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nicola
Over 90 days ago
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United Kingdom
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Matriarch
Quote by BradCarpenter
If effort was to be put into having a good mobile site it should have been put toward making the desktop site mobile friendly.
A good point Brad, and in a round about kind of way, that's happening.
The company we have partnered with, wanted to prove concept first before committing even more resources, time and money into the site's development (and merging all the forum posts / groups / chat rooms etc.. into the one mobile friendly site).
If they had gone the whole hog with desktop, a 3 month project would have turned into an 8-12 month one, at great cost.
So the setup is a bit of a halfway house currently. Gav would call it, a "rolling beta"
Say what?
Matriarch
I think a lot of these comments relate to a comparison between the desktop v new mobile sites.
You should really be comparing the old mobile site v the new one.
It was previously a read only site with ads. That was it.
There was no signup. That allows for voting / commenting on stories, profile creation, image sharing, messaging, friending, chat, forums, groups etc..
Before, there was none of that.
Having said that, the feedback has been useful, and plans are afoot as to how we develop the mobile site further, going forward.
Thank you!
You should really be comparing the old mobile site v the new one.
It was previously a read only site with ads. That was it.
There was no signup. That allows for voting / commenting on stories, profile creation, image sharing, messaging, friending, chat, forums, groups etc..
Before, there was none of that.
Having said that, the feedback has been useful, and plans are afoot as to how we develop the mobile site further, going forward.
Thank you!
Matriarch
Due to the desktop site serving over 15 million monthly pageviews, to 1.3 million monthly users, the only option on a shoestring budget, is to heavily cache the site. Hence the delays.
The alternatives are we remove a whole bunch of features and make it a static site like *cough* inferior sites out there, add a mobile version which (hopefully) supplements our income and allows for technical improvements down the track, or we close the site.
We're doing everything we can to improve the site (s) across the board.
I think some people are forgetting that until a few months ago, we've only had one person managing the servers, for 12 years. Gav works as a full-time programmer elsewhere, and has a busy life outside of work. He only has a few hours a week available to work on the site.
Thank you for your understanding.
The alternatives are we remove a whole bunch of features and make it a static site like *cough* inferior sites out there, add a mobile version which (hopefully) supplements our income and allows for technical improvements down the track, or we close the site.
We're doing everything we can to improve the site (s) across the board.
I think some people are forgetting that until a few months ago, we've only had one person managing the servers, for 12 years. Gav works as a full-time programmer elsewhere, and has a busy life outside of work. He only has a few hours a week available to work on the site.
Thank you for your understanding.
Matriarch
Thank you all for the feedback so far, even though some appears somewhat harsh!
Up until a week ago, the mobile site was read only, without the ability to join, or even vote or comment on stories.
It has taken close to 3 months development time to get it to the stage we're at now.
The bidirectional synchronisation is something which will be worked on going forward. Gav and the team are working out the best way forward.
It is a new platform, and not going to have everything we have on the desktop site, right off the bat. It does have a lot of fun features we don't have here, and things like pattern matching on recommended content to read, are a leap forward. I've seen the cam chat on other sites they've developed, and those chat rooms are hugely popular with over 1000+ people on them at any one time, globally.
I hear what some people are saying about not wanting to put down their location, and I get that. It is used by the platform so things like local groups which may be of interest, show. There's no need for anyone to note down their location if they don't want to.
So please bear with us while we develop the mobile site, and hone it to suit our membership here. It is massively improved on what we had before, and I'd like to thank Griffers, Alec and their team, for the great job they've done so far.
Up until a week ago, the mobile site was read only, without the ability to join, or even vote or comment on stories.
It has taken close to 3 months development time to get it to the stage we're at now.
The bidirectional synchronisation is something which will be worked on going forward. Gav and the team are working out the best way forward.
It is a new platform, and not going to have everything we have on the desktop site, right off the bat. It does have a lot of fun features we don't have here, and things like pattern matching on recommended content to read, are a leap forward. I've seen the cam chat on other sites they've developed, and those chat rooms are hugely popular with over 1000+ people on them at any one time, globally.
I hear what some people are saying about not wanting to put down their location, and I get that. It is used by the platform so things like local groups which may be of interest, show. There's no need for anyone to note down their location if they don't want to.
So please bear with us while we develop the mobile site, and hone it to suit our membership here. It is massively improved on what we had before, and I'd like to thank Griffers, Alec and their team, for the great job they've done so far.
