an extra note

by clockwerks on Mar 26, 2008 7:42 AM PDT

Dear LL,

I know that some of y'all were apprehensive about this move of your community to a new, confangled blogging and commenting platform. For the last year, as our team worked to design and build what we call SB Nation 2.0, I read all the blogs in our network. In fact, that's almost the only internet reading I did, including a lot of diaries. And awhile back I noticed a thread one of you started up to discuss this big change coming. So I jumped in to answer questions, explain how we approached this and to listen closely to your feedback. A few of you had some great, constructive input. I hope that we can continue those type of conversations about how we've updated things around here.

We've migrated 12 blogs to the new platform now and since every community in SB Nation is a unique place, with a different set of characters that create a particular culture of memes (and dead ones) so we know we're going to get new bugs, new feature requests and a new perspective on the changes we've made to the home of your community. And I know that's what y'all plan to give us. That's fine - we'll take everything you send our way.

Typically, I just post a big summary of everything that's new and everything that has changed. And I did that again. You'll find that post down below. But, before you get started with everything, I want to unveil two new changes we completed in the last couple of days, based the feedback we received from you here at LL and some of our other SB Nation blogs:

Avatars are optional. I know y'all had planned a big revolution where everyone would show their solidarity by opting out of an avatar. Well, consider this new feature the ultimate black armband. Now you can go to Edit Settings and flip 'Display member avatars / profile images?' to 'No'.
Wide layout option. Inspired (somewhat) by the Microsoft Paint artwork you posted in the threads that cried out for us to stop wasting space, we decided to provide a layout option with a wider version of the main content area. Now, in the menu box, you can click the two links/icons to flip back and forth between the wide and narrow options. I'm sure many of you will want to utilize the wide version that is optimized for large monitors and higher resolutions

This platform is still in beta and we continue to evolve it based on what we hear from each new blog community we transition. We're listening. And here's the deal: if you take the time to provide us good, constructive feedback, we'll work hard to integrate that into the changes we make going forward.

We know you were comfortable with where the LL community lived before and we know we've moved you into a brand new home where everything is arranged differently. Jeff has hung up the same pictures and brought over the furniture, but it just doesn't feel the same. The lighting is fancy and there are all sorts of new knobs and switches. Give it and us some time. We'll be around to answer your questions, fix bugs and help you out.

thanks,
Trei

4 recs | Comment 443 comments

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Comments

FIRST

/dead meme

by I'm NOT Corco on Mar 26, 2008 12:26 AM PDT 0 recs

I stayed up just to post first....

by Robert on Mar 26, 2008 12:28 AM PDT up 0 recs

I've been refreshing the page

every 15 seconds for the last two hours

by I'm NOT Corco on Mar 26, 2008 12:29 AM PDT up 0 recs

Not gonna lie

So have I.

by PShwa on Mar 26, 2008 12:29 AM PDT up 0 recs

He really does own our souls.

by Robert on Mar 26, 2008 12:32 AM PDT up 0 recs

who is this..."he"

should I be worried!?

by PShwa on Mar 26, 2008 12:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

whoa autocomments are weird

that scared me when your's just showed up

by I'm NOT Corco on Mar 26, 2008 12:33 AM PDT up 0 recs

I feel like

its a race.

Like im worried something will pop up before mine and i'll have to re-word to make sense.

even though that doesnt really...make.....sense.

by PShwa on Mar 26, 2008 12:34 AM PDT up 0 recs

Yeah

never more should we have double posts.

That's kinda sad

by I'm NOT Corco on Mar 26, 2008 12:35 AM PDT up 0 recs

OK, seriously Trei you are the man

Wide and optional avatars make life really good.

Thanks.

by I'm NOT Corco on Mar 26, 2008 12:28 AM PDT 0 recs

So this is the new LL

I feel like a meteor hit the earth and I'm the only survivor.

LET WLAD BAT!!!!

by MFAN on Mar 26, 2008 12:29 AM PDT 0 recs

Options

Thanks a bunch.

That should lead to much less bitching.

