Since the new renovation do you frequent Mgoblog less?

Submitted by chad on

I dont know about everyone else but with the new mgoblog site (change and not mobile friendly) do you find yourself frequenting the page less? I know I use to come here everyday numerous times. Now its maybe once or twice a week. 

*Could also be slow slow summer months for Michigan sports as well. 

1VaBlue1

July 17th, 2018 at 8:14 PM ^

I'm on here as much during the daytime, but not when I'm driving to/from work.  At the slow times during the drive, I could bounce on the app for a few minutes - easy peasy.  No thanks with looking at a full-on web site...

I don't really care about the format, I think it works just fine.  Edits, pictures, links, etc will all work fine in time - as Seth has recently stated on the newly updated MGoBoard 3.0 sticky thread.  Crappy rollout, but it'll get better.  Hopefully, the easy stuff will be knocked out before the season starts.

MIGHTYMOJO91

July 17th, 2018 at 8:27 PM ^

Way less!!!! Quite tired of the same 3-4 post at top, been there for ages now. Far less topics of interest leads to a reduction of participation from longtime members.

Zok

July 17th, 2018 at 8:39 PM ^

Same amount for me.

 

didnt use the app before so site update has not affected me much.

only change I notice is lack of “recent board post” on right column which was nice.

 

 

The Log

July 17th, 2018 at 8:39 PM ^

Yes. The app was much more convenient. I miss the unsanctioned app the most. I feel like this all falls on deaf ears though. What we want doesn’t seem to really matter. I’m still happy to have a place to come for some good content though.

LimaBlue

July 17th, 2018 at 8:58 PM ^

Yes, I may come here once a week now, before it was 3 to 4 times a day. Good thing this site isn't the only source of Michigan news. 

Perkis-Size Me

July 17th, 2018 at 9:01 PM ^

Yep. No app is kind of frustrating. The site is definitely not mobile friendly. 

I mean it’s not a big deal. Brian and Co. give us this site and content for free so they don’t owe us anything, but if my personal feedback is of any consequence, we need a mobile app again. I’m sure it’s not an issue of money, but I would more than happily donate $ to that cause if it were.

Crime Reporter

July 17th, 2018 at 9:14 PM ^

Visiting less. The new format, in addition to the shitty season, has really allowed me to focus on the important in life. 

I’m not really excited for football season like years past, and I think it’s going to be another struggle on the field. I’m in a wait and see mode basically.

 

bluebygod

July 17th, 2018 at 9:16 PM ^

Much less.  I'd like to see the Message Board without having to scroll down to check it.  Now there's only about 7 posts to see anyway.  Setup requires a lot more navigating - which sucks.

bsand2053

July 17th, 2018 at 9:18 PM ^

Definitely less often.  I go to Brian's twitter feed to see what new posts are up and click on the links to be taken directly to the post.  So I read the same amount of posts but spend less time on the site and don't spend much time on the board.

The old format was far more visually appealing and easier to navigate.  I feel guilty saying that because I know they worked very hard on this.  

In general web design is in a bad place right now.  Most site upgrades that I've witnessed lately make the sites harder to use.

I will say it is far better on my phone but I generally use MGOBLOG on my computer.  

DurtyBirdy

July 17th, 2018 at 9:30 PM ^

I still visit the same amount, actually post more on the new site. I did try to avoid the Bluey nonsense but kept coming back for the UMBig11 tidbits. The interface isn’t great and I miss the app, but it’s not a dealbreaker by any means. Offseason is just rough all around 

taut

July 17th, 2018 at 9:45 PM ^

Yes.

Because:

  • Look and feel of the site
  • Various annoying endemic bugs
  • Seeming lackadaisical attitude toward site design, bugs, user feedback
  • "Do as I say not as I do" political postings from Brian

All of which seem to display a certain lack of consideration for the visitor which is rarely found on other successful internet sites.

I come here for info, entertainment and enjoyment. The long-running site inadequacies, the apparent indifference or incompetence displayed in getting them fixed or improved, and the crystal clear attitude conveyed that this is less a customer-focused fan website and more a personality-driven "vanity" project all combine to make me less apt to come here than ever.

A boutique craft store opened up near me a few years back. An affluent local housewife/artist wanted a store that expressed her personality and taste. A minor portion of what she had was pretty nice, but most was simply a collection of what she liked, customer desires be damned. I guess she ran through her capital because she's out of business now. This site reminds me in some ways to that craft store. Some good, even great content, but not professionally run, and too subject to the whimsies of the proprietor.

