Good Smile Company
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266)
Thu 2008/09/04 16:01
It gives me great pleasure to announce the beta launch of the English Good Smile website at eng.goodsmile.info.
Furthermore, we have decided to announce this to dannychoo.com readers first ^o^
Some of you are helping me work with Good Smile doing the translations and I wanted to involve you again in getting your feedback which will shape the user experience at the new Good Smile site.
Furthermore, we have decided to announce this to dannychoo.com readers first ^o^
Some of you are helping me work with Good Smile doing the translations and I wanted to involve you again in getting your feedback which will shape the user experience at the new Good Smile site.
Launching the English version first was a strategic decision and the Japanese version will follow within the next few weeks. For now we have most of the products registered and translated into English.
You will also see something called Danny's Corner where I write exclusively for Good Smile - you will see more to-be-released goodies over there soon. If you are an RSS person then the feed is here. Also, if you have a better naming for that section then let me know ^^;
You will also see something called Danny's Corner where I write exclusively for Good Smile - you will see more to-be-released goodies over there soon. If you are an RSS person then the feed is here. Also, if you have a better naming for that section then let me know ^^;
I'm also on Good Smile's International Strategy team with a mission to make their figures more widely available across the globe - keep your mince pies peeled for more info on this.
Many views on the site have grid/list switches which you can use to change the way items are displayed - the view changes without a page refresh and remembers your preference as long as you dont delete your cookies.
I saw from your previous comments that some of you delete your cookies after browsing and wondering how many of you do that and the reason. I never delete my cookies unless I'm debugging.
Oh and yes - the grid view switches look rather naff and will be changing them very soon.
The main feed for the site is here which will enable you to keep up with the latest figure releases.
Many views on the site have grid/list switches which you can use to change the way items are displayed - the view changes without a page refresh and remembers your preference as long as you dont delete your cookies.
I saw from your previous comments that some of you delete your cookies after browsing and wondering how many of you do that and the reason. I never delete my cookies unless I'm debugging.
Oh and yes - the grid view switches look rather naff and will be changing them very soon.
The main feed for the site is here which will enable you to keep up with the latest figure releases.
While dannychoo.com is still running on an old version of Mirai Gaia, Good Smile gets the brand new spanking version. I do anticipate a few bugs here and there so if you spot any then leave a comment here or send me mail to [danny at goodsmile dot jp].
The new Good Smile website is running on Amazon EC2 instances - goodbye to physical servers that take weeks to order/install - an AMI (Amazon Machine Instance) can be created from an existing instance and booted up within a few seconds. Fresh AMI's can also be spawned and booted up automatically to cope with any spikes of traffic.
Amazon also recently launched Elastic Block Store enabling a permanent storage volume to be mounted onto an instance - great timing for the launch of the website.
Amazon also recently launched Elastic Block Store enabling a permanent storage volume to be mounted onto an instance - great timing for the launch of the website.
The next things to add are product search, mobile versions, portal skinning, shipping date calendar, bread crumbs, drop down menus, related items, better category discovery, site map and general cleaning up of UI.
Up until now you had to go to other online stores for decent sized images - now we have them on the site. Not all are up but will be added over time.
Not incredibly happy with the image display and would prefer a nice jQuery plugin. If you have any ideas or suggestions then let me know.
Not incredibly happy with the image display and would prefer a nice jQuery plugin. If you have any ideas or suggestions then let me know.
I also want some sort of featured feed functionality too as I want to keep you involved. Stay tuned for more and I look forward to your feedback.
And if you are a blogger, it would mean a lot to me if you could mention the launch - will make sure to return the favor ^^
eng.goodsmile.info
And if you are a blogger, it would mean a lot to me if you could mention the launch - will make sure to return the favor ^^
eng.goodsmile.info
So you probably know by now that I spend quite a bit of my time at Good Smile but what i...(more)
Wed 09/03 23:43 comments (130)
Continuing the Chara Hobby 2008 coverage - today we look at the figures n dolls.
