Hope you have advertisers left after this format debacle

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

What...doctorate of modern misinformation came up with this.

I guess if HDP can get us to buy an empty plastic coffee can as a paint accessory for the same price as one filled with coffee....we will buy anything.

 

[Chris92]

What...doctorate of modern misinformation came up with this.

I guess if HDP can get us to buy an empty plastic coffee can as a paint accessory for the same price as one filled with coffee....we will buy anything.

You should just move on to this site, Rip: https://web.archive.org/web/20061025165445/http://www.plotit.com/PSU/PSU_main.html

 

[WichitaKid]

Agree. Bring back the old format. I don't spend much time on this site anymore.

 

[fairgambit]

Agree. Bring back the old format. I don't spend much time on this site anymore.

Since this is a Rivals site, and it appears that the change was to all Rivals Boards, I don't think the old format is coming back. I also liked the old style better, but hang in there Kid, and let's try to make it work.

 

[N&B4PSU]

reasonable advice... that said, i think i understand WHY i don't like this... a loss of community. I remember reading thru forums on other sites and how i'd see a post clearly responding to a post... from somewhere unseen. frustrating if i were interested in the post that prompted the reply... but no idea how to quickly find it.

imo, the single best feature here is the ability to hit "like" instead of actually using up bandwidth typing in +1 (or similar). aside from that, i really don't see an improvement. Do i still come here? sure. but it's quick.. i scan for anything that catches the eye and then i'm gone. i am NOT reading thru an entire group of posts in search of the one that gets me interested. If the topic doesn't sound worth the effort, i ignore it.

more's the pity.

in thread, you could see from the subject lines where it was headed... and maybe jump in there. you could see who was on the thread.. who was posting.. where the thread was diverging... and again, that sense of community. i get none of that here. in the new forum, it's simply a way to post... pretty much in a vacuum.

yup, there are staunch defenders of the new vision and maybe they are visionaries, but my hunch is this will not be a successful transition. the board will continue.. we'll still show up and post and check out others pov's... but it will never be the same and it won't be as much fun. and the numbers will shrink... and you will see more trolls than ever (a reason all by itself to change).

my opinion. period. not really worried about those who will taunt and scream about how much better this version is.... they can have their opinion, too. that's life. but traffic will (already is) be down, and this will no longer be the cool place to hang out it once was. again, that's my opinion. but i'd place a wager on it. rivals placed theirs... we'll see how it plays out.

 

[9fold]

 

[psuguy04]

For all the sentiment about it not being as much fun and easy to use or being around as much....you've sure managed to make a lot of posts complaining about the change.

reasonable advice... that said, i think i understand WHY i don't like this... a loss of community. I remember reading thru forums on other sites and how i'd see a post clearly responding to a post... from somewhere unseen. frustrating if i were interested in the post that prompted the reply... but no idea how to quickly find it.

imo, the single best feature here is the ability to hit "like" instead of actually using up bandwidth typing in +1 (or similar). aside from that, i really don't see an improvement. Do i still come here? sure. but it's quick.. i scan for anything that catches the eye and then i'm gone. i am NOT reading thru an entire group of posts in search of the one that gets me interested. If the topic doesn't sound worth the effort, i ignore it.

more's the pity.

in thread, you could see from the subject lines where it was headed... and maybe jump in there. you could see who was on the thread.. who was posting.. where the thread was diverging... and again, that sense of community. i get none of that here. in the new forum, it's simply a way to post... pretty much in a vacuum.

yup, there are staunch defenders of the new vision and maybe they are visionaries, but my hunch is this will not be a successful transition. the board will continue.. we'll still show up and post and check out others pov's... but it will never be the same and it won't be as much fun. and the numbers will shrink... and you will see more trolls than ever (a reason all by itself to change).

my opinion. period. not really worried about those who will taunt and scream about how much better this version is.... they can have their opinion, too. that's life. but traffic will (already is) be down, and this will no longer be the cool place to hang out it once was. again, that's my opinion. but i'd place a wager on it. rivals placed theirs... we'll see how it plays out.

 

[Mace54]

Websites have a way of growing on you. Example: Two years ago the PGA totally redid their site which added all these links, pics, and articles. Navigating around it was a nightmare. There was so much content it took my laptop two minutes to load the opening page. Well, two years later I manage to get around and find what I need. We all learn to adapt to change.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

For all the sentiment about it not being as much fun and easy to use or being around as much....you've sure managed to make a lot of posts complaining about the change.

