The Lost Library of Florestica

The new Lost Library of Florestica advanced preview

Wed, 11 Apr 2007 12:39:59 -0700

To prove that I'm not just sitting around, here's a look at some of the work being done for the new PHP version of the Lost Library of Florestica. There isn't much in the way of content. That's because it's a test site, and everything on it will be destroyed when the work is completed enough for a beta site rollout. For now, there is an FAQ section where you can ask questions, and an interactive Web Links section where visitors can recommend other sites. Both are fully functional. http://florestica.com/postnuke0764/html/index.php

Why hasn't there been new stories in the Lost Library of Florestica?

Mon, 19 Mar 2007 17:39:27 -0700

Because it's going to be upgraded. Honest. So the answere is no, the site hasn't been abandoned. I've been planning an new version of the Lost Library for some time now. However, just when it looked like I might have something to show for all the time, the site developer I'd been counting on became unable to continue. No fault or blame; it was just one of those things. But it did mean that after several months of work and waiting, the code I'd seen a working model of was suddenly no longer there. Early this month, I got in touch with another programmer who is now beginning to put together some basic PHP framework. We are planning to use a content management system called PostNuke as the backbone of the site, and he's designing the modules that will make the system do what I want it to. We have tentative plans to open the design process to other people who might like to collaborate once we have the basic framework in place. We'll need PostNuke modules customized for various site functions peculiar to the needs of the Library. The general idea I'm going for is a new system where people can sign up for site memberships. The normal kind will allow visitors to leave feedback on the author pages, post in a site forum, and after age verification, read lime and lemon tagged stories. There will be a seperate level of membership for authors, which will allow them to upload their own stories and convert them to html, post fan art in their own galleries, give ratings and special tags on the stories, and all the other little things they need to be able to do. All without needing me to do all the work manually. In other words, the Library will finally be dragged into the 21st century. Author memberships will not be on the open signup method, though. I'll only grant those to people whose writing is of sufficient quality to be worth it. The Lost Library will never force readers to wade through a hundred very, very bad stories to find the few good ones, the way one has to at FF.net. So to those who have been waiting patiently for the site to have new stories, my most sincere apologies. The wait isn't over quite yet. But I assure you, we are working on it.

The Lost Library of Florestica

Sun, 03 Sep 2006 13:19:32 -0700

September 3, 2006: Since it's been so long from the last update, I thought I'd better provide a word of explanation. It's not that there's nothing to update. I have a considerable backlog, truth to tell. I'm holding off because I've more or less made up my mind to completely redo the site using either PHP or Python coding, with the goal of a setup that will allow the authors to log in and do their own posting. Jonathan Rosebaugh is working on site code in Python that seems to be what I'm looking for; it will allow me to set up author accounts so that only they may post stories, yet still allow visitors to set up accounts so that they can post comments or participate in other ways. It's in the final stages of development, and should be ready for beta testing soon. In the meantime, I'm talking with my webhosting service, attempting to get the back end programming necessary to support the site ready.

I can't give a firm schedule for the upgrade, because I have no idea how long it'll take to iron the bugs out of the code Jon is writing. I'm hoping for sometime late this month. Even if that doesn't work out, I will likely implement another package, perhaps eFiction. The Lost Library has just grown too big for me to do everything by hand anymore! So please be patient. I think good things are in the future for the site.

June 28, 2006: Added chapter 10 of "Terra in Tokyo" to Benjamin Oliver's page.

June 23, 2006: Added the prologue and first three chapters of "Family Curse" to Jimra's page. Please note that this is a recently rewritten version.

June 1, 2006: Added act 2, scene 9 of "Avenging" to DB Sommer's page.
A new author has been added to the Lost Library. Jimra has written a number of stories at fanfiction.net, and we've decided to host them here. We begin with an ongoing series called "Negawarrior", which currently stands at 13 parts.

May 13, 2006: Added chapter 8 of "Realms" to Jeffrey Vasquez's page.

May 3, 2006: Added chapter 9 of "Terra in Tokyo" to Benjamin Oliver's page.

April 27, 2006: Added chapters 7 and 8 of "Terra in Tokyo" to Benjamin Oliver's page.

April 26, 2006: Added chapters 4, 5, and 6 of "Ranma, Prince of Roshtaria" to Corwin's page.

April 25, 2006: Added chapters 1, 2, and 3 of "Ranma, Prince of Roshtaria" to Corwin's page.

April 24, 2006: Added a Ranma / Tenjo Tenge crossover short called "Rivalry" to Corwin's page. Added chapter 6 of "Terra in Tokyo" to Benjamin Oliver's page.

April 22, 2006: Added "Diamonds in the Rough" chapters 13, 14, and 15 and a short story called "Order to Go" to Brian Randall's page. Added chapter 6 of "Terra in Tokyo" to Benjamin Oliver's page.

April 21, 2006: Added chapter 5 of "Terra in Tokyo" to Benjamin Oliver's page. Added "Dream of the Earthbound" chapter 9 to to Aondehafka's page. Added "Windborne" chapter 2 to Josh Temple's page.

April 14, 2006: Added chapter 4 of "Terra in Tokyo" to Benjamin Oliver's page.

April 10, 2006: Added chapter 3 of "Terra in Tokyo" to Benjamin Oliver's page.

April 5, 2006: Added chapter 2 of "Terra in Tokyo" to Benjamin Oliver's page.

April 1, 2006: Added chapter 1 of a Nuke 'Em 'Till They Glow!! alternate universe story called "Terra in Tokyo" to Benjamin Oliver's page.

March 20, 2006: Added chapters 7 & 8 of "Progeny", chapter 7 of "Realms", and chapter 7 of "Splitting Heirs" to Jeffrey Vasquez's page.

February 26, 2006: Added act 2, scenes 7 & 8 of "Avenging" to DB Sommer's page.

February 16, 2006: Added chapter 13 of "The Return" to Josh Temple's page.

February 14, 2006: Added the first chapter of a new Ranma story called "Windborne" to Josh Temple's page.

February 7, 2006: Added two Sister Princess short stories called "The Island of Promises" and "Thirteen Shades of Love" to Corwin's page.

February 6, 2006: Added "The Day the Dogs Lost" and "Revenge of the Stalkers" to Corwin's page. Added chapters 3 and 4 of "Sorceress's Soul" to Dro'gan NiteFlier's page.

February 5, 2006: Added the prologue of "Ranma, Prince of Roshtaria" and three short stories, "1.21 Gigawatts", "Loss", and "One Lucky Strike" to Corwin's page.

February 3, 2006: Corwin has decided to re-establish his fan fiction on the internet, right here in the Lost Library. As the inaugeration, we've added a oneshot Mai HiME story called "Mai Harem" to Corwin's page.

January 3, 2006: Added chapters 4 and 5 of book three of "Tears of a Dragon" to LS McGill's page.

January 7, 2006: Added chapters 7 and 8 of "Dream of the Earthbound" to Aondehafka's page. Added an Azumanga Daioh short story called "Tongue Twisted" to DB Sommer's page.

The Lost Library of Florestica

Tue, 11 Jul 2006 17:05:45 -0700