First ...(more)
Sun 08/31 22:45 comments (116)
Secretary
Looks nice :D
(ID #290496) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:22
Mmmmmm, figures *drools* Isn't it a bit to much like DC? That's probably because of the common platform right? I'm looking forward to the expanding overseas part ^^
(ID #290497) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:23
Director/代表取締役
The platform has themes functionality and they liked this one ^^
(ID #290499) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:25
It is a nice theme indeed, very web2.0ish. which reminds me, can't posts have an edit sort of thingie? I know it would be a pain to implement, but it would avoid needless replies to make adendums to something said previously...
(ID #290510) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:30
Software Developer
Looks like DC.com a lot indeed. With DC.com figure pictures on the hearder, same colors... well, not that it is a bad thing, but at least for me, this is a bit disturbing ^^; Have to get used to it.
(ID #290516) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:35
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
Kinda feels like DC.com to me as well due to the color scheme.
(ID #290770) Posted on 2008/09/04 23:07
Sales Manager by day, Gunpla Otaku by Night...
Nice work. Looks similar in design to something I can't put my finger on. I only ever clear cookies when I notice performance is lacking and I do a bit of a tidy up.
(ID #290501) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:26
Danny, I really like the new Good Smile site. Well done!
(ID #290502) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:27
http://animenlife.blogspot.com
Me too!! I visited the previous English version and it was very limited, but this one is very complete!!
(ID #290789) Posted on 2008/09/04 23:41
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
Woohoo congratulations! will go add the site to my links page ^O^
(ID #290504) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:28
Awesome! I've been hoping for this to happen for a while now, instant bookmark! It looks great and runs smooth!
(ID #290505) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:28
It is a nice theme indeed, very web2.0ish. which reminds me, can't posts have an edit sort of thingie? I know it would be a pain to implement, but it would avoid needless replies to make adendums to something said previously...
(ID #290507) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:29
I actually never delete any of my cookies... well yeah, except when I'm debugging ^^ Good Smile Company figures available across the globe is a dream come true for me ;~; anyways, awesome site danny! love the clean look (and the fact that it's running Mirai Gaia) =D if I found any bugs or any feedbak I'll report it right away =3
(ID #290509) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:30
Cool stuff Danny, I been noticing a lot of companies, regardless of what industry they are in, have been starting to focus on the western market. Great news if you ask me.
(ID #290511) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:31
Sales Manager by day, Gunpla Otaku by Night...
Yes, runs smoothly. I had hoped to see a note on plans for future international availability - "stay tuned for a list of retailers carrying our products in your area soon!" or something..
(ID #290515) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:34
Director/代表取締役
on the todo list ^^
(ID #290517) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:36
IT Desktop Support
Really like the image enlargements. I'm happy GSc is finding new ways to expand their company internationally.
(ID #290520) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:41
suneo (Registered on 2007/12/17 20:30)
Makes me feel right at home haha ^^ Great news that GSC is expanding their reach overseas. Looking forward to what the site brings! Hmm...I also noticed Alter's not listed on the english gsc site? Do they prefer to work individually? I noticed Alter is listed on gsc's site, but hasn't been updated with new products since 2007, whereas Alter's own site is updated with every new release...
(ID #290523) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:43
i just noticed alter missing from the list also... anyone with a business update?
(ID #290541) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:55
Director/代表取締役
GSC used to distribute products for Alter but not anymore.
(ID #290545) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:05
i welcome our new figure overlords ^_^ congrats danny on this awesome project! time to go poke around the new site~
(ID #290528) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:49
Nice^^ Congrats on the launch. Looking forward to the Japanese version.
(ID #290529) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:49
I keep thinking I can comment on the GSC site. ^^; I take it GSC uses its own team of japanese product description writers, thus the need for translators. Maybe future products on the international site can have native english speakers for more natural sounding description, and commerical appeal? Just a thought. Good stuff Danny. Hope your friendship and partnership with GS continues to grown and prosper.
(ID #290530) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:50
Orange (Registered on 2008/06/12 13:43)
Very impressive site. For some reason I got a big grin on my face when I first saw it.
