Right after the release of TriBeCa we had several more weeks of debugging and making minor adjustments to the design based on feedback from the photographers using it.
Next, we preformed a major overhaul of the deep linking. One issue I was having because we create clean url’s (actual words not a string of gibberish) was getting foreign characters, symbols and punctuation to work. Since the category/page/gallery name is used in the url this prevented people from using that kind of stuff when naming things. Problem solved with the overhaul.
Then, I had requests from our photographers for various features like using the left and right keyboard arrows to advance the images (done), justify left for the menu text on design 1 and 3 (done), a randomizer in the initial slideshow for design 3 so a different image order is displayed each time someone visits the site (done) and the initial loading indicator needed to display longer so we fixed that (done).
Finally, we’ve been working hard on building a client area that can be added to all the sites. This will allow your clients the ability to log in with a unique username and password to see all their shoots. Then they can download images, leave comments and mark their selects. I think it’s going to be a fantastic addition to APF.
News
The idea of a client area would be great.
I think that it would be best to have a way to have multiple methods of tagging each image – first, second, final select, multiple stars like Aperture/Lightroom or (even better) a way of indicating different people’s picks.
It would also be great to have a way to link to download hi-res finished images, for those clients who are at their absolute limit using a web browser and haven’t mastered the mystery of FTP clients.
We really appreciate all the constant improvements.
HOLY SMOKES! Love the last addition for Client Login.
Is that something that will be an additional charge, or just something we can add on in the control panel?
Great work on the sites all the way around!
Rick
As if APhotoFolio’s weren’t already exactly what photographers want, this new feature will seal the deal.
There’s no fat to these sites, no unnecessary bells and whistles, just lean mean useful features that help us present our work the best way possible.
Keep up the great work!
Matt
@ Rick: The client area will be extra.
@ David: I talked extensively with a photographer who designed his own client area that I modeled this one after and the multiple stars/selection was a problem because the meaning is different for each person. I decided to stick with one approval method for now.
There’s a dead simple way to send clients high res links. Upload a zip with the file to your root folder or put it in a folder you create called highres. Then send the client a link using the full url:
http://www.mywebsite.com/highres/thefilename.zip
when they click the link the file will download.
Rob
These new features will be fantastic.
Any idea when they will be available? Will this bring lightbox function to the websites? Will a search function be added?
Looking forward to whats in store.
Dan