Even though I was definitely looking forward to it.

by PShwa on Mar 26, 2008 12:29 AM PDT 0 recs

Actually

It's not that bad, I'll grow to love the new format.

by MFAN on Mar 26, 2008 12:33 AM PDT 0 recs

True

With the better screen width and the avatars, it's pretty nice. Load times are the only thing I'm still sad about besides FanShots

by I'm NOT Corco on Mar 26, 2008 12:34 AM PDT up 0 recs

we're still working on load times

but we made some improvements to that today (yesterday?) as well

I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation

by clockwerks on Mar 26, 2008 12:35 AM PDT up 0 recs

It's actually loading real fast for me

but that's probably because I'm special.

by MFAN on Mar 26, 2008 12:37 AM PDT up 0 recs

Load times arent terrible

The one thing I dont like is the comment thing.

the auto comments and like...the annoying background color meaning its new.

I want [new]

and holy crap whats that thing that popped up on my screen on the bottom right?

"new post: clockwerks"

by PShwa on Mar 26, 2008 12:36 AM PDT up 0 recs

you want to press the Z key on your keyboard

it warms your heart, like magic

I'm one of the guys who built the new SB Nation. Please don't hesitate to give us feedback.

by sixfoot6 on Mar 26, 2008 12:37 AM PDT up 1 recs

With it being wide

and being able to disable avatars, it's not so bad.

Okay, now we need to get rid of the mandatory preview and add a [new] for easy search browsing.

Otherwise I think I can adapt.

AN loaded a little slower on my phone, and while this is a little bit slow too, it's not so bad. But faster mobile support would be nice.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Mar 26, 2008 12:37 AM PDT 0 recs

Agreed

Mandatory preview is bothersome.

by PShwa on Mar 26, 2008 12:39 AM PDT up 0 recs

it's an easy and useful extra step

especially if you're using all keystrokes. try this:

type your comment, tab to preview button, hit return, quickly check yer preview, hit return again

look ma, no mouse!

I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation

by clockwerks on Mar 26, 2008 12:42 AM PDT up 0 recs

Bah.

Totally unnecessary, especially for rapid-pace game threads.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Mar 26, 2008 12:43 AM PDT up 0 recs

they haven't slowed any of the other blogs down yet

are you saying you're slower than AN or HH?

I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation

by clockwerks on Mar 26, 2008 12:44 AM PDT up 0 recs

Is it possibile to make previews optional though?

by ThundaPC on Mar 26, 2008 12:45 AM PDT up 0 recs

yes, it's possible

we're still watching how it works out for all the blogs we've migrated to the new platform. so far, so good.

I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation

by clockwerks on Mar 26, 2008 12:49 AM PDT up 0 recs

I'm not saying I can't get used to it. Just saying it doesn't make much sense.

People who are going to post stupid stuff are going to do it whether or not they have to preview first. I don't really care if I miss a typo or something, and I'm sure most people won't even look at their preview before they post it. It's a novel idea and I can get used to it. But it just is really, really unnecessary.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Mar 26, 2008 12:46 AM PDT up 0 recs

It would be nice to get rid of mandatory previews

But I can get used to it. My job adds extra steps to processes all the time...

by ThundaPC on Mar 26, 2008 12:44 AM PDT up 0 recs

have you tried using the 'c' or 'z' key instead of searching for the [new] text?

I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation

by clockwerks on Mar 26, 2008 12:40 AM PDT up 0 recs

I guess the real question now is

What are the "Corco Phenomenon" width limits on the wide version?

This will be tested eventually

by I'm NOT Corco on Mar 26, 2008 12:39 AM PDT 0 recs

:Crawls out from under desk:

First quick impressions:

Optional avatars? Awesome.
Wider screen? Also awesome. Though, for us 1680x1050 types, will there be more options in the future?

Mandatory Preview, still needs to go. Making it optional like the avatars, would also be awesome.

It's gonna take some getting used too. But now that the bomb has dropped, I think ultimately we can live with it, barring some improvements.

Thanks for listening to our concerns. You probably saved a few hobo's lives by doing so. I imagine NFE(New Format Emotion) would be twice as worse as GTE.

M's/D-backs fan.

These pretzels....are making me thirsty!

by Goose on Mar 26, 2008 12:41 AM PDT 0 recs

Nice

Disable Avatars and Widescreen. So far so good. If we can make previewing posts optional I think it will be a pretty smooth transition.

by ThundaPC on Mar 26, 2008 12:41 AM PDT 0 recs

"Work Harder, Not Smarter"

This slogan should be the other way around!

by MFAN on Mar 26, 2008 12:43 AM PDT 0 recs

Oh xenu a comment popped up WHILE I WAS READING

I was actually scared.

