Jump to content

Myr

Site Administrator
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    15,673

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by Myr

  1. Myr
    This week's flashback brings us back to Winter 2010.  Haunted.  Check them out:
     
     
     
    Anthologies
    2018 Spring Anthology: Now or Never - Due May 15th 2018 Spring Anthology: Encounters - Due May 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Fight Back - Due Nov 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Good Intentions - Due Nov 15th
  2. Myr

    Tech Tuesday - Help Us Help You

    By Myr,


    Technology Archive
    This week is all about help.  We have a pretty extensive help system here on-site where we've taken the time to write up the answers to the most frequently asked questions.  We've also made videos for some of the features on site to make it that much easier.  So first things first, help your fellow members with a quick link to the appropriate help section.  Help is on the red menu on every single page of the site.  Don't be afraid to click the menu.

    Help -FAQ - Brings you to the list of common questions.  You can search for the what you are having issues with the "find on page" or "Search" function of your browser.  (Ctrl-F in Windows)  Or you can just read through the list.  Links bring you to the proper topic in the FAQ database. You can open a Support Request by clicking "Support".  We prefer you don't do this for simple things, as it'll take awhile to get to you.  You'll probably get a faster response to a topic on the forums.  The only exception is Premium Content issues.  Those you should use the Support Request for so that we can see your account information and can troubleshoot your issue easier. Staff - Shows the list of our volunteer staff on-site. Guidelines - These are the rules. About Gay Authors - This gives you a bit of a history of the site. 15th Anniversary - This was the page we ran to celebrate our official 15th birthday. Extras - Not everything fits where we'd want it and, to avoid scaring people, we hid some of the links here for those who wanted them. Editors - List of Editors on Site. (These are people listed as an Editor on a story in the Stories archive.) Beta Readers - List of Beta Readers (These are people listed as a Beta Reader on a story in the Stories archive) Categories - List of Categories in Stories. Also available in side menu on the Stories Archive homepage. Online users - List of members currently on the site.  
    If you wish to jump straight to the help topics, you can go here: https://www.gayauthors.org/faq/
    As an example, here is a Step by Step guide to posting a story on the site:
     
    Be sure to let us know if a help topic needs to be updated.  Also, let us know if we need to do a video on a specific subject to make it easier to understand.
     
     
  4. Myr

    Tech Tuesday - Updates

    By Myr,


    Technology Archive
    I've started my new job and I'm getting settled in.  I'm hoping my schedule settles down soon as I've been going a bit bonkers. lol.
     
    Anyway, we stealth upgraded the site a few days ago and since no one complained, things appear to be working well.  We also updated the rules on the site on Sunday which triggered a request that you agree to the rules again.  This rule updates and your agreement with them is now recorded so that we comply with the upcoming EU debacle, the GDPR. (General Data Protection Regulation)
     
    This update has also put in place a new function in stories that I mentioned a couple weeks ago about allowing us to put the posting rules for Stories right there where you are posting your stories.  I'll be updating those this week, so keep an eye out.
     
    On a more interesting note, I got an update image from our programmer that deals with the User Interface improvement for sorting and filtering the story data.

     
    The system we are working eliminates the need for "advanced search" as you'll be able to build your search live right on the page and have the page update automatically.  There will also be a few preset search options (like latest completed stories or most reviewed or newest stories under the Quick Search menu).   This is a work in process, so there will be variation.  We are working hard to make the system easier to use, but having it just as powerful in being able to find the stories you want.
     
    I've mentioned in a previous blog that we have started tracking reading statistics on stories over time.  We'll be adding stats features so authors can know how many people are reading their stories and if it varies by time.  (right now, the system only shows totals).  I'm happy to report that we now have over 3.3 million story views in less than 90 days.  The data is still collecting, so when we roll out the new feature, it'll cover back to the start of 2018.  We are working hard to make things better for everyone.
     
  5. Myr
    Authors, take note, there is a deadline fast approaching for the Novella Contest!  We are also 6 weeks out from 2 anthologies! 
    Contests
    2018 Summer Novella Anthology - Due April 15th, 2018  
    Anthologies
    2018 Spring Anthology: Now or Never - Due May 15th 2018 Spring Anthology: Encounters - Due May 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Fight Back - Due Nov 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Good Intentions - Due Nov 15th  
    This week's Anthology flashback is from Summer of 2010.  The theme is Out of This World:

     
     
    Our authors really appreciate it when you read and review!  Would you mind taking the time to review a few of these stories?
  7. Myr

    Tech Tuesday - Other Social Media

    By Myr,


    Technology Archive
    I've completed my move, but my life is in boxes and I'm actively digging out.  I am keeping it short this week and hoping to resume longer posts next week.
     
