Attn, Comic Creators, lend me your inky ears!

[Chriz]

I am posting this in here, because this forum is the most ideal for the discussion.

Project Name InkScreen
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2269/inkscreen.jpg
I have been developing the blue prints of a webcomic portal website, in the same relational model as Newgrounds, only in more moderation to accommodate comics. It will be a fairly basic system for experienced / beginner artists to showcase their individual or series' of work similar to what Flash Animation portal sites do. Users can vote on the work, with a top whatever number table and a collection of statistics that I feel would satisfy everyone.

More importantly it will be a community for all levels of comic/cartoon artists built in with a forum idea that I am creating.

Basically what this would include is,
- User Sign up with their own blogging and comic showcase system
- Forum Community enabling competitions or further promote your own comic website.
- Statistic tables such as Top 50, Most Viewed, Least Viewed, New editions etc ( Separate identities for individual scenario comics and series' )

Researching on the net, there does not seem to be too many things relative to what I want to do. There are comic hosting websites such as Keenspace and such, but not in the vision of what I am planning.

There is also a petition for NG to have a web comic portal, but from my understanding, it is not being very successful.

What I am asking from yourselves, would you be interested in such a website? If so, what features would you like to see that I have not mentioned? Or if you think it is a terrible stupid idea, I certainly like to hear about it.

[Laurence]

It seems like a good idea, but it sounds awfully similar to Zuda Comics. (http://www.zudacomics.com/)

[Chriz]

Yes, that is a good model. But not in the same aspect as I am thinking of. Such as with Zuda, not everything will get 'published'. Whilst, with IS, like a typical Internet portal, will be up unless it is absolutely terrible or falls behind the level score and gets blammed.

[Laurence]

Ah ok. So less of a competition. Well the thing about Zuda is that the viewing interface is shit. It's in flash or something and most people hate it as a result. Having a normal interface that would mean you don't have to deal with that when viewing the comics immediately make it a better website.

[Chriz]

I thought so too whenever I saw it. I thinking more of similar viewing the image at a regulated size, with the option of opening the image in its own windows at its natural dimensions.

[WoeStorm]

I'd be interested in it, though I'm no comic maker. I think it's worth a shot.

[Chriz]

I would want this to be for Webcomic fans as well as Webcomic makers.

[VerminScum]

This sounds like a good idea. I'd definitely dig this. I've never created any comics, but as a fan, I'd hit a site like that up and check some comics out. I'd be an asshole who offers critique without actually making comics myself.

People love rating shit. I think it would work for fans and creators.

[Chriz]

Thanks VS, positive feedback so far guys. Thank you very much. Certainly will get a demo sliced together during the summer, so I'll for sure drop a link in here.

[Tyler_Legrand]

Newgrounds can have pretty much anything uploaded as long as it's in Flash. Yours is a little more specific; how will you discourage uploading of porn or something (an image file that isn't a comic)?

[Chriz]

Naturally in the beginning of the site, there would have to be a confirmation process from an Admin or Mod on the content, perhaps after the user has been about for a few weeks, they would be lifted out of the watch category, enabling them to submit without confirmation.

Although there are other methods to tackle that problem.

[WiffleBall]

Sounds like a good plan, I'd join.

[Aramon]

Yeah I agree with the general consensus. It seems like you have a pretty solid idea and are serious about what you want to do. Good luck with it, and I can't wait for the page to start opening, I'd be active on it. Keep pushing on, man!

[Benjaman]

I'd go with it. I'm no comic maker, but I'd love to see others' content in a more organized fashion.


In fact, if you do go through with it, I'll help you if you need it.

[RaxoZellet]

I like the innovative thinking. It would be great to bring together comic makers into a community to foster their talents. I want to see this get off the ground.

I just wonder how many people (comic makers) would actually be interested.

[Chriz]

Thanks for all the info chaps, set this up to let everyone know of the progress, but any main point, I will of course confide in here. http://www.twitter.com/inkscreen

[Hats of!]

I'd be interested. And I'm a comic maker.

[Chriz]

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3358/twitterlogo.jpg

We have changed the project from InkScreen, to Dynamic Relish the new twitter link has changed to http://www.twitter.com/dynamicrelish

We feel like this is a more comic'y direction, more fun.

A development blog will be set up soon so the public will be able to vote and give their opinion on features and idea's as they come forth. I will post the link up once its live.

[Dartful_Dawger]

I will probably participate and this seems really cool.
I've done a couple blogs that were meant to become webcomics, but I always lose motivation and stop drawing or stop thinking of ideas. This seems really cool though, and will definitely join once it's set up and everything.

