Launch Update -- March 21st, 2008

[Bruke]

Well, here's the good --

I finally got a background color that I'm somewhat pleased with, and I find the font and text colors to be tolerable... I still want to dabble with a few other variants, but it doesn't totally suck now...

I did get the Perl CGI script configured for the search box, so visitors should be able to search the site now.  I went the extra mile and set the search script up so that visitors can search by multiple keywords, and can look for hits that feature ALL the words or ANY of the words.  I've used this same script once before, and it's generally quick and effective.

The "About Us" page is up, but I'm still looking for about 1 or 2 sentences from each staff member to round out their mention in the about us section.  I'm also going to need to know if we have any one here that wants to be a moderator of a section of the forum.

I have a shop picked for the Spotlight feature, but I won't be able to get the interior photos of the shop until tomorrow.. I'll finish the interview with the shop's owner then also, I think.

The Perl CGI script for the formmail is working.  I intend to eventually add a drop-down menu where visitors can direct their email to a particular staff member, but for now all emails will come to me and I'll forward them to the correct staff person.

We have banner ads... no income yet, but remember I did promise a revenue share with all dedicated staff members, and I haven't forgotten that promise.  When we get ad sales, I will share.  If anyone wants to help with marketing, please inquire as I have a 3-page media kit prepared which includes insertion orders and a rate card, as well as a promotional flier.

The Bad --

The PHP for the classifieds section is trying to be difficult.  I'll probably be de-bugging it all weekend.  The bad thing is, that is one of the most important features, so I have to get that going.

I'm short on content.  I have a few reviews (thank you to those of you that submitted reviews to me), but it's not enough content yet.  I need good, serious articles on strategy and tactics...

The Uncertain --

Should we have a book review, or some such?  We could review books on military history, sports figures, and game theory... there's plenty out there.. probably a tall order with everything else that's going on now, but it's an idea that I'd like to implement in the future.


Everyone on staff, I'm grateful for your help!  To every visitor that reads this, I want you to know that we are doing everything we can to make MI-Gamer.com a completely professional and high-quality site for your enjoyment.

Any suggestions or comments are welcome.

Thanks!

[Bruke]

Further update --

I'm still having trouble with the php scripts for the classifieds; making the database was easy, it's the indexing that's killing me.

Because of this, I'm going to push back the official release date to Monday, March 24th, 2008.  I'm confident that I should have the issue resolved by then.

[Big Kahuna]

take your time, its better late and working properly than ......... early and not? 

[Keegan666]

lol, im sure in the back of his mind somewhere hes hit that point where the Big red nuke button is looking nice right now...,

(Also Halo winter gultch is now gonna be Halo Death Christmas)
(map Death island)

*sigh*

[Bruke]

Just an update;

I've started working on the main site again... made some small progress. Among the good things,

• I've got the rights to use the VASSAL 3.0 java engine to allow the site to be a gateway for online versions of popular boardgames.  That's good.
• I"ve finally started on index pages for the various main sections, and have ideas for initial content, as well as an archiving system.

I've also got about a half-dozen new themes for this forum, which I hope people like.  There's a new starcraft theme, a darker WoW theme, and a Vampire: The Masquerade theme, plus several other generic gamer themes.