That was pretty surprising, especially when it comes only just over a year after I started this blog. This appreciation means a lot to me but I'm far far away from thinking we're the best. There are many other Star Wars sites out there doing incredible job doing coverage with everything surrounding our favorite franchise. Please hit the jump to help me decide how to improve our comments system...
Now is the time to thank you all for the support. This blog wouldn't be the same without your valuable comments on the articles and it really makes me happy to see so many fans participating in the discussions.
And now I need your help to decide something. Because of the increased amount of comments on the blog and the limitations of the default blogger comments, I would like to ask you how would you like us to improve that. We received some really cool suggestions about making a unique Star Wars themed message board, but I want to know your opinion first. We could also improve the current comments section. So...
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
ReplyDeleteI just want to give you more possibilities while posting. The current system is pretty limited, but if you guys say so, then it'll remain the same.
DeleteYes, keep it up. This is the one stop shop I go to get all my Star Wars 7 news. It's a great place to debate and correct people's wrong opinions, LOL!
DeleteLike yours, Rebel??? Like yours.....?
DeleteHahaha just kidding.... :-)
I think we should start calling anonymous posters either Storm Troopers or Clone Troopers. I vote for Storm Troopers.
DeleteI vote Bantha Poodo
DeleteConrgadulations, Viral Hide! Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeletethis blog is awesome! thanks for all!
ReplyDeleteWell done, Viral Hide. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteViral, if you're looking to make improvements, here are one or two things I've noticed that you might want to consider. (Having a Blogspot blog myself, I am not sure how much leeway they give us to customize the comments section, of course.)
ReplyDeleteFirst off, if there is a way where we can sign in under our handle of choice and remain signed in that way, rather than having to specify each time we post that we don't want to post under our default Google login, that'd be mighty helpful. If we can somehow have dedicated logins for this site (possibly with some sort of private message system) that would be a great option which would also maybe help to increase the sense of community that I think we're all starting to sense here.
That's really the biggest issue I've had with the current system. One other thing that might be fun would be to have some sort of "like" system for individual posts. There are plenty of times when I see something that somebody's written here and would like to be able to just give it a quick thumbs-up rather than writing up a new post. (This is just a minor little idea, though.)
Something like that would definitely get some of the faceless mass that is anonymous commentors to get names. Well me atleast, since Google+ seems insistent on me making a new account instead of being able to use the one forced upon me for youtube.
DeleteAnd by the bye, the accolades for the site are well deserved, Viral Hide. This is the best one-stop shopping I've found as far as up to date news on the new SW flick. Keep it up... and thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Viral Hide! Keep it like that. For me it's very good.
ReplyDeleteI want an improved comments section... without the board. I'd like to link my account with Facebook that way I'd have an identity instead of anonymous. Just can't bring myself to create another account just for a single site.
ReplyDeleteUnless I'm an idiot who isn't seeing how to do it... which I totally admit I could be. I click on "comment as" and I don't see an option so...
Just create a google gmail account. That's what I did. And, I am able to have a cool Star Wars related screen name. How cool is that!
Deletegood idea! I just did this (I made a wordpress blog which was excessive to do), gmail account took 30 seconds.
DeleteGood for you! Now we will be able to remember who you are, at least tie posts together.
Deletehaha, ya I wasted my best posts as anonymous, maybe I will repost them out of context.
DeleteAAAAAAAAAND does it work?
DeleteYou could move away from 'Blogger' and make your own system with PHP, mysqli & pdo. Instead of using this it would be alot better because you would be unique or make a total new design this one is getting abit boring.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone is a programmer. I don't find it boring at all, btw.
DeleteWell looking at all the ads on the site, he must make a decent profit a few grand a day. So hes' making alot of money why doesn't he pay someone to make a decent & unique system for the site? There is plenty of people who would do it for a cheap price.
DeleteI didn't say 'Everyone is a programmer' it's my opinion he should make his own unique system and maybe hire 1-2 reporters for when he's offline news can be posted.
I like the design. Not boring in the slightest. Normal, easy to navigate, and not over-complicated :)
DeleteThere's nothing wrong with making money. However, just because he may be making money deosn't mean he wants it to get too complicated.
DeleteI should know that not everyone's a programmer....I am one :)
"he must make a decent profit a few grand a day"
DeleteDon't say that, because some people might believe you. I'm not making a few grand a day, even I'm not making a grand for a year. So please don't mislead the others. Or maybe I'm doing something wrong... :)))
It would be better if he had a new design, this is old looks to simple didn't say there was anything wrong with making money I said he should make a new system instead of using this freeware.
Deleteinteresting thought, but for what its worth I think the simplicity works great for a news/rumor fan site.
DeleteWhat, the Star Wars logo and the Death Star don't do it for you? Putting together a blog is a lot of work. Nine out of ten you don't make but peanuts on it and you have to keep your day job. For someone just to be able to create his on blog and have it ranked first amoung millions of fan sites out there within a calendar year or so is just plain remarkable. It shows he is doing something right. Keep on, keeping on, Viral Hide.
