Random thought.

[randomling]

I'm thinking about updating my web site. Partly because there's a few newish stories that haven't gone up there just yet - Park Guy, most notably - but also because I'm not totally happy with the structure of the site.

At some point I want to put PDFs up on the site, especially of the longer stories, so they're easier to download and print. So far I only have the one PDF up there, though. What's concering me at the moment is, I've got a number of different pages up on the site - a master list of the stories, and then different pages dividing them up by pairing, length and genre. Which is a bitch to maintain, because it means I have to update four separate pages each time I add new stories.

So I thought I'd ask - as a reader, what do you usually find most useful, or expect to find? A single master list of stories with plenty of information - like pairing, genre and length - right there? A number of different pages so you can go to your favourite pairing or your favourite type of story, or see what I've got that's really meaty? Something that's searchable in some way? (I've no idea how to implement that, but I could probably figure it out.)

What do you think, people?

Comments

[puszysty.livejournal.com]

I just like a master list with a short summary and a note of the pairing. Most of the popslash sites I've seen are like that.

Also, maybe wait until after mtyg is revealed so you don't have to update twice?

[withdiamonds.livejournal.com]

I prefer a single master list. If it gets too complicated, I get confused. ")

[ephemera.livejournal.com]

I'd go with a single master page of links, and using delicious or similar to create flexible indexes by tagging the crap out of the storuies - maybe with direct links to 'bookmarkingsite/tag=pairingx' so the links wouldn't change no matter how many stories you add.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_titch/]

Personally I prefer the master list approach with all the information on the one page. I find multiple clicking through pages irritating, and I know I hated it when I was the the person editing the pages when I had my old sites. ;)

[pensnest]

I have two index pages - one with a list of stories in chronological order of writing, with no pairing information, just a brief teaser and an indication of story length. Because every SeSa I enjoy reading stories with no idea of what the pairing will be when I go in!

The second index page is arranged by pairings, for people who prefer to pick out their favourites. I find that during much of the rest of the year, I seek out my favourites.

Unfortunately (?) both are getting A Bit Long now. I shall have to do an index to the indices, or something...

[rikes]

Well, as a reader I quite like lists by pairing as well, but genre and length sound like lots of work and little use. I think one masterlist is more than enough. And besides, if people are looking for just one thing in particular, they can always hit ctrl + F. :)

[puszysty.livejournal.com]

Wait, what's ctrl F do?

[rikes]

You can search the website you're on, at least in Firefox and Opera. :)

[epicflailer.livejournal.com]

i vote one masterlist too! and also agree with pretty much everything rikes said! <3

[turps33.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I have to agree. One masterlist does it for me.

On my site I have title, pairing and word count.