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Hi folks, I'm gearing up for a 20 day trip to Singapore, Malaysia and New Jersey from September 12th to October 3rd but I wanted to drop a quick note on something. As many of you know, I've been experimenting with various platforms and formats for the bi-monthly Kitelife e'zine... Here are just some of the ongoing issues that just never seem to get sorted, and continue to bother me: A single shared login site-wide... In order to have this (for members, subscribers, authors, admins, etc), the forum software is the only reliable way to go. Using two different softwares (like Invision forum and Wordpress site) also means TWO updates every time a new version comes out for either, custom themes, etc. Our currently different site layout between magazine and forum, totally different set of navigation links, content, etc... I'd love to see a single front door for all. Lately, there sometimes isn't enough contributed material out there to easily come up with a full range of robust content in each issue. Again, that's just a smattering of the sentiments I have on this issue... So my question is: Would you still read the magazine if our articles were placed in the forum instead, as new topics in a dedicated area? You'd easily know when new articles have been added, because they'd appear in the "View New Content" area. Discussion could instantly ensue from each article, by way of your normal forum reply method. *Everything* would be searchable through a single database since it would all be on the forum. I think we would still have "issues" of sorts, perhaps by using a new topic area like this: Magazine Issues >YEAR >> ISSUE >>>Article name >>>Article name >>>Article name Just lobbing it out there for discussion and consideration, I'm really looking forward to your thoughts and replies. Thanks all for being here... I know I'm not always super active, but I'm here too and appreciate the support.

Hi guys, As you've probably seen, I've been doing TONS of work on this part of the site... 1. New magazine archives. 2. New navigation menu. 3. Contact page on forum. 4. Refined home page sidebar. Coming very soon, a video archival for our members - more or less like our sister site (KiteVids.com), folks will be able to embed videos (from YouTube, etc) in a dedicated area of this site and list them by category... For each video added, a corresponding and cross-linked discussion topic will automatically be added to an appropriate part of the forum. We really loved the idea of KiteVids.com, but the commonly available video hosting platforms have a LONG way to go and KiteVids.com is actually no longer functional for people who want to add new content... So we need something that actually works, and again - another step toward bringing everything under a one roof (as well as a single search engine and login for everything). ** Any major critique thus far? ** ** Any praise for things you like? ** I'm really happy with the direction we're headed, but I think you know by now, I am genuinely interested in your feedback, always. Also, it's never expected, but in light of the significant workload on this end, expenses for these improvements, and no measurable increase to our revenue (which keeps the lights on), if you'd like to help make our improvement efforts easier, we always welcome donations - easy link found here (big "click to donate" button top of that page). Thanks for your comments, your support (moral or financial), and for being a part of Kitelife in general!