Subscriber Services Delayed, Mobile Forums Active for a Limited Time

[Jason Dunn]

As anyone who has managed a large and complex project will tell you, things don't always go according to plan. You strive to reach certain goals by certain dates, but it doesn't always work out that way. This week, my plan just didn't work out. :|<br /><br />Here's the deal: my team and I were trying very hard to launch the full subscriber services for today. Mobile forums, email blast, full customization - the works. There's a huge amount of writing that I need to do as part of this process, and with everything going on I haven't had time to do it. Technically, we could have launched today, but it would have been ugly and unpolished. I don't like anything I do to be ugly or unpolished, so we're going to delay the roll-out about a week. It kills me to have to do that, especially given the commitments I made about launching today, but it just can't happen the way it needs to happen.<br /><br />However, as a way of saying "thanks for your patience", we've flipped the switch to give everyone (even non-registered guests) 100% access to the mobile version of the site...which is 100% of the site. Every forum thread, every article, every page - all 100% optimized for the Pocket PC (and, to a great extent, Smartphone screens). I should note there's one glitch: URL wrapping is kind of screwy, so some posts with L-O-N-G URLs might cause side-scrolling. We're working on how to fix that now, but everything else should look just dandy:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/mobileforums-snap020.gif" /> <br /><br />Just to be perfectly clear: <span style="color:red"><b>this is a time-limited feature</b></span>. Once we roll out the subscriber services, mobile forum access will be limited to paying subscribers. I think you'll really like our pricing plans though, so I don't think it will be a big issue, unless you're one of those people who thinks everything on the Internet should be free. :wink: <br /><br />In the meantime, enjoy! I've attached some sample images of what you'll see<!>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/mobileforums-snap021.gif" /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/mobileforums-snap026.gif" /> <br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/mobileforums-snap032.gif" />

[pocketpcdude1024]

Wow, pretty cool! 8) Thanks a lot, Jason! :D

[arebelspy]

wow, looks nice!

maybe there will be contests, giving away subscriptions to PPCT? ;)

-arebelspy

[pocketpcdude1024]

1, 2, a 1, 2, 3
Testing posting from Pocket PC! :wink:

[pocketpcdude1024]

I must say that those are the finest mobile forums I've ever seen. Of course, they happen to be the only mobile forums I've ever seen, but still they're awesome! :wink:

[entropy1980]

Is this the continued amazing work by Fabrizio?

[MultiMatt]

Jason,
The mobile version is absolutely awesome! Looking forward to enjoying it more on the PPC (on my Desktop right now), and you can count me in for a subscription!

Matt

[bucho]

This is awesome!... I have to say this is one of the best (if not the best) site formatted for PocketPC. Excellent job!

[dh]

Nice one Jason!
I've been looking forward to checking out the mobile forums.
Fittingly this is a mobile post using my Axim and 802.11b card.
This will be an excuse to hang out in Starbucks more as well.

[gamboagarcia]

Posting from my iPaq 3955, and should say EXCELENT job, congrats.

[pocketpcdude1024]

You wanna know the best part (except that they're mobile) - NO ADS! I guess that if you pay for Thoughts, you shouldn't be paying for ads. :wink:

[pocketpcdude1024]

Jason, when you turn the mobile forums off, you still can get mobility from the printable version... :| Just FYI... :wink:

[jsanfordii]

Wow!! 8O I love this. You guys ROCK!!!!! :rock on dude!:

[dh]

It's really nice to be able to see the whole site formatted for the PPC not just the front page.

It's going to mean I take longer in the loo in the mornings now.

[fmcpherson]

Checking in with my T-Mobile PPC, and I am impressed with formatting and page load times. Now with unlimited GPRS this forum is even more accessible.

Congrats on I am sure has been a ton of work!!

[Hyperluminal]

Wait, I'm confused. I don't have my mobile PPC yet (waiting for 6/23 :) ), so I'm using my desktop. I can't find the link to the mobile site... am I just not seeing it? :?

MultiMatt, how did you do it?

[pocketpcdude1024]

Wait, I'm confused. I don't have my mobile PPC yet (waiting for 6/23 :) ), so I'm using my desktop. I can't find the link to the mobile site... am I just not seeing it? :?

MultiMatt, how did you do it?

