How is CG?

[Killbert-Robby]

Well, if you think so... But I don't think that the host would change anything.

If his previous hosts were Geocities and Angelfire, switching to CG for a webcomic would change lots. On both of those sites you'd be stuck trying to update the comics manually in plain html one page at a time. Having an automated updater and keentags (or any similar setup) would be so much nicer.

The auto-updater made me cream the first time I used it. Of course its bugging a bit right now, which sucks.

[Redtech]

A man should never use cream and sucks in the same sentace when referring to oneself!

I cannae complain about CG. You people are reasonable friendly for starters. Yes, even YOU (who shall remain nameless!)

[Joel Fagin]

Comic Genesis is best when you have a little HTML knowledge. It works anyway, mind, and HTML is easy peasy to learn anyway, but it should be mentioned.

Apart from that, it gives you the most creative freedom and the minimum of fuss of any of the comic services I'm aware of.

- Joel Fagin

[Killbert-Robby]

Even if you know nothing, there are template sites available. I used one of these, then altered it bit by bit til I had my own.

[Noise Monkey]

The only true knowledge is knowing you know nothing.

[Dr Legostar]

The only true knowledge is knowing you know nothing.

and knowing that some people know even less.

[TheSuburbanLetdown]

"That's us, dude!"

[McDuffies]

Well, if you think so... But I don't think that the host would change anything.

If his previous hosts were Geocities and Angelfire, switching to CG for a webcomic would change lots. On both of those sites you'd be stuck trying to update the comics manually in plain html one page at a time. Having an automated updater and keentags (or any similar setup) would be so much nicer.

Sure, but he also said:

Tried using a few other comic hosting sites. I either signed up and didn't go back or I just vanished as soon as i signed up.

If he tried, for instance, Drunk Duck and then never returned to even try out a system, then it won't make any difference.

Joel has it right. If you go with CG, first thing you'll have to do it figure out basic html and updating system - I know, everyone will say it's easy, but we've seen many people having problems with them despite all site templates and tutorials. Real beginning beginning beginous beginner of a beginner will probably expect to get an upload form first thing, use it to upload a comic and suddenly have an entire site before his eyes, and that's not exactly what you get with CG.

[Fabio Ciccone]

Joel has it right. If you go with CG, first thing you'll have to do it figure out basic html and updating system - I know, everyone will say it's easy, but we've seen many people having problems with them despite all site templates and tutorials. Real beginning beginning beginous beginner of a beginner will probably expect to get an upload form first thing, use it to upload a comic and suddenly have an entire site before his eyes, and that's not exactly what you get with CG.

Thing is, READ the tutorials. Read it well. All the troubles I went through in my first days happened because I didn't read them properly.

[JTorch]

A man should never use cream and sucks in the same sentace when referring to oneself!

They were two sentences, separated with a period.

Also, CG is great, blah, blah blah.

[Noise Monkey]

full stop. men don't have periods.

[VincentHunter]

I know CG will be a lot different from other things I've tried. But the thing before was I never thought I was any good and never had any actual comics to post. But right, I have 6 comics done, although crappy, and uncolored...and fully made on a computer, god I suck.... But anyway!

I draw with a mouse anyway so you can't really expect god like work from me. But if I can convey an interesting story of mine into a comic, would it matter how the comic looked?(Although I'll try very hard to make it look the best I can, so I probably won't update on time) And I tend to switch from comic to comic or storyline to storyline, so updates probably will take a while still.

Now, I feel I have gotten much better then before when i tried using other hosting sites. So now I feel like I can do something good here now. I doubt I would be gone long anyway.

[NakedElf]

I've been here since 2005. In that time there's only been one major incident of suck (that I noticed, anyway). Or to put it another way, the hosting's been very reliable, especially given the price.

The biggest drawbacks to CG as I see it:
1. You can't hotlink to images on your site (this has certain advantages as well)
2. Reputation that free=sucky quality.

The biggest advantages:
1. Free
2. Autoupdater
3. Guides and tutorials to help you get started

But if I can convey an interesting story of mine into a comic, would it matter how the comic looked?(Although I'll try very hard to make it look the best I can, so I probably won't update on time) And I tend to switch from comic to comic or storyline to storyline, so updates probably will take a while still.

Of course it matters. When someone new visits your site, they will probably decide within 5-10 seconds whether they want to stay and read the comic, or keep moving. Good writing is important long-term, but if the art really sucks, chances are people won't even bother with your writing. The world is a cruel, heartless place.

Additionally, if you care about getting readers, missing updates is a bad idea. Better to scale back your update schedule to something you can manage than to promise comics and then constantly disappoint.


