Poll: Escapist Mobile Version?

[Danpascooch]

-Yes, My Lord Snip-
It was somewhere in the "What would you like to see added to The Escapist" thread. If I do recall I think he said it was just extremely difficult to code and not worth the time and trouble, especially because they weren't sure what the future of mobile browsing holds.

Sounds about right. And:

-Nippon Banzai Snip-

Mobile version of the Escapist - Again, crazy amount of work for relatively little payoff. Another generation or two of mobile devices and having separate versions of a site for each will be mostly pointless anyway. I regularly use the site on my iPad, and I know that there's a bunch of people that keep an eye on things with their phones.

Amusingly, the only major thing that doesn't work on these devices is the one thing that would be most beneficial for us - the front-page grid editing tool I built for our editors. It's all drag-and-drop, and the JavaScript libraries don't work with touchscreen devices.

There you go. Hope that clears things up, as you now know Virgil's reason.

Thank you for posting this, but I can't say I agree

1.) What is this about the JavaScript libraries? If the desktop version of the site works fine on phones now (and it does) I don't see any reason why a stripped down version wouldn't work. As for the editors drag and drop, is he talking about the actual editing of the site? Because you don't have to MAKE the mobile version using a phone......

2.) A mobile site can be as simple as the desktop version with less images/links/content there is absolutely no reason such a version would need to be updated for each new generation

3.) I don't think making a basic version would be all that difficult, there are free tools online for stripping down pages for mobile optimization, and they could use that as a jumping off point and make some tweaks.

4.) I don't think the idea that mobile phone users will suck it up and just use the full version is correct, it's a work to reward ratio issue, it's not worth it anymore for me to bother with the trouble of checking the Escapist on a phone when I have to use the desktop version.

 

[Mozza444]

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

Uhh, I hate you.

I wan't that phone so badly.

I got it half off. It only cost me $100.

I'm in Europe, due to the phones carrier or whatever, you can't get it here.

Ill just wait for the HTC Desire HD.

Yeah, I believe every phone in Europe is GSM, correct?

Correct.
And how i wanted that giant power house of a phone

I wonder.. would it be worth it to make an Android phone fan group page?

Well that's the first problem, Evo is a CDMA phone (with wimax, I'm in one of the cities that can use it and loads up the Escapist quicker than my home internet). If I remember correctly, GSM phones need a different version of the processor than CDMA phones.

If your interested

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Powered-by-Android

 

[Mozza444]

I own a Droid Incredible,

If you are interested

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Powered-by-Android

 

[Danpascooch]

I own a Droid Incredible,

If you are interested

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Powered-by-Android

Can I get some sort of officer position in that group? I was literally just about to make it, and it would suck to be a normal member when I got ninja'd away from being a founder, lol.

 

[Mozza444]

I own a Droid Incredible,

If you are interested

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Powered-by-Android

Can I get some sort of officer position in that group? I was literally just about to make it, and it would suck to be a normal member when I got ninja'd away from being a founder, lol.

Mwhaha, i wasn't going to let you steal yet another one of my ideas!

But since it was your copy of a thread i have already made that gave me the idea.

You can be my 2nd in command.

 

[Danpascooch]

I own a Droid Incredible,

If you are interested

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Powered-by-Android

Can I get some sort of officer position in that group? I was literally just about to make it, and it would suck to be a normal member when I got ninja'd away from being a founder, lol.

Mwhaha, i wasn't going to let you steal yet another one of my ideas!

But since it was your copy of a thread i have already made that gave me the idea.

You can be my 2nd in command.

All the fun of stun-gun torturing new members for kicks with none of the responsibilities.

I think we're going to be good friends...

 

[Katherine Kerensky]

-Just plain ol' snip-

Thank you for posting this, but I can't say I agree

1.) What is this about the JavaScript libraries? If the desktop version of the site works fine on phones now (and it does) I don't see any reason why a stripped down version wouldn't work. As for the editors drag and drop, is he talking about the actual editing of the site? Because you don't have to MAKE the mobile version using a phone......

2.) A mobile site can be as simple as the desktop version with less images/links/content there is absolutely no reason such a version would need to be updated for each new generation

3.) I don't think making a basic version would be all that difficult, there are free tools online for stripping down pages for mobile optimization, and they could use that as a jumping off point and make some tweaks.

4.) I don't think the idea that mobile phone users will suck it up and just use the full version is correct, it's a work to reward ratio issue, it's not worth it anymore for me to bother with the trouble of checking the Escapist on a phone when I have to use the desktop version.

I don't know any of the answers, but don't you think that we should trust the judgment of the expert? Seeing as Virgil is the one who does all the work (Well, not all of it, he is just in charge of the tech team, they all work to keep us happy).
Unless you want to make a mobile version of the Escapist yourself?
I think the important part is that it would not be a good pay-off, even if they could get it working properly.
Seeing as the Escapist's main source of income is through advertising, and a mobile version would be a stripped-down version... what about the adverts? Would they have to pay more for all the users, with less income through ads?
In the end, through that route, what if the Escapist gets into monetary trouble, and has to shut down?
I think we should just trust Virgil, unless you want to personally make the mobile version for them, and pay to make up the difference (if any negative) between the revenue it brings in, and how much it costs to sustain.

 

[Mozza444]

All the fun of stun-gun torturing new members for kicks with none of the responsibilities.

I think we're going to be good friends...[/quote]

I've just Gone Gonzo

Oh yes, we will be.

I'll be going soon, so try to grow our Droid army in my absence.
Any help with the group will be much appreciated!!