    If you have not already signed up for our weekly newsletter, you should. Cia likes to sneak surprises in from time to time.
    You can find it here: http://eepurl.com/cqQPIz
     
    We also have a YouTube Channel, which I have placed a number of "How To" videos.  Check it out here: https://www.youtube.com/user/GayAuthors
    If you have something you'd like to see a video on how to do, please let me know.  I should have time very soon to record them again.
     
    We also have a Google+ page, which is just because Google favors it for search results.  You can find it here: https://plus.google.com/+GayAuthorsOrg
    We do update it pretty much daily with blog links and occasional posts.
     
    We have a Pinterest page.  Be sure to follow us here.  I've been pinning things for writing inspiration.  https://www.pinterest.com/gayauthors/boards/
    I try to pin a few things a day.
     
     
  8. Myr

    The Prestige

    By Myr,


    Movies
    So, this week for my Monday movie mania, I thought I'd stick with a Christopher Nolan movie and recommend the Prestige.   This movie was great.  It has a few good twists.  
     
    I think I might pick up a copy in Blu-ray as I have on DVD.
  9. Myr
    This week's Anthology flashback brings back to Spring 2010 - I'd Never Do That!

    Now in Alphabetical Order:
    For Authors!
    We'd also like to remind all authors that we have 4 Anthology themes for 2018 and a Novella Contest:
     
    Contests
    2018 Summer Novella Anthology - Due April 15th, 2018  
    Anthologies
    2018 Spring Anthology: Now or Never - Due May 15th 2018 Spring Anthology: Encounters - Due May 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Fight Back - Due Nov 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Good Intentions - Due Nov 15th  
     
    Don't forget to read and review!
  10. Myr

    Patriot Games by Tom Clancy

    By Myr,


    Books
    I have been a fan of Tom Clancy's books since about 1991 or so when I first read Hunt for the Red October.  The books tend to be almost the only books I read outside of Fantasy and Sci-Fi.  I'm a bit behind on the latest books that have the co-authors (since Tom Clancy is no longer with us) started up.  I have spent many, many enjoyable hours reading his books.  Patriot Games is the first of the Jack Ryan books.  (Hunt for the Red October is 2nd, I think it is).  He has 3 intertwined series.  John Clark, Jack Ryan and Jack Ryan Jr.
     
    I'll post more in the future.
  11. Myr

    Tech Tuesday: Author Posting Rules Visibility

    By Myr,


    Technology Archive
    We are currently testing a bug fix update to Stories, 2.2.4, that also contains a minor, but important feature.  Site rules at the source when posting new Stories and new chapters and when editing them.
    This is just a sample of the test code in process:

     
    One of the issues we have at Gay Authors is that we have a lot of rules and standards that authors are expected to follow, but they are not always easy to get to.  This update will place rule boxes right at the point of use so that authors will no longer have to search for the rules for a specific area. 
     
    This will help us keep to the site's visual standard and help authors stay within the rules.  The ones listed above are samples and we'll be putting them in place when we update the site.
     
    On a different note, my move will finally be wrapped up on Saturday and I'll have a week to settle in before work starts up again.  This will let me spend some time writing and working on the site again instead of bouncing around like a madman.
     
  12. Myr

    Inception

    By Myr,


    Movies
    This is an interesting movie.  It is probably the only movie I know that you have to pay full attention in and stay engaged with because it is such a mind job.  Literally.  The special effects are cool.  The concepts are crazy and the acting is interested.  I quite enjoy the movie.  If you haven't watched it, check it out.  I added the top.  You'll know what it is for after you watch the movie.
  13. Myr
    In no particular order:
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    For Authors!
    We'd also like to remind all authors that we have 4 Anthology themes for 2018 and a Novella Contest:
     
    Contests
    2018 Summer Novella Anthology - Due April 15th, 2018  
    Anthologies
    2018 Spring Anthology: Now or Never - Due May 15th 2018 Spring Anthology: Encounters - Due May 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Fight Back - Due Nov 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Good Intentions - Due Nov 15th
  14. Myr

    L.I.E.