And if you need help or whateva, I'll help.

btw: I prefer the name and banner for InkScreen. Just saying.

[Casalen]

Use social networking as much as you can. I'm mostly posting to say good call with the name change; IS is a word, and people on the internet use acronyms a lot. You have to have something that is easily identifiable in every form and appeals to your target audience, which is probably going to be (generically) internet users in the 16-32 range, otherwise defined best by their preferred styles of entertainment (which is the basis of your graphical interface, of course, but doesn't have to influence who you target directly).

[Matterialize]

Dynamic Relish sounds more like a wacky webcomic name, than that of a portal. I guess that's the idea though.

I like your idea but I've got a problem with it.

it will be a community for all levels of comic/cartoon artists
It won't seem that way if content is going to get 'blammed' for being shit. You've been here long enough to know how many untalented chucklefucks try their hand at making webcomics. It's cool if you want to encourage new artists and help them improve, etc., but with a system like that only the better artists are going to stick around.

Then again I never visit Newgrounds any more and have no idea how much terrible shit exists alongside the good stuff, so maybe it'd work.

Do you have a team doing this or is it just you? I'll give you a hand if you want. Actually, I'm leaving for a couple of weeks on Thursday so never mind.

[Benjaman]

chucklefucks

:fmita:

Yeah, I guess I'm helping Chriz with this as we had a bit of a conversation about the direction of the site a few days ago. I kind of liked InkScreen better, though I do like the comic book style Dynamic Relish to the generic look of InkScreen.

Just my opinion, though.

[WoeStorm]

Personally I just like the name InkScreen. I'm excited to see how this'll turn out.

[RaxoZellet]

I would of preferred InkScreen with like a comic book style. Is Dynamic Relish supposed to make me think of food?

I'm sure a lot of untalented chucklefucks will stay because that's what they do.

[Chriz]

Myself, and the other founder, Emily decided upon the name Dynamic Relish because we thought it much more fun than InkScreen. InkScreen screams Web 2.0 and very "blah Blah Blah", we wanted to inject more personality into this project and make the website incredibly unique as possible.

The design at the moment is going to be very comic'y with fun functionality.

Dyanmic:characterized by action or forcefulness or force of personality
Relish:gusto: vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment

(Dynamic Relish, is also an anagram of 'Chris and Emily' <chucklefarts>)

Matterialize, you are quite right on that point. Myself and Emily have argued that point. Therefore we are undecided at the moment to proceed on that aspect, have a rating system, or not? Have a section where Newcomers can post work without fear it will be 'blammed' ? But still receive comments directed to their work. Then another section, enabling more confident users to see how well they will rank. Or perhaps a unique scoring system with only two options, Yay or Nay, and yet, nothing gets deleted.

It is functionality values like this that we want address to the public through our development blog, to which users can vote on what they think is more better and leave their opinions.

At the moment, I am doing the coding, and Emily is in charge of the Art Direction.

Speaking of the Graphic Interface Casalen, we are intending to keep this website's design in a comic atmosphere. I am a traditional web developer doing things by the book, and this unorthodox challenge has certainly been a challenge for me. But it simply sums up as being fun, what is on paper to be placed on screen, what we intend for the user is to enjoy actually browsing the site to find comics.

We felt that with InkScreen, we would be falling in the Web 2.0 cliché portal bubble design, which we strongly want to avoid. We want DR to be its own style traditional broadcasted by comics.

[WoeStorm]

I'm in favor of having two sections, one where nothing can be blammed and one where everything can be. That way, the people visiting DR can decide on whether they want to just see the funnier stuff, or critique the newer comic makers.

[Hats of!]

I think there should be something that protects people from the hordes of bad manga that'll pop up everywhere.

[Lissa]

I think this is a great idea, and if enough word gets out there it could really turn into something. A few things:

I definitely prefer the name InkScreen to Dynamic Relish, however the anagram is kinda cool after you know about it :lol:. I think that if you are set on keeping Dynamic Relish, it may be dubbed DR, which can be compared to DeviantArt's dA or whatever. I also prefer the InkScreen logo since it looks more 'professional' and comic artists will take more seriously, while still being enjoyable (you could always shitcopy dA and use iS). In any case, I would strongly suggest updating the Dynamic Relish logo if you do follow through on it.

I agree that new users should have a chance to improve before they are blammable. In particular, I think that they should get priority to be reviewed and critiqued, perhaps have new users' work posted on the front page. You might consider having a system where a user must submit x number of comics before they are blammable so it gives them a chance to get better.

