What do you think of the current MobileRead logo?

[mogui]

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

In an other note, it was said that reading is dated. I don't quite agree. Sure we have movies television and radio to communicate ideas but there are some abstract principles that can only be explained by metaphors for which only written words can convey meaning. Unless there is a brain connection machine somewhere, words are the most precise way of conveying some types of ideas.

I'm with you there. Can anyone think of a book that wasn't dumbed down when it was made into a movie? I think reading will be the medium of choice for intelligent people for a long time.

[jasonkchapman]

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

First, tying old paper ways to modern e-ways is only a short term proposition until the ebook is popularized, we're in an education phase. But as soon as the ebook is fairly well known, that phase would be 'passé' and leave the logo to be redone. There goes the endurablility again.

I'm not so sure of that. The book is still iconic, and will probably remain so for a long, long time. Fictionwise, and many writing-related companies, use a quill pen as part of their logo. The quill pen not only represents a writing instrument, but is further overloaded with a sense of artistic writing, like poetry or fiction.

The meaning of a lot of icons survive well beyond the usefulness of their physical representation. How many e-mail programs and operating systems use envelope icons? It conveys the meaning of "mail" without the viewer having to decode it.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by mogui

I'm with you there. Can anyone think of a book that wasn't dumbed down when it was made into a movie? I think reading will be the medium of choice for intelligent people for a long time.

I have a movie for you that came to me reading your post... The Green Mile.

[aapezzuto]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have a movie for you that came to me reading your post... The Green Mile.

God I LOVE that movie, in fact I find most of his work to be better in well adapted screen versions... but thats probably more to do with his style than his content, I just don't like how he writes... him and steinbeck!

Back to the case at hand... The long and short of it is that any symbolic icon without frame of reference of some sort is just geometry. Take the quill, without a historic frame of reference, I wouldn't know a feather with strange end was for writing. Without the zoo, or history I wouldn't know feather got big enough for this to be feasible, and without earth I wouldn't probably know what the hell a feather is.

So, as long as it is easy to recognize (not what it is... but that it is the same on 2 things) It meets our basic need. Next it needs to look nice to us... after all we are going to be recognized with it. Last (im pushing my priorities here.. and I know it... but i only do it cause I'm right ) is its artistic meaning. Honestly I couldn't care less about books environmental impact... anyone who throws away a book should be shot, or at least shown how to read. I do care about shipping costs, space conservation, and media integration. Until e-books are a norm, people are gong to keep having to pay for things that should be free. For me a set of esthetically pleasing lines that represent progress to us, and squiggles to other people would be awesome. Ive been messing around with other things because as an artist I'm craptacular, but I am a damn good artistic technition, and I need the chance to hone my skills where I have them.

This thread is getting long enough that I almost want to start another one with a more directed purpose... and some guidlines... but that would require a benevolent dictator to set them up. True democracy only can survive in groups of 3 or 5.... past that its very ineffective. Heck Congress is practically the opposite of progress. We are on so many different "pages" here that we will continue to disagree and go different directions until there is a stronger push in some direction.

At some point we need to come up with a process and guidelines for this mess... this may not be now, soon or ever... But realize that once I get my readers, my extra energy will be elsewhere... and eventually this thread will drive itself in circles till everyone but the thrill seekers want to get off. (Even they will throw up a few times)

I say all this, not because I want the process to end, but becaue right now there isn't a road map, and the destination is only as clear as "we are going to that place, with the roof... the big roof" !!! We don't know vehicle we want to use, or even how long the trip is... This will continue to be a great, fun trip... because the company is good... but the end destination is moving away from us faster than we are moving towards it.

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by aapezzuto

This thread is getting long enough that I almost want to start another one with a more directed purpose... and some guidlines... but that would require a benevolent dictator to set them up. True democracy only can survive in groups of 3 or 5.... past that its very ineffective. Heck Congress is practically the opposite of progress. We are on so many different "pages" here that we will continue to disagree and go different directions until there is a stronger push in some direction.

