Front Page Feedback? Let's keep it contained

"Gamecat235" (Gamecat235)
08/15/2013 at 16:51 • Filed to: Kinja, Change, Never Change, Evolution no thanks, kinja help, feedback

Ok guys, we get it. Change is bad. Change makes us hide in our super secret club house and threaten to never come out. But change is inevitable. We can't avoid it. If you feel like voicing your mind and providing feedback, of any kind, and you don't want to do it on !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Then let's try to keep it contained to a single thread, or at least a much smaller group of threads. Rather than everyone freaking out separately, we can all freak out together.

I don't know how I feel about it yet. It seems to work fine on my mobile device and on Chrome, the one thing I don't see is the tags... are they gone on the front page?

I don't mind it. But I'll have to wait and see what it's like actually using it. Plus we all went through this last time they changed it. So the circle continues.

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DISCUSSION (68)

J. Walter Weatherman > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 12:00

If I clicked "Recommend" any harder, I would have broken my mouse.

ncasolowork2 > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 12:03

*insert something fishy gif*

Wait a second. The admins on the Observation Deck are doing the exact same thing. How come we can "play a game" where 500 random GIFs are posted to Oppositelock in 500 different threads but we can't have 50 threads sharing varying opinions on the new front page layout? In fact every time there's a theme Oppo gets flooded with numerous threads on the exact same topic...

Have the overlords asked the admins to try and tone down the noise being created by this change? I was sarcastic when I suggested as much on the Observation Deck. It didn't surprise me to see the request there. I'm actually very surprised to see an admin requesting the same thing here.

*insert Patrick George MEME I'm not too sure about this*

Mattbob > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 12:04

Yeah..... I don't really mind the new layout. Only old squares are afraid of new things just because they are new.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 12:08

I'd just rather not have half the page be blank.

Leadbull > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 12:08

People felt the photos were too big? I thought Jalopnik addressed that and made all the photos medium sized—these are very tiny sized. Bad.

I felt that yesterday's Jalopnik was about as optimized as it could get. Only problem I had was (and still is) the "related articles" nonsense.

Ultimately, they can do whatever the heck they want because I'll keep reading it as long as the content doesn't suck... and I certainly don't expect that to happen.

But please, guys, don't mess with the commenting system or Oppo.

ncasolowork2 > PanchoVilleneuve ST
08/15/2013 at 12:10

At the very least when you're reading an article you don't need half a blank page.

Gamecat235 > ncasolowork2
08/15/2013 at 12:11

No. This isn't a move from the lords on high. This is more of a "if we actually have feedback, let's concentrate it, so that the gawker IT folks don't have to go searching through EVERY post on every community blog." type thing.

I don't want to be like the other blogs, I like them, I like the way they handle things. We're different. Different is good. =)

William Byrd > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 12:15

Yeah, don't we complain every time it's redone? I want some cars back in my Oppo vs. posts about how bad the front page is. Keep Oppo Cars!

ncasolowork2 > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 12:16

Riiiight. Hmm. Toe that company line that you're not getting paid to support! You see the overloards on high asked the io9 crew to do that when they tested this layout. All the feedback was gathered neatly in one location. The main theme of the feedback provided? I'm glad you asked. "The images are too small and the left side is too big."

What did we get? Small images and 1/3rd of our pixels wasted by the stuff on the left side. Everything was gathered neatly in one location. "Easier to see" they said. More discussions are "harder to ignore" I say!

crashedpc /sarcasm > ncasolowork2
08/15/2013 at 12:20

What the hell are you talking about? Overlords on high? We're fucking volunteers. We do this on our own free time.

ncasolowork2 > crashedpc /sarcasm
08/15/2013 at 12:21

Sorry you missed the point. I was suggesting someone who actually gets paid to work for this website told Gamecat to make the post he made.

J. Walter Weatherman > ncasolowork2
08/15/2013 at 12:22

For the record, when it comes time for Oppo to "play a game" I really wish that all the replies would be kept in a single thread there as well.

crashedpc /sarcasm > ncasolowork2
08/15/2013 at 12:23

Alright. And no, that didn't happen. If that did happen, I'd ask to get paid.

ncasolowork2 > crashedpc /sarcasm
08/15/2013 at 12:26

I think Gamecat might be the chief admin here and on io9 the person I at least perceive to be the chief admin is trying to round everyone up over there... I don't think any of the other admins were involved in my conspiracy theory.

crashedpc /sarcasm > ncasolowork2
08/15/2013 at 12:29

Eridani, Ruthless and I are the chief folks. I "own" the ODeck, whatever that means.