LOL.

 

[psuguy04]

LOL.

And you're doing the same.

I hope you're going through puberty and are not actually an adult.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

And you're doing the same.

I hope you're going through puberty and are not actually an adult.

LOL. That response did not even make sense. That phone in your hand? Heave it as far as you can.

 

[CappyToCJF]

What...doctorate of modern misinformation came up with this.

I guess if HDP can get us to buy an empty plastic coffee can as a paint accessory for the same price as one filled with coffee....we will buy anything.

What...doctorate of modern misinformation came up with this.

I guess if HDP can get us to buy an empty plastic coffee can as a paint accessory for the same price as one filled with coffee....we will buy anything.

A week later it still sucks.....

 

[wilbury]

i can't even understand your post.

 

[Lions82]

Trying to figure it out. "Click this image to show the full size version" function works well though...

 

[LionFan96]

What...doctorate of modern misinformation came up with this.

I guess if HDP can get us to buy an empty plastic coffee can as a paint accessory for the same price as one filled with coffee....we will buy anything.

 

[Ten Thousan Marbles]

A week later it still sucks.....

And those complaining of "whiners" have posted nothing of any substance beyond those sanctimonious complaints. They think we are laughable. They don't seem to grasp that they appear to be in the minority, and that they appear to have nothing whatsoever to offer.

 

[Madsol]

And those complaining of "whiners" have posted nothing of any substance beyond those sanctimonious complaints. They think we are laughable. They don't seem to grasp that they appear to be in the minority, and that they appear to have nothing whatsoever to offer.

I don't know if you're a whiner but I will offer these things about the new format. I like how the font is bolded on the front page when a thread that I've already looked at has new posts. And I really like how after I've already looked at a thread and I go back, it takes me to the first new post that I haven't seen. And it is 100 times better on my mobile device than it used to be. Now full disclosure, I was using topic view before anyhow. I didn't like how threads disappeared off the front page so quickly on thread view. I am not technologically savy but I like the new format.

 

[fairgambit]

I don't know if you're a whiner but I will offer these things about the new format. I like how the font is bolded on the front page when a thread that I've already looked at has new posts. And I really like how after I've already looked at a thread and I go back, it takes me to the first new post that I haven't seen. And it is 100 times better on my mobile device than it used to be. Now full disclosure, I was using topic view before anyhow. I didn't like how threads disappeared off the front page so quickly on thread view. I am not technologically savy but I like the new format.

I think it's fair to say you are in the minority. I don't like the new format, but I'm trying to deal with it as best I can because I just don't see the old one coming back. This is a Rivals change, not a BWI one. I value the opinions of many who post here and so I am determined to stick around. Sadly, we have lost some voices, and some are posting far less than before. I hope they will come back, but just like a lot of things, if you break the habit, it's difficult to return. I compare it to my nearly 40 years of holding Penn State tickets. When I gave them up due to STEP (had to get that in) it was difficult at first, but then I got used to it and I have no desire to go back. Perhaps this situation is different, but I am not optimistic. Even if those who have gone return, the Board has taken on a different tone (as some have said, less of a community feel) and that is unfortunate.

 

[LionFan96]

And those complaining of "whiners" have posted nothing of any substance beyond those sanctimonious complaints. They think we are laughable. They don't seem to grasp that they appear to be in the minority, and that they appear to have nothing whatsoever to offer.

Actually that's false, as I've offered quite a bit of info about the new boards, why they likely exist, features and how they can be used, etc, etc. It hasn't stopped people from whining about it though, and yes, I find it laughable that people complain so much about something that is 1) such a minor thing in the grand scheme life, 2) 100% free for them to use, 3) a Rivals-wide change that is not isolated to BWI, and 4) not going to change. I also don't know that people who share my viewpoint are in the minority, so much as it is that the natural tendency for people is to complain more than praise. The squeaky wheel gets the grease as it were, except there's no grease coming no matter how squeaky you and others are.

