Pretty soon we are going to push some UI changes to the website in support of the new update schedule/business model. Our change to a Patron-focused model has been really successful; the additional support has definitely balanced out what advertising has been failing to offer us for the past few years. That brings with it no small sigh of relief, so I’m immensely appreciative for all of you that joined us on Patreon.
However, while Patreon offers us a really straightforward way to connect for that “support = content” pipeline, Patreon’s own UI is fairly abysmal for my type of content. It’s fine for “here’s a single piece of content periodically” level of drip, but it’s not awesome when there’s more content that you might want to browse forwards and backwards through (like a comic series).
To that end, I have engaged a great developer to make some changes to this website, in order to clarify navigation and incorporate the Patron content into our archives. Once we go live, you’ll notice that the archive pages are a little simpler and easier to use, and also from the front page and while browsing, it will be easier to tell at a glance which comic series archive you are currently in.
More importantly, we will be able to fold our Patreon-only content into the regular archives. If you are not a Patron, these pages will appear locked, but if you are logged in with your Patreon account, you will have access to all of them using the same archive/navigation as you’re used to for all of our other comics.
This will provide Patrons an additional option for navigating their CAD content outside of using Patreon’s app/website.
I’m curious how this will work with things like your RSS feed, that’s how I usually find out that new comics have been released, which prompts me to come to the site. Will there be two feeds, or will we only see the newest releases that are locked show up?
Definitely a concern I have as well. Another comic I follow has paid readers several updates ahead and the main RSS only points you to the newest paid update. Had to find a third party RSS feed to get pointed directly to the free reader updates.
Hey what did you use for that because I’ve a feeling that’s what we are going to have to do.
Inoreader has been my RSS reader of choice since Google Reader got taken out behind the barn.
I use my RSS basically as the internet’s front door. I don’t subscribe on youtube, i add the channel to my RSS (and Inoreader blessedly marks shorts so i can skip them completely). I did use RSS for CAD until I started supporting on Patreon, so if the site becomes my main avenue again i’m hopeful RSS will continue to be an option.
Ditto! I’d forget to stop by without the RSS feed 🙈
I hope there will be a second RSS, otherwise it will get very messy with the increased posting pace that means that the gap is continuously growing between the 2 crowds of readers.
The current RSS should stay on the free schedule to not disturb the legacy subscription, and the Patreon supporters can update to the new address.
I use RSS, don’t be getting rid of it! It is what reminds me to come to the site and lets me know about updates!!!!
My developer said he is looking into the RSS, and will aim to have 2 RSS feeds, one that notifies each time a page goes free-to-read, and one with the latest updates.
Thank you for the upcoming update, I’m looking forward to it, because I absolutely hate Patreon’s UI.
I wish they had a better handling of webcomics, because it’s my only reason for using Patreon, but I guess it’s overall a negligible part of their content so they don’t care.
Please keep the RSS feed working 🙂 many of us consume it that way (at https://cad-comic.com/feed/ )
That’s awesome, I’m really glad it’s been working out!
Looking forward to it. I enjoy rereading but it’s basically next to impossible in Patreon.