Wyoming GOP uses archaic web technology
January 5, 2008
So, while watching the internet for updates on the Wyoming GOP Caucuses, I couldn’t help but notice the complete inability of the Wyoming GOP to use modern tools and a properly functioning website. Like many other state GOP websites, Wyoming Republicans opted to use the generic template built and offered by the RNC.
This template can also be seen on the Nevada GOP website, Oregon GOP website, Oklahoma GOP website, Arkansas GOP website, and many other states too lazy to get something state of the art up and running.
Ironically, heavily liberal states have a GOP website that actually CAN compete in the current internet realm. For example: Illinois GOP, California GOP, etc.
Are the Democrats doing any better? You decide.
-Nevada Democrats
-Arkansas Democrats
-Florida Democrats
Just to name a few. And we wonder why the “Grand ole’ Party” can’t get anyone under 30 excited about being active…
Back to the Wyoming GOP website.
So, today I found a few links directing me to the Wyoming GOP website for “live updates” on the Wyoming GOP Primary. But when I got there I found, make sure you don’t have a drink in your hand, the live updates are available for download via EXCELL SPREADSHEETS!!!
You have got to be kidding me.
In a day and time where blogs are fast, free, and as easy to set up as creating a new e-mail, the Wyoming GOP is providing “live updates” by constantly uploading Microsoft Excell Spreadsheets?
Not only that, but the last time the homepage news section was updated was on 09-13-07. No blog, no news action, nothing.
I could go on, but I just don’t what to say at this point… maybe I’ll come back and update this post when I can think of ANY reason why this is happening, and why the GOP doesn’t learn from its past mistakes.
Sorry for the rant…
Dear Eric,
Unlike most of the other states in the US, the vast majority of Wyomingites actually work for a living. These livings include ranching, mining, and other jobs that don’t include sitting on their asses all day surfing the internet. Sorry that the hard workers don’t have the time to update their pretty blog every five minutes. We happen to have other priorities.
No offense, but this is the best thing you have to blog on? It’s really that big of a deal? Apparently our lack of super duper website hasn’t hurt the Wyoming Republican Party because we consistently vote for the Republican candidate for president and our congressional delegation has been Republican for as long as anyone can remember. Can Illinois say the same? Oh wait, Obama represents them, doesn’t he?
I’ll let you decide who has the better Republicans.
tieki rae’s last blog post..RED ALERT: Women-Hating, Homoerotic/Homophobic, Dangerous Christians!
Tieki,
This post wasn’t at all directed towards you or the good folks of Wyoming. Not at all!
Notice that I posted links to even my home state, Nevada. A REPUBLICAN state that is slowly turning blue because the Democrats are so much more aggressive online.
I also posted links to several other state GOP websites, so this isn’t Wyoming specific. It just so happens to be a day where MANY (we had more than 800 visits today on people looking for Wyoming Caucus Standings updates) people went on the web looking for information, and we all basically had to wait for the Associated Press to make an announcement.
I hope you aren’t suggesting that Nevadans or any other Americans do nothing but “sit on their asses” because they find time to blog. That would be rather offensive, as the only one here suggesting such is you.
If the Wyoming GOP has time to upload EXCELL SPREADSHEETS, then how could they not have to time to edit a post instead? Seriously?
I’m all ears.
And no offense taken. This isn’t at all the best I have to blog on, but it’s my opinion and that is what this blog is for. You can do the same, as can anyone else.
Now in regards to Illinois… heh… that’s a hot bed of Liberals because of Chicago. There is no point in even arguing something so absurd. And for the record, I’m not a Republican, so it makes no difference to me.
I’m just trying to explain one of the many reasons I’m no longer Republican, and one of the reasons I believe the Democrats are doing a far better job of reaching out to younger generations and bringing in new Democrats.
Don’t take it personal. Instead, call the GOP and make suggestions on how they can make it easier for the rest of us to get information.
Hope this helps! And sorry that came across so harsh.
P.S. I may or may not have a short temper as a result of spending 8+ hours at the Fremont County Convention today. I’ve been here since 8AM and it’s going on 3:30… we still have at least an hour left.
Now, to clarify what I said above in a slightly nicer manner, the website is not really the most important tool in the WYGOP arsenal. Our citizens are ranchers, miners, and people who work outdoors and may not all be on the internet every day. It is a growing process and the websites are getting better over time. But for now, the most effective political strategy in Wyoming is going door to door, posting ads in the newspaper, and just talking to people you see around town. Maybe it sounds antiquated to you smart East coast people, but that’s just how it works around here.
As a young person, I’m attracted to the party because I have certain values that the party strives to uphold. If someone my age thinks there has to be a spiffy website in order for them to vote Republican, maybe we don’t want them in our party.
Tieki,
I TOTALLY understand! Remember, just because I currently work out of an office in Chicago does not make me an “east coast person”. I moved from Nevada on November 1st, 2007. Before getting in to politics, I was a commercial diver and after that I washed commercial trucks for a living. It was VERY hard work!
But I think you fail to miss the point here. And this is a point that the state GOPs NEED to understand. The GOP, whether it likes it or not, has an image it needs to protect and polish. If you want the party to attract NEW voters, ESPECIALLY the younger crowd, you need to reach out.
