beta version
Forum
Add a new comic
Login to Comic Match Register for Comic Match Account Recover a Lost Password About Comic Match Frequently Asked Questions Contact us Search for Comics
The Misadventures of Gary+Ted
Go To Comic Navigator



FAQ -- Frequently Asked Questions

GENERAL
COMIC MATCH'S LIBRARY
MY ACCOUNT
COMIC OWNERS
TECHNICAL
LEGAL, SORT OF




GENERAL
Q. What is Comic Match?
A. Comic Match helps you find comics you love.
...back to top...




Q. Why Comic Match?
A. There are thousands of comics in the world but only a fraction of them find their audience, and visa versa. At Comic Match we want that to change. With careful categorization of comics and computer searches, it's easy and fun to find comics you love. THE KEY IS: You probably would love comics that you wouldn't normally consider. Comic Match will help.
...back to top...




Q. How is Comic Match different than "top-list" websites for comics?
A. Top-list websites for comics focus on popularity. But that misses the point: you are looking for comics that YOU will like, not ones that are popular with other people. Instead, we sift through our library of comics, each categorized by hundreds of attributes. This makes Comic Match a unique service in the comic world.
...back to top...




Q. How can I teach Comic Match what I love and hate?
A. We'll show you comics and you tell us whether you hate or love them... or have no preference. We'll quickly learn what you love and hate and we'll find other comics that share similar characteristics. Kind of like a trusted librarian who knows your tastes and directs you to just the right book. Kind of like a radio station that plays your favorite music. Kind of like the Pandora Music Service except for comics.

Once you get to the navigation page:
love itClick the Love It button and we'll learn that you prefer comics that share the same attributes as the one you're viewing. Then we'll go find you another.
hate itClick the Hate It button and we'll learn that you prefer comics that DO NOT share the same attributes as the one you're viewing. Then we'll go find you another that is NOT like this one.
find itClick the Find button to vote we'll look another comic for you, leaving this comic unvoted on, and having no new affect on which comics we'll show you next.

...back to top...




Q: Why can I only vote Love or Hate? Why can't I provide more detail about exactly what I liked or didn't like about a comic?
A. People are often incorrect about what they like or dislike about a comic. If Comic Match is successful, we'll quickly and precisely find comics that follow your tastes, including many comics you would not have thought you would have liked. Besides, this way is easier... for you!
...back to top...




Q. How can I get you to remember my loves and hates?
A. If you want us to remember your Loves and Hates from visit to visit, you must create an account with us. It's FREE.
...back to top...




Q. OK, I'm ready to begin. Now what?
A. The fastest way to start is to go to the navigation page. We'll pick a comic at random and you can start voting. Don't forget to create an account if you want us to remember your loves and hates.

If you don't want to start at random, then search our library for a comic you already love and we can start your navigation from there:

Search for comic title, description, or URL:
...back to top...




COMIC MATCH'S LIBRARY
Q. I know a comic you don't. Can I add it to the Comic Match library?
A. Yes, Yes, YES! Add comics Here. If you created an account and are logged in, your additions will usually be immediate and automatic. If you aren't logged in, your additions will be sent to us and we'll enter it into the library if appropriate.

The job of finding and categorizing comics is a huge one that depends on the Comic Match community to help it along. The creation and maintenance of all this information is largely in your hands. Naturally, for security, we control changes to each comic's information, but anybody can make suggestions for changes, or join the discussions in the Comic Match Forum.
...back to top...




Q: What are these "hundreds of attributes"?
A. Read the FAQ for Attributes.

Every comic in our library is (or will be) categorized by attributes describing the comic's Artwork, Content, Writing, Format, Settings, etc. We also keep information about the comic's website, the creator(s), appropriateness of content (e.g. X-rated or not), etc.
...back to top...




Q: Where can I see or change a comic's attributes?
A. To see the information and attributes about a comic you are viewing in the Comic Navigator, click the green "comic info" link, to the right of the comic.
...back to top...




Q: What about porn?
A. Comic Match doesn't limit which comics are registered here as long as they are comic-oriented. However, we recognize that many of our visitors don't wish to see pornographic comics. By default, you will NOT see porn comics. If you create an account and you are at least 18-years-old, you can specify that you wish to see porn comics too.

NOTE: Comic Match cannot filter all objectionable content. For more information about making the Internet safe for young people, please consider these websites:
...back to top...




Q: What about Not-Safe-For-Work (NSFW)?
A. Some comics contain images that are not suitable for the workplace, but are not necessarily pornographic. By default you will NOT see NSFW comics unless you create an account and specify in your general settings that you do wish to see NSFW comics.
...back to top...




Q: What is "Member of NCS"?
A. You'll see this as one of the attributes for a comic, referring to the comic creator's membership in the National Cartoonist's Society. The NCS is the world's largest and most prestigious organization of professional cartoonists. Well that's what they say on their website, anyway. See for yourself: Reuben.org
...back to top...




Q: What is "Member of AAEC"?
A. You'll see this as one of the attributes for a comic, referring to the comic creator's membership in the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. The AAEC is a professional association concerned with promoting the interests of staff, freelance and student editorial cartoonists in the United States. Well that's what they say on their website, anyway. See for yourself: EditorialCartoonists.com
...back to top...




MY ACCOUNT
Q: Why should I create a Comic Match account?
A. The main reason is so we'll remember your Loves & Hates for the next time you visit Comic Match. Also, if you have an account you can create collections of loves/hates that each have their own style; you can add new comics to our library immediately, instead of sending us suggestions which we may or may not accept.

