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What would you want?
Aug 09 2009 23:20 | 47 Comments
I'm currently working on some more changes to the site and I'd like to throw the following few questions as you, my lovely readers.
Obviously not even 1% of you, the visitors comment on the stories, so I'd like to ask you, the people who don't comment, to make an exception for this post as it relates to you directly and I would like to hear your opinion. No need for any long answers if you don't want, but if I could have a minute or two of your time, that would be quite jolly and I would extremely appreciate that. Thanks a lot in advance!
- First of all, I'd like to find out how you came to this site, where you found it etc.
- Second of all, after you came here and stuck around, what was it that kept you? What content and so on...
- Third, what is your 'favorite' thing on the site - whatever it may be.
- Fourth, what do you hate/dislike about the site and what would you personally like to see changed.
- Fifth, and finally, what else would you like to see on the site? What type of content would you like to see added - ie contests. giveaways etc... basically what would be most appealing to you.
Again, thanks for taking the time to comment and as always thanks for coming here in the first place!
Michael Flux
Dave
Heya!
1) I think someone linked to your site (via Twitter, perhaps?). Bookmarked and rss-stalked you right away.
2) The huge 'Michael Flux fell in love' banner, originally. Then the photos of Mexico, and now the photos of Japan.
3) The *huge* photos, I love them! No need for clicks on tiny thumbnails or anything, I can sit back and enjoy them right away. The load-when-you-need-them is a brilliant touch, though sometimes when scrolling fast (ie. when going to the bottom of the page) the jumpiness can be quite irritating. Fixed image sizes (as in, defined in the HTML) would solve that.
4) See point 3, though it's not a strong dislike.
5) More! Keep the good stuff comin'! :-)
Thanks!
-Dave
Michael Flux
@Dave, Actually I am defining it in the code, but there is just a small conflict with lazyload at the moment - but yeah, am gonna try to get that fixed asap - believe me, its annoying the hell out of me also. It's not too horrible on fast connections where the whole page manages to load in a second or two, but for slower connections, yeah, becomes quite unusable and a horrible pain to scroll :(
Ragnar
You yourself already know how I ended up here, but for other users who may be readng:
1. I think it was through DC, he mentioned that you guys are working together and he linked to your blog. And since it was a relatively new blog, I just wanted to stick around to see how popular blogs are born. And of course, I really really loved your photos of Japan. Still do.
2. Read the last part of my previous answer.
3. The photos, definitely. That's definitely the best thing. Big resolution high quality photography, I say yes to that!
4. There's nothing that I actually dislike. But maybe the lack of Japan related photos lately, the thing that made me your reader. :)
5. Hmm, since you're a good designer, and I'm a somewhat of a designer my self, I wouldn't say no to quality articles about webdesign related stuff, inspiration articles, roundup's or whatever you think would be good. And, man, put up your portfolio!!!
Over and out,
Ragnar from OTAKUPHONE.
Michael Flux
@Ragnar, Heh, well then, sounds like I need to go back to Japan asap to take some more photos! ^_~
ruben
First I googled "install snow leopard" and your tutorial "Snow Leopard 10A380 Snow Leopard 10A380" came up, it was a great tutorial and as i often do i look more in to he blog and found that you did more good stuff, traveling, pictures, tech/geek stuff etc. And now Im stalking your rss.
Second I liked all your pictures, traveling and tech/geek stuff.
Third like Dave said "The *huge* photos" and the "load-when-you-need-them". Also see second.
Fourth Im not a huge fan of anime but i dont hate it. Dont change anything, just keep it coming.
Fifth I would love to see more cribs, tech/geek stuff and food.
Keep up the good work! Thanks
Ruben
julio
@ruben, o yes, food is the best thing in life! it's so delcious!
lightningsabre
1. Hmm... It might've been a combination of you commenting on my blog and DannyChoo.com
2. Ah I did stick around for a while, but I've been kinda behind on a lot of things lately and been trying to catch up. I did like all your photos before. Lots of close up photos of everyday things.
