curious about "change"

[N&B4PSU]

I posted something like this earlier this evening, but imo it warrants a better viewing.

a faction here labels those of us who would want a return to 'thread view" (or something comparable) as whiners (perhaps worse) and the bottom line is this (again, imo): 'it ain't changin', old timer, so bugger off.'

and i will ask a very simple question. IF traffic stays low... IF complaints stay high.. IF advertisers are not pleased with the results... is rivals going to stay the course? [and obviously, if none of that occurs and all is well and rivals is prosperous, then this argument is moot.]

I know there are some businesses who take the approach that 'hey, we made a decision, and we're sticking with it no matter what.. even if it means we go under.' most operate a bit differently (think new coke).. see that change did not work and correct the error... whether a full scale change or a revision or compromise.. but they do something to get the ball rolling in their favor.

So i'd ask.. if the system fails, are you saying that rivals will ride the bus til the wheels fall off? Because that is the impression several seem to be making.. .that no matter what happens, this is what we get. like it, hate it, just move on.

and i'm curious.. is that an accurate account? if so, then i fully agree we (more personally, I) really should stop complaining and get about our lives. IF that is accurate... i'm not convinced it is. hence, many of us aren't "moving on."

 

[BlueBand]

First... I never used thread view. Or, rather, tried it but it never made sense to me. But I understand people process things differently.

A major change like this is long term in scope. If the company does experience a drop in traffic and revenue, it might reexamine it's decision and try to bring back thread view in some way.

However, it's also possible that the company expected a temporary drop in users from the changeover, but also know that 1.) where else are you going to go that offers thread view, some will come back, 2.) long term to continue to attract new (and younger) subscribers (and subscribers from other services) they needed to offer features most people expect today, and 3.) they expect gains in new users to outweigh the loss of "disgruntled" uses in the long term.

It really comes down to the company's expectations in the short and long term, and how close to reality they are. You don't like the changes, you find some very vocal people who agree with you, but that doesn't mean the wheels are coming off the bus as far as the company is concerned, for the reasons I outlined above.

 

[N&B4PSU]

It really comes down to the company's expectations in the short and long term, and how close to reality they are. You don't like the changes, you find some very vocal people who agree with you, but that doesn't mean the wheels are coming off the bus as far as the company is concerned, for the reasons I outlined above.[/QUOTE]

all solid points. However, i'm not saying the wheels ARE coming off the bus... i'm saying what IF the wheels come off the bus.. will they re-examine or just plunge ahead (which would tell me a lot about rivals). And i doubt i've found a few people who feel the same.. i'd wager (heavily) that a solid percentage would welcome a return to thread view.

which may or may not be possible.

none of which has to to do with my op... the crux of which is: what will rivals do IF the wheels come off the bus? to your point, they might (quite likely) have factored in a resistance period and are uninterested in anything now except fine-tuning the process. When the summer session begins and fans (as expected) flock back to the boards, that is when they (and we) will know if this was a mistake.

if all goes as before, it's a winner. if the numbers are down significantly, it isn't. time will tell.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

First... I never used thread view. Or, rather, tried it but it never made sense to me. But I understand people process things differently.

A major change like this is long term in scope. If the company does experience a drop in traffic and revenue, it might reexamine it's decision and try to bring back thread view in some way.

However, it's also possible that the company expected a temporary drop in users from the changeover, but also know that 1.) where else are you going to go that offers thread view, some will come back, 2.) long term to continue to attract new (and younger) subscribers (and subscribers from other services) they needed to offer features most people expect today, and 3.) they expect gains in new users to outweigh the loss of "disgruntled" uses in the long term.

It really comes down to the company's expectations in the short and long term, and how close to reality they are. You don't like the changes, you find some very vocal people who agree with you, but that doesn't mean the wheels are coming off the bus as far as the company is concerned, for the reasons I outlined above.

One thing I am noticing is that this new format is great for perpetuating false meme's, lies, exaggerations, etc.

With thread view, it was easy to recognize when something had been quickly debunked.

Now, the people simply continue to argue over the false storylines.

I know, that is EXACTLY the way we live in real life today. So, I guess these changes may be an accurate reflection of real life after all. Wonderful.

 

[9fold]

One thing I am noticing is that this new format is great for perpetuating false meme's, lies, exaggerations, etc.

With thread view, it was easy to recognize when something had been quickly debunked.

Now, the people simply continue to argue over the false storylines.

I know, that is EXACTLY the way we live in real life today. So, I guess these changes may be an accurate reflection of real life after all. Wonderful.

It's amazing how some people fail to realize that not everyone used thread view and posted in the subject line. And, yeah, let's blame the software for the content. Duh.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

It's amazing how some people fail to realize that not everyone used thread view and posted in the subject line. And, yeah, let's blame the software for the content. Duh.