    By Myr,


    Movies
    This movie is interesting.  The actors are cute in it.  It does wander right into controversial teritory of course.
    It's definitely worth seeing for the character development and tough topics it hits on.
  15. Myr

    Tech Tuesday - Story Formatting Issues

    By Myr,


    Technology Archive
    This week's blog is going to be a little light.  I'm extremely busy with my move.  I will be relaxing this time in two weeks, I hope!
    Now, I think everyone has bumped into some weird spacing issues or weird formatting issues when reading stories on the site.  This is especially true of older stories that were brought in from the days when we hosted stories as webpages.  @A.J. has been working hard to clean up visually, by having the system fix the code on the fly.  We are working on a way for you to report a formatting issue or hit a button saying the formatting was just fine.  This will be coming.  In the meantime, keep an eye on the Announcement forum as we ask for volunteers to test the display filter.  It is our goal to prevent poorly formatted stories from going into the system in the future and clean up all the stories posted in the past as well.  With almost 35,000 chapters posted on the site, this will take time, of course. 
     
    If you come across any severely broken story chapters, please read this topic and follow instructions:
     
    We are all busy right now dealing with real life, so it might take a bit of time to get to them.  However, having sample stories of bad formats will also help us know what to filter and fix for.
     
    Thanks for your help!
  16. Myr

    The Merlin Trilogy by Mary Stewart

    By Myr,


    Books
    I'm sure the first thing that pops in your head is... why are there 5 different books here for a Trilogy?  Depends on how you look at things.  The hardcover (listed first) contains the 3 books listed next. (The Crystal Cave, The Hollow Hills, and The Last Enchantment)  The trilogy follows the life of Myrddin Emrys or Merlin if you prefer.  I love books 1 and 2 and found book 3 of the trilogy dry and boring.  This does boil down to my interest as in books 1 and 2, Merlin is young to middle age.  He's an old codger in the 3rd book.  Book 4 follows Modred, King Arthur's bastard son by incest with his half-sister (per this version of the tale).  This book is also quite interesting as Mordred is not a bad guy in this tale and the conflict with his father the King is not intentional.  
    The reason I like the books... The Crystal Cave is the coming of age of Merlin.  The Hollow Hills is the coming of age of Arthur.  And The Wicked Day is the coming of age of Mordred.  Mary Stewart does a great job of coming of age.  The Last Enchantment is about the end of Merlin's days and that's not nearly as interesting to me, at least.
     
  17. Myr

    Anthology Flashback: Fall 2008: Anniversary

    By Myr,


    Anthologies
    Another week has arrived and it's time for another Anthology flashback.
     

     
     
    As always, we thank all these authors once again for participating.  If it is not too much trouble, would you be willing to write a review for these authors?  Even if some of them are no longer around, I'm sure other readers will appreciate the effort.  The authors that are still with us surely will.
     
     
    For Authors!
    We'd also like to remind all authors that we have 4 Anthology themes for 2018 and a Novella Contest:
     
    Contests
    2018 Summer Novella Anthology - Due April 15th, 2018  
    Anthologies
    2018 Spring Anthology: Now or Never - Due May 15th 2018 Spring Anthology: Encounters - Due May 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Fight Back - Due Nov 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Good Intentions - Due Nov 15th
  18. Myr

    Notification Settings

    By Myr,


    News Archive
    You can find "Notification Settings" under your name in the upper right menu.
    https://www.gayauthors.org/notifications/options/
     
    The first batch of settings is about how things work:

     
    "Send me news and information" - Everyone should keep this checked so that we can email you. "Automatically follow conent" - This allows you to automatically follow things so you get alerts to things that you involve yourself in. "Method to use for content I follow Automatically" - Select how you wish to follow stuff.  Notification preferences - This allows you set how much alerting you get. On the right side is the Browser Notification which allows Gay Authors to alert you even if you aren't on the site.  They can be pretty intrusive.  If you wish to change them, it is at the browser level. If you want to change your browser notification, here is a how to video:
     
    The rest of the notification page allows you to set what you get as inline notifications or emails:

     
    Hope this helps!
  19. Myr

    Tech Tuesday - Spoiler Tags

    By Myr,


    Technology Archive
    Hello!  Welcome back to Tech Tuesdays!   Starting today, we are planning on bringing this feature back for you every Tuesday.  Most of them will be short but will highlight either existing features or coming features.  
     
    Today, we will be going over the use of the spoiler tags.  These are built right into the editor and should be used to hide information that would otherwise spoil someone's enjoyment.  This often applies to the big twists you see in books, movies, tv shows, games, etc.  It is considered rude and obnoxious by many to let out a big secret before others have had a chance to get to it themselves.  On GA, you can hide text in many places like Stories, Forums, or Clubs. It's a good way to hide sensitive material such as reader reviews as well as large blocks of text that you want to share but don't want always visible, such as a story or chapter sample for feedback. 
     