Gamecat235 > ncasolowork2
08/15/2013 at 12:29

Actually Porsche is the "owner" of Oppo. I just felt that some coordination was probably a good thing. And truth be told, was inspired by Eridani's post .

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Curiousplay > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 12:31

I simply dislike how I cannot middle click on the small images to the right to open the article/page. It seems the images, I can only middle click the bottom half of the small picture to open it in a new tab but the top half is as if I middle clicked on a a blank area where it just lets me drag the page around.

Also, middle click on the small "image" when it appears to be a video doesn't work regardless of where I click.
ex: the referral post for 'Grand Theft Auto Online Looks Friggin' Amazing' I can't seem to middle click it to open in a new tab.

Making the pictures just a smidge larger would be nice, not a large amount but a tad.

ncasolowork2 > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 12:31

Hmm. You're poking holes in my conspiracy theory. That's no fun. Also Porsche barely ever comes to Oppo any more. WTF is up with that.

$kaycog > crashedpc /sarcasm
08/15/2013 at 12:32

Ruthless!! Please tell him I said "hi"!

Casper > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 12:34

Blah blah blah. They seriously need to work with designers. I have no problem with change, I have a big problem with devolutionary change for the worse. It's like we are sliding back to 1999. The people who don't seem to mind it are the same ones who apparently are using ancient browsers that aren't showing them what it really looks like.

There is no defense for lazy design.

Ruthless, if you let me > $kaycog
08/15/2013 at 12:35

Hi. :)

crashedpc /sarcasm > $kaycog
08/15/2013 at 12:36

He says more booby pics pls.

$kaycog > Ruthless, if you let me
08/15/2013 at 12:37

Well, well, well. Hi, old friend! I haven't seen you in these parts for a long time. Good to see you!

Ruthless, if you let me > crashedpc /sarcasm
08/15/2013 at 12:37

More? You got some in the first place?

$kaycog > crashedpc /sarcasm
08/15/2013 at 12:38

See how he is. ;D

crashedpc /sarcasm > Ruthless, if you let me
08/15/2013 at 12:40

OOOH SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

DoubleClutchingAutomatic > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 12:56

It's like anything else; it sucks at first, but we'll get used to it.

Ruthless, if you let me > $kaycog
08/15/2013 at 13:00

Good to see you too. I'm around here... sporadically (2-4 times a week maybe.) It's hectic juggling the job, s/o, etc. I am mostly a Spectre on Odeck as well.

$kaycog > Ruthless, if you let me
08/15/2013 at 13:10

Busy is good. s/o is fantastic!

CB > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 13:19

The old way was better. Tags and authors were easy to see, and anyone complaining about pictures kind of needs to sort out their priorities.

Gamecat235 > CB
08/15/2013 at 13:20

I preferred the byline of the last iteration as well. And I can't find the tags anywhere now. But... we'll see.

Jagvar > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 13:29

Meh, I like it.

Gamecat235 > Jagvar
08/15/2013 at 13:30

I do too, mostly. But, where are the tags? I liked the tags. I used the tags. Even on the front page.

Jagvar > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 13:41

Kinja'd!!!

Gawker had to sell them off to make money.

HammerheadFistpunch > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 13:41

Not sure if this makes sense to anyone but me, but I feel like this latest itteration is summed up here..

Kinja'd!!!

Great intentions, decent plan...yet somehow.

Gamecat235 > Jagvar
08/15/2013 at 13:42

Now I understand. Damn you Denton, damn you to hell!

Gamecat235 > HammerheadFistpunch
08/15/2013 at 13:42

That looks like fun.

Pay no attention to the crazy man in the desert.

HammerheadFistpunch > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 13:45

hey, your state is wetter than mine in the summer...so no complaining!

Victorious Secret > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 13:47

I like it. Then again I'm not 12 and don't have a PMS every single time there is a change made.

