compiled by Linda Marcusky
One of the most daunting tasks facing a Star Trek website is tracking the number of visitors and their preferences. When the Orion Press website first made its debut, Randy Landers made the decision not to include number counters. As time passed, he began using data from his website host, and would post the most read stories and authors every month. That task soon became too gargantuan of a task, and following the finale of Star Trek: Voyager, Randy made the decision to discontinue the practice of tracking the numbers. Six months after the removal of all Modern Trek material from the Orion Press website, and after moving the service to its current webhost, he began re-installing counters on the general pages. In 2004, he began creating web counters for every story. This project took two years to complete, and in 2006, all counters were operational.
One can look at the data from 2006 and earlier, and it is basically meaningless. Had all the counters gone on-line at the same time, one could draw some conclusions about reader preferences from that time. However, such was not the case. Stories were given counters as time permitted. Some received counters as they were uploaded. Others were far later in receiving counters. However, one can look at those numbers and have a good idea of how many people have visited that webpage since 2004. Other than that, there's not much use for that data except as a baseline. We chose to draw from the 2007 and 2008 figures to make observations.
A few cautionary notes:
1) "Most Read Stories" is not necessarily an indication of quality. It's simply what it says. More people read these stories than others available. That could be a result of the popularity of the author(s), promotion of the story by the author or their fans, or even a well-written description that convinces the visitors to our website to read that story. It can also be that the title comes up in a search of the web, e.g. Linda McInnis' "Escort Service" is often hit upon by folks looking for escorts. :)
2) "Most Read Authors" is also not necessarily an indication of quality. The more stories an author has available on a web page, the more readers they will have. This can result in a prolific writer being more read than a quality writer who contributes a story every year or so. This number is also an indication of the popularity of the author(s) or even how well promoted their stories have been.
3) Some sections like HYPERION and U.S.S. CHOSIN don't have a "most read" authors section because in all practicality there's only one author for each of those series. Some sections have far fewer available authors/writers and stories/articles. As a result, we generally list the top five authors/writers and stories/articles, but in some cases, list fewer.
4) Adult stories often have more readers than non-adult stories. Long-time contributor Nomad probably benefits the most from this particular facet of fandom as one-third of the stories he writes are adult in theme. However, Rick's other works are equally well-read.
Also, bear in mind that all our sites had far more visitors in 2008 than in 2007. This is simply a result of increased use of the Internet, as well as web surfers becoming more aware of our website. So most of the statistics in 2008 are higher in number than those of 2007.