If you have any PPC 2002 device it passes through an internet connection to the device, so just put it in the cradle and visit www.pocketpcthoughts.com - you'll see it right away! :wink:
If you don't have a PPC, then you can still see the mobile forums by hacking your user agent string in the registry. I know what the registry is and how to modify keys and such but I don't personally know where the "user agent string" is in the registry, so I'm afraid I can't help you... :|
P.S. - Go to www.pocketpcthoughts.com/pocket to see what the front page looks like on a PPC - but the links to the forums and such link back to the normal forums... :|

[lmtuxinc]

it just detects what you are using and shows the correct one.

Alan

[Janak Parekh]

Jason, when you turn the mobile forums off, you still can get mobility from the printable version... :| Just FYI... :wink:
Yes, but you don't have any features (reply, etc.), so it's very limited.

By the way, we've also implemented GZIP compression on all our webpages on the new server. This will make page views noticeably faster if you're on a dialup, GPRS, or 1xRTT connection. :D

--janak

[pocketpcdude1024]

By the way, we've also implemented GZIP compression on all our webpages on the new server.

What is GZIP and what does it do? :?

[Hyperluminal]

PPCDude, thanks. I didn't realize it passed through a connection to the PPC when on the cradle... :)

[Janak Parekh]

By the way, we've also implemented GZIP compression on all our webpages on the new server.
What is GZIP and what does it do? :?
GZIP is a compression tool, similar but not the same thing as programs like WinZip. There is a module (http://www.schroepl.net/projekte/mod_gzip/) for Apache that dynamically compresses webpages on the fly before transferring them to your PC. Your webbrowser then uncompresses them and displays the resulting content automatically.

--janak

[T-Will]

Very cool, I feel extremely relieved that if I was ever stuck with only a Pocket PC and an internet connection I could still check up on my favorite Pocket PC web site! :wink:

[danmanmayer]

It is a cool feature i have to say but i always check this site on my real computer. I use my pocket pc to acess info i need on the go. Not to read about news and rumors for a new device i wont be buying for a long time or for software that i can't install with out my desktop most of the time anyways... Thanks and i hope you get some costumers from it. Until then i click your links and click throught o stores before buying any ppc products... Hope that still helps out to. :D

[mclaughlinc]

Jason,

What's with the icon in the bottom of the picture. Was this screen shot captured on a Pocket PC 2003 device? Also I noticed the connection icons at the top?

Does this mean the NDA has expired?

[Janak Parekh]

What's with the icon in the bottom of the picture. Was this screen shot captured on a Pocket PC 2003 device? Also I noticed the connection icons at the top?
I don't know about the right one on the top, but the one on the top left is Spb's GPRS Monitor, and the icon at the bottom is from Spb's Pocket Plus product, which has features like multiple IE windows.

--janak

[beq]

But why are ya'll picking on poor ol' bdegroodt?

[Crystal Eitle]

Oooh, the mobile forums look very nice. :werenotworthy:

But darn it, Jason, now you've made me want to go out and get a PPC that has wireless capability. I had decided I was perfectly happy with my HP 1910, but with these new mobile forums....

[ctmagnus]

:D :lol: :) :mrgreen: 0X 8O

Although there's the lack of table shading in quoted replies, which can make it difficult to keep track of things at times. And the missing additional emoticons. And some transcriber gestures don't work in PIE. otherwise, :rockondude!:

[Janak Parekh]

But darn it, Jason, now you've made me want to go out and get a PPC that has wireless capability.
Or, alternatively, get an IR-enabled phone. If there's decent T-Mobile coverage near home, that would be a very cost-effective bet. :)

--janak

[ctmagnus]

Now to memorize all the emoticons, so I don't pull that again! :rock on dude!: (entered on desktop end)

[jdhill]

Great job guys !!! (Posted from my Pocket PC running in a remote desktop on my desktop PC).

[Jason Dunn]

Is this the continued amazing work by Fabrizio?

But of course! He's the Magic Man! :-D

[Jason Dunn]

You wanna know the best part (except that they're mobile) - NO ADS! I guess that if you pay for Thoughts, you shouldn't be paying for ads. :wink:

Yes, they'll be ad-free for subscribers. I may introduce ads on the free version of the mobile site, depending on how a few factors go. We'll see - my preference is to keep them ad-free, but I can't committ 100% to that.

[Jason Dunn]

Jason, when you turn the mobile forums off, you still can get mobility from the printable version... :| Just FYI... :wink:

Yeah, I know. We may leave that, or it may become a subscriber-only feature. 8)

[Jason Dunn]

What's with the icon in the bottom of the picture. Was this screen shot captured on a Pocket PC 2003 device? Also I noticed the connection icons at the top?