 

[PhillipintheValley]

As a dedicated thread view guy, I miss some of the features thread view provides. However, I don't understand the repeated posts over and over and over about how the new format sucks. You are entitled to your feelings, but what's the point of your post. Some people aren't happy unless they let everyone else around them know how unhappy they are. My advice is that if you have criticism, do it directly to folks at BWI. They are paid to listen to their customers and there's multiple ways to let them know how you feel with making it a public post. So, bitch away in private directly to the staff. Don't junk up the boards with DiarrheaFormatus (the condition of constant, repeated, useless complaining about a message board format change).

One feature I like is that you can set your preferences so that a topic rises to the top whenever someone makes a new post. I think it helps revive or continue a conversation when someone has something new or insightful to add, but is late to the conversation. There's been several topics where I've commented again on them after they were buried way down on the board because a new post brought them back to the top. In thread view, I probably wouldn't have gone searching for that thread after a day or two to see that there was a new post. I think this is healthy and good.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Some nice responses (some SOS) So that is fine. .... but look at the blank right side of the page on your screen..... WTF? is the designer having a person white out or something? I like the like buttons. However the screen is full of dead space. both below and above the posts and to the side..... It is not the entire concept of the new format that I object to but the total lace of visual appeal and a lost in space feeling one gets when pursuing the posts. These things could be corrected while keeping much of the new format.

Wow .... let's all get literate ...or maybe not. Communication does not benefit, in my humble opinion by the proliferation of the same newness as everywhere else one supposedly communicates today. I use Farcebook a lot for business and like it a lot....However I like the tight literal discourse of the old board and quick index search of the old board. This format is just a little to spaced out for me..... I is time for a little of the old mixed in with the new.... and advertisers don't like us to be able to scroll them out of the universe of space they advertise in.... for hours.

 

[docwilly]

Agree. Bring back the old format. I don't spend much time on this site anymore.

me either!! Saves me time.

 

[Strick73]

I also liked the other view. Don't visit much anymore probably will eventually stop all together soon.

 

[PSUSignore]

One feature I like is that you can set your preferences so that a topic rises to the top whenever someone makes a new post. I think it helps revive or continue a conversation when someone has something new or insightful to add, but is late to the conversation. There's been several topics where I've commented again on them after they were buried way down on the board because a new post brought them back to the top. In thread view, I probably wouldn't have gone searching for that thread after a day or two to see that there was a new post. I think this is healthy and good.

That feature is one of my love/hate items with thread view. It's nice for the reasons you suggest. But when people bump up ancient topics with no added value, or ask a question in a thread that's 2 years old, the "bump" feature gets annoying. Also, you'll start to see one word "bump" comments when OPs want to bring a topic they started back to the front page. It's a blessing and a curse.

 

[9fold]

A week later it still sucks.....

 

[9fold]

And those complaining of "whiners" have posted nothing of any substance beyond those sanctimonious complaints. They think we are laughable. They don't seem to grasp that they appear to be in the minority, and that they appear to have nothing whatsoever to offer.

You guys are laughable because you are whining endlessly and leaving or threatening to leave over something silly.

I don't care who is in the majority or minority. The fact is that the software isn't changing and thread view is gone.

We have nothing to offer? Whining like children about the loss of outdated software is a contribution? Duh.

 

[N&B4PSU]

For all the sentiment about it not being as much fun and easy to use or being around as much....you've sure managed to make a lot of posts complaining about the change.

really? i'd say that less than 10 hardly qualifies as a lot (and it's actually around 6/7).. that said, i've certainly c licked on "like" a good many times for others who've said it better.

 

[N&B4PSU]

You guys are laughable because you are whining endlessly and leaving or threatening to leave over something silly.

I don't care who is in the majority or minority. The fact is that the software isn't changing and thread view is gone.

We have nothing to offer? Whining like children about the loss of outdated software is a contribution? Duh.

Enough. Are you saying that if the new format fails miserably and advertisers are not happy and pulling out that they'd continue rather than revise and come up with something more akin to thread view?

If the answer is 'they will drive this truck til the wheels fall off and never consider a new direction' then, fine... i would agree with the point you and several others make that we're wasting time "whining".. but a funny thing about business is that they like being successful and most will actually consider change (new coke) if enough people bolt.

i kinda see this as yet another type of 'move on' crowd... get people away from the fire and maybe they'll think nothing of all that smoke.

