Poll: Escapist Mobile Version?

[Danpascooch]

ABOUT THE POLL:

I'm not asking if YOU specifically would use it, but if it's a good idea
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I imagine just about everyone knows what a mobile version of a website is, but for those who do not, it's a separate version of a website that is displayed when someone connects using a phone (usually an Iphone, Android ect.). These versions usually offer less options, but are much more friendly for the small touch screens of modern smartphones. It is important to note that you can STILL access the full desktop version of the site for full functionality, it's just that mobile versions allow you to do the most important stuff much more easily.

I own a Droid Incredible, and I think I would get a lot of use out of a mobile version of the Escapist. There are many ways it could be built, but in my imagination it would have two tabs side by side on the top 1/5th of the screen: "News" and "Videos"

It would have News selected by default, and under it would have news story names and links stacked in reverse chronological order, about 5 of them would fit stacked on the screen, but you could scroll down to browse up to ten before pressing a link at the bottom to load the next 10. They would be large links, easy to click. The video tab would work basically the same way. A link at the bottom would be available to load the full desktop version, in case you want to browse the forums or something with your phone.

The current site is very phone-unfriendly, it is filled with very tiny links, and the home page is absolutely stuffed with content which makes it a ***** to load on a phone, a cell phone version would make checking news and video much easier and faster on a phone.

I don't know specifically how daunting it is developmentally and financially to make a mobile version of your webpage, but I've seen some very small-time text based MMO's (Ones barely anyone have heard of) with mobile versions, so I assume it's not very difficult, I would appreciate if someone with more knowledge on what it takes to make a mobile version would weigh in.

Lastly, it's important to note that while I believe a mobile version would get plenty of use now, smartphones are rapidly growing in popularity, and the need for a mobile version of the site is only going to grow as time goes by.

EDIT:
it doesn't necessarily have to be a mobile version of the site, just something to make some of the features more accessible to phone users. An Iphone/Android app would work just fine.

Google Mobile Optimizer is the quickest way to convert any website into a mobile friendly one. Just supply the site URL and it will optimize the site for viewing in mobile phones by removing the site header, ads and resizing all image contents. This is actually an on-the-fly mobile site creation tool. There are no signups and no way to customize the look of your site. This is how Instant Fundas look as optimized by Google.

http://www.google.com/gwt/n?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.instantfundas.com%2F&_gwt_pg=1

If you want to use this tool with a custom domain, you have to setup a redirect to this URL, provided your web hosting company supports sub domain redirects. Another way would be to use a URL shortening service but that would look very unprofessional.

Among the above tools, I prefer Mofuse, Swift and Google Mobile Optimizer in that order. I?m using Mofuse but if Swift allowed me to remove that banner, I would be have opted for Swift because it has better customization options. Google Mobile Optimizer is bland but quick and hassle free. Of course, if you aren?t so picky you can use any of these services.

http://www.instantfundas.com/2009/03/5-free-ways-to-create-mobile-version-of.html

Apparently it would be quite easy to make a mobile version.

 

[Danpascooch]

Could a mod move this to off topic? I posted it in Gaming Discussion by mistake

 

[L3m0n_L1m3]

I'd love to have an iTouch version of the escapist. It worked out pretty well with cyanide & happiness.

 

[the_pleasure_is_mine]

I can use the escapist on my new touch phone...

I think I use android or something...

 

[Danpascooch]

I'd love to have an iTouch version of the escapist. It worked out pretty well with cyanide & happiness.

A mobile version would apply to Itouch's as well, that's what I'm talking about, I'm glad you like the idea

 

[Danpascooch]

I can use the escapist on my new touch phone...

I think I use android or something...

I have a droid too, and yes you can use it, but a mobile version would load much faster, and be much easier to use.

 

[Danpascooch]

So far 6 yes and 2 maybe, not a SINGLE no

 

[Alex Cowan]

Encoding the videos not using flash would be a good way to start - I think this would be a good idea overall though, a mobile version would be useful to have.

 

[Harlemura]

I think it'd be pretty good, because if someone wants to carry on a discussion or suddenly gets an afterthought, they can whack it straight on without having to get back to a computer.
Probably have to risk an increase in "chat speak" in posts, but I think it'd be worth it.

