Does anyone know what Indy.com the Magazine is?

[NealTaflinger]

I just filled out the Smaller Indiana media use questionnaire and I noticed that one of the local media options is "INtake Weekly," which was re-christened Indy.com the Magazine in fall of 2007. I work for Indy.com/ the Star so this was both amusing and troubling.

Now this could just be an oversight because that was the name of the publication the last time the survey went out, but I find that a lot of people aren't familiar with it, still call it INtake, or weirder yet, ask me what it's like to work for Nuvo.

So my question is - do you know who we are?

[Elizabeth Friedland]

My answer may not count as much, as I work in public and media relations, and thus it’s my job to know who you are.

But, I would have to say that I wasn’t a fan of the name change. It’s a bit of a hassle to try and reference the outlet to people who aren’t “in the know.”

Me: Hey, did you see that cool article in Indy.com?
Person: No, send me the link.
Me: Well, it’s actually a magazine.
Person: Then why the ‘dot com?’
Me: I have no idea, but Indy.com is what InTake was. Just a name change.
Person: Is there an actual Indy.com website?
Me: Yes. It’s uh… Indy.com.

I get that perhaps the Powers That Be were trying to make the magazine seem a bit more hip by pulling in the “dot com” thing, or perhaps they just wanted to streamline the name. But I find it confusing – as you can see, it often causes needless mix-ups. And now that MetroMix is, um… in the mix, it adds to the confusion: Didn’t InTake used to be Metromix? Is MetroMix now Indy.com? Does Metromix have a magazine too? Are they all under the Indy Star? Why have the Indy Star A&E, Indy.com (print and online) and MetroMix? Why not just one?

In any case, I still pick up my copy every week, and I’m always pleased when you folks mention a client of mine. But, I do miss the old name.

[Emily Myers]

I knew that the publication name had changed. So when I saw InTake, I knew that was outdated, but I couldn't remember (without looking, and I did look) what the new name was.

[Nicki Laycoax]

I do! I pick you up occasionally from my local Meijer store. It's a great publication for events around Indy. I also like to support the company for which my programmer friend works for! :)

Smoosiers, if you haven't checked it out, and you like to stay informed of Indy happenings, and other great Indy info, you should pick one up today!! It's free and there's a new one each week!

[Noah Coffey]

I do. Though, I remember it just happening one day (how it seemed) and having to figure out that INtake Weekly was no more. It was a bit confusing at first since Indy.com and INTakeWeekly.com used to be separate sites.

I do still find the name "Indy.com Magazine" odd. Are you a website or are you a magazine? Are you an online magazine with a print edition or are you a print magazine with an online edition? Are you a social network? I think I have it figured out for myself, but these are the kinds of questions I first asked.

Seems like it would make more sense to be called "Indy Magazine" ...but, there appears to already be a completely different magazine by that name (which is clearly not a website magazine).

[Kyle Lacy]

I had no idea.

[Danielle Smith]

I regularly pick up your magazine from either my local Meijer or at the Government Center where I work. I really like the content, and would never confuse it with Nuvo. Working for state government, many of our programs also start with INsomething, so the name isn't really as memorable for me personally. I still like the magazine, have visited the online site, and will continue to read it regardless of the name.

[wug laku]

i've been reading you guys since you were intake, and you ran a great preview piece by konrad marshall for the smaller indiana 'elegant funk' show that was at my place, so i'm aware of the name change. but i've gotta agree with elizabeth's points. why'd you guys do that?
... and hasn't the term "hip" seen it's better days? isn't that what the restaurant manhattan is trying to be? how hip izzat? maybe you could tell the old guys at the star hip ain't hip no more.

[Stephen James]

I don't read much paper these days (so taking that portion of the survey was easy!), but I did know it changed, and knew what Pat was referring to. I've been on the site to post events I'm involved in, but that's about all. I think it's a great name, because then you know there is a website (version). If there's something that not obvious from the name, it is that it's really a social network. I'd be more active if I was interested in talking to people that would be in the "PartyCrashers" demographic, but this 26 year old male isn't a big fan of scantily clothed women with beer in their hand.

[Chris Vannoy]

Then you might like the new Indy more:

http://alpha.indy.com

Coming to an Indy.com near you, say, sometime overnight tomorrow.

[Stephen James]

@Chris

I'm not sure what you mean. The headline when I went to the site was "Lingerie with GPS device" and the second was "Goggling your co-worker's cleavage."

[Chris Vannoy]

Sigh ... we're still pulling the eyepiece from Classic Indy (and to be honest, the editorially-controlled eyepiece will likely remain not what you're interested in).

The rest of the page, though, is nearly completely customizable, from content, to ordering to even the colors.

[NealTaflinger]

RIght now, I believe. Still working out some kinks.