Pocket Plus + GPRS Monitor = Mobile Nirvana. :-) Nothing other than those two programs...

[Jason Dunn]

Until then i click your links and click throught o stores before buying any ppc products... Hope that still helps out to. :D

Thanks Dan, I greatly appreciate your support! :way to go:

[Jason Dunn]

But why are ya'll picking on poor ol' bdegroodt?

He had the prettiest Avatar. 8O :lol: Nah, I was just looking at a post he did when I was taking the screen shots, that's all.

[piperpilot]

This is just too good, guys! Now I don't have to scroll back and forth, up and down to read the forums on my iPAQ 5455. But what is the pricing for the subscription service?

[ipaq38vette]

About 99% of my posts have been made from my wirelessly-enabled ipaq, and I am extremely impressed with the load times. With the 'real' version of PPCT, I would often pick up my guitar between load times and play. I would like a dropdown box, however, on the mobile forums for a quick jump between forums. Also, posting from the mobile forum shows a checkbox marked 'Lock this topic'. Are we really allowed to access that? :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:


There is one other mobile forum I know of- PocketGamer.org- not bad either.

EDIT: signatures dont appear when mobile posting.

[Jason Dunn]

Although there's the lack of table shading in quoted replies, which can make it difficult to keep track of things at times. And the missing additional emoticons.

Both are limitations of Pocket Internet Explorer on 2002 devices. They just don't support enough features, so we work with what we have. As the technology improves, so will the forums. :mrgreen:

[Jason Dunn]

Now to memorize all the emoticons, so I don't pull that again! :rock on dude!: (entered on desktop end)

Yeah, you know you're a PPCT geek when you have emoticons memorized... :alfdance:

[Jason Dunn]

This is just too good, guys! Now I don't have to scroll back and forth, up and down to read the forums on my iPAQ 5455. But what is the pricing for the subscription service?

The pricing will be very affordable, and there will be a few different levels of service to chose from, with a level specifically for those that only want the mobile forums and nothing else. The other enhancements are just as cool though, so I think you'll like them! Full subscription details will be released next week.

[Jason Dunn]

I would like a dropdown box, however, on the mobile forums for a quick jump between forums...Also, posting from the mobile forum shows a checkbox marked 'Lock this topic'...EDIT: signatures dont appear when mobile posting.

1) Great idea!

2) No you shouldn't see the LOCK function...I'll investigate

3) Yeah, we did that on purpose - some people use large images, and we can't control that, so we felt it was better to not include them. Do you think that's a big deal?

[Dazbot]

Whats the orginal string Pocket IE uses, i changed mine a while ago to access full versions of sites and never wrote it down :oops:

[alanjrobertson]

Is there any way for us non-PPC users to access the mobile version of the forums? (I've got a Tungsten|T and accessing using either WebPro or PocketLink just brings me into the normal forums). The mobile site is accessible by forcing /mobile at the end of the URL, but presumably the forums is just on auto-detect??

Cheers

Alan

[JonnoB]

Both are limitations of Pocket Internet Explorer on 2002 devices. They just don't support enough features, so we work with what we have. As the technology improves, so will the forums. :mrgreen:

Not a limitation for 2003 devices!

[Jason Dunn]

Is there any way for us non-PPC users to access the mobile version of the forums? (I've got a Tungsten|T and accessing using either WebPro or PocketLink just brings me into the normal forums). The mobile site is accessible by forcing /mobile at the end of the URL, but presumably the forums is just on auto-detect??

We would need the user agent string of each browser. If you can get that to me (email me), we can fix it for you. You shouldn't be denied Pocket PC Thoughts because you're a disadvantaged Palm user. :lol:

Go to this page on your Palm with each browser:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/tools/ua.php

Then email me the user agent string it reports back.

[Ed Hansberry]

It's going to mean I take longer in the loo in the mornings now. 8O Too much information.

[Ed Hansberry]

You shouldn't be denied Pocket PC Thoughts because you're a disadvantaged Palm user
Well, except for the 10% surcharge you were telling us about. :wink:

Seriously, these forums ROCK! Fortunately, being an insider has allowed some of us to use these for some time now. Love getting in here with my 3970 and Nokia 3650. :way to go:

[darrylb]

Great work! These are really much better than I expected!

Once I get my wifi enabled PPC I can see myself signing up. I look forward to seeing the pricing next week!

[marlof]

Having ONLY mobile access at work, I was pretty pleased with testing these mobile forums. I think they truly rock! Now if only we'll get unlimited GPRS data plans in The Netherlands....

