I thought it might be good idea to get everyone else's take on Auto-Updated comics.

When I first came on here I had no idea this was an option.

Now I can see the benefits of doing this...like you are heading out of town and want to keep the pages on schedule for readers...but apart from that...eh?

I really don't like it.
When I find a comic I like, I fav it and look forward to new updates...
but with the Auto-Update feature, pages could be posted each day and you wouldn't know until a live update occurs...argh!!!

would you avoid reading a Auto-Updated comic?
Is there something to live updates?
what do you guys think?

TheMidge28
but with the Auto-Update feature, pages could be posted each day and you wouldn't know until a live update occurs...argh!!!

I'm confused. What do you mean? Auto-updated comics look just like "live" updates but at the same time each day...

Most of the comics I follow update at "the switch-over," so they are probably set to auto-update. You can't tell by that, of course. Other comics I follow update shortly after that (within the hour), so they don't "auto update" but it is essentially the same. If I was asleep during the change, I wouldn't know. It isn't a bad time to update. It means your comic has that little asterix for the whole day. Auto updating is the same as updating "manually" the same time for each update. And with a bunch of comics updating the same time, I can sit down and read them all at once.

I like it because I have a hefty backlog of pages, so I can pre-upload them when I finish. Then I can edit it any time. (Usually I make changes to the comments section just before the update.) Plus, if there's a problem with uploads on DD, I'm covered for a few days.

The only thing about auto updating that is annoying is that pretty much only people that have you favorited will know you updated. Because you are bumped off the main index so fast nobody can just click you cause they happen to see an updated comic.

I generally don't use it for that reason but have been using it more lately.

Personally, I use the auto update feature for most of my pages. I usually upload them a couple of hours before they're set to go live.
I have regular update days and I want to make sure my comic pages are shown as being updated on the right day. I also like to have that little star next to my comic's name be there for 24 hours as opposed to 24 minutes (or however long before 1 AM I post the comic.)
The only reason I might want to do live updates if I'm too impatient to wait until my normal update day for feedback. I tend not to get much anyway so it doesn't much matter.

I don't know why someone would not want to read a comic just because it auto updates, it just means the author's working ahead. It makes them less likely to have to miss updates in the future.
How would you know unless the author says something anyway? It's not like artists are deliberately hiding new comics from readers going "BWAHAHAHA! They won't get to see this one for weeks!"

usedbooks

TheMidge28
but with the Auto-Update feature, pages could be posted each day and you wouldn't know until a live update occurs...argh!!!

I'm confused. What do you mean? Auto-updated comics look just like "live" updates but at the same time each day...

sorry let me clarify...
it will address JNP as well...

JustNoPoint
The only thing about auto updating that is annoying is that pretty much only people that have you favorited will know you updated. Because you are bumped off the main index so fast nobody can just click you cause they happen to see an updated comic.

I generally don't use it for that reason but have been using it more lately.

I know for the creator "Auto-Update" is a great feature...makes it easy to have pages set and in place...but for the reader just as JNP eludes new readers will not be able to jump on since the update briefly comes up in the update listing on the homepage...

also in regards to it being favorited JNP...even then there are comics which are on auto-update which never move up in my personal queue and only move up when they are live updates...hope that explains what I mean...

TheMidge28
I know for the creator "Auto-Update" is a great feature...makes it easy to have pages set and in place...but for the reader just as JNP eludes new readers will not be able to jump on since the update briefly comes up in the update listing on the homepage...

Regardless of whether the author has preloaded their comic page or not, the brief window of time will be the same. :) There's no advantage insofar as exposure or gaining readers to doing preloaded pages or loading pages on their live date.

also in regards to it being favorited JNP...even then there are comics which are on auto-update which never move up in my personal queue and only move up when they are live updates...hope that explains what I mean...

That sounds like a bug, they're supposed to behave the same way.

I like the auto-uploader, but I don't use it very often. I usually update my pages manually when I wake up on Sunday morning. There's been a few occassions where for whatever reason I'm not around on Sunday to update, which is when the auto-uploader is great. I don't use the Alerter, so I'm not aware of any issues that may come up for the reader in regards to updating automatically or manually.

skoolmunkee
Regardless of whether the author has preloaded their comic page or not, the brief window of time will be the same. :) There's no advantage insofar as exposure or gaining readers to doing preloaded pages or loading pages on their live date.