3. Hmm... can't say which photos I like best. I know the lava coffee was one of the stand out things when I think about it...
4. Ah well I can't really say much on this since I haven't been here for a while. I really do need to catch up >_
5. Well free stuff is always a nice thing, isn't it? XD I'm not quite sure what it is... perhaps more of your interesting movie reviews. I liked your reviews of that crappy DBE movie and Transformers 2. I am otaku to the core, so perhaps something leaning towards that area is that interests me.
But I really need to do another quick view of what's happening on your site since it's been a while. Not that I didn't find anything interesting mind you, it's just me being lazy when I'm so far behind that it takes a long time to catch up again.
Tomakun
Yo.
1. Was following Yonasu and saw a conversation you had with him on Twitter.
2. What caught my attention was the clear-simple-beautiful design, the not-seen-everywhere pictures (animals, plants...), and the fact that you are running on a not-seen-everywhere platform - as a webdev, this makes a fresh an different website that went directly in my bookmarks.
3. Pictures for sure. That wide design you have is just perfect for that. I enjoy the look you have at simple things like leafs, something that I can also feel when I look at your pictures from Japan.
4. Nothing really. Oh in fact there's one. Please don't get lazy on those HEIGHT (and width) attributes in your images tags. It helps the browser calculating and displaying directly the full height of the page. So when we click on the comments permalink directly we don't get bumped up everytime a picture finishes to load. Really annoying when you're trying to read something. That's all really ^^
5. Just keep things like that, you've got a huge pace of posting which is good, but sometimes you might want to stall little more. It will bring more focus from readers on your last posts, and will give you more time to sleep. Also pictures of Japan are nice, but not my favorite -well, that's because I live there...- please continue with simple series like you did before too ^^
Thanks a lot for sharing all these.
- Tom
Tomakun
Just a follow up, actually the permalink/anchor to comments isn't working :S Again lazyload is cool and saves bandwidth but when you scroll down it gets messy as the browser keeps resizing the page. Can't you have the real size container being there, with a default background?
Michael Flux
@Tomakun, Yeah, kinda, on my previous version of the site, as you may or may not remember, it actually functioned as it should - but not sure, something seems to have changed here - well, anyways, I'll figure it out, glad I'm not the only one who's being annoyed by it :p
Michael Flux
@Tomakun, Yeah, what's weird is that, if you look at the code, the width, height, alt etc - all the proper attributes are all there - but it just seems to be small issue with lazyload that's ignoring the image dimensions before the images start loading, still not entire sure as to what's causing it, but I'll figure it out quite soon I hope - as soon as I have some time.
Ragnar
@Michael Flux, You could just add height: and width: to your css, something like #article img {width: 100px; min-height: 563px;} That should work perfectly fine. At least in theory it should.
Ragnar
@Ragnar, Shit, it's 1000px, not 100. Sorry.
BigDizzle
I came for the Snow Leopard screenshots.
Tomakun
@Ragnar
The 1000px width is not a good idea because the article column here is 750px. Now having a fixed CSS value for the height is not very flexible, as every single pictures don't have the same height. So that's not a good way of doing it.
Prometheus
Hmm cant remember how I found ya :P Or was it you who found me ? lol
Your photos are too sick. Especially now that you changed the layout and have even bigger photos. I probably never seen photos that big before. So yeah that reply should have killed two birds with one stone :P
I dislike that there arent links to my site on it :P
I think when you made the rant about godaddy you displayed some great writing skillz. Please write more :)
julio
1) Just a link on one of danny choo's articles.
2) All the Japan related stuff.
3) Posts of the awsome fotos.
4) A bit repetitive photos (u have a million fotos of the same thing.
5) New reviews as in movies and related stuff.
P.S. U should organise the web site by content i.e. have tabs with photo posts random stuff etc.
