The Metafilter Magazine March 6, 2011 3:16 PM Subscribe
LazyMefi request: Wouldn't it be cool to have a website that featured longer-form original essays, articles and writing from Mefites?
I'm continually impressed by the talent and expertise that Mefites exhibit, and it's always a bit of a shame that some of the best comments and articles written by members here can be very hard to find (even if they are sidebarred). All too often we have members who have written great stuff on their own blogs or in other publications, but they can't self-link.
So, could there be room for a site that either:
a) Aggregates good articles and comments from Mefites and/or
b) Publishes original essays and articles
or is this already done by Mefi Projects (or perhaps the book thing)? I'm almost thinking of something like a MetaFilter magazine here.
BTW I am not suggesting this be part of Mefi proper, rather a new website, probably built with Wordpress. Plus, since this is a Lazyweb request, I don't think I'd actually be able to do this myself at the moment, but I just wanted to float the notion.
I'm continually impressed by the talent and expertise that Mefites exhibit, and it's always a bit of a shame that some of the best comments and articles written by members here can be very hard to find (even if they are sidebarred). All too often we have members who have written great stuff on their own blogs or in other publications, but they can't self-link.
So, could there be room for a site that either:
a) Aggregates good articles and comments from Mefites and/or
b) Publishes original essays and articles
or is this already done by Mefi Projects (or perhaps the book thing)? I'm almost thinking of something like a MetaFilter magazine here.
BTW I am not suggesting this be part of Mefi proper, rather a new website, probably built with Wordpress. Plus, since this is a Lazyweb request, I don't think I'd actually be able to do this myself at the moment, but I just wanted to float the notion.
Is there any way to get the posts flagged as "fantastic comment" (and the number of such flags per post) out of the periodic data dumps? That would be one way to start.
posted by adamrice at 3:37 PM on March 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by adamrice at 3:37 PM on March 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ooh. I don't think they publish flag data, but that would rock.
posted by Night_owl at 3:41 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by Night_owl at 3:41 PM on March 6, 2011
something like a MetaFilter magazine here
We could have one issue devoted exclusively to banned members, who could come back just one more time to share their stories, tell us all what it's like out there in the cold, tearfully beg us to let them come back...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:47 PM on March 6, 2011 [11 favorites]
We could have one issue devoted exclusively to banned members, who could come back just one more time to share their stories, tell us all what it's like out there in the cold, tearfully beg us to let them come back...
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:47 PM on March 6, 2011 [11 favorites]
Metafilter: I sort of hope
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:48 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:48 PM on March 6, 2011
The linked explanation is gone but I proposed a mefi magazine almost ten years ago.
in the end it was too much time and effort to take off.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 3:48 PM on March 6, 2011
in the end it was too much time and effort to take off.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 3:48 PM on March 6, 2011
All too often we have members who have written great stuff on their own blogs or in other publications, but they can't self-link.
I am in favor of this idea for precisely this reason! The no self-linking rule is a good one in general, so this seems like a good way to make up for some of the downside it necessarily carries with it.
I know in the past there have been projects to try and get some sort of book/ebook going of essays by MeFites, but those have a kind of permanence to them, like there's a point where they're "done," and I think a lot of us -- myself included -- clam up thinking about contributing to something like that because it seems like a Big Serious Deal and we all start doubting whether we have something worthwhile to say. The last time I saw it discussed, anyway (having trouble finding the link) that was echoed by a lot of people. I'm not sure if those projects are still going right now, since I shied away.
If it was a MeFi Magazine sort of site, I think it would just feel more like a glorified post or comment box, and people would feel more at ease. I'd probably be inclined to contribute to something like that, anyway.
posted by Nattie at 3:49 PM on March 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
I am in favor of this idea for precisely this reason! The no self-linking rule is a good one in general, so this seems like a good way to make up for some of the downside it necessarily carries with it.
I know in the past there have been projects to try and get some sort of book/ebook going of essays by MeFites, but those have a kind of permanence to them, like there's a point where they're "done," and I think a lot of us -- myself included -- clam up thinking about contributing to something like that because it seems like a Big Serious Deal and we all start doubting whether we have something worthwhile to say. The last time I saw it discussed, anyway (having trouble finding the link) that was echoed by a lot of people. I'm not sure if those projects are still going right now, since I shied away.
If it was a MeFi Magazine sort of site, I think it would just feel more like a glorified post or comment box, and people would feel more at ease. I'd probably be inclined to contribute to something like that, anyway.
posted by Nattie at 3:49 PM on March 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Thanks for that link, mathowie, that thread, on quick scan, looks like an interesting piece of Mefi history.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:54 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:54 PM on March 6, 2011
Do you still feel that way mathowie? I'm curious what your version of the idea entailed, because it occurs to me that as a kind of quality control we could have mods (or someone, or some system) to pick and choose what gets included, plus the fantastic comments, plus have a little section of blurbs for whatever is going on with MeFites (so-and-so published a book, so-and-so is speaking at such-and-such about declawing, meet-ups), and it could be compiled monthly or quarterly or something... but yeah, that would be a lot of work.
I kind of think it could be worth it, but... a lot of work, especially if it fell entirely on the current mods alone.
posted by Nattie at 3:55 PM on March 6, 2011
I kind of think it could be worth it, but... a lot of work, especially if it fell entirely on the current mods alone.
posted by Nattie at 3:55 PM on March 6, 2011
Looking into Matt's linked thread (and the various followups from it that you can find at the bottom of the thread), it seems like there was plenty of interest. If there are people who are willing to figure out some kind of editorial policy and volunteer their time etc, then I'd be happy to register the domain and set up a Wordpress install to get it started.
posted by adrianhon at 4:01 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by adrianhon at 4:01 PM on March 6, 2011
Er, I wasn't clear about this because I was muddled while writing, but I was contrasting that to a perhaps easier idea of just having a subsite where people could publish essays or self-link, which would be more work than not having it at all, but less work than the more involved version I laid out above -- and with less of the benefits overall, but probably enough benefits to be worthwhile anyway.
I'd like any version of the idea, myself. If it was at all possible to make it an official part of MeFi instead of an independent site that would be super duper cool, because I'm really awful about actually checking some of the independent sites for very long, even when they're good. (Mefi chat, political filter, game filter... I miss you, I am sorry! It's not you, it's me!) But if someone wanted to do the involved version as an independent site, and it would only need to be checked weekly/monthly/quarterly/whatever, I might actually manage that.
I'm certainly willing to help with anything no matter what direction it goes. For some reason I'm very excited about the idea and I wouldn't mind putting some work in.
posted by Nattie at 4:03 PM on March 6, 2011
I'd like any version of the idea, myself. If it was at all possible to make it an official part of MeFi instead of an independent site that would be super duper cool, because I'm really awful about actually checking some of the independent sites for very long, even when they're good. (Mefi chat, political filter, game filter... I miss you, I am sorry! It's not you, it's me!) But if someone wanted to do the involved version as an independent site, and it would only need to be checked weekly/monthly/quarterly/whatever, I might actually manage that.
I'm certainly willing to help with anything no matter what direction it goes. For some reason I'm very excited about the idea and I wouldn't mind putting some work in.
posted by Nattie at 4:03 PM on March 6, 2011
Oh, one thing I'm certainly willing to help with if it's a weekly/monthly/quarterly sort of thing, and not a day-by-day thing, is format it for ereaders. So you could have the normal web version, and then download links for a big archival version of that "issue." (It wouldn't include comments, which I assume would be another source of great content on such a site, but it would be a convenient starting point for people who like to read long form on their ereaders, and they could go read the comments or comment themselves afterward. I know plenty of us already do this with articles posted to MeFi; I usually push them to my Kindle and come back later.)
posted by Nattie at 4:11 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by Nattie at 4:11 PM on March 6, 2011
An official subsite would be cool and probably the most ideal situation, but I really do think that this would be much more likely to happen if it doesn't require the mods to do anything at all, since I'm sure they're already super-busy. To be sure it would need exposure to get traffic, but that doesn't necessarily entail being an official ***.metafilter.com subsite.
posted by adrianhon at 4:11 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by adrianhon at 4:11 PM on March 6, 2011
Call it Metafilter: Original Content. Each user gets essentially one free self-link per year for the front page. Users can do whatever they want: long form essay, research piece, infographic, video, whatever. However, these Original Content pieces are held to the same rigid standard as usual FPP and are moderated, flagged, deleted, etc. if they are bad. Also Mefi: Original Content should be clearly flagged as such, but I don't think it needs to be on a separate tab. Maybe just:
Metafilter: Original Content presents $2+
The one per year requirement combined with stringent modding oversight should keep the quality rather high.
I think reddit illustrates that a large community is more than capable of creating original content. I like to think the Metafilter, despite being smaller than reddit, probably would create a higher standard of original content. Furthermore I am sure that some users here are already creating content for other communities.
posted by 2bucksplus at 4:15 PM on March 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Metafilter: Original Content presents $2+
The one per year requirement combined with stringent modding oversight should keep the quality rather high.
I think reddit illustrates that a large community is more than capable of creating original content. I like to think the Metafilter, despite being smaller than reddit, probably would create a higher standard of original content. Furthermore I am sure that some users here are already creating content for other communities.
posted by 2bucksplus at 4:15 PM on March 6, 2011 [2 favorites]
Just click through to their blogs.
Though one can't be sure, of course, I have a feeling that almost no one actually does this.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:24 PM on March 6, 2011
Though one can't be sure, of course, I have a feeling that almost no one actually does this.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:24 PM on March 6, 2011
Mefi Magazine?
Finally a place for 10 easy, fun tricks to slim down your online profile and get your words working for you in time for commenting season.
posted by The Whelk at 4:29 PM on March 6, 2011 [7 favorites]
Finally a place for 10 easy, fun tricks to slim down your online profile and get your words working for you in time for commenting season.
posted by The Whelk at 4:29 PM on March 6, 2011 [7 favorites]
The internet archive has a copy of my idea for a magazine.
I think it's a great idea but sounds like a ton of work and it seems like if we could automate aspects of it, through favorites or letting people post on their own blogs and collect links to the meaty blog posts in one place, that could take a lot of the work out of it. Editing would just be picking the best things to pull together.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 4:30 PM on March 6, 2011
I think it's a great idea but sounds like a ton of work and it seems like if we could automate aspects of it, through favorites or letting people post on their own blogs and collect links to the meaty blog posts in one place, that could take a lot of the work out of it. Editing would just be picking the best things to pull together.
posted by mathowie (staff) at 4:30 PM on March 6, 2011
Yes. It's at www.theygottheirownblogs.com.
posted by tumid dahlia at 4:36 PM on March 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by tumid dahlia at 4:36 PM on March 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Though one can't be sure, of course, I have a feeling that almost no one actually does this.
I'm a pretty regular reader of some of the member's blogs I've found here, like languagehat's. I've got about 5 bookmarked.
Also, I'm not a prolific writer, but I'd contribute a piece or two a year to this project if it launched.
posted by Devils Rancher at 4:41 PM on March 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm a pretty regular reader of some of the member's blogs I've found here, like languagehat's. I've got about 5 bookmarked.
Also, I'm not a prolific writer, but I'd contribute a piece or two a year to this project if it launched.
posted by Devils Rancher at 4:41 PM on March 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
I can almost see some kinf of editor position going "Hey jHarris, want to write something long about game design? Or hey Sonascope? have something on early electronic music you want to share? What are the Wired offices like Lore? Can you take us on the day of a famous writer cstross? Funniest hollywood story scody? Best play you never produced Astro Zombie? StickyCarpet - wanna talk about dealing with stage managers? Or something."
Oh god I've just volunteered to be William De Worde haven't I?
posted by The Whelk at 4:43 PM on March 6, 2011 [4 favorites]
Oh god I've just volunteered to be William De Worde haven't I?
posted by The Whelk at 4:43 PM on March 6, 2011 [4 favorites]
Metafilter Magazine
Submissions Department
Dear Esteemed Editor,
Please allow me to submit, for potential publication in your fine journal, my recent short-form works, Excerpts From Imaginary Novels, which are currently available to read (at your earliest convenience) on my Metafilter profile page.
Thank you so much for your kind consideration,
flapjax at midnite*
*please note: misspelling of my name is intentional! Ordinarily my spelling is really quite good, so there should be no extra workload in that regard for your fine editorial staff!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:44 PM on March 6, 2011 [3 favorites]
Submissions Department
Dear Esteemed Editor,
Please allow me to submit, for potential publication in your fine journal, my recent short-form works, Excerpts From Imaginary Novels, which are currently available to read (at your earliest convenience) on my Metafilter profile page.
Thank you so much for your kind consideration,
flapjax at midnite*
*please note: misspelling of my name is intentional! Ordinarily my spelling is really quite good, so there should be no extra workload in that regard for your fine editorial staff!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:44 PM on March 6, 2011 [3 favorites]
Excerpts From Imaginary Novels
...my blog has a tag for that.
sigh
posted by The Whelk at 4:46 PM on March 6, 2011
...my blog has a tag for that.
sigh
posted by The Whelk at 4:46 PM on March 6, 2011
...my blog has a tag for that.
Great minds etc. etc.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:58 PM on March 6, 2011
Great minds etc. etc.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 4:58 PM on March 6, 2011
I've been writing a "Pop Starts as Sandman-esque Gods" story in another thread for ....
fun?
posted by The Whelk at 5:00 PM on March 6, 2011
fun?
posted by The Whelk at 5:00 PM on March 6, 2011
"Pop Starts as Sandman-esque Gods"
At very first glance I thought that might be a palindrome.
Now I'm just confused.
it's ok though: confusion is often the first step toward enlightenment.
or vice versa?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:05 PM on March 6, 2011
At very first glance I thought that might be a palindrome.
Now I'm just confused.
it's ok though: confusion is often the first step toward enlightenment.
or vice versa?
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:05 PM on March 6, 2011
I've been wanting to get a MeFi Mag going for some time, but frankly, it's always been the hassle of assembling a team of folks to help out (I can edit and write, but while I have design opinions, it takes me four times as long to do anything as it would someone competent).
If there are other people willing to help out with it, I'd be happy to coordinate the editorial stuff (getting submissions, copy editing, that sort of thing).
posted by klangklangston at 5:11 PM on March 6, 2011
If there are other people willing to help out with it, I'd be happy to coordinate the editorial stuff (getting submissions, copy editing, that sort of thing).
posted by klangklangston at 5:11 PM on March 6, 2011
"Though one can't be sure, of course, I have a feeling that almost no one actually does this."