One last thing: please don't let these numbers elevate or deflate your opinion about the authors/writers and stories/articles. They're just numbers, so chill out.
Linda Marcusky
The BeginningsTotal Visitors in 2007: 1754 Total Visitors in 2008: 2564 Most Read Stories of 2007 First Contact 101 Littleford 198 Drink Deeply Nomad 196 Helmsman Nomad 193 Adventures in Iowa Littleford 166 Popcorn Dickenson 135 Most Read Authors of 2007 D.G. Littleford 672 Nomad 605 elise 260 Selek 244 Jim Ausfahl 232 Most Read Stories of 2008 First Contact 101 Littleford 273 Studying the Field Ausfahl 243 Adventures in Iowa Littleford 232 Leaving Vulcan Littleford 195 Popcorn Dickenson 190 Helmsman Nomad 190 Most Read Authors of 2008 D.G. Littleford 1115 Nomad 676 Jim Ausfahl 475 elise 344 Selek 328 |
The First MissionTotal Visitors in 2007: 2316 Total Visitors in 2008: 4166 Most Read Stories of 2007 The Beginning Rottler/Syck 412 Field of Illusion Pillsbury 263 There Would Be Others German 209 Only So Much German 201 One of Those Things Solomon 200 Most Read Authors of 2007 Cathy German 1183 Ann Zewen 984 Chris Dickenson 690 Rob Morris 647 Randall Landers 552 Most Read Stories of 2008 The Beginning Rottler/Syck 660 Field of Illusion Pillsbury 421 There Would Be Others German 399 Complications Thomasson 396 Only So Much German 352 Most Read Authors of 2008 Cathy German 2123 Rob Morris 1382 Ann Zewen 1346 Chris Dickenson 928 Jill Thomasson 800 |
The First HiatusTotal Visitors in 2007: 1040 Total Visitors in 2008: 1499 Most Read Stories of 2007 Prisoners Frelick 131 No Place Like Home Nomad 100 That's What Friends Are Zewen 87 Most Read Authors of 2007 Donna Frelick 131 Nomad 100 Ann Zewen 87 Most Read Stories of 2008 Prisoners Frelick 205 No Place Like Home Nomad 139 Federation Day Dreams Baudoin 98 Most Read Authors of 2008 Donna Frelick 205 Nomad 139 Deborah Baudoin 98 |
The Second MissionTotal Visitors in 2007: 1444 Total Visitors in 2008: 2464 Most Read Stories of 2007 Stitch in Time Cress/Hamann 182 Dignity Dickenson 174 The Daystrom Project Nomad 174 Homecoming Nomad 171 The Tale the Cap Told German 154 Most Read Authors of 2007 Nomad 1639 Ann Zewen 1586 Cathy German 470 Linda McInnis 421 D. William Roberts 365 Most Read Stories of 2008 Shattered Fortress Curtis 476 Dignity Dickenson 323 Trapped German 317 The Daystrom Project Nomad 303 Homecoming Cress/Hamann 266 Most Read Authors of 2008 Nomad 1493 Cathy German 647 Linda McInnis 596 Holly S. Trueblood 492 Eileen Curtis 476 |
The Second HiatusTotal Visitors in 2007: 900 Total Visitors in 2008: 1377 Most Read Stories of 2007 A Hole in My Cover Ausfahl 153 Bloodlines Nomad 132 Encounters&Countermoves Comtet 118 Aftermath Nomad 106 Interlude Warner 105 Most Read Authors of 2007 Nomad 375 Randall Landers 273 Linda McInnis 258 Jim Ausfahl 228 Nicole Comtet 118 Most Read Stories of 2008 Bloodlines Nomad 300 Encounters&Countermoves Comtet 256 Aftermath Nomad 167 To the Last Extremity Dickenson 158 Southern Comfort McInnis 157 Most Read Authors of 2008 Nomad 688 Linda McInnis 503 Randall Landers 460 Jim Ausfahl 257 Nicole Comtet 256 |
InterludesTotal Visitors in 2007: 942 Total Visitors in 2008: 1507 Most Read Stories of 2007 Keeper of the Katra Dickenson 265 Day They All Came Home McInnis 191 His Was the Most Human Nomad 186 Rapids Ambassador 168 Where or When Arvizu 145 Most Read Authors of 2007 Linda McInnis 383 Chris Dickenson 381 Nomad 351 Ann Zewen 221 Steven K. Dixon 204 Most Read Stories of 2008 Keeper of the Katra Dickenson 638 His Was the Most Human Nomad 409 Day They All Came Home McInnis 326 Captain’s Bars Nomad 262 Blindside Kummer 232 Most Read Authors of 2008 Nomad 858 Chris Dickenson 817 Linda McInnis 678 Steven K. Dixon 299 Cathy German 293 |
