Mel,

Your retirement lasted what.....3 months....kind of like a pro basketball retirement!!!!!! Glad to see you back in the mix. The hobby needs your talents and insight.

Well, I was speaking of my retirement from web programming--from 2007 up until Denny talked me into this, I refused to do anything more complicated than a simple static HTML site with very limited usage of PHP, and I used third-party cart providers like E-Junkie and Ecwid because I was retired from web development and therefore couldn't be arsed to roll my own shopping cart.

My semi-retirement from paper model design is more recent, and is actually still in effect. I will be doing the occasional commercial paper model project for WWG, but it's more likely that most of my time and effort on the WWG side of the fence will be invested into programming, workflow optimization, website maintenance, and stuff like that.

-Mel

As one of Mels' disciples and owner of the now legendary "Archive Disk" I can say if you've never built one of Mels' models you are in for a real treat when they hit WWG. His programming may be good but his models are awesome.

Paul

+1. I was amazed when I received his disk at the model geometry, textures, and creativity.

I'm more stoked he'll be working on workflow - he's been really good at explaining that on the Ebbles minis forum.

What do you mean working on workflow? I never really hung out much at the Ebbles forums...

I assume he's talking about the workflows through the website. (Shopping, browsing, help/tips, etc.)

Nope, that's not what I meant. The kind of workflow optimization I'm talking about has more to do with paper models, and is a completely separate project from the website itself. There are certain steps and procedures that slow down development significantly, and I want to smooth out those speed bumps.

-Mel

Yeah Mel has always had a great handle on making the best use of assets in the development pipeline. His knowledge there will make a big difference in how we throw content at various systems. TerrainlinX, TerraClips and SwiftScenics already benefit from a streamlined production process but there are definitely improvements we can make to better use our time.

And we're seeing the benefits in the release rate of sets - Yeah!

Ah, got it.
@Zenguy - as if there weren't enough sets already! I'll never, ever, get to build everything I want to....

Dangerous words, M777. We're a nice group generally, but do you really want to be the guy saying 'slow down WWG'?

Ahh you've come to that realization have you?
You have now truly become part of the insanity

Oh, no kidding! Every time I buy a new set I think: "I'm so jazzed to own this...I wonder if I'll ever actually get to build anything from it...?"

Doesn't stop me from actually buying it, though.

Tell me about it! I thought robocutter access would help, but it seems to just increase the size of my plans for each set...

One thing that I would very much like to see on the new and improved site - images that can be linked to so I can show folks on other forums pretty pictures when I tell them 'you want these...'.

There is a work around, and I have done it, but it is kind of a pain.

The Auld Grump

I was able to do a simple right-click->Copy Link Location on the new storefront's product promo block with no issues in Firefox 4, so I'd say that's not a problem.

-Mel

Thank you! The right click is not well loved by Flash. I will not be saddened to see the bulk of the Flash go away....

The Auld Grump

Ditto. Flash is pretty, but most times that I'm showing the WWG site to people it's on my phone, and (though I'm glad Flash is available for Android) it doesn't ever perform smoothly - just too much overhead for current phones.

I was by no means suggesting that WWG should slow down their releases... I love the frequent releases as it gives me a lot of choice of things to build! Just saying that the release pace is REALLY hectic around here. But that's a good thing, and something that I hope will only get faster if it has to change. Sorry if my comment was interpreted in the wrong way.

Nah. Uncr8d1 was just winding you up

On a friendly forum?! The nerve of some people....

Any update for the new store front? -D²

Soon!

(Sorry, I just wanted to say it.)

I don't have an exact date, but we're getting there. We're making a few last-minute changes in response to test feedback and double-checking several other things to make sure everything's working as it should be.