Matriarch
Quote by curvygalore
Thanks, Tonya! You're a wee star. And as it happens to be hump day and my birthday, I think a splash of Beaver's Breath Brandy in my coffee would not go amiss. ;)
Welcome back, Gill! Glad you had a fabulous holiday, even if the weather at home is a bit of a shock! Brrr. *shivers*
Happy birthday CG!
Matriarch
Quote by Mysteria27
I think the options on why you are there should change. I think mobile is more set up as you’re looking for people to hook up with. For me, I’m just on lush to write.
I think if you’re a member already on the main site it should carry over to there. Why do we have to pay again. I also don’t like the adds. For me, I’ll stay on the main site.
Good luck with your new endeavor.
Hugs,
Xo
You shouldn't see any ads if you are logged in as a paying member.
Let me know if that's not working for you. It does for me.
Matriarch
Quote by penman5248
Congrats to Hannah for placing in the latest comp. Where does one find a listing of the top 10? I see the top 3 writers but not the longer list.
https://www.lushstories.com/competitions/winter-adventure.aspx
I drank too much last night. I blame Rach for encouraging me.
"How's the head?"
"Never had any complaints."
Matriarch
Quote by Green_Man
It was fun to check-in to my timeline this morning and see that Nicola was passing out RRs. Apparently. Actually, not quite. But what a pleasure to be in the top ten once more. Worth all the work and effort for sure.
Those were some strong competitors and the winners finely chosen.
It's time to begin the day with a cuppa java, if you please.
Cheers, all.
Hey you, you got an RR, give the old dear some time to catch up!
Mine's a gin and tonic please bar keep.
This competition was horrible to judge in that so many of the top 20 were in the mix.
How about we have a competition where the winning Rumplations candidate hand picks the winners? You'll then get to see how hard it is. I like that idea.
Or we could do what *cough* some sites do, and give the winning prizes to those who have the most friends, but I'm sorry, I have too much respect for you all for that.
My G & T has finished already. Perhaps it's time to move on to a Martini or wine?
Matriarch
It's been a while since we've really opened up the competition parameters with a photo inspired theme, and let our writers run wild and free!
I'm so glad we did, and am delighted to say it was a huge success. We had some of the best erotica I've ever read entered.
There was fierce competition for the top spots, but the judges' final tally put these excellent entries in the Top 3:
1st Place ($500 Prize): All That Glitters, by Saucymh
2nd Place ($100 Prize): Beating the Skin, by fuzzyblue
3rd Place ($50 Prize): The Silverest Lining, by browncoffee
Congratulations to Saucmh, Fuzzyblue and Browncoffee!
Rounding out the Top 10, were these wonderful stories. I highly urge our readers to read the lot!
Soul Searching, by WannabeWordsmith
Searching in Zaragoza, by ScarlettElizabeth
The Cheater's Map of Prague, by ByronLord
The Guardian, by tangerinesky
A Steampunk Trek into a New London Town, by Green_Man
Quest For Adventure, by DarkSide
Albany to Albania, A Tectonic Story, by BlinkOneSomething
A big thank you to all those that took the time to enter and to our judging panel for taking the time to read them all.
Details of the first competition of 2019 will be announced soon!
Cheers,
Nicola
I'm so glad we did, and am delighted to say it was a huge success. We had some of the best erotica I've ever read entered.
There was fierce competition for the top spots, but the judges' final tally put these excellent entries in the Top 3:
1st Place ($500 Prize): All That Glitters, by Saucymh
2nd Place ($100 Prize): Beating the Skin, by fuzzyblue
3rd Place ($50 Prize): The Silverest Lining, by browncoffee
Congratulations to Saucmh, Fuzzyblue and Browncoffee!
Rounding out the Top 10, were these wonderful stories. I highly urge our readers to read the lot!
Soul Searching, by WannabeWordsmith
Searching in Zaragoza, by ScarlettElizabeth
The Cheater's Map of Prague, by ByronLord
The Guardian, by tangerinesky
A Steampunk Trek into a New London Town, by Green_Man
Quest For Adventure, by DarkSide
Albany to Albania, A Tectonic Story, by BlinkOneSomething
A big thank you to all those that took the time to enter and to our judging panel for taking the time to read them all.
Details of the first competition of 2019 will be announced soon!