(ID #290533) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:51
Engineering research
I like the high quality images when I click on the individual figures. But when I click the row of thumbnail below the main image it took quite a while to load maybe can preload the thumbnail images in memory when one access the page? The transitions are nice too, very flash-like without being flash itself. SEO reasons again? ^^;
(ID #290534) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:51
Director/代表取締役
Yes I don't really like that plugin which is why I'm looking for a new one. Flash is always bad for SEO.
(ID #290540) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:55
website designer (currently assist. graphic designer)
Have you heard of Lightbox Danny? It's incredibly popular on galleries, it's the first result on google when you type in 'lightbox'. Not to mention very fast! There are also a lot of variations on it, some allow descriptions, there are also different ways of navigating in between images.
(ID #290904) Posted on 2008/09/05 01:16
Designer & Animator
Thats very cool danny now more figure info from the source
(ID #290537) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:54
Director/代表取締役
You bet ^^
(ID #290542) Posted on 2008/09/04 16:56
Doll Customiser, Web Designer, Shop Owner
The thing I'd like to see most on that website is SHOPPING! I'd like to be able to buy direct from the website. It's hard enough to get stuff here in Australia as it is (even as a wholesaler like me) when you don't read Japanese. Loving it so far!
(ID #290549) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:08
.NET/Web Developer
I agree with you there. It'd be nice if we can buy directly from GSC itself. Also, would it be possible to put in a pre-order date so that we'd know when it'll be available for pre-order? just so people won't miss out on limited figure runs and etc.
(ID #290560) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:19
Evil Fanfic Writer
I agree! Need shopping cart function!!! :)
(ID #290635) Posted on 2008/09/04 19:04
I fourth that desision
(ID #290991) Posted on 2008/09/05 03:31
Student & Authorized Chicken Slapper
Wow Thats a very nice site layout and design, perhaps u should think about making your engine purchasable for other companies or individuals who might want to use it. Oh btw I personally like the way those little thumbnails pop up, its nicely done although a little slow but I am sure you can work out the kinks.
(ID #290550) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:10
university film student
I think he does. The Mirai Gaia platform is what his company sells. :P
(ID #291028) Posted on 2008/09/05 04:31
Yes, an English Good Smile site! The design is great and looks way nice. :D
(ID #290558) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:17
Vampire
Mhmm I like it, but is it me or does the site look VERY similar to ... this one? I think its the color scheme ..
(ID #290559) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:18
student
I also feel that the colour scheme is too similar. But then again the japanese Good Smile site has the same colour scheme as well.
(ID #290632) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:59
Great design, great job Danny. Will post it up soon ^^
(ID #290562) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:21
Will we be able to make purchases from the site?
(ID #290567) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:28
Full-time student へへ
getting figures out into the international market. nice move ^^
(ID #290568) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:32
Daigakusei [Consular and Diplomatic Affairs]
woohoo! english site get and bookmarked^_^ looking forward in reading "Danny's Corner"~
(ID #290570) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:36
Student
おめでとうございます～ The website's looking really good~!
(ID #290571) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:36
Wow, that is so cool. I will definitely link to the new english site. :D
(ID #290572) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:37
Site looks great so far! But hopefully I don't have both running too ofter, I would get confused quickly! I remember when I used to wipe cookies and history constantly, but that was because I shared my comp with my parents and... well, you get the picture... well, hopefully not the picture but the idea anyways... I'll shut up now.
(ID #290573) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:38
Fresh Diploma Grad... enlistee.. soon
So will goodsmile be attending the Anime Festival Asia 2008 in Singapore? they wanna have an international presences right? Singapore is good... many fans here...
(ID #290577) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:43
Student and Miku Guardian
The site looks awesome.. I am going to add the RSS onto my website.. ^^ Now I have a new figure site to browse through..
