09/09/2004: "New Site Design... And More!"

Hey everyone. As you can see, the renovations are complete, and the Citadel is now up-to-date with lots of new content and features, including information and images from the highly-anticipated CG movie Advent Children. For a complete list of updates and changes, please click on the "Read More..." link below.

Before we begin, I would like to point out that the Citadel has two new email addresses. Use ff7citadel@gmail.com for general correspondance and sending news and game info. For submissions of articles, fanfics, and fanart, please use citadel.submit@gmail.com.

-The first major change, as you may've already noticed, is the Updates page. It is now set up similar to a weblog, with an archive, search function, and the ability to create "extended" posts such as this one. Thanks to this setup, I'm also able to offer site syndication to the FF7 Citadel's regular visitors. If you have an RSS/XML reader, just click on the "Syndicate This Site (XML)" link on the main page to get the latest updates, as they are posted!

-The second major change is that the articles and fanfics are now compiled in one large library. Although the individual Article Archive and Fanfiction sections remain, there are now two indexes-- called "Titles" and "Authors"-- that cover both parts of the site. In addition, visitors can now rate and review articles and fanfics; I hope you take advantage of this feature, as such reviews can serve as valuable guides for the Citadel's visitors.

-The third major change is the addition of two new sections which cover Square-Enix's most exciting projects as of late-- Advent Children and Before Crisis! Advent Children features numerous images, character profiles, and theories related to this CG movie. Before Crisis is a bit skimpy right now, but we should have lots more information in the future, especially after the game's Japanese release later this month.

-The fourth major change is the absense of the Roleplay Site. It has been decided that it is not necessary at this time, so right now, we are doing without. However, this is not to say that the RP is dead-- in fact, RP Moderator SOLDIER Officer 81 is looking for roleplayers right now (check out the Roleplay Discussion board for more information). In the meantime, a link to Reunion Tracks, the FF7 Citadel community contact listing, has replaced the one to the RP Site.

-The fifth major change is the consolidation of a number of sections. Images & Media takes the place of Images and (of course) Media; and Downloads compiles the former Downloads, Ringtones, and FFVII-Themed Games sections into one.

-Finally, we have a lot of little changes and additions. A number of pages have been updated and revised (including the Chocobo Guide, Gold Saucer Guide, and Enemy Skills list under Strategy, and the FF7 Collectables guide under Game Information), the vast majority of the files that were missing from the Citadel have been recovered, and some entirely new content has been added here and there (including an FF7 advertisement [thanks, Cloudheaven!] for the Game Information section, and a few Concept Art pictures and an all-new Image Illustration section under Images and Media).

A couple of other things: the ff7citadel.com domain will be active again, but at this point, I can't say when. Also, I'm planning on putting text-based Google ads in the Updates section, in an effort to have the Citadel pay for itself; although the web space itself is paid for through The Blue Shinra Project, there are still other expenses (domain renewal, extra bandwidth, etc.) to contend with. Hopefully, if these ads work well enough, any additional money earned can go toward the Messageboard, as well as future improvements.

At any rate, that's pretty much everything. I hope you enjoy the Citadel's new look and content. Thanks are in order to the messageboard admins, moderators, and community; everyone who's been contributing to the "Advent Children thread" on the MB; and (last but not least) Ambigore, ChibiTaryn, Venny, and Cyrus Dogstar (for their blessings, help, support, etc.).

'Till next time...

Posted by Reeve at 03:34 PM EST