I get about fifty hits a day from what I assume are ultimately disappointed readers clicking through my profile to my very informal blog.
posted by klangklangston at 5:12 PM on March 6, 2011
I get about fifty hits a day from what I assume are ultimately disappointed readers clicking through my profile to my very informal blog.
posted by klangklangston at 5:12 PM on March 6, 2011
Sounds interesting, I'll volunteer to do some design and production,
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:13 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:13 PM on March 6, 2011
I've been writing a "Pop Starts as Sandman-esque Gods" story
I read that as Pop Tarts and then was a little sad it wasn't.
posted by Glinn at 5:14 PM on March 6, 2011 [3 favorites]
I read that as Pop Tarts and then was a little sad it wasn't.
posted by Glinn at 5:14 PM on March 6, 2011 [3 favorites]
I get about fifty hits a day from what I assume are ultimately disappointed readers clicking through my profile to my very informal blog.
About forty a day are from me, actually. I want to make you feel loved.
(happily, though, looks like I might've been wrong in my assumption about people here clicking through to blogs and sites)
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:16 PM on March 6, 2011
About forty a day are from me, actually. I want to make you feel loved.
(happily, though, looks like I might've been wrong in my assumption about people here clicking through to blogs and sites)
posted by flapjax at midnite at 5:16 PM on March 6, 2011
Oh, and the way that I'd do it primarily would be to fill most of it with content published elsewhere on the web (or in print, depending on rights), with original content published based on submissions. Every month or so, grab it together, lay it out as a .pdf or whatever (maybe run a MagCloud too), and encourage theme issues by lumping together content.
What Matt described prior looks more like a MeFi digest, whereas this'd be more a magazine made out of MeFite content.
I do think people underestimate the amount of work that goes into a magazine that's not Hawk (nsfw).
posted by klangklangston at 5:20 PM on March 6, 2011
What Matt described prior looks more like a MeFi digest, whereas this'd be more a magazine made out of MeFite content.
I do think people underestimate the amount of work that goes into a magazine that's not Hawk (nsfw).
posted by klangklangston at 5:20 PM on March 6, 2011
"About forty a day are from me, actually. I want to make you feel loved. "
Well, it worked!
posted by klangklangston at 5:21 PM on March 6, 2011
Well, it worked!
posted by klangklangston at 5:21 PM on March 6, 2011
and here it is
flapjax i hope you like that I turned Big Momma Thorton into a kind divine witch-like figure
posted by The Whelk at 5:31 PM on March 6, 2011
flapjax i hope you like that I turned Big Momma Thorton into a kind divine witch-like figure
posted by The Whelk at 5:31 PM on March 6, 2011
maybe run a MagCloud too
Also, Issuu lets you upload PDFs so people can flip through like a magazine.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:51 PM on March 6, 2011
Also, Issuu lets you upload PDFs so people can flip through like a magazine.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:51 PM on March 6, 2011
A monthly or quarterly mag type thing, whether mostly digest or mostly original content, would be neat. I share the various reservations above about what a pile of work it would be to make such a thing happen, though; I don't mind the idea of being involved in some advisory or call-making capacity, but committing to a bunch of work each issue is probably not practical.
Part of the difficulty of something like this is someone needs to be willing to kick ass and take names, people need to be okay with being rejected on the original content side if it's not basically a vanity publication or an open mic format, and some folks need to be willing and able to commit thankless supporting role work in terms of editing and nagging and organizing and nagging some more. It's easy to underestimate how much work would be required, and how much of the enthusiasm that might carry off issue #1 would have to be maintained to get #2 or #3 out the door.
posted by cortex (staff) at 6:19 PM on March 6, 2011 [4 favorites]
Part of the difficulty of something like this is someone needs to be willing to kick ass and take names, people need to be okay with being rejected on the original content side if it's not basically a vanity publication or an open mic format, and some folks need to be willing and able to commit thankless supporting role work in terms of editing and nagging and organizing and nagging some more. It's easy to underestimate how much work would be required, and how much of the enthusiasm that might carry off issue #1 would have to be maintained to get #2 or #3 out the door.
posted by cortex (staff) at 6:19 PM on March 6, 2011 [4 favorites]
Oh, and the way that I'd do it primarily would be to fill most of it with content published elsewhere on the web (or in print, depending on rights), with original content published based on submissions. Every month or so, grab it together, lay it out as a .pdf or whatever (maybe run a MagCloud too), and encourage theme issues by lumping together content.
I share the various reservations above about what a pile of work it would be to make such a thing happen, though;
Perhaps just a short trial at first, say just 8 pages, tab size. That's still a lot of pages to fill, but hey, it's a start. If we were to do that, then what would be the next step? How would submissions be submitted?
Actually, maybe just a eight pager of Mefi Comments (with the mods and users permission of course)? Pick a theme, say relationship questions, or books or fixit stuff (or just a selection of the best from every category), cull through the archives, slap it together, fix any typos, layout it and PDF it, see if we can really make this work, as a team.
If that happens, then you we can tackle original submissions and have a product to show people were serious and can do it.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:34 PM on March 6, 2011
why dont you just start a tumblr where people can submit great comments themselves (either their own or just great ones they find) and one person can approve them.
much easier and more readable online.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:06 PM on March 6, 2011
much easier and more readable online.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:06 PM on March 6, 2011
i mean in tumblr people can submit formatted posts so all someone has to do is moderate and edit them.
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:15 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by Potomac Avenue at 7:15 PM on March 6, 2011
If help is needed on the copyediting side, feel free to contact me.
posted by zarq at 7:17 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by zarq at 7:17 PM on March 6, 2011
I had actually been thinking about this recently, but I was brainstorming ways it could be a journal after going through some old rss feed content of mine and finding this article. I'd love to be involved, especially since I've been babbling on about how we have some of the brightest minds on the planet around here and we haven't been collecting and sharing the lessons we've learned.
Kroski, E. 6 Steps to Publishing a Scholarly Online Journal (for free!), 2009. In The CyberSkeptic’s Guide to Internet Research. Information Today, Inc.. pp.6-6.
The link isn't currently working but here is the bulk of it:
Launching your own scholarly journal is not as difficult as it sounds as OJS does much of the work for you. Since its start in 2002, over 2,000 online journals have been created worldwide using the program developed by the Public Knowledge Project, a partnership between the University of British Columbia, Stanford University, and Simon Fraser University. Most recently, Harvard University Press and the John M. Olin Center for Law, Economics, and Business used OJS to create their first open access journal, The Journal of Legal Analysis. And by following just a few quick steps you too could be on your way to editorial bliss!
Step One: Focus & Scope
Think about the types of content you’d like to publish; faculty papers, departmental research, inter-disciplinary research, book reviews, or perhaps student work such as the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Journal which publishes outstanding papers by its undergrads in every discipline. What topic(s) will your journal focus on? Will your publication be a scientific one such as Wildlife Biology in Practice or a political pub as in the Canadian Political Science Review? Perhaps you plan to set up multiple journals as did the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences which manages 12 peer reviewed journals using OJS. Or you may wish to transform an existing print journal to an online publication as did the BYZANTINA SYMMEIKTA which also used OJS to digitize their archives back to the journal’s beginnings in 1966. The possibilities are limitless, it’s up to you. But you will want to give this a good amount of thought before you begin your journal.
Step Two: Install the Software
You will need to install OJS (http://pkp.sfu.ca/?q=ojs)on a Web server with a fairly common configuration often referred to as a LAMP platform (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP). You can check the project’s website for variations on these system requirements, but you may also substitute Windows (WAMP) or Mac (MAMP) for Linux. If you are unfamiliar with these technologies, you will want to contact your systems office, a techie friend, or your web-host. Your web-host may already have this configuration set up for you and if you are shopping for a new hosting plan be sure to look for this in your package. Beyond this you will need to configure your MySQL database in order to get started. This is the only scary bit if you’ve never done this type of thing before, however, most web-hosts do provide database support. And the process is quite fast. You can be done and on your way to designing your brand new publication in about 15 minutes.
Step Three: Journal Setup
When you create a new journal with OJS, you are led through a series of five pages titled Details, Policies, Submissions, Management, and The Look, each with options for customizing your publication. This is where you will enter key information about your journal such as the title, policies for peer review, submission guidelines, publication scheduling, and indexing information. In this journal setup area you will have the opportunity to decide if you would like your publication to be open access, or if readers will need to pay in order to access content. (OJS’s payment module permits many types of charges such as subscriptions, per article fees, memberships, donations, and author fees.) If you are so inclined you may also upload a journal logo or your own style sheet in order to affect the layout. All of these pages and options can later be accessed via the Journal Management menu.
Step Four: Learn the Ropes
You will want to get up to speed with how OJS handles the editorial process and familiarize yourself with the workflow involved in running your journal. Articles start off in a submissions queue awaiting peer review and assignment to an editor. Upon acceptance, they move ahead to copyediting, proofreading, and layout. Once done, articles sit in a scheduling queue until they are assigned to a specific issue. All items in a particular issue are organized into a Table of Contents and published. In order to fulfill all of these tasks, OJS enables the Journal Manager (you!) to assign roles to journal staff, each with specific functions to perform. These roles include Author, Reviewer, Editor, Section Editor, Copyeditor, Layout Editor, Proofreader. One person may fill several roles for example with my class journal, students are Readers, Authors, and Reviewers and as Journal Manager and Editor I perform all the editorial tasks. The OJS website has many resources for learning about both the editorial process and how to accomplish tasks in the software such as video tutorials and a user’s guide titled “OJS in an Hour”.
Step Five: Recruit! Recruit! Recruit!
Every publication needs writers, so put out a call for papers (CFP) seeking author submissions in your field. If your journal is aimed at a particular group of people such as your students, faculty members, or colleagues get the word out locally through word-of-mouth, flyers, or an email announcement (just one is enough!). Start looking through the literature in your subject area for knowledgeable people who are just as passionate as you are about your journal’s topic and recruit them as authors, editors, and reviewers. Look up subject-specific blogs in Technorati and draft some bloggers as well. Think about tempting subject experts to make a guest appearance as a special issue editor that is publicized as such. With just a couple of volunteers and submissions your journal will be publishing its first issue in no time.
Step Six: Publish Your First Issue
You’ve got submissions, they’ve undergone the peer review process, they’ve been edited, and the galleys have been prepared. Now you must decide which articles – and how many - to include in your first issue. Take a good look through what you have to determine if any or all of your pieces fit a particular theme. As time goes on you may want to devise an editorial calendar in which you determine themes for each issue ahead of time and seek submissions based on that, but for this first issue odds are you aren’t at that stage yet. Next consider how many articles you want to include - if you publish 20 articles in the first issue, you aren’t going to want to follow that up with 5 the next month. Instead, decide on a range to aim for with each issue such as 8-12. Next you will need to organize the articles into a Table of Contents. You can choose to order them alphabetically, from best article to average, or any other order you prefer. Once you’ve done that all that’s left is to click publish. Congratulations!
posted by cashman at 7:43 PM on March 6, 2011 [3 favorites]
Kroski, E. 6 Steps to Publishing a Scholarly Online Journal (for free!), 2009. In The CyberSkeptic’s Guide to Internet Research. Information Today, Inc.. pp.6-6.
The link isn't currently working but here is the bulk of it:
Launching your own scholarly journal is not as difficult as it sounds as OJS does much of the work for you. Since its start in 2002, over 2,000 online journals have been created worldwide using the program developed by the Public Knowledge Project, a partnership between the University of British Columbia, Stanford University, and Simon Fraser University. Most recently, Harvard University Press and the John M. Olin Center for Law, Economics, and Business used OJS to create their first open access journal, The Journal of Legal Analysis. And by following just a few quick steps you too could be on your way to editorial bliss!
Step One: Focus & Scope
Think about the types of content you’d like to publish; faculty papers, departmental research, inter-disciplinary research, book reviews, or perhaps student work such as the Vanderbilt Undergraduate Research Journal which publishes outstanding papers by its undergrads in every discipline. What topic(s) will your journal focus on? Will your publication be a scientific one such as Wildlife Biology in Practice or a political pub as in the Canadian Political Science Review? Perhaps you plan to set up multiple journals as did the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences which manages 12 peer reviewed journals using OJS. Or you may wish to transform an existing print journal to an online publication as did the BYZANTINA SYMMEIKTA which also used OJS to digitize their archives back to the journal’s beginnings in 1966. The possibilities are limitless, it’s up to you. But you will want to give this a good amount of thought before you begin your journal.
Step Two: Install the Software
You will need to install OJS (http://pkp.sfu.ca/?q=ojs)on a Web server with a fairly common configuration often referred to as a LAMP platform (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP). You can check the project’s website for variations on these system requirements, but you may also substitute Windows (WAMP) or Mac (MAMP) for Linux. If you are unfamiliar with these technologies, you will want to contact your systems office, a techie friend, or your web-host. Your web-host may already have this configuration set up for you and if you are shopping for a new hosting plan be sure to look for this in your package. Beyond this you will need to configure your MySQL database in order to get started. This is the only scary bit if you’ve never done this type of thing before, however, most web-hosts do provide database support. And the process is quite fast. You can be done and on your way to designing your brand new publication in about 15 minutes.
Step Three: Journal Setup
When you create a new journal with OJS, you are led through a series of five pages titled Details, Policies, Submissions, Management, and The Look, each with options for customizing your publication. This is where you will enter key information about your journal such as the title, policies for peer review, submission guidelines, publication scheduling, and indexing information. In this journal setup area you will have the opportunity to decide if you would like your publication to be open access, or if readers will need to pay in order to access content. (OJS’s payment module permits many types of charges such as subscriptions, per article fees, memberships, donations, and author fees.) If you are so inclined you may also upload a journal logo or your own style sheet in order to affect the layout. All of these pages and options can later be accessed via the Journal Management menu.
Step Four: Learn the Ropes
You will want to get up to speed with how OJS handles the editorial process and familiarize yourself with the workflow involved in running your journal. Articles start off in a submissions queue awaiting peer review and assignment to an editor. Upon acceptance, they move ahead to copyediting, proofreading, and layout. Once done, articles sit in a scheduling queue until they are assigned to a specific issue. All items in a particular issue are organized into a Table of Contents and published. In order to fulfill all of these tasks, OJS enables the Journal Manager (you!) to assign roles to journal staff, each with specific functions to perform. These roles include Author, Reviewer, Editor, Section Editor, Copyeditor, Layout Editor, Proofreader. One person may fill several roles for example with my class journal, students are Readers, Authors, and Reviewers and as Journal Manager and Editor I perform all the editorial tasks. The OJS website has many resources for learning about both the editorial process and how to accomplish tasks in the software such as video tutorials and a user’s guide titled “OJS in an Hour”.