Its a process, they'll either fix the issues or they won't. I didn't come here for brilliant coding and functionality and design; though having that helps me stay longer.

I can live with it, it looks alright, I've been (accidentally?) exposed to this layout over on i09 and on Kinja's own front page, I didn't mind it. It works, its clean.

Whatever, I'll get back on my lawn chair and yell at old kids to get off my lawn.

DrivesaCorolla > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 14:12

Upset about the loss of the dropdown menu at the top of the page to switch between the different gawker media sites, failing to find the alternative with the new setup.

Made switching between Gizmodo and Jalopnik effortless, but now can't seem to do the same without searching for the other blog entirely?

Ruthless, if you let me > $kaycog
08/15/2013 at 14:23

She really is great. :D I feel incredibly lucky each day that we found each other.

crown victor victoria > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 14:26

The only thing I'll say about any of this from here forward is what Denton said in that email, which TTYYMMNN helpfully shared eralier:

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/one-more-thing…

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"through to the end of 2014"

1) I don't necessarily believe that

2) Why does the format have to be reconfigured every 16 months anyway?

I am fine with refinements. And I always get used to their changes but it's so disruptive to be constantly overhauling the system completely.

Is there really that much more profit to be squeezed out of all of this through constant change? When other sites do a redesign it's a big deal and you notice, but with Gawker it's an annual cluster-f that's met with dread and frustration by the people providing a bajillion clicks and as of fairly recently a whole lot of actual content . And I understand the need to stay current and fresh, but more careful planning might yield a setup that will last a little bit longer.

My immediate reaction is that these things are happening for minuscule or immeasurable revenue reasons and the users driving views to all these sites are being given a bit 'o the shaft.

I won't stop coming here to comment and same goes for the FP, because I like the community and vibe in spite of the avalanche of wonky design schemes. But I'd be lying if i said it didn't bother me just a little bit.

$kaycog > Ruthless, if you let me
08/15/2013 at 14:30

It sounds like the real thing. Congratulations! I have tears of joy for you now.

Say.........did you ever finish that Ford GT model?

DasWauto > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 14:30

I finally thought of something relevant to bitch about concerning newest change. It is difficult to see if a post has been shared from Oppo. This will be annoying when I'm putting together the best of Oppo. >:|

Mochimaster > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 14:34

Whoa

Kinja'd!!!

PatBateman > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 14:35

The funny part of this whole situation: in two weeks, people will forget there ever was another software version of Gawker Media.

Gamecat235 > Mochimaster
08/15/2013 at 14:35

LOL. I have to keep rescheduling the post to keep it near the top of the page. Makes the post time all wacky.

Go Hawkeyes > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 14:37

What sucks the most about this change is that it is so ungodly horrible I'm actually finding myself doing actual work rather than spending hours on here all day like normal. Did the site designers talk to my boss or something?

Gamecat235 > crown victor victoria
08/15/2013 at 14:39

Have your tin foil hat? Ready?

Every time they change the redesign, they get a serious uptick in clickthroughs. (people who left because of a previous redesign come back, web designers check it out, industry people see what their friends are talking about, etc). Like major. But this dies off. But the successful ones have a positive effect on the total number of readers (which is the commodity in which Gawker trades). So... every redesign is a chance to gain more readers.

Keanuwhoa.jpg

Ruthless, if you let me > $kaycog
08/15/2013 at 15:13

We think so anyway. :)

It uh... made it to NY with me? :P I'm still squirrely on the painting- that'll make or break it, and I am sure it will break it. I've never been good at painting. Strict construction is fine. Painting... not so much.

You good? I recall some stuff with your Ford a while back, but that looked resolved.

$kaycog > Ruthless, if you let me
08/15/2013 at 15:19

I didn't know you were in NY. What a huge change. I hope you like it there.

My Escape is great, and I just love it and the EcoBoost.

Life is sweet for me! Remember the Storm Chaser thread? It ended up with just BuickBoy and me participating, and Kinja ended it when we were at something like 8800. The good old days.

Naija > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 15:20

meh its alright, I like how its better for internet explorer so when I'm not on my computer its still fine. I try to get used to it

Slave2anMG > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 16:03

Change in and of itself is NOT bad. Change for the mere sake of change is not good. Yesterday's iteration of Jalopnik worked. It worked well. It was first one in a while that I liked from the git-go.

