Would you be interested in a CPC oriented discmag for your cellphone?

[mr_lou]

I was wondering once, if anyone would be interested in a CPC oriented "discmag" for cellphones.
 
  Everything   would be about the CPC and CPC related stuff, but it wouldn't run on a   CPC, just a cellphone. So you'd carry your discmag with you to spend   time with it when bored on the train or bus or whatever.
 
  Such a discmag can easily be made using simple HTML, or if you like a challenge; Flash Lite or J2ME.
  All 3 techniques allows for including music and graphics, setting up colors and font-sizes - and can also run on a PC.
 
 

I'd   be greatly interested in one... I remember in older days (ca.2005 that   is) there used to be "disk" mags for the PSP (maybe they're still going   on?", and these were just JPGs that you could read on the screen. It   worked surprisingly well...

  That sounds neat, except the JPG part.

 

Of   course with mobiles it's harder because you have to take account lots   of different resolutions, but still it'd be really nice!

  It's not that difficult to handle the different resolutions and   such. You simply decide to support e.g. minimum 240x320 pixel displays,   and then you make sure all pictures to be used are max 240 pixels wide.   On bigger resolutions they'll simply center place. And IF you feel like   it, you CAN make a 480x640 pixel display version, where all pictures are   double size. (Or else the browser might be able to zoom in/out).
    Using HTML and JavaScript I bet you can even make such two versions in 1   package, where the user can toggle between them to fit his device.
  If you do use a device with a smaller resolution, well, then the browser will simply provide horizontal scroll.
 
  I think HTML5 should be used for such a discmag. It is the easiest, most   flexible, most feature-rich, most compatible technique to use. Apart   from Internet Explorer, it runs anywhere. Most browsers in cellphones   are built on WebKit, so they all run HTML5 nicely. And Chrome and   Firefox and others also does.
  With HTML5 you can save settings and other stuff locally, use   <audio> and <video> tags for background music (e.g. midi or   mp3) and videos, and you even have a Canvas object available for doing   graphics stuff.
  On top of all the features HTML5 offers, it also requires the least   amount of work compared to other techniques such as Flash or Java,   because the engine (the browser) is already done and available for use.
 
  If you want to be ultra compatible, you can use HTML4 or XHTML without JavaScript. Then it'll run on even older mobile phones as well. Tags like <embed src="backgroundmusic.mp3"/> will also work.
 

[Bryce]

I usually read some internet (I've nearly finished it) when I'm out but bored (bus / waiting etc.). So I don't see any reason to limit it to an installed package. If it existed as a real webpage, then I could read it at home on the PC OR on the phone when out, if the layout was done with phones in mind.

Bryce.

[mr_lou]

I don't see any reason to limit it to an installed package. If it existed as a real webpage, then I could read it at home on the PC OR on the phone when out, if the layout was done with phones in mind.

Yea, it's a question about layout. But I'm thinking, if we use a simple layout, like, always only have 1 picture on a line. Never have text next to a picture. Then we could easily make 2 or more versions where the only difference was the size of the graphics.
The only thing to keep in mind if it should be suitable to be online, is to not use big mp3 files for background music. MIDI should be used for online versions. For install-versions it would be fine to use big mp3 files.

[Bryce]

If I express my true opinion about websites with background music, then Gryzor would ban me from the Forum for the language I'd use, so let's just say - "I don't think music on the site is a good idea"

I'm not a HTML or Java programmer, so maybe it's a stupid question - but is there no way within the page to detect whether the viewer is using a phone or a PC? So that the page would automatically choose the correct version?

Bryce.

[mr_lou]

If I express my true opinion about websites with background music, then Gryzor would ban me from the Forum for the language I'd use, so let's just say - "I don't think music on the site is a good idea"

It's not a website. It's a DiscMag. It's merely coded with HTML. And a DiscMag should definitely have music. That's part of what makes a DiscMag so much more cozy and groovy than a website.

I'm not a HTML or Java programmer, so maybe it's a stupid question - but is there no way within the page to detect whether the viewer is using a phone or a PC? So that the page would automatically choose the correct version?

I imagine that would be possible yes.

[Gryzor]

Midi on a webpage brings tears to my eyes. Frustration, on one hand, and sweet sadness for my youth of 15 years ago. Ahem.

But, a discmag could have music indeed!

Just a note about resolutions - 320x240 is actually 1/4th of 640x480, not half, and pics look really small on those high-res screens.

Another note: not all of us have data programs for our mobiles, so going online can be expensive...

[Grim]

• Doesn't really sound interesting to me, I have no cellphone (But I would check it out on PC if it's available for regular web browser).

[betpet]

I'd rather see an Amstrad emulator for Android personally

[Gryzor]

• Doesn't really sound interesting to me, I have no cellphone (But I would check it out on PC if it's available for regular web browser).

Ohhh man. I envy you.

[redbox]

Ohhh man. I envy you.

Me too.  I hate modern mobile phones and have yet to find one (Apple, Android, Blackberry, Windows, anything) that works properly.  They are all complete sh*t.

I would attempt to read a discmag on mine though 

[arnoldemu]

I was wondering once, if anyone would be interested in a CPC oriented "discmag" for cellphones.

