What are your opinions on the Smackjeeves changes?

[colinmooredraws]

Customization and the custom URL were its biggest features.

This is exactly it. It's not even that it's a modernization or that they're changing stuff. It's that they're flat out removing what sets SJ apart.

Everyone's gotten so accustomed to things like Tapas and Twitter where you're not allowed these changes. The ability to completely customize your template was the heart of why SJ lasted as long as it did. Without that to set it apart, it's going to fizzle into absolutely nothing.

[PaulieBlade]

Smack Jeeves in its current state allows resolutions higher than 940px wide, therefore comics do not look blurry on full HD mobile devices. The same cannot be said for Tapas... Therefore if SJ gets a mobile app AND retains the current lack of resolution restrictions, I'm actually hopeful about it being my go-to mirror.

[Cronaj]

This honestly looks a lot like a Tapas/Webtoon/Lezhin type of site. With "Premium"/"Featured" comics that get prioritized over all others. Basically, web comics are becoming the new print comic industry, where it's impossible to make money unless you have a big company adopting you.

[OttoGruenwald]

Of all the places that host my comic, smackjeeves gives me the smallest audience. On tapas, I have 175 subs. On smackjeeves, I have 5.

If they want to slit their own throats with anti-creator changes it's honestly not such a big deal for me. I feel bad for people that started on smackjeeves though. The rug's been pulled out from underneath them. But honestly I bet they'd get a larger audience on another platform like tapas.

[Tanako]

My comic use to be successful there. And I use to have good times on there however it died years ago when tapas and webtoon took over. I don’t blame them. I even stopped visiting the site and forgot it ever existed. It sucks they they are mimicking taps and webtoon however I don’t blame them. It’s a business and they have to move along with technology. They want to capture more audience and as a business minded person, I see where they are going with this.
I know so many people will be hurt by this but honestly, I don’t think it’s a bad thing.

Smackjeeves have been struggling for a while. I’m sure the owner saw a very decrease in revenue and his only option is to either join everyone else or fall into the pits of hell.

So yes, the change is a bitter sweet feeling but in the end, they have to do what’s best for them.

After this update I defiantly will be coming back. Until then, I’ll be waiting.

[borzoiteeth]

One of my comics does better there than anywhere else.

While I get some of the changes, I think its odd that they are removing what was creators' biggest draw to the site (and a payed feature too?). The most ominous part though is removing all the ways to communicate with each other. Some SJ users over there are all, "Ew, Tapas clone" and I have to say, no! Tapas is all about being able to communicate with readers, creators and staff both privately and in the open. I may have some complaints about Tapas, but I know if I ever have a question someone would hear me.

[xabelmind]

Tapas is all about being able to communicate with readers, creators and staff both privately and in the open. I may have some complaints about Tapas, but I know if I ever have a question someone would hear me.

True, in any case it may be becoming WT clone

[abcde]

Yeah, I'm pretty upset about the custom URL. I used SJ to make a homepage for my comic.

I guess I'll turn to Comic Fury now.

[Cavechan]

I think its odd that they are removing what was creators' biggest draw to the site (and a payed feature too?)

Honestly, and sadly, putting the financial burden on readers rather than creators will bring in more revenue which is why they are doing it. Why not both though? Idunno. The thing is with customization options, you can treat your comic as a brand. When customization is gone, so is the branding for the comic. Now it's just a content that is under the brand "Smack Jeeves".

We're basically back to the if you want your comic to be a "brand", then you have to have your own website. Or I supposed Comic Fury as everyone is migrating over there.

[borzoiteeth]

Honestly, and sadly, putting the financial burden on readers rather than creators will bring in more revenue which is why they are doing it. Why not both though?

That's my biggest question. Why not both? Why not at least a little bit of customization in colours and fonts and then a price check on anything more? I super understand why SJ needed changes, but the changes in place don't look like they were made by anyone who are really considering the environment of webcomics. Its painfully sterile.

Or I supposed Comic Fury as everyone is migrating over there.

I wish I could give that site a better look, but it loads so slowly for me right now...

[sarrowsmith10]

custom URL were its biggest features

I'm just now realizing that all my printed books have the smackjeeves address on them on the "Read more online" ad in the back of the books. I have hundreds and hundreds of these books out there.. UGH. What a terrible mistake I've made.

[colinmooredraws]

I'm just now realizing that all my printed books have the smackjeeves address on them on the "Read more online" ad in the back of the books. I have hundreds and hundreds of these books out there.. UGH. What a terrible mistake I've made.

And it's worse than expected. Not only is the ability to have a completely custom URL gone, but [comic].smackjeeves.com is no longer an option, either. It's all just nonsense ID numbers, now.

[sambeawesome]

I got an error when logging in, so they're already off to a promising start.

Edit:

Just saw this on Twitter: https://twitter.com/evegwood/status/1201938269761687559
Uhh, what?? Does this mean??? @_@

[sarrowsmith10]

Uhh, what?? Does this mean???

It means we flee smackjeeves en masse. SIGH.

[Iris-Grimoire]

Some people were posting the amazing update and what it did to their comics, it managed to look WORSE than anything Webtoons and Tapas could attempt in an april fool's day.

White on black background(well all three are, but like WT and Tapas break it up with SOMETHING) , your updates can have max 400 characters, you can't post links outside of Smackjeeves, your profile is just your birthday, and it probably broke everything for people who haven't been on the site but left their comics up. As I said before, it sure looks good in a meeting where they'll show a default page and how it fits entirely in a mobile browser and it was totally worth it, huh?

[sambeawesome]

Already started moving one of mine over. Took me forever to even GET to it on their new site. I have no idea how to get to my comics, my profile, or anything! I had to find it by SEARCHING for it. Yikes.

[vothnthorvaldson]

It's so horrible it looks like a joke honestly.

In theory, when it changed owners, my main concern was loss of individuality, specificity etc. I think it was pretty evident it would become more generic, and the loss of diversity is always something that worries me.

Then the announcement looked terrible.

Then the update.. I checked it from my phone, and before I could even see that hot mess, I had already accidentally clicked on TWO advertisements.
I know I'm not the person the most at ease with phones, and I have large fingers, but come on..

[Tamachii]

SJ's dead, expect a lot of people to come here.
Like me. It's taken an eleven-chapter comic and turned it into 282 chapters. Deleted, came here, moved on.

[colinmooredraws]

SJ's dead, expect a lot of people to come here.

Most of them are going to ComicFury, because at least over there they allow page customization and additional pages.

[Tamachii]

Most of them are going to ComicFury, because at least over there they allow page customization and additional pages.