News

Okay, no updates for a while due to school things, and unfortunately there probably won’t be for at least a few more weeks. But I haven’t forgotten about here! In fact, I’ve probably been thinking about it too much.

So here’s the new things that I have planned:

• Glitter generator. I’m quite proud of this one as I figured out how to code it myself! Goal: May 20th.
• Guide to zines. This will be a work in progress, but with the help of a few people, hopefully it will help people understand what zines are and how to make them. Goal: June 15th.
• New layout. I like this one (especially the menu), but the colors are getting on my nerves. Be prepared for something brighter. Goal: May 20th.
• New links directory. The one now only works when debug mode is turned on, and so it’s not up. Goal: May 20th.
• New downloads & freebies. Website layouts, textures, PSDs, blends, fonts, bases, icons, etc. Goal: 30 website layouts, 20 textures, 10 PSDs, 20 blends, 20 fonts, 50 icons by August 1st.
• Tutorials. Zine related, HTML, PHP, etc. Goal: 10 by July 15th.
• Improved plugboards. Multiple plugboards, including 100×35, 88×15, 50×50, 468×60. Goal: May 20th.
• Improved things for me. Just a reminder for myself: stats script, reciprocal links, try to improve navigation system, integrate stylesheets, better icons, free advertising.
• Myspace stuff? I don’t use Myspace, so I don’t know how much I care to do this.

In general, I just plan on improving the site.

Just a quick note to say I haven’t forgotten about this site, I’ve just been super busy.  Expect updates after January 11th, when I have a good amount of free time on my hands and will try to come back en force.  I think the world will manage to survive until then; it’s only a few days away, after all.

If you would like to submit a back issue of your zine, you may do so. You can only submit zines you own (or owned) and made. Each issue should be in html format. If you have images to include that go along with that issue (that are either within the issue or were attached), you should put them in a zip file along with the html issue file.

What I did to make the files was to compose a new blank email, open the zine issues, and copy and paste the pages of the issue into the blank email message. Then, I saved it by going to File…Save. I saved it (ex, as issue01.html), and because there were pictures in the issue, AOL automatically created a folder called issue01_files. Then you go to My Computer, open the folder where you saved the issue, and select both the html file and folder at the same time. Then, right click. In the menu that comes to, Go to Send to…Compressed (zipped) folder. You might get a notification, it really doesn’t matter if you hit yes or no, but I try to hit no just in case. And tada! Your issue will be zipped! The file will be named something like issue01.zip or issue01_files.zip, depending upon which icon you selected last. Sorry if you already knew how to do that

To upload the zip file on the website, you first have to register. Then upload your issues to the “AOL zines” category of the downloads section. Most of the fields don’t need to be filled in, just the file name and description. I’ve been putting the table of contents in as the description, and I think that’s a good way to do it. You might also want to list your zine in the zine directory, so that people can go to your listing to subscribe. If you have more than 5 issues, I’ll give you your own category for your zine.

If you don’t want to upload them yourself, I could do it, but it would really help me out if you did it as I’m pretty slow about uploading issues because I’m kinda busy.

If you have any questions, please use the contact form.

What is mag scene? This website was created to promote AOL zines–a type of e-mail newsletter created mainly using AOL. These zines are mainly made by young people (teens and young adults). They provide people with something to do, something to create, and something to learn.

mag scene promotes zines and the “zine world” by providing resources for ziners. There is a zine directory where people can find zines to subscribe to, where they can rate zines they already receive, and where they can submit a listing of their own zines. There is a downloads section that has files useful to making zines (such as layouts and PSDs), and back issues of some zines. These back issues serve as an archive of zines, and as examples of what AOL zines are. The image gallery provides some celebrity images with which editors can create graphics for layouts, icons, and more. It also contains some freebies, such as icons, banners, buttons, textures, and blends.

It used to be that zines had thousands of members. The zine world is shrinking. There are no sources for new subscribers any longer. I hope that mag scene will help bring new people into the fray, especially now that AOL is free. If you would like to help revive the zine world, please help through making this site as good as it can be. Use the contact form to get in touch to help.

If you would like to submit a layout, you may do so.  You may upload in a format you prefer: .rtx, .html, .zip, .rar, .gif, .jpg, or another similar file.  Please also take a screen shot of your layout (preferably in an AOL mail message) and upload the screenshot, so that people can preview the layout before downloading it.  You can upload a file with multiple layouts, though one layout per file is recommended and preferred.  The layouts you submit MUST be by you.  No exceptions.
You retain all credit, and can make your own rules for people using them.  It is recommended that you include your rules with every layout you upload, and in the description of the file.  People using your layouts are not required to link to magscene.net, but it would be appreciated if you put a link to your archives in your zine.  This way, your subscribers can view and download your past layouts, and magscene gets exposure.  If you end your zine, please remember to update your credit links so that you do not get any unwanted e-mails.  You may change the credit link to a new zine if you wish, but we request that you change the credit link to a link to magscene.net instead of removing a credit link altogether.

If you submit 5 or more different files, you will get your own subcategory (ex: “by Valerie” or “by Magscene”).

Please list your zine in the zine directory, so that people who come to magscene and like your layouts will be able to subscribe to your zine.

You must register to upload layouts.