P.P.S. i made the word japan with the first letters of 1,2,3,4,5, just think it's a secret message of what i like XD
julio
@Me, you should also get little face icons for the comments
Moign Khawaja
Hello there! Here are the answers:
1) I came to know this website when MacRumors.com provided a link to your Snow Leopard screenshots.
2) Since then I've seen the pics of Mexico and Japan. Great pics and I hope the journeys will continue.
3) Anything about Apple esp. Mac OS X.
4) Repetitive photos. A different variation but somehow the same. Would be better if there is 1 best shot of the place.
5) As you're a "self-proclaimed" computer genius, and I don't doubt that in fact I'd love to give you this title if not given yet, I'd like to read your reviews about stuff that others are crapping about. I don't think the guys at bigwig corp. have any idea what they're talking about. Also, if you publish how-to guides for OS, softwares and gadgets, this will become a super website.
Dewey
1) i originally stopped by due to a mac-related link to your site.
2) i'm an amateur photographer and love some of your stuff. i also like the fact that i feel like i've been a few places i'm unlikely to ever visit myself because of your pictures and descriptions. the descriptions let your personality show through - not just the boring old "some place on some date" kind of descriptions.
3) all the above - and NO ADS / popups / flash ...
4) i don't mind the repetition so much as others. it's your site, it's a reflection of you, and i'm good with that.
5) see #4.
Jamaipanese
1. I think I found it via Yonasu.com, not so sure
2. I liked you photos articles of Japan
3. Photography stuff
4. Don't hate anything really but some topics like mac/apple stuff don't relate to me
5. Not so sure but would love to see more Japan related stuff and photography cuz thats why I am here
Jambe
First of all, I'd like to find out how you came to this site, where you found it etc.
Second of all, after you came here and stuck around, what was it that kept you? What content and so on...
Third, what is your 'favorite' thing on the site - whatever it may be.
Fourth, what do you hate/dislike about the site and what would you personally like to see changed.
Fifth, and finally, what else would you like to see on the site? What type of content would you like to see added - ie contests. giveaways etc... basically what would be most appealing to you.
1) Linked here from Danny Choo's site.
2) The quality of your photos and the no-nonsense descriptions you provide!
3) Photos; you're an excellent photographer.
4) Nothing really; you seem to have a nice mix of photos and commentary going on.
5) Maybe something about your design methods, inspiration, etc.
Ayumiin
Hiya~
1: You followed me on Twitter and I was like "Oh heck, I got a follower, I'll follow him back!" And then maybe a few weeks later I poked at your site after you got over your GoDaddy woes.
2: You're hot.
3: That freakin' hot picture of you on your about page.
4: How there's not enough freakin' hot pictures of you (although you were obviously freakin' hot in that picture from Mexico, but that's another story).
5: Post more freakin' hot pictures of yourself!
(Now for the serious 2-5:
2: The Mexico picture posts were very interesting. Practically all of them were interesting and I'm slowly going through a lot of the stuff that I didn't get to see before I began really visiting.
3: This is a little creepy, but pretty much anything voyeuristic so pictures of your everyday surroundings, I just so happen to love those so I guess I pretty much like all the picture posts. And of course your comments on why that scene was in front of you.
4: Yeah, I said I was going to be serious but OMG bugs eeek! But that's not really a complaint. The design's clean, I have no problems loading the site, and I have no troubles navigating. I haven't been visiting the site long enough so it's likely I haven't come across anything that really irks me on every visit.
5: Since I can't be voyeuristic all the time, more geeky stuff. You probably do it enough, but, heck, might as well kill two birds with one stone, eh?)
Tibul
Suppose you've forced me enough :p
1) Hmm not 100% sure but I think it was Dannychoo.com
2) At first it was the photos of Japan, particularly stuck around for the photo articles think they are great.
3) The large photos, especially the Japan ones being a huge fan of Japan like I am, the very clean nice on the eyes site design.