This isn’t at all a reflection of the people of Wyoming. Rather, it’s a reflection of the RNC for failing to come in and help with such issues.
But regardless of the why, it is still what it is. People watching Wyoming today went looking for information and simply could not find it. What did we find? Well, we found a website that had its last update in September of 2007 and Excell spreadsheets to download for Caucus updates.
Think about it.
The best thing to do here would be to FIX IT! Heck, I’ll do it for FREE!!! Have someone drop me an e-mail.
Again, sorry to hit on a sensitive spot there. I didn’t mean to set you off.
Alright, I think we can agree that websites are useful to build image and help attract new voters. I would still argue that in Wyoming, perhaps they’re not as essential as other places just because of our culture. And when it comes to time and budgeting there are a lot of other things to worry about in Wyoming before we get to thew website. That said, it can’t be that hard to find a few web-savvy people to make the website. I know in our county, my mom has been working on one, but she has zero experience in that area so it continues to be a work in progress.
Anyway, sorry for getting set off so easily.
I spent way too much time around incredibly rude and inconsiderate Ron Paul supporters today and was in a pretty terrible mood! I’m feeling better now that they were unsuccessful in co-opting our convention, hence my apologies. Thanks again for taking the time to blog about WY, even if you did call it a caucus when it is really a convention. 
tieki rae’s last blog post..RED ALERT: Women-Hating, Homoerotic/Homophobic, Dangerous Christians!
Hi Eric,
You shouldn’t have any trouble believing:
You know the technical glitches I get myself into.
Tammi’s last blog post..Wyoming County Conventions to take place Saturday!
Perhaps if the GOP website was a little more up to date, we “outsiders” would have known to call it a “convention”.
So this gets to my point. In that, it may not be important for those of you in Wyoming, but for those of us who actually NEED TO KNOW… it’s vital.
And to add to the reason I kept the word caucus on our pages… we’re getting well over 150 searches today from keywords that include “Wyoming GOP caucus”.
While it might be plain as day to you who live there, it wasn’t to the rest of us. How would we have known? An updated GOP website would have helped.
Again, I would be happy to help the Wyoming GOP set up a blog to run with their main site. All they have to do is ask.
Next time, let’s plan on having the two of you along with Scott blog the Wyoming GOP convention.
Tammi, what software and host are you using? perhaps I could lend a hand.
Hi Eric,
Well, because I cannot build websites from scratch, I’m using GoDaddy. You can check it out at http://www.fremontcountygop.com
I hate GoDaddy, it’s very slooowwww. Whenever I call them they always blame my connection, but I have cable internet and everything else is fast. I talked to a guy at the convention today who designs websites and he assured me that the problem was GoDaddy.
The bill has been paid for two years and I guess we are stuck with them? Any suggestions?
If updating that website was as simple as posting a blog, I’d do much better at it.
I’m not sure who runs the state website … but you are correct, many WY GOPers complain about the state website. (Don’t tell Tieki
)
Tammi’s last blog post..Wyoming County Conventions to take place Saturday!
Oh yeah, and the caucus thing … I’m just razzing you. You’re right, if the media cannot get it straight that we’re a convention state, how are you supposed to?
Tammi’s last blog post..Wyoming County Conventions to take place Saturday!
[...] everyone is having a fantastic weekend. Especially Eric after being attacked by two crabby women in WY. Sphere: Related Content submit_url = [...]
Conservatives by definition like to keep things traditional but that doesn’t mean using antiquated technology that is actually much more time consuming to use. Eric taught me more in a few months than most people learn about blogs or Internet marketing in years.
I would listen to Eric Odom when he gives you an opinion of your web presence.
Richard Disney’s last blog post..What Does the Progressive Left Stand For?
lol… that’s rather ironic, Richard, considering the fact that I still feel like I know very little.
Tammi, That’s actually not bad. I think you’re on the right track. I think the most important thing is that you provide timely and relevant information. The design, while important, should be secondary to information availability.
One thing you might consider is setting up a free Wordpress blog to use on the site. Create a link on the GoDaddy site to the free Wordpress blog, and create a navigation menu on the Wordpress blog to all of the pages of the GOP site.
That way, you can invite several members of the county GOP to submit updates and information.
This serves two purposes…
1) It’s an easy way to disseminate quickly accessible information, and
2) It helps you teach other Republicans how easy it is to blog
#2 is very important!!!
My first thoughts… more to come.
Hi Eric,
You know, I do have a WordPress blog for the FC GOP. I just haven’t used it since I started it. What you are saying sounds complicated, but you know me! Still, when I get some time, well, I have vacation the week of the 14th, I might look into some of your suggested options.
Once again, sorry for getting crabby yesterday.
Tammi’s last blog post..The NY Times mentions …
Eric, I have to agree that the Excel concept is a little inconvenient. Even a separate HTML page would be better, since not all computers have Excel!
Fortunately, I’m at my parents’ this weekend, so I was able to get the download “live update…” However, we are adMITTedly slow in Wyoming due to any number of circumstances that have already been discussed above. 
Scott’s last blog post..WYGOP Convenes; Romney Wins Cowboy State
[...] case you’re wondering how the delegate votes played out across the Cowboy State and you don’t have Excel to be able to view the spreadsheet, here’s the list in a simple blog post [...]