It is as if you are getting paid. How much? (Not my business, and you need not respond.)

 

[massimoManca II]

new format is a mess... it's not even "new" as I've used it on many other message boards (ie: automotive repair/owners forums, appliance and small engine repair etc) so all you patronizing ****s here telling those like me to "give it time to get used to it" can kindly STFU. All of the other Topic-based forums that I've used were very occasional and grab-n-go situations for small bits of information... BWI/McAndrew is more of a "lifestyle" / social community (sadly enough! and as replies accumulate the topic-view format is simply a mess. The good news is that I find myself much-less obsessed with BWI - used to check in multiple time a day - lately I'd be lucky to look in every other day... just waiting for someone to build a new message board with thread-view ala World Football League and we could bring in the Czonka/Kiick/Warfield's from McAndrew's world.... I would go in a heartbeat

 

[Art]

I posted something like this earlier this evening, but imo it warrants a better viewing.

a faction here labels those of us who would want a return to 'thread view" (or something comparable) as whiners (perhaps worse) and the bottom line is this (again, imo): 'it ain't changin', old timer, so bugger off.'

and i will ask a very simple question. IF traffic stays low... IF complaints stay high.. IF advertisers are not pleased with the results... is rivals going to stay the course? [and obviously, if none of that occurs and all is well and rivals is prosperous, then this argument is moot.]

I know there are some businesses who take the approach that 'hey, we made a decision, and we're sticking with it no matter what.. even if it means we go under.' most operate a bit differently (think new coke).. see that change did not work and correct the error... whether a full scale change or a revision or compromise.. but they do something to get the ball rolling in their favor.

So i'd ask.. if the system fails, are you saying that rivals will ride the bus til the wheels fall off? Because that is the impression several seem to be making.. .that no matter what happens, this is what we get. like it, hate it, just move on.

and i'm curious.. is that an accurate account? if so, then i fully agree we (more personally, I) really should stop complaining and get about our lives. IF that is accurate... i'm not convinced it is. hence, many of us aren't "moving on."

The answer to your question is "yes", WYSIWG and nothing will change it. This site and the revenue it generates is not important enough to Rivals for them to support anything else. Furthermore, Rivals is rounding error as far as Yahoo is concerned. I'd be surprised if Eric Winter knew the name of this site, let alone Marissa Mayer.

Thus, if revenue falls of as the result of this change, the consequences will fall on Phil (and his employees should financial pressures force him to cut back). Subscribers will have to make their own decisions.

 

[PSU Mike]

I enjoy(ed) seeing some of the niche topics that arose on this forum. Given I can't track the board as often as many others, these topics can find themselves way down the topic list before I have a chance to know they even existed. And given my limited time in any board session, I don't like to waste much of it scrolling.

 

[massimoManca II]

I enjoy(ed) seeing some of the niche topics that arose on this forum. Given I can't track the board as often as many others, these topics can find themselves way down the topic list before I have a chance to know they even existed. And given my limited time in any board session, I don't like to waste much of it scrolling.

Indeed - I'll scroll down a bit and notice some potentially interesting topics that are already pushed/ buried by some old/tired long-winded topics... wondering what I might have missed then realize this board simply isn't as important to me anymore and there's nothing I can do to change it... Sad... but it's time to move on

 

[9fold]

It is as if you are getting paid. How much? (Not my business, and you need not respond.)

You're an idiot. Someone disagrees with you, so they must be getting paid. The irony here is that you claim that the people who like the new format contribute nothing of value. Look at you. Is this the best you can come up with, Flounder?

 

[9fold]

Indeed - I'll scroll down a bit and notice some potentially interesting topics that are already pushed/ buried by some old/tired long-winded topics... wondering what I might have missed then realize this board simply isn't as important to me anymore and there's nothing I can do to change it... Sad... but it's time to move on

Is scrolling so hard? Besides, topics can be sorted in other ways.

 

[9fold]

I enjoy(ed) seeing some of the niche topics that arose on this forum. Given I can't track the board as often as many others, these topics can find themselves way down the topic list before I have a chance to know they even existed. And given my limited time in any board session, I don't like to waste much of it scrolling.

Yeah, moving that index finger on the mouse takes a long time. Please.

 

[dfm135psu]

I enjoy(ed) seeing some of the niche topics that arose on this forum. Given I can't track the board as often as many others, these topics can find themselves way down the topic list before I have a chance to know they even existed. And given my limited time in any board session, I don't like to waste much of it scrolling.

