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
Yep Probably was Obviously your memory's better than mine and the fact that I only use this website for Eels related topics I had no interest in the other categories One thing I noticed though My avatar and name has never changed from the first time I became a member here but you're obviously one of those cowardly trolls that chop and change your identity every time you get called out for your buttfuckery
Are you Monto?
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
Ok I just went back to the index and hit Eels Blogs yet it went to All Discussions I do all my correspondence on my phone so maybe that's the reason or maybe cause it's orf season I don't know but that's the only reason I get caught up in the daily histerics I'm happy to be corrected
Genuine question...You hate it but you get caught up in it. When you see it in activity, many comments are longer than the preveiw but you can usually tell what you're in for. Do you click and expand or just see it as you go through the blog
Of course I'm going to click on and read something if it's political or religious or anything that is interesting social media Just because I don't smash the topic with my opinions doesn't mean I'm not interested I care about everyday goings on I just don't think my opinions really matter in the wide scheme of things and I certainly don't like vitriol being spat at me from keyboard warriors who wouldn't do it to my face I avoid that type of confrontation I don't see the point and also I got shit to do I don't spend all day on my phone arguing with strangers
Well said Acme
I agree Acme
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
Kenny, well said. You raise some valid points. It is quite difficult to find stuff, though you can use the "search" function. I wonder if the platform we use, Ning, could be modified to make the format more user friendly. I'll talk to Super.
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