The Third MissionTotal Visitors in 2007: 895 Total Visitors in 2008: 1507 Most Read Stories of 2007 Contact Ausfahl 192 In Harm's Way Roberts 164 The Dianasian Gift Davis 125 Let Them Die Corbett 95 The Plumber's Helper Ausfahl 95 Most Read Authors of 2007 Jim Ausfahl 683 D. William Roberts 229 Joanne K. Seward 148 Carol K. Davis 125 Sean Corbett 95 Most Read Stories of 2008 Contact Ausfahl 320 In Harm's Way Roberts 299 The Dianasian Gift Davis 196 The Plumbers Helper Ausfahl 181 Let Them Die Corbett 149 Revenge Ausfahl 149 Most Read Authors of 2008 Jim Ausfahl 1180 D. William Roberts 373 Joanne K. Seward 199 Carol Davis 196 Sean Corbett 149 |
The Final HiatusTotal Visitors in 2007: 738 Total Visitors in 2008: 1069 Most Read Stories of 2007 Children of Haole Frelick 87 The Unforgiving Moment Morris 71 Waiting on Serenidad Morris 69 Incident Morris 66 A Change of Heart Ausfahl 45 Most Read Authors of 2007 Rob Morris 242 Donna S. Frelick 87 Jim Ausfahl 45 Most Read Stories of 2008 Children of Haole Frelick 144 The Unforgiving Moment Morris 97 Waiting on Serenidad Morris 95 Incident Morris 65 A Change of Heart Ausfahl 61 Most Read Authors of 2008 Rob Morris 358 Donna S. Frelick 144 Jim Ausfahl 61 |
And the Adventures ContinueTotal Visitors in 2007: 786 Total Visitors in 2008: 1189 Most Read Stories of 2007 Until the End of Time Comtet 249 I Never Said Goodbye Nomad 117 The Viewing Morris 108 The Way Back Morris 106 Family Comes First Nomad 106 Most Read Authors of 2007 Rob Morris 359 Nomad 368 Nicole Comtet 249 Ann Zewen 69 Donna Frelick 30 Most Read Stories of 2008 Until the End of Time Comtet 428 Difference Which Makes Nomad 182 Settlers Eversole 161 Family Comes First Nomad 138 The Viewing Morris 123 Most Read Authors of 2008 Nomad 487 Nicole Comtet 428 Rob Morris 299 David Eversole 161 Ann Zewen 107 |
Captain SuluTotal Visitors in 2007: 519 Total Visitors in 2008: 886 Most Read Stories of 2007 Until We Meet Again Seward 94 A Little Family Secret Landers 73 Ashes Landers 63 Return to Xantharus Landers 49 Most Read Authors of 2007 Randall Landers 232 Joanne K. Seward 94 Nomad 47 Elizabeth Knauel 44 Most Read Stories of 2008 Until We Meet Again Seward 100 Never Forget Nomad 95 Return to Xantharus Landers 79 A Little Family Secret Landers 79 Most Read Authors of 2008 Randall Landers 286 Joanne K. Seward 100 Nomad 95 Elizabeth Knauel 74 |
HyperionTotal Visitors in 2007: 459 Total Visitors in 2008: 819 Most Read Stories of 2007 A Motley Crew Ausfahl 104 An Issue of Identity Ausfahl 76 AWOL Ausfahl 69 Duck Blind Ausfahl 63 The Weed Ausfahl 61 Most Read Stories of 2008 A Motley Crew Ausfahl 130 The Weed Ausfahl 128 To Leap Tall Buildings Ausfahl 89 Like Fish in a Barrel Ausfahl 88 AWOL Ausfahl 81 |
Chekov's EnterpriseTotal Visitors in 2007: 829 Total Visitors in 2008: 1445 Most Read Stories of 2007 Sometimes a Cigar Morris 163 Planet of the Killer Chickens Ausfahl 126 Bubcus Morris 122 Insanity's Child Landers 111 Chekov Enterprise Landers 110 Most Read Authors of 2007 Rob Morris 645 Randall Landers 543 Jim Ausfahl 126 Most Read Stories of 2008 Sometimes a Cigar Morris 282 Planet of the Killer Chickens Ausfahl 170 Bubcus Morris 166 Chekov Enterprise Landers 149 Duties & Responsibilities Landers 131 Most Read Authors of 2008 Rob Morris 1595 Randall Landers 473 Jim Ausfahl 170 |