4) Nothing in particular I dislike about the site maybe a few articles that I'm not too interested in.
5) Still would like some how-to articles photography/web design etc ^^
dunkenbutterfly
1) Dannychoo.com
2) The photos of Japan
3) All the photos :)
4) Your negative comments about Apple. :)
5) Really I don't know, I think it's perfect.
Smithy
1. Through Dannychoo.com I think.
2. The photos from Japan, later on all posts about photos and photography.
3. The photos, site overall has a nice clean layout.
4. Dislike, mhh nothing in particular.
5. As some suggest, a few additional photo 'how to' or 'how did I make this photo' articles could be nice, personally would like to see those.
Mhhh and make a blogroll so you can gimme some of your readers! XD
neozeed
1. Came googling for Snow Leopard.
2. The photos! Japan, Mexico or Michigan, they're all cool.
3. As mentioned, the embedding of decent sized pics on the post itself, no thumbs.
4. Nothing in particular.
5. Maybe some OS X/Japan posts? How was the experience of using Macs there? (lol, maybe I'm pushing it with this suggestion)
Really quite enjoyable to start my day with some interesting pictures waiting for me on my RSS reader, lol.
yonasu
1) I believe through someone on Twitter, but I'm not sure.
2) Not really the content that kept me, it was the blogger-blogger connection. But if there was no connection like that, it probably would've been the Japan and Nature photography.
3) Hmm... does everything count as an answer? If I had to choose something specific I guess it would be the big photos.
4) This is probably the most important question on the list, so I'll have to give it some more time. I'll get back to you with a proper answer. :)
5) Giveaways are of course appreciated among most (if not all) readers, contests as well. But I'd like to see more shorter posts. While I do enjoy photo walks, it's not something I want to read every day, it's just a little too much sometimes. And it's easy to just skip older post and just catch up on the new stuff. I also agree with Smithy's point.
Richard
#1 - Website linked to your site with Snow Leopard screenshots.
#2 - The high resolution photographs of Japan/everything else.
#3 - Around the neighborhood articles.
#4 - Nothing really. Which is why I keep visiting.
#5 - Who doesn't love giveaways/contests? As a reader from the States, I would like to learn more about Japan. So, more posts/photographs featuring the interesting things that only a resident of the area would know about, would be much appreciated. I'd like links to local store's websites, so readers from other countries could buy things that usually, only local people would be able to buy. (If at all possible)
Keep up the good work & I will continue to visit.
Heferkimbo
I honestly dont know how i got here...
- I like the the way you tell the story and mix it with big images.
- Your images are about japan most of the times
- OSX
Seantaku
1) I think I saw you comment on someone else's blog and decided to check out yours.
2) I'm extremely fascinated with Japanese culture so I really love all the photos you post. You have a great eye with the camera!
3)Japanese pictures!
4) I honestly can't think of anything negative to say.
5) Contests are always cool
Leopauld
First of all hello!
Didn't think I'd ever comment one day but here I am with my two cents:
1. twitter conversation lead to me following the link on your twitter page which basically brought me here.
2. At first I'm not sure if it was only the photos since if I very well remember there were also videos at that time. Right now I think it's the description you give of Japan and other countries, easily comprehansible tech analysis and of course the huge photos!
3. The content, the dynamisme of the photo descriptions, the site's clean layout and what I previously said at n° 2. Hard to find only one favorite thing.
4. The title is a bit hidden, I don't mind the small photo ads on the right but I think dannychoo.com didn't receive the memo "photos only" or I'm missing out on something.
5. Well, givewayes are always appreciated during this economy :) and contests are always welcome for more twitter followers who will ultimately find out about michaelflux.com :) As for me, more of my n° 2 and n° 3 would be perfect and also big size vimeo videos would look great here!
btw this was the first time I heard pretty please "with a cherry on top", thanks for sharing! I have to borrow it! :))
Keep up the good work! Always a pleasure visiting your site!
