Wondering About the Mobile Site?

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=86572#86572' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/for...p?p=86572#86572</a><br /><br /></div>Reader <i>PeteTh</i> asked a question about the mobile version of this site, and I thought it was worth repeating my answer on the front page for those that weren't around when we made the switch:<br /><br />"Regarding the mobile page, we're showing you articles that have been posted in the past 24 hours, down to the second, six per page. What that means is Monday morning, you're not going to see a lot unless we had a VERY busy Sunday (very rare). But Tuesday morning you should see two pages of articles (6+ total). Right now I'm looking at the mobile version and there are five stories. As soon as it reaches seven, it will roll over to the next page. Complete customization of the mobile site will be a paid subscriber benefit."<br /><br />Remember you can always browse the desktop version of this site on your Pocket PC by going to this URL:<br /><br /><a href="www.pocketpcthoughts.com/no_sniffer.php">www.pocketpcthoughts.com/no_sniffer.php</a>

[ux4484]

the regular site looks quite "mobile" with NetFront.

[hdsalinas]

Should we expect a mobile version of the forums sometime in the near future?


please! That would be great!!!!


Hector David Salinas
Honduras

[axe]

I have notice that the AvantGO Channel for the site doesn't enable the "page 1, 2, 3" links. they just go back to main "page 1" link. I tried changing the AvantGO settings to drill down to 2 or 3 links deep, but that didn't help.
Is there something I'm doing wrong?
AXE

[Jason Dunn]

Should we expect a mobile version of the forums sometime in the near future?

Yes, part of the subscriber services will be a fully mobile version of this site. That means 100% of the site - forums, every article, every section, etc. :D That's part of the reason why it's taking us so long - we need to create mobile templates for every section of the site and turn them all on at once for subcribers. If it was just a matter of doing a mobile template for the forums, we would have been done a long time ago. :wink:

[Jason Dunn]

I have notice that the AvantGO Channel for the site doesn't enable the "page 1, 2, 3" links. they just go back to main "page 1" link. I tried changing the AvantGO settings to drill down to 2 or 3 links deep, but that didn't help.
Is there something I'm doing wrong?
AXE

No, it doesn't work for me either. :cry: I wasn't aware of this, so we'll look into it ASAP.

[Paragon]

Should we expect a mobile version of the forums sometime in the near future?

Yes, part of the subscriber services will be a fully mobile version of this site. :

Paid subscriber services.......care to enlighten those of us who have just heard of this...... :)

Dave

[Jason Dunn]

Paid subscriber services.......care to enlighten those of us who have just heard of this...... :)

I've been talking about it for a few months here and there, but I haven't made the "big front page post" on it yet. We're still finalizing exactly what services will be offered, but you won't get LESS content on Pocket PC Thoughts: we're not putting things behind subscriber barriers, etc.

The subscriber services will offer people new ways to access the site, sort information, get information sent to them, etc. We're in the middle of finalizing the list of subscriber benefits right now, and when it's complete and we're ready to go, I'll make the public announcement and you can decide if it's something that interests you or not. :D

[BugDude10]

"Paid"?! He didn't say "paid"?!?!

[ux4484]

"Paid"?! He didn't say "paid"?!?!


oh yea........

Think about it: When going "mobile" there are almost no ads displayed in most pocket browsers (no space either).......how do you recoup the lost ad revenue?........charge for the content. If you REALLY like it, you'll pay, if not enough people pay, they'll pull it.
The real question is: What is a reasonable charge for mobile PPCT content?

simple economics

[Paragon]

Thanks, Jason

I think most of us know your motives well enough by now to know that you wouldn't cut back on what you offer now and instead only offer it if paid for. I think it must be very tough to pay the bills on a site like this.

With the things you have done so far I I'll bet you will have some innovative ideas on how to put it all together to offer people a better "premium" package

Dave

[JonnoB]

I will be the first to 'subscribe'

[bbarker]

"Paid"?! He didn't say "paid"?!?!
There were a couple of big discussions about this here last year, including a poll. Jason was very careful to find out how site users felt about offering premium services on a subscrition basis. I was one of those who urged him to develop a full mobile version and offer it by subscription. I'll subscribe!

[Jonathon Watkins]

Same here - I think I would subscribe even if I didn't use the service. It's good to be able to support the site. It costs to keep this server ticking over. :wink:

[Jason Dunn]

"Paid"?! He didn't say "paid"?!?!

Everybody has to earn a living somehow. :wink:

Just remember that nothing is being taken away - nothing will change in your day to day use. The subscriber benefits will ENHANCE the user experience, and I think we're going to make a compelling package that even you will want to pony up a few bucks. ;-)

[bbarker]

Now we need a target date. :)

[Jason Dunn]

Now we need a target date. :)

Pretty soon. How's that? :-) We're testing the mobile forums this week, so it all goes well, we should have things ready to go fully public within two weeks (if all the tests go well).

[bbarker]

Now we need a target date. :)

Pretty soon. How's that? :-) We're testing the mobile forums this week, so it all goes well, we should have things ready to go fully public within two weeks (if all the tests go well).

How's that? Fantastic! Thanks!