Cheers,
Nicola
Matriarch
Quote by Milik_the_Red
One thing I’ve noticed is that there seems to be no link to older stories. I’ve been watching one of mine and the views have dropped to a trickle. I think this may be because the search engines default to the mobile page and prevent any but computer users or actual members from getting into Lush’s main page. I feel this may help new stories get views but I fear it may be much harder for them to become famous.
Edit.
If I’m right, this will severely limit the number of stiories casual surfers will see.
Hi Milik,
I'm not sure I understand what you're saying.
You have 88 stories showing there: https://m.lushstories.com/profiles/view/Milik_the_Red/stories
Can you elaborate please.
Matriarch
Thanks for starting a new thread Noll. I thought it best to keep it a separate announcement as those type of posts often get hijacked with technical problems and all the rest of it.
There's something up with the login process at the moment. Mods aren't able to get in either. It's being investigated. Apologies!
There are a lot of really cool features on the mobile site we'd like to merge with our feature set here, which I think a lot of people will enjoy.
Hopefully we can give it a really good test this week, and sort all these teething problems out.
There's something up with the login process at the moment. Mods aren't able to get in either. It's being investigated. Apologies!
There are a lot of really cool features on the mobile site we'd like to merge with our feature set here, which I think a lot of people will enjoy.
Hopefully we can give it a really good test this week, and sort all these teething problems out.
Matriarch
Quote by WVC1960SM
Tried it and do not like it.
What didn't you like about it? Did you try the cam features?
There won't be many people using it initially as the site is essentially "new" right now.
But as people join and transition across from here, it will be much more popular.
I guess it's also what you're used to and familiar with.
All feedback is welcome. It's how we learn and make features better for our members.
Matriarch
As hopefully most of you are now aware, we have totally revamped the mobile site to a brand new modern platform (see this post).
It will be an ongoing process synchronising user settings and the features between the 2 platforms.
Some people have started receiving emails from the new platform, which is set up by default to send them upon certain actions happening.
If you prefer not to receive them, please log in to the new site, and head to this link to manage your preferences: https://m.lushstories.com/notificationmanager/user
Apologies for any inconvenience!
It will be an ongoing process synchronising user settings and the features between the 2 platforms.
Some people have started receiving emails from the new platform, which is set up by default to send them upon certain actions happening.
If you prefer not to receive them, please log in to the new site, and head to this link to manage your preferences: https://m.lushstories.com/notificationmanager/user
Apologies for any inconvenience!
Matriarch
Hey everyone,
We've totally revamped the mobile site to include a lot of the features we have on the desktop version, and a whole bunch of other things which aren't here.
Of specific interest to our chat community might be our new MEMBER CAM CHAT.
Existing LS members should be able to login as usual over there >> https://m.lushstories.com and then >> https://m.lushstories.com/chat/enter
You can access the mobile site in any desktop / laptop browser - you don't need to be on a mobile device! Chrome is recommended.
It's in beta. You should be able to access the new chat rooms as a standard member.
Basic membership (free) allows you to be able to use chat rooms. Any kind of paid membership on desktop, will allow you to view the cams there (to be confirmed). The streaming / technical costs involved prohibited us creating our own previously. But we have partnered up with a large adult concern, and are now good to go!
Just thought I'd give you the heads up in case you wanted a new toy to play with this weekend!
Once it's out of beta, I think the plan is to integrate ours into a global adult chat network (swingers / dating / stories / pic sharing etc.), where there are often over 1000 members online at any one time, throughout the world, across all kinds of naughty activities and interests!
All feedback is appreciated.
Have fun!
Nicola
We've totally revamped the mobile site to include a lot of the features we have on the desktop version, and a whole bunch of other things which aren't here.
Of specific interest to our chat community might be our new MEMBER CAM CHAT.
Existing LS members should be able to login as usual over there >> https://m.lushstories.com and then >> https://m.lushstories.com/chat/enter
You can access the mobile site in any desktop / laptop browser - you don't need to be on a mobile device! Chrome is recommended.
It's in beta. You should be able to access the new chat rooms as a standard member.
Basic membership (free) allows you to be able to use chat rooms. Any kind of paid membership on desktop, will allow you to view the cams there (to be confirmed). The streaming / technical costs involved prohibited us creating our own previously. But we have partnered up with a large adult concern, and are now good to go!
Just thought I'd give you the heads up in case you wanted a new toy to play with this weekend!
