META: MGoBlog HD iPhone App no longer supported?

Submitted by HenneGivenSunday on

I wondered if anyone else has this same issue.  I just tried to pull up the MGoBlog HD app on my iPhone and it is telling me that it is no longer supported.  Anyone else have this same problem?  I know there was a stretch recently where it wasn't working at all, but it had been working just fine lately.  

MGoBoard

Sports

January 31st, 2017 at 4:00 PM ^

Just downloaded the official app. It crashed twice and looks like it was last updated in 2008. Brian, would you consider hiring the HD developer to reskin the app or perhaps monetize his? Obviously we would all like the Blog team to get paid for their hard work, but the original app is pretty awful. 

Joined: 04/23/2014

MGoPoints: 5469

I Like Burgers

January 31st, 2017 at 4:24 PM ^

"Last updated in 2008"

Just like the website! (ba dum bum)

Best seriously, I love the content here, but the layout and functionality is butt.  The HD app was actually the most polished and best way to view the site to me.  The ability to collapse entire comment trees was awesome.

And I actually tried to reply to this initially on the HD app, but I guess its functionality was officially killed for me mid post.  So, I logged on to the site on my desktop and tried to write my comment again and got about 5-6 502 site offline errors.

And since Brian has already checked in on this thread, I'll say it again and hope he sees it: please update the site.  You should either have the money, or could easily raise the money via a kickstarter to do it.  This is the only site I go to online that consistently crashes and has an ancient layout and functionality.  Given the success of the site, it boggles the mind.

Joined: 10/06/2012

MGoPoints: 30574

Bigku22

January 31st, 2017 at 7:45 PM ^

I don't use the apps so maybe I'm in the dark here but...

Did Brian like sue this guy to get the HD app taken down?

Isn't it odd someone with zero affiliation to the site created an app solely for this site with no connection to the owner?

There's an ironic humor to the fact a guy with zero affiliation created an app 10x better than the one the actual site has been able put together. 

Joined: 05/23/2013

MGoPoints: 3019

Pkf97

January 31st, 2017 at 8:06 PM ^

I doubt it.  Likely just asked nicely or sent a standard C&D.

I'd imagine that the MGoBlog HD app had some programmatic access to the database, as it seems like they worked together recently to fix some issue that was plaguing the app.  Could also have just been as simple as shutting off that access.

I really hope they figure out a way to work together to support the HD app while also supporting the site.

Joined: 10/31/2015

MGoPoints: 1800

killerseafood3

January 31st, 2017 at 7:53 PM ^

It has been stated many times the userbase would contribute to site upgrades, helping fund an app, etc.. It's fairly obvious the leaders don't care.  Removing the HD app, especially the day before National Signing Day, is a bit of the middle finger to us. I know, free site, I should feel grateful, etc.. 

Magnus - can we fund an app for your site and move all of the message board engagement over there? 

Joined: 12/06/2014

MGoPoints: 32977

I Like Burgers

January 31st, 2017 at 10:17 PM ^

I wish Magnus and MGoFish would join forces and provide some competition.  Magnus has good insight, and Fish has good recruiting updates.  Throw in a better message board layout and I'll happily move over.

Or.....maybe when Scout finishes going under and Sam is cut free, he and Magnus can team up and create a site.  That would likely be the nail in the MGoCoffin.

Joined: 10/06/2012

MGoPoints: 30574

Pkf97

January 31st, 2017 at 4:03 PM ^

I, for one, would have happily paid to use the MGoBlog HD app (assuming there was a revenue-split worked out with MGoBlog).  I'm sure I'm not alone.

Is there any chance that avenue will be explored?

It's much better and more stable than the "official" app.

Joined: 10/31/2015

MGoPoints: 1800

LGenius

January 31st, 2017 at 5:11 PM ^

That was a rather Brandonesque statement. You realize you directly benefit from the increased engagement that a functional mobile app brings right? Why not work with all the fans of the site to come up with a better solution before taking away their seat cushio... I mean app?

Joined: 02/28/2010

MGoPoints: 1029

Zak

January 31st, 2017 at 5:44 PM ^

He doesn't make anything from it. He makes money from ads, and if you view the site on the unofficial app, you don't interact with any ads. In fact it hurts him, because it overloads the server without giving any money. Ideally, the site would be updated to a modern, responsive design, which would eliminate the need for an app, and send the ad revenue straight to Brian.

Joined: 10/15/2009

MGoPoints: 623

LGenius

January 31st, 2017 at 6:00 PM ^

Engagement, in and of itself, is one of the most valuable things MGoBlog has going for it. Whether or not the engagement is directly monetized, its value is real. Simply put, damaging engagement is damaging MGoBlog's value. 

Joined: 02/28/2010

MGoPoints: 1029

I Like Burgers

January 31st, 2017 at 6:26 PM ^

The front page posts aren't what drives the million(s) of montly visits to the site -- its the message board and comment sections.  Its the whole reason Brian added them a long time ago.  While new front page content only happens 1-3 times a day, you generally get a dozen or two new message board posts, that each have dozens and dozens of comments on them.  That the fuel the feeds the MGoBlog engine.

Now, even if like 25% of people were visiting and commenting on the site via the MGoBlog HD app, they were still commenting and driving engagement and encouraging the other 75% to get more engaged which increases traffic.

So its not a net 1:1 tradeoff.

Personally, I'm about a 50-50 HD app vs. desktop user of the site.  Now that the HD app is dead, I'm not going to use the old app because its bad.  And I'm not going to use the mobile site because that is also a bad experience.  So the net result here is that myself and those like me will just visit the site less and be less engaged overall.

Joined: 10/06/2012

MGoPoints: 30574

jabberwock

January 31st, 2017 at 6:38 PM ^

but not neccesaily with your conclusions.

While the board is very popular, I've always gotten the feeling that it's more of an afterthought for Brian & Co.
The focus seems enrtirely on the front page.

This site is run like a newspaper or a magazine.  Thats why HTTV gets such star treatment.

 

Joined: 07/04/2008

MGoPoints: 51146

I Like Burgers

January 31st, 2017 at 6:33 PM ^

App traffic is a pretty big deal.  I work for a very large website and can tell you that desktop vs. mobile/app traffic is about a 50-50 split these days and it keeps tilting more and more towards mobile/app.

For me, the app was the only stable way to access the site in times of high traffic.  Desktop is almost completely worthless.  So unless he's unveiling increased site traffic capability tomorrow, trying to shift traffic from an unsanctioned app to the site is going to go bad.

I mean, fuck.  The fact that we all know the site is going to be shitty tomorrow and virtually unusable is insane.  The product is so broken, that the user base just expects it to be a bad experience.

Joined: 10/06/2012

MGoPoints: 30574

Zak

January 31st, 2017 at 7:33 PM ^

I'm sure it will still crash, but all of those users from the mobile app that were viewing the site without ads (and therefore not generating revenue) will now be viewing the actual site (and generating revenue). If some of them don't come at all, that allows more revenue generating viewers to view the site before it crashes.

Joined: 10/15/2009

MGoPoints: 623

GoBLUE_SemperFi

January 31st, 2017 at 3:56 PM ^

I've never understood the whole "app" thing from a mobile device.  I use the browser on my phone and have all of the functionality that I have from my laptop or macbook. 

Joined: 12/21/2015

MGoPoints: 3513