Mirai Gaia
You probably notice some changes around the site by now and I probably should talk about them before the bugs start to get on your nut ^^;
Up until now, the site used to run on a platform that I built called Nav2.0 - a blog publishing platform.
I made the decision to merge all three Mirai Inc products into one product called Mirai Gaia. The three products were:-
- Nav2.0 (blog publishing) - what you have been browsing the site on. Built specifically to enhance discoverability of related and previous content. Many blog publishing platforms bury old content which is a shame because blog owners spend a lot of time preparing content. When I say "bury" I mean that discoverability is poor. Nav2.0 not only makes related and previous content discoverable to humans, all templates are search engine optimized too for search bots.
- Gaia (e-commerce) - Gaia is an e-commerce platform that I built a few years ago which is being used by a few of my clients in Japan. Contains enhanced browsing and discoverability of all products in the catalog.
- Carrot (consumer generated media/SNS) - figure.fm and a few other sites run on this platform dedicated to building communities where the content is generated by consumers.
First let me talk about the bugs that you may be experiencing due to the platform migration which is still in progress.
Known bugs/issues are:-
- Main tabs on the top page do not highlight properly and are not consistent across the site - this is because some of the site is running on Mirai Gaia and some still on Nav2.0
- Your Amazon products dont show up *yet*
- Your Flickr photos dont show up *yet*
- Forms for submitting calendar items, videos and links is being rebuilt and will be ready soon.
- Need to work on CSS for navigational tabs and subnavs
- "Recently active members" list does not refresh
- Show/hide comment layers is broke
- "Go" button on the calendar sort menu looks like poo
- Some layout formatting issues in Safari2 and IE6/7 - looks fine in Firefox
- Some old Calendar feeds may be broke - please resub to the new feeds (sorry)
- Footer design not complete on some pages
- 404 Page looks like poo
- Item comments archive on the Japanese site have missing titles for articles written in English only
- Server side caching is a bit broke
- Finish forms for submitting videos, images, calendar items and links - the new form will be merged into one instead of 4 separate forms
- Finish Amazon product listing widget to allow you to display your chosen Amazon products on your profile page and for any item you submit
- iPhone/mobile version of dannychoo.com
- Enable user image upload
- Reply to comments via email
- Research posting reply via an RSS feed
- Comment form on the post/article page
- Migrate rest of dannychoo.com (articles, galleries etc) to Mirai Gaia
- Enable comment threading on articles
- Enable Nuke functionality - if you joined me at the Good Smile Broadcast then you will remember me talking about this.
- Launch private messaging to other members
Below: The old header was created manually and difficult to maintain. While it did rotate images from time to time, I had to manually create those images and set them in an array.
I thought I would take the opportunity to make good use of the header space and have it increase discoverability across the site. The thumbnails you see in the header are taken from articles which are automatically generated according to popular posts within that category. The thumbnails represent what content can be found in that category and users will see something different all the time.
You can also RSS subscribe to the comments and soon will be able to view them formatted for Japanese mobile devices or iPhones.
Congrats to member Chong Mizunaga for submitting the 10000th puchi blurb!
This is an example of member D_Blades profile page and you can instantly see that he has made 2414 comments so far. He can also use this feature to "bookmark" his favorite items/articles by commenting on them.
I've set up scripts which flush the cache automatically every 5 minutes but the amount of users hitting the site generate thousands of cache files every minute ^^; If you are a caching expert then throw some ideas at me ^^;
If you are interested in reading about life in Japan, seeing photos taken daily around Tokyo, like Japanese subculture (anime, manga, figures, Dollfies) then you may want to start delving into the Japan or Figure categories for a start or have a gander at all photo articles.
If you don't have much time now, maybe subscribe to the RSS Feed, Twitter Feed or join the other readers in the FaceBook Page.
Alternatively, you may want to read more about the site.
If you are a regular reader then this message will probably annoy you each time - hide it forever.