[alanjrobertson]

We would need the user agent string of each browser. If you can get that to me (email me), we can fix it for you. You shouldn't be denied Pocket PC Thoughts because you're a disadvantaged Palm user. :lol:

Go to this page on your Palm with each browser:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/tools/ua.php

Then email me the user agent string it reports back.

Hehe - thanks for the link - I read your post before the link and ended up (a) downloading 10MB of my website logs to work out the agent from there (not the easiest to work through! :oops:) so then (b) used Ethereal to track the data packets (the Tungsten is connected to my WinXP machine via Bluetooth) and worked out that the Palm WebPro browser displays it's User-Agent as "Novarra/3.10.21.2 (Matisse)".

However I then used your ua.php link and found it was reported as: "Mozilla/4.76 [en] (PalmOS; I; WebPro)" :roll: - presumably this must be because it goes through a proxy and thus the User-Agent changes between when it goes through my machine and when it ends up at the destination webserver.

Hopefully that should do the trick!

Cheers

Alan :D

PS I'll just pretend I didn't hear the 'disadvantaged Palm user remark' :lol:

[Fabrizio Fiandanese]

I would like a dropdown box, however, on the mobile forums for a quick jump between forums.

Dropdown box just added. Enjoy :D

[Ed Hansberry]

Dropdown box just added. Enjoy :D

:werenotworthy: :rock on dude!:

[ctmagnus]

Both are limitations of Pocket Internet Explorer on 2002 devices. They just don't support enough features, so we work with what we have. As the technology improves, so will the forums. :mrgreen:

Not a limitation for 2003 devices!

Which is why I'll (most likely) spend a large sum of money in about a month. And then I'll be able to enjoy the mobile forums that much more! 8)

[dean_shan]

Wow looks great! This makes things so much faster and easier. I do have a few questions though. How much will this service cost? Will it be a year on month subscription? And if you subscribe will the desktop version be add free?

[ipaq38vette]

Wow guys- dropdown box!

Jason, I think signatures are interesting, but not crucial. Maybe you could exclude signatures with image sizes over X by X pixels?

I like the idea of ads on the free mobile site, and no ads on the suscriber mobile site. Adless websites are a rarity, I suppose many would pay for a relief, especially when browsing by PIE.

[Steven Cedrone]

See, I told you guys the mobile forums rocked!!! :rock on dude!:

Steve

[ipaq38vette]

Not on 2003 devices

JonnoB, do you know something we don't? :lol:

[robert_biggs]

One word: WOW!!! 8O

I'm posting this while on the freeway (no, I'm not driving). This puts PPCT's back at the top of my Favorites! If the price isn't too much, sign me up!

[Kati Compton]

Is it just me, or on the regular forums now on the "Post a reply" screen is the message composition area no longer white?

[Jason Dunn]

Is it just me, or on the regular forums now on the "Post a reply" screen is the message composition area no longer white?

It's you. 8O :lol:

[Jason Dunn]

Wow looks great! This makes things so much faster and easier. I do have a few questions though. How much will this service cost? Will it be a year on month subscription? And if you subscribe will the desktop version be add free?

Prices will be announced next week, and it will be yearly. There will be a free trial period so you can take the whole thing for a spin. The desktop version will have an option to turn off ads (except the sponsored articles), but I'm going to ask nicely that people don't (but won't complain too loudly if they do). More info to follow...(and some is subject to change)

[Fzara]

There BETTER be more PM storage in the yearly suscriptions. :oops: 0X
(btw, does this guy have his middle finger out, or are his fingers crossed?)

I still have to send in my WCF12 for an RMA (DO NOT BUY THIS LINKSYS CARD), but lets hope Jason and the crew won't close the mobile forum access to all of us.

[dean_shan]

Prices will be announced next week, and it will be yearly.....The desktop version will have an option to turn off ads

Cool. I think I'm gonna have to sign up.

[Kirk Stephens]

Yay :mrgreen: ...I'm posting from my wireless 5455...cool stuff Jason

[Shaun Stuart]

Jason - any tips on how to get this to work on a Sony Ericcson P800. The frontpage mobile edition works fine, the forum page still requires scrolling.

[Qman]

Looks Great!

Lets see if its going to auto add my signature.

BTW Posted from my PPCPE :mrgreen:

[dma1965]

I have waited so long for this day. I can finally read the forums without having to wait and scroll. Hats off to the Thoughts team for making it all happen!!!

