Furry Media Forum » The Furtean Times

Future of FT?

(7 posts)
  • Started 2 years ago by ToriBelliachi
  • Latest reply from TheChainedWolf

  1. ToriBelliachi
    ToriBelliachi
    Administrator

    No, I won't be stopping it anytime soon, HOWEVER I may change the concept. Particularly in terms of how it's run.

    Currently The Furtean Times is a quarterly set of articles, all published at once around a particular theme (or tries to be anyway). These issues tend to be rather large and each comes with a unique design.

    HOWEVER, this method is very time consuming, and my life is getting to the point where I won't have anywhere near as much free time as I need to work on FT and other projects (eg, MyFursona.com)

    Thus I propose, following Issue 6, that the Furtean Times runs on a simple blogging platform. This will allow such new features as commenting, article ratings and whatnot while still facilitating the whole concept of a magazine.

    Added pluses include that authors will be able to post articles online themselves (although they will still need to be approved by the editor) and make comment on others.

    The main downsides are that the issues will likely lose their unique designs (unless I manage to facilitate this with a little PHP magic of my own).

    The schedule may also change, making the Furtean Times a smaller MONTHLY edition instead of a quarterly. We will likely carry the same content as we currently do.

    To sum it up...

    Pros
    * Quicker
    * Allows comments/ratings
    * Authors have more control over final articles
    * Integration into main Furry Media website
    * Easier organisation of articles by topic, author, etc.

    Cons
    * More restrictions on design
    * Will probably take some time to set up (although I have plenty of it starting in a month or two)
    * Probably one or two more

    Any thoughts on this furry peoples?

    (I'm also considering including more multimedia content, video reports, podcasts etc? But those ca nwait for another time.)

    Posted 2 years ago #

  2. TheChainedWolf
    TheChainedWolf
    Member

    It all sounds rather interesting.

    By the way, I hope to have my articles sent to be the end of the week, although I may want to wait until after the UMA are presented.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  3. ToriBelliachi
    ToriBelliachi
    Administrator

    Currently thinking about porting over all the content from previous FT issues to the new system, it's more integrated but the older issues lose their charm, and the first two editions would be hell to port over (thanks to the whole images thing)

    I may also move plans ahead and get the new system out in time for the ConFuzzled edition, instead of afterwards.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  4. ToriBelliachi
    ToriBelliachi
    Administrator

    Okay, a little more important. Turns out that making a system that publishes itself monthly is a right royal pain in the arse. So, I might do a rolling system.

    This is like changing FT altogether, there won't be editions or deadlines, everything would just be published as and when it is ready.

    Any thoughts? As this will then mean we won't be a fanzine per se, but like a rolling news thing with some tagged on reports. However it will make things a lot more open ended for contributors.

    I especially want to hear your views on this Chained Wolf, as your contributions have made up an integral part of the growth of The Furtean Times since you joined the team, and I value your input. =D

    Posted 2 years ago #

  5. TheChainedWolf
    TheChainedWolf
    Member

    I'm less keen on a rolling news system, because there is less chance of people reading articles, whereas in the current system all the articles come together and therefore there is a greater chance that people will read all of the stories. After all, it is unlikely that people will visit the website every day.

    By the way, has a date been put forward for Issue 6's release?

    Posted 2 years ago #

  6. ToriBelliachi
    ToriBelliachi
    Administrator

    Between Monday 30th June and Monday 7th of July. Will generally be looking at how long it'd take to get all the ConFuzzled stuff completed.

    Currently in talks with CF media relations over final preparations, by sheer coincidence the furry photographer, comedian and rather good friend of myself Silentwulf will be in Manchester with his entourage. Considering a collaboration with him and FAEL Projects (maybe) to try and ease stress on our current two-man convention team by "outsourcing" our video and photography duties.

    As for the new system being built, creating it in a sectional style is proving immensely hard. I think that articles, editorials and such can be published on a monthly basis, however keep the "up-to-date" things rolling - such as news and media - to keep some interest in the 'zine between editions.

    Also, Chained Wolf, would be helpful if I had some contact details (MSN and such if you use IM clients) to make it easier to hold longer discussions on particular topics.

    Posted 2 years ago #

  7. TheChainedWolf
    TheChainedWolf
    Member

    I am on AIM. My screenname is chainedwolf1, although personally I cannot stand IMs. One of the rudest inventions ever created. You know, you trying to do something on your computer, then all of a sudden your expected to start a conversation with someone from out of nowhere.

    Still, I don't mind using them if I have to.

    Posted 2 years ago #

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