Your Input Needed: Regarding "Show Off Your Mac" Relaunch
I need everyone's honest opinion on this. I'm really wanting to relaunch Show Off Your Mac. It was such a great success, but unfortunately the web host I was using at the time couldn't handle the amount of traffic the site was bringing in. For the past year or so, I've been looking for all kinds of software alternatives that could offer users a photo gallery to view and participate in. I've tried software after software and nothing impresses me as much as Squarespace does, which is what I am using right now to run and manage the Social Blog.
Squarespace features an awesome photo gallery module. It's very stylish, simple and to the point. However it's very light on features. There is no ability to comment on photos or even leave a rating. My question to everyone: Would the lack of these two features stop you from wanting to visit the site? The first version of SOYM had hundreds of great photos, but not many of them actually received comments, which makes me think it wouldn't be a huge deal. If I did relaunch SOYM with Squarespace, it would be a gallery for viewing purposes only, and no interaction. Now I have heard Squarespace has some great "media management" features in the works, so the site would definitely improve over time.
What do you think? Relaunch the site using Squarespace or hold off until a better solution comes along, which could be a really long time from now? Everyone's input means a lot to me, so please be honest. I just want to move forward with this project and stop tossing ideas back and forth.
David Di Franco May 2, 2010 at 1:13 PM 
Reader Comments (39)
Relaunch the site using Squarespace. It will be awesome!
I say go ahead an launch it, if something ever better comes up, you can always update to that.
David,
I honestly think you should wait for a better solution. Without interaction and a community the website would die in my opinion. A site like SOYM needs a way to comment and rate or it wouldn't be fun. So please wait for a better solution.
-Tom
David, the site was amazing, and very fun to visit.
I don't think these features would stop people from visiting. Its too small of a missing element.
Hm... not sure. I enjoyed the commenting part personally because it allows the site to be more interactive with its users. It may not be a big deal, but its your call dude.
I would still use it, its interesting to see other peoples workkspace, although comments and ratings are nice, they are not a necessity.
For now relaunch with squarespace, I think personally it is a great web hosting service. If anything better were to come along update to that,
You should relaunch the website using Squarespace, comments and other features are nice, but in the long run they aren't used and often just sit there as "features" of the website. It would be great to just see the pictures in a gallery type format.
Squarespace seems to work well - and people ultimately come to see not to comment. So yes, use squaresapce.
I'm sure everyone is now telling you different things, but I say do it! What the heck? You can always move it over with a simple redirect after. And like you said, Squarespace itself may update their galleries.
Personally, I would relaunch with SquareSpace for the time being and wait for the future upgrades. Best of luck!
Relaunch it on SquareSpace. This there no way you can embed Disqus comments into the solution?
David,
If you launched it now of course it would be a success, but without the ability to comment/rate I think it would not promote a lasting community project. I think you should wait for a better solution.
John
David, I would definitely launch SOYM with Squarespace, the site has been missed by many of your followers, there still isnt a dedicated website for computer setups on the internet, although there are sites such as Macrumors that have a strong section in the forums for mac setups. You had a really strong user base when SOYM closed. If the new squarespace features are a long way off, there is potential to integrate facebook comments within the website, I have some great ideas for SOYM and how you could easily turn the whole "show off your mac" concept and bring it into a social network, If you would like to hear some more of my ideas please feel free to email me! I am not sure how it is done but I know there websites that do use it. It is a great website not only for us users but yourself with google adsense ads on the page, chance to earn some extra cash. Im sure i speak on behalf of alot of people when i say: Bring back Showoffyourmac.com!
Thanks!
Sam
twitter.com/spamup94
sam.squires@btconnect.com
I dont think square space would be a good solution As Its nice to coment on peoples setups. Interaction is the key to sucess. just imagine youtube without comments
I have to agree with David Banther, so DO IT!!
I will definitely visit the site :)
Honestly I say go for it. If they didn't receive very many comments before then it really wouldn't be an issue. As far as Im concerned. And if someone really had a question is there anyway you could allow your users to be able to post up their email with the picture? But keep it anonymous? Just wondering, I honestly have no idea. And then if you find something else later that can do the comments and rating then score, or if squarespace implements those features later on. I say jump and take the leap. It was a hit without the comments and ratings before, so do it again with a stronger server and worry about the rest when it comes along. :) Come to those bridges when they come up. I hope that helps.
It would definitely be better to be able to comment on and rate images, but I would still visit the site if it was relaunched with Squarespace.
I think it will be fine on Squarespace. I don't think commenting will get in the way of people visiting the site. I'd say go for it, and if people don't like it then you can consider switching again to a different one if one comes around.
Hi David,
I am very happy to hear that you intend to re-launch the site. Based on my minimal knowledge- I have certainly visited the site several times- and have discussed this very site with many of your loyal fans via your chat room and a few on Skype- this is a very important and popular element of the overall ‘thecreativeone’ brand. Your followers loved SOYM, and seemed quite bummed when it kinda fell off the radar.
My opinion for what it’s worth mind you, is that- something is better than nothing on this piece. If the Squarespace will eventually have the functionality to leave comments and ratings- then I say go for it as is. Even the opportunity for people to show off their stuff- as long as they can still leave their name and pertinent info related to their set-up- still allows for a place within your blog where people can still share ideas (visually anyway); offers an inside look at how other people use their own equipment, and what they have available to them to use; and will also serve to naturally foster communications with one another through the SB if they want to- at least until they can communicate more easily within SOYM. I do not believe the lack of features mentioned would stop folks from wanting to visit the site. Besides, a picture says more than words can, right? I say lets test that theory!
Now, it’s quite possible that I have no clue what I’m talking about, but I do know bringing this back will put a lot of smiles on a lot of faces. Besides, when I wanna show off my MAC (hopefully no later than June), I’m gonna need a place to do it.
Last: Yours is the first set-up everyone wants to see- so make it easy for us to find it- not lost in the mix if you will.
Miss you, hope life is treating you well.
Kim
I am going to go against popular opinion and say hold off, at least for now. I agree that these features are minor, and they would not stop me from visiting the site... but i think the relaunch of SOYM has the potential to be very successful and I would hate to see you relaunch it with a service that cannot provide everything you envision for your site. That said, I still think it would be a great site on squarespace, so if you want to go ahead with the relaunch, you can certainly do that.
I'd go with SquareSpace for now, it's better than nothing.
Thanks for all the great comments, everyone! I think I am going forward with the relaunch. Reading everyone's thoughts is getting me really excited for this project. I've missed Show Off Your Mac and I know plenty of my readers/viewers have, as well. The site's initial relaunch will be very short on features, but I can promise you one thing: It's going to look downright awesome. You should know by now that I'm very passionate about design and layout, so it's my ultimate goal to make this site's layout clean as can be.
Squarespace promises to be rolling out some awesome new features in the future, so I hope to implement them when the time is right. I can't wait to get started on this. I'm already in the process of sketching up some possible designs. As always, thank you so much for your input and I'll keep you updated!
Hi David i think you should relaunch Show Off Your Mac because about a year ago i saw some cool macs and besides you were the one that inspired me to get a mac because of you i now have a 13in macbook pro!