2000 AD Online Forum

I felt it time to give you all the breakdown of what will be happening with the main 2000 AD Website. There has been quite a change already with regards to the forums, and the website will no doubt come as a shock to some of you. So here's the reason why...

About a year ago we had a sit down and a discussion with regards to the future of the website and decided that we loved the content, but we wanted to make changes to the structure and the design. The main problem was time...

That's pretty much the same problem now; only with the recent server move it felt about the right time to give at least some elements a go. So, with that in mind we got our main design underway. Now comes the interesting bit.

We wanted to get the site online as fast as possible, but with limited functionality. I made the point of saying that if a feature was requested for one of the pages, adding it in after might be long-winded. So that's where you lot come in – get involved!

When the website goes online shortly it will have:

This Week – Front page with latest news, progs, megs and GN details.
History – About 2000 AD
Community – Link to this forum

Which leaves:

News – To include expansion of the front-page news and a forum watch feature
Characters – As you're used to but with an A-Z and more artwork
Creators – Information on creators, linking to characters etc

The way we're going to be working it is that on a reoccurring time (yet to be decided) we will effectively be patching the website to include new features in a bundle. What I'd like you all to do is list features that you'd like to see in each section or even in an overall sense.

I stress that nothing can be too big or too small a request to ask for. While we can't guarantee that ever single request will get added, we'll be working on the basis of doing the most important or the most asked for requests to be added first and work from there.

As well as this post there are going to be 4 other sticky posts in this topic, one for each heading and a general request post.

While change can be dramatic, we're hoping that you'll all want to contribute to shaping the site the way you all want it!

RSS feeds everywhere! One for the forum, one for the news feed, one for the latest issue and one for general site updates (for when extra content gets added somewhere).

More multi-media (I know this is a content issue, but still) - a section where youtube videos, etc, can be collected (like early 2000AD tv adverts, etc).

A Direct link to the click wheel from each issue - so if you want to buy it online you can do it instantly...

I'd LOVE some sort of API from the main 2000AD backissues database to allow some interesting mashup style stuff to go on (What? I've no idea, but still)

A Subscriber only section - I want something extra for my subscription groats - maybe featuring each weeks cover without text and in ULTRA MEGA HIGH RES.

More stats on creators - (How many pages of each strip, how much they've written, etc, bra size - I'm not telling...)

Howzat for a start

- pj

The new front page looks good.
Is the Lawmaster supposed to be 'shimmery'?

I dunno if I'd call him shimmery, more reflective...in which case I'd say definitely for the sake of the "cool I'm driving fast on a bike" factor  

When you click on the cover image for a larger view of the cover, safari hides the scroll bars so you can see below a certain amount. There are two things, I'd suggest: 1) just open the image in a new window/tab/same window, don't bother with forcing attributes for the window (that's a personal hate of mine) and 2) rather like youtube allows you to embed it's content, can we have some sort of 'link to this image' that will give a little bit of code to display the image and link back to the website, so that if people want to borrow covers for their posts then it becomes a viral thing?

-pj

Quote from: "w3b-B0Tv2"I dunno if I'd call him shimmery, more reflective...in which case I'd say definitely for the sake of the "cool I'm driving fast on a bike" factor  

Shimmery... reflective, whatever- it's bloody cool!

Quotesafari hides the scroll bars so you can see below a certain amount

God I hate Safari  :)

QuoteShimmery... reflective, whatever- it's bloody cool!

Glad you approve There'll be more where that came from knowing me!

Quote from: "w3b-B0Tv2"God I hate Safari

Still, at least it's compliant. Most of my website hair-tearing is down to IE these days.

Overall, the home page is a decent start, and seems to be no longer missing so many tricks (not least in flogging commercial product). There's not much above the fold unless you've a large monitor, though. I don't care—my display is 23", but anyone on 1024 x 7678's kind of screwed, what with 70% of available space being the masthead.

I took the shimmery effect as being the engine of the bike revving. Can we have slightly bigger icon pictures please? They've always been so tiny it's hard to make out what they are. Well done on the new site so far - it looks great.

Good start!

Good luck with it all.

Without wishing to upset anyone I think it's good the site is live again but I think it's a real shame it's been down at a time when SFX are giving away the playing cards and the new Meg launch is being announced etc. Even when you look at the news section now those things aren't even mentioned, it's pointless having a new section if it isn't up to date. I don't think this is the fault of the designer though!

I'm probably missing a huge obvious button that says 'home page' but I can't see an easy way to get back to the home page from this forum.

Also, I'm currently getting obsessed with making sure all our clients sites are optimised correctly, so I guess my question is do you have that covered?