It takes some effort to drive someone like me away, someone with maize and blue blood running through their veins. Well, MGo was up to the challenge. I've gone from several times a day to a few times a week. And my formerly strong loyalty is shot. If someone else starts a better M fan website, I'm there without missing a beat. Sorry, but when you run a site like you would a personal blog where you don't care what the reader thinks, well, don't be surprised if someone creates a better mousetrap and takes over.

HenneGivenSunday

July 17th, 2018 at 10:26 PM ^

Man, there’s so much I’d like to add in response/agreement to this, but I’m not sure I’d be being all that fair.  I’ve never made my passion into a career, and I have no idea what that would be like if (when?) that became a tedious job.  

I will just say this, the vibe around here isn’t all that great right now.  I’m trying to think of when that changed, but I’m having trouble remembering.  Maybe I’ve changed?  Maybe we as a blog or fan base have changed? 

I’m hoping it is temporary.

stephenrjking

July 18th, 2018 at 1:03 AM ^

I think the idea that the proprietors don't care about user experience, and by extension the readers, is unfair. In fact, they've made a lot of effort to be more forthcoming about the site and the updates. You were one of the ones at the front of the boat asking for the new site, and Brian and Seth (after a lot of time not really talking about it) started discussing exactly where they were.

This is, indeed, Brian's non-biological baby. He built a lot of the original stuff himself, finally farmed out the building of a new site to a contractor, got burned, farmed it out somewhere else, and after a looong time the new site is up. And it's not great yet. 

To me, the takeaway here is that this is, like Brady Hoke's offensive lines, a blind spot that was supposed to be a strength and is actually a weakness. It's not for lack of caring, but the execution has been bad. 

But we'll see how it goes. The site needed to be updated. Perhaps refinements will smooth this out.

I don't feel "unwelcome" because the site is still clunky. I'm just ready to get on with football season and get a couple of features that are an important part of the user experience. 

The political stuff is getting a bit old, though.

mGrowOld

July 18th, 2018 at 9:18 AM ^

Lot to unpack here so I think I'll just tackle your points one-by-one:

1. The ONLY person in blog management talking is Seth.  God love him for trying but Brian has been completely silent to date on any of the issues.  I've been part of bad rollouts like this before (unfortunately) and the key to keeping people even somewhat happy during the transition is over-communicating what the hell is going on.  That hasnt happened at all IMO so we're left to wonder what they consider problematic and when things will get fixed.

2. I dont ever remember even making one comment on the need for a new site so I'm not sure how or where you got the idea I was at the forefront of the revolution.  My only complaint was back in the 2013-14 era when voting got eliminated and chaos reigned.  Other than that I dont think I've ever made a comment one way or the other on the site itself.  I may have needled them about the slow roll-out (as did many others) but as far as asking for a new site - not me.

3. The "unwelcomed" feeling has to do with what I perceive as a conscience effort to reduce side board activity which is where I basically live.  This new site was all about making the front page better and little, if any, thought seemed to have been given to the side board posts.  Heck they even made the comment that the vast majority of visitors never comment at all so it sure seems to me that MgoBlog 3.0 was designed for that group - not me and the others here on the board.

4. The political stuff doesnt bother me at all.  Brian's site - Brian's rules.  I just dont bother reading it cause I know which side of the aisle he and the rest of MgoManagement fall on and I dont share their world view.

TIMMMAAY

July 18th, 2018 at 10:09 AM ^

It's "not great yet" is being just a wee bit charitable. You sit on the fence too much, and equivocate too much, and you are in the distinct minority regarding your opinion. The masses here have made their viewpoints heard, rather loudly, and have largely been ignored. I would call that a lack of care, on Brian's part. Seth has at least been somewhat responsive. If Brian can't be bothered to pipe in on the board that essentially created his livelihood, I'd call that a lack of caring. Optics matter. 

Further, the few bugs that the old site had are nothing in comparison to what we have here today. I have very little faith that the issues will be fixed prior to the season, there are so many things to fix, and that's without even getting into the awful layout. It's bad. It's okay to say it. 

HenneGivenSunday

July 18th, 2018 at 11:26 AM ^

So.. yeah.  I am basically with you on this, and I didn’t say it as strongly because I still remember the great purge that took place.  I’m less concerned about the new site, and more concerned with general attitude towards the site.  