    It is especially important for Gay Authors to use Spoiler tags because the activity stream shows content out of context.  For example, the latest reviews and latest story/chapter comments can be seen in the stream, and it's very easy for someone to read a comment on a story they haven't had a chance to read yet.  The information inside Spoiler tags is NOT shown in that stream.
    How to use:
    Click the "eye" icon on the toolbar. Type your spoiler information inside the box that appears. Type the rest of your comment. Submit your comment. and you get this:

     
    Also, here is a video that walks you through it:
     
  20. Myr
    Mark Roeder has a pretty massive collection of stories.  Some of his early works suffered from poor editing, but his work improved a lot over time and I think he's even gone back and updated his early works with improved editing and cover changes. 
     
    I really liked this story when I first read it mostly because it appealed to my 90's fascination with the Nifty Boy Bands section.  It definitely played up to some of the classics in that genre.  This was worth the read.
  21. Myr

    Anthology Flashback: Summer 2008 - Escape

    By Myr,


    Anthologies
    This week we jump back 10 years to the Summer of 2008, where we must Escape...

     
    Here they are in no particular order:
     
    As always, we thank all these authors once again for participating.  If it is not too much trouble, would you be willing to write a review for these authors?  Even if some of them are no longer around, I'm sure other readers will appreciate the effort.  The authors that are still with us surely will.
     
     
    For Authors!
    We'd also like to remind all authors that we have 4 Anthology themes for 2018 and a Novella Contest:
    Contests
    2018 Summer Novella Anthology - Due April 15th, 2018  
    Anthologies
    2018 Spring Anthology: Now or Never - Due May 15th 2018 Spring Anthology: Encounters - Due May 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Fight Back - Due Nov 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Good Intentions - Due Nov 15th
  22. Myr

    Tech Tuesday - Recent Updates and Coming Updates

    By Myr,


    Technology Archive
    We've recently had a couple of noticeable updates for authors and for everyone pasting a story link.  I wanted to make sure everyone saw the information.
    First, some changes to the software:
    Also, A.J. has been able to fix the Preview Chapter button so you can now see how your story will post into the system, with all of the filters applied:
     
    As mentioned in the first topic, when you place a link to a story in a post or a blog, etc, it will now format with a story banner.  Banner priority - Antholology Banner, Story Banner, Author Banner, then Category Banner.  So every story will get something.  Cia updated our Fiction banner:
     
    Or maybe it's a Valdemar FanFiction:
     
    Or Star Trek:
     
    Or an Anthology:
     
    If you're just clicking Newest Stories, remember, you can click "Categories" and get the list of all sorts of stories that are in the system.
    https://www.gayauthors.org/stories/browse/category/
     
    Forums 4.3 software has entered beta testing, and we'll be looking at getting everything updated to work with it.  Some new things with Forums 4.3 include:
    Improved Search.  They have really focused on improving search so things work more as you'd expect them to.  They have also implemented a third-party search solution that we will be deploying on Gay Authors that should improve search noticeably. They are deploying Emojii support in the editor.  This will vastly increase the amount of readily available emoticons. The current smilies are supposed to still work the same.   They are making Clubs a lot easier to find and deal with, including better Follow features and more visibility of topic forums. Gallery is being made a LOT easier to use. Blog is getting a facelift. There are improvements in payment methods for Premium Content subscribers.  
    I would expect that we'll be able to upgrade in about 4-6 weeks.
    We also have some structural improvements to simplify the Stories interface that has been in the works.
     
    Hope this helps.  Be sure to Like the post and Follow the Site Technology blog so you don't miss any updates!
  23. Myr

    Latter Days

    By Myr,


    Movies
    Like last week, I've pulled this movie out of my gay movie collection.  This has some nice eye candy is a touching movie. 
     
    Joseph Gordon-Levitt is in this movie as well.  He auditioned to for the gay lead. (just a bit of trivia from IMDB on the movie)
     
  24. Myr
    Check out the Spring 2006 Anthology!

     
     
    Be sure to read and review!
     
    For Authors!
    We'd also like to remind all authors that we have 4 Anthology themes for 2018 and a Novella Contest:
    Contests
    2018 Summer Novella Anthology - Due April 15th, 2018  
    Anthologies
    2018 Spring Anthology: Now or Never - Due May 15th 2018 Spring Anthology: Encounters - Due May 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Fight Back - Due Nov 15th 2018 Fall Anthology: Good Intentions - Due Nov 15th
×
×
  • Create New...