Deletewhat ads? ive never seen any
Deleteadblock
I hope you like when you scroll down the articles that the text moves like the opening SW title on the stars BG. :)
DeleteViral, I think the site design is excellent. The look is very appropriate (as you mention, there's that great "opening crawl" effect) and everything is really easy for the eye to track.
DeleteI wouldn't change anything other than possibly adding some upgrades to the comments section - assuming that's realistically possible, given the limitations of Blogspot.
Even if you don't change a thing, this is still one of the best sites on the internet for news about the new SW flicks.
Thanks DEKKA! I'm going to check what possibilities other comment systems as DISQUS, livefyre and Intense Debate have. I think they have some cool features.
DeleteMy friend has a site, not as half as popular as your site, he makes a few grand a day, you have ads on your site if they are googles ads they must be making a fortune of you.
DeleteAnyway I would prefer it if you had a new design that will just be a change I am kind of getting bored of this one everyone probably is. I have seen 5 ads on the site my friend only has 3 on his you must he making atleast a few grand atleast anyway I am going to get of the topic of how much you make of the site now.
And like people said before it'd be good if you could add a facebook login, maybe even have a place for people to submit starwars news and if you approve it it goes live in a 'Public news' area.
I'm running only Google Adsense and I'm not earning a few grands a day. It's a couple of dollars a day. But still that's OK. I'm not doing this to get rich. I have a respectful job and I'm doing this more like a hobby. :)
DeleteDo you think you will ever re-vamp your site, maybe a new design?
DeleteWhat, ANON Feb 19 @ 603, you don't like the scroll effect Hide's added to the site?
DeleteThe design is perfect! Simple and perfect!
DeleteWhy does it matter what Viral Hide makes off the site?! It's his and any income is HIS business! If he makes a few grand (unlikely), so what?! If he makes just a few bucks, so what?! Why is Viral Hide's income potential anyone's business.
DeleteGo Viral Hide!!! Love the site!!! BTW, I hope you are (or in the future can) make all you can, it's your time and efforts!!!
Just saying this;
DeleteIf he doesn't make any money, google must be making a fortune for selling ads on your site.
Probably I'm doing something not the right way. :)
DeleteThis site, and jedinews, are the best to keep up to date with episode 7. Looking forward to when we can all discuss (argue about) the film when it comes out :)
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Viral Hide!
ReplyDeleteI clicked on improved message board option as I already think you're doing a bang up job and an "improved" message board could only be better, right? Honestly I'm not too sure what that might entail but I'm enjoying this already. Lots of good posters on here, Dekka has a decent idea there.
Here's to allowing differing opinions, being respectful and having a sense of humor about the franchise we all wish we ran!
Not broke then dont fix, people have to start reg f the 10 000 time they wont post as much, keep it simpel. Gratz btw.
ReplyDeleteCongrats Viral this site has been awesome. I was really glad when I found it, honestly the first star wars fan sit I have ritually been to since I was a kid and I went to Starwars.com . Keep up the good work
ReplyDeleteWell I found this site recently and since then I mostly read all the Star wars news here so keep up the good work!...
ReplyDeleteI visit this site daily, but rarely post comments. This is my first stop for SW news due, in large part, to the timeliness with which you post 'breaking" news/rumors. I also like reading the comments. but only do so because the comments are readily found below the article. I don't think that should change as I find the dicussions interesting but wouldn't search elsewhere to find them. Good work and keep' em coming!!!
ReplyDeleteThis site is TESB of Star Wars news sites! CONGRATS, VIRAL HIDE!!!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Viral! I definitely think the accolades are well deserved! And I feel like you should keep the current format for comments as is! I plan on visiting this website everyday until EVII comes out and still even after it does come out! I like to keep things the way they are...
ReplyDeleteSo don't be a fool like Lucas and change or edit parts of a masterpiece just for the sake of visionary change! Listen to the fans! ;)
Haha but in all honesty congrats Viral, keep up the great work!
Without MR George Lucas you wouldn't even be here, so who is fool now...
DeleteWell you deserve it, i visit this site 3-4 times a day, for a very long time
ReplyDeleteThank god I'm not the only one haha I'm usually on this site for hours on end and feel it has definitely made me an even bigger fan of the franchise
DeleteI have this page open on my desktop at work from 8:30-5 every day of the week. It's one of the only things that keeps me from breaking my keyboard over my head ;)
DeleteSome of these posters make me want to break my keyboard over their heads!
DeleteI love this site so much and don't want any new major changes. But one minor thing i think would be cool, if at all possible, I think it would be good to see when comments were posted in accordance to the persons own time zone. Where if say Rebel Scum or Dekka commented on something at 9am UK time, it would appear to someone in their own time zone immediately at the time it occurred in whatever timezone they live in.
ReplyDeleteBut like I said if its not even possible then screw it haha I will check this website 150 times a day regardless :)
I do like that time zone idea.