Damn this is all a bit negative - sorry! I think the new look of the site is great actually and I understand that it's obviously a work in progress.

Will we get the Cover Zone back, or is it somewhere else online? I love that section.

Great work on the rest of the site, by the way, it's great!

Hmmm, didn't know how to edit my previous post, sorry folks!

Just wanted to agree with PJ on his brilliant Subsciber's Section idea. Especially if it includes a high res, no text version of the weeky's cover. Well done that droid!

Yum! Feedback!

Ok, answering in an all-over-the-shop kind of way:

QuoteMost of my website hair-tearing is down to IE these days.

Haha, will that ever change?? You know I constantly wonder how, with current prices and all that, some people are still hanging around on 1024 rez. Ho hum, there's going to be skins based on such in about 6 months time from what I gather. People will be able to choose how they want the site to look...

QuoteCan we have slightly bigger icon pictures please?

I assume you went from talking about the site to the forums there, if you mean your avatar sizes then that's over to giving Wake a shout...  ;) ).

QuoteSubsciber's Section idea. Especially if it includes a high res, no text version of the weeky's cover

Subscriber section is definitely happening! As for the covers, I have no idea as of yet. I know backgrounds are happening and that might play a part, but other than we'll have to see.

Quote from: "w3b-B0Tv2"Haha, will that ever change?? You know I constantly wonder how, with current prices and all that, some people are still hanging around on 1024 rez. Ho hum, there's going to be skins based on such in about 6 months time from what I gather. People will be able to choose how they want the site to look...

In all cases, it's down to basic usability, though. I see (and end up repairing and redesigning) a LOT of sites created by graphic designers on 23"+ monitors who've never thought to check what their work looks like with a smaller fold/view area.

With 2000 AD, I suspect more of the target market than usual with have large monitors; however, laptops are increasingly common for a home PC, rather than a desktop, and the popular sizes for screens are from 13"–15", which largely have about 500–650px vertical view area using defaults. Even with larger monitors, it's not a great idea to take space for granted anyway—most users I've seen with 20"+ monitors don't surf full-screen.

As for standards support, I see you've shifted everything over to CSS (something that I tried to push during my last meeting with you guys a few years ago, but that didn't happen for all sorts of reasons), and that means you should be able to get the site working across Opera, Safari and Firefox with zero problems (bar, perhaps, minor font-size issues across Win/Mac, due to antialiasing differences). IE 8 should be largely a happy bunny, which means conditional comment over-rides for 7 and 6. That said, if your code's clean, such over-rides should be very minor, bar, perhaps, issues with hasLayout, which is the thing that causes most of my IE layout problems these days. (That said, hasLayout can usually be dealt with by either specifying a height of 1% via a CC or a zoom level of 1.)

And, uh, I'll turn off the web-head now.

QuoteAs for the covers, I have no idea as of yet.

I think that's a really good idea. A lot of major mags do that, including IFX, CA, etc., and it could add real value to be able to see the cover art devoid of other junk. Not that 2000 AD tends to have that many coverlines, but it's still a good idea.

Oh, and for SEO, I'd strongly recommend amending the 'split' in the design. Stop the Flash just before the nav bar, and change said nav bar to an unordered list with the links driven by CSS. The site wouldn't load any more slowly, but would then be stronger nav-wise from an accessibility and SEO standpoint.

And now I'll shut up, before everyone gets sick of me going on about web stuff...

Re-Clickwheel I know this is nothing to do with the designer but I wish you could pay for it via debit card and not just credit card. Don't they know there's a 'credit crunch' on? But seriously I'm trying to get my balance down so regular debits on my CC wouldn't go down very well.

Its a shame that the government,financial institutions and government sponsored institutions like the FSA [i dont know the US equivalent ] fail to manage and regulate the economy properly  and instead encourage reckless borrowing and lending that makes money for a tiny handful of individuals only.

 Its a shame to be back to a Boom - Bust economy.......Again.

 I dont have a credit card so i dont use clickwheel.

 You cant hire a car in some places without a credit card.

Even laptops have higher rez these days, and besides, I've looked over at Robo-KEEF's monitor who has it set to a blind man's rez and it looks good on his haha...

SEO wise, to be honest, there's a lot of stuff since slap dashing that I need to re-look at. I think there's ways around the SEO situation using flash nav, with outputting text used in flash as a setting, or doing static links down the bottom. The reason it was currently kept at flash is because the original design called for it, but it might not anymore...will see :)

I'm surprised about the Clickwheel situation, but will whinge at them to look into it!