 

[9fold]

Enough. Are you saying that if the new format fails miserably and advertisers are not happy and pulling out that they'd continue rather than revise and come up with something more akin to thread view?

If the answer is 'they will drive this truck til the wheels fall off and never consider a new direction' then, fine... i would agree with the point you and several others make that we're wasting time "whining".. but a funny thing about business is that they like being successful and most will actually consider change (new coke) if enough people bolt.

i kinda see this as yet another type of 'move on' crowd... get people away from the fire and maybe they'll think nothing of all that smoke.

I find it amazing that some people are clinging to thread view so tightly and that these folks are so shocked by the change. Look around the web for discussion forums. You will rarely see the old Rivals-style thread view. The XenForo format is the standard and has been for years. vBulletin and XenForo are similar, and I have been using them for 14 years with no thread view. Thread view is a relic from the '90s.

As I understand it, thread view is not an option in XenForo. Another discussion forum I visit switched from vBulletin to XenForo a few years ago. There are some differences between the two, and that forum lost some features in the switch (and gained many others). Some people asked for certain vBulletin features to be restored in XenForo, and the response back was that this was not possible. They are different software programs, and each one has its unique features. All in all, I prefer XenForo.

Despite the complaining, don't expect Rivals to switch back to the old software. I'm sure there were a number of reasons for why they switched to XenForo (possibly better security and support), plus they undoubtedly have a lot invested in the software. Web sites change all the time. They may restore certain features based on feedback, where possible, but you don't see them revert to the old look.

In time, I expect the complaining here to dwindle. People will see that it won't change anything, and in the end, they will either adjust to XenForo or will leave for good. In the long run, I think most people will stick around. They want to discuss Penn State (and grills, chicks, politics, etc.), and they won't find thread view elsewhere. It appears as though the traffic here has picked up this week (while the complaining has decreased).

 

[PSUriseANDfire]

Enough. Are you saying that if the new format fails miserably and advertisers are not happy and pulling out that they'd continue rather than revise and come up with something more akin to thread view?

This won't happen. Scout seems to have screwed up their updates but 247 was beginning to take over the landscape because most young people were flocking there because it was modern. Now initially there might be a hit, but it won't last long because younger customers that weren't considering Rivals because it was stuck in 1995 now will. It's not like Rivals didn't expect this to piss off a certain group. It was at the expense of bringing in a newer and larger group. Advertisers love this, trust me. They gained advertising money short and long term. You really think they did this just for the hell of it? The money is with the people that pay. For everyone that is angry on the free boards someone paying on another board might make a move now. There is paying members that are upset for sure too and I still understand why people are upset but the rate of paying customers vs free was swinging bigtime to 247.

 

[Art]

This won't happen. Scout seems to have screwed up their updates but 247 was beginning to take over the landscape because most young people were flocking there because it was modern. Now initially there might be a hit, but it won't last long because younger customers that weren't considering Rivals because it was stuck in 1995 now will. It's not like Rivals didn't expect this to piss off a certain group. It was at the expense of bringing in a newer and larger group. Advertisers love this, trust me. They gained advertising money short and long term. You really think they did this just for the hell of it? The money is with the people that pay. For everyone that is angry on the free boards someone paying on another board might make a move now. There is paying members that are upset for sure too and I still understand why people are upset but the rate of paying customers vs free was swinging bigtime to 247.

Astonishing how you reach those conclusions since 247 results are not public, nor is segment anlyasis broken out for Yahoo Sports, let alone Rivals. FWIW, Sports247 has yet to sustain break even (what Lions247 does I could not say).

 

[PSUriseANDfire]

Astonishing how you reach those conclusions since 247 results are not public, nor is segment anlyasis broken out for Yahoo Sports, let alone Rivals. FWIW, Sports247 has yet to sustain break even (what Lions247 does I could not say).

The conclusions aren't hard to reach. You don't believe that the advertisers were one of the bigger reasons for this overhaul as well as the market itself?

And 247 is growing at a rapid rate. That's the stat that matters.

 

[Art]

The conclusions aren't hard to reach. You don't believe that the advertisers were one of the bigger reasons for this overhaul as well as the market itself?

And 247 is growing at a rapid rate. That's the stat that matters.

So where is the stat/number? You either got it or you don't.