As for the difficulty of the HTML... If you try to jump in and do everything at once, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Read the tutorials. Really read them. All you have to do to get your comic started is label it correctly, upload it to the 'comic' folder, (well, get FTP if you don't yet and learn how to log in,) and then hit 'update'. No HTML necessary. Of course, your site will look crappy at that point, but it'll be working. Once you get that down, then you can get some free templates and futz around with them and get things shiny without too much effort.

[Kels]

I know CG will be a lot different from other things I've tried. But the thing before was I never thought I was any good and never had any actual comics to post. But right, I have 6 comics done, although crappy, and uncolored...and fully made on a computer, god I suck.... But anyway!

Seriously, if your writing and concept is strong, you can overcome a lot in the art department. Look at Triangle and Robert!

[JTorch]

But if I can convey an interesting story of mine into a comic, would it matter how the comic looked?(Although I'll try very hard to make it look the best I can, so I probably won't update on time) And I tend to switch from comic to comic or storyline to storyline, so updates probably will take a while still.

Of course it matters. Blah blah blah a bunch of reasons.

I disagree. Most people don't start a comic to become super popular and garner a huge amount of readers, or if they do, they realize that it's not that easy after a couple of strips. Don't wait until your art gets better to start a comic, start it and get better by constantly updating and drawing.

[McDuffies]

Your art need not be top notch, but I really really advice getting better tools than your mouse. Tools should work with you, make your drawings nicer. Mouse, not being a drawing tool, only works against you and makes your drawings crappier than they otherwise would be. Plus, using it, you lose one big advantage you'd get by constantly drawing, which is actually practising drawing skills. With mouse, you'd only learn how to draw with the mouse, which, even if you're good at it, is tedious and unnecessary effort.
I suggest getting a scanner or a tablet. Perhaps you can at least get to some public scanner, at library or a copy store.
Otherwise, don't be concearned if you aren't good artist, everyone's like that at the beginning, but it eventually gets better.

[VincentHunter]

Your art need not be top notch, but I really really advice getting better tools than your mouse. Tools should work with you, make your drawings nicer. Mouse, not being a drawing tool, only works against you and makes your drawings crappier than they otherwise would be. Plus, using it, you lose one big advantage you'd get by constantly drawing, which is actually practising drawing skills. With mouse, you'd only learn how to draw with the mouse, which, even if you're good at it, is tedious and unnecessary effort.
I suggest getting a scanner or a tablet. Perhaps you can at least get to some public scanner, at library or a copy store.
Otherwise, don't be concearned if you aren't good artist, everyone's like that at the beginning, but it eventually gets better.

Ah-ha! We do have a scanner, I do happen to have a few pencils somewhere and an eraser someplace else. I do have a sketch book under my bed. But I don't know how to use a scanner. I can print though. And scan either very small, or messy pictures. I actually should draw soon though, with an actual pencil.

[NakedElf]

I disagree. Most people don't start a comic to become super popular and garner a huge amount of readers, or if they do, they realize that it's not that easy after a couple of strips. Don't wait until your art gets better to start a comic, start it and get better by constantly updating and drawing.

He asked if it *mattered*. Of course it matters. He may decide he doesn't care if anyone reads his comic. He may decide that doing a comic is the best way to get better at art and thereby attract readers. He may decide or want any number of things, but the art still matters.

Even if we assume that most people don't start comics with the intention of becoming super-popular, I think it's fair to say that a lot of us would like it if other people liked our comic. So if you care even a little bit, then you need to care about the art.

To say that the art *doesn't* matter--that's like saying the writing doesn't matter, or the panels, or readability... of course not. It's a comic. All of the parts matter. Some matter more than others, and you can decide you don't care about something, but they all matter.

[Ataraxia]

Sure, but he also said:

Oops, missed that.

Real beginning beginning beginous beginner of a beginner will probably expect to get an upload form first thing, use it to upload a comic and suddenly have an entire site before his eyes, and that's not exactly what you get with CG.

Actually, I thought if you uploaded properly named images to a virgin CG account, it would generate a usable page all by itself.

Ah-ha! We do have a scanner, I do happen to have a few pencils somewhere and an eraser someplace else. I do have a sketch book under my bed. But I don't know how to use a scanner. I can print though. And scan either very small, or messy pictures. I actually should draw soon though, with an actual pencil.

Scanning art is much much better than using the mouse to draw. It's not at all difficult to use- just plug the scanner in, press the "scan" button from any paint program, and try it out. There are a few things to learn before you'll be able to use the scanner well but that's neither here nor there. Use the scanner, and learn by doing.

[NakedElf]

Actually, I thought if you uploaded properly named images to a virgin CG account, it would generate a usable page all by itself.

It did in my day.

Scanning art is much much better than using the mouse to draw. It's not at all difficult to use- just plug the scanner in, press the "scan" button from any paint program, and try it out.

Or you can do like I do and press the 'scan' button on the scanner.