Ladies and Gentlemen,
This site has never been the most endearing to the club or even parts of our own fanbase. A common piece of feedback I receive privately is that some find it too negative or drama-filled, which is why many choose to stay away. At times we clash hard and put each other down, the club, the players, and even Super, who pays for this site out of his own pocket. Some of this could understandably offend players’ families. In conversations I’ve had with people within the club’s hierarchy, the club takes a fairly open-minded view and accepts that it can’t control what others say or think. That’s a mature approach.
That said, I believe the majority of us are good eggs, mean well, even if some are rough around the edges and a small minority hold more extreme views. Over the past decade, I’ve met many wonderful people through this site, some of whom I now count as close friends and have learned a great deal from. You’re a big reason I’m still here and why I care about this community.
If you’re willing, I’d appreciate your thoughts on the direction the site should take. Ultimately, Super will decide, but it’s helpful to understand how people feel, here or privately, on:
- Current affairs and political blogs: Even if personally enjoy them, these often become the most feral and attract extremist views, especially in challenging times. They can flood the site and turn off many who simply want to talk footy, the one thing we all share. Life has enough dramas.
- Moving these blogs to The Cave: Making them members-only may be a win-win, it allows discussions without overwhelming those who’d want to avoid it.
- Any other ideas for improving the site.
Please don’t comment on political, religious or current affairs issues in this blog. This is about improving the site, not saving the world from an apocalypse.
Replies
Mark, I've actually pushed them as much as possible, not ban them, including the Kirk tragedy, so different camps can express their feelings. Are you okay if they are in The Cave, probably with less moderation?
Yes Political and current affairs belong in the cave This is an eels supporters website I don't know when it was started but I know I've been on here since 2012ish The passion we all have for this club the legit info the back and forths and even the firthy's that exude from this site keep me checking in every day It's part of my life of being a Parra supporter and anything written on this site that isn't about the club is just outside noise that most of us don't want or need
Off to the cave with the outside noise I say
All i will say on all of these topics is.Being a really old Bastard i was always taught dont get into any discussion s about politics or religion as it always ends up one way only one Big Shit fight . So thats my humble opinion
Well that's very true , politics and religion are dangerous topics that 99% of the time no good comes from it .
I understand that people are (ironically) complaining about the negativity. There's always going to be a mix of optimists and pessimists on here and many would argue that long-time Parra fans have a fair case to be pessimistic!
If you're worried about people leaving or not engaging due to the negativity, I would argue that there would be many more people who would leave if this site were to censor out negativity.
I personally appreciate the freedom for discourse that is afforded on this platform. It's the main reason I'm a member. Other footy forums seem to skew towards a PC love-in with no criticism tolerated. (I'm not just talking about TCT)
1 Eyed Eel provides a more accurate portrait of where fans sit in regard to footy (and non footy) topics. While I tend not to engage too much in the non footy blogs, I find reading through them provides more insight than most sites that are actually set up to provide such a platform. It's a unique site and I for one, appreciate it not being censored into oblivion.
No one has to read a non footy blog, so I don't really understand the people complaining about them. Sure, post them under the Social Blogs if they're not footy related, but during the off season, these blogs keep the site going.
Ultimatley, it's up to Super to take the site in whatever direction he wants. I personally feel that for every member complaining about negativity, there would be a member thankful for the opportunity to have their say in whatever form that takes. Be careful of only hearing the squeaky wheels, they more often than not, do not represent the majority of happy members.
I hit eels blogs every time I open the site and for example At the moment 2 or 3 blogs down you get poppas fishing story and Randy's little chat I get what you're saying acme but they're not eels blogs
First up, the premise you started with is off. The issue isn’t “what the club/players/families think” — who gives 2 f***s? This is a fan site, for the fans.
As for my engagement: I liked a lot of the older posters who aren’t around anymore, and I still enjoy plenty of the regulars like Pops, Fongy, Hoe, Chief and Eli. But there’s also a handful of people I just can’t stand because they’re negative about literally everything (we sign someone = negative, we win = negative, we don’t sign someone = negative).
Thread-wise, I actually think it’s better now than a couple years back. Back then there was way too much fighting. Regular posters would follow each other thread to thread just to derail it with the same insults, pics, have the same carry on and would literally f**k up every thread .
I don’t want this place turning into TCT. TCT has its value (I use it too and like training reports and podcasts ok ), but this site should be different and not try emulate .
Now the big one for me: the forum format. I know it might be part of why this place gets more activity than competitor eel forums (one that has all clubs), but I honestly detest this format . It’s hard to see what’s new, hard to follow threads properly, and it just feels messy. Also If you are none of the regular posters , easier to be ignored when you do post something .
I’d much prefer a more traditional forum setup, look at what The Kennel or the Tigers forum platform use. Both are active, easy to follow and they split topics into sections better so people don’t have to wade through stuff they don’t care about (like politics) just to find footy chat.
You might not want to take what I say on board because I’m a casual to this site and prefer using the others ones even tho less active , but the main reasons I don’t post as much or even read much is due to the platform design and the general negativity vibe.
I’d love to see more of Hoe’s reports, and more of those Pops-style threads that actually get people thinking instead of just whinging
As has been noted its a privately run concern, dont like it? Stop bitching and build your own or go elsewhere. Being negative all the time does not make you a "tough guy". It makes you a miserable prick that gets off on inflicting their misery on others. Its really easy to leave if you dont like the rules.
-
2
-
3
-
4
-
5
-
6
of 6 Next