 

[wrecker77]

I'v done threads fine on my ipod, but they could be better if I could post links or whatever. But thats not something that an app can solve. Or new website design whatever.

 

[Danpascooch]

-Just plain ol' snip-

Thank you for posting this, but I can't say I agree

1.) What is this about the JavaScript libraries? If the desktop version of the site works fine on phones now (and it does) I don't see any reason why a stripped down version wouldn't work. As for the editors drag and drop, is he talking about the actual editing of the site? Because you don't have to MAKE the mobile version using a phone......

2.) A mobile site can be as simple as the desktop version with less images/links/content there is absolutely no reason such a version would need to be updated for each new generation

3.) I don't think making a basic version would be all that difficult, there are free tools online for stripping down pages for mobile optimization, and they could use that as a jumping off point and make some tweaks.

4.) I don't think the idea that mobile phone users will suck it up and just use the full version is correct, it's a work to reward ratio issue, it's not worth it anymore for me to bother with the trouble of checking the Escapist on a phone when I have to use the desktop version.

I don't know any of the answers, but don't you think that we should trust the judgment of the expert? Seeing as Virgil is the one who does all the work (Well, not all of it, he is just in charge of the tech team, they all work to keep us happy).
Unless you want to make a mobile version of the Escapist yourself?
I think the important part is that it would not be a good pay-off, even if they could get it working properly.
Seeing as the Escapist's main source of income is through advertising, and a mobile version would be a stripped-down version... what about the adverts? Would they have to pay more for all the users, with less income through ads?
In the end, through that route, what if the Escapist gets into monetary trouble, and has to shut down?
I think we should just trust Virgil, unless you want to personally make the mobile version for them, and pay to make up the difference (if any negative) between the revenue it brings in, and how much it costs to sustain.

I don't know exactly what you mean by "trust Virgil", I'm of the opinion that a mobile version is a good idea, I'm not taking any actions to make it happen or go around Virgil's back or something (not that that's possible) and I do respect Virgil very much.

So I am a bit confused, are you saying I should change my opinion because it doesn't match his? I don't think there's anything wrong with having a different opinion, as long as he's the one in charge, and I don't do any harm, why do I have to agree with him?

The mobile version doesn't have to be ad free, just less ads, the Escapist won't take any financial hit from that, because nobody is going to use their phone over their computer just to see a couple less ads.

 

[Pyotr Romanov]

Seeing that I'm browsing with my itouch at this very moment, I'm going to go with Yes.

 

[Deadlock Radium]

I often use my Nokia 5800 to browse the Escapist, the only problem is that the site is so big and takes so long time to load. I would really like a Esacpist for Mobile.
The address must be m.escapistmagazine.com or something.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

No. I don't like the idea of a segregated internet like this. In the past where mobile devices didn't have the power to browse regular websites then Mobile sites were needed, but nowadays there is little need for it. I use The Escapist on my iPhone all the time with little trouble. The Escapist is a well designed website and I have had little trouble. Mobile sites always offer reduced functionality and are hard to code and maintain.

 

[Mcupobob]

Why wouldn't it be a good idea? Its there if you want it. No sense in not wanting free extras.

 

[superbatranger]

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

Same here, except that I use my Zune to get on the site when I'm away from a computer. Works just fine. If the link I want to click is too small, I just double-tap, and it zooms in. Hell, I've even posted on the forums with my Zune. Only downside..no Flash.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

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

Same here, except that I use my Zune to get on the site when I'm away from a computer. Works just fine. If the link I want to click is too small, I just double-tap, and it zooms in. Hell, I've even posted on the forums with my Zune. Only downside..no Flash.

Guess what my Evo got a few weeks ago? Flash! I can watch ZP on my phone. Anywhere.

 

[Danpascooch]

No. I don't like the idea of a segregated internet like this. In the past where mobile devices didn't have the power to browse regular websites then Mobile sites were needed, but nowadays there is little need for it. I use The Escapist on my iPhone all the time with little trouble. The Escapist is a well designed website and I have had little trouble. Mobile sites always offer reduced functionality and are hard to code and maintain.

It's not about being well designed necesarily, but it's about the amount of content, it makes it take a long time to load.

I don't understand what would make anyone think that stripping some of the images off of the site, and adding it under www.escapistmagazine.com/m would be hard to do, much less hard to maintain!

 

[crimson5pheonix]

No. I don't like the idea of a segregated internet like this. In the past where mobile devices didn't have the power to browse regular websites then Mobile sites were needed, but nowadays there is little need for it. I use The Escapist on my iPhone all the time with little trouble. The Escapist is a well designed website and I have had little trouble. Mobile sites always offer reduced functionality and are hard to code and maintain.

It's not about being well designed necesarily, but it's about the amount of content, it makes it take a long time to load.

I don't understand what would make anyone think that stripping some of the images off of the site, and adding it under www.escapistmagazine.com/m would be hard to do, much less hard to maintain!

Perhaps having the forums be cross platform would be difficult.

 

[Darktau]

Encoding the videos not using flash would be a good way to start

Thats just what apple WANTS you to do

OT:

Yeah, I don't think it would take TOO much effort to make a mobile version, if I had the iphone with the dev kit, I suppose I could have made an app for that .

EDIT: Isn't there an app that lets you use flash?

 

[War Penguin]

I think it would be a good idea if it wasn't too expensive, which I'm pretty sure it is. If it's too expensive or too much of a hassle, then I don't think it would be worth it. I could live without the Escapist on my phone.