-Akihabara News – Gadgetry from Japan (Subscribe)
Artist/Flash Programmer
http://wcloudxkumo.wordpress.com/
Coll, looks nice to me ^^
So far the load time for is kind of "average". It can be slow and fast sometimes :o
Polytechnic Junior, Bronze Lifesaving Trainee, Mech Designer In-training.
http://thehangerbay.wordpress.com/
The site really went through/is going to go through a complete overhaul. Thanks for all the work you've done in making dannychoo.com a place where anime fans can gather, danny. *heaps cookies upon danny*
銀河帝国五〇一軍团 TK/TD 8316 M.E.P.D. Police Sergeant
http://gordonator.com/
danny thanks for all the wonderful new features. we know you are busy and is probably pulling your hair getting everything fixed.
maybe i'll get hiro to freeze the time so that you can finish all the programming. ('~')
btw, don't forget the "edit" comment feature too. ^^;
Game Designer
http://toratohora.blogspot.com/
What can i wish for more~
This website is the best website all over the world!
that is cares about the user, and improvements could be seen.
Thank you danny!
Programmer/IT/Student
http://wickedotaku.blogspot.com/
I love the new features Danny. As for the load times, at the moment it takes me around 20 seconds to load the main page with it already cached. (I'm running on 10 MBPS cable connection.) So thats not really great... not horrible but not great. It's still livable load time for me but I'm not sure about others.
Btw, I would love to give you suggestions on caching but I'm not too literate on much of any programming... yet :p.
Programmer/IT/Student
http://wickedotaku.blogspot.com/
Err, meant to say I load the main page in 20 seconds WITHOUT it cached.
Sorry =/.
Dirty Gentleman
http://cantstanzya.wordpress.com/
Damn Danny, that's still alot on your plate. That is the main reason you wouldn't hear me nitpick unless asked, or it is a major gliche.
Think the improvements so far are great, so no need to apologize for any sluggishness. We know you're on it, and it'll take time to smooth out the wrinkles.
Feel free to ask for feedback on your mobile/Iphone/touch view when complete. Will be away most of March though, but plannin to p.blurbing my whereabouts whenever I find open Wifi.
Spiral Warrior
http://www.perfectdesignsense.com/martinwandering
New layout looks excellent, and I especially like the dynamic selection of different images for each category's icon. Definitely a few things look a little out of place in Safari, but I'm confident they'll be straightened out in no time.
Keep up the good work.
Student
http://basement.halfarenaissance.net
Loading time's okay I guess? I mean, there's a huge amount of content here! XD
Anyways, お疲れ様でした、Ｄａｎｎｙさん！
Student
http://asdesign.wordpress.com
Nice job, Danny. Ever since I have known your site, browsing it has been one of my daily tasks. <I click on the Danny bookmark about 5 times a day I guess>
Keep up your good work xD
Student
Looks like it's coming along well, Danny, keep up the good work!
Sorry I can't help with any site issues, i'm not well versed in CSS, nor any other programing language besides Python (may it burn in hell).
And, like Aoi_sora9x says, I, too, visit your site at least 3 times, sometimes 5 times a day, spending almost an hour at a time. =]
VF-25 Pilot. Universariate Scholar.
Looking forwards to new upgrades danny!! Keep up the good work and remember, The emperor protects.
Web developer
This site has always seemed too bloated and slow to me, but I can't tell the difference between this version and the later, maybe it is even a little faster.
student
The load time for me used to be lightning fast, but now it's getting between average and slow. I "figured"(bad pun) it was all the traffic from your coverage of figures.
Student
I've been enjoying the changes a bit, howfulyl it will work out Danny.
The loading speed right now is somewhat slow because of the huge photo galleries.
Afro-ed Student
http://Mizunaga.blogspot.com/
Yay! 10,000th Puchi Blurb, eh? ^^ Thanks~ xD
Never noticed I got such a thing.. LOL
On another note, reading about this is making my head spin a little. Think I'm gonna need to take some time off during the holidays to read about html, css and etc. That means avoiding anime+manga+blogging+games+work(lol). Gonna be hard to do, but I guess it's important if I'm gonna get to my destination.
