What do the videos actually offer?

[Bruce]

As only an occasional visitor here, maybe its not my place to criticise (especially as my own web sites aren't perfect!), but in an attemt to help promote Scotland I feel that I have to say something:

I've just had a look at the latest offering on the video front: Pitlochry! Its a place I have visited a couple of times during my travels around Scotland and while its a nice wee place I don't really know that much about it. So I watched the videos (both preview and full) and... I still don't know much about the place!

Rather than come straight here to comment, I decided to check out another couple of videos of places I know a bit better: Oban (preview) and Edinburgh (full). As I was watching it dawned on me what was missing... information! The videos are just showing me (moving) images of different locations, but they are telling me absolutely nothing about them (as in, what is actually being filmed, what is interesting about it, where exactly is it, etc). Titles for videos and the time of year they were shot is not enough, especially if you are trying to create the perfect portal for would-be tourists and interested individuals!

This lack of information doesn't just apply to the videos; as I mentioned in another topic, the photos need something to help identify them... and as with the videos, the more info that can be provided the better! In the case of the videos, maybe the info could be provided by a running commentary or even some titles to introduce 9or better still, spread out through) each scene!

[editor]

Hi Bruce,

We very much appreciate your feedback regarding the videos and the site in general.

Information is something that is certainly in no short supply on the internet, whereas moving images of specific locations are.  To provide a fully comprehensive overview in terms of information on a given town/city was not the purpose of Wondras as we felt that we may not do the place justice.  A quick Google search of Pitlochry for example will bring up http://www.pitlochry.org/ which will provide more than enough information about the place and things to do.

As you will be aware, Wondras is a very new venture and we are using all the feedback that we receive to drive the direction of the site; this is very important to us as we want to provide a service that people find both useful and interesting.  Therefore, the purpose of this response is not to refute your comments but to provide an explanation of why the site is set up in the way that it currently is.  Indeed your comments, together with all other feedback may ultimately drive a rethink over the current exclusion of detailed information.  In addition, it is hoped that forum members will post comments regarding the videos that we have, hopefully adding details of nice restaurants they have dined in or visitor attractions that they recommend.

With regards to your comments on the photographs, as mentioned in a previous post, this is currently under development.


many thanks,

Editor

[r.vanpersie]

For what it's worth, I think the vids are great.

BUT we need more!  No vids added for over 6 months!!

[legolas]

I can sort of see Bruce's point with the vids as they are not terribly informative for Scots.  I think however, they are more aimed at foreigners wishing to see a bit of the place they may be travelling to as I have some friends in Toronto who can't get enough of the videos.

I think its a great concept but maye we (the forum community) could request improvements for things we'd like to see.  The site appears to be open to suggestions.