Soon, we'll offer other features for account holders, such as receiving email notification if a comic is added that we think you'll love; being able to send your love/hate lists ("collections") to a friend, and receive collections from friends; etc. (Note: Porn and NSFW (Not-Safe-For-Work) comics are blocked to non-account holders).

If you are a comic creator and/or owner, create an account so you can take sole ownership of the comic's listing and attribute information.
...back to top...




Q: Can I edit the lists of comics I've said I loved and hated??
A. Yes. If you have an account, go to the Account Page, and click on the Your Collections link. The Collections lists hold the comics voted on, Loved or Hated, and you can change the vote. Note: for brevity, comics you have not seen or indicated 'no preference' will not appear in the Collection lists.

You can create many collections, each with a different set of comics you love and hate. For instance, you may want to create separate lists for Animated comics, or Webcomics, or Comic Book comics, etc. By default, every account has at least one Collection.
...back to top...




Q: Don't you want my email address?
A. No. But you will need to provide your email address if you:
  • Want to be able to retrieve a lost password
  • Want to receive special announcements from Comic Match
  • Want to receive notices when a new comic is added to Comic Match that we think you will like
Note: If you DO provide us your email address we are required by COPPA (see below) to certify you are at least 13-years-old.
...back to top...




Q: What is COPPA?
A. COPPA is the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. If you provide us with your email address, we are required to certify that you are 13 or older. For an explanation, see COPPA
...back to top...




Q: I love a certain artist, and want to indicate somehow that anything by that artist is cool with me. How?
A. We provide no direct way to specify you love a certain artist's work. We suggest that when you see a comic by this artist, you click the "Love It" button. Comic Match will then be more likely to find comics by the same artist, as well as comics that share the same attributes. You may find a new artist to love.

If you want to be more proactive finding an artist's comics, use our Search utility to find this artist's comics. Some artists also include their name in their comic descriptions, so searching for the artist by name may also work.
...back to top...




Q: I hate a certain artist, and want to indicate somehow that anything by that artist makes me want to hurl. How?
A. We suggest that when you see a comic by this artist, you click the "Hate It" button. Comic Match will then be less likely to find comics by the same artist, as well as comics that share the same attributes.
...back to top...




Q: How do I change my password?
A. Log In, go to Your Accout page, click on the "Basic Account Information" link, and enter your new password TWICE in the "New Password" and "Re-Enter New Password" fields.

...back to top...




Q: How do I recover my password?
A. Click Here

...back to top...




Q: I created a Comic Match account, but I can't log into the Comic Match Forum (or visa versa)!
A. Yes, you need TWO accounts: one for the Comic Match service and another for the Forum. The technology of the two systems doesn't allow sharing of account information. But there is nothing stopping you from registering in both places with the same user-name and password, to make it easier to remember. Or make them different for increased security.

...back to top...




TECHNICAL
Q: What browsers does Comic Match support?
A. Most modern browsers, we hope. On Windows, we've tested the major functions on Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Opera; on a Mac we've tested Firefox, Safari, Netscape, Opera, and Internet Explorer v5.2. Eddie usually uses Firefox on a Macintosh for development, so you will probably have the most success with that combination.

We know there are some minor problems with Macintosh Internet Explorer v5.2. But, really, it's time for you to upgrade. Try Firefox or Safari.

If you are having persistent problems and you think you are using a reasonable browser, please Contact Us
...back to top...



Q: Usually, when I am viewing a comic's website in the Comic Match viewer, I can click links in the viewer and the new pages open inside the viewer. But sometimes the new page opens in a new window, or, the new page takes over my current browser window. Then I have to hit the Back button to get back to Comic Match. What's with that?
A. Sigh, yes we know. There is very little we can do about that. It's the way the comic's website is designed, whether to open new windows or not. And some web pages don't like running inside a frame, the way Comic Match works, so they break out of their frame and take over the whole window.
...back to top...




COMIC OWNERS
Q: I'm the creator/owner of a comic. What should I do?
A. Do this: ...back to top...




Q: Why should I claim ownership of a comic?
A. If a comic has no owner, anybody can modify the comic's attributes that describe and categorize the comic for Comic Match's service. But once you claim ownership, then the comic will be locked and only you will have update/change privileges. The comic is your creation, so you should be the one to describe the comic according to your own intent and standards. In addition, there are special features that are only available to comic owners, like statistics, friend-making, accepting suggestions, etc.
...back to top...




Q: How do I claim ownership of a comic?
A. It's easy. When you are viewing the comic, click the Orphaned Comic Needs An Owner icon, and follow the instructions. Comic Match presumes that people are telling the truth when they claim ownership, and deals with violators on an exception basis. See the Reasonable Person Principle.
...back to top...




LEGAL, SORT OF
Q. What is the Reasonable Person Priciple (RPP)?
A. The RPP is this: If everybody acts reasonably, we won't have to make rules to compel you to behave. Everyone who uses Comic Match's service is expected to use it for it's intended purpose: to help people find comics they love. People who act unreasonably will be dealt with as Comic Match sees fit and necessary. We would prefer, however, that you act according to the RPP.
...back to top...




Q. What are Comic Match's Terms & Conditions?
A. Read the Terms & Conditions Here
...back to top...



Q. What about Copyrights?
A. The rights of everything belong to their respective owners. Comic Match makes no claim on artwork, characters, scripts, site designs, software, etc. of the comics using Comic Match's service. However, Comic Match retains ownership of the attribute data that catagorizes the comics, as well as any algorithms that are used to match Comic Match visitors to comics.
...back to top...




Q. What is Comic Match's Privacy Policy?
A. Straightforward and simple: ...back to top...