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
The pages and posted comments have been loading much faster recently and the site is much better-looking now (couldn't believe that could be said one day).
The loading time for pages in multiple tabs can be a bit long, but I guess it is because I have been a bit less present lately and I make massive updates in return...
At any rate, keep it up and don't strain yourself, as I see you still have many things to do.
Finally as a random not, I'm glad to be featured. Makes me all fuzzy inside and ummm... Do I talk too much? Got to compensate on the fact I'm a rather quiet guy in reality. lol...
Catgirl Trainer.
http://www.phenie.com
Even on my 256k connection loading times are good considering the amount of content.
Keep up the unending extras danny, it's appreciated, long live Mirai Gaia! :D
ひきこもり/Hikikomori. Suits my current state more than a 大学生/University Student. ^^
My experience is limited but, dannychoo.com the first site I ever see to better itself at such a fast pace - and that's even more reason for me to love this site.
dreaming
http://accidentalanime.wordpress.com/
Though I'm not really a techy person, and it sounds like there are tons of changes (and lots of work), but good luck. And the wonderfest coverage was great, I really enjoyed all the wonderful pictures. Thank you! *hopes I can be there next time*
The site loads much faster =D
I dont know if its just me, but whenever im using Ubuntu's firefox, it takes 5-10+ seconds longer than on windows firefox =
-Anyone else having this problem?
Non-profit org. volunteering work addict
*note
And yes Benjamin, I wholly agree with you. Countless sites out there only think of their business and not the visitors/users/customers.
I hope to remain a member of the DC community ad vitam eternam.
Student
I think the loading time is fast. Most pages take at most 4 seconds. The longest loading is the gallery(30s) and home page(8s).
Don't know if i should ask this here, well how do i get to the home page if i am at the article page?
IT techie
Danny
You made Mirai chan's picture smaller (fume) :) Seriously though load time did seem to increase but that just be because I normally have most of the site in my cache.
University Student.
http://www.hirito.blogspot.com/
Loading times definitely seems faster now, and loving it ^^. Keep up the great work, but don't overstress yourself okay? Hoping everything will go on smoothly ^^.
medicine student & otaku
damn Danny your site just keeps getting better!! XD (sob sob) because of the crappy internet i have this site takes a long time loading anyway it's my dad's fault cuz he's cheap-cheap!! WAY TO GO DANNY!! CONGRATS!!
Student
http://www.lsioblog.com
I like the new navigation in header. It is clearer and easier to navigate the site. I actually got confused with the old one when I first visit this site.
Online Shop
http://wildarms.egloos.com
Wow, so many changes, hard to keep up x_x Kudos for taking all these works down, keep up the good work!!!
web head
I don't know where your servers are, but I'm on the east coast of the United States, ( probably nowhere near ) so I kinda figure it's going to be slow anyway.
College Student
Used to be very slow, and occasionaly freeze when loading. But now its much better. Average speed i reckon!
Hikikomori in the making
http://supermariabros.deviantart.com/
Wow Danny, I wasn't able to log in coz I was out but am totally amazed by the changes. Loading speed is faster and like the head, keep it up Danny!
IT techie
Danny. Just came back & loading was much faster due to my cache. One thing confused me & bear with me on this. I was at this article & clicked on the Anime tab. From there I clicked on a story on the left bar (the boots one). Then I clicked on Mirai chan to get back to the front page. So far so good, but when I clicked on the link to "Read the rest" of this topic I got the Anime tab back. I'm using Firefox 2.0.0.12 on xp
Student Engineer
http://www.tgwnetohh.blogspot.com/
The site speed is now LIGHTNING with the new format compared to the old. Thanks! It makes accessing and reading the site a lot more enjoyable, great work Danny!
uni student
http://reggie21.wordpress.com
really like the new looks. at last, private messaging. and if i can, pls give feature for editing comment
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
Old Guy,
Its because the anime tab is remembering your last tab setting - I will turn it off.
lin-da-kenobi,
LOL,
Draphoenix,
by clicking on Mirai-chans eyes in the logo.