If you auto upload you are uploading at the same time MANY others are doing so and at midnight.

However if you upload during the day you may be on the main index longer and people that are browsing at that time can catch you on.

I know if I look at midnight after the upload occurs i am long gone off the main site list of recently updated.

But if I upload during the day I usually hang around on the main page longer.

Auto-update is fantastic. Especially if you do a daily webcomic. It means that I don't necessarily have to get onto the internet at a certain time for all my readers. It means its uploaded nice and early for everyone's benefit. Oh, and it means that when I was off on a two week holiday I could just pre-load all the comics I needed to cover me.

JustNoPoint
If you auto upload you are uploading at the same time MANY others are doing so and at midnight.

However if you upload during the day you may be on the main index longer and people that are browsing at that time can catch you on.

OK, that's true.

However I know as a reader that I don't really like comics that update at some random time in the middle of the day. The standard for update times really is midnight, or thereabouts. I like to come on in the morning and read my regulars and then not worry about it until the next morning. Of course the way the DD update asterisks work now, by the next morning a later-day-updating comic won't be showing its asterisk any more. I know there's a number of comics I've fallen behind on because of that. Eventually I just don't bother to look at them any more, there's only a few that I like enough to 'chase'. (Of course if the asterisks operated on a 24-hour basis and not a midnight-turnover, that would be different.)

Probably not a significant drawback though. :)

Hopefully in a future upgrade to DD, people can specify what time of day (and not just what day) they want their comic to update...

skoolmunkee
However I know as a reader that I don't really like comics that update at some random time in the middle of the day.

I didn't think of this one. So you could potentially get new people to see your work but could also get some that have favorited you to get annoyed at the odd times you update...

Agh, I suppose it is better to try and appeal to the established audience more... I better start auto updating when applicable.

Hopefully in a future upgrade to DD, people can specify what time of day (and not just what day) they want their comic to update...

+

(Of course if the asterisks operated on a 24-hour basis and not a midnight-turnover, that would be different.)

Oh man, this would be very very handy!

Tom Selleck
I really don't like it.
When I find a comic I like, I fav it and look forward to new updates...
but with the Auto-Update feature, pages could be posted each day and you wouldn't know until a live update occurs...argh!!!

Well, Tom, I must say that this is the first time I've ever seen a complaint about the functionality of an auto-update system. )Most people complain when it DOESN'T work)

If I understand this correctly, it sounds like you're unhappy with comics that have new comics finished but don't actually show them until specific dates. Well, in the industry, everyone does this. Your newspaper comics are all done well in advance. A good six weeks, if I recall correctly.

The concept of an auto-update system, or buffer, is that the author has a little breathing room to have future comics in production while his site updates for him automatically. It's not there to taunt the reader with pages that are not yet able to be seen.

I've taken it a step further. My comic is done so far in advance that I've got about 50 pages finished that aren't even on the auto-update. I usually only bother to upload before the planned live date when I just want to get all the photoshop work out of the way or when I think I might miss it for whatever reason.

It's good to space your updates apart though, it gives more time for one page, so in case someone missed something they still have a few days to catch up.

Neilsama

Tom Selleck
I really don't like it.
When I find a comic I like, I fav it and look forward to new updates...
but with the Auto-Update feature, pages could be posted each day and you wouldn't know until a live update occurs...argh!!!

Well, Tom, I must say that this is the first time I've ever seen a complaint about the functionality of an auto-update system. )Most people complain when it DOESN'T work)

If I understand this correctly, it sounds like you're unhappy with comics that have new comics finished but don't actually show them until specific dates. Well, in the industry, everyone does this. Your newspaper comics are all done well in advance. A good six weeks, if I recall correctly.

The concept of an auto-update system, or buffer, is that the author has a little breathing room to have future comics in production while his site updates for him automatically. It's not there to taunt the reader with pages that are not yet able to be seen.

that's not what I meant at all..I guess I am not explaining what I mean because the terms we are using are not defined well enough...

as I tried to explain earlier...I'll try again...look at your list of favorites to the side of the screen...as a new page is posted the comic normally moves up in that list...however if a comic is on a "auto-update" schedule...and skoolmonkee advised this may be a bug...the comic will not move up in the queue until the comic is taken off the auto-update and "live" updates or "manual" updates are made.