But this change now gives us scrawny little peectures, scrawny little text blurbs and about half an acre of white space on the left side. And I'm afraid none of that is an improvement.

Dsscats > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 16:32

No offense, but you really need to stop jumping your post. Its not that important.

Gamecat235 > Dsscats
08/15/2013 at 16:34

I appreciate the feedback, but were you here this morning when literally 4 out of every 5 posts was about the design change?

Because I'd rather have this, than see that again.

Dsscats > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 16:38

I was here this morning, and I feel like making the post show up over and over isn't helping stop the posting about it. It is something new, and people are going to complain no matter what. I'm not sure I see how your post will help.

Ruthless, if you let me > $kaycog
08/15/2013 at 16:49

Yeah. Work moved me out here last September. I swear we've chatted since then. NY (I'm NYC adjacent in Nassau County, coincidentally in Long Beach- which is also a city in Los Angeles...) is alright. I haven't minded the weather really, except the godawful humidity, and one or 2 instances of driving in driving blizzard-like snow conditions in my little Civic.

I tried to get back to the Chaser thread a few times back in Jan-Feb of this year. Glad to hear that life is going well for you.

$kaycog > Ruthless, if you let me
08/15/2013 at 16:52

Possibly we did talk about NY, but I don't remember. Best of luck with s/o and the Eastcoast, Ruthless. Don't be a stranger! :D

MonkeePuzzle > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 16:52

hey, so I see this keeps moving to the top, good! can we do this in Oppo everyday for themes? Keeping them in a single thread would be tip top easy peasy if it kept bumping back to the top?

Just a thought. Not a mod. Don't hate me. #changeIsBad

Gamecat235 > Dsscats
08/15/2013 at 16:53

I'll stop for now, but I will resume if I start seeing a flood of different comments regarding the change. I'm not trying to spam oppo, in fact I'm trying to prevent it. This is being done for two purposes.

To keep everything in one location for feedback for gawker help

to keep oppo from being flooded. I dislike the theme days for the same reason.

Takuro Spirit > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 16:56

I was one of the first to notice it this morning, and still I don't mind it at all so much as the day goes on. It works kinda shitty with AdBlock on Chrome at work, but meh. Its the FP.

Just don't fuck with Oppo.

BrtStlnd > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 17:16

I don't mind it. My only issue is formatting... there's LOTS of overlapping text/pics on the FP. At least this iteration actually works from a commenting standpoint, which is a vast improvement over the last few updates.

Gamecat235 > BrtStlnd
08/15/2013 at 17:25

There are definitely a few bugs to work out. But it seems to have actually been tested before it was unleashed this time around.

TheBaron2112 > DrivesaCorolla
08/15/2013 at 17:40

It's the three horizontal lines next to your blog icon.

Mosqvich > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 18:39

Interesting thing with the change. I had a piece posted on the FP today by Patrick George. I did a write-up on a Fiat release with regard to a recall on Fiat 500e models for issues with their half-shaft bolts. It's had around 1,000 hits. To contrast this, I did a piece on the Tremor Truck pacing for NASCAR, it had around 4k hits. A while back I had a non-car piece hit 15k views.

I didn't even know my piece this morning made its way to the FP. Normally I'd be inundated with comments, and I don't think it has anything to do with content. It's all about the format. The "new" FP is poorly designed for content, but really good at getting the ads out there IMHO.

Gamecat235 > Mosqvich
08/15/2013 at 18:42

I think that may have had more to do with the content. I've had shares that got nearly 20k hits, and others that were more in the 4k-5k area. And timing and content really play into it. The Fiat recall isn't exactly "sexy".

We'll see. I'm giving it time.

But it's an interesting thought... Also I really liked the GIANT photos.

Unwound > Gamecat235
08/15/2013 at 21:18

The amount of space the left column takes up is annoying, I've hated Kinja in general but his just makes it more difficult to differentiate between posts.

Is there anyway to get it to stretch fill wider screens? I'm at 1900X1200 and have a good 5 inches of blank wasted space on either side of the screen.

DrivesaCorolla > TheBaron2112
08/16/2013 at 09:24

Yep, was resolved yesterday, just messes with your mind going from the oppo layout to the front page layout now,