Application by BLOOP

[blooptoon]

I would like to submit BLOOP for hosting on xepher.net. My website is currently subscription based but has a FREE ARCHIVE for viewing past strips. I will post some links here for those without the patience for wading through a website (although there are more samples at the website). Also I would intend to update here at least weekly and that any BLOOP comic strips posted on xepher.net would be free and without ads (unless the hosting service posts them of course). Anyway my website address is http://www.webcomicsnation.com/blooptoon and here are some simple links.

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/4jbwbarharmony.jpg

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/11jczombie1.jpg

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/12jczombie2.jpg

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/13jczombie3_copy1.jpg

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/14jcdead_lawyer_copy1.jpg

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/15jcscrewed_copy1.jpg

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/22jcfreegovtbeer_copy1.jpg

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/24jcevilmark_copy1.jpg

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/27cblobporno_copy1.jpg

http://www.webcomicsnation.com/memberimages/35csuperflycookie_copy1.jpg

My strip recently got mostly blasted at Transplant Comics by some webcomic artist's who's own strips and sites were not that great (Voids and Bub's World in particular). Hopefully I'll have better luck here. But if not please feel free to let me know where improvements can be made! Thanks and Enjoy!

[griever]

Did you create this website, or are all the ads something that was imposed on you by your current host?  o.O  With that being said, 15jcscrewed_copy1.jpg made me laugh.

[blooptoon]

Did you create this website, or are all the ads something that was imposed on you by your current host?  

I created the website using the host's template.  I put the ads there.  I tried to keep the main focus on the comic by putting the ads to the extreme right and bottoms of the pages.  I would remove them but they generate too damn much money.  Forgive me I'm weak!

[Munerift]

Ad's aren't too welcome here... this is a haven to get away from that stuff.

[blooptoon]

Ad's aren't too welcome here... this is a haven to get away from that stuff.

Yeah, ads aren't welcome most anywhere but as I stated in my initial application post, I would be willing to stay ad free except for ads posted by the host.  My current site with ads generates sufficient income, I don't need to post any ads here on Xepher.net.

[Munerift]

So you would keep both sites?

I denied your friend request on MySpace because I dont know you well enough, sorry.

[blooptoon]

So you would keep both sites?

Well sure!  I'm not gonna give up my cash cow, silly goose (never underestimate the power of the pop-up)!  And don't even mention touching my copyright or merchandizing!  But as you point out a lot of people don't like to wade through websites filled with ads and what not.  And that's a lot of people not looking at my work!  (Some of my friends agrue that these are the people you don't want viewing your work anyway but I disagree)  I initially lucked out by circumventing the whole 'giving away' my comics thing which is real popular now.  I started BLOOP way back in the day in 1985 while in college.  BLOOP was published in the college paper (a nice paying gig in the form of a scholorship)  I even published a collection of those old strips which sold nicely in the student bookstore (eventhough those greedy bastards took ten percent)  So I was able to start out in the webcomics business with a decent following already in place.  However, at this point allowing people to get to see my work is almost as important as making money is.  I would therefore intend my submissions here at Xepher.net be non-subscription based (ie free) and ad free.  This way ad free haven lovers like yourself can check out BLOOP free of subscription fees, ads and pop-ups!  As Alex said in Clockwork Orange "you have to know when to be generous and giving like ..."

[Munerift]

Pop-ups are the devil. I will tell you this flat out right now. ...this is just personal pet peeve though.

If you're keeping the other one you have no need for a webpage here. If you're concerned that your readers need a webpage without ads then you need to think about removing them or deciding you aren't as concerned over what your readers want as you lead on to be. (You've stated them seeing your work for free is as imporant as the additional income.) It seems like you appear to be concerned; but really aren't.

On the flip side it is your choice to keep the ads on that webspace; ultimately that is your choice and I dont think anyone could wag their finger at your for trying to make alittle extra dough... however I'm not inclined myself to give this site a thumbs-up knowing you are intending to keep the other site. (which isn't anything bad on you, but I'd like to see the space go to someone who isn't making the money and would use this as a primary site for what it's intended for.) Do keep in mind I'm not the deciding factor and you still could have a chance at hosting here; but Xepher does like to take other member's decisions in account when allowing or rejecting applicants.