U.S.S. ChosinTotal Visitors in 2007: 384 Total Visitors in 2008: 636 Most Read Stories of 2007 Suffer the Young Roberts 56 Old Feuds Roberts 51 Most Read Stories of 2008 Old Feuds Roberts 82 Suffer the Young Roberts 77 |
The Sixth FleetTotal Visitors in 2007: 701 Total Visitors in 2008: 1528 Most Read Stories of 2007 Walking on Broken Glass Morris 203 New Orders Landers 157 Warp Speed Landers 132 Departures Nomad 130 Pythia Landers 128 Most Read Authors of 2007 Randall Landers 624 Rob Morris 423 Nomad 130 Jim Ausfahl 98 Most Read Stories of 2008 The Kids Are All Right Morris 192 Walking on Broken Glass Morris 176 Wind and the Sun Morris 165 Warp Speed Landers 157 Whatever Became of Me? Morris 152 Most Read Authors of 2008 Rob Morris 2128 Randall Landers 1079 Nomad 91 Jim Ausfahl 65 |
General & "Treknology" ArticlesTotal Visitors in 2007: 886 Total Visitors in 2008: 1375 Most Read General Articles of 2007 Playing Star Trek Wright 319 Star Trek Myths 6 Harden 262 Star Trek Myths 1 Harden 202 Star Trek Myths 2 Harden 153 Original Titles Landers 151 Most Read "Treknology" Articles of 2007 Changes in Technology Farley 206 Tech Errors in Wrath Farley 163 Angle of Attack for Shuttlecrafts Dixon 132 Nav Coordinates Farley 122 WFC Refuted Farley 122 Most Read Writers of 2007 Tim Farley 1144 Don Harden 960 Randall Landers 578 Patty Wright 319 Ricky Thompson 103 Jim Ausfahl 99 Most Read General Articles of 2008 Star Trek Myths 1 Harden 690 Star Trek Myths 2 Harden 512 Star Trek Myths 6 Harden 357 Playing Star Trek Wright 198 Original Titles Landers 183 Most Read "Treknology" Articles of 2008 Nav Coordinates Farley 562 Changes in Tech Farley 247 Tech Errors in Wrath Farley 200 Angle of Attack for Shuttlecrafts Dixon 161 Power for Warp Farley 141 Most Read Writers of 2008 Don Harden 2044 Tim Farley 1704 Randall Landers 1322 Patty Wright 198 Dave Eversole 115 |
"Unseen" and "Origins" ArticlesTotal Visitors in 2007: 2796 & 491 Total Visitors in 2008: 4816 & 618 Most Read "Unseen" Articles of 2007 City on the Edge of Forever Eversole 1592 Assignment Earth Series Pilot Eversole 817 Rock a Bye Baby or Die! Eversole 787 Balance of Terror Eversole 774 Bandi Eversole 737 Most Read "Unseen" Articles of 2008 The City on the Edge of Forever Eversole 1448 Assignment Earth Series Pilot Eversole 1423 Balance of Terror Eversole 1040 Rock a Bye Baby or Die! Eversole 990 Bandi Eversole 984 Most Read "Origins" Articles of 2007 Sketches of the Mind Eversole 398 Shadows of Space Eversole 367 Broomstick Ride Eversole 109 Most Read "Origins" Articles of 2008 Shadows of Space Eversole 516 Sketches of the Mind Eversole 428 Broomstick Ride Eversole 183 Adolf Kodos Is Alive Eversole 166 One Way Street Eversole 157 |
ParodiesTotal Visitors in 2007: 307 Total Visitors in 2008: 250 Most Read Parodies of 2007 Brain Brain Who’s Got Spock’s Brain? Landers et al 107 The Tribbles with Troubles Landers 101 A Time to Cry T. Harden 66 Close Encounters of the Worst Kind Landers et al 65 Star Trip Landers et al 57 Most Read Parodies of 2008 The Tribbles with Troubles Landers 74 Brain Brain Who’s Got Spock’s Brain? Landers et al 72 PR Tonight D. Harden 56 A Time to Cry T. Harden 49 Close Encounters of the Worst Kind Landers et al 48 |
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