Thank you W3b Bot

Quote from: "w3b-B0Tv2"Even laptops have higher rez these days

MacBook: 1280 x 800, with a bunch of that taken up by the Dock, menu bar and browser chrome.
Dell Studio: 1280 x 800 or 1440 x 900, with a bunch of that taken up by the Start bar and browser chrome. HD model defaults to a 23"ish res—1920 x 1200—but laptops doing that are pretty rare. Height's the main issue these days, rather than width.

QuoteI wish you could pay for it via debit card

Apparently you can!? At what stage is it not letting you?

QuoteHeight's the main issue these days

True, but that just means they get Dredd extra big! But yeah, as said previously, when the skins start happening there may well be a laptop one bundled in

I'll have another look as I haven't actually tried since it first started. Good news if it does take debit cards.

Thanks again.

QuoteIndigo Prime said...
And now I'll shut up, before everyone gets sick of me going on about web stuff...

on the contrary - i think it's good that everyone understands (or at least has an appreciation of) the complexity of catering for all browsers / screen-sizes / etc. At least this way everyone is aware that there is very little chance of a "quick fix" to something and that changes do indeed change time

oh and i've just worked out who you are - and that i enjoy reading your web-based column in another of my regular mags (not that you were hiding or anything . good work btw

thinky

Quote from: "thinky"on the contrary - i think it's good that everyone understands (or at least has an appreciation of) the complexity of catering for all browsers / screen-sizes / etc. At least this way everyone is aware that there is very little chance of a "quick fix" to something and that changes do indeed change time

I suppose. I'm just mindful of how pissed people sometimes get in forums when I go into full-on web ninja mode, even when it's a thread about website feedback! But, yeah, with total overhauls there's simply no such thing as a quick fix, unless there are a dozen people working on the site (which I doubt is the case here).

Quoteoh and i've just worked out who you are

Ah, those pesky real names sneaking through on this new message board!

Quoteand that i enjoy reading your web-based column in another of my regular mags (not that you were hiding or anything . good work btw

Thanks! I'm assuming you're talking about .net? FWIW, Imagine FX will be getting some 2000 AD love soon, via a piece I've written. (And he just about wrenches the post back on-topic, right at the finish line!)

Quotewhich I doubt is the case here

cough...

Is there any merit in adding a "net links" topic heading? I'm thinking for funky websites, or You TUbe vids, etc Or is that too similar to off topic?

Quote from: "The Enigmatic Dr X"Is there any merit in adding a "net links" topic heading? I'm thinking for funky websites, or You TUbe vids, etc Or is that too similar to off topic?

That's what the Links category is for.

QuoteThanks! I'm assuming you're talking about .net?

indeed - and a very good mag it is too...

thinky

OK! Like many people I mostly access the forum via my work comp during my breaktimes. My work (like many places of bussness systems) block Flash player stuff so I cannot see any of the flash stuff, what ever it is.  :? I am having to access the forum via the Thargs news feed links but a quick link at the bottom of the page would be usful also stuff like Kroom Skree (If it still exists) and other stuff. Having only one kind of link that not every one can access seems a little daft.

Judging by the reaction I got to making roughly the same suggestion, I suspect this is in-hand once the site's a bit further down the line. The most sensible build from a technical standpoint would be for the top of the masthead (banner, bike, logo) to be Flash with a fall-back to a static image for users of Flash-disabled devices (which also of course includes iPhone). The nav bar should really be a CSS-styled HTML list, which should even work on the likes of Lynx. The site would look and work in an identical manner, but be more accessible by making said changes.

I have only one request - please, for Grud's sake do something about the colours. At the moment I can't even see half of what's on the page, let alone read it, due to the awful contrast. It's worse than the letters page in the comic .

The one thing that I really would like to see back on the website was the listing of the content of all the back issues and publications.  I found this a great way to find out which old isssues I should get out if I wanted to read an old story.  It was also a big help when I was buying old issues or publications, since I could make sure I am not buying something that just reprints of stuff I already had.

Will be working on some updates tomorrow, got pulled aside for other bits and bobs today  

Hi : Quick question :

 I wish to submit a piece of artwork to the Fan Art gallery but dont know how to or if that part of the site is still down.

 Its not rubbish like most of my comp entries if you discount i or 2 of my first ever entries otherwise i wouldnt want to submit it.
 
 This needs to be seen.

 Its a portrait /pic of Judge Mortis.

 Thanks in advance.

Hey, keep it to one side for now. That'll slot nicely into a media section we're planning, it's just a ways off yet  

Is the stuff from the old fan art section lost now? Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) the shite Judge Death pic I did years ago that was in it is the only copy in existence now.

