For women only... what eBooks?

[jusmee]

Originally Posted by QIbHom

"is it SF or fantasy" pissing contest .

Had that argument here about the movie 'Avatar'

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by QIbHom

RobertB, I had several classes in library school on how to tell what genre a book was in, and it boils down to "put stuff where your patron will find it." Sounds simple, but it isn't. But, if you can be consistent, no matter what you do, it'll help. If you always put David Weber in Fantasy, I'll find him, even though some of his series are (arguably) SciFi.

Metadata is a mess because anyone can play, and everyone will categorize things slightly (at least) differently, if they bother (and most won't). In library terms, without a controlled vocabulary, you end up with a dog's breakfast. Unfortunately, with controlled vocabulary, people complain it is hard (I don't think it is, but I had Dewey Decimal System figured out by the time I was 4).

I get amused by Internet folks trying to reinvent library cataloging practises. Haven't seen anything yet that makes me want to give up Library of Congress subject headings (as flawed as they are) and a good old fashioned classification system, like Dewey or even LC.

And did you remember that 15 March is the Ides of March?

Dear QIbHom:

Yes, the Ides of March can be scary. But none of us here are named Julius. We do have a Program Manager that may need to be assasinated and a webmaster that may need a good beating... but that can come anytime of year!!

Agree, that categories are trickey. But, still, I am finding "How to Walk Your Dog" under the category of "mysteries" and "Faith in God" under "thrillers". This will NOT make anyone comfortable on this certain site. I want people to find what they search for... but also browse for titles they do not know about knowing the genre is correct!

[Davimee]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Agree, that categories are trickey. But, still, I am finding "How to Walk Your Dog" under the category of "mysteries" and "Faith in God" under "thrillers". This will NOT make anyone comfortable on our site. I want people to find what they search for... but also browse for titles they do not know about knowing the genre is correct!

Well, walking a dog can be pretty mysterious. You never know when they might try running off on their own. And faith can be thrilling!

But in seriousness, hopefully you can get the categories figured out so it will be easier for us to find books we're looking for, as well as new ones!

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by QIbHom

RobertB, I had several classes in library school on how to tell what genre a book was in, and it boils down to "put stuff where your patron will find it." Sounds simple, but it isn't. But, if you can be consistent, no matter what you do, it'll help. If you always put David Weber in Fantasy, I'll find him, even though some of his series are (arguably) SciFi.

If you put Science Fiction in with Fantasy or the other way round, unless the prices are that much better then the other guys, I'll shop elsewhere. So please don't do that. It's a bad idea and tends to lose customers. And please please do not put the vampire/undead/otherworld stuff in with Science Fiction or Fantasy. They don't belong. They actually belong in horror. And what's called dark fantasy that's really just romance/erotica/smut belongs someplace other then Fantasy.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by jusmee

Had that argument here about the movie 'Avatar'

Avatar is Science Fiction overall.

[QIbHom]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you put Science Fiction in with Fantasy or the other way round, unless the prices are that much better then the other guys, I'll shop elsewhere. So please don't do that. It's a bad idea and tends to lose customers. And please please do not put the vampire/undead/otherworld stuff in with Science Fiction or Fantasy. They don't belong. They actually belong in horror. And what's called dark fantasy that's really just romance/erotica/smut belongs someplace other then Fantasy.

And this is why it is probably best to not give in to the temptation to use granular genre headings. I personally find it less annoying to wade through a large number of titles than to find, for example, Melisa Michael's excellent Rosie Lavine books in fantasy when I think they belong in mystery.

All this aside, what I'd really, really love would be a notification system, so I could sign up and all new e-books by a specific author would trigger an e-mail with a link to where I could buy it. Bonus points if I could specify that the e-mail not go out until a certain price was reached. (I'd love this for subject, too, but, for all the reasons given in this thread, it is probably best not to go there and to simply allow a pub year sort on the website).

[readinggal]

I am so looking forward to the 15th! I want to check out this new site

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by readinggal

I am so looking forward to the 15th! I want to check out this new site

Dear readinggal:

Me also. The webmaster is trying, but I am not yet sure about March 15. There is so much to finish and it is going slowly.

I cannot wait and will be SO pleased when it is open for the Soft Run. It seems to be taking forever.

[Elfwreck]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear readinggal:

Me also. The webmaster is trying, but I am not yet sure about March 15. There is so much to finish and it is going slowly.

I cannot wait and will be SO pleased when it is open for the Soft Run. It seems to be taking forever.

I vote for a slow approach instead of fast-as-possible. I've seen plenty of rushed-to-finish online stores that were *horrible* for customers because not enough time had been spent fine-tuning the interface.

It'd be nice if it opened in another week or so, but I'd rather it worked well than was glitchy for the first month. Much rather they took their time on the coding, tested it on several browsers (IE Firefox Safari Opera; nobody expects Lynx compliance anymore), made sure the search function is effective before opening.

[Patricia]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Me also. The webmaster is trying, but I am not yet sure about March 15. There is so much to finish and it is going slowly.

The management in my place of work is also very trying, so you have my sympathy.

[Logseman]

Nobody remembers when the most successful businesses were founded or opened. Yet nobody expects that those businesses will close.

Thus, take your time, do things right and you won't create any Internet meme like that Big Rigs.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Elfwreck

I vote for a slow approach instead of fast-as-possible. I've seen plenty of rushed-to-finish online stores that were *horrible* for customers because not enough time had been spent fine-tuning the interface.

It'd be nice if it opened in another week or so, but I'd rather it worked well than was glitchy for the first month. Much rather they took their time on the coding, tested it on several browsers (IE Firefox Safari Opera; nobody expects Lynx compliance anymore), made sure the search function is effective before opening.

Dear Elfwreck:

I agree. In the end the site has to work perfectly and smoothly and FULLY before we send people there. I guess another week or so will not hurt too much. BUT, I know so many people are waiting.

Yes, my first reaction is to ram it through. But, I will not do that. Many people have said: "They Will Not Look Twice". This is true and IF people go to the eBook Store and find it cumbersome or slow or pricey... they will not be back and we cannot get them back. This new eBook Store will seekis to create a safe, easy, well-titled website where people will love to browse. I picture people making a hot cup of coffee or chocolate, grabbing a snack, and sitting back for an hour or two just browsing for what intriques them. I also know that others will be in a hurry to get their title(s) and that means an easy and fast and direct search.
What I am seeing is that there are far more facets to an eBook Store than "here is the content, now let someone buy it". It really IS a store and the layout, browsing, and purchasing must be pleasurable.

[jusmee]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Avatar is Science Fiction overall.

That's what I concluded. Not everyone agrees, but such is life.

[jusmee]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you put Science Fiction in with Fantasy or the other way round, unless the prices are that much better then the other guys, I'll shop elsewhere. So please don't do that. It's a bad idea and tends to lose customers. .

Yes, and same in the real world. There are bookstores that I avoid now because they do this.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by jusmee

Yes, and same in the real world. There are bookstores that I avoid now because they do this.

Dear all:

I am actually talking directly now to independent authors and publishers who specialize in Science Fiction. They are agreeing to put their titles on this new website. I think you are going to find all of this amazing. It will take a while to get those independents posted... but they are coming.

Look, NOBODY can please everybody. I really try hard to do this, and we open the doors to comments and suggestions and everything else. But please do not start talking about avoiding a site you have not even seen yet.