Sorry no. I have to be true and say I would not look at it on a cellphone.
If it was web based then yes.

My phone is a simple model that just about shows java stuff but then my use of it is limited too.
I use it mostly for texting and very rarely for calls.
So why do I have it?
So I can phone home and let the wife know I am on my way back.
We don't have telephones on our desk here at work.

BTW, you say "why don't you upgrade"?

Answer: Because I am happy with it and I would be unlikely to use new features on new phones anyway.

EDIT: I didn't vote, because none of the options were appropiate.

Is it a stupid idea? I can't say because I don't use my phone this way, so I can't make a decision based on this.

[AMSDOS]

My "Brain-Cell-Phone" (" ") doesn't really need it. I just hate Mobile Phones generally only cause I don't care to get involved in the cost these things Mobile Phone companies inflict on people, it's a basic necessity which is there in case someone needs to contact me or visa-versa! Others might see it as a viable option, so don't take my comments seriously if people want it!    There just seems to be other avenues where information could be passed as well, could something be done with Free Services like Skype or Twitter. Perhaps with Skype you could have a first talking CPC Zine, or on Twitter text messages could be generated, I understand that Twitter is limited to so few characters, so perhaps brief reviews or something could be done, I don't know - but from what I heard someone sent a whole Book though Twitter!    Different modes of generating messages seems to be something which has been going on a bit for a few years, so perhaps new tools are being made all the time! 

[mr_lou]

Midi on a webpage brings tears to my eyes. Frustration, on one hand, and sweet sadness for my youth of 15 years ago. Ahem.

Yes, MIDI music can't give as good a sound as e.g. mp3 or ogg - but it the DiscMag should be available in an online version, who would want to download a 5mb background mp3 tune on their phone? I don't think many will.

But, a discmag could have music indeed!

Not "could". A DiscMag should have music! It is not a website. Another difference between a website and a DiscMag is, that a DiscMag doesn't change. It's released in a version that never changes, while a website never stops changing. So a DiscMag is very suitable to be an offline thing.

Just a note about resolutions - 320x240 is actually 1/4th of 640x480, not half, and pics look really small on those high-res screens.

If you edit a 320x240 pic in e.g. Photoshop and choose to set size to 200%, then it becomes 640x480. This is why I say double-size. It is mostly width we must "worry" about though.
And yes, 240 pixel-wide pictures does look a bit small on a 480 pixel-wide display. We either live with that, or we make 2 versions of the DiscMag. Simple.

Another note: not all of us have data programs for our mobiles, so going online can be expensive...

Which is exactly why I think it should be an offline thing. The user must download a zip file, extract the files, and copy them to his phone, or view on PC.

My phone is a simple model that just about shows java stuff but then my use of it is limited too.
I am happy with it and I would be unlikely to use new features on new phones anyway.

  I'm fairly sure you're underestimating the capabilities of your phone.   Even the very first phone from Sony Ericsson (T68i) was able to show   webpages.
  Your phone might not be able to show HTML5 pages, but I'm sure it can   view HTML4 or XHTML just fine, and even playback background music too. (What phone do you have?)
 


Just to clear something up. This is not about me wanting to make such a DiscMag. I have enough projects as it is. I was just thinking once if anyone would find it useful or not, so here we are. If the majority would like to have one, then someone will have to make one. I won't be me, although I'd be happy to contribute with some content.

And since I have to dive a bit into HTML5 the next few days at work, I might post some example people can try out and test on their phone.

[arnoldemu]

  I'm fairly sure you're underestimating the capabilities of your phone.   Even the very first phone from Sony Ericsson (T68i) was able to show   webpages.
  Your phone might not be able to show HTML5 pages, but I'm sure it can   view HTML4 or XHTML just fine, and even playback background music too. (What phone do you have?)

nokia 6070

Now are you sure I am underestimating the capabilities of my phone?

[mr_lou]

nokia 6070
Now are you sure I am underestimating the capabilities of my phone?

Yes I think you are. It will view WAP2.0 and XHTML just fine, I bet it'll also playback background music.
However, it does only have a resolution of 128x160 pixels, which would make it difficult to read anything, but not more difficult than it is to read an sms though. And it (only) has 3.2mb internal memory and no expansion card, which would be a problem for offline viewing though, unless it's a very small DiscMag without much graphics.
Nokia 6070 at GSMArena.com

Anyway, I will agree with you, that you would probably not be among the target group. It will mostly be people who uses their phone for more stuff than just texting and calling.

[Grim]

Yes, MIDI music can't give as good a sound as e.g. mp3 or ogg - but it the DiscMag should be available in an online version, who would want to download a 5mb background mp3 tune on their phone? I don't think many will.

There are some flash-based mod player around, 8bitboy comes to mind. If the phones can handle flash stuff, then let's play real mod-chiptunes!

[Bryce]

Now I'm disappointed, I thought you started the whole poll/conversation, because you were working on something and about to announce the release of the first edition

Bryce.