I hope that explains it better.

I understand having pages made well in advance is the standard in the industry and I am not upset that a creator has pages waiting in the wings waiting for their premier date...

but there is something to say about comics where a creator comes on loads up a bunch of pages, set on auto update and then leaves...any thoughts on that? (moving discussion away from functionality of Auto-Update to other aspects...)

I love the auto updater. By using it, not only am I sure that my pages post on time, but all those people who have my comic favourited will be able to see it no matter what time they are online.

TheMidge28
but there is something to say about comics where a creator comes on loads up a bunch of pages, set on auto update and then leaves...any thoughts on that? (moving discussion away from functionality of Auto-Update to other aspects...)

I don't know anyone who does that -- at least not for any length of time. To be able to set up pages for when you're on vacation or unable to access a computer, I don't see the problem. In fact, that is exactly what makes it so great. This spring, my cable company cut off our internet very suddenly. For two weeks, we had no internet (or cable... we all went a bit mad), but I had already uploaded my pages, so they went up just as previously planned, and I didn't have to break my update schedule (or promises to my few but valued readers) -- regardless of whether (or what time of day) I managed to get to a computer. To me, that's a good thing.

If anyone actually is just uploading pages, and leaving it, well, I don't think that's a problem either. They and their readers will miss the interaction, but even some people doing live/non-midnight updates don't interact with their readers. So it certainly isn't a "fault" of comics that update themselves at midnight. It doesn't matter how you do it, some people just invest more in their readers and comic, and some don't. I think it is nice when a comic can keep to an update schedule during unforeseen problems. (Although, how weird would it be if the author died, and his comic kept updating itself for two months? o.O )

usedbooks
I don't know anyone who does that -- at least not for any length of time.

I have come across a number of comics that do do that. (do do...giggle)
I have no problem with people using Auto-Update for when they will be on vacation or away for other reasons... I just have seen some who just load their whole comic, set on auto-pilot and then you never hear more from them again...I don't know why that bugs me...should seek conseling...but it does for some reason...

usedbooks
(Although, how weird would it be if the author died, and his comic kept updating itself for two months? o.O )

or longer...I never thought of that...what great idea for a comic!
spooky!

I assure you no matter what auto-update live updater or whatever says, I updated today and everyday. I don't miss updates. I just don't. I'm considering taking off February from doing comics, but honestly, I don't know if I want to. I love doing comics. It makes me feel good about myself and gives me something to do on the internet thats at least mildly productive.

I've got all my comics ready for the next month or so, but I've only loaded this weeks into the auto-updater. It seems to work out okay, but for some reason my hits somewhat go down when I do auto-updates, its like without that little star, there is no reason to read penis. Which is bullshit, since theres Vinhead and funny poetry and all the other crappy extra content I bothered to do.

I always upload two pages in advance. It won't pop up on the "recently updated" list that way, I guess, but I don't always have time to do the update on the given update day, and I want to be sure that those who have it faved know when they turn on their computer on a Wednesday or Sunday morning, the new Bulletproof page will be there. It's just a good way for me to be sure it runs smoothly, and I think reliability is important with webcomics.

TheMidge28
I just have seen some who just load their whole comic, set on auto-pilot and then you never hear more from them again...I don't know why that bugs me...should seek conseling...but it does for some reason...

Maybe because it makes it seem like they don't actually care about you as a reader or what your reaction is, they just want another pair of eyes?

skoolmunkee

TheMidge28
I just have seen some who just load their whole comic, set on auto-pilot and then you never hear more from them again...I don't know why that bugs me...should seek conseling...but it does for some reason...

Maybe because it makes it seem like they don't actually care about you as a reader or what your reaction is, they just want another pair of eyes?

I was following you up to here....

If they wanted another set of eyes they would actually be involved with the posting and not walking away...right?

I like auto-update not because I have a crazy huge buffer to upload (pfft, haha, because I don't XD) but because I can't always be by my computer. For example, yesterday I completed a page and set it to auto-update because I knew that I wanted to post it today but I'd be at my friend's house all weekend. So, I just set it to auto-update and it's up without me lifting a finger. As for not seeing the comics that auto-update...it's there always and asterisk by them on your facorites?

