Open conversation about the state of the forums

[Yoke]

1 hour ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

While this thread is about the forums, I'd like to address this point for a moment. We're not rushing for content, we're trying to give as many aspiring authors a voice as we can. And that's going to be a bumpy ride at times as writers of varying knowledge and ability levels try their hand at the craft.

A few years ago, we decided on this path forward, knowing that it'd be impossible to read ALL the articles. Hell, I don't even know if I read half of them. Find your favorite authors on the site and give them a follow. If you aren't interested in reading everything we publish (and seriously, why take that burden upon yourself), curate the site to your liking using the available tools!

Sorry, earlier in the morning me apparently has bad reading comprehension.

 

There are some great articles, and there are some that might just need more time or finesse (I think that’s where I feel the rushed thing).

 

I do appreciate the site, and the efforts of everyone. Young me would be trying to write articles on here, and I appreciate that. Old me just needs to mess with the curating thing.

[Brock Beauchamp]

57 minutes ago, Yoke said:

Sorry, earlier in the morning me apparently has bad reading comprehension.

There are some great articles, and there are some that might just need more time or finesse (I think that’s where I feel the rushed thing).

I do appreciate the site, and the efforts of everyone. Young me would be trying to write articles on here, and I appreciate that. Old me just needs to mess with the curating thing.

The need for more detailed editing and working with writers is largely why we hired our first full-timer, Matt Trueblood. He's been working with the younger writers quite a bit and hopefully, article quality has improved as a result. Matt does a killer job.

[Jocko87]

8 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

While this thread is about the forums, I'd like to address this point for a moment. We're not rushing for content, we're trying to give as many aspiring authors a voice as we can. And that's going to be a bumpy ride at times as writers of varying knowledge and ability levels try their hand at the craft.

A few years ago, we decided on this path forward, knowing that it'd be impossible to read ALL the articles. Hell, I don't even know if I read half of them. Find your favorite authors on the site and give them a follow. If you aren't interested in reading everything we publish (and seriously, why take that burden upon yourself), curate the site to your liking using the available tools!

I guess that's an important clarification, if this question is about the forums only, but not the articles, my answer would be that the articles killed the forums.  If that's a conscious decision to focus on articles, the question becomes more about the end of life for the forums.

I, and from what I read, many others, have been giving feedback on the site. Which is a different animal.

[Brock Beauchamp]

18 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

I guess that's an important clarification, if this question is about the forums only, but not the articles, my answer would be that the articles killed the forums.  If that's a conscious decision to focus on articles, the question becomes more about the end of life for the forums.

I, and from what I read, many others, have been giving feedback on the site. Which is a different animal.

To be clear, I'm listening to all the site suggestions and making mental notes of them, I'm just not super-involved in the TD front page. That's mostly the arena of the other four owners, my role is different. I keep an eye on the community and plan and execute new features, like The Players Project.

[Jocko87]

8 hours ago, Brock Beauchamp said:

To be clear, I'm listening to all the site suggestions and making mental notes of them, I'm just not super-involved in the TD front page. That's mostly the arena of the other four owners, my role is different. I keep an eye on the community and plan and execute new features, like The Players Project.

Appreciate it, I just had the realization I was expanding the scope on my own.  They are intertwined and similar so its good tobe clear.

[tony&rodney]

When I saw this come on the front page I had many thoughts about a response or two, but successfully stifled those urges ... well, until now.

Twins Daily is a great site and has increasingly added to its range. If someone has other ideas they can always start their own blog or submit articles through various existing platforms. I believe it is one of the finest fan blogs in existence for baseball. Twins fans are lucky.

My only real suggestion has been mentioned numerous times already. The thumb down button (which could potentially be useful) should be removed. There are readers (no reason to call anyone out) who have virtually no knowledge of anything related to baseball who use the button frequently to draw attention to themselves. Naturally, some will disagree with this opinion.

My own journey into blogs began around 2001. I stumbled onto Aaron Gleeman's blog and was #11 on his counter, a funny memory. From there I began to write for a friend's blog for another team on the East Coast, essentially covering teams from the rest of the country. I phased out of that because work, coaching, and playing left little time for decent research to provide fair articles worth reading. From Gleeman I stumbled on to Seth, TwinsGeek, and many others. I joined TD early but quit it after a few years, although I continued to read occasionally. I rejoined TD (new byline) about four years ago and have added to the comment sections at times since rejoining. I'm sure I will continue reading at times but feel my comments should stay in my own head.

