So, what shall we do?

[T III]

Varethane: I wasn't implying that others should code their own CMS, just that for me (personally) it's an option because of my background - up to this point I've taken the approach of "Comic Press works for me right now - no point in reinventing the wheel just yet."

Personally I do still recommend Comic Press as a CMS - it's fairly solid and there is a substantial community now that can assist with any problems. There are also of course people out that who offer their services to create custom layouts etc. for webcomics using Comic Press. My own site still uses Comic Press and a multi-user install of Wordpress.

If I do go down the road of creating my own CMS I'm considering making a blog following it's progress, and once it's stable I might offer it up for others to use as well. But I think that's a project for when my convention schedule for this year has settled in a little.

Mithandir: have you considered possibly doing something similar to the Sage Comics or Spider Forest banners for member sites (completely optional) - they are fairly well designed to not detract too much from the content of the pages but they could be used in a similar way to the rotating ads that you mentioned.

[Mithandir]

Mithandir: have you considered possibly doing something similar to the Sage Comics or Spider Forest banners for member sites (completely optional) - they are fairly well designed to not detract too much from the content of the pages but they could be used in a similar way to the rotating ads that you mentioned.

I'll definately check those out, thanks. I'm hoping to have something more concrete on this site this weekend.

[Tiana]

I just wanted to sneak in a comment here that, if you do go the SpiderForest/Sage rotating banner style, keep in mind that a lot of comics in those collectives are fantasy and we can't have two identical styled rotating banners.

I agree that they are well designed to not detract from the content, but just keep in mind that making a 'stuck to the top' rotater might end up alienating people from these collectives. The InkOutbreak exchange might be more invasive, but at least it can be used by anyone, in theory.

[Arioch]

I just wanted to sneak in a comment here that, if you do go the SpiderForest/Sage rotating banner style, keep in mind that a lot of comics in those collectives are fantasy and we can't have two identical styled rotating banners.

I don't know exactly what you're referring to, but if you mean the current half-tower style banner, I think that's exactly the style of banner that you CAN have multiple versions of on a page without disrupting the flow of the page.

[Mithandir]

Ariorch: the spiderforest banners are at the very top of the page and span the full width (and don't scroll with the page), so yeah, can only have one of those.

The half-tower ones shouldn't be an issue indeed. I scaled them to be the same width as P:W skyscrapers but half the height. I got one of those on my page now and I'm going to find a way to count clicks on them so I can see how efficient they are. 

Important point though: personally I'm looking to create a community rather than a collective, so everything would be optional and voluntary. I'm not going to force anybody to have a rotating ad who doesn't want one

P.S.: One reason I put the ad rotation on CtS already is because I'm going to do a big ad drive on friday to celebrate CtS's 9th birthday and I wanted you guys and girls to benefit from the extra visitors

[Duskglass]

Also, some collectives only allow members to be part of their collective, not multiple others (I'm pretty sure this is a condition of Spiderforest, at least) so just keeping it as a community is probably for the best.

Oh, another suggestion-- perhaps you could find a way to include multiple creators on a comic? As of now there only seems to be space for one, but many comics are created by teams!

[Tiana]

Also, some collectives only allow members to be part of their collective, not multiple others (I'm pretty sure this is a condition of Spiderforest, at least) so just keeping it as a community is probably for the best.

Yep, and in fact, my uncertainty about the direction of FCP is part of the reason I hadn't "applied for real".

There's no problem with joining other communities and link exchanges (a lot of SpiderForest comics were in Palace in the Sky), and the difference between just "community with a link exchange" and "collective" seems to be a bit sketchy sometimes. I personally view it as branding. I have a SpiderForest comic, Joe has a Sage comic, Bob has a Rampage comic, but no one has an InkOutbreak comic.

If you're planning to keep it as just a fantasy comic community that shouldn't be a problem for the many great SFF comics already in collectives. 

[Mithandir]

Oh, another suggestion-- perhaps you could find a way to include multiple creators on a comic? As of now there only seems to be space for one, but many comics are created by teams!