Once it's out of beta, I think the plan is to integrate ours into a global adult chat network (swingers / dating / stories / pic sharing etc.), where there are often over 1000 members online at any one time, throughout the world, across all kinds of naughty activities and interests!
All feedback is appreciated.
Have fun!
Nicola
Matriarch
Hello everyone,
I was going to post this next week once a few bugs have been sorted out, but we have had quite a few support requests already, so I'll let you guys know what's happening now.
There seems to be some confusion since going live today with the new version of our mobile site.
The original mobile site hadn't been updated in many years. It was read only and nobody could join / vote / comment on stories / make friends / message / chat etc..
We are trialling a brand new platform there, which we think most people will love. It includes a lot of new social features, improved interactivity, story suggestions, member matches, as well as member video cam chat.
Performance should be greatly improved too as we are using a server farm in the cloud. Most of these new features aren't available currently on the desktop site.
Everyone will still be able to read the stories there free. Like on the desktop site, the basic membership also allows you to vote and comment on them, and send a limited number of daily messages.
For existing members, your profile data will be imported from the desktop site (as it was on the original mobile site). So too will your membership level. Some data like private messages, will not be brought over. The reason being, they number in the tens of millions, literally!
Photo albums will be brought over gradually, but that's a massive admin undertaking as we need to go through close to 400,000 images and qualify them (adult / non-adult). This has to be done to comply with new EU copyright and content laws.
The forums are fresh and modern, so please feel free to create new topics, bring over your posts from the desktop site if you wish. The same is true of the "Groups", which haven't been imported.
Once this new mobile version has proven its worth, we are likely to merge it with the desktop site, to keep things a lot less confusing! We anticipate this could happen some time during 2019. The desktop site really needs a modern overhaul too.
If you find any bugs or problems with the way things work (or don't!) there, please do not hesitate to open a support ticket and let us know.
We hope you enjoy the new mobile site!
Cheers,
Nicola
I was going to post this next week once a few bugs have been sorted out, but we have had quite a few support requests already, so I'll let you guys know what's happening now.
There seems to be some confusion since going live today with the new version of our mobile site.
The original mobile site hadn't been updated in many years. It was read only and nobody could join / vote / comment on stories / make friends / message / chat etc..
We are trialling a brand new platform there, which we think most people will love. It includes a lot of new social features, improved interactivity, story suggestions, member matches, as well as member video cam chat.
Performance should be greatly improved too as we are using a server farm in the cloud. Most of these new features aren't available currently on the desktop site.
Everyone will still be able to read the stories there free. Like on the desktop site, the basic membership also allows you to vote and comment on them, and send a limited number of daily messages.
For existing members, your profile data will be imported from the desktop site (as it was on the original mobile site). So too will your membership level. Some data like private messages, will not be brought over. The reason being, they number in the tens of millions, literally!
Photo albums will be brought over gradually, but that's a massive admin undertaking as we need to go through close to 400,000 images and qualify them (adult / non-adult). This has to be done to comply with new EU copyright and content laws.
The forums are fresh and modern, so please feel free to create new topics, bring over your posts from the desktop site if you wish. The same is true of the "Groups", which haven't been imported.
Once this new mobile version has proven its worth, we are likely to merge it with the desktop site, to keep things a lot less confusing! We anticipate this could happen some time during 2019. The desktop site really needs a modern overhaul too.
If you find any bugs or problems with the way things work (or don't!) there, please do not hesitate to open a support ticket and let us know.
We hope you enjoy the new mobile site!
Cheers,
Nicola
Matriarch
I am in agreement with you hopp3r, almost 100%.
The repetition involved, particularly with the violent scenes (rather nauseous inflicting), did become grating.
But as a concept and something completely different from the usual TV series offerings, I found it very well done.
I had no idea about that website you mentioned. Thanks! And yes, I do remember those cassette data noises (showing my age there). I'll check it out.
EDIT: There are some other Easter Eggs in it apparently.
The repetition involved, particularly with the violent scenes (rather nauseous inflicting), did become grating.
But as a concept and something completely different from the usual TV series offerings, I found it very well done.
I had no idea about that website you mentioned. Thanks! And yes, I do remember those cassette data noises (showing my age there). I'll check it out.
EDIT: There are some other Easter Eggs in it apparently.
Matriarch
This thread contains spoilers!