Step Five: Recruit! Recruit! Recruit!
Every publication needs writers, so put out a call for papers (CFP) seeking author submissions in your field. If your journal is aimed at a particular group of people such as your students, faculty members, or colleagues get the word out locally through word-of-mouth, flyers, or an email announcement (just one is enough!). Start looking through the literature in your subject area for knowledgeable people who are just as passionate as you are about your journal’s topic and recruit them as authors, editors, and reviewers. Look up subject-specific blogs in Technorati and draft some bloggers as well. Think about tempting subject experts to make a guest appearance as a special issue editor that is publicized as such. With just a couple of volunteers and submissions your journal will be publishing its first issue in no time.
Step Six: Publish Your First Issue
You’ve got submissions, they’ve undergone the peer review process, they’ve been edited, and the galleys have been prepared. Now you must decide which articles – and how many - to include in your first issue. Take a good look through what you have to determine if any or all of your pieces fit a particular theme. As time goes on you may want to devise an editorial calendar in which you determine themes for each issue ahead of time and seek submissions based on that, but for this first issue odds are you aren’t at that stage yet. Next consider how many articles you want to include - if you publish 20 articles in the first issue, you aren’t going to want to follow that up with 5 the next month. Instead, decide on a range to aim for with each issue such as 8-12. Next you will need to organize the articles into a Table of Contents. You can choose to order them alphabetically, from best article to average, or any other order you prefer. Once you’ve done that all that’s left is to click publish. Congratulations!
posted by cashman at 7:43 PM on March 6, 2011 [3 favorites]
Just click through to their blogs.
Though one can't be sure, of course, I have a feeling that almost no one actually does this.
Actually, one can be sure that you're wrong about that. I usually get several visitors a day to my blog who got there from my Metafilter profile.
posted by John Cohen at 8:29 PM on March 6, 2011
Though one can't be sure, of course, I have a feeling that almost no one actually does this.
Actually, one can be sure that you're wrong about that. I usually get several visitors a day to my blog who got there from my Metafilter profile.
posted by John Cohen at 8:29 PM on March 6, 2011
(Just got one from San Francisco!)
posted by John Cohen at 8:35 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by John Cohen at 8:35 PM on March 6, 2011
Actually, one can be sure that you're wrong about that.
Yeah, John, I did already mention upthread that it would appear that I was (happily) wrong about that. Glad you got a chance to rub one in on me, though. Glad I was here for you, man.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:07 PM on March 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yeah, John, I did already mention upthread that it would appear that I was (happily) wrong about that. Glad you got a chance to rub one in on me, though. Glad I was here for you, man.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:07 PM on March 6, 2011 [1 favorite]
...also there is a slightly underground Mefite-fiction-writing thing going on the background and secrect dark places of the internet and WOW I totally have to contribute to that again soon.
posted by The Whelk at 9:16 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 9:16 PM on March 6, 2011
I would be willing to contribute serious time and energy to this, as long as that didn't preclude me from being published in it.
posted by msalt at 11:04 PM on March 6, 2011
posted by msalt at 11:04 PM on March 6, 2011
How about we just conquer this place, I miss when it was really alive.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 11:09 PM on March 6, 2011 [3 favorites]
posted by furiousxgeorge at 11:09 PM on March 6, 2011 [3 favorites]
I'm willing to contribute 1000 words every three months about cats and/or sandwiches.
No?
Well fuck y'all, then.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:06 AM on March 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
No?
Well fuck y'all, then.
posted by BitterOldPunk at 12:06 AM on March 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
What about using MagCloud, and publishing annual or bi-annual issues?
I'd be happy to volunteer for or head up the design team.
posted by empatterson at 2:32 AM on March 7, 2011
I'd be happy to volunteer for or head up the design team.
posted by empatterson at 2:32 AM on March 7, 2011
Just to toss out a rough sketch/proposal... We could split up the magazine into the sections that cover each area of the site.
The Blue: from mathowie's original idea: Ask a handful of people noted for strong, well-written opinions to write at some length about a thread covered sometime in the previous month. Sort of like a summary of the bigger threads and the ensuing discussions. Maybe coverage for the 'best of' - sort of like the sidebar - heck, maybe the sidebar could have its own section...
AskMeFi: Following Flickr's 'Interestingness' lead, have a selection of the most popular questions and answers. Or to avoid re-publishing what's already been asked and answered on the site, during the submission period, perhaps members could submit questions and answers to be published exclusively in the issue?
Projects: This is where users could submit full length features or articles with a section for project links.
Music: Summaries of the monthly challenges, and links to most popular submissions. Someone could do reviews? Or if we went whole hog, maybe even include a CD with all of the most favourited tracks?
Jobs: A tough one for job listings if it was only an annual or bi-annual publication, but maybe to promote the jobs section, have stories from members who got new jobs or changed careers?
IRL: A summary of meet-ups with photos etc.
MetaTalk: An overview all the of the new features, news from members (weddings, births, obits, etc.)
Anyways, I'm totally thinking out loud here... but it's a start right?
posted by empatterson at 3:12 AM on March 7, 2011
The Blue: from mathowie's original idea: Ask a handful of people noted for strong, well-written opinions to write at some length about a thread covered sometime in the previous month. Sort of like a summary of the bigger threads and the ensuing discussions. Maybe coverage for the 'best of' - sort of like the sidebar - heck, maybe the sidebar could have its own section...
AskMeFi: Following Flickr's 'Interestingness' lead, have a selection of the most popular questions and answers. Or to avoid re-publishing what's already been asked and answered on the site, during the submission period, perhaps members could submit questions and answers to be published exclusively in the issue?
Projects: This is where users could submit full length features or articles with a section for project links.
Music: Summaries of the monthly challenges, and links to most popular submissions. Someone could do reviews? Or if we went whole hog, maybe even include a CD with all of the most favourited tracks?
Jobs: A tough one for job listings if it was only an annual or bi-annual publication, but maybe to promote the jobs section, have stories from members who got new jobs or changed careers?
IRL: A summary of meet-ups with photos etc.
MetaTalk: An overview all the of the new features, news from members (weddings, births, obits, etc.)
Anyways, I'm totally thinking out loud here... but it's a start right?
posted by empatterson at 3:12 AM on March 7, 2011
BitterOldPunk: I would like to subscribe to your cats and/or sandwiches newsletter.
posted by ersatzkat at 3:58 AM on March 7, 2011
posted by ersatzkat at 3:58 AM on March 7, 2011
furiousxgeorge may have been joking about conquering Kuro5hin, but maybe we should seriously consider it.
Rusty posts more on MeFi now and isn't exactly enthusiastic about K5's current direction. We should check, but I suspect he'd be perfectly happy with a Raid for Good by a bunch of Mefites.
The $5 barrier might be a problem though.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 4:37 AM on March 7, 2011 [2 favorites]
Rusty posts more on MeFi now and isn't exactly enthusiastic about K5's current direction. We should check, but I suspect he'd be perfectly happy with a Raid for Good by a bunch of Mefites.
The $5 barrier might be a problem though.
posted by TheophileEscargot at 4:37 AM on March 7, 2011 [2 favorites]
Just to toss out a rough sketch/proposal..
That's a huge amount of work to start off with. I'd recommend starting small and building up to that
I'd be happy to volunteer for or head up the design team.
Cool, what do you, or anyone else, imagine the cover and interior looking like?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:53 AM on March 7, 2011
That's a huge amount of work to start off with. I'd recommend starting small and building up to that
I'd be happy to volunteer for or head up the design team.
Cool, what do you, or anyone else, imagine the cover and interior looking like?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:53 AM on March 7, 2011
I could do up some rough proofs in photoshop if you want...
posted by empatterson at 6:04 AM on March 7, 2011
posted by empatterson at 6:04 AM on March 7, 2011
Plus, since this is a Lazyweb request, I don't think I'd actually be able to do this myself at the moment, but I just wanted to float the notion.
This right here is generally the problem with these requests. All it requires is one motivated person, but it also will go nowhere without one motivated person.
posted by smackfu at 6:10 AM on March 7, 2011
This right here is generally the problem with these requests. All it requires is one motivated person, but it also will go nowhere without one motivated person.
posted by smackfu at 6:10 AM on March 7, 2011
Jobs: A tough one for job listings if it was only an annual or bi-annual publication, but maybe to promote the jobs section, have stories from members who got new jobs or changed careers?
AskMe questions about the world of work are frequently pretty interesting, just one question tagged "work" or "jobs" and marked "resolved" might be good for this section. I'll be happy to do some sort of Mod Report if it's helpful and/or assist with curation.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:17 AM on March 7, 2011
AskMe questions about the world of work are frequently pretty interesting, just one question tagged "work" or "jobs" and marked "resolved" might be good for this section. I'll be happy to do some sort of Mod Report if it's helpful and/or assist with curation.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 6:17 AM on March 7, 2011
I could do up some rough proofs in photoshop if you want...
That would be GREAT!!! Maybe start with a cover with a logo and some image, but really, whatever floats your boat and inspires you, GO FOR IT!!
This right here is generally the problem with these requests. All it requires is one motivated person, but it also will go nowhere without one motivated person.
Nah, Orange Swan's book idea went nowhere because she only got one submission.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:23 AM on March 7, 2011
That would be GREAT!!! Maybe start with a cover with a logo and some image, but really, whatever floats your boat and inspires you, GO FOR IT!!
This right here is generally the problem with these requests. All it requires is one motivated person, but it also will go nowhere without one motivated person.
Nah, Orange Swan's book idea went nowhere because she only got one submission.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:23 AM on March 7, 2011
Good point, the other problem is that it is way easier to say you are interested in contributing than to contribute.
posted by smackfu at 6:41 AM on March 7, 2011
posted by smackfu at 6:41 AM on March 7, 2011
An idea about art for this: Metachat, the lovably chattering offshoot of Metafilter, has run Photo Fridays for a while. There's a theme each week and people take photos based on that theme. That might be a good source of art to check and see if there's anything that works, if the Mods over there are ok with that and of course, if the individual photographs are ok with THE MAG using their photos. They'd need to be contacted individually of course.
I think Miko and gaspode are mods over there, among others. Is there a particular person that should be contacted to ask if it's ok if someone goes through the Photo Friday threads to find art? From there, the individual artists would have to be contacted.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:04 AM on March 7, 2011
I think Miko and gaspode are mods over there, among others. Is there a particular person that should be contacted to ask if it's ok if someone goes through the Photo Friday threads to find art? From there, the individual artists would have to be contacted.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:04 AM on March 7, 2011
I love this idea. I'd be happy to help with copyediting, if needed.
posted by EvaDestruction at 7:28 AM on March 7, 2011
posted by EvaDestruction at 7:28 AM on March 7, 2011
Who'll be the centerfold model?
Its's a bit dark in the shadow ranges and monochromatically bland color wise. Can you reshoot with against a more colorful wall, with more lighting and have the sign saying "Welcome "?
Now, for the actual magazine, the shot should....
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:39 AM on March 7, 2011
Its's a bit dark in the shadow ranges and monochromatically bland color wise. Can you reshoot with against a more colorful wall, with more lighting and have the sign saying "Welcome "?
Now, for the actual magazine, the shot should....
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:39 AM on March 7, 2011
I'd recommend starting small and building up to that
Good idea. We could start just, I dunno, posting links to cool new websites, and then start making comments about those....
posted by msalt at 8:12 AM on March 7, 2011
Good idea. We could start just, I dunno, posting links to cool new websites, and then start making comments about those....
posted by msalt at 8:12 AM on March 7, 2011
OK, given everyone's lack of time, I'm wondering what would be a 'minimum viable magazine'. In my imagination, it's a Wordpress-powered blog that anyone can submit articles/essays to, and allows editors to publish them.
In addition to articles that people put forward themselves, editors would also:
- (re)post articles from Mefites written on other sites (with their permission, obvs)
- approach Mefites who've written interesting comments and repost them, or ask them to expand on them
This would also be helped by editors just looking at the 'popular favorite comments' list, or even better, having finer-grained access to stuff like 'flagged as fantastic'. If these lists could be published in a format that is easily copy-and-pastable, that would make things faster.
That's it. All the other cool stuff (print version, nice graphics, better automation) could be added later, once it's gotten momentum.
posted by adrianhon at 10:04 AM on March 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
In addition to articles that people put forward themselves, editors would also:
- (re)post articles from Mefites written on other sites (with their permission, obvs)
- approach Mefites who've written interesting comments and repost them, or ask them to expand on them
This would also be helped by editors just looking at the 'popular favorite comments' list, or even better, having finer-grained access to stuff like 'flagged as fantastic'. If these lists could be published in a format that is easily copy-and-pastable, that would make things faster.
That's it. All the other cool stuff (print version, nice graphics, better automation) could be added later, once it's gotten momentum.
posted by adrianhon at 10:04 AM on March 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
That sounds like a decent way to get this off the ground, adrianhon. Let people get their toes wet, so to speak.
The fairly low cost of entry you describe is critical at this stage, because if it takes a couple months of planning and design before you are ready to start accepting submissions, people will have moved on to other things. Strike while the iron is hot and all that!
I volunteer to be one of your editors; I have specific experience in healthcare, biological sciences, exercise, bicycling, Philadelphia, and stuff about kids.
posted by Mister_A at 10:29 AM on March 7, 2011
The fairly low cost of entry you describe is critical at this stage, because if it takes a couple months of planning and design before you are ready to start accepting submissions, people will have moved on to other things. Strike while the iron is hot and all that!
I volunteer to be one of your editors; I have specific experience in healthcare, biological sciences, exercise, bicycling, Philadelphia, and stuff about kids.
posted by Mister_A at 10:29 AM on March 7, 2011
That would be GREAT!!! Maybe start with a cover with a logo...
Already on it. Y'all can expect some proofs in a couple days.
posted by empatterson at 10:47 AM on March 7, 2011
Already on it. Y'all can expect some proofs in a couple days.
posted by empatterson at 10:47 AM on March 7, 2011
Hey Brandon,
By virtue of internet FIRSTIES, I think your idea sounds good: Eight pages, snazzy design (done by you or others). Making it a webpage or something similar in the future might be cool, but I kinda want to see if we can just do this.
