Mobile EventZombie.com now with useless St Joe data!

[AustinChief]

OK, I need a name for a website that shows a map of a given area and plots all the bars/venues on the map then lets you click each one to see a popup of all the upcoming events and their most recent Facebook wall posts.


Ok we have picked the name EventZombie.com.. now I need as much feedback as possible while I get the site into shape.

Hopefully, my buddy is going to make a quick logo for the site as well.

Any thoughts, especially NEGATIVE ones are appreciated. So far all the young (21-30)people I know in Austin have been behind the idea and think its great... which is nice but I really need to know what is WRONG with the site so I can address it or just give up on it before I waste time on something useless. So, pick it apart, Please!

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by listopencil

ZeventHorizon.com

CrowdPleasers.com

OneForTheMoney.com

ZombiePoppers.com

DaVooDooShuffle.com

DeathOfNight.com

MidnightJunction.com

MoonChildSymphony.com

DawnstarArchipeligo.com

I think we are good on the name for now... but I still need feedback on the viability of the site concept itself and on how to present the data.

[AustinChief]

Ok added clickable linkage from events to the FB event page if the event is from Facebook (I grab events from multiple sources)

You can test it with Red Eyed Fly.. they seem to be the best at posting FB events.

[AustinChief]

Just added images to posts that have them and now you can click the image to open the post and see the whole image in all its glory in a new tab.

I also removed some of the annoying debug code I had in place for myself.

I think you know what is wrong with it. Functionally, it seems fine but it needs dressed up significantly. I'm sure you're on the right track.

[cdcox]

Lookin' good on a laptop.

Probably want to switch to a sans-serif font (yeah I know it is an alpha).

I know you haven't made a mobile app yet, but I'm guessing that is how 80% of your traffic will come in.

Seems viable, but I am an old married guy so I'm not your key demographic. Or even your non-key demographic.

Event Zombie is a good name.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by Phobia

I think you know what is wrong with it. Functionally, it seems fine but it needs dressed up significantly. I'm sure you're on the right track.

yeah I know about the ugliness factor.. that will get better but not perfect because I suck at that aspect of things... but definitely won;t look like this for much longer.

I'm more concerned with usability I guess. It'd be easier if I was the type to go to see shows at different bars.. but I am more the type who is a regular at a few bars.. ok by few I mean 10... but I don't bother with "events".. so it's hard for me to judge if this is useful for those who do.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Lookin' good on a laptop.

Probably want to switch to a sans-serif font (yeah I know it is an alpha).

I know you haven't made a mobile app yet, but I'm guessing that is how 80% of your traffic will come in.

Seems viable, but I am an old married guy so I'm not your key demographic. Or even your non-key demographic.

Event Zombie is a good name.

I think you are right about the 80% figure.. as soon as I am satisfied with viability.. the next big step is to mobilize it.. the plan is to not make an app but a mobile site that works like one... I have a pretty good idea how to make the UI already.

I'll prolly use jquery mobile so it will look somewhat like this..

http://jquerymobile.com/demos/1.1.1/...ges/index.html

[Lumpy]

Are you still looking for names?

How about...

thenitelife.com

or

austinnitelife.com

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by Lumpy

Are you still looking for names?

How about...

thenitelife.com

or

austinnitelife.com

name is settled.. it's up and running IN rough form.. at eventzombie.com now..

Now I';m just looking for feedback on functionality, usability.

Once that is settled I will style the site and then add other areas of Austin, then other areas of Texas then wherever else I feel like there might be demand.. expanding it is actually pretty easy once I get to that point.

SO if anyone has an area they want me to test on, let me know!

[Lumpy]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

name is settled.. it's up and running IN rough form.. at eventzombie.com now..

Now I';m just looking for feedback on functionality, usability.

Once that is settled I will style the site and then add other areas of Austin, then other areas of Texas then wherever else I feel like there might be demand.. expanding it is actually pretty easy once I get to that point.

SO if anyone has an area they want me to test on, let me know!

I'm always late to the party. Oh well.

I like events and I like zombies, so... I only glanced at the site, but everyone else posted what I saw on there.

[AustinChief]

OK there is a very rough mobile version up!

It needs work so suggestions will help...

If you go to www.EventZombie.com from a mobile device it should automatically take you there or you can go there directly www.EventZombie.com/mobile/

I added labels to the markers on the map since you can't mouseover on a phone.. they are a bit crowded but not sure if there is any better solution.

[MoreLemonPledge]

I'm curious what zombies have to do with it. That seems completely arbitrary and in no way describes the product, even with the "event" qualifier in front of it. Sorry, but it just doesn't make any sense. Maybe I'm missing something.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by MoreLemonPledge

I'm curious what zombies have to do with it. That seems completely arbitrary and in no way describes the product, even with the "event" qualifier in front of it. Sorry, but it just doesn't make any sense. Maybe I'm missing something.

Zombies have nothing to do with it.. but not really important. Plenty of sites don't have much to do with the name. Look at Amazon.

Every decent name was either way too long or awkward... so EventZombie won.

[cdcox]

Originally Posted by AustinChief

Zombies have nothing to do with it.. but not really important. Plenty of sites don't have much to do with the name. Look at Amazon.

Every decent name was either way too long or awkward... so EventZombie won.

I picture users staggering toward the event, drawn to it by an invisible but irresistible force.

The mobile version seems to work.

Now for the next step: make the map icons show where the hot events are located. Right now you have to click through each of them. Some of the venues have noting going on. If there were a way to show which venues had events for that day by glancing at the map, it that would be better (requires parsing the events). Maybe users could click on an "I'll be there!" button to increase the hotness of an event. That would induce a positive feedback mechanism whereby your website and some key early voters, could really drive the local party scene.

[AustinChief]

Originally Posted by cdcox

Now for the next step: make the map icons show where the hot events are located. Right now you have to click through each of them. Some of the venues have noting going on. If there were a way to show which venues had events for that day by glancing at the map, it that would be better (requires parsing the events). Maybe users could click on an "I'll be there!" button to increase the hotness of an event. That would induce a positive feedback mechanism whereby your website and some key early voters, could really drive the local party scene.

The map icons already do that... green = events today and blue= upcoming events... I just didn't have a KEY up until just now.

My next step is to add a FACEBOOK CONNECT button to highlight events on the map that you have friends going to.

I do like the idea of having my own "check in" system though... I'll think about it.