[arnoldemu]

Yes I think you are. It will view WAP2.0 and XHTML just fine, I bet it'll also playback background music.
However, it does only have a resolution of 128x160 pixels, which would make it difficult to read anything, but not more difficult than it is to read an sms though. And it (only) has 3.2mb internal memory and no expansion card, which would be a problem for offline viewing though, unless it's a very small DiscMag without much graphics.
Nokia 6070 at GSMArena.com

I accept that i was wrong about it's abilities.

[mr_lou]

There are some flash-based mod player around, 8bitboy comes to mind. If the phones can handle flash stuff, then let's play real mod-chiptunes!

Very few phones runs Flash, so that's not an option. Only MIDI and MP3/OGG can be used.

   Now I'm disappointed, I thought you started the whole   poll/conversation, because you were working on something and about to   announce the release of the first edition

Sorry dude. I have been working on a maildisc though. A maildisc is like a DiscMag, except it's personal. I made one that runs on mobile phones as a J2ME app, and on PC via emulation. This is why this subject came up.
But I'm not working on a DiscMag for the public. Just checking peoples opinion about such a thing.

[mr_lou]

Only 9 votes. I guess that means there's no interest in a project like this.

I might still make a little demo later to show what I had in mind, either using J2ME or HTML. (Can anyone of you make Flash / Flash Lite stuff?)

Anyway. This poll was about a discmag for cellphones, without really emphasizing that it ofcourse also would run on a desktop PC, regardless of operating system. Maybe it should have been the other way arround? A discmag for all platforms, including cellphones?

The thing I like about discmags is, that they are kind of like a timestamp for a certain time. A website constantly changes, and what was once is suddenly forgotten and gone.
A discmag is offline, which to me means it's less stressing, and in my case (because I work with online stuff), a discmag reminds me less of work. 
And there's just something a lot more cozy and relaxing with a discmag compared to a website. Usually dark cozy themes with relaxing laidback background music, possible with an option of changing colors/theme.
Those are the reasons I like discmags - if they contain articles about something that interests me ofcourse.

I think I posted about discmags earlier, when I was checking out all the CPC discmags I'd missed. There were a few I found quite good, and I'd love to see a new version from one of those.
Those discmags ran on the CPC, and thus naturally played AY music. 

I can imagine a discmag that runs on desktop computers and cellphones/PDA's would be just as cozy. Am I the only one with that idea?

P.S.: Another reason to go with a discmag that can run on a cellphone, is in case the world gets hit by a solar storm in 2013 and we lose the ability to generate power for a few months because our magnetic fields are screwed up, as some believe will happen. Then all you need is a cellphone and a solar-charger. 

An here's my vote for a name for the discmag: "Not for iPhone!" 

[AMSDOS]

mr_lou wrote:

Only 9 votes. I guess that means there's no interest in a project like this.

I personally didn't feel compelled to vote because none of the options really express my feelings towards this idea. I personally don't see myself using it, cause it's not really something suitable for my phone - I've been victim of those "Free" Software scandals which end up sending stuff you don't want and charge you to receive it!    And while it might have been nice to receive emails through my mobile phone, I see those buggers also charge like wounded bulls to get it. And I'm not even sure how far your service goes (I only have one of those mobiles which is useless anywhere but Australia!).

The Idea might have some merritt, but then doing something on Facebook, Twitter, Skype or whatever, might also have merritt as well! 

[mr_lou]

Well, I've made a little demo now, just to show everyone what I had in mind.

Here is the PC version, which should run on Windows, Linux, Mac, whatever - as long as Java is installed.

http://lublu.dk/dmd/DiscMagDemo.zip

There's a BAT file that should start everything. Feel free to make your own launcher to avoid the BAT file.

---

Cellphone versions are in different folders here: http://lublu.dk/dmd/

To run on a cellphone, here's what you do:

First, look up your phone at www.gsmarena.com to find out how big a display you have. It might be 128x160 or 176x208 or 240x320 or 360x480 or 480x640. We don't really care about the height. The width is what we need to know.

Let's say you find out your phone has a display width of 128 pixels, then you need the DiscMagx128 version. I assume I don't have to explain more about which version you need for various displays then.

How to install on your phone:
Either copy the JAR file to your computer, and send it to your phone somehow, e.g. via Bluetooth or Wifi or cable.
Or else type in the URL to the JAD file in your phone browser, e.g. http://lublu.dk/dmd/DiscMagx240/DiscMagDemo.jad (or just http://lublu.dk/dmd/ and enter the folder and click the file from there).
The phone will then download and install the DiscMag. NOTE that the URL has to be written exactly like above. (Linux server, there's a difference between "DiscMag" and "discmag").

[mr_lou]

I've tested on some rather old phones now, and everything is running fine.

WebVersion here: http://lublu.dk/dmd/WebVersion

I've also learned that it runs fine on Android too, using Netmite's J2ME Runner.
It runs fine on my HTC Dream, which is the very first Android device, so it's rather old.

So this system runs virtually anywhere. You can view it on your desktop computer, or use the webversion, or on your phone (and you don't even need a smartphone).

Maybe the poll should have been different. It's not about "DiscMag on cellphone". It's about "DiscMag on whatever you want".