So, I figured the next step would be a simple call for submissions:
Guidelines:
For the initial issue, pieces already published are preferred, even if that publication was long-form essay on a personal blog. But you'd be ceding second rights (something that's only a problem if you've published somewhere with exclusive first rights windows, generally). Writers are responsible for their own rights clearance.
Please submit articles in editable form, with .doc, .txt, or googledoc being easiest for me to work with. Images should be at least 300dpi (if we ever want to print) and no larger than 8"x10".
Some editing may occur for consistent style, depending on how lazy I am. Articles that need significant work to make conform (all lowercase, etc.) may be rejected.
Articles and images should be submitted to metamagfilter@gmail.com until midnight, PST, Monday, March 14, or one week from now.
posted by klangklangston at 11:01 AM on March 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
By virtue of internet FIRSTIES, I think your idea sounds good: Eight pages, snazzy design (done by you or others). Making it a webpage or something similar in the future might be cool, but I kinda want to see if we can just do this.
So, I figured the next step would be a simple call for submissions:
Guidelines:
For the initial issue, pieces already published are preferred, even if that publication was long-form essay on a personal blog. But you'd be ceding second rights (something that's only a problem if you've published somewhere with exclusive first rights windows, generally). Writers are responsible for their own rights clearance.
Please submit articles in editable form, with .doc, .txt, or googledoc being easiest for me to work with. Images should be at least 300dpi (if we ever want to print) and no larger than 8"x10".
Some editing may occur for consistent style, depending on how lazy I am. Articles that need significant work to make conform (all lowercase, etc.) may be rejected.
Articles and images should be submitted to metamagfilter@gmail.com until midnight, PST, Monday, March 14, or one week from now.
posted by klangklangston at 11:01 AM on March 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
(that was to empatterson but it also applies to klangklangston)
posted by adrianhon at 11:05 AM on March 7, 2011
posted by adrianhon at 11:05 AM on March 7, 2011
OK, given everyone's lack of time
*gets on hobby horse, looks at everyone*
Hey, either we're going to do this or not. No one ever has a enough time or the perfect time. The point is just to do this and have fun.
I'm wondering what would be a 'minimum viable magazine'. In my imagination, it's a Wordpress-powered blog that anyone can submit articles/essays to, and allows editors to publish them.
Not sure how all this works, so I'll ask: Is there a good free Wordpress host? Or should a domain be registered and Wordpress installed? If so, what should the domain be (and make sure Matt is ok with it). I'm more than happy to register something and act, at the least, as a general caretaker of the domain, giving access to whoever is interested. Just point me in the direction peep!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:08 AM on March 7, 2011
*gets on hobby horse, looks at everyone*
Hey, either we're going to do this or not. No one ever has a enough time or the perfect time. The point is just to do this and have fun.
I'm wondering what would be a 'minimum viable magazine'. In my imagination, it's a Wordpress-powered blog that anyone can submit articles/essays to, and allows editors to publish them.
Not sure how all this works, so I'll ask: Is there a good free Wordpress host? Or should a domain be registered and Wordpress installed? If so, what should the domain be (and make sure Matt is ok with it). I'm more than happy to register something and act, at the least, as a general caretaker of the domain, giving access to whoever is interested. Just point me in the direction peep!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:08 AM on March 7, 2011
Oh hey, how about the preview button?
I'm more interested in a print/internet mag, but if people want to push for a web thing, I say have at it, I'll still register a domain if we can decide on a name.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:10 AM on March 7, 2011
I'm more interested in a print/internet mag, but if people want to push for a web thing, I say have at it, I'll still register a domain if we can decide on a name.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:10 AM on March 7, 2011
I wanted MagFilter or something, but gmail didn't have it.
Since we'll be working digital, it's easy enough to just put up as a web page or a download.
posted by klangklangston at 11:19 AM on March 7, 2011
Since we'll be working digital, it's easy enough to just put up as a web page or a download.
posted by klangklangston at 11:19 AM on March 7, 2011
OK I will stipulate that this is awesome, but - since we now have an editorial staff and all that - any guidance on topics or anything like that? Just throw some stuff on the wall and see what sticks for #1?
Also, klang et al, I offer my services to you as I did to adrianhon if you can use 'em. I can memail you some more info on my professional experience if that will help.
posted by Mister_A at 11:19 AM on March 7, 2011
Also, klang et al, I offer my services to you as I did to adrianhon if you can use 'em. I can memail you some more info on my professional experience if that will help.
posted by Mister_A at 11:19 AM on March 7, 2011
I think that a digital and print mag would be very complementary - the digital could be more current, the print more selective and with potentially a real sense of design.
As for Wordpress, I'm happy hosting something and buying a domain - I've got enough free hosting space hanging around. Plus I have access to some nice paid themes that we could use to get started with.
posted by adrianhon at 11:24 AM on March 7, 2011
As for Wordpress, I'm happy hosting something and buying a domain - I've got enough free hosting space hanging around. Plus I have access to some nice paid themes that we could use to get started with.
posted by adrianhon at 11:24 AM on March 7, 2011
I wanted MagFilter or something, but gmail didn't have it.
Alas, we're not a reusable magnetic oil filter attachment.
Pity, magfilter sounds perfect though.
If adrianhon wants to do the web end of things, that sounds good, once we figure out what register.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:29 AM on March 7, 2011
Alas, we're not a reusable magnetic oil filter attachment.
Pity, magfilter sounds perfect though.
If adrianhon wants to do the web end of things, that sounds good, once we figure out what register.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:29 AM on March 7, 2011
We already got the you posted to this thread, thanks!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:36 AM on March 7, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:36 AM on March 7, 2011
Also Mister_A, I think we could all use editors and anyone else who is willing to commit real time to this - even a short print magazine and basic website will need people who will copyedit, source images, contact contributors, find new articles, etc. Certainly from my perspective, I am happy to set up the site and get it going, but just like the wiki, it'll need continued care and feeding for months and years.
posted by adrianhon at 11:47 AM on March 7, 2011
posted by adrianhon at 11:47 AM on March 7, 2011
Also, as to the submission guidelines, we have to tell people. Any chance of a sidebar, oh wonderful and strong administrators?!
Would it be ok to post a note bout project and that it is accepting submissions on Metachat?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:05 PM on March 7, 2011
Would it be ok to post a note bout project and that it is accepting submissions on Metachat?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:05 PM on March 7, 2011
Some thoughts on names:
thefiltermag.com
mefimag.com
metafiltermag.com
readfilter.org (.com is taken)
are all free
posted by adrianhon at 12:08 PM on March 7, 2011
thefiltermag.com
mefimag.com
metafiltermag.com
readfilter.org (.com is taken)
are all free
posted by adrianhon at 12:08 PM on March 7, 2011
IMO, Matt would have ok anything with Metafilter in the name. Otherwise I'd suggest "themagfilter.com" otherwise go with the "thefiltermag.com"
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:16 PM on March 7, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:16 PM on March 7, 2011
I'm now hearing this entire thread with this in the background
posted by The Whelk at 1:16 PM on March 7, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 1:16 PM on March 7, 2011
The Whelk: I saw this and thought of you.
And yes, we need cartoons, always!
posted by Mister_A at 1:35 PM on March 7, 2011
And yes, we need cartoons, always!
posted by Mister_A at 1:35 PM on March 7, 2011
So my inner master of the obvious is seeing two diverging ideas here - a website and magazine. One of the cool things about MagCloud is that it goes to both print and PDF editions. The downside: it costs money. The upside: It's a magazine that we can hold in our hands and say 'cool' in quiet tones of hushed awe (likewise for holding iPads or whatnot and uttering same.) Does this satisfy the needs of having it available digitally, or is the upside to a website that it's free?
Are we going to do both?
posted by empatterson at 2:02 PM on March 7, 2011
Are we going to do both?
posted by empatterson at 2:02 PM on March 7, 2011
Oh, and if it's both, can we start delegating now?
posted by empatterson at 2:05 PM on March 7, 2011
posted by empatterson at 2:05 PM on March 7, 2011
"...you guys need cartoons?"
I'm pretty sure that you're writing a book now and also finishing that other project that you love but neglect.
posted by klangklangston at 2:21 PM on March 7, 2011
I'm pretty sure that you're writing a book now and also finishing that other project that you love but neglect.
posted by klangklangston at 2:21 PM on March 7, 2011
I have a backlog of over 300 unpublished cartoons.
(AND YES I'M NEGLECTING IT BADLY)
posted by The Whelk at 2:22 PM on March 7, 2011
(AND YES I'M NEGLECTING IT BADLY)
posted by The Whelk at 2:22 PM on March 7, 2011
As a note:
If you'd like to help out, besides just by submitting content, send me a memail or email and when I get stuff in, I'll go through the list of people and ask them for help editing, etc.
posted by klangklangston at 2:22 PM on March 7, 2011
If you'd like to help out, besides just by submitting content, send me a memail or email and when I get stuff in, I'll go through the list of people and ask them for help editing, etc.
posted by klangklangston at 2:22 PM on March 7, 2011
Are we going to do both?
Something print/web magazine ala pdf is happening for sure. Not exactly sure what's happening webwise, but we're pushing forward with something there too.
The way I see it, there are several balls in the air:
The print thing depends on what kind of submissions occur. I'd say the bare minimum to do anything is 2 decent size text submissions. Those submissions will be put into Indesign (based on empatterson's comps), we'll see what happens for images. If nothing, I'll look through Metachat's Photo Fridays and if I see anything, will ask the photographer if it can be used.
If zero submissions happen, then I would like still like to do a short piece, just based on several fantastic comments around a similar theme (relationship or work). This might mean another open call to the community to send links to particular good relationship comments. Based on that, lay out 4-8 pages, again hopefully finding images from Mefites. I may even go through Flickr streams, find something related to the subject and ask the photographer if we can use it for this one purpose and get a higher resolution version if needed. All of this is up for discussion though, of course.
The web part? I'm not sure about, since frankly that doesn't sound as much fun to me personally and it's a bit restrictive for getting really individualistic on a per page basis, design wise. But really, that's just me, any and all other suggestions should be brought up and discussed. At the very least, we can probably host the PDF there through Issuu.
How are those comps coming?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:31 PM on March 7, 2011
Something print/web magazine ala pdf is happening for sure. Not exactly sure what's happening webwise, but we're pushing forward with something there too.
The way I see it, there are several balls in the air:
The print thing depends on what kind of submissions occur. I'd say the bare minimum to do anything is 2 decent size text submissions. Those submissions will be put into Indesign (based on empatterson's comps), we'll see what happens for images. If nothing, I'll look through Metachat's Photo Fridays and if I see anything, will ask the photographer if it can be used.
If zero submissions happen, then I would like still like to do a short piece, just based on several fantastic comments around a similar theme (relationship or work). This might mean another open call to the community to send links to particular good relationship comments. Based on that, lay out 4-8 pages, again hopefully finding images from Mefites. I may even go through Flickr streams, find something related to the subject and ask the photographer if we can use it for this one purpose and get a higher resolution version if needed. All of this is up for discussion though, of course.
The web part? I'm not sure about, since frankly that doesn't sound as much fun to me personally and it's a bit restrictive for getting really individualistic on a per page basis, design wise. But really, that's just me, any and all other suggestions should be brought up and discussed. At the very least, we can probably host the PDF there through Issuu.
How are those comps coming?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:31 PM on March 7, 2011
I'm personally more interested in doing something web-centric, mainly because I like the idea of its speed and responsiveness.
I'm also a big fan of printed materials, so I think it's awesome that people want a printed magazine, but I don't think it's something I could really add to right now. So perhaps it'd be a good idea to keep these two things separate for now (but still obviously both discussed in this thread), so that we don't end up diluting the essence of one or the other?
posted by adrianhon at 3:36 PM on March 7, 2011
I'm also a big fan of printed materials, so I think it's awesome that people want a printed magazine, but I don't think it's something I could really add to right now. So perhaps it'd be a good idea to keep these two things separate for now (but still obviously both discussed in this thread), so that we don't end up diluting the essence of one or the other?
posted by adrianhon at 3:36 PM on March 7, 2011
Request for update: What has or hasn't been decided?
and to whom shall I address my Psych/Monk crossover fan-fic?
posted by 2bucksplus at 3:51 PM on March 7, 2011
and to whom shall I address my Psych/Monk crossover fan-fic?
posted by 2bucksplus at 3:51 PM on March 7, 2011
Ok Brandon, so I'll lay out a magazine type deal and you'll see it filled with content?
Can I have a deliverable of Thursday or Friday on the comps - I've already got a couple different rough sketches, but I'd like to deliver it all prettied up and ready to go.
posted by empatterson at 4:33 PM on March 7, 2011
Can I have a deliverable of Thursday or Friday on the comps - I've already got a couple different rough sketches, but I'd like to deliver it all prettied up and ready to go.
posted by empatterson at 4:33 PM on March 7, 2011
I'll have to double check with my admin guy but I'm relatively certain we could handle hosting for the PDF if need be.
posted by empatterson at 4:38 PM on March 7, 2011
posted by empatterson at 4:38 PM on March 7, 2011
I would love to be a part of this, writing- or editing-wise.
posted by Put the kettle on at 4:45 PM on March 7, 2011
posted by Put the kettle on at 4:45 PM on March 7, 2011
Regarding the idea of a web-based zine (which appears to be completely different from the physical magazine discussed above), I am probably going to set up a Wordpress install in the next few days to try out some ideas. It would be good to know if anyone else would be interested in helping identify promising articles and writing.
I am seeing this almost more as a hybrid 'Mefi Digest' with some original or extended articles by Mefites though, since that feels like it would be relatively easy to get off the ground.
posted by adrianhon at 5:04 PM on March 7, 2011
I am seeing this almost more as a hybrid 'Mefi Digest' with some original or extended articles by Mefites though, since that feels like it would be relatively easy to get off the ground.
posted by adrianhon at 5:04 PM on March 7, 2011
Request for update: What has or hasn't been decided?
What has been decided:
We're doing a small magazine 4-8 pages, tabloid size. It'll be made into a PDF and offered up for all to see and read on the web.
empatterson is doing some design comps of what it should look like
klangklangston is collecting submissions and contact info for volunteer editors and proofreaders
brandonblatcher is overseeing production
If someone else wants to do something, anything, come on in the water's fine!
We are purposely shooting small, with the goal of getting a first issue done.
There's no name for it at this point. Current choices are (pick one or think of another):
thefiltermag.com
mefimag.com
metafiltermag.com
readfilter.org (.com is taken)
themagfilter.com
thefiltermag.com
Personally, I'm trying think of something that more encompasses a publication or journal, as opposed the narrow idea of a magazine, with the hopes of it slowly growing over the years, but I might be beanplating it.