As for features you might wish to consider including, I think having a 'watch' feature would be very important, so that you may follow other users' series and whatnot without hassle. Having comic categories will also be more convenient to readers. Commenting and critiquing is an obvious must, and I would suggest that there is some sort of moderation process to keep out excessive flaming shit. Including a rating system would work along with how piss submissions get blammed. Reporting inappropriate content should also be integrated. Also, in beta stages it would also be keen to strongly encourage feedback from users.

If this works out, I'd love to become a member and make more comics.

[Matterialize]

Aren't you, like, 12?

Goddamn.

[RessXalcor]

I really loved the Inkscreen name so much better than Dynamic Relish, but to each their own. I really have a great idea for a webcomic and if I manage to rewrite the story enough times I might just post it in the website, if I ever get a scanner or get it back to begin with.
And learn to use photoshop correctly.

[Chriz]

Thanks for the feedback guys! With the logo and things, it is still early days yet.

Yes, we fully agree of the separate sections, and I would like as much feedback from users as possible during the beta stages of the website. The whole 'blamming' and 'flamming' thing should be kept at a minimum and strongly regulated, because if it were not, how could anyone new join in properly and learn? Its senseless.

[WoeStorm]

Maybe if people had to keep their comics in the "New Guy" section for so long, then they get in the Blamming section.

Can't wait to see how this turns out, still prefer the name InkScreen.

[Antisaint]

Put the new artists in a separate section where only other artists or users with a high enough "karma" rating can post for the first like week or so.

[Chriz]

That is a good idea Antisaint, although, I don't want to encourage spamming in methods to gain exp for their level.

[RessXalcor]

That is a good idea Antisaint, although, I don't want to encourage spamming in methods to gain exp for their level.

Can you divide the site into 2? You'll have Comic Portal which will be Dynamic Relish and then Ink Screen will be the forums and more popular comics.
I hate to see a name as good as Ink Screen go to waste.

[Chriz]

A website divided into two with separate names will be confusing. I like InkScreen, but we made that up as the name for the project, not the name for the actual website.

[Hats of!]

Dynamic Relish isn't a bad name, but it's a bit to complex. A site should have a fast and catchy name, like Newgrounds (or for that matter, Explosm). InkScreen, however, is too much of a "iWhatever" kinda name.

But I like Dynamic Relish.

[Chriz]

Hopefully, after time, it will simply be 'DR'

[VerminScum]

I love the look and name. Get this up and running so I can participate. I'll be glad to give feedback and help out n shit.

[RaxoZellet]

Let's help by spreading the word and shit.

[Antisaint]

That is a good idea Antisaint, although, I don't want to encourage spamming in methods to gain exp for their level.

I wouldn't do x amount of posts gets you access to new stuff, I'd do if x many people say your advice is helpful, you get to critique earlier.

So there isn't much to be gained from spamming unless you really want to say things before the other blammers do.

Also I think RoosterTeeth had some kind of anti-boost method on their forums, you could check that out.

[Chriz]

We will be having a submission system such as, make a forum post +1 , comment +2, comic +10 etc..

Things of that sort.

[RessXalcor]

Also I think RoosterTeeth had some kind of anti-boost method on their forums, you could check that out.
You mean the Karma system where users can go to another user's post and choose if it's funny, cool, ditto, and zing. Just as well as they could negate it with Flamebait, wtf, lame, and Noob.
The system works as a matter of fact, you only have one mod point per post.

[Lissa]

I agree with Antisaint that it should be the quality of your whatever rather than quantity. I think someone who provides one post that is helpful and gives thorough advice, or makes one or two spectacular comics should be 'ranked' higher than someone who does a giant load of shit.

[Chriz]

That is why the posting forum posts and comments would be so low. On the profile pages there will be the likes of 'awards' and 'badges' which come with exp points to help the level of a user. The artist benefits despite spamming like an idiot (which will be strongly disencouraged)

[Axidos]

Chriz, I liked Inkscreen too, and the logo. People browse the internet quickly and they skim content and judge by the cover. You have about ten seconds (if you're lucky) to win the attention of a visitor to your site before they leave and never return. Inkscreen sounded more interesting and the logo was certainly more professional-looking... the Dynamic Relish logo looks amateurish.

By the way: I like the awards/badges. Everyone loves achievements. Just be careful to consider the social attitudes like elitism that might be generated.

The whole 'blamming' and 'flamming' thing should be kept at a minimum and strongly regulated, because if it were not, how could anyone new join in properly and learn? Its senseless.
You want people of both high and low quality to participate, yet have a blamming system, the purpose of which is to weed out low quality material. Keep in mind that on average half of everything that's submitted to Newgrounds is blammed (see centre box (http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/)) and that our comic thread turns to shit every single time it's brought back. Perhaps Newground's blamming system is not an appropriate model.