You may also point out as you've done so that you have quite a fan base and later bring up the potential for income to Xepher's hosting... but I then think: "Well he has a site where people can already pay a fee and have access to everything; why would they donate here..?" Donating to keep a site free for access to comics where it's for free anyway cancels each other out.

I'm just not seeing a very rational reason why Xeph should allow you resources that you already possess somewhere else...

[griever]

I have to agree with Munerift - your current site isn't a gallery account or anything and it really is a fully functioning site.  I can't see a need for two either.

[blooptoon]

You may also point out as you've done so that you have quite a fan base and later bring up the potential for income to Xepher's hosting... but I then think: "Well he has a site where people can already pay a fee and have access to everything; why would they donate here..?" Donating to keep a site free for access to comics where it's for free anyway cancels each other out.

I'm just not seeing a very rational reason why Xeph should allow you resources that you already possess somewhere else...

You make a decenct point but but it is a very narrow view and not a very well thought out one.  In fact, it's similar to what a student of logic would call a 'straw man'.  The rational is obvious and would be that not every one is aware of my other site.  In fact, I would be willing to wager that most people who use (and donate to) Xepher.net have no idea my other site even exists (did you?)!  To further sweeten the pot for Xepher.net, I would also consider posting exclusive content here.  These two reasons alone (and there are more) will easily side step your concerns (hence the term 'straw man' - an easily defeated argument)!  So if this is your main objection to hosting, I would think you need to come up with someting more substantial.

[Munerift]

..yeah. Alittle too much salesman tambien. I had anticipated as I stated above your next reaction; but I shot too short in my predictions where you're trying to pitch another deal. Xepher (please correct me if I'm wrong Xeph) is trying to deviate away from commercialism.

I still dont feel like this would be a positive contribution to the community; you're still treating it like just another product of the consumer machine. Again, I stress that your choice to make money off what you like doing is not a bad thing; but it's not a thing I want to sneak into here.

[griever]

The rational is obvious and would be that not every one is aware of my other site.  In fact, I would be willing to wager that most people who use (and donate to) Xepher.net have no idea my other site even exists (did you?)!  To further sweeten the pot for Xepher.net, I would also consider posting exclusive content here.  These two reasons alone (and there are more) will easily side step your concerns (hence the term 'straw man' - an easily defeated argument)!  So if this is your main objection to hosting, I would think you need to come up with someting more substantial.

I'm willing to guess that with all the hundreds of other web comics out there, not everyone is aware of your site.  Have you considered that people may not be aware of your site because the content just doesn't interest them?  Or that others have read it and told their friends that it's not worth reading?  Making any number of sites with their own little exclusives and premiums isn't going to change that.

EDIT: Oops, Munerift covered it here while I wandered away to get something to eat...

[blooptoon]

Trying to beat that losing argument like a dead horse, eh?  Your last comment was completely unfocused (I suspect due to being shaken up by my reply - this happens in Court at lot, too - your going to have to do better if you want convince a judge / jury)  We are talking about comics here, right?  The main focus for any application should be does the applicant have something neat and funny to offer the hosting site.  With regard to that, the masses have responded with a resounding - Yes!  You should focus your objections on that question.  Not on making side / irrelevant arguments like 'he's already established and making money eleswhere'  So what?  Should every applicant be a starving artist / pop up hater with no aspirations (or no hope because their suff sucks) of seeing his / her work generate income?  I'm not going to appoligize to the likes of you because people enjoy my strip, it's succesful and it generates income!  The bottom line here is if the applicant has something neat and funny to share with the community then give a thumbs up if not then give a thumbs down.  In other words, if you like BLOOP then say 'Yeah, BLOOP is kinda cool' and if you don't like BLOOP say 'Eh, not my cup of tea'.  Don't waste my time, the hosts time and your time with simple / illogical ramblings that are biased / envious at best and make no sense at worst.  Simple as that!  Fair enough?

[Munerift]

Okay, I'm not too happy with any attacks being made on anybody and would like to keep things clean; but I do know at this point this person would not make a welcome addition to the community in my perspective.

Xeph, please chime in.

[blooptoon]

Attack?  I merely responded to your quasi-agrument in a logical and professional manner!  Don't  cry HELP just because you can't respond rationally!