[yunez]

i think its good that you leave the sigs out. Theyre repetitive, they take up space, and they dont add anything to the discussion. When youre paying for bandwidth by the KB, every bit (pun intended) counts.

[frold]

Will you release this code so other phpbb forums can offer the same?

[pocketpcdude1024]

Q: When will I be able to view this forum comfortably on my Pocket PC ?
A: Right Now !!!

I see you changed your signature... :D

[pocketpcdude1024]

Go to this page:

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/tools/ua.php

Then email me the user agent string it reports back.

I went there on my desktop and got
Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1)
when I went there on my PPC, I got
Mozilla/2.0 (compatible; MSIE 3.02; Windows CE; PPC; 240x320)

So I did a search in the registry for the desktop user agent and replaced it with the PPC user agent, but when I go to the link above, it still reports my user agent as the desktop one. Is there a specific place in the registry that I need to change? Is the information broken up into multiple values? :?

[pocketpcdude1024]

I think that the formatting for poll results needs to be adjusted a little bit:

http://www.pdagrad.com/pocketpcdude1024/screenshot.JPG

[Bob Anderson]

This has to be the coolest thing since the pocket PC was developed! I'm writing this using my wireless ipaq 5455.

My PayPal acccunt is awaiting further instructions !

Way to go Jason and Crew. I hope you are going to do the same for Digital Media Thoughts. :D

[pocketpcdude1024]

This has to be the coolest thing since the pocket PC was developed! I'm writing this using my wireless ipaq 5455.

My PayPal acccunt is awaiting further instructions !

Way to go Jason and Crew. I hope you are going to do the same for Digital Media Thoughts. :D

By the way, using tracert on www.pocketpcthoughts.com shows that it goes through empire.thoughtsmedia.com and that it can be reached through pocketpcthoughts.thoughtsmedia.com :!: :wink:

[Janak Parekh]

Jason - any tips on how to get this to work on a Sony Ericcson P800. The frontpage mobile edition works fine, the forum page still requires scrolling.
Once again, if you can get us the browser string (see this link (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/tools/ua.php)) we might be able to help.

--janak

[Jonathon Watkins]

By the way, using tracert on www.pocketpcthoughts.com shows that it goes through empire.thoughtsmedia.com and that it can be reached through pocketpcthoughts.thoughtsmedia.com :!: :wink:

Aha! So, the world domination plans really are on shedule them. Very nice. Going to be an interesting week. :mrgreen:

[Jason Dunn]

There BETTER be more PM storage in the yearly suscriptions.

That's not something we can change on a per-user basis, only globally. Are you running out of room? That's not something I had really thought much about actually - I usually delete my PMs right away. I'll bump it up a bit for you...

...but lets hope Jason and the crew won't close the mobile forum access to all of us.

Please re-read my initial post: this is a time-limited feature that will be a paying subscriber benefit and will not be made free to everyone. We put a LOT of work into this, and if you truly find it useful, I don't think a few bucks a month is too much to ask for.

[Jason Dunn]

Will you release this code so other phpbb forums can offer the same?

Nope. If other people want to offer the same, they can do the work required to make it happen, just like we did. :wink:

[Jason Dunn]

This has to be the coolest thing since the pocket PC was developed! I'm writing this using my wireless ipaq 5455.

Glad you like it Bob! :mrgreen:

I hope you are going to do the same for Digital Media Thoughts. :D

All our sites will run on top of the Thoughts Media Engine, so when we made improvements to one site, they will exist on all sites. Just you wait and see. :mrgreen: (But DMT is still several months away - in a few weeks you'll see why...)

[DavidHorn]

We've had free mobile forums on PocketGamer.org for months.

[Bob Anderson]

Just you wait and see. :mrgreen: (But DMT is still several months away - in a few weeks you'll see why...)

OK... Wait a minute... Here I thought all my built up anguish and anticipation would be relieved when 6/23 rolled around!! Now, it sounds like, I've got weeks more to go for some other tantalizing bit of cool news!

Yikes... I don't know if I can make it that long! 8O

[Golfer]

Pocket PC Thoughts is one of the few sites I visit a number of times a day. I find it the best way of keeping up to date with pocket pc info. I would definately look at subscribing, however I would be looking to use it offline through activesync maybe through avantgo. Would that be possible, or should I set it up as a mobile favourite? Could I view the forums and post and reply offline afterwhich the entry would be submitted on the next sync?

Thanks in advance.