Since the new renovation do you frequent Mgoblog less?
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.
Brian has probably started his usual 60,000 word season preview opus, a barrage of top-quality football content that somehow remains under-appreciated. Probably. He's got Seth to take care of the web stuff.
+1 for use of "curmudgeonly"
If it weren't for making the "There are.." posts, I doubt I would check here more than three times a week. I used to at least double that frequency every DAY. It's not even necessarily that I hate the update itself a ton, it's just the update has made the site less welcoming I guess.
I check this site as much as I always have and way more than I probably should.
Yes, but only marginally right now. Less front page football content and fewer quality diaries and board posts mean I’m increasingly going to wolverineswire or the newspaper sites.
If the site bugs get worked out and the authors can refocus on content, things might go back to the way they were. But damn, I miss the insightful diaries and board posts.
The diaries have been dead for a year now.
I come half as much as I used to, maybe less
That’s what she said
The old site was antiquated; the new site is frustrating.
Not sure why mgoblog can't be simple and navigable like most other websites with this kind of traffic. As much as it pains me to say it, look at 11W: it won't win any design awards but it's not a pain in the ass either.
Agree. Roar Lions Roar (PSU) just copied Eleven Warriors. It just works.
I definitely come here less.I wonder if this was expected from our Dear Leader(s). The site before had problems, but it was compact and we knew it. I can imagine this type of change for any similar localized blog might also create similarly decreased traffic.
I'm sure they are on top if it. Keep plugging away. Keep improving. We will get more used to it.
For me, the user experience isn't as smooth - just a lot of scrolling, empty spaces. Comments seem to connect to other comments much less fluidly. It ***feels*** disjointed.
I never use mobile to access the site anymore. However, I can see how having a mobile friendly platform will make it easier for links to bring in more new mobile first-time users to the site. That's a positive. Will they stay? I hope so. Will I become as active as I was before? Don't know.
Yes.
Agree... this new format is a mess. Honestly, Roar Lions Roar just copied Eleven Warriors format and it just works. Bite the bullet and just do it.
Yes, but I'm not sure if it's because:
A) I don't like navigating the site as much.
B) The content (it seems to me) to be more on things I don't care about (Ann Arbor politics. Soccer. Basketball a ton) and I like Football, Wrestling, and Basketball.
C) It's slow due to football.
I just find it a bit cumbersome. Probably because I found the old site to be more user friendly. You could click on a posted link and you were transported. With the new site, that is not the case. Now, it is the old highlight and enter method. Jury is still out as I try to use this one more but, the old site would be elected if the vote were taken today.
Don't you just have to Link the website properly?
One thing that I REALLY liked about the old site were the links to other Michigan sites - like Maize and Brew and Touch the Banner. These appear to be gone. Perhaps Brian and company did not like the competition? Am I not seeing these links here, or have they been done away with totally?
I visit the same amount of time, but I participate less. It's much harder to participate in continued conversations in the comments sections without being able to easily access your own profile.
Much less, and especially the board. I find the layout to be cumbersome. I used to basically be on Facebook, reddit, or MGoBlog, but lately I haven't been on here as much. Part of that is certainly due to it being the offseason, but I haven't adapted to the new layout yet. I'm sure usage will pick up when football is closer.
Purely from a design standpoint:
The main thing that drives me away is *SO MUCH WHITE SPACE MY EYES HURT* That's a big thing. I can't stay on this site as long as I used to do because I start to get eyestrain and a headache.
Otherwise; I'm down due to content. I want to read about football, and read rational things about football. MgoBlog was always a place where I felt better about Michigan athletics because the raging storms of my emotion could be settled by well reasoned arguments and analytics. Even when I didn't agree with things (I'm not a read option zealot) Brian always posted stuff that backed up his arguments very well and I respected the hell out of that. Then came the 'Whatever' post.
That sucked. I came here looking for rational dialogue to ease the pain of a rough season. MgoBlog was *always* my place to go for reason. But at the end of last season it felt like I went to a wise mentor who always gave me the straight scoop and got dong punched with an overly emo post that was like reading the comments section in the Detroit News.
I'm not trying to be uber negative, just honest. The politics, soccer, and stuff aren't my cup of tea, but I just ignore them. On the old site I'd go straight to the forums after glancing at the headline to see if I wanted to read it. Generally I always read unverified voracity. Always skip soccer stuff, basketball, and other things that tickled Brian's fancy but not mine. It's his site after all and I pay bupkis on a day to day basis for it. But now the layout hurts so much that I spend less time here.
So we'll see how it changes once what I think of as the 'Football black hole' in the middle of the summer clears up. Here's hoping the eye strain goes away and Brian is feeling rejuvenated.
Totally agree about the Whatever post. Just mailing it in, no passion anymore.
I compare it to how many corporate jobs lose their luster after a while. People do the same thing for 10 years (or less than that) and want a new challenge.
Usually entrepreneurs are very driven people and want to put out a quality product every single time.
On the white space; I specifically avoid this site at night for exactly that reason. I'm trying to relax my brain, not wake it back up.
Far less. But im good with that
I still check in several times a day but probably spend less time on each visit due to the new format. Maybe I will get comfortable with it as time passes.
No... I check it the same amount... Of course I see areas that could use improvement, however, I am not knowledgeable on how to do it nor do I have the time... So I appreciate the site and all of the hardwork but it will be all for not if we do not beat ohio!
I've been coming to the site less, but I think that's due to the summer being kind of a sports dead period.