What if you were to segregate the low-quality comics from the high-quality comics, and emphasize critique in the low-quality section?

You also mentioned staff moderation. You should consider the amount of work that model will generate. It is scalable or will you inevitably have to change the way things are handled when the site grows more popular?

I wouldn't do x amount of posts gets you access to new stuff, I'd do if x many people say your advice is helpful, you get to critique earlier.

So there isn't much to be gained from spamming unless you really want to say things before the other blammers do.
This system is nice assuming your members have the right outlook. On sites like DeviantART though, everyone's all supportive and encouraging and the moment someone points out flaws or criticises the work, that person gets ganged up on by a mob of angry users. Helpful, constructive (sometimes harsh by necessity) critique is frowned upon!

Your staff could get the ball rolling however by being the only ones allowed to rate reviews at first, establishing the sorts of reviews people should consider to be good.

Either that or you can take a look at what DeviantART's done to tackle the issue: if you're a paying user, you can allow your artworks to get Critique, which is a separate section above comments. In that section you're meant to give criticism, so any ganging up on critics would be absurd. Read about it here (http://news.deviantart.com/article/77590/).

[Lissa]

Maybe you could have it so like on Facebook people can 'Like this', and if it gets x number of 'Likes' then it moves up into the next quality ranking. And at the top, there is some sort of Hall of Fame rank. The only problem with this is that readers will automatically just want to look at the good stuff and few new artists wont be able to easily move up. But, I think it could work.

I think you should keep account-based value... like badges, experience points, bleh.. to a minimum so that it doesn't take away from the whole base of the community being about creating comics versus trying to 'level up' your account. :nerd:

[WoeStorm]

The only problem with this is that readers will automatically just want to look at the good stuff and few new artists wont be able to easily move up. But, I think it could work.

This is why I proposed two different sections, one where people can comment on the newer/or poor quality comics, and one for the more popular.

But yeah, like Lissa said you should keep that stuff low, like how Explosm just has the different titles.

[Chriz]

I want the level system in place, because there are many things that can be done with it. Such as, when a user signs up, they can only submit 1 Comic Series, but when they go over level 3, they can submit 2 Series' etc. With the lvl's a new range of features can be made available on each progression.

The problem with that, is the protection from abuse. Which there are ways around that.

Also, these two sections are not divided by 'Crap' comics and 'Awesome' Comics. They are simply preference to the user. And if they have an individual comic posted in the non-scoring section for a week, wish to change it to the scoring area, they have an option to do so. And vice-versa. Although, they would be only be able to switch once mind you!

For all I know, no one may use the non-scoring section! We will just wait and see what we come up with. But all this will be discussed in more detail over in the Blog. Which is up soon folks, and you'll be able to register your usernames when it is up. Anyone can leave their own comments in reply to topics, but registered users can only vote in statistic polls.

Axidos, no, at the moment the model would not need to be changed due to increased activity. Before the full version goes online, numerous hefty tests will be conducted. But if anything came to be on the point to where a major update edit was required, I foresee not too many problems.

[The Bobster]

This is an awesome idea! And I'll be sure to contribute, 'cause I have tons of comics on my computer, since whenever I'm about to post them here, I'm too late, and the comic thread is already dumped.

[Mustache]

This is really a fantastic idea. The only thing that bugs me is that I think of food when relish comes up. Maybe it's only me though. Keep going with this.

[SlantedSkarekrow]

I think this could work, I don't have any specific ideas for you but if I think of any ill hit you up.

[Chriz]

Thanks man.

Hey guys, out of curiosity, how many of you use Internet Explorer, if so, what version?

[HappyPalooza]

I'm loving this idea, and would fully participate to help get it off the ground. Already outlining a pre-conceived story for a graphic novel type thing for it.

Some Stuff:
- The Name. At first I liked InkScreen better, but as Hats said, it was more "iWhatever" and that's not what you're going for. In terms of "fun-ness," Dynamic Relish works better and has really grown on me. So I'm with ya on that. As for the logo, I think it needs work. I think you should add dots to make it more comicy, like this-
http://ginavivinetto.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/roy21.jpg
Otherwise I think it just looks ironically bland, mostly due to washed out color, which would however work perfectly for the above style. Just needs a little detail. Obviously not a ton, just enough.

-I definitely like Lissa's watch/subscription idea. In fact, "subscribing" to certain people's series would be sick due to whole thing about the site being, y'know, comics.