Ok Brandon, so I'll lay out a magazine type deal and you'll see it filled with content?
We'll what happens with the comps are like, but yeah, I'll flow content once a design is finalized. Thursay or Friday is cool. What are the page dimensions, inch wise, that you're using?
I would love to be a part of this, writing- or editing-wise.
Check out klang's profile and get in touch with him!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:21 PM on March 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
What has been decided:
We're doing a small magazine 4-8 pages, tabloid size. It'll be made into a PDF and offered up for all to see and read on the web.
empatterson is doing some design comps of what it should look like
klangklangston is collecting submissions and contact info for volunteer editors and proofreaders
brandonblatcher is overseeing production
If someone else wants to do something, anything, come on in the water's fine!
We are purposely shooting small, with the goal of getting a first issue done.
There's no name for it at this point. Current choices are (pick one or think of another):
thefiltermag.com
mefimag.com
metafiltermag.com
readfilter.org (.com is taken)
themagfilter.com
thefiltermag.com
Personally, I'm trying think of something that more encompasses a publication or journal, as opposed the narrow idea of a magazine, with the hopes of it slowly growing over the years, but I might be beanplating it.
Ok Brandon, so I'll lay out a magazine type deal and you'll see it filled with content?
We'll what happens with the comps are like, but yeah, I'll flow content once a design is finalized. Thursay or Friday is cool. What are the page dimensions, inch wise, that you're using?
I would love to be a part of this, writing- or editing-wise.
Check out klang's profile and get in touch with him!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:21 PM on March 7, 2011 [1 favorite]
Brandon, that is all cool, but I would like to reiterate that there is a complementary idea for a more web-based offering. I don't think that it needs to overlap or compete for resources or articles with the printed magazine concept, but it is a bit irritating for you to just assume that 'it has been decided' the printed magazine is the only thing happening, particularly when I just posted something about it right above your latest comment.
Anyways, I'm heading to bed for now - to be honest I'm glad that something is coming out of my original post and I'm sure that whatever happens will be very neat.
posted by adrianhon at 5:36 PM on March 7, 2011
Anyways, I'm heading to bed for now - to be honest I'm glad that something is coming out of my original post and I'm sure that whatever happens will be very neat.
posted by adrianhon at 5:36 PM on March 7, 2011
Apologies, no harm intended, I actually missed that comment.
I was specifically talking about things I know have been decided for sure. Everything is up for discussion and doing, so please, have it all ya'll. This is all being doing for fun and interest, not a competition or anyone's personal playground.
Again, my apologies.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:44 PM on March 7, 2011
I was specifically talking about things I know have been decided for sure. Everything is up for discussion and doing, so please, have it all ya'll. This is all being doing for fun and interest, not a competition or anyone's personal playground.
Again, my apologies.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:44 PM on March 7, 2011
I'm going with 8.5" x 11". Is that cool? It's all vectors right now, so resizing up or down won't be any trouble.
posted by empatterson at 6:03 PM on March 7, 2011
posted by empatterson at 6:03 PM on March 7, 2011
That's cool, go for it!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:06 PM on March 7, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:06 PM on March 7, 2011
I'm going with 8.5" x 11".
It's funny, after 16 years in Japan (where A4 size paper is standard), when I go back to the states and see 8.5" x 11" paper, it seems kinda clunky to me. Too fat!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:46 PM on March 7, 2011
It's funny, after 16 years in Japan (where A4 size paper is standard), when I go back to the states and see 8.5" x 11" paper, it seems kinda clunky to me. Too fat!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 6:46 PM on March 7, 2011
Just a quick update:
We've got our first submission! Yay!
We've got about six volunteer copy editors! Yay!
We still don't have a name! Boo! I like Mag Filter, but that's just because it's the first thing I thought of and I'm silly like that.
Oh, and a note of clarification: The reason why I asked for stuff that was already published was basically just for speed — already published means that it's already done, and you're not writing something new that takes more time. The other reason was because I didn't want to mung anybody's chances of getting stuff published, eating up those first rights for a fun-times-no-pay mag. But really, that's up t' all y'all. If this goes off well, we'll do another and another (and a sista and her brother), and themes and wheee!
Any more questions and you can get me either at memail, at my regular email or at the submission email. (Or you could post 'em here if they're public questions.)
posted by klangklangston at 10:33 AM on March 8, 2011
We've got our first submission! Yay!
We've got about six volunteer copy editors! Yay!
We still don't have a name! Boo! I like Mag Filter, but that's just because it's the first thing I thought of and I'm silly like that.
Oh, and a note of clarification: The reason why I asked for stuff that was already published was basically just for speed — already published means that it's already done, and you're not writing something new that takes more time. The other reason was because I didn't want to mung anybody's chances of getting stuff published, eating up those first rights for a fun-times-no-pay mag. But really, that's up t' all y'all. If this goes off well, we'll do another and another (and a sista and her brother), and themes and wheee!
Any more questions and you can get me either at memail, at my regular email or at the submission email. (Or you could post 'em here if they're public questions.)
posted by klangklangston at 10:33 AM on March 8, 2011
MetaMag?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:52 AM on March 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:52 AM on March 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
I don't see the need to box it in with a "Meta-" or "-Filter" name. Why not something like "The Wisp" or "Acme Fishwrap"?
posted by Mister_A at 11:05 AM on March 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Mister_A at 11:05 AM on March 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
Is there a particular person that should be contacted to ask if it's ok if someone goes through the Photo Friday threads to find art? From there, the individual artists would have to be contacted.
Hey, it's a great idea. I'm one of the admins, with Boring Postcards - I don't see why anyone would need to go through us, though. BP is a big photographer and heavily involved in the Photo Friday threads, so I'd start with him (he's here too). But I think it'll end up being a matter of directly contacting the people who post their own photos in those threads. It's some incredible work, so I hope it gets used!
posted by Miko at 12:05 PM on March 8, 2011
Hey, it's a great idea. I'm one of the admins, with Boring Postcards - I don't see why anyone would need to go through us, though. BP is a big photographer and heavily involved in the Photo Friday threads, so I'd start with him (he's here too). But I think it'll end up being a matter of directly contacting the people who post their own photos in those threads. It's some incredible work, so I hope it gets used!
posted by Miko at 12:05 PM on March 8, 2011
I like Acme Fishwrap, but not The Wisp.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:57 PM on March 8, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:57 PM on March 8, 2011
Sounds like a Superhero Comicbook, which is another good idea: Mefi artists doing a comic book.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:07 PM on March 8, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:07 PM on March 8, 2011
Mega Filler.
posted by Devils Rancher at 1:11 PM on March 8, 2011
posted by Devils Rancher at 1:11 PM on March 8, 2011
I have always wanted to do a comic book, but alas! I cannot draw. I can write though!
posted by Mister_A at 1:21 PM on March 8, 2011
posted by Mister_A at 1:21 PM on March 8, 2011
Meta Filler! Heh.
posted by klangklangston at 1:25 PM on March 8, 2011
posted by klangklangston at 1:25 PM on March 8, 2011
Yeah the "Filler" ones are pretty good actually... I enjoy self-deprecation though.
posted by Mister_A at 1:35 PM on March 8, 2011
posted by Mister_A at 1:35 PM on March 8, 2011
I had a Bright Idea about the cover: The Whelk, dressed ike a stuffy professor type, pipe in hand, but with a kitsche feel to it. Poking fun at the seriousness, but still kinda serious.
Yeah, MegaMetaFiller, like that.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:21 PM on March 8, 2011
Yeah, MegaMetaFiller, like that.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:21 PM on March 8, 2011
I like all the filler jokes as well, any of them would be fine.
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:47 PM on March 8, 2011
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:47 PM on March 8, 2011
..the Photo Friday threads
Hey, thanks for the reminder, Miko! For awhile there I was contributing regularly to those, but had, well, kinda forgotten about it lately. Gonna have to jump back in again, cause they are indeed fun, and good.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:40 PM on March 8, 2011
Hey, thanks for the reminder, Miko! For awhile there I was contributing regularly to those, but had, well, kinda forgotten about it lately. Gonna have to jump back in again, cause they are indeed fun, and good.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:40 PM on March 8, 2011
I should point out that I own two tweed jackets and a bowtie and if this needs to be in a week, NYC Mefites need to e-mail me like yesterday. If you want a cover, we can bring a cover.
posted by The Whelk at 5:02 PM on March 8, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 5:02 PM on March 8, 2011
I'm glad you're finally coming out of your shell, The Whelk.
/mollusc jokes
posted by Mister_A at 7:18 PM on March 8, 2011
/mollusc jokes
posted by Mister_A at 7:18 PM on March 8, 2011
MetaZine?
Honest, cortex, I thought of the name last night; but kept dithering about whether to put it up or not.
posted by Kronos_to_Earth at 7:25 PM on March 8, 2011
Honest, cortex, I thought of the name last night; but kept dithering about whether to put it up or not.
posted by Kronos_to_Earth at 7:25 PM on March 8, 2011
MetaZine?
Ask your doctor if it's right for you.
Possible side effects include: temporary eyelid droop and nausea, yellowing of skin, loose stools and/or more frequent stools that may be hard to control, deliriousness, depression, increased and/or decreased perspiration, sustained unwanted erection and/or erectile disfunction, and gas.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:17 PM on March 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
Ask your doctor if it's right for you.
Possible side effects include: temporary eyelid droop and nausea, yellowing of skin, loose stools and/or more frequent stools that may be hard to control, deliriousness, depression, increased and/or decreased perspiration, sustained unwanted erection and/or erectile disfunction, and gas.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 9:17 PM on March 8, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh, dear. Still there.
posted by Kronos_to_Earth at 10:47 PM on March 8, 2011
posted by Kronos_to_Earth at 10:47 PM on March 8, 2011
I post the photo Friday threads these days, and y'all are welcome to use just about anything I've posted there. Contact me for anything you want a hi-res copy of.
posted by pjern at 11:39 PM on March 8, 2011
posted by pjern at 11:39 PM on March 8, 2011
Yeah, like pjern, I'm happy to have my photos used, too. Pretty much anything from here.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:56 AM on March 9, 2011
posted by flapjax at midnite at 3:56 AM on March 9, 2011
Cover Proofs are coming forthwith. One is done, Two is hard sketched and Three is still a sketch but they're there. I just have to rock them to be pretty for print. Stay tuned for details...
(For simplicity's sake I've just used MetaFilter as a filler title until one is decided.)
posted by empatterson at 4:33 AM on March 9, 2011
(For simplicity's sake I've just used MetaFilter as a filler title until one is decided.)
posted by empatterson at 4:33 AM on March 9, 2011
MetaFILLER, yeah!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:01 AM on March 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:01 AM on March 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Someone memailed me and asked a question, so I thought I'd post the answer here to share with everyone and make sure we're all on the same page, even if that page is different from how I've answered. So....
"What sort of material are you guys looking for anyways?"
We're looking to A. have fun and B. see if this can be done, hence the shorter deadline and openness to already written or published pieces, though original content written for this initial issue is fine. We're not looking for a specific theme, nor limiting to fiction or non-fiction.
We just want well written pieces that you're proud of, as examples of the talent of Mefites.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:20 AM on March 9, 2011
"What sort of material are you guys looking for anyways?"
We're looking to A. have fun and B. see if this can be done, hence the shorter deadline and openness to already written or published pieces, though original content written for this initial issue is fine. We're not looking for a specific theme, nor limiting to fiction or non-fiction.
We just want well written pieces that you're proud of, as examples of the talent of Mefites.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:20 AM on March 9, 2011
Maybe not a cover (if it's being designed) but more on the mock centerfold idea.
posted by The Whelk at 8:28 AM on March 9, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 8:28 AM on March 9, 2011
Who are the New York Mefite photographers? Ya'll gotta have like dozens squirreled away in pockets.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:30 AM on March 9, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:30 AM on March 9, 2011
I have several photographer friends, it's more quick cat herding (I'm leaving town on Sunday)
posted by The Whelk at 8:34 AM on March 9, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 8:34 AM on March 9, 2011
Then you want to handle it? Ham it up and have fun as you capture the inner soul of the mysterious and beautiful creature known as Mefite? If you're having trouble figuring that out, perhaps stay up late and have a few drinks. The tweed jacket, bow tie and pipe sounds good, with stacks of books in background or as props. It's not they've being paid, so that means it's time to have mucho fun with it, you know?
Anyone else, please feel free to chime in about this idea, even if it's OMG THIS SUX DON"T EVER DO THIS.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:45 AM on March 9, 2011
Anyone else, please feel free to chime in about this idea, even if it's OMG THIS SUX DON"T EVER DO THIS.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:45 AM on March 9, 2011
I take full responsibility for this part of the foolery
posted by The Whelk at 8:53 AM on March 9, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 8:53 AM on March 9, 2011
Hey Fred. (I don't know, I just made this salutation up.)
Brandon was kind enough to memail me about this. I think it's kind of crazy to consider that laypeople would want to read my work, which takes the form of 5,000+ word tracts on film reflexivity, but at least it's academic writing about popular culture. I'll toss my least-erudite recent work in the ring.
And if the editing, layout or design phase doesn't happen until after May, I would be happy to participate in that as well.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:42 AM on March 9, 2011
Brandon was kind enough to memail me about this. I think it's kind of crazy to consider that laypeople would want to read my work, which takes the form of 5,000+ word tracts on film reflexivity, but at least it's academic writing about popular culture. I'll toss my least-erudite recent work in the ring.
And if the editing, layout or design phase doesn't happen until after May, I would be happy to participate in that as well.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 10:42 AM on March 9, 2011
Mefites love tracts on film reflexivity, they eat that stuff for breakfast and go back for seconds. You should submit something, really. The piece about Asians in Firefly was good.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:45 AM on March 9, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:45 AM on March 9, 2011
Hey you, yeah YOU. If you know of a Mefite that has an article, essay, short story, drop'em a line about this thread and/or ask them to submit it to metamagfilter@gmail.com
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:20 AM on March 9, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:20 AM on March 9, 2011
Thanks for the MeMail, Brandon. I'm interested in copy-editing, though damn, you already have six? If you need a lucky seven, that'd be me. I'd be happy to proofread after things are laid out, too. As cortex pointed out, it does take some doing to wrangle even eight pages of tabloid into shape.