D_Blade,
Thanks and no - you do not talk too much ^^
Troubleshooter, Universal Exports
http://funkyblueame.tumblr.com/
Thanks for giving us a run through on the upgrades. I always learn when you do this type of post. I have only one regret that gets me. I wish I was up to speed on everything so I could help out. You have large todo lists.
I like how you condensed all the functionality of the header into such a small area. You removed list and I wasn't sure how users would find info. I see now that discoverability should be greater and less confusing to the new user. I always assume that new users go here first. Most of the establish users know where to begin a search.
Thank you for giving us RSS for Puchi Blurbs. I can visit here with out coming to the site. A good thing when I'm at my mobile or somewhere I can't or wouldn't view the site.
Overall, I think the site is loading quicker. Those server cache improvements are doing well. I emptied my browser cache and still see an improvement in speed when using Safari. FireFox on the other hand loads a little slower than Safari 3.
Enough talk because I know you are busy... Thanks for always giving us more more more.
24/7 Otaku / 100% Haruhiist
http://www.zeroaquaduct.com
Nice changes! Speed is much faster compared to the prior website, but it's still relatively slow. But this website is so good that it's worth the wait. :P
Website Producer, Amateur Voice Actor
http://storymode.wordpress.com
Thanks for all of your hard work! I look forward to the new changes and will deal with the bugs regardless. ^^; All of what you are doing fascinates me so keep up the good work!
University Student
The loading time slightly faster to me ^^
I like the new layout, although I prefer the previous header :D
Student
http://b-canimeblogg.blogspot.com/
hey danny i like the new layout, the speed is still kind of the same. but i like it.
Insane Student
It seem that loading the pages in Danny's site have been much slower to me. OMG it drives me insane!... Must not smash my laptop to bits! ("bang my head agaist the wall")
IT, Programmer, Otaku, ...
http://blog.jpopdb.org/
I liked the old header, but I also like the new header ;p. Loading times have been slower than before, some images not loading, but that problem might be caused on my side...
I like your idea about "buried" content.
About caching:
Since you're running the site on php, I'd recommend using Zend Platform on the server side (if you're not already using it). (it's from the guys that made php) I has many features like cache enhancements, script optimization, clustering (which might be handy when you would need to host on more than one server), session handling across clusters, warning/error statistics, etc.
Keep it up!
part time illustrationist, doll clothing seamstress
http://puppy52art.com/
*looks around* *waves pompoms* XP
Aspiring Trap
http://www.atalude.net/
So many new changes that I can't wait to try out ^^ Loading's a little slower than usual though, but I guess it's partly due to crappy third world internet ._.
Art/Media
http://sgallen.wordpress.com/
Wow, nice update!
I'll probably try a heuristic check on this site one day haha.
I agree with some people who say its slightly faster in the loading times.
Gaia (e-com) stuff, I like to know more about that stuff too XD
Student
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kmyk88
nut? O_O
Thanks for putting so much effort into this site, Danny :)
宅男军人/otaku soldier
http://otakurean.com
i like the new header, is easier and cleaner to navi ^^
but i prefer the mirai image of the previous version ^^, maido mirai is more kawaii than bikini mirai xD
anime/cosplay events organizer
http://www.cosplay.ph
love the new layout danny ^^
the first time my browser got to taste the new layout and the new features, it loads a bit slow but the browser gets used to it but there are still times that it loads a bit slow ^^;;;
IT Guys
Nice work :D
Student - Free lance graphic designer and musician
http://gmodcentral.com
The site works nicely on my iPhone, just so you know.
Still, an iPhone version would be great.