DeleteThe timezone thing is extremely confusing.
DeleteYea I'm actually the original Anon who posted this a couple of hours ago and after reading it back it does sound a little confusing, but J.Q. Vernon knew what I meant haha
DeleteI would like an improved comments section. And if we could limit some of the vulgar language that would probably be nice. Some people need to learn to make a coherent argument without dropping the F bomb every few words.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. How uncivilised. We need comments of a more civilised age. ;)
DeleteI know! It's been a horrible problem for me too! If I wasn't such a Star Wars fan I would have quit a long time ago!
DeleteSome kind of moderation would be excellent. I know that's easier said than done.
Deleteyo i think the best thing you could do viral is have a Like Comment button, like youtube, and the top comments at the top of the page
ReplyDeletePerhaps of just Anonymous, could we have a selection that reflects our fav star wars episode/time period or the side we are on? E.g Stormtrooper/Rebel for OT, clonetrooper/separatist for PT, GAG/Remnant for EU? Or something like that. Or simply Jedi if we support the article posted and sith if we are a hater! In this way, we create our little sub communities of star wars fans! If you are anti jedi, you can be a vong or a daala. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI don't know if this is the right way to go. Even though I think it is brilliantly creative I think it would breed segregation when the whole point of this website and I'm pretty sure the whole point of this upcoming movie is to Unify all the branches of fandom. You know what I mean?
DeleteInteresting concept! The second person does have a point, that people would probably gang up on eachother. Maybe icons that could be added together, so someone can show that they love everything? I could have little icons of the Millennium Falcon, Thrawn, and Ahsoka, for instance! I say Thrawn, because many EU references would probably go over other fan's heads.
DeleteWhen will you start StarWarsEpisode8News ??
ReplyDeleteOn December 19, 2015. :)
DeleteDISQUS comments system looks pretty cool. It has most of the features you want - "like" on comments, email notification and better threaded. What it lacks is the Anonymous function that many people here approve. You can log in with your facebook, twitter, google + account or as guest. The guest function is similar to the anon option but you have to put your mail. I think to get a plug-in that once you sign in you stay forever that way. I just hope we won't use our anon posters with this. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteSo, if this so called guest function is replacing the anonymous function then a certain director with inside knowledge cannot post unless I leave my email address. Bantha poodo!
DeleteAs much as I dislike anonymous postings, I think you need to be careful. The anonymous function is a good way for someone to get their feet wet or to chime in with a quick thought without having to sign in or fill out a form.
DeleteThe anonymous stuff is dreadful. So many people pretending to be important You could always keep this comment system separate. It could potentially make it easier to find rumors sent in anonymously, not having to sort through opinions.
DeleteThis blog is fine. Unleashthefanboy has said some extremely nasty and hateful things about star wars expanded universe fans. I boycott them.
ReplyDeleteYes, we welcome your thoughts here, R3Gagnator, even though your opinions are wrong....tounge fimrly in cheek.
DeleteFind out for yourself what I speak of:
Deletehttp://www.unleashthefanboy.com/movies/mara-jade-star-wars-episode-7/87800
They called you pimply faced? OOOOOOOOH, that was harsh!
DeleteI like the idea of having both a forum and keeping the comment section.
ReplyDeleteThe comment section will be great for maintaining the ability to comment anonymously for those who want to. But I imagine that as we get closer to the release of the film, this site will get more traffic and the deluge of comments could be overwhelming.
Which is why I think the addition of an online forum would be great.
I come on here every morning, I dont think anything needs changed. Its awesome :-D
ReplyDeleteviral hide, i hope you are open to answering questions. How do you feel about everything going on with ep. 7? you think the cast will be cool?
ReplyDeleteI'd like something that gets rid of the anonymous garbage. I am pretty sure people talk to themselves under this guise sometimes.
ReplyDeleteOh no he's on to us!
DeleteNo he isn't, quiet fool you'll blow our cover!
Yes Master I hope you can forgive me, me… ;)
Good job! I'm in agreement with Rebel Scum though; if it ain't broke don't fix it!
ReplyDeleteForums can generate goo discussions, but they can also siphon quality comments away from articles.
Right now the comments section seems fine with averaging about 100 posts per article.
DeleteBut imagine as the date draws closer, and traffic on this site increases, and there are perhaps thousands of comments.
A message board would just make that so much easier to deal with.
I really enjoy this blog! it entertains me a lot and always keep me up to date to the star wars univese, not only episode 7! good job and keep it up!!
ReplyDeleteThe best way to improve this site is to somehow get all the EU fans to quit talking about all the dopey story lines (Chewbacca is dead, cloned Emperor, etc.) and how they will fit into the new movies. Explain to them the EU doesn't exist in the movies.
ReplyDeleteOr better yet, just give them a separate section like you would do with slow kids in a school.
Viral-
ReplyDeleteWell-earned and well deserved! :)
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ReplyDelete