Y'know, this isn't too bad. Other than the fact that 'FanShot' and 'FanPost' are still quite stupid names for anything ever, I can dig the new LL.

MLS Seattle

by Nick S on Mar 26, 2008 12:48 AM PDT 0 recs

once you get over how spooky it is

the live updating comments are really cool. it's almost like being there.

it's me, JP

by JP on Mar 26, 2008 12:51 AM PDT up 0 recs

MLS, what is it about the names that bothers you?

I lobbied for "HopeDiary" and "SnugglePost", but Trei wouldn't go for it.

I'm one of the guys who built the new SB Nation. Please don't hesitate to give us feedback.

by sixfoot6 on Mar 26, 2008 12:53 AM PDT up 0 recs

How about

Diaries and totally remove fan shots?

I'm pretty sure Fan Shots aren't going to go over too well. Especially since you can put pictures in diaries anyway, so it just seems redundant.

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Mar 26, 2008 12:58 AM PDT up 0 recs

It sounds... cutesy or something.

I've NeverLiked using or reading CapsLikeThis. I'd prefer just 'diaries' and 'fan photos' or something simple like that. The wide screen feature is awesome btw, especially for my MacBook. aughhh more stupid caps

No worries on the name thing.

MLS Seattle

by Nick S on Mar 26, 2008 12:59 AM PDT up 0 recs

I talked to a few people about this yesterday

think about some of the other terms we've gotten used to. "Diaries"? "Blog"? "Fantasy" baseball?

Even if you're not a fan of "FanShots", you'll get used to it in no time.

by Jeff on Mar 26, 2008 7:20 AM PDT up 0 recs

sorry, Nick S

somehow i mistook your sig for your name

I'm one of the guys who built the new SB Nation. Please don't hesitate to give us feedback.

by sixfoot6 on Mar 26, 2008 12:56 AM PDT up 0 recs

How tall are you?

I kid, I kid.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 26, 2008 1:13 AM PDT up 0 recs

Nice work on the wide screen

I felt kind of claustrophobic with the narrow screen, but the wide screen view makes me pretty happy.

by ubelmann on Mar 26, 2008 12:51 AM PDT 0 recs

Funny.

I think it's odd that these two small differences (wide layout and disabling avatars) makes a big difference.

Though I'm not convinced yet.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 26, 2008 12:54 AM PDT 0 recs

By the way, Trei

Regardless of how I feel about the new format, thanks a lot for reserving screen names. Not like anyone was going to steal mine, but I'm grown fond of using this one, so seeing it was saved for me was incredibly pleasing.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 26, 2008 12:55 AM PDT 0 recs

I can't spell though...

*I've

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 26, 2008 12:55 AM PDT up 0 recs

See?

We don't pay any attention to the previews anyways.

New 2.0 sig coming soon.

by Goose on Mar 26, 2008 12:58 AM PDT up 0 recs

God know.

I have more comments I need to leave. I can't waste time reading the comments I already typed.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 26, 2008 12:59 AM PDT up 0 recs

God "NO"

GOD DAMMIT

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 26, 2008 12:59 AM PDT up 0 recs

I like it.

Not bad.

Detect-O-Vision
Favor the Bold

by IcebreakerX on Mar 26, 2008 12:58 AM PDT 0 recs

I like it.

Not bad.

Detect-O-Vision
Favor the Bold

by IcebreakerX on Mar 26, 2008 1:00 AM PDT 0 recs

Did you do this

only because you knew we'd miss double posts?

or is that like a quadruple fail?

by PShwa on Mar 26, 2008 1:03 AM PDT up 0 recs

Actually...

I praised the site and it proceeded to shit itself.

Detect-O-Vision
Favor the Bold

by IcebreakerX on Mar 26, 2008 1:07 AM PDT up 0 recs

so we're settling on quadruple fail?

but its okay. we can blame in on getting used to the new format.

by PShwa on Mar 26, 2008 1:10 AM PDT up 0 recs

sorry about that

running some routine late night stuff when there is usually little activity

I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation

by clockwerks on Mar 26, 2008 1:11 AM PDT up 0 recs

You obviously don't understand the LL addiction haha

It comes at all hours.

by seattlesundevil on Mar 26, 2008 1:12 AM PDT up 0 recs

We don't ever leave, homeslice.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 26, 2008 1:12 AM PDT up 0 recs

Especially when there is baseball on..

