Blog
2023
7 July: Social media 2.0 and Mastodon
Because of the recent developments on big-tech owned social media, Autozine is moving to open-source social media. The first step is our account on Mastodon: @autozine@mastodonapp.uk
2022
March: New layout, version 6.0
Because of corona we are bound to the office, so it's time for office work! The layout of the website has been completely redesigned and the "content management system" has been rewritten from scratch. The aim was to make the site easier to read and navigate (no more small or light fonts) and to make it even better suitable for mobile devices.
From the technical viewpoint HTML tables have been replaced by flexboxes and grids. HTML5 and CSS3 are now used. The content management system is setup like mobile apps: data, logic and graphics are strictly separated (model-view-controller model). In this way future changes will be easier to realize. Only the underlaying database remains the same.
For the third time Autozine has a new logo. Or rather: for the second time, because the first logo was merely the word Autozine in a courier font. Several designers have submitted suggestions. The final logo is a combination of the text-logo from one designer and the graphical-logo from another.
2020
5 July: Android app version 1.2.7
The Android app has been upgraded. The page with technical specs now shows more pictures per model. Also, the app now features the new logo and icon.
18 January: upgraded webserver
The webserver couldn't keep up. That's why we upgraded to handle 256 visitors per second and 512 simultaneous visitors.
2018
March: goobye columns, hello layout version 5.0
After 19 years of columns we say goodbye. The columns made for shorter and therefore more readable lines. It also made for an old fashioned look. Next to every text icons can be found to access related info.
All URLs now contain information about the content of the page, rather than somewhat abstract keys from the database. Of course the old URLs still work, so that existing bookmarks won't break.
3 March: API (Application Programming Interface)
To share data with others, Autozine now has an API using XML and JSON. In this way everyone can use our database of brands, models and reviews. Documentation is on the contact page.
2015
July: responsive layout
From now on the layout of the website matches the size of the screen of the user. Every page resizes for either desktop, tablet or phone. The apps for iPhone and Android remain superiour, but for those who don't want to install the app the responsive layout is now an alternative.
2014
October: new layout, version 4.0
The website has a new look. Version 4.0 of the CMS (content management system) gives the website a more modern look and makes navigating easier.
2013
9 September: Android app
Developing for Android is significantly more complicated than developing for iOS. Because of the many Android variants and versions the source code is more complex. Also, Java is a very inefficient programming language. Yet... version 1.0 of the Autozine app for Android is here!
2012
19 May: iPad app version 2.0
The iPad app has been completely rewritten and redesigned. The app is no longer limited to just the latest reviews and news, but gives access to our entire archive (which dates back to 1999).
2011
4 October: more SmartTV!
After Philips new SmartTV's from Sharp and Loewe Opta will be factory fitted with a built in Autozine app.
10 July: iPhone and iPad apps
Autozine is now available on iPhone and iPad apps. Our reviews and news can now be accessed in a bespoke format for these devices. Unique additions for mobile use are games that test the user's car knowledge.
2009
November: Twitter
Autozine opened a Twitter account. Twitter is a so-called "social media" application that is said to make it easier for publishers and readers to communicate. So if you prefer Twitter over e-mail, we are now available!
2008
New layout, version 3.0
Autozine has a fresh new look. More than before emphasis is on colour, where the layout changes colour with the reviewed car. Thanks to tabs, relevant data is now easy to access.
2007
11 April: expand to Sweden
Now that our content management system can handle multiple domains and languages, another country is just a small step. So we expand to Autozine.se.
2005
7 June: Autozine.co.uk
Autozine expands to the UK! We assembled a team to populate the product database and translate reviews from Dutch to English. We start off with a complete database with prices and specs of all cars currently available in the UK. Ten of the most popular reviews in The Netherlands are now available in English.