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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
New Online Horse Racing Magazine - opinions please
Scott Serio, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Colora | MD | USA | Posted: 2:04 PM on 03.07.10 |
->> So, as many know, I am kind of a horse racing nut. Love to photograph the sport. I am involved with this new magazine, but I am not totally sold on the online viewer we have. Many of you have excellent opinions. I definitely welcome opinions on the inaugural issue, especially on the viewer. The one we are using is from Yudu. Can anyone suggest a better, more intuitive, platform?
http://www.simurl.com/stride1
Thank you. |
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Luke Johnson, Photographer, Assistant
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Daniel Celvi, Photographer
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Schaumburg | IL | United States | Posted: 9:58 PM on 03.07.10 |
->> So on Stride Magazine, am I supposed to be able to turn the page using the mouse, you know–like a real mag? Because it seems like I should be able to, but it doesn't let me. I tried it on Safari and Google Chrome, neither worked. The corner of the page moved around, and I tried right clicking, but still no go. This is either a browser compatibility problem, or an issue with the viewer, or I suppose my computer in general. Either way, gotta shuffle it around like a .pdf; not the end of the world, but you know–demeans the purpose of that style of viewer.
Unless it's not supposed to do that, but then why tease me with a corner of the page lifting...
Unfortunately, I don't know a company that does a viewer in that style, or enough about the problem or the viewer to help you fix it. Otherwise, the magazine looks good. Though there is another magazine called Stride (though it is a UK publication, so I don't know if that will cause a problem), and to google search it, the actual website doesn't show up on the first results page, just the twitter account that links to it. That might be something to mention to the webmaster—that's an SEO problem. |
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Dave Prelosky, Photographer
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Lower Burrell | Pa | US | Posted: 10:13 PM on 03.07.10 |
| ->> I didn't have the page turn issues except between 3-4. All I got was a maddening redirect to a Hot Springs link. Several tries yielded the same result. |
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Scott Serio, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Colora | MD | USA | Posted: 10:25 PM on 03.07.10 |
->> Here is another viewer that a company is letting me DEMO. I was actually happy with the other one, but we have been getting usability complaints form readers, so I feel we at least need to investigate.
http://www.simurl.com/stridedemo
I like this one, but I don't know that it is a huge upgrade from Yudu.
Thanks for looking though. |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 12:38 AM on 03.08.10 |
->> Forgive my directness, but online is not print. You can't simply lay out a print magazine and have it work online. If I have to zoom in on an element to read it, I'm simply going to move on.
The page-turning metaphor is just pandering to the nostalgia of people who are not yet comfortable with electronic media.
Computer screens are horizontal. You're wasting half the screen with vertical pages.
Find a good UI consultant and start from scratch. Seriously.
--Mark |
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Mark Loundy, Photo Editor
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San Jose | CA | USA | Posted: 12:47 AM on 03.08.10 |
->> Scott,
And don't forget mobile. If you don't, a large percentage of your potential audience is going to leave you behind.
BTW, as you talk to UI professionals, you may encounter the term, "shovelware." It's a disparaging term used to describe publishers who do not understand online media and who think that they can simply dump their current product online without changing its form.
Online is difficult and costly. It requires specialized talents and skills.
--Mark |
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Scott Serio, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Colora | MD | USA | Posted: 2:32 AM on 03.08.10 |
->> I understand what you are saying about readability. I do think we need to deal with that. The vertical versus horizontal image thing though. We use images big and wide, but you are almost saying to just forget vertical exists. With the exception of the cover, you can look at most of the product as a spread - I know you can't read it though. There has to be a happy medium.
You are thinking something more along these lines, I guess - http://digital.globalgolfpost.com/globalgolfpost/20100301?hide_drawer=1&pm=...#
It is novel and close. |
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Dave Prelosky, Photographer
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Lower Burrell | Pa | US | Posted: 2:54 AM on 03.08.10 |
->> Scott -
Have a look here:
http://www.flypmedia.com/
In terms of presentation, my 21 yr old daughter thought this was a worthwhile site. |
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Luke Johnson, Photographer, Assistant
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St.Petersburg | FL | USA | Posted: 10:43 AM on 03.08.10 |
| ->> Dave, that FLYP Media magazine is awesome. |
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Jason Heffran, Photographer
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Natrona Heights | PA | USA | Posted: 10:50 AM on 03.10.10 |
->> Dave, I've read a lot of online mags and that FLYP is by far the best. It feels like you're reading an actual magazine, just one that comes to life with multimedia elements.
Wonder what platform is behind it, or if it's 100% custom? |
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Scott Serio, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Colora | MD | USA | Posted: 11:11 AM on 03.10.10 |
->> This has been quite the adventure. I will admit that in agreeing with Mark on the font size, we re-evalutated everything. We looked at a bunch of platforms. Mark and I will have to disagree on the magazine format idea. We like it, and in many cases design for the entire spread. Now for viewers. The Flyp people are also the Mygazines people who did the one demo. There are also the people with Texterity. They have a nice product as well. Here is what I have found.
Mygazines/Flyp - http://www.simurl.com/stridedemo - $400/issue
Texterity - No Demo - $500/issue
Yudu - http://www.simurl.com/stride1 - Free
Issuu - http://www.simurl.com/stridetest - $20/month
They have a full page option, a scroll w mouse option and a direct PDF download. I think of the options, this is the best one.
I do thank everyone for their input. This digital arena grows so fast it is very hard to keep track of all of your options. |
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David Bailey, Photographer
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Flower Mound | TX | USA | Posted: 3:55 PM on 03.10.10 |
| ->> Of the links you posted I would have to say that the Issuu system is the best from a reader's standpoint. 1 click of the zoom icon and have a full size veiw with VERY EASY mouse navigation. |
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Jeremy Harmon, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Salt Lake City | UT | USA | Posted: 7:14 PM on 03.10.10 |
| ->> For what it's worth, I think the turning page sound effect is kind of annoying. |
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Jean Finley, Photo Editor, Photographer
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Iowa City | IA | USA | Posted: 9:05 PM on 03.10.10 |
->> If you have someone with moderate knowledge of flash, you can buy very good e-zine code packages for less than 50$. Not per issue, or per month - one time pay.
Google around. |
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