Stephen Mejias
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A New Stereophile.com
jazzfan
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I don't mind the Stereophile web site but these forums sure could use a different, i.e. one with more features, hosting program. For an example of what I mean please see the Head-Fi.org forum. The Head-Fi forum has lots of additional features which make it much more powerful than this forum and yet it is still very user friendly.

For example, there is a feature on the Head-Fi forum which allows for one to be automatically subscribed to any thread that one posts to. Not just a given section like on this forum. Plus there is more control over how a post will look, i.e. font, font size, etc., and it's much easier to use and see how things look since you see the actual effects rather than the code while you're composing the message. And then there is the "multi quote" feature which allows one to quote from several prior posts all at one time. It's very cool. Check it out.

smejias
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Quote:
I don't mind the Stereophile web site but these forums sure could use a different, i.e. one with more features, hosting program.

We're limited to using this particular hosting program, but I may be able to squeeze some more features out of it. I'll take a look...


Quote:
For example, there is a feature on the Head-Fi forum which allows for one to be automatically subscribed to any thread that one posts to. Not just a given section like on this forum.

If I understand what you mean, I think we have that ability here, too. You can, for instance, add specific topics to your Favorites list, and then select to be notified whenever any response is made to that particular topic. Add a topic to your Favorites by opening that particular thread and clicking the option "Favorite Topic" found in the "Extra Information" box near the bottom of the screen.

Is this what you mean?

Monty
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I would like to see you guys consider merging your blogs into one blog. The Stereophile Blog. I think this would benefit Stereophile, the contributors and the readers. Everyone comes out with a win.

The way this usually works out is that the blog becomes faster paced with more entries from more people. The topics usually vary widely and it is far more interactive between the participants which increases the interests of the readers. More interest means more hits, which means Stereophile benefits by increasing revenue while offering a more interesting product.

The participants benefit in being able to interact with their contributions spontaneously and as time permits. If Stereophile were to encourage contributions by more of the contributors then the blog becomes perpetual in nature and nobody has to feel pressured to produce a topic. The contributors would likely find it far more comfortable in comparison to simply posting in a forum where the Mongrel Hoards await theur arrival with gnashing teeth and poor manners. This would also provide a better atmosphere for inviting guest bloggers, such as industry professionals, who would be more willing to offer their thoughts on all things audio in a friendly environment.

Don't get me wrong. I enjoy reading the blogs. My suggestions woudn't preclude anything that is currently being done, it would simply expand on the idea in a way that has no apparent downside.

Here is an example of what I would envision and the blog is one of the top rated on the internet.

jazzfan
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Quote:
Here is an example of what I would envision and the blog is one of the top rated on the internet.

Top rated by the right wing political pundits or by neutral parties? Inquiring minds want to know. In any event, the blog is a fine example of what you were referring to by a multi contributor blog.

Monty
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Well, "one of the best" by at least this opinion. And, the Washington Post isn't exactly carrying water for the right side of the political spectrum.
But, yes, the content of the blog is irrelevant to the idea of what I would envision and it does what it does at a profit. No small feat.

showflash
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I would like to see more high quality pictures of the gear, but both a higher quality image and a larger image. For my PC I would like to be able to change the background at least four times a month so if you would please give us at least four additional images of gear at the resolutions of 1024x768, 1280x1024, 1600x1200 I would be happier. My desktop is at 1600x1200 so speaking for myself I would definitely make use of the highest image size available.

When you take the photos additional to those running in the magazine or online materials take the photos at angles different than those running concurrently in the stories so we have quit a few different images to look at. Get right down to the components using macro lenses and capture the best insightful point of view!

In the bottom right hand corner of the photograph add the Stereophile logo in gold or black.

I am not suggesting a screen saver. I do not look forward to running any additional executeables on my system...not even from Cisco, Microsoft, or Symantec.

showflash
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Hey Stephan,

How about the following. See CineNow Latest Home Theater Video Clips. http://www.cinenow.com/us/videos-new-0.html

I know Stereophile could do this, it is a move toward additional Web 2.0 technologies. The blogs being another, which Stereophile already is involved with.

CineNow has an interviewer giving manufacturers approximately two to three minutes to talk about their product at various shows. Stereophile could do the same for product reviews, advertisements, shows, etc, extending on the show only format. I think if you extend the interview to ten to fifteen minutes with the same quality of image and sound you have something given your contacts in the industry. Be sure to include the manufacturer sales pitch as well as the magazine review but separately.

Here is Jim Thiel introducing his new 3.7. Its cool to see and hear Jim Thiel! This is a first for me but there are probably many people we would enjoy hearing from.
http://www.cinenow.com/us/play-video-606.html

The Quad ESL
http://www.cinenow.com/us/play-video-563.html

The Dali Ikon
http://www.cinenow.com/us/play-video-540.html

The following is more of a manufacturer produced video from Cabasse, which I think you could have manufacturers pay to have placed on your website. I don't see this as a negative but another angle to your marketing of Stereophile and the manufacturers you serve. I would keep it in a separate video than the product introduction however.
http://www.cinenow.com/us/play-video-570.html

I think we would all like to see things like this especially if you can get the manufacturer to talk about the product in detail, the specifications, the why to what they have built, the how they built what they built. Maybe even onsite manufacturer videos.

smejias
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Hi showflash.
Thank you for your ideas.

Including video coverage on our site is something we've considered, something we even attempted during the last CES. There were several more of these videos, however we ultimately decided that our on-air and film editing skills were not up to par.

ezkcdude
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There are still no RSS feeds on the website, right? That would definitely be a nice (and modern) addition. Make your site Web2.0!

cyclebrain
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Speeding things up a bit would be nice.
I love the test report database. Much easier than dragging out all the back issues. This feature is common on many sites, but most require a login and password. Drives me crazy, usually cause for me not visit.
P.S. Check out EZKCDUDE's (the previous poster)excellent home built upsampling DAC. Really sounds great and seems to measure well too.

showflash
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Dittos on the RSS feed. You need to have RSS feeds for nearly every segment on the WWW server and blog. Then you can quickly scan the entire server in minutes.

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