Quote from: "Wils"Is the stuff from the old fan art section lost now? Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) the shite Judge Death pic I did years ago that was in it is the only copy in existence now.

All the images still exist, if you know where to look:
(//http://www.2000adonline.com/images/fanart/JudgeDeath.jpg)

Like he said  

Quote from: "Wake"All the images still exist, if you know where to look:

Dear god, that *is* poor, isn't it? I may have to do a Lucas/Byrne and 're-imagine' it.

I think that Death is rather brilliant, Wils.  Original too.

I wouldnt say that was shite either but there you go.Perhaps add some background to it.

 I have got about another 500 little individual skulls to add to mine.I have talked about drawing often enough and talked the talk without walking the walk until now so this should be the first of many but as i cant draw people/ordinary humans my repertoire is limited but there are plenty of other non/partly human characters to choose from.

 Thanks.

Quote from: "w3b-B0Tv2"Hey, keep it to one side for now. That'll slot nicely into a media section we're planning, it's just a ways off yet  

It looks like he's being sucked off and his girlfriend accidentally bit down.

Quote from: "Simpleton"It looks like he's being sucked off and his girlfriend accidentally bit down.

 " TTTHHE  DDEADD FFEEEL NO PAINNN "


 :lol:  

 Its the curvature of Judge Deaths helmet [ ENOUGH !!!] that doesnt look right .I thought it was straight sided instead of curved if you know what i mean .

Hi. Not sure if you are still taking suggestions for the site or this has already been said but the online shop desperately needs updating - there are no images! I can't see what the 4 new zarjaz T Shirts look like!

Also how about a 2000ad Timeline in place for reference under the History tab? (or more than one if needed)

cheers

Are you sure? It works fine for me.
//http://www.ekmpowershop2.com/ekmps/shops/2000ad/
//http://www.ekmpowershop2.com/ekmps/shops/2000ad/4-new-zarjaz-t-shirt-designs-now-in-28-c.asp

Ah interesting. I use Mozilla Firefox and I can't see any images.
I've just tried in Internet Explorer and the images come up fine.
I guess the site isn't Mozilla friendly.

I'm using Firefox, images work fine for me.

Oh god, please bring back all the historical information about each issue. I've been using that data to obsessively catalog my own collection with the artists behind each thrill, etc. That was the most important feature, for me, of the old site. I'd hate to see it go. Puh-wease.

And  An -other disappearing post.

It didnt disappear after all.

 apologies.

My biggest upset at the moment is that the forum doesn't work on my internet browser on my phone.

I've got a Nokia N95 and I was constantly checking the old forum on it. Anyone got any ideas how/if I can get it to work?

did you used to reply or just read stuff before?

Hi >How do i post clickable links like on Youtube gold ?

 Anyone ?

 I frequently offer or give advice to queries so it would be nice if this one could be answered as it is beginning to Rankle a bit to be honest.

 Many thanks in advance for your help.

Quote from: "peterwolf"Hi >How do i post clickable links like on Youtube gold ?

 Anyone ?

 I frequently offer or give advice to queries so it would be nice if this one could be answered as it is beginning to Rankle a bit to be honest.

 Many thanks in advance for your help.

By selecting all the text that makes up the link and then clicking the URL button before you post.

Actually, I don't even think you need to do that. You just need to make sure there's a space between the last bit of text you posted and the link and it should work automatically.

Thank you M.I.K  for your help.Much appreciated.

 All the best to you.

All that's wanted is a functional website supplying useful information. Which we do NOT have.

1) Reinstate the back issue, reprint, Starlord, Tornado, etc, database. This should have been left working, with any changes to the web interface performed around it. When the new database is finished, the two databases can be swapped over. Two other people have already asked for the database's return in this thread, and have yet to receive any acknowledgement.

2) The website has to function with lowest common denominator hardware, ie. 800x600 resolution, dial-up connections. The website/forum's left-hand column is missing. All other website's function at 800x600, so this needs fixing. If flash, large images, audio, etc are to be added, they need to be kept optional. (MySpace is the world's worst designed website.)

3) As reported elsewhere in this forum, there's a problem with posting. Access to the website is lost for a few minutes.

QuoteThis should have been left working, with any changes to the web interface performed around it

That's the idea, but with such a large database it takes time. The site was never intended for an instant swap around like what's happened.

QuoteTwo other people have already asked for the database's return in this thread, and have yet to receive any acknowledgement

Apologies if I missed those who have already asked. This was not intentional, but more down to work load. I hope that we're nearing some sort of deadline shortly so, fingers crossed.