-A Hall of Fame and a Wall of Shame would be tons of fun, but not until way down the road.

-As for the rating system, I see it as you could do it like NewGrounds or FunnyOrDie. 0-5 vs. Shit or Great. I've always preferred rating things 1-10, but that might be too much.

-As for sorting out shitty manga, I'd say it's a given to have a separate category for it, like Comedy or Action or Superhero would, I suppose.

-Okay, this is a biggie. Limitations. I was never a fan of limitations on new users, it makes the site feel more like work than fun. NewGrounds, for instance, with its levels always felt pointless, yet obligatory. Once you start adding limitations to each "level" or whatever, like not being able to contribute multiple series without x number of posts or voting/rating, it might put people off. I know it would for me. Maybe down the road, but as for launch I wouldn't recommend it. Because imagine you hit up this new site with like 30 members or so- and you can't do shit until you start contributing things you don't really feel like doing all at once, just so you could be able to do something or use a certain function. Personally, I'd say "fuck this site" and try to find a better one.

That's the input I got for now, looking forward to it big time. Don't lose interest and drop the project, I'd be pissed.

Also I use Firefox.

[Chips]

I'm really keen to see this thing kickoff. Got a few ideas for some strips and can't wait to see what other people produce.

Any developments with the site so far? I'm not much of a Twitter fan so I like never check it.

[Tweek]

Oh man, pop art would be a good look, I totally agree with Happy.

[HappyPalooza]

Yes pop art is the technical term for it I guess. I'm artistically illiterate so I've always just referred to it as "the one with the dots."

[Tyler_Legrand]

Let's call it "cheap printing"!

[WoeStorm]

Yes pop art is the technical term for it I guess. I'm artistically illiterate so I've always just referred to it as "the one with the dots."

I think that'd make the logo look cool.

Also, firefox user here.

[Hats of!]

Couldn't there be several "skins", like one apple-knock-off and one Old-Comic-Print? (Pop art is a horrible name for it, seeing as only one artist used it).

[Mustache]

Aren't there more important things than the logo for now? Also, Firefox.

[Lissa]

Well the logo is a significant contributing factor to the site's first impressions, in terms of its quality and what to expect.

A switch between Firefox and Chrome.

[Chriz]

Funny you should all go on about the logo, still undecided about it, this is something we came up with last week,
http://www.duckbox.net/dynamicrelish/images/logo.jpg

One of the first things we said to one another on design was 'Pop Art', it is a highly underused style for web imagery and design. But then again, we do not want to abuse it either.

Thank you all for the suggestions and feedback folks! It is all contributing!

[RessXalcor]

I like that new logo.

I use Firefox as well.

[Dutchinlive]

I like this idea, you need to think of your authors as well, a lot of them (like me) aren't going to want your website being the only source of viewing for their comics. We all want to attract attention to our site, build our own community, and your site is a tool for that. Sure Krinkels has all his madness animations at his website, but I guarantee the versions up on newgrounds have an insanely higher number of hits.

So you can assume most of the authors will have their own website, making it easy to navigate to the site (read open in a new window), increasing their hits, increasing their rewards for posting on your site, increasing your hits etc will benefit everybody, so try to implement something that has a link to the authors site in an easy-to see spot (maybe let the author upload a 50x50 pixel image in a window that links to their site).

Sorry for the big run-on sentence, what I'm trying to say, is if you make it easy for viewers to go 'wow, I like this guy's comics, I'll click this here link and head to his website' the more incentive authors will have to use your service.

Newgrounds is so massively huge now there's no stopping it, but the best thing about webcomics is a lot of the time they are quick to create, so your content database can fill quite quickly. You should use this to your advantage and divide everything into categories, making users unable to stumble across certain comics if they filter them out. For example, Imagine looking for comics like C&H, you want funny, short, stupid comics that are a set up and a punch line, thats it. But you have to wade through shit like Staria and The Phantom to get to it, you would tire very fucking quickly.

Segregate the shit out of it.

That's my input for now, get it up and I should have a good 30 comics to submit.

[Nemmukat]

I draw pop art alot, so, yeah.

[Chriz]

Nemmukat, any examples of your work I could see?

Dutchinlive, I completely agree with you. It is easy to think that this website could be a comic hosting website, or a standard replacement of a website. Not at all, it is simply a collection of whatever a user has submitted amongst dozens of genre's. If the audience do see a comic they like, then they can check the authors website (if they have one) very easily. I want this to be a promotional and learning tool for budding artists.

