do some the of fancy things his does.

Hey Eric, Great idea on using it for a Agent friendly Website.


Steve Hart

This is really a great benefit for us, members!

Congratulations to the IBM and its officers!

Hey gang Mine is up as well at http://www.magician.org/member/michaeltaggert

I really like the tip about the AGENTS SITE. Very cool! I've been meaning to put up an alternate commercial site just for other work, and this seems like just the thing. Thank You!

Planning to visit Hawaii anytime soon? Check out our IBM site with its "Magic Central" resources! Everything you want to know about Showrooms to Magic Shops here, and Meeting Info with Maps as well! Visiting Magicians always welcome!

EZ to remember:

http://www.HawaiiMagicClub.Com

Aloha!

Want to Thank our webmaster BRYAN YOSHIMOTO. In July we got some nice (and very funny) Emails from Tennessee congratulating the IBM 2006 Website Award.

We were happy, but stunned as our site was fairly young and there were so many truly strong entries, including the aforementioned Tennessee site: http://www.ibmring252.com/

If anything, I suspect maybe working hard to keep the pages simple & easy to navigate (pages to a minimum without many linkoffs), and a (News) page that updates once or twice a week, probably helped. Local scenic shots Courtesy Panographics.Net didn't hurt.

Several things help keep your site frequented by locals, magician visitors and potential membership:

* A NEWSPAGE that can update AT ANY TIME with representive pics. People are always checking to see who's doing what, or if they've been mentioned. The idea is to promote enthusiasm by mentioning magic, outside interests and activities of even newer, or less active members.

Activities, Weddings, births, broken wands, incoming lectures, magic in the news. Here's where you can beat the big magicians magazines to the punch. Mention as many names as possible and do not play favorites.

* Something your club offers that benefits Magic Enthusiasts in your community. (We offer free mini-classes for an hour before the main meeting, this is a great PR "hook" that can get you on the local news and promote new membership too). Who knows. This may be where your new members come from.

* A SIMPLE "go-to" site NAME that people can carry in their heads (in our case: "HawaiiMagicClub.Com") Make it EASY for them. People are NOT going to remember http://Magic//clubstuff_@main-server.org (OK don't go there, that's a fake link!)

* A page of MAGIC SHOWS & RESOURCES: Magic Shops/Showrooms/Performances in your area, (helpful to visiting Magicians!) which includes UPCOMING LECTURES & EVENTS (another good reason locals check in to view this Bulletin Board!). Ours is called the "Magic In Hawaii" page: http://www.hawaiimagicclub.com/magicinhawaii.htm

* Certainly a MEMBERS PAGE. This is what we are turning our GALLERY into now.
I like the way TENNESSEE has done theirs. A well written paragraph of info & a members Website or Email links they wish to include. Even members without a site can now have a little place on the web to point friends or potential clients to.

* It helps to have a writing partner with some journalism backround or layout pasteup experience. The classic NEWS/FEATURE style gives positive, (but objective) information (which helps dispel negative gossip, likely to fester in a vacume).

* We believe in an "Open" site to encourage and foster enthusiasm, provide current info and welcome the interested. It is our online newsletter and best recruitment tool.

If anything here clics with anyone. Please let us know.

Best Wishes & Magical Aloha

Mike Ching
"Da Big Kahuna" (Pres.) Hawaii IBM
C/O HawaiiMagicClub.Com