(ID #290580) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:46
Very nice Danny, it has a very modern clean feel to it, feels easy to navigate and find what you want. Deffinatly will add the feed to my site once I get of my lazy ass and start doing some posts again :D
(ID #290588) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:57
resident caffeine junkie
GSC International shop! me wantses T^T
(ID #290589) Posted on 2008/09/04 17:57
This is great news! Forgive my ingnorance, but is it possible to order the figurines from the site or is it only like a catalog of what the companies produce and well still have to hunt down our figurines elsewhere? I didnt venture very far into the Japanese site in the past since I dont speak the language and I dont have enough knowledge and experience to know if that is how GoodSmile does things...
(ID #290593) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:02
suneo (Registered on 2007/12/17 20:30)
hmm that's a good question. Will the english site have access to the online shop? Or just have information on figures? A small amount of figures have been goodsmile shop exclusive (lineage 2 dark elf and WF exclusives to name a few), so will this sort of information be introduced on the english page? Or would they stay on the japanese end of things?
(ID #290604) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:13
So the Japanese site has a shop? I was looking through the English site and I clicked on Manufacturers and then on Others and the Lineage 2 Female Dark Elf came up (I found it by accident) so I guess that figurine is on the English site. Its very nice, too... I couldnt find the Konata Haruhi cosplay version Figma, though. BTW, I just tested this site with Google Chrome... I can even post with it (something I cant do on lolifox for some reason... the reply button just loads forever...)
(ID #290607) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:20
Unemployed Desktop Support / Admin
Yes, I like your question. Access to GoodSmiles special online sales events that occur during Wonder Festival would be great! When such events occur, they only take local (Japan) orders. I would like a chance to order limited edition figures directly from the source too.
(ID #292267) Posted on 2008/09/06 02:40
Congratz Danyy. It's realy great news. The site looks nice and the color scheme is very good. I will definitigel visit english GSC site more often then in the past ^^.
(ID #290600) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:10
Congratz Danyy. It's realy great news. The site looks nice and the color scheme is very good. I will definitely visit english GSC site more often then in the past ^^.
(ID #290601) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:11
Looks fantastic! I always wonder what the product descriptions were, with this site up gonna help a lot of pp.
(ID #290605) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:17
where can I order this? haha http://eng.goodsmile.info/detail/eng/482/Fate+Metal+Charm+Collection+01%3A+Excalibur.html
(ID #290637) Posted on 2008/09/04 19:07
Congrats on the website Danny... glad to see your business is growing. My main comment mostly has to do with the design and color scheme. For my taste it's a little too much like your site if you ask me... don't get me wrong, I like your design and it works well with your content, but for Good Smile its a little too utilitarian for me. Also, the colors are an exact match of your site. I'd like to see some other colors used instead.
(ID #290606) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:18
suneo (Registered on 2007/12/17 20:30)
hmm now that you mention it, I noticed Goodsmile's own colors are orange and white mostly, with some light blue too haha Maybe instead of the green as found on Danny's site, it could be changed to a pastel purple color? I see that purple color in one of the update/news tags on the left side of the japanese goodsmile page. A minor change, but a little less identical?
(ID #290630) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:56
Director/代表取締役
To all who mentioned shopping options - stay tuned for more info.
(ID #290614) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:35
Now thats what I wanted to hear
(ID #290951) Posted on 2008/09/05 02:21
.NET/Web Developer
yiipee! I hope it doesn't disappoint ^^
(ID #291644) Posted on 2008/09/05 14:54
Congratulations. There is certainly an opening there. Is an affiliate scheme or otherwise planned?
(ID #290615) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:36
Director/代表取締役
I would like to introduce one to get everyone involved. Stay tuned ^^
(ID #290633) Posted on 2008/09/04 19:03
Clearing cookies depends what computer I am using. When I am on some public or work computer, I always clear all files. On my personal laptop I clean cookies once in a week (I use CCleaner) and with exceptions (leave some cookies always intact).
(ID #290616) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:36
filmaker
great danny san!!!
(ID #290617) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:44
Yuri eroge artist. Well, sort of.
Lol the new GSC site looks so Danny-ish.
(ID #290619) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:45
Student and full-time otaku
Very cool. So Goodsmile did ask you for your services ^^. Gonna check the site right now!
(ID #290620) Posted on 2008/09/04 18:47