Yeah, it's on my to-do list. Ironically my own comic is co-created with Alien

[Duskglass]

That's what brought it to my attention. xD
(I don't currently co-author anything myself.)

[Archmage]

I just wanted to sneak in a comment here that, if you do go the SpiderForest/Sage rotating banner style, keep in mind that a lot of comics in those collectives are fantasy and we can't have two identical styled rotating banners.

I don't know exactly what you're referring to, but if you mean the current half-tower style banner, I think that's exactly the style of banner that you CAN have multiple versions of on a page without disrupting the flow of the page.

Similar to the way that Rampage Networks does it.  This way when someone wants to opt in, they can have control over placement on their site.  Spiderforest and keenspace have it right over the header of the site, which is pretty invasive and could cause slowdown on loading, though they can get away with it since they're both hosting sites.

Since the size standard that you're using is the 100x100 square, you could probably include a small 20x100 header on there linking to this site as well.

[Tiana]

I actually find the header banners like Keenspot/SpiderForest/Sage has to be LESS invasive. They fit into any design and if you don't want to see them you can just scroll down. Sage's is particularly nice and sneaky. But half the benefit of joining is the cross promotion you get from these banners, so opting out seems to me like it would be pointless... then your only membership benefit is posting on a forum.

Rampage is a hosting site as well.

If this is a place for suggestions, can I suggest we get a wider theme? Since a lot of us are artists here, I already see posted pictures getting cut off and that's a pretty small width before the horizontal scroll. Even allowing a thread to stretch to 800 pixels would be nice, or move the left sidebar over to the right so that we can post bigger images?

[Archmage]

I actually find the header banners like Keenspot/SpiderForest/Sage has to be LESS invasive. They fit into any design and if you don't want to see them you can just scroll down. Sage's is particularly nice and sneaky. But half the benefit of joining is the cross promotion you get from these banners, so opting out seems to me like it would be pointless... then your only membership benefit is posting on a forum.

Rampage is a hosting site as well.

If this is a place for suggestions, can I suggest we get a wider theme? Since a lot of us are artists here, I already see posted pictures getting cut off and that's a pretty small width before the horizontal scroll. Even allowing a thread to stretch to 800 pixels would be nice, or move the left sidebar over to the right so that we can post bigger images?

I just don't like things above the fold that I don't have control over.  Plus my header is already bogged down with enough coding, so anything more and it would just crawl when loading.

Besides, even if you're opting out, isn't it still value enough to hang out and chat with all of us?   

[Tiana]

I haven't decided if I'm going to opt in or out. I'm not morally offended by rotating banners, I just haven't decided if I'll join. If I do I will probably run the banner at the least on my links page.

But I just really wanted to hang out with a bunch of other people in the same boat. So of course it's enough value.

[Mithandir]

I haven't decided if I'm going to opt in or out. I'm not morally offended by rotating banners, I just haven't decided if I'll join. If I do I will probably run the banner at the least on my links page.

But I just really wanted to hang out with a bunch of other people in the same boat. So of course it's enough value.

Yes yes yes. Please, the crosslinking etc all really doesn't matter. It's nice of course but the whole point of this site is to have likeminded people hanging out together, helping eachother and having fun! Please don't feel pressured to do anything other than provide us with your company

[jazylh]

Not be super hokey but I think a fantasy comic community would be a great opportunity to make friends with like minded folks!
When I first started out I noticed that most articles/forums/podcasts that i found on the subject of web comics leans very heavily towards humor/gag a day strips. The most relevant advice and critique has always come from someone doing a long format/fantasy comic, and that has been immensely helpful. I think it could be a great support network for everyone (not only online but also at Cons, events, ect).

CMorgan,Best way to put it.

Mithandir, I think you've started a great platform for all of us artists to share our universe with each other along with a chance to get feedback on improving their own. I for owne am extremely happy I came across this as I'm an avid fantasy webcomic reader as well & I think there's so many great comics to explore here already.