I'll say this, though - if you're an idiot like me who uploads two pages at once that are meant to go live a week later and forgets to set the live dates properly, this auto-upload thingamabub is kind of a dangerous feature.

I mean, I'm not saying that actually happened yesterday night or anything, just... you know.

Muttermutter.

I uploaded twenty comics. I had to erase ten because the date was wrong on the first one on the second set.

Its a hassle, but considering what a hassle Geocities was years ago, I can put up with having to delete stuff. Its when I've got the news posts all typed in and that happens that I feel really stupid.

marine
I uploaded twenty comics. I had to erase ten because the date was wrong on the first one on the second set.

Its a hassle, but considering what a hassle Geocities was years ago, I can put up with having to delete stuff. Its when I've got the news posts all typed in and that happens that I feel really stupid.

If you notice it right away, it's no big deal, but the thing is, I uploaded this stuff around midnight my time (CET, I think we're 8 hours ahead of DD time), then went to sleep without checking again, and when I woke up at 6:30, I already had something like 200 new PVs and comments on all the new pages, so I really couldn't remove them anymore. Worse yet, there was a page missing in the middle because THAT one had its live date set for Wednesday.

Long story short, I totally effed up and now I've skipped over ten days' worth of buffer material. Sigh.

spacehamster
If you notice it right away, it's no big deal, but the thing is, I uploaded this stuff around midnight my time (CET, I think we're 8 hours ahead of DD time), then went to sleep without checking again, and when I woke up at 6:30, I already had something like 200 new PVs and comments on all the new pages, so I really couldn't remove them anymore. Worse yet, there was a page missing in the middle because THAT one had its live date set for Wednesday.

Long story short, I totally effed up and now I've skipped over ten days' worth of buffer material. Sigh.

I had a nightmare about doing that once. Probably because I was working right up until I went to bed

kingofsnake
I had a nightmare about doing that once. Probably because I was working right up until I went to bed

Well, who says dreams don't come true, huh.

Heh. I'm trying to look at the bright side here - at least the latest stuff I'm uploading now doesn't feel so ancient anymore. Five weeks buffer is a LONG time.

spacehamster

kingofsnake
I had a nightmare about doing that once. Probably because I was working right up until I went to bed

Well, who says dreams don't come true, huh.

Heh. I'm trying to look at the bright side here - at least the latest stuff I'm uploading now doesn't feel so ancient anymore. Five weeks buffer is a LONG time.

Man, do I understand... Every page I post hurts my eyes a little, because I have a 300 page "buffer," so my webcomic is several months behind my current skill level. (I was pressured by my friends and family into uploading my comic, which was already novel-length at the time.) I even posted 70 pages my first few days just so I wouldn't have to stare at the hideousness or read comments about how to improve. -- Those just made me feel guilty, like I wasted their time and efforts.

Anyway, I wouldn't want to change from doing a page a day. I triple check the dates on my pre-uploads, and I always check at the time change (unless I can't) to make sure that day's page displayed properly. I'm so paranoid.

What hurt most in it though was I posted pages that were chronologically out of order, thus disrupting my narrative flow. Thats what really shook me.

I know what you mean usedbooks, current updates of Children at Play are like 2 years old still. I think thats why I work os hard on my remixes, kinda like a "look I don't suck THAT hard, serously guys"

usedbooks
Man, do I understand... Every page I post hurts my eyes a little, because I have a 300 page "buffer," so my webcomic is several months behind my current skill level.

300 pages? Damn. I have about ten. But it's bad enough.

But then again, it means we're still getting better, and that's really all that matters. It does irk me how by the time a page goes live, I feel like it doesn't reflect my abilities at all, but it's either that or no buffer, which will inevitably lead to missed updates.

usedbooks
I triple check the dates on my pre-uploads, and I always check at the time change (unless I can't) to make sure that day's page displayed properly. I'm so paranoid.

Believe me, from now on, I'll double-triple-friggin' check everything... this is NOT going to happen again. *shakes fist at computer screen*

kingofsnake
What hurt most in it though was I posted pages that were chronologically out of order, thus disrupting my narrative flow. Thats what really shook me.

Same here. Exactly. That's the part that drives me insane. Gah.