Any thoughts on which style guide and dictionary we'd use? (I love Merriam-Webster, favorite of Village Voice pubs, myself—it's Web-based!) I know having an "official" dictionary and style guide sounds kind of corporate. But I think it might be good to lay that out there so anyone writing something original for this knows what to consult, and so anyone editing knows what standard to edit to, just to avoid potential conflict down the line. Re: style guides, of course, the problem is that the two most common ones in the magazine world (Chicago and AP) aren't free. But if enough of us have 'em, we can at least field queries as needed. I have an online subscription to AP, for instance; haven't yet gotten around to buying the new Chicago, though.
Re: the title, I like MetaFiller or MetaMag; both are still available in .org form (metafiller.org, metamag.org)!
My other question, then, is re: the production schedule. I see that everything's due by midnight PST on March 14; do we have a production schedule worked out beyond that? Tell me we're not trying to do what48 Hour Longshot Magazine does, and put this thing out in, uh, 48 hours. A week, on the other hand, would be copacetic...
Also, are we using any software to organize this? Shall we set up a free Basecamp under whatever title we go with? Having all the info in the thread is great, but I can see that not being so efficient once we're actually trying to produce the thing.
And then, what did we decide to go with re: printing this, esp. given that it'll be in tabloid format? Do we have a local or Web-based printer lined up, and/or thoughts on how we'd manage distribution of copies? (Forgive me if this was detailed earlier in the thread and I missed it!) I love MagCloud, and using it would pretty much answer those questions, but it only does 8.5 x 11 printing, so that wouldn't work with a tabloid layout. Also, if we also make the PDFs available online in some way, will tabloid-size ones be readable?
OK, whew. Those are some thoughts and questions about this, from the desk of a managing editor!
posted by limeonaire at 1:53 PM on March 9, 2011
Any thoughts on which style guide and dictionary we'd use? (I love Merriam-Webster, favorite of Village Voice pubs, myself—it's Web-based!) I know having an "official" dictionary and style guide sounds kind of corporate. But I think it might be good to lay that out there so anyone writing something original for this knows what to consult, and so anyone editing knows what standard to edit to, just to avoid potential conflict down the line. Re: style guides, of course, the problem is that the two most common ones in the magazine world (Chicago and AP) aren't free. But if enough of us have 'em, we can at least field queries as needed. I have an online subscription to AP, for instance; haven't yet gotten around to buying the new Chicago, though.
Re: the title, I like MetaFiller or MetaMag; both are still available in .org form (metafiller.org, metamag.org)!
My other question, then, is re: the production schedule. I see that everything's due by midnight PST on March 14; do we have a production schedule worked out beyond that? Tell me we're not trying to do what
Also, are we using any software to organize this? Shall we set up a free Basecamp under whatever title we go with? Having all the info in the thread is great, but I can see that not being so efficient once we're actually trying to produce the thing.
And then, what did we decide to go with re: printing this, esp. given that it'll be in tabloid format? Do we have a local or Web-based printer lined up, and/or thoughts on how we'd manage distribution of copies? (Forgive me if this was detailed earlier in the thread and I missed it!) I love MagCloud, and using it would pretty much answer those questions, but it only does 8.5 x 11 printing, so that wouldn't work with a tabloid layout. Also, if we also make the PDFs available online in some way, will tabloid-size ones be readable?
OK, whew. Those are some thoughts and questions about this, from the desk of a managing editor!
posted by limeonaire at 1:53 PM on March 9, 2011
On second thought, I like MeFiMag, too.
posted by limeonaire at 2:00 PM on March 9, 2011
posted by limeonaire at 2:00 PM on March 9, 2011
But only if it's CamelCase...
posted by limeonaire at 2:00 PM on March 9, 2011
posted by limeonaire at 2:00 PM on March 9, 2011
Thanks for the MeMail, Brandon. I'm interested in copy-editing, though damn, you already have six? If you need a lucky seven, that'd be me. I'd be happy to proofread after things are laid out, too. As cortex pointed out, it does take some doing to wrangle even eight pages of tabloid into shape.
Email klangklangston to volunteer to edit stuff, at metamagfilter@gmail.com. Sure, six sounds a lot, but real life intrudes, people get pulled away etc. It's probably good to have too many as opposed too few.
Any thoughts on which style guide and dictionary we'd use?
Remember, we're just trying do it, to see if we can at this point, so trying to get everything into a style guide may be stretching it at this point, but I think that's more a question for Klang and the editors. Klang?
I see that everything's due by midnight PST on March 14; do we have a production schedule worked out beyond that?
Part of that depends on klang and company choosing and editing submissions (which is a whole 'nother story), but once that's done, production shouldn't take more than a week or two at the extreme most.
Also, are we using any software to organize this?
Nothing specific at the moment, no. Is this something you'd like to set up? If so, what do you suggest?
And then, what did we decide to go with re: printing this, esp. given that it'll be in tabloid format?
We're going with 8.5 x 11 at the moment, which at the very least will be uploaded for people to download or view through Issuu, which requires Flash, but handles viewing of print material nicely. Magcloud is a option, but not one we've definitely decided on that I know of. Anyone, anyone?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:11 PM on March 9, 2011
Email klangklangston to volunteer to edit stuff, at metamagfilter@gmail.com. Sure, six sounds a lot, but real life intrudes, people get pulled away etc. It's probably good to have too many as opposed too few.
Any thoughts on which style guide and dictionary we'd use?
Remember, we're just trying do it, to see if we can at this point, so trying to get everything into a style guide may be stretching it at this point, but I think that's more a question for Klang and the editors. Klang?
I see that everything's due by midnight PST on March 14; do we have a production schedule worked out beyond that?
Part of that depends on klang and company choosing and editing submissions (which is a whole 'nother story), but once that's done, production shouldn't take more than a week or two at the extreme most.
Also, are we using any software to organize this?
Nothing specific at the moment, no. Is this something you'd like to set up? If so, what do you suggest?
And then, what did we decide to go with re: printing this, esp. given that it'll be in tabloid format?
We're going with 8.5 x 11 at the moment, which at the very least will be uploaded for people to download or view through Issuu, which requires Flash, but handles viewing of print material nicely. Magcloud is a option, but not one we've definitely decided on that I know of. Anyone, anyone?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 2:11 PM on March 9, 2011
MeFill?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:29 PM on March 9, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:29 PM on March 9, 2011
Yep, I MeMailed klangklangston! Re: the software, I went ahead and set up a free Basecamp account (I can change the name of it once we have a title) in case we want to use it during production. I'm going to at least add Brandon Blatcher, klangklangston, and adrianhon for now, but once I get home, I can go back and skim the thread in a bit and invite anyone who seemed interested in the production end...or people can MeMail me if they want a login. klang, I can make you an admin, and you can add any editors/copy-editors, or I can take care of that—let me know how you'd want to do it.
I'm into having something like this not to make it an exclusive club and keep information about the project from the gray or anything, but so that people who'll be involved in production (i.e., editing, layout, and proofing) have an efficient way to organize that and see the status of things at a glance. It's a tool that really helps a lot in the later stages of the process; we use it to organize two magazines at work, and while people were skeptical of its utility at first, now I don't think we could live without it.
Re: specifics about the utility of having something like this, Basecamp would be a good place to set up more of a "production schedule" in terms of laying out milestones, i.e., times/dates by which we hope we have certain parts of production done, such as all stories chosen, all stories copy-edited and to the designers, all layouts done, all layouts proofread, all layouts PDFed and uploaded to Issuu and/or MagCloud, etc. That way it's easy to see at a glance what's done and what still needs to be done. And we could have a writeboard there laying out the content status of each article, too, once all articles have been chosen, so we know which copy editor each story's been sent to, which designer each layout's being done by, which proofreader has which layout, etc. The system will send email reminders out to anyone who's been assigned a milestone about the upcoming deadline. I can add in a sample writeboard in a bit here so anyone with a login can see what I mean specifically when I say a "content status" writeboard.
You can't upload files to the free version of Basecamp, so it wouldn't work as a file management system for this project, but email/FTP/Dropbox all work fine for that, in my experience—and even the basic version of Basecamp has too little space to accommodate more than a few large, print-ready image files and PDFs, anyway.
posted by limeonaire at 3:33 PM on March 9, 2011
I'm into having something like this not to make it an exclusive club and keep information about the project from the gray or anything, but so that people who'll be involved in production (i.e., editing, layout, and proofing) have an efficient way to organize that and see the status of things at a glance. It's a tool that really helps a lot in the later stages of the process; we use it to organize two magazines at work, and while people were skeptical of its utility at first, now I don't think we could live without it.
Re: specifics about the utility of having something like this, Basecamp would be a good place to set up more of a "production schedule" in terms of laying out milestones, i.e., times/dates by which we hope we have certain parts of production done, such as all stories chosen, all stories copy-edited and to the designers, all layouts done, all layouts proofread, all layouts PDFed and uploaded to Issuu and/or MagCloud, etc. That way it's easy to see at a glance what's done and what still needs to be done. And we could have a writeboard there laying out the content status of each article, too, once all articles have been chosen, so we know which copy editor each story's been sent to, which designer each layout's being done by, which proofreader has which layout, etc. The system will send email reminders out to anyone who's been assigned a milestone about the upcoming deadline. I can add in a sample writeboard in a bit here so anyone with a login can see what I mean specifically when I say a "content status" writeboard.
You can't upload files to the free version of Basecamp, so it wouldn't work as a file management system for this project, but email/FTP/Dropbox all work fine for that, in my experience—and even the basic version of Basecamp has too little space to accommodate more than a few large, print-ready image files and PDFs, anyway.
posted by limeonaire at 3:33 PM on March 9, 2011
I don't understand the question.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:34 PM on March 9, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:34 PM on March 9, 2011
Oh I get it now cashman. I don't see any reason why the final format wouldn't allow you to copy out it, but I'm curious as why you'd want to.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:37 PM on March 9, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:37 PM on March 9, 2011
Hey Limeonaire,
I'm answering your questions here because I think they're things that other people would probably be interested in too:
While I think it's kind of funny that we've got way more copy editors than contributors at this point, I'm always happy to have more.
Re: Stylebook, dictionary:
I default to AP because that's what was drilled into me, but I have a copy of Chicago 14th too. I was just going to tell everyone to use AP, but that's because I'm lazy.
My (uncommunicated) plan was that I'd take a look through the submissions as they came in, just to make sure that they're OK (no blank docs or munged pics, etc.), then spend about a week doing the editing. It may take less time, but I find that budgeting some fudge is helpful. As I get 'em knocked out, I'll talk to Brandon about a pagination, then toss stuff into a design hopper and let 'em lay out as they please, which I figured would take another week.
I didn't think we were going with tab format, simply because tab tends to be more expensive to print, but I don't have strong feelings — a lot of my mag experience is DIY zines, so I'm kinda loosey-goosey.
posted by klangklangston at 4:39 PM on March 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm answering your questions here because I think they're things that other people would probably be interested in too:
While I think it's kind of funny that we've got way more copy editors than contributors at this point, I'm always happy to have more.
Re: Stylebook, dictionary:
I default to AP because that's what was drilled into me, but I have a copy of Chicago 14th too. I was just going to tell everyone to use AP, but that's because I'm lazy.
My (uncommunicated) plan was that I'd take a look through the submissions as they came in, just to make sure that they're OK (no blank docs or munged pics, etc.), then spend about a week doing the editing. It may take less time, but I find that budgeting some fudge is helpful. As I get 'em knocked out, I'll talk to Brandon about a pagination, then toss stuff into a design hopper and let 'em lay out as they please, which I figured would take another week.
I didn't think we were going with tab format, simply because tab tends to be more expensive to print, but I don't have strong feelings — a lot of my mag experience is DIY zines, so I'm kinda loosey-goosey.
posted by klangklangston at 4:39 PM on March 9, 2011 [1 favorite]
Oh I get it now cashman. I don't see any reason why the final format wouldn't allow you to copy out it, but I'm curious as why you'd want to.
I come across all sorts of content that I want to share, but often the people on the receiving end don't have time or the machinery to click through, wait for something to load, and then search around. As long as it could be copy/pasted, you could at least copy/paste some part of it to serve as a teaser in an email. Not to mention the irony of not being able to (theoretically) make a metafilter post out of it without it being a pita, when it's a metafilter magazine.
You guys are doing a great job with this so far.
posted by cashman at 4:50 PM on March 9, 2011
I come across all sorts of content that I want to share, but often the people on the receiving end don't have time or the machinery to click through, wait for something to load, and then search around. As long as it could be copy/pasted, you could at least copy/paste some part of it to serve as a teaser in an email. Not to mention the irony of not being able to (theoretically) make a metafilter post out of it without it being a pita, when it's a metafilter magazine.
You guys are doing a great job with this so far.
posted by cashman at 4:50 PM on March 9, 2011
klangklangston, that all sounds good. I'm all for going with AP, and if no one else has an opinion on dictionary of choice, I vote Merriam-Webster, since it's freely available online—I'm with ya on the lazy. And that time frame sounds good—roughly a week for initial editing, a week for design/proofing.
I don't know what you think about Basecamp, but I just made you and Brandon Blatcher admins on there, so if you want to take a look around and test it out, and add the other editors we have so far as users (I defaulted to adding people using the email address given in their profile, with the first and last name as the username broken up, since we generally all know each other that way), and maybe throw some rough milestones up there in terms of the due dates we're thinking for each piece of the puzzle, go ahead! I think Brandon Blatcher's already going to add some design milestones.
Once you and Brandon Blatcher figure out what you want to do in terms of pagination, it also might be helpful to create another writeboard on there listing a rough outline of what's going to be on each page, just to help with proofreading (in case anything ends of referencing anything else, or we have a table of contents with page numbers, or what have you) and so everyone involved in production is on the same page.
By the way, if we ended up wanting to have any sort of email list for this, either to remind people about it or to let people know later when the mag is posted and/or available for purchase, I would highly suggest using Mad Mimi. We could probably get by with the free version of that at first, too. For instance, once we figure out what domain we're using, we could add a "remind me about the submission deadline" contact form on its front page (maybe using Google Docs' functionality), which would pull all email addresses submitted into a database. We could then just copy and paste that data into Mad Mimi's backend to send out a mass email newsletter.