This doesn't make much sense. The odds of a topic being buried in thread view is much higher than it is with topic view. By my count, there are currently 49 different topics (not counting pinned posts) on the first page of McAndrew Board. This will always been the case (unless some pinned threads are added/removed). With thread view, there is the possibility, if it's a long thread, that only one topic will be on the first page. The niche topic you're looking for may very well be on page 4 by the time you get to the board. There's almost no chance of that with topic view. Furthermore, currently the last post on the first page was started on Tuesday. That's two days worth of content all on the front page.

Anyways, here is rivals.com traffic over the last year. As you'd expect, sharp upticks during the season and especially near signing day, with a sharp dropoff after signing day. Since the board conversion, traffic looks to be equal to or maybe a slightly higher than before:

 

[Art]

This doesn't make much sense. The odds of a topic being buried in thread view is much higher than it is with topic view. By my count, there are currently 49 different topics (not counting pinned posts) on the first page of McAndrew Board. This will always been the case (unless some pinned threads are added/removed). With thread view, there is the possibility, if it's a long thread, that only one topic will be on the first page. The niche topic you're looking for may very well be on page 4 by the time you get to the board. There's almost no chance of that with topic view. Furthermore, currently the last post on the first page was started on Tuesday. That's two days worth of content all on the front page.

Anyways, here is rivals.com traffic over the last year. As you'd expect, sharp upticks during the season and especially near signing day, with a sharp dropoff after signing day. Since the board conversion, traffic looks to be equal to or maybe a slightly higher than before:

That's rivals.com traffic, not just BWI. If I understand correctly, most of the rivals sites were using the new format before BWI. As BWI represents only a fraction of the rivals network, no conclusions can be reached from that graph.

 

[81b&w]

Is there a way to consolidate the page more? Make the type smaller?

 

[psute]

That's rivals.com traffic, not just BWI. If I understand correctly, most of the rivals sites were using the new format before BWI. As BWI represents only a fraction of the rivals network, no conclusions can be reached from that graph.

Just to clarify, the new format was rolled out on the Rivals owned national sites 5 days before it was rolled out to the team sites...

 

[dfm135psu]

That's rivals.com traffic, not just BWI. If I understand correctly, most of the rivals sites were using the new format before BWI. As BWI represents only a fraction of the rivals network, no conclusions can be reached from that graph.

As psute said, that's not the case. The individual team sites were rolled out at same time, a few days after the national boards were rolled out. The debate over thread view vs. topic view is not limited to this site by any means.

I'm unaware of a site that will parse out traffic for individual team sites. If bwi.rivals.com is typed into Alexa, it reverts to rivals.com. I'm not sure if individual team sites are included in the overall traffic, or it just simply reflects only rivals.com itself. Regardless, traffic to Rivals hasn't fallen.

 

[Art]

Just to clarify, the new format was rolled out on the Rivals owned national sites 5 days before it was rolled out to the team sites...

As psute said, that's not the case. The individual team sites were rolled out at same time, a few days after the national boards were rolled out. The debate over thread view vs. topic view is not limited to this site by any means.

I'm unaware of a site that will parse out traffic for individual team sites. If bwi.rivals.com is typed into Alexa, it reverts to rivals.com. I'm not sure if individual team sites are included in the overall traffic, or it just simply reflects only rivals.com itself. Regardless, traffic to Rivals hasn't fallen.

My mistake. Regardless, I don't think you reach any conclusions, other than the conversion has neither resulted in a complete catastrophe or whopping success, since the makeover. But that's for the larger rivals network. Individual sites may be a different story and I think it will be a while before the publishers that run them find out.

 

[psute]

Here is a site that tracks:

http://boardreader.com/trendy/index.html?t[0]=Blue+White+Illustrated

I will not attest to the accuracy...

 

[Art]

Here is a site that tracks:

http://boardreader.com/trendy/index.html?t[0]=Blue+White+Illustrated

I will not attest to the accuracy...

According to that site, Blue White Illustrated had 437 posts between 1/29/15 and 4/27/15, or eight posts per day on average. You can reach your own conclusions regarding its accuracy.

 

[N&B4PSU]

The answer to your question is "yes", WYSIWG and nothing will change it. This site and the revenue it generates is not important enough to Rivals for them to support anything else. Furthermore, Rivals is rounding error as far as Yahoo is concerned. I'd be surprised if Eric Winter knew the name of this site, let alone Marissa Mayer.

Thus, if revenue falls of as the result of this change, the consequences will fall on Phil (and his employees should financial pressures force him to cut back). Subscribers will have to make their own decisions.

Fair enough... thanx Art.

 

[PSUSignore]

The thing is, a message board is only as good as its posters. If people start to leave here, there will be a snowball effect. If the content volume and/or quality gets worse due to people leaving, more members are likely to follow. Rivals has nothing to do with why I read this site. I already see a drop off in posts that interest me. Whether or not that will hold true long term remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see how it plays out leading up to the season and the first 1-2 game weeks.