As for the categories, it will be quite easy for any user to filter through to whatever genre, sub-genre they are looking for, we are even going to have a search in place. Although, not that they would need it I don't think, with a category bar you would click 'Funny' , then with the sub-genre's of funny being, I don't know, 'Mature', 'Light-hearted' whatever, but you get the drift?

[Dutchinlive]

Nemmukat, any examples of your work I could see?

Dutchinlive, I completely agree with you. It is easy to think that this website could be a comic hosting website, or a standard replacement of a website. Not at all, it is simply a collection of whatever a user has submitted amongst dozens of genre's. If the audience do see a comic they like, then they can check the authors website (if they have one) very easily. I want this to be a promotional and learning tool for budding artists.

As for the categories, it will be quite easy for any user to filter through to whatever genre, sub-genre they are looking for, we are even going to have a search in place. Although, not that they would need it I don't think, with a category bar you would click 'Funny' , then with the sub-genre's of funny being, I don't know, 'Mature', 'Light-hearted' whatever, but you get the drift?

Yeah, it all sounds like a really good idea. Think of segregation ideas as such.

The closest thing to your site that I think is in existence right now is probable www.thewebcomiclist.com

You could do this so much better if you made it to be more like newgrounds, they have their comics divided into categories, but not into types, which is what I would be looking to do. I'll show you an example.

Categories:

Fantasy Comics
Furry Comics
Gaming Comics
Geeky Comics
Manga Comics
Mature Comics
Quirky Comics
Sci-Fi Comics
Weird Comics
Workplace Comics
Genre-less Comics

Types:
Serious - No story
Serious - Story
Funny - No Story
Funny - Story

And be liberal with the tagging, like, let authors tag their comics as multiple 'categories' but only one 'type'. I'm sure you could think of a more streamlined way of making it, but it's important when you're searching for random C&H-type comics, that you don't run into comics that have a hundred-page story arc. Also, <next> and <back> buttons are essential for any searches, Newgrounds.com havn't implemented them in their art portal for some reason, well, if they have, I havn't found it. When you're looking at an image, you have to click it to close, hit back, find a new image and click on it to view the next one, whereas a more streamlined version would be more appropriate.

Such as the one at http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/community/comics/gallery.html#290 which is a beautiful interface, large thumbnails with a one click navigation system.

Hope this is all helping, I really think this is a fantastic idea, and will help with suggestions and content!

[Chriz]

I am not aiming to have the site like the Comic List, I don't want a link directory.

I have been thinking of what to do with the categories, I thought that one category to be picked, then the author has an option to write his own tags? Tags seem to be a big thing on the internet, especially with blogs, tag clouds etc. What are your thoughts on this Dutch?

[exetra]

Well I think tags are pretty great, especially if you have a built in search engine that looks through them.

When this gets up and running I'll probably revive my "very good comic". I say "when", not "if", because I know you can and will do this and make it successful.

[Tyler_Legrand]

I'll make one called "even better comic".

[Dutchinlive]

I am not aiming to have the site like the Comic List, I don't want a link directory.

I have been thinking of what to do with the categories, I thought that one category to be picked, then the author has an option to write his own tags? Tags seem to be a big thing on the internet, especially with blogs, tag clouds etc. What are your thoughts on this Dutch?

Thecomiclist is bad, I was just stealing their catagories. Tags are good, but can get complicated, any cyanide and happiness comic could be tagged as: Random, nonsensical, strange, weird, unusual, alternative, crude, crass, etc, but the type of humour doesn't have a name, and it would be a shame if someone came along and searched for 'puerile', and since it wasn't tagged as such, a word describing the comic wouldn't list the comic. With searches such as these, you are giving the user infinite choices with limited results.

Maybe develop a hybrid, or give them all options. Like newgrounds, you can search for authors, titles, but you can't really search newgrounds for 'all animations rated above 4.0 about Mario Bros', the closest you could do is search 'mario' in the text box, and you would get cartoons with 'mario' in the title. If a cartoon rated at 4.54 called 'The Mushroom Kingdom' existed, it would be outside the paramaters and not appear. (NG's workaround is having a mario collection.).

You should give the same option, but devlop other workarounds, possibly encompassing tags into categories. Just think of what your users want to find, and the information they have in their head to find it. They might say 'I remember seeing this comic, it was by a guy called Tim Buckley..' For that, a text search for author works. They could say 'I remember this funny comic about a guy who was climbing mount rushmore.' for this, if the comic had 'rushmore' as a tag, it could be found that way. Another user might think 'Hey, I like reading staria in the newspaper, wonder if these guys have any good sci-fi comics' and for this (though the artist might have tagged every comic he has submitted as 'sci-fi') splitting it into categories will yield the best results.

