I can't search up people on Tapastic that don't have comics!

[Euphorie]

As stated, why can't I search up people on Tapastic that don't have comics? They have to comment/have subscribed to a series on things in order to have their wall accessible to people to find... Does Tapastic do this prevent problems and more efficient searching of peoples names/comics? I know there are thousands of users on Tapastic, so if there was a search bar for all users, that would lag Tapastic severely. However, I would like to know if there are more reasons why Tapastic should or should not have a search bar for all Tapastic members. Your Thoughts?

[rainbowolfe]

I think it's mostly because the searching system hasn't really been "implemented" yet. So, for now you can only search for specific comics.

Eventually tags will be added to the search system, and maybe even searching for people

[michaelson]

I'm not really sure what a general search for readers without series would accomplish. We have so many readers on Tapastic that unless you specifically had someone in mind to search up, then it wouldn't really serve a function.

[UzukiCheverie]

^^^^ I do, thank you very much, and if someone is raising this issue, then clearly it's for some other folks too. I myself have friends who made accounts for the sake of commenting and supporting, but don't have comics on their own and probably never ever will. It's nice to be able to search their username to post on their walls. When it comes down to it, Tapastic really does put creators over general contacts, but it would be nice if we could at least search up usernames for people who don't have comics so that we can communicate with them. Strengthening the community and all. I mean, they're still technically Tapastic users - with or without comics - so is there really any harm in at least including their usernames in the search functions?

[michaelson]

I'm just trying to be honest and get to the core issue of what needs to be built and why. There are multiple points of view that we have to factor in when trying to build out new features on Tapastic and the major one is basic utility.

I've been a major advocate for bolstering social and community tools on Tapastic. But when I think about general reader search, I think creators can navigate to non-creator accounts by either browsing their comment sections, wall posts, subscriber notification to blast out information, or subscriber list - there are tools out there to connect creators to their fans.

We also have a couple of social/community tools in the pipeline for the new creator dashboard that will make connecting to fans much much easier.

[UzukiCheverie]

I think creators can navigate to non-creator accounts by either browsing their comment sections, wall posts, subscriber notification to blast out information, or subscriber list - there are tools out there to connect creators to their fans.

We also have a couple of social/community tools in the pipeline for the new creator dashboard that will make connecting to fans much much easier.

These two statements completely contradict each other. Is it really that much easier and more convenient to dig through comments, subscribers, and other various lists for ONE PERSON (especially if they aren't as active as others) when you could either a.) SEARCH for them, or b.) have them in a friend's list (which also doesn't exist, and most people aren't going to just subscribe to people without comics, because in general Tapastic usage, that really just defeats the entire purpose).

Connecting to fans -easier- will be a lot -easier- if there's at least a search function for all users, and will make it less of an inconvenient hassle to follow a treasure map just to find one person. And it's not like it's a huge revolutionary thing to add. We're not asking for a whole new section of the website to be made or anything like that, and it shouldn't take a major update (if it does I've completely underestimated the complexity of the programming of this site).

[michaelson]

These two statements completely contradict each other.

The social/community tools for the creator dashboard will compliment the aforementioned ways to navigate to readers. Imagine if a reader comments or takes any other actions on your episodes frequently, we want to help creators identify these readers faster but also provide a hub where all this information is easier to digest.

Is it really that much easier and more convenient to dig through comments, subscribers, and other various lists for ONE PERSON (especially if they aren't as active as others) when you could either a.) SEARCH for them, or b.) have them in a friend's list (which also doesn't exist, and most people aren't going to just subscribe to people without comics, because in general Tapastic usage, that really just defeats the entire purpose).

I'm not saying that it's easier or more convenient, I'm just suggesting alternative methods. It would ideal to be able to search for those specific things and it would help creators and readers connect. We are working on other ways to accomplish this.

I'll try to think about this more and come back to it at another time. Not really looking to start any arguments.

[PotooGryphon]

Strengthening the community and all. I mean, they're still technically Tapastic users - with or without comics - so is there really any harm in at least including their usernames in the search functions?

I see the merit in this too, not only as a way for fans to connect to artists (and vica versa) but as a way for fans to connect with other fans. Readers that make friends through Tapastic, could hang out here on the site instead of taking it to facebook or else where.