QuoteThe website has to function with lowest common denominator hardware, ie. 800x600 resolution, dial-up connections

There's a bug with the sites centering which will be fixed and resolve that left hand side issue.

QuoteAs reported elsewhere in this forum, there's a problem with posting. Access to the website is lost for a few minutes.

There certainly shouldn't be any reason for this unless the domain provider is having issues like they did recently. I'll have a look into that.

Board and site have had the 800x600 problem fixed. Which should also help out those browsing on their Wii...an odd expression.

800x600 confirmed.
Will do a wii check later (this doesn't involve a urinal!)

Cheers D-Man  

I've just done a Wii test.
The left margin problem has been resolved.
The width of the page is still a little too big for the "Wii-resolution".
If you look at the banner above, it stops just before Dredd's Elbowpad, and on the post, it ends just so that you are: w3b-B0T not w3b-B0Tv2.
Although it is possible to scroll right, it would be cooler if the width matched the browser res.
Anyone know what the Wii-res is?

Thanks for replying. The homepage and forum are now centered under 800x600 resolution, and the problem of 'topic titles blanked out by mouse movement' is fixed.

I believe the 'loss of website by posting' problem was triggered by posting while not logged in. Instead of displaying the log-in screen, the whole website disappeared. This now seems OK.

I still think we could have kept the old database with the new homepage, but as long as we're moving forward.

QuoteAlthough it is possible to scroll right, it would be cooler if the width matched the browser res.

I'm sure it would, but then most sites that go beyond 800x600 don't so the idea of it downsizing stuff might be an issue. I'm cool with looking into it!

QuoteI still think we could have kept the old database with the new homepage, but as long as we're moving forward.

The old database is there, but it's being formatted into a new style to work not only with the site but for optimisations sake for search functions etc.

Any chance of a button on threads to take you back to the 'active thread' page?

Oh, yes please- that would be a useful thing to have.

What defines and 'active' thread? I tend to start from "view new posts", so a button to that would be nice (but then again, it's only 2 clicks to the index and onwards, guys - how lazy are we?)

I'm not that lazy...but...the active post page pretty much gives the view of the old Forum and I liked that (a lot) as you get what's been posted chronologically and then don't have to fish through the various sections to see what's happening.

So as I use that page for my 'front end' to the Forum it would be nice, if it was possible, to be able to then just click a button when finished with a thread and jump back to the 'refreshed' 'active post' page to see if anyone else has posted anything.  I know it is only two clicks...but if it is easier to do (and people other than me would find it useful) then it would be like an early Christmas present!  If not - no worries.

QuoteI'm not that lazy

Yeah Yeah    I've added one to each post by the date - good for you?

Hey w3b-BOTv2, can I just say whatever tweak you did resolution-wise has now made it work on my mobile phone. I think I love you!

I'm a very loveable bot!  

And brilliant too...nice one!!

I'm flying now...it's like the 'old days' all over again...

Any chance of the cover of the latest prog on the front page?    Just want to stick it on the Thread about the prog (1603)

Thanks!

Huffy

When will the pages for all the old progs and megs return? And the search option?

It was the best resource for info on all those issues on the net.

Quote from: "psychogoatee"When will the pages for all the old progs and megs return? And the search option?

It was the best resource for info on all those issues on the net.

The old database is now available from BARNEY (//http://www.2000ad.org/).

Quote from: "Wake"

Quote from: "psychogoatee"When will the pages for all the old progs and megs return? And the search option?

It was the best resource for info on all those issues on the net.

The old database is now available from BARNEY (//http://www.2000ad.org/).

Very cool.  

Where's the 'view active posts' gone from the threads...or is it just me?

Yeah, it's missing for me as well. Bit annoying as It was the best feature of the new board...

Still works for me, I bookmarked  the view active items page ages ago so it always goes straight to it.

Mine works. I can go from view active topics to board index, and select view active topics from there, ad infinitum.

Yeah, but we'd asked for a button on every page so we could jump to the active thread page from any thread (as per the old board) and it was done this time by adding a 'active thread' button to each post made...that is missing now.  It makes navigation a lot trickier...but I take your bookmark solution though.

mine's gone too  - didn't realise how much I used it till now! Is it a Firefox thang?

As befits the lazy noughties, I strenuously object to this turn of events and declare that TWO tiny clicks of my finger to get to active topics rather than ONE is an outrageous burden, an infringement of my human rights probably illegal!

I feel lost without it.

Phew!
I thought it was just me...

Hey, w3bz.  I was just wondering how the rebuild is going, what's been done and what's going to be done next?  

We all really appreciate all your (and all the other web-bots) hard work.  Thanks.