For a lot of this, I'm just thinking back through the stuff I remember seeing Longshot Mag set up as they were getting started. One thing that definitely helped them get submissions was setting up such a reminder email, so people didn't forget about the deadline. That might be especially helpful for this, since things can sometimes get pushed off the gray rather quickly if there's a string of posts; I know I've been having to click further and further back to get to the MeFiSwap thread!
posted by limeonaire at 5:20 PM on March 9, 2011
I don't know what you think about Basecamp, but I just made you and Brandon Blatcher admins on there, so if you want to take a look around and test it out, and add the other editors we have so far as users (I defaulted to adding people using the email address given in their profile, with the first and last name as the username broken up, since we generally all know each other that way), and maybe throw some rough milestones up there in terms of the due dates we're thinking for each piece of the puzzle, go ahead! I think Brandon Blatcher's already going to add some design milestones.
Once you and Brandon Blatcher figure out what you want to do in terms of pagination, it also might be helpful to create another writeboard on there listing a rough outline of what's going to be on each page, just to help with proofreading (in case anything ends of referencing anything else, or we have a table of contents with page numbers, or what have you) and so everyone involved in production is on the same page.
By the way, if we ended up wanting to have any sort of email list for this, either to remind people about it or to let people know later when the mag is posted and/or available for purchase, I would highly suggest using Mad Mimi. We could probably get by with the free version of that at first, too. For instance, once we figure out what domain we're using, we could add a "remind me about the submission deadline" contact form on its front page (maybe using Google Docs' functionality), which would pull all email addresses submitted into a database. We could then just copy and paste that data into Mad Mimi's backend to send out a mass email newsletter.
For a lot of this, I'm just thinking back through the stuff I remember seeing Longshot Mag set up as they were getting started. One thing that definitely helped them get submissions was setting up such a reminder email, so people didn't forget about the deadline. That might be especially helpful for this, since things can sometimes get pushed off the gray rather quickly if there's a string of posts; I know I've been having to click further and further back to get to the MeFiSwap thread!
posted by limeonaire at 5:20 PM on March 9, 2011
OK, so I went back through and invited anyone to the mag production Basecamp who'd expressed interest in-thread in editing/design/production and had an email address available in their profile and/or on their linked website. Anyone else who's interested in one of those aspects of putting out the mag and wants access to the Basecamp project, please send me a MeMail with an email address I can use to add an account for you, or let Brandon Blatcher or klangklangston know, and they can add you as well.
And adrianhon, I'm going to make you an admin, too, so you can add anyone who expresses interest in working on the Web side of things for this!
posted by limeonaire at 6:00 PM on March 9, 2011
And adrianhon, I'm going to make you an admin, too, so you can add anyone who expresses interest in working on the Web side of things for this!
posted by limeonaire at 6:00 PM on March 9, 2011
I'm using metamagfilter@gmail.com as a mail hub, that still cool?
posted by The Whelk at 6:01 PM on March 9, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 6:01 PM on March 9, 2011
metamagfilter@gmail.com works well for submissions, not totally sure what you mean by mail hub.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:08 PM on March 9, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:08 PM on March 9, 2011
Yeah, that address works for me. And maybe once we get a domain set up, what do you guys think of adding a couple of contact forms to it (pending adrianhon or others' help setting that up) for the time being, before we have actual stories/images to post?
One could be for people to add an email address to be on a mailing list (the email addresses would just go into a database or Google Docs spreadsheet, hopefully), so they could be reminded of the submission deadline and/or notified when the mag is up online and/or available in print, and another could be a submission form that would make it easy for people to submit items directly to metamagfilter@gmail.com.
Thoughts?
posted by limeonaire at 6:22 PM on March 9, 2011
One could be for people to add an email address to be on a mailing list (the email addresses would just go into a database or Google Docs spreadsheet, hopefully), so they could be reminded of the submission deadline and/or notified when the mag is up online and/or available in print, and another could be a submission form that would make it easy for people to submit items directly to metamagfilter@gmail.com.
Thoughts?
posted by limeonaire at 6:22 PM on March 9, 2011
I think this is starting to turn into work and a lot less fun. Not to rain on anyone's parade, but it's just a 8 pages, let's not overthink, ok? These are valid points and certainly worth keeping in mind and rolling in, but having everything so intensely structured sounds off putting to me personally.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:30 PM on March 9, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:30 PM on March 9, 2011
not totally sure what you mean by mail hub.
Single mail I can I send stuff/comments/questions to that I can assume is , if one person, then a well-connected hub of people that can be my Go To for questions.
Not that I have anyway:
tl;dr I can use metamegafilter@gmail.com as my primary way of interacting with the editors/people/whatever in charge?
posted by The Whelk at 6:57 PM on March 9, 2011
Single mail I can I send stuff/comments/questions to that I can assume is , if one person, then a well-connected hub of people that can be my Go To for questions.
Not that I have anyway:
tl;dr I can use metamegafilter@gmail.com as my primary way of interacting with the editors/people/whatever in charge?
posted by The Whelk at 6:57 PM on March 9, 2011
I'm not overthinking, It's just experience has thought me having one place to ask things or get information from people works a lot better then a few diferent ways of getting the same thing.
Which is could ALL BE me having been burned with trad publishing and being like super wary that I'm gonna get an email 2 weeks later saying I sent it to the wrong person. I fully admit I could be being Paranoid Parrot.
posted by The Whelk at 6:59 PM on March 9, 2011
Which is could ALL BE me having been burned with trad publishing and being like super wary that I'm gonna get an email 2 weeks later saying I sent it to the wrong person. I fully admit I could be being Paranoid Parrot.
posted by The Whelk at 6:59 PM on March 9, 2011
You're right, Brandon—I was worried about that. I'm just throwing things out there as I think of 'em, but if anything seems like it's too much work/too formal (e.g., the contact forms, etc.), we definitely don't need to overthink it!
posted by limeonaire at 7:56 PM on March 9, 2011
posted by limeonaire at 7:56 PM on March 9, 2011
mefimag.com purchased. Unless anyone says No, let's just go with that.
adrianhon, is the offer of free hosting still available? Either way, what do you see as our web presence and what would you like to do with it?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:23 AM on March 10, 2011
adrianhon, is the offer of free hosting still available? Either way, what do you see as our web presence and what would you like to do with it?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:23 AM on March 10, 2011
and limeonair, thanks for setting up basecampe and pointing out how we can establish a workflow with dates and milestones. Structure isn't bad at all, especially if there's a lot of people in the mix!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:25 AM on March 10, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:25 AM on March 10, 2011
Bump!
Brandon needs more designers.
Submissions for issue one are closing tonight!
Motion on content will begin tomorrow!
posted by klangklangston at 7:38 PM on March 11, 2011
Brandon needs more designers.
Submissions for issue one are closing tonight!
Motion on content will begin tomorrow!
posted by klangklangston at 7:38 PM on March 11, 2011
Wait, what? I thought submissions were closing March 14.
Also, after reading this all day, I kind of feel like making a tsunami magazine, with people's accounts of the first 24 hours during/after the big quake in Japan. Kind of like how they did with the big dust storm in Australia a while back. Esp. considering flapjax at midnite was one of the people most enthusiastic about contributing to this.
Even if we didn't make that the issue's theme or anything, I feel like given the timing of all of this, perspectives from the ongoing disaster in Japan should definitely be included in some way.
Thoughts?
posted by limeonaire at 7:44 PM on March 11, 2011
Also, after reading this all day, I kind of feel like making a tsunami magazine, with people's accounts of the first 24 hours during/after the big quake in Japan. Kind of like how they did with the big dust storm in Australia a while back. Esp. considering flapjax at midnite was one of the people most enthusiastic about contributing to this.
Even if we didn't make that the issue's theme or anything, I feel like given the timing of all of this, perspectives from the ongoing disaster in Japan should definitely be included in some way.
Thoughts?
posted by limeonaire at 7:44 PM on March 11, 2011
Yeah, what happened to the 14th? No big deal, just wondering....
At first thought, the tsunami mag seems like PERFECT for a web based arm of the mag. What say you, adrianhon, sound like something to play with?
limeonaire, Are there specific comments you can link to that you think are especially good?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:50 PM on March 11, 2011
At first thought, the tsunami mag seems like PERFECT for a web based arm of the mag. What say you, adrianhon, sound like something to play with?
limeonaire, Are there specific comments you can link to that you think are especially good?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:50 PM on March 11, 2011
Currently fooling around type ideas for a MefiMag logo, will post a sample in the morning
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:55 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:55 PM on March 11, 2011
limeonaire, Are there specific comments you can link to that you think are especially good?
Mm, good question. I'd have to go back through the thread tomorrow and see what's been most-favorited, etc. I think a definite high point of the thread was hearing from Ghidorah that he'd reunited with his family and cat...it's not like the account is high literature or anything, but damned if it didn't feel good to read that. I didn't even know anything about the guy (or most of the other MeFites in Japan) before this, but it's been fascinating, sometimes terrifying, sometimes awesome reading.
I also liked reading a couple of comments in the thread re: how MetaFilter has been a better source for up-to-the-minute, accurate information on this than almost anywhere else. There's been a lot of horror, but also a lot of love in that thread.
posted by limeonaire at 7:56 PM on March 11, 2011
Mm, good question. I'd have to go back through the thread tomorrow and see what's been most-favorited, etc. I think a definite high point of the thread was hearing from Ghidorah that he'd reunited with his family and cat...it's not like the account is high literature or anything, but damned if it didn't feel good to read that. I didn't even know anything about the guy (or most of the other MeFites in Japan) before this, but it's been fascinating, sometimes terrifying, sometimes awesome reading.
I also liked reading a couple of comments in the thread re: how MetaFilter has been a better source for up-to-the-minute, accurate information on this than almost anywhere else. There's been a lot of horror, but also a lot of love in that thread.
posted by limeonaire at 7:56 PM on March 11, 2011
Thinking about it a bit more, some of the descriptive writing from that thread would probably be good to capture in some way. Maybe a page that pulls out some of the most stunning textual accounts from the thread, asterisked into sections, e.g.,
[text of an early eyewitness account]
*
[text of another account]
*
[etc.]
That's actually why I was slightly late to work this morning—I got up, saw that, and didn't even click on any of the video or image links, 'cause I was moved to tears just reading the blow-by-blow textual accounts of what people were seeing happen over there. That was powerful writing, and that's probably what would be most useful/interesting to capture, those extremely emotional high and low points as documented by those in the thread either there on the ground or even just monitoring the news.
That all make sense?
posted by limeonaire at 8:02 PM on March 11, 2011
[text of an early eyewitness account]
*
[text of another account]
*
[etc.]
That's actually why I was slightly late to work this morning—I got up, saw that, and didn't even click on any of the video or image links, 'cause I was moved to tears just reading the blow-by-blow textual accounts of what people were seeing happen over there. That was powerful writing, and that's probably what would be most useful/interesting to capture, those extremely emotional high and low points as documented by those in the thread either there on the ground or even just monitoring the news.
That all make sense?
posted by limeonaire at 8:02 PM on March 11, 2011
Or maybe a spread, on third thought? Dunno what else we're going to have in the issue, though - it'll totally depend on what we end up getting in, I think. But I could imagine a beautiful (albeit emotionally wrenching) center spread on this.
posted by limeonaire at 8:04 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by limeonaire at 8:04 PM on March 11, 2011
If you find some of those comments, send me links, please. No gurantees, but they might be able to fit them in. Klang mentioned that a lot of the submissions were really long, so some shorter pieces might work center spread collage as you suggest.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:06 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:06 PM on March 11, 2011
Indeed. I'm exhausted right now; it's been a long, emotionally trying week, and I'm about to head off to sleep. But I would be more than happy to go through and curate a collection of some of the most powerful/interesting writing (most of which was in fairly short comments) from that thread over the weekend.
posted by limeonaire at 8:08 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by limeonaire at 8:08 PM on March 11, 2011
Oh yeah, duh. 14th! I put the wrong date into my google calendar! Because I'm a moron!
posted by klangklangston at 8:09 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by klangklangston at 8:09 PM on March 11, 2011
Hahaha. No worries! Goodnight, guys!
posted by limeonaire at 8:10 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by limeonaire at 8:10 PM on March 11, 2011
That'd be fantastic. The only hiccup might be making sure we have permission for those comments (no User Friendly here) while people are still struggling.
posted by klangklangston at 8:11 PM on March 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by klangklangston at 8:11 PM on March 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
limeonaire, Are there specific comments you can link to that you think are especially good?
Don't get me wrong, cause I'm not saying mine is *especially good* (really, I'm not!) but here's mine, FWIW.
I'd actually be happy to flesh this out some more, cause there's a bunch of other impressions I had at the time (naturally, aside from worrying about my wife and daughter), like, a certain surprise at how slooooowly some people were moving to get out of the building. I mean, I know a mass stampede for the doors wouldn't have been a good thing, but man, there was a distinct lack of urgency in so many people's gait. That was curious and kind of inexplicable.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:13 PM on March 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Don't get me wrong, cause I'm not saying mine is *especially good* (really, I'm not!) but here's mine, FWIW.
I'd actually be happy to flesh this out some more, cause there's a bunch of other impressions I had at the time (naturally, aside from worrying about my wife and daughter), like, a certain surprise at how slooooowly some people were moving to get out of the building. I mean, I know a mass stampede for the doors wouldn't have been a good thing, but man, there was a distinct lack of urgency in so many people's gait. That was curious and kind of inexplicable.
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:13 PM on March 11, 2011 [1 favorite]
Yes, flesh it out, and we can add it to the mix.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:19 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:19 PM on March 11, 2011
OK, Brandon, will do!
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:22 PM on March 11, 2011
posted by flapjax at midnite at 8:22 PM on March 11, 2011
I'm sorry to have to do this, guys.
Metafilter: There's been a lot of horror, but also a lot of love
posted by Night_owl at 8:30 PM on March 11, 2011
Metafilter: There's been a lot of horror, but also a lot of love
posted by Night_owl at 8:30 PM on March 11, 2011
Here's some logo/masthead type. Nothing is concrete and if someone has other ideas, by all means, have at it. Otherwise I'll just go ahead and pick something.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:40 AM on March 12, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:40 AM on March 12, 2011
I like Number 8 *a lot* but it might be too tween. 9 is also very nice.
posted by The Whelk at 8:44 AM on March 12, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 8:44 AM on March 12, 2011
everything else makes my eyes go "Oh a zine ignore it"
posted by The Whelk at 8:45 AM on March 12, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 8:45 AM on March 12, 2011
I like Number 8 ...
What letter is that?
You didn't dig the comic sans version?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:46 AM on March 12, 2011
What letter is that?
You didn't dig the comic sans version?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:46 AM on March 12, 2011
ER
H and I, I mean.