I’ll leave it at that for now, because I’d like to stick around to see if things improve. 

butuka21

July 17th, 2018 at 9:47 PM ^

Still the same for me.  I do miss the app though but I believe not having the ability to just click on the app all day has been good for me and there are less ridiculous comments and trolls in my opinion. 

santosbfree

July 17th, 2018 at 9:50 PM ^

It doesn't help that the blog is filled with soccer and politics and other nonsense that doesn't make it a compelling read. There is no news that you can't get elsewhere and without the holier than thou attitudes. 

bronxblue

July 17th, 2018 at 10:01 PM ^

Honestly, I think it's as much the summer as anything else.  I was an app user so I've had to get used to the mobile site, but mostly it's that it's the summer and there isn't much to talk about.  But my guess is that the traffic isn't much different than in past off-seasons, and for all the warts of the new site it's not like the place doesn't work.  

mgobleu

July 17th, 2018 at 10:10 PM ^

Hard to explain, but just a frustrating feeling when I check in, so I don't bother as much. Now I'm averaging 2-3 visits a week instead of 2-3 a day. 

I'm not an expert, so I'm glad that there are several of them on these boards telling me all the ways that the site is better, because if I only trusted what I thought personally I could have convinced myself that it wasn't better and I didn't like it. 

/s

 

CoMisch

July 17th, 2018 at 10:29 PM ^

Yes, even though the app was basic, it was all I needed.  The new site is great when I’m on the Mac, but wish that old app was still here for the phone.  

MGoBlue24

July 17th, 2018 at 10:52 PM ^

I look at the site maybe once a day now, versus maybe 5-10 before.  It is a visceral reaction to the visual.  With all of the white space, comment threads don’t seem to flow, and I read enough black on white memos at work.  Yep, MGoBlog reminds me of...work.

AZGoBlue

July 17th, 2018 at 11:10 PM ^

My main disappointments are:

1.  Not having the dairies and message boards on the side bar to front page content - making moving between these sections more difficult.

2.  Tiny avatars - they had provided alot of fun.

3.  Horrible aesthetics vis-a-vis formatting and inconsistant text and image sizing.

AZGoBlue

July 17th, 2018 at 11:12 PM ^

My main disappointments are:

1.  Not having the dairies and message boards on the side bar to front page content - making moving between these sections more difficult.

2.  Tiny avatars - they had provided alot of fun.

3.  Horrible aesthetics vis-a-vis formatting and inconsistant text and image sizing.

It's Always Marcia

July 17th, 2018 at 11:51 PM ^

I come here less because of the unchecked trolls. 

 

This new sire looks 1000 times better. But the trolls are asshats, and they are left to run wild. 

The Barwis Effect

July 18th, 2018 at 12:02 AM ^

Used to be a 10 times a day man, regardless of what month it was.  Now I check in maybe once every 2-3 days.  Reasons for my decreasing frequency include, but are not limited to the site re-design.

Hugh

July 18th, 2018 at 12:29 AM ^

I do not like the new site. The football player on the left in the banner creeps me out; I liked the old sidebar as a way of navigating the site; the white space is boring and harder for me to get interested in the content. I just find the whole new format off-putting and alien. Bring back the old format with a more stable platform.

BlueWolverine02

July 18th, 2018 at 12:38 AM ^

Probably on here a little less.  Post way less, especially since there isn't much football related topics to post about.  But maybe that's due to the time of year.

NotADuck

July 18th, 2018 at 12:40 AM ^

The only problem I have with the site right now is the lack of content.  I know it is the summer and there is almost nothing in the way of news to talk about but come on man, there must be something!  For instance, yesterday Brian wrote a good sized article about potential forwards on the 2022 World Cup USMNT, but no article on midfielders today??  Just a single post, a basketball mailbag.  Are they busy writing HTTV still?  They're getting ready to distribute it so it must be finished, if not close, why the lack of content?  I hope they don't shove everything in just before football season starts like they usually do.  There are so many articles just before the season starts (positional previews, recruit profiles, game previews, etc) that it's hard to keep up with all of them.  It would make so much more sense to space them out.

As an idea, maybe release the recruit profiles earlier and more often.  I think we should be midway through the offense by now instead of just getting started on the defensive line.  Just one idea, I know, but it's a start.  Also bring back draftageddon or make something else that previews the players on the other teams.  I know its a divisive post but its content and people here are starved of it right now.

The combination of the new site issues, the lack of content, and the impending football season is making all of us restless and curmudgeonly.  A minimum of two posts per day would go a long way towards alleviating that.  You guys are all such good writers and we love what you do.  I feel selfish saying this but write something would ya?.... Pleeeeeeeeeaaaaase?