Also, I have no idea of the level of complaints on other team boards. In my experience, topic view is far more common than thread view on message boards (outside of Rivals) This is the only one I read with thread view. If other team boards weren't as dependent on thread view, this isn't a big deal to them and Rivals won't care one bit. Their users will be more apt to stay, and the advertisers won't see a decrease in hits. BWI is a small, small slice of what Rivals is doing, who knows how well received the change has been on their other sites. I'd be shocked if Rivals decided to change back based on user feedback, I expect this format is here to stay.

 

[81b&w]

The couple other Topic view PSU boards I check out seem to be slow right now, just kinda a dead period. I enjoyed thread view and I miss it but I still enjoy posters here much more than the other boards

 

[fairgambit]

The thing is, a message board is only as good as its posters. If people start to leave here, there will be a snowball effect. If the content volume and/or quality gets worse due to people leaving, more members are likely to follow. Rivals has nothing to do with why I read this site. I already see a drop off in posts that interest me. Whether or not that will hold true long term remains to be seen. It will be interesting to see how it plays out leading up to the season and the first 1-2 game weeks.

Also, I have no idea of the level of complaints on other team boards. In my experience, topic view is far more common than thread view on message boards (outside of Rivals) This is the only one I read with thread view. If other team boards weren't as dependent on thread view, this isn't a big deal to them and Rivals won't care one bit. Their users will be more apt to stay, and the advertisers won't see a decrease in hits. BWI is a small, small slice of what Rivals is doing, who knows how well received the change has been on their other sites. I'd be shocked if Rivals decided to change back based on user feedback, I expect this format is here to stay.

Agree PSUSignore. I'm am staying here for now, but a good number of posters that I have enjoyed over the past few years have left, or post much less frequently. From what I have observed on other Boards, this has always been more of a community and perhaps not as sports oriented as some would like. If you go to a Pitt, or USC Board, you are much less likely to find a recipe for venison meatballs, or repairing the gasket on your refrigerator...... The new format has given it a more sterile feel....more like a hospital waiting room with a bunch of strangers than a family room with a bunch of friends. It is regrettable, but it is not likely to change and so I am trying to adjust.

 

[9fold]

Is there a way to consolidate the page more? Make the type smaller?

There are far too many pinned topics.

 

[RobBliz]

IF traffic stays low... IF complaints stay high.. IF advertisers are not pleased with the results... is rivals going to stay the course? [and obviously, if none of that occurs and all is well and rivals is prosperous, then this argument is moot.]

"

The problem with your question is there are a whole lot of ifs that are never going to happen.
If traffic stays low.... do you even know if traffic is low now?
If the complaints stay high... the only way the complaining stops on this board is if people die. Seriously, this board is just one giant bitch fest. Always has been. Always will be.
Advertisers are not pleased... advertisers care about clicks. So a click is a click is a click. The advertisers really do not care if you miss thread view.

So the whole question is sort of like asking why you stopped beating your dog.

 

[PSU Mike]

Yeah, moving that index finger on the mouse takes a long time. Please.

I'm not going to leave this board over the format change. But I am somewhat considering leaving because of all the posters that think they're f'in hot poop, and come up really short of their own assessments.

 

[Viennalion]

new format is a mess... it's not even "new" as I've used it on many other message boards (ie: automotive repair/owners forums, appliance and small engine repair etc) so all you patronizing ****s here telling those like me to "give it time to get used to it" can kindly STFU. All of the other Topic-based forums that I've used were very occasional and grab-n-go situations for small bits of information... BWI/McAndrew is more of a "lifestyle" / social community (sadly enough! and as replies accumulate the topic-view format is simply a mess. The good news is that I find myself much-less obsessed with BWI - used to check in multiple time a day - lately I'd be lucky to look in every other day... just waiting for someone to build a new message board with thread-view ala World Football League and we could bring in the Czonka/Kiick/Warfield's from McAndrew's world.... I would go in a heartbeat

I hear ya, brother - count me as someone who is very disappointed in this change. I was a long-term Lions Den member, but decided to give it up as I was getting less and less out of it. However, I fully intended to stick around this Board because - moreso than any other PSU-related Board - the McAndrew Board had a real sense of community. I visit plenty of other message Boards, and most use topic view, but none had the same community feel that this Board had (past tense). Was that due to the lack of thread view? Maybe. In any case, since the change, this Board is just like any of the other topic view Boards I visit, so I no longer feel any strong reason to visit. Not sure how making this Board like all of the other PSU message boards will attract traffic - nothing unique about it any longer.