I uploaded the dedicated Juno Letters mobile site today. While my basic web design works fine on tablets, and was acceptable on my iPhone despite its truncated size, it is clear that mobile sites and apps are beginning to play a bigger role in the ebook business. There are fundamental differences in the approach to mobile sites. While the main Juno web site has lots of special features, samples, even a video, the mobile version is slimmed down and simple - present the premise for the series, show the books, provide the sales links to all of the major resellers, and provide a way to communicate with me through a secure form.
One of the things I did was build a routine where if you come to The Juno Letters with a mobile device the browser automatically redirects to go the mobile version. That's not all that difficult. But what if you want more of the full features in the main site and do not want to wait to get on board with a full-screen computer? Thanks to the programming magic of Php I built a routine that lets you choose to go from MOBILE to FULL-SCREEN with a mobile device. The system remembers that's what you wanted to do until you select a home screen button that takes you back to mobile.
Ah, the curse of programming. My twenty-some years in technology sometimes creeps back in and ruins my day. Tomorrow I go back to writing book 7. I will build functionality as I see the need in the mobile site, however. Those of us in this business who don't respect the changing landscape will run the risk of being left sitting alongside the margin.
Let me know what you think about the mobile site. Just go to "junoletters.com" with an iPhone or other smart phone and let the site do the work. If you discover any bugs, break out there "Raid" and drop me a line with the contact form, or at junoletters@icloud.com. I hope to get the video up - still having issues getting the permission to use the music.
Good reading.