Not that I'd use it though. My phone's so crap it can barely even connect to the internet, and I don't think it can load websites even if it could scrape a connection.

 

[Mozza444]

I have already made this thread..

With me the results proved to be pretty negative, half saying yes half no.
Not exactly popular.

Personally I'd love to see it and its great to see you have a good phone.

Android baby!

Steailing my bloody ideas.

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.167699-Poll-Escapist-Mobile

 

[Danpascooch]

I think it'd be pretty good, because if someone wants to carry on a discussion or suddenly gets an afterthought, they can whack it straight on without having to get back to a computer.
Probably have to risk an increase in "chat speak" in posts, but I think it'd be worth it.

Not that I'd use it though. My phone's so crap it can barely even connect to the internet, and I don't think it can load websites even if it could scrape a connection.

I was thinking it'd be less about the forums, because if you're going to bother to do all that typing and look at all that content, you might as well load the full version.

As for the chat speak, I don't think it'd be all that bad, people seem to either use it or they don't, even on my phone, I type full words, plus, the site will always being immensely dominated by computer users.

 

[MissPixxie]

I access it on my BlackBerry anyway, but a mobile version would be awesomely convenient! Yes from me!

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

I don't think it would be a good idea...
But only because Virgil has looked at the idea already when it was suggested, and said it was unlikely.
So that is my reasoning. If Virgil has a reason to be against it, or at least unlikely that it'll be made, then I trust whatever reason/s he has.

 

[Danpascooch]

I have already made this thread..

With me the results proved to be pretty negative, half saying yes half no.
Not exactly popular.

Personally I'd love to see it and its great to see you have a good phone.

Android baby!

WOOT! screw the Iphone! (that is TOTALLY gonna bite me in the ass later in the thread)

 

[Danpascooch]

I don't think it would be a good idea...
But only because Virgil has looked at the idea already when it was suggested, and said it was unlikely.
So that is my reasoning. If Virgil has a reason to be against it, or at least unlikely that it'll be made, then I trust whatever reason/s he has.

I trust Virgil, but I don't trust reasons I haven't heard, if he has a good reason, and comes forward with it and tells us what it is, I'd think about it then.

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

-All Hail Britannia Snip-

I trust Virgil, but I don't trust reasons I haven't heard, if he has a good reason, and comes forward with it and tells us what it is, I'd think about it then.

I don't think that Virgil, the very first registered account user as well as main IT guy for the Escapist, has to divulge any reasons to us.
All we have to know is that he is not likely to facilitate such a request. He would not deny it for no good reason, when he has already done other things when requested.
I think they can keep their reasons. A mobile version is not a necessity, it is a bonus, that we can live without.
And bonuses always come at a price.

 

[Mozza444]

I have already made this thread..

With me the results proved to be pretty negative, half saying yes half no.
Not exactly popular.

Personally I'd love to see it and its great to see you have a good phone.

Android baby!

WOOT! screw the Iphone! (that is TOTALLY gonna bite me in the ass later in the thread)

Haha, who cares!

Maybe an App would be easier to make?
Still i have no idea about this stuff.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

I have an EVO, I really don't care about a mobile version since my screen is so big and shiny.

 

[Danpascooch]

-All Hail Britannia Snip-

I trust Virgil, but I don't trust reasons I haven't heard, if he has a good reason, and comes forward with it and tells us what it is, I'd think about it then.

I don't think that Virgil, the very first registered account user as well as main IT guy for the Escapist, has to divulge any reasons to us.
All we have to know is that he is not likely to facilitate such a request. He would not deny it for no good reason, when he has already done other things when requested.
I think they can keep their reasons. A mobile version is not a necessity, it is a bonus, that we can live without.
And bonuses always come at a price.

I'm not saying I don't trust him, I'm just saying I can't see any reason for him not to tell us why it's a bad idea, I don't think he's obligated to tell us, but I also don't think I'm obligated to not ask for it when nobody has given me a reason why it shouldn't be done.

No disrespect to Virgil, I'm just saying I'm going to support it unless he gives me a reason not to.

 

[The Political Gamer]

I would really dig an Escapist iPhone app.