The 2007 home run derby is on ESPN right now (in Arizona anyways) any incarnation of baseball instantly makes me want to jump on to LL - very Pavlov like.

by seattlesundevil on Mar 26, 2008 1:13 AM PDT up 0 recs

That Z thing kicks ass!

by seattlesundevil on Mar 26, 2008 1:03 AM PDT 1 recs

Agreed.

However, it needs to stand up to game thread pressure before I give it my full endorsement. Same with live updates.

New 2.0 sig coming soon.

by Goose on Mar 26, 2008 1:09 AM PDT up 0 recs

Exactly - that will be the true test.

Good thing we only have to wait another 5 days. And I will be coming from Arizona to Seattle for it WOO!

by seattlesundevil on Mar 26, 2008 1:11 AM PDT up 0 recs

I am going to reserve judgement until GTE kicks in

And holy shit PShwa - it is a bit creepy to see people's comments pop up while I am typing.. Game Threads ought to be interesting.. It is looking like it is more of a live chat

by seattlesundevil on Mar 26, 2008 1:04 AM PDT 0 recs

Fanshots

They seem....redundant to me. If we wanted our own little section to post pictures of videos we'd just make a dair....err fanpost.

I see we have the option of deciding how many fanposts, fanshots, ect we want to view on the page. How about adding a 0 option in there? So we can basically turn fanshots off.

New 2.0 sig coming soon.

by Goose on Mar 26, 2008 1:04 AM PDT 0 recs

No way man...

It gives Paul and I more places to show our cache of pictures.

Detect-O-Vision
Favor the Bold

by IcebreakerX on Mar 26, 2008 1:08 AM PDT up 0 recs

Fanshots don't have a character requirement

That's the difference.

--JB--
SBN's OSU Beavers blog

by Jake on Mar 29, 2008 10:54 AM PDT up 0 recs

Turning off Avatars though = yay!

Same with the wide screen format.

by seattlesundevil on Mar 26, 2008 1:05 AM PDT 0 recs

Quick thoughts on SB Nation 2.0

Honestly, even during its early rollout with Athletics Nation I always liked the idea of having a lot of built in content. I kinda like having schedules, rosters, news, etc. right on the site.

My main concern was the general feel of the site. I didn't want this at the expense of a nice, easy interface of the old Lookout Landling. Scrunched up columns and comments? Avatars that are too small to be effective and annoying in numerous numbers? Yuck.

MAJOR props to Trei and friends for including Widescreen and the disabling of avatars. That instantly made me want to check out what the new SB has the offer.

In all honesty, the new comment system is friggin' sweet. Live updates without refreshing!? That means no more hammering the server with non-stop refreshing during game threads...possibly. Take out mandatory previews and I think this would be a pretty big upgrade over what we had before.

I'm on board the new format. So far, I like what I see.

Added Note: Speaking of previews, I tried hitting the preview button earlier but it wouldn't respond (possibly due to server lag). I had to copy my text and hit the refresh butting (knowing I would lose my text). Probably just an early bug that will be fixed but just something to note.

by ThundaPC on Mar 26, 2008 1:06 AM PDT 0 recs

I had to do that too - just a quick refresh and it worked out just fine for me

by seattlesundevil on Mar 26, 2008 1:09 AM PDT up 0 recs

lag was due to some heavy database activity

we were doing backups and some heavy clean-up of content that came through in the import during migraton

I'm one of the guys that built the new SB Nation

by clockwerks on Mar 26, 2008 1:09 AM PDT up 0 recs

Can I just add

that the preview of the new format WAS on AN. And their team colors are just obnoxious.

Seeing a new format in bright yellow and nasty green is much more annoying than navy-ish and teal-ish.

That might have added to our hatred. Just my two cents.

by PShwa on Mar 26, 2008 1:09 AM PDT 0 recs

I'll second this.

Our colors are nicer.

Though I would not mind a very light blue for new comments, rather than yellow, to match the style of the website. Maybe a teal. Yellow doesn't fit with the rest of the Mariner theme.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 26, 2008 1:11 AM PDT up 0 recs