At some point we need to come up with a process and guidelines for this mess... this may not be now, soon or ever... But realize that once I get my readers, my extra energy will be elsewhere... and eventually this thread will drive itself in circles till everyone but the thrill seekers want to get off. (Even they will throw up a few times)

I say all this, not because I want the process to end, but becaue right now there isn't a road map, and the destination is only as clear as "we are going to that place, with the roof... the big roof" !!! We don't know vehicle we want to use, or even how long the trip is... This will continue to be a great, fun trip... because the company is good... but the end destination is moving away from us faster than we are moving towards it.

You took on quite a task. I would have liked the challenge because I've done logos before but I have no time to do this one. And frankly the bank who owns me won't care much of any result coming from it.
I have a few suggestions.
Your idea of starting a new thread with strict guidelines is perfect if you want to keep your sanity. It should be the only way to go, feel free to ask editors how to proceed, they're all helpful.
Next, since this thread is your reference material, I would suggest you print it. Go to the second menu and look up 'Printable version' under 'Thread tools'. Then you can highlight all usable references to the subject at hand and have them immediately under your eyes for perusal.
And last, make 3 to 5 logos that you put to vote on a polled thread. Then it's up to the powers that be to make a decision.

[mogui]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

I have a movie for you that came to me reading your post... The Green Mile.

I think that was a Stephen King story, but I never read it. The movie was absolutely great!

Movies are a great medium for entertainment, but not so good for expressing intellectual content. The book, "Beautiful Mind" was much deeper than the movie. If they ever make a movie of "State of Fear" (Chrichton) you can bet it will only be about ecoterrorism. They will leave out most of Chrichton's ideas about doing good science, science by consensus, and politicized science.

I think most would agree that there is usually a great difference between a science fiction novel and the movie made from it. SF is mostly about ideas. I have read several Stephen King novels, and they are devoid of ideas, but are interesting artistically. The movie, "The Green Mile" succeeded in arousing great feeling in the viewer. The book probably did the same.

[nekokami]

I still like the right-most image in #104 best.

[aapezzuto]

Ok, before I go and too make this striate forward and organized, can someone link me to anything that would show the purpose or goal of mobileread? I have not been able to find a mission statement, or mantra anywhere... but then again I haven't looked all that diligently.

Thank you in advance... whoever is able to do this

[astra]

Your shelf on the road - nice line

[aapezzuto]

I have been talking to alex about this, and he is going to talk to some of the other editors. We should be able to set this up in a way that wont meander aimlessly for weeks/months. In the mean time my efforts in this thread will be on hold, so that I can focus on making sure the process is as effective, inclusive, transparent and fruitful as possible!

[NatCh]

I want to again specifically thank you for your efforts in providing us some direction here, aapezzuto. It's much appreciated.

It's probably best to table it for a bit, the 505 has us all in a tizzy, and if the rumors are right, we'll soon have the Kindle to distract us.

[Oh, Why Not?]

I just noticed yvanleterrible's new avatar! This is like what I think the logo should be like. Cheers and kudos to yvanleterrible.

https://www.mobileread.com/forums/ima...ine=1192219645

[mogui]

Originally Posted by yvanleterrible

You took on quite a task. I would have liked the challenge because I've done logos before but I have no time to do this one. And frankly the bank who owns me won't care much of any result coming from it.
I have a few suggestions.
Your idea of starting a new thread with strict guidelines is perfect if you want to keep your sanity. It should be the only way to go, feel free to ask editors how to proceed, they're all helpful.
Next, since this thread is your reference material, I would suggest you print it. Go to the second menu and look up 'Printable version' under 'Thread tools'. Then you can highlight all usable references to the subject at hand and have them immediately under your eyes for perusal.
And last, make 3 to 5 logos that you put to vote on a polled thread. Then it's up to the powers that be to make a decision.

By God! You are turning into a mime! But it is brilliant!

[JSWolf]

But, we need a static logo for placement in books. So while it may be a noce logo, we also need a second one for sure.

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by mogui

By God! You are turning into a mime! But it is brilliant!

Does this have anything to do with garden gnomes???