I'll start by admitting I'm a huge Charlie Brooker fan, long before he was writing the Black Mirror series. I was most dismayed when he stopped doing his yearly "Wipe" (too busy with the series).
You'll not be surprised to read then, that I thought this interactive episode was excellent.
For those who haven't watched it, it's basically like a "Choose your own adventure" book, adapted for (a Smart) TV. You get to choose between several options to progress the story, which has a multitude of pathways and endings.
I watched it several times from the start, choosing as many different options as possible, and there were a surprising number of plots and alternative endings.
Some have gone on ad nauseum about the product placements, but I think most people who know Brooker's work, realise it was most likely a deliberate parody of how TV media can be used to manipulate people (subliminally or otherwise).
There's been lots of discussion on Reddit and all over social media in general about it, and it's clearly very divisive.
What did you think?
Poll attached too for amusement purposes.
I'll start by admitting I'm a huge Charlie Brooker fan, long before he was writing the Black Mirror series. I was most dismayed when he stopped doing his yearly "Wipe" (too busy with the series).
You'll not be surprised to read then, that I thought this interactive episode was excellent.
For those who haven't watched it, it's basically like a "Choose your own adventure" book, adapted for (a Smart) TV. You get to choose between several options to progress the story, which has a multitude of pathways and endings.
I watched it several times from the start, choosing as many different options as possible, and there were a surprising number of plots and alternative endings.
Some have gone on ad nauseum about the product placements, but I think most people who know Brooker's work, realise it was most likely a deliberate parody of how TV media can be used to manipulate people (subliminally or otherwise).
There's been lots of discussion on Reddit and all over social media in general about it, and it's clearly very divisive.
What did you think?
Poll attached too for amusement purposes.
Matriarch
Quote by Seax
It would seem that quite a few bloggers are moving their tumblr content to a new site 2mblr.com.
I very much doubt it. Looks like a rushed and poorly put together site from a chancer out of London. I know they say it's about to be relaunched, but not even the footer links work, and the deadline has already passed.
We decided to stay away from the whole project in the end for legal reasons. There's a very good reason Tumblr pulled that content in the first place.
Matriarch
As many will be heading off on their holidays and may not be logging in as much soon, we're bringing you early good wishes for a safe and happy holiday time, from all of us at Lush Stories HQ.
I'd like to give special thanks to all our hard working Moderators, who've helped throughout the year. It's been a busy 2018, and they've really kept on top of things.
We'd also like to thank our active members who keep the community ticking, with both thoughtful and fun forum posts, supportive comments and votes on stories, friendly profile posts and generally keeping this place the sexiest social network on the web!
A special mention for our inhouse stormtrooper, who is frequently called upon to give the servers a frequent kick and a polish. Thanks Gav!
This time of year can often be a lonely time for many people. So please take time to care and help others, online and off. If you know someone who's alone, give them a call, send them an email, knock on their door, make sure they are ok. A little kindness goes a long way.
We're looking forward to seeing you all again next year, as we continue to grow together.
Wishing everyone a happy holidays, and a safe, healthy and prosperous 2019.
Cheers!
Nicola xx
I'd like to give special thanks to all our hard working Moderators, who've helped throughout the year. It's been a busy 2018, and they've really kept on top of things.
We'd also like to thank our active members who keep the community ticking, with both thoughtful and fun forum posts, supportive comments and votes on stories, friendly profile posts and generally keeping this place the sexiest social network on the web!
A special mention for our inhouse stormtrooper, who is frequently called upon to give the servers a frequent kick and a polish. Thanks Gav!
This time of year can often be a lonely time for many people. So please take time to care and help others, online and off. If you know someone who's alone, give them a call, send them an email, knock on their door, make sure they are ok. A little kindness goes a long way.
We're looking forward to seeing you all again next year, as we continue to grow together.
Wishing everyone a happy holidays, and a safe, healthy and prosperous 2019.
Cheers!
Nicola xx
Matriarch
UPDATE: It wasn't technical difficulties. Gav sent me this earlier: "this was a windows update that happened on both windows servers."
So the forum server had to be patched first, then the stories one. Hence only getting half the site loading.
I guess I should show more tolerance of downtime.
As it was only meant to take ten minutes or so, Gav didn't feel it necessary to announce it.
So the forum server had to be patched first, then the stories one. Hence only getting half the site loading.
I guess I should show more tolerance of downtime.
As it was only meant to take ten minutes or so, Gav didn't feel it necessary to announce it.