[Chriz]

Well of course, as a search option, there would be several consisting factors to which you can search for, or all at once.

[Dutchinlive]

Well good then! I'll be awaiting it's arrival on the interwebz!

[Church]

I use firefox. As to the new comers having different sections, that's pretty stupid. Why would someone look through a section full of crappy art? Have it all in one section, like NewGrounds style. It gets submitted, gets reviewed and get rated. Then have the reviews sent to the person privately or something so if it does get blammed they have reviews and critiques. Which they can go off of to make a better submission that can make it through the process next time.

[HappyPalooza]

Yeah but you're assuming all newcomers will have crappy art.

[Chriz]

And you are also assuming that newcomers must submit their work into a newcomers area, which is not true. That is silly. I simply suggested from feedback, what about two different submission sections of scoring and non-scoring, available to anyone of any experience.

[Lissa]

You know what would be sick- coverflow browser thingy. Sort of like if you integrated it into Cooliris (Firefox extension), but divided into the genres or a user's gallery.

If not, please make it so you can at least use the right and left arrows on the keyboard to move between comics.

[Church]

And you are also assuming that newcomers must submit their work into a newcomers area, which is not true. That is silly. I simply suggested from feedback, what about two different submission sections of scoring and non-scoring, available to anyone of any experience.

I don't understand why anyone would post in the non-scoring section though. Unless the scoring section wouldn't have feedback at all.

[Chriz]

Thank you, that is why I am throwing ideas out here, I feel silly about the idea myself, but it seems popular with people.

[Chips]

Hey Chriz dude, when's the dev blog goin' up?

[Chriz]

In the next few days, my partners parents got Swine Flu last week, so we have been running about from them, and keeping our son in a hamster ball.

[BKS]

Would having an introduction area and a blam area be a good idea? Introduction would be for people to post shit and what not, to get a feeling out. If they feel as if its good enough, they'd put it in the blammable section, allowing it to be rated and what not.

First area, no ratings, just feedback and improvements. Second area, ratings, Top 50, prizes, whatever

[DanielCross]

hey guys, just wanted your opinion on this: http://scottngary.blogspot.com/.


yup i'm needy for attention. Thanks!

[The Bobster]

hey guys, just wanted your opinion on this: http://scottngary.blogspot.com/.


yup i'm needy for attention. Thanks!
It sucks ass.

[Dutchinlive]

hey guys, just wanted your opinion on this: http://scottngary.blogspot.com/.


yup i'm needy for attention. Thanks!

This comic isn't really that funny, the observations are pretty boring. Don't stop though, practice your humour, Ep3 was pretty decent, in fact, I liked it. We shouldn't discourage people from sharing their artwork and ideas, that's basically the point of this thread.

Just work on it.

[Mustache]

Actually, the point of the thread is to discuss the layout of Chriz's website..

[Chriz]

Thanks Chaps.

I had a massive brainwave further ahead if the website gets a bit bigger, something similar to the comic tournament. We would of course have comic tournaments with its own system designed purely for it, but what if, down the line, have an actual battle arena where people can stick up their profile issuing a challenge, or someone could challenge you, and the public could read, comment and vote on the actual battle?

Thoughts?

[Tweek]

That is a fantastic idea.
It adds something entirely new to the site, so much that the site becomes more than just a place where people put their shitty comics.

It would be super rad, in my opinion.

[Chriz]

Tweek, you are now officially a moderator for using the term 'super rad'.

[Savaril]

Tubular idea, it's totally radical, dude. When's this gnarly site expected go up, anyways? (This is how you get a moderator position, right? I might just be retahdered.)

[BlackHood]

Would you use some kind of scoring system to create Elit-imators, if the artists gets enough point/views/general respect they enter a kind of hall of fame. That way people could view the best of the best without wading through shit, but you could also see anything sub 11/10, so it wouldn't just be a wasteland.

[Mustache]

I wouldn't introduce the hall of fame until much later though. It wouldn't make sense to have it implemented too early.

[BlackHood]

If it were automatic then it would also be dynamic. Example:

Rank all comics; top 5 are HOF'd

5 Arists who have the most votes.

He could block it off to begin with, but that kind of things needs to be built in from the start, otherwise implementing it later would just take years.

[Benjaman]

Chriz was telling me about a ranking system he had in mind, and it was a pretty good idea.

I think it'd be a good idea to just have sorting filters, ie: sort by highest rated, lowest rated, most viewed, least viewed, artist name, genre, etc.

