We've now all had a taste of what appears to be Gannett's latest cost cutting gimmick. So far, besides the praise Gannett Employees are giving the (hehehehe ) New and Improved format I haven't heard many people with anything at all nice to say about it, On ForiduhToday, Yugo Mary said what most of us are thinking, and she managed to say it politely, well almost, she did better than I would have...
I've posted with Yugo Mary on Florida Today for a long time now, she understands the Internet, Florida Today, Gannett and the Newspaper Industry better than I ever will. She happens to be a little opinionated, I can't say for sure, but I think her site, FloriduhToday will have more to say about Gannett's latest fiasco, if so I can guarantee it will be insightful and worth reading.
Who designed this crap?!?
The new comments software is truly idiotic. When replying to a post your reply remains with the original post -- it is not bumped to the top of the list (as has always been the case). This means that you must continually check your previous posts (most likely on previous pages) for replies. This also means that readers who wish to read all the comments must also continually check previous posts for any new replies.
And just to make things even more fun, the idiots make you ask to see the replies. WTF? Why would I not want to read the replies? Why would the default be to hide them?
Bottom line: Comments on an active thread become impossible to follow. And I'll be damned if I'm going to constantly re-read hundreds of comments just to find the latest replies (which I consider to be just as important as the original comments).
I'm not sure about the rest of you, but to me the comments are often more informative than the articles itself. The article triggers the conversation, but the article is always slanted to try and lead readers to whatever opinion the author is trying to sell. The comments tell what real people are thinking and why. Commenter's add information and references that allow people to do their own reaseach and reach their own conclusions. Sure you get a few idiots on the busy threads, we all need a laugh, they help us out. Sometimes you get an obnoxious poster, but so what, as far as I'm concerned the comments are almost always more informative than the story.
This morning I went to review a comment I'd made to Imoonly, a long time, close Florida Today friend, and someone who's friendship I value. I found out that somehow, according to FT's computer, I'd decided to ignore her. I know I didn't touch the damned Ignore Switch. They had an ignore switch on the General Discussion Forums before the changes, I've never touched the fool thing. I don't need to make a production out of not reading posts from people I don't agree with, Who cares? I sure as hell wouldn't use against someone I like and respect
Another thing; I'm not liking the pressure to log-in through on of the big Social Media Sites, I can only think of one valid reason for that; Facebook, Myspace and the rest are in the business of Data Mining their members for information advertisers are willing to pay for, System Wide Gannett has tens of thousands of active members. Is it possible they're trying to supplement falling revenues by giving the Data Miners easy access to to members thoughts? For the moment I'd suggest you log in the old fashioned way. There might be another reason. According to an article I first saw on the website, Real Americans Defend Israel, The Department of Homeland Security Wants to Friend You? The department of Homeland Security has taken an interest in what we say and post on the Social Media Sites....little extension of Patriot Act Authority? I can't say, but I'm going to stick with logging in the Old fashioned way.
Back in the beginning of this blog I said one of the reasons I set up Grumpy was because Gannett, was having some issues and I expected the solutions they'd invent wouldn't be all that Member Friendly,, It didn't happen exactly the way I thought it would, but it's close enough.
Those of you that like to comment on other folks opinions are more than welcome to do so right here on Grumpy. Every day a couple Grumpy Members express their views in an original blog. They like to know what you think about what they think.. I also like to post other peoples blogs from time to time.. If you'd like to post a blog, let me know. Grumpy could still use a few new Regular Member Bloggers, people who can write reasonably well, would like to write about a variety of things an want the freedom to post their opinions when they want,someplace people will read them.
I've also decided to use one of my other sites, Grumpy News Forums, to post National and International News Stories. Regular Grumpy members will post links to breaking news reports from around the world, Within the next few days the site should be able to handle at least 10 different threads at any given time.
There is no Grumpy registration requirement to comment, it's easier to comment it you use a gmail address. Folks with a gmail address will be able to post with the same screen name and avatar they use now on Gannett websites. If you don't have a gmail address, just post as Anonymous.. just please include your screen name as part of your comment.
One other thing, i think you'll find the moderators easier to get along with that the Pluck Moderators we've come to know and hate on he Gannett sites..