The one issue I do have with the site is that I can't seem to search for posts from a particular user. For example, I used to check on umbig11 every now and again to see if he had any new insider info. As far as I can tell, that functionality is gone. Overall though, I'm fine with the new site.
https://mgoblog.com/users/umbig11
I have the above link bookmarked to follow umbig11 .. not trying to be creepy, but he just pumps out great content to stay current on
Also, really really really miss the app...
PRO TIP ^^^^^
You're not the only one. I check directly for his comments a few times a week since I'm not spending as much time on the boards anymore.
In past times this day old thread would have been buried by 15 others.
less
Give us an app please
Yes. I'm not on everyday like I used to. Now its more like a few times a week.
I hate to say that, because I love this site....but for some reason, I liked the old one better.
I'm more lurker than commenter, but I used to check the site several times per day. Now, maybe once a day and each time I hope to see some improvements to the site/layout/functionality.
They're trying to get things done, and there's always going to be a transition cost for change. I don't think it's a huge deal, especially since the problems are being systematically identified and tackled. Staff are listening, prioritizing, and responding, and I'm not sure how much more you can ask. Maybe more football content would be nice, but I respect the staff's discretion for writing when there's something to write.
Anyway, to answer the question, it probably hasn't had a significant impact on the number of times I visit.
Yes less, because there isn’t an app
Not too much less. It is still a good distraction from work or other items.
Much less for me too unfortunately.
I'm confused about which posts make the top four banner area and which posts are just "normal" which go below the top banner on the front page. Gotta compare the titles of the top 4 posts and then scroll down the front page posts to see if you missed any. Can't imagine what that will be like in the middle of the season with the volume of posts.
The board has been minimized.
The lack of app just confuses me. responsive design in browser : native app :: radio : television. Does anyone use Gmail through the web browser on mobile? No, you use the Mail app.
Most Recent Football Article
Most Recent Basketball Article
Most Recent Recruiting Article
Extra slot for whatever.
At least that is how it was marketed in the preview posts. I'm sure there is flexibility.
I come a lot less - and when I visit, I interact with it less. For a site that depends on page views and frequent interaction for revenues, that can't be a good thing.
Given that a professional design firm was involved, I'm a little surprised at how this came out. The UX is really lacking, a site in 2018 shouldn't be so confusing.
I also miss the app - the "mobile friendly" site is not that mobile friendly. I used to check the app 8-10 times a day. Now, I usually wait til I'm at my desktop. That's not a good sign.
I was surprised as well when the new site was revealed. I cringed a little for the Brian since he surely wrote a sizable check, and what he got was at least to many outside MGo, disappointing.
I don't have a web or IT background and like most things, I'm sure it's ten or one hundred times harder and more complicated than someone like I would think, but there are so many decent looking, functional forums out there that it seems it would almost be hard to develop a sub-par one in 2018.
There are over 50 forums in my bookmarks, for work-related things, hobbies, car and house fixing -- some with enormous user bases, and some ultra niche. Yet all strike me as more aesthetically pleasing and more functional than MGo. I'm left wondering "Why?"
No. I started checking it less when the politics nonsense happened and Ace started doing whatever it was he was doing on twitter. The new site not so much.
Brian puts out good content, still here for that as that's what brought me to the site. It's probably a good thing honestly.
I definitely am not a fan of the new site. Cant access on chrome and IE it's all messed up visually. Plus slow. Like many others, I came on multiple times daily (even though I only recently opened an account). Que sera. Whattayagonnado?
Yes, but I think it's due to your footnote. After last year's off-season optimism (from many of us) led to self- loathing (shout-out to Seth's great letter to open HTTV 2018), I find myself apprehensive about getting so emotionally invested right now. I also recently took a new job, moved across the country for said job, have two kids aged 6 and 4, my wife seems to still love me, and my dog definitely still loves me, so I've got non-Michigan stuff to do.
Personally I am not viewing as much because I mainly used the app. I like to go out and get some fresh air a couple of times a day here in Atlanta. When I would open my phone while away from my desk the app was right in my face and usually the thing I would click first.
Now without the app it has unfortunately become "out of sight, out of mind." I'm hoping that the app makes a return so that I remember to check on it a few times a day.
I'm here way less for several reasons. Yes, the lack of a mobile app, the odd formatting & white space is annoying, etc, but Brian's attitude towards any opposition to him saying what he wants politically equals banning really got me. I'm far from Trump's & the Republican's biggest fan but the lack of willingness to have civil discussion or to tolerate those who do have those opinions makes me want to come back less. It is Brian's site and he can do what he wants just as my clicks are mine and I can choose to not come here as often. I hate having everyone taking sides and not having conversations but Brian made the line very clear and that is that. I love Michigan sports and hope we'll be able to enjoy those together despite differing political opinions.
I agree with you 100% there. The no politics rule now has an asterisk for the owner. That’s cool, it’s his site so whatever. I’d like to think the stress of overhauling the site had something to do with his “attitude”.
Maybe twice a week now. Used to be multiple times a day. Could be because it’s the off season as well. Truth be told I miss the app.
I just signed in for the first time in weeks to comment on this. Its my first time even coming to the site in at least a week. I don't use it anymore after the update. For a primarily mobile based user, it's no longer convenient to get to, or enjoyable to navigate. With all due respect to Brian and Co., I'm completely on board for progress and refreshing the site, but this one fell very flat and alienated the very heavy mobile contigent here.
I'm coming up on my 10 year anniversary of signing up on MGoBlog in a couple months here, and I've never used the site less than I have now. I hope that gives the powers that be some perspective.
Way less for me too. Either I just got used to the old way and don't like change, or it is more difficult to use; not really sure, but don't like it as much.
Yes, used to be a daily visit, now weekly at most.