[HappyPalooza]

Thanks Chaps.

I had a massive brainwave further ahead if the website gets a bit bigger, something similar to the comic tournament. We would of course have comic tournaments with its own system designed purely for it, but what if, down the line, have an actual battle arena where people can stick up their profile issuing a challenge, or someone could challenge you, and the public could read, comment and vote on the actual battle?

Thoughts?

This would be great because it'd differentiate the site from other comic portals by providing a fun opportunity.

[MrTalkShowHost]

I am posting this in here, because this forum is the most ideal for the discussion.

Project Name InkScreen
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2269/inkscreen.jpg
I have been developing the blue prints of a webcomic portal website, in the same relational model as Newgrounds, only in more moderation to accommodate comics. It will be a fairly basic system for experienced / beginner artists to showcase their individual or series' of work similar to what Flash Animation portal sites do. Users can vote on the work, with a top whatever number table and a collection of statistics that I feel would satisfy everyone.

More importantly it will be a community for all levels of comic/cartoon artists built in with a forum idea that I am creating.

Basically what this would include is,
- User Sign up with their own blogging and comic showcase system
- Forum Community enabling competitions or further promote your own comic website.
- Statistic tables such as Top 50, Most Viewed, Least Viewed, New editions etc ( Separate identities for individual scenario comics and series' )

Researching on the net, there does not seem to be too many things relative to what I want to do. There are comic hosting websites such as Keenspace and such, but not in the vision of what I am planning.

There is also a petition for NG to have a web comic portal, but from my understanding, it is not being very successful.

What I am asking from yourselves, would you be interested in such a website? If so, what features would you like to see that I have not mentioned? Or if you think it is a terrible stupid idea, I certainly like to hear about it.
Very intrested

USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/eventlog.php)
Reason: Contribute.

[JackHascal]

did this thread die? or what happened to the site being developed? im new. so that still doesn't excuse me for looking like a retard. so imma just stop typing. alrighty then. bye

[JackHascal]

http://jackhascal.blogspot.com/
FLAME or admire. up to you. id prefer not to get beat up though.

[Metalhead636]

http://jackhascal.blogspot.com/
FLAME or admire. up to you. id prefer not to get beat up though.

Those were the worst I have ever read. Go die.

[WoeGuy]

They weren't THAT bad, for stick figures. Some of the jokes were okay.

[HappyPalooza]

When is this goshdarned dev blog going up, dude?

[Hats of!]

I quite like the idea of having a comic tournament as an actual site feature, not just as a silly forum thing.

[Dutchinlive]

Since this is a decent thread, and I'm hoping the OP didn't give up on the idea, I'll add a couple of my comics for review.

http://img151.imageshack.us/i/comic1k.jpg/
http://img90.imageshack.us/i/comic3z.jpg/
http://img256.imageshack.us/i/comic5.jpg/

Review and bump for value.

USER WAS PUT IN TIMEOUT FOR THIS POST. (http://forums.explosm.net/eventlog.php)
Reason: Wrong thread.

[Mustache]

Invent your own style of drawing people and then we'll talk about the jokes, which were better than I expected..

[Dutchinlive]

Invent your own style of drawing people and then we'll talk about the jokes, which were better than I expected..

The art style took a little while to come up with, I tried many different things, but what I could do most with as far as the bodies went (for comics and animations) seemed to closely resemble Kris' work. I did borrow the box shaped torsos and outward set legs from him, but that's about it.

Also, I've seen the style used elsewhere before explosm was around, and theres only a limited amount of things you can do with near-stick figures anyway!

[Chips]

This isn't the place to be dumping your comics. Wait till Chriz' site is up or go make your own thread in showcase.

[Chriz]

No folks! the website is not dead, just some disputes from myself and my ISP and some Uni provisions have been delaying my time for DR amongst other projects. Good news is, when the Dev Blog goes up, the start date for DR will be sooner than before, as I have hard coded some of the website already.

[RessXalcor]

Well I'm glad that you're still planning it because I really want to join the troupe, I won't use the annoying overused stick figures as characters.

[HappyPalooza]

The hell happened Chriz, someone die? I'm still into this. :(

[Hats of!]

The hell happened Chriz, someone die? I'm still into this. :(

Ditto.

[Chriz]

Nothing has happened my friends, I have actually jumped ahead of the development blog to build some features that will be used on the DR site, and another website I am making for a client. The dev blog will be coming up soon to give everyone a chance to grab usernames and have their say on how to carve this puppy.

As this project may be growing a little bigger that my time can handle, it may be wise to take some people on. Creative development wise, spots will go up on its website in due course.