If you did Comic Sans i'd have to find you and kill you.
posted by The Whelk at 8:47 AM on March 12, 2011
H and I, I mean.
If you did Comic Sans i'd have to find you and kill you.
posted by The Whelk at 8:47 AM on March 12, 2011
Yeah, I would be my pick, but there's a lot of unhealthy love on my end for that font, which hopefully therapy will fix.
If you did Comic Sans i'd have to find you and kill you.
But it has a tagline too!
How's the photo thing coming?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:51 AM on March 12, 2011
If you did Comic Sans i'd have to find you and kill you.
But it has a tagline too!
How's the photo thing coming?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:51 AM on March 12, 2011
I'm probability shooting it today if the stars align.
posted by The Whelk at 8:54 AM on March 12, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 8:54 AM on March 12, 2011
Yay! You're the best Whelk EVER.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:55 AM on March 12, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:55 AM on March 12, 2011
We have three ideas,
Your Idea
Something with the shirt.
Something that might be too ......Flickr photo pool.
One of them has no face so could be used in a future edition or sumfing.
posted by The Whelk at 8:55 AM on March 12, 2011
Your Idea
Something with the shirt.
Something that might be too ......Flickr photo pool.
One of them has no face so could be used in a future edition or sumfing.
posted by The Whelk at 8:55 AM on March 12, 2011
(if it doesn't happen I could possibly shoot it in New Orleans...)
posted by The Whelk at 8:56 AM on March 12, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 8:56 AM on March 12, 2011
Awesome!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:01 AM on March 12, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 9:01 AM on March 12, 2011
You're going with the Papa Smurf idea?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:40 PM on March 12, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 12:40 PM on March 12, 2011
You are free to use any methods necessary, but we want them photogenic. No disintegrations.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:10 PM on March 12, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:10 PM on March 12, 2011
I'm torn between stagey jokey and glamor, it really depends on how much beer I get in me.
or them.
posted by The Whelk at 1:12 PM on March 12, 2011
or them.
posted by The Whelk at 1:12 PM on March 12, 2011
I'm torn between stagey jokey and glamor...
Smartly jokey with a touch of glamor perhaps?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:18 PM on March 12, 2011
Smartly jokey with a touch of glamor perhaps?
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:18 PM on March 12, 2011
I like the fonts in either E or F if the F were capped, the way it is in MetaFilter: MeFi Mag or MeFiMag.
posted by limeonaire at 3:50 PM on March 12, 2011
posted by limeonaire at 3:50 PM on March 12, 2011
HEY ANYONE HERE IN NYC WHO WANTS TO TAKE PART IN THE SHOOT MEMAIL ME SRSLY.
FREE. PIZZA.
posted by The Whelk at 4:00 PM on March 12, 2011
FREE. PIZZA.
posted by The Whelk at 4:00 PM on March 12, 2011
omg
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:10 PM on March 12, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:10 PM on March 12, 2011
don;t exoect too much it is remarkably hard to get a bunch of mefits over on a saturday night.
(ALSO EVERYONE IS IN PHILADELPHIA THIS WEEK WHAT?)
posted by The Whelk at 4:22 PM on March 12, 2011
(ALSO EVERYONE IS IN PHILADELPHIA THIS WEEK WHAT?)
posted by The Whelk at 4:22 PM on March 12, 2011
Adding a vote for logo I.
posted by EvaDestruction at 6:51 PM on March 12, 2011
posted by EvaDestruction at 6:51 PM on March 12, 2011
I like A. But really I'd love to see some of the other designs with the F capitalized: MeFi.
Great work though! Keep up the good work.
posted by cashman at 8:18 PM on March 12, 2011
Great work though! Keep up the good work.
posted by cashman at 8:18 PM on March 12, 2011
Blame it on the beer.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:00 PM on March 12, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:00 PM on March 12, 2011
And bacon pizza.
It was great.
And the bourbon and wine, as well.
Thanks Whelky.
posted by Skygazer at 11:50 PM on March 12, 2011
It was great.
And the bourbon and wine, as well.
Thanks Whelky.
posted by Skygazer at 11:50 PM on March 12, 2011
Does that mean the photo is all done and you've sent it along and it can be crossed off the to do list?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:27 AM on March 13, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:27 AM on March 13, 2011
cc me on those too please, email in profile. Thanks!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:38 AM on March 13, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:38 AM on March 13, 2011
I've got four eyes, can handle it.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:55 AM on March 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:55 AM on March 13, 2011 [1 favorite]
Bump!
Last day for submissions folks! Send your already published article or photos to metamagfilter@gmail by Midnight PST, March 14th.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:21 AM on March 14, 2011
Last day for submissions folks! Send your already published article or photos to metamagfilter@gmail by Midnight PST, March 14th.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 11:21 AM on March 14, 2011
THe photos are trapped in this camera, I will make every effort to get them to you in some form within 32 hours.
posted by The Whelk at 3:07 PM on March 14, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 3:07 PM on March 14, 2011
Dear camera,
We don't negotiate with taters. Give us the photos and you'll get a shiny new lens cap.
-The pitchforked mob
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:17 PM on March 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
We don't negotiate with taters. Give us the photos and you'll get a shiny new lens cap.
-The pitchforked mob
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:17 PM on March 14, 2011 [1 favorite]
I dunno guys, I did get this right before midnight:
Title: Just Copy & Paste This Email Ad and you Will Get Paid!
from Dennis Elie
reply-to Dennis Elie
to metamagfilter LOLBUTTS gmail.com
date Mon, Mar 14, 2011 at 11:45 PM
subject Just Copy & Paste This Email Ad and you Will Get Paid!
hide details 11:45 PM (4 minutes ago)
Do you think you would be able to copy this email and send it out to other people?
Well if you do what I'm doing, you could have multiple $37 payments being sent directly to your very own account every single day from now on.
You see, all I do is send this email to people, and I get $37 paid to me over and over again, every day. It's as simple as that...and I now make a good income just from this one simple task.
I send this email! http://only37dollars.com/freeoffer
I get paid multiple $37 payments to my own account!
Could you think of anything easier than that?
If you can copy this exact email and send it out, you can make money just as easily as me. There's nothing complicated to do.
Throughout this email, you'll see a link to a website. If you visit that website, you'll be able to download a free e-book that will show you an incredible way to make some easy money online.
There's no strings and no catch. The e-book is totally free and tells you an exact, step by step way of making an easy and regular income from your computer.
Just read the website, get your own affiliate link and then send out this email.
That's all you have to do!
Even a child could do this, it's so simple.
http://only37dollars.com/freeoffer
————
I was just doing this for free but it turns out we all get paid!
posted by klangklangston at 11:49 PM on March 14, 2011
Title: Just Copy & Paste This Email Ad and you Will Get Paid!
from Dennis Elie
reply-to Dennis Elie
to metamagfilter LOLBUTTS gmail.com
date Mon, Mar 14, 2011 at 11:45 PM
subject Just Copy & Paste This Email Ad and you Will Get Paid!
hide details 11:45 PM (4 minutes ago)
Do you think you would be able to copy this email and send it out to other people?
Well if you do what I'm doing, you could have multiple $37 payments being sent directly to your very own account every single day from now on.
You see, all I do is send this email to people, and I get $37 paid to me over and over again, every day. It's as simple as that...and I now make a good income just from this one simple task.
I send this email! http://only37dollars.com/freeoffer
I get paid multiple $37 payments to my own account!
Could you think of anything easier than that?
If you can copy this exact email and send it out, you can make money just as easily as me. There's nothing complicated to do.
Throughout this email, you'll see a link to a website. If you visit that website, you'll be able to download a free e-book that will show you an incredible way to make some easy money online.
There's no strings and no catch. The e-book is totally free and tells you an exact, step by step way of making an easy and regular income from your computer.
Just read the website, get your own affiliate link and then send out this email.
That's all you have to do!
Even a child could do this, it's so simple.
http://only37dollars.com/freeoffer
————
I was just doing this for free but it turns out we all get paid!
posted by klangklangston at 11:49 PM on March 14, 2011
Begun this editing war had.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:28 AM on March 15, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 1:28 AM on March 15, 2011
Thas a gooood camera.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:01 AM on March 15, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 10:01 AM on March 15, 2011
I got a download confirmation on the photos so I assume Klang is busy clawing his eyes out and screaming.
posted by The Whelk at 3:14 PM on March 15, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 3:14 PM on March 15, 2011
Questions:
empatterson, comps?
klang, what are we looking like submissions wise? lots of pieces, a few, generally long form, what?
Whelk, can I get a cc on photos?
Is anyone still offering free hosting of a website component? If so, I have the domain metamag.com, let me know where it can point to, please.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:47 PM on March 15, 2011
empatterson, comps?
klang, what are we looking like submissions wise? lots of pieces, a few, generally long form, what?
Whelk, can I get a cc on photos?
Is anyone still offering free hosting of a website component? If so, I have the domain metamag.com, let me know where it can point to, please.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 3:47 PM on March 15, 2011
HA! It took, like, three hours and I had to do it twice because their flash interface is buttsauce!
posted by klangklangston at 3:55 PM on March 15, 2011
posted by klangklangston at 3:55 PM on March 15, 2011
But it only took 15 min to send?
MYSTERY,
What do we think gentlemen?
posted by The Whelk at 3:57 PM on March 15, 2011
MYSTERY,
What do we think gentlemen?
posted by The Whelk at 3:57 PM on March 15, 2011
Here's a preview for the cover of Comp #1. The other two will be done by day's end tomorrow.
I'm really sorry it's taken ages to get them done. I had one hell of a week, and I just didn't have the time to give these the attention they deserve.
( I explained myself to Brandon in a MeMail, and my excuse is totally valid.)
posted by empatterson at 9:51 PM on March 17, 2011
I'm really sorry it's taken ages to get them done. I had one hell of a week, and I just didn't have the time to give these the attention they deserve.
( I explained myself to Brandon in a MeMail, and my excuse is totally valid.)
posted by empatterson at 9:51 PM on March 17, 2011
NOT AVAILABLE IN DOCTORS OFFICES EVERYWHERE
posted by The Whelk at 9:57 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by The Whelk at 9:57 PM on March 17, 2011 [1 favorite]
Just emailed empatterson to catch her up where we were, re: logo and what not. I'll just paraphase what I said there about the comps.
They're definitely cool, but they're also, imo, a bit too welded to the Metafilter look, which is a bit garish and dated (sorry Matt!). Hopefully we can go with something more modern looking, that involves the Mefi look or feel, either using color (the blue) or making a visual cue to what Metafilter is: smart, humorous, warm and all about reading and writing, but without a fedora.
If you want we can continue talking about this in email with everyone on the list or in Basecamp or here. Geez, we need to settle on a particular form of communication.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:41 AM on March 18, 2011
They're definitely cool, but they're also, imo, a bit too welded to the Metafilter look, which is a bit garish and dated (sorry Matt!). Hopefully we can go with something more modern looking, that involves the Mefi look or feel, either using color (the blue) or making a visual cue to what Metafilter is: smart, humorous, warm and all about reading and writing, but without a fedora.
If you want we can continue talking about this in email with everyone on the list or in Basecamp or here. Geez, we need to settle on a particular form of communication.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:41 AM on March 18, 2011
( I explained myself to Brandon in a MeMail, and my excuse is totally valid.)
Oh, you didn't have to explain yourself to me and have a 'valid' excuse. Stuff happens, life comes up, you know, everyone understands that. Just give us a shout if you have to duck out and let us when you're back, that would be cool.
Thanks and glad you're back!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:52 AM on March 18, 2011
Oh, you didn't have to explain yourself to me and have a 'valid' excuse. Stuff happens, life comes up, you know, everyone understands that. Just give us a shout if you have to duck out and let us when you're back, that would be cool.
Thanks and glad you're back!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:52 AM on March 18, 2011
I just have to say I love the sitting vs. standing teaser on this cover. I joined MeTa well after this discussion went down, but, wow, I couldn't believe people actually wipe like that.
posted by jeoc at 6:00 PM on March 18, 2011
posted by jeoc at 6:00 PM on March 18, 2011
Wow. Very nice!
posted by EvaDestruction at 12:47 PM on March 24, 2011
posted by EvaDestruction at 12:47 PM on March 24, 2011
So number three it is? The style is pretty versatile, so we can switch up the cover image, make room for more headlines/bylines - just let me know what you want to do and I'll polish it up.
posted by empatterson at 5:32 PM on March 28, 2011
posted by empatterson at 5:32 PM on March 28, 2011
Yeah that's cool, we'll go with something like that basic layout, but put in a different cover image (something done by a Mefite), different teasers etc. If you tell me what font you're using on the teasers, I can go ahead and put it together.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:43 PM on March 28, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:43 PM on March 28, 2011
Is someone photo editing the ...photos? Cause those are all raw camera bits and need some smoothing to be print ready.
posted by The Whelk at 7:13 PM on March 28, 2011
posted by The Whelk at 7:13 PM on March 28, 2011
Wait, there are photos?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:15 PM on March 28, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 7:15 PM on March 28, 2011
You got the photos, man! They're on the cover!
posted by klangklangston at 8:01 PM on March 28, 2011
posted by klangklangston at 8:01 PM on March 28, 2011
Where I come from, centerfolds have nipples.
Just sayin'.
posted by klangklangston at 8:18 PM on March 28, 2011
Just sayin'.
posted by klangklangston at 8:18 PM on March 28, 2011
Aww, you look like me only with a starter beard.
posted by klangklangston at 12:47 AM on March 29, 2011
posted by klangklangston at 12:47 AM on March 29, 2011
Look, it's drum! No, it's milk, we were justing foolin'!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:30 AM on March 29, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 4:30 AM on March 29, 2011
Oh and no, there has been no photo editing done, as there's is no final output source i.e. printer. If I'm wrong there, or viewing things through a ignorant filter, let me know.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:54 AM on March 29, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:54 AM on March 29, 2011
What dumbass wanted to launch a print and web version at the same time?!
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:41 PM on March 29, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 5:41 PM on March 29, 2011
Putting finishing touches on print version, should be ready today or tomorrow, then uploaded to Magcloud. Website is taking a little longer, should be ready by next weekend at very latest.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:29 AM on April 2, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 6:29 AM on April 2, 2011
Oh yeah, we actually finished this, see new thread.
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:40 AM on April 6, 2011
posted by Brandon Blatcher at 8:40 AM on April 6, 2011
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posted by jessamyn (staff) at 3:19 PM on March 6, 2011 [2 favorites]