Photography
I love the new look. I like how how the icons refresh to a new image everytime the page loads. As for loading times, it's about average, not too big of a deal for me.
Student, ACG Fans
http://modvisc.blogspot.com
oh yea, i love the new design. :D
IT techie
Danny. I realise tha tab action was being remembered. It just seemed a bit weird that it did so when I clicked a link to read the rest of an article. Keep up the good work. Yours is one of the few sites I visit multiple times a day.
MI Manager, Blogger and Newswriter
http://cutkillavince.com/
Great work Danny, the new design is very nice ^^
Consultant/Programmer
The look is becoming better and better!
It seems that my nickname is not displayed correctly (yet) on top of the page and in the menu sidebar due to encoding problems, though... ;)
(usign Linux/{Firefox 2.0.0.12,Konqueror 3.5.7}, Windows/IE 7.0.5)
Visualizer, Advertising
http://kirayamato04.wordpress.com/
loading time is still slow, i dont know how to see the difference between the old and new layout but it takes really quite some time when posting comments
Consultant/Programmer
The look is becoming better and better!
It seems that my nickname is not displayed correctly (yet) on top of the page and in the menu sidebar due to encoding problems, though... ;)
(at least using Linux/{Firefox 2.0.0.12,Konqueror 3.5.7}, Windows/IE 7.0.5)
Consultant/Programmer
Doh... submitted my first comment and already managed to produce a double post--seems that I live up to my alter ego/nick. It is always a bad idea to hit 'cancel' after submitting a web form and then forget to check whether the comment already showed up before trying again a few minutes later. ^^;
Student artist
http://www.requestview.wordpress.com
What type of program or techiquie did you use to program nav 20?
Gunpla Enthusiast
i'll keep this short
sweet...
http://www.marvinryan.com
your site is looking better and better each revision Danny. but about the loading time. it loads fine on firefox, but on IE it still blanks out until all the images is loaded.
http://yuuwaku.wordpress.com
Say, dunno if this is related or not, but I've been tryin to get myself on otaku.fm and in the comrades links and stuff, but somehow I may not be doing something right?
I put the dannychoo feed (DCrewards link) up on my site, and shot off an email to support at dannychoo dot com with my username to try to get it activated, but nothing happened. A week or two passed, and I shot off a second email to the same address and still nothing. My site directory is empty :( Am I doing something wrong?
Maybe I need to just put my dannychoo username in the subject line and message body and that's it...
Are you caching the full page source ?
You might divide the page into the static and dynamic parts.
Then include the dynamic part in the php of the full page.
The dynamic part can be generated when a user interacts with the database (for example, comment).
Like: comment -> generate <page_id>_comments.inc
The generator just appends into the file, so you don't need to refresh the whole file, just add the new data. Since your comments mechanism doesn't support threaded replies, there won't be any problems (just stick the new data in the end of the .inc and that's it).
Well, without any additional data, hard to help any more :)
CEO MIrai Inc
http://www.dannychoo.com/profile/eng/
silvioster,
Thanks for the tips. Am already caching the page in sections like static dynamic already. Thinking of memcache.
suneo,
Just sent you mail - activated.
marvin,
I hate that - will be fixed when the top page goes Mirai Gaia.
Gibson,
PHP, MYSQL, Apache.
http://yuuwaku.wordpress.com
cool thanks just got your mail :D
I'm finally part of the family! lol
Corporate IT management drone
A question for Danny (or anyone else more familiar with this site)...
Is there any way to choose the order in which comments are displayed at the end of the posts? I'd much prefer it if I could get the comments to display in ascending chronological order.
Thanks in advance!
lecherous wretch
http://graeble.deviantart.com/
well done!
Law student
http://www.locksleynet.com
Hi Danny, I am currently using Wordpress for my blog.. Are any of your platforms available to download / buy for personal use? So that, for example, I might be able to make the transition from Wordpress to a better looking, more fun to use platform?