Leopauld
@myself,
by title I meant the header
theillien
1. Saw the site after I started following you on Twitter.
2. Nice photography kept me hear as well as promise to see images of Japan.
3. I suppose the photos. But I also like the cleanliness of it and simple background image.
4. To be honest, I don't really see much I don't like. I look at the photos and I'm happy.
5. Maybe more insight into your web design life.
Mary
#1 Found you and your site through twitter :-)
#2 loved the pictures. I love photography but not so well at it myself so I'm always drawn to others photos. You don't do the same things all the time either, you always find something nice to shoot, and I liked the photo walks around where you live!! Japan photos are also WONDERFUL!
#3 First of all it's the colors you chose for your page. I am very much attracted to them, Your layout is crisp and clean to me. I like the redesign very much. Your content as well,as your large photos are also a plus, you give great descriptions that are balanced with the photos.
#4Nothing to huge so far, but I skipped that blog roll? with danny choo n such because I thought it was a google ad. I think there needs to be a title there or replace them with photos like the other links you have on the side. It seems a bit out of place for me eyes and thus I skipped right over it. I only stopped to look because someone else in the comment area said something about a danny choo ad, and I didn't remember seeing one on our page. That's about it for me.
#5 I agree with the others that wrote about wanting to learn some of your tricks with the camera. I'm better with a video camera, oddly enough! I would also like to read your comments on new tech items, I'll leave that up to you to decide on which but that would be nice as well. I say keep it going with the photo walks, I really enjoy those.Oh and maybe add a bit more video content. See where that goes as well.
Santa
If I recall correctly I came to this site when you gave me a link to one of the earlier posts, and I guess I just stuck around after that.
I love the posts of Japan. It's such a wonderful place, and I will definetly go there if I get a chance, but all the great photos kept me very interested.
The posts of Japan probably. (points to pervious answer)
Nothing here that I dislike. It's good contant. Perhaps add a bit more photos of nature, I really like all old ones you post, the ones of the bugs, or leaves, those are very pretty.
dans
1. It was from DC. I don't remember from which post though.
2. The photos obviously. I love photography and I usually stalk people who post great photos. ^^
3. See no 2. Of all your posts, I love the Mexico posts.
4. Nothing big. I think you have too many similar photos. Sometimes I just skip reading some it because it is similar to the photos you posted before.
5. I would love to see events / festivals that happen in your place.
Hikaru Kazushime
Hey Michael, I've been to your blog a few times over the past few months when you've commented over at Run Around Kazu, but I've never found it many other ways.
Always loved your posts and don't really have a problem with anything.
I'm not sure if you have before, but some pictures of Akiba and maybe more otaku-related content would be pretty cool in my opinion.
I love the big photos, and the site design is really nice.
Will be visiting more in the future now that I have a stable comp.
-Kazu
MKL
I found you on Misspent Life. I have no complains. I think Prometheus is a great writer. But you are a great photographer. Maybe you guys could have a joint project :) Good luck.
Optic
- A comment on my site. At first, I thought u were spam. :)
- U love in photography and the so call many random beautiful photos.
- The photos of nature. They make me see them in a whole new way.
- Nothing really. Well, honestly, I can't think of anything. :S
- A little more info. about the area u are in taking these shots. Anything that could relate to u.
seth.frostheart
1) got referred over here from dannychoo.com ^^
2) the pictures. i love looking at pictures, haha.
3) your images on life in japan, especially daily life. i've always wanted to go to japan but never had the chance or $$$ to make it happen. so the little glimpse you give me through your pictures and postings is interesting.
4) so far there's nothing to dislike for me. though sometimes the loading can take awhile but i blame that on my isp ^^;
5) contest with japan relevant giveaways would be good. not asking for expensive stuff of course. haha. hmmm, move to video type postings maybe?
5)
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