I only add the above because perhaps others also face burnout from following a site or being active within the comments. That seems normal. Some people love becoming a part of a community of fans and  participating at times. Some take the opportunity to meet up with those who are also fans, creating friendships. That is a wonderful thing. Others prefer to remain separate and anonymous, which is fine too.

Sites such as Twins Daily are bound to attract a few people who are bitter about life, which spills over into their comments. Such is life. I mostly feel bad for those people who run the site and keep the content going when a few folks hijack a post or conversation or insist on their expertise to the detriment of an ongoing conversation. 

Keep up the good work and don't be too frustrated by the occasional downs because when I look over the articles or member's comments, they are mostly positive and generate fair discourse. Twins Daily is a real success story.

[dxpavelka]

On 5/2/2024 at 8:45 AM, wabene said:

I don't think anyone has a problem with constructive disagreement and debate.

who gets to choose what is constructive or not?

 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

On 5/2/2024 at 9:38 AM, Dave The Dastardly said:

The old style Game Threads is what drew me to TD in the first place; the intros that at least drew your attention and became the side stories that might or might not be about baseball but were a like a conversation you might have with friends between innings if you were sitting at the ballpark; bad jokes, sick puns, odd ball humor... more time laughing and less time grumbling.

I know I've spent less time overall on TD in general and game threads in particular since the old style thread intros disappeared. A lineup card just doesn't do it for me.

I know, it was a lot of work to schedule writers and I'm sure it was frustrating as hell for Stringer Bell and anyone else who took on the task of getting all the games covered, but judging by other's comments regarding game threads something has been lost with the new "intros" that are little more than a lineup card.

I don't know if there's a viable solution, but maybe TD should consider adding some incentives to game thread authors and certainly for whoever takes on the responsibility of coordinating intros; a trinket of some sort for the writers, a beer mug, a T-shirt, a bobblehead, whatever, and maybe a couple of game tickets or maybe even a buck or two for the coordinator.

Whatever it takes to bring 'em back.

 

Disclaimer: I've written an intro or two in the past.

 

It’s really hard to stay engaged with the game thread with all the whining and moaning. When it comes down to the state of the forums… it shouldn’t be all sunshine and roses, but it has to be fun.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

44 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

who gets to choose what is constructive or not?

 

[ashbury]

47 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

who gets to choose what is constructive or not?

There's a lot of leeway given in answering thiat question, but ultimately the moderators offer to help anyone who is having difficulty finding the right balance, sometimes unilaterally. 😀

[Craig Arko]

4 minutes ago, Richie the Rally Goat said:

It’s really hard to stay engaged with the game thread with all the whining and moaning. When it comes down to the state of the forums… it shouldn’t be all sunshine and roses, but it has to be fun.

Seems like the whining and moaning is the fun part, for some. To each their own. I am amused when I see an entire page of posts from people I’ve blocked, so I don’t need to read them.

[DJL44]

On 5/2/2024 at 3:17 PM, mini_tb said:

it's often tedious to navigate the site on my phone with ads and videos everywhere

I rarely use my phone to access the site. As I'm scrolling a new ad pops in and moves me back to the top of the article repeatedly. It's unusable.

[wabene]

15 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

I rarely use my phone to access the site. As I'm scrolling a new ad pops in and moves me back to the top of the article repeatedly. It's unusable.

What sort of phone? I use an android and don't have much trouble with it, maybe 10-15% of the time I'll get an ad I have to scroll past once or twice. It's similar on my android tablet. I don't use any anti virus or ad blocker software. Just an FYI.

[wabene]

1 hour ago, dxpavelka said:

who gets to choose what is constructive or not?

 

Certainly not me, lol. There are times when it's obvious, but you are correct, it is a subjective distinction.

I agree with @Craig Arko, this should be fun. Is repeatedly calling for an individual's head fun? Of course there may be times when it is germane to a discussion. How's that for a wishy washy answer? 😀

[Rod Carews Birthday]

On 5/2/2024 at 7:22 PM, Squirrel said:

You can also rate the article using stars. Not sure how it shows up on the phone, but I know on the ipad or computer, on the upper right of the article page, you can click on the stars, 1-5

OK.  I'm an idiot I think.  I can't seem to find the stars you speak of.  Also, as I guy who has been following this site since it started, I'm a little embarrassed.  Can you screen shot this?  Sorry!

[wabene]

3 minutes ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

OK.  I'm an idiot I think.  I can't seem to find the stars you speak of.  Also, as I guy who has been following this site since it started, I'm a little embarrassed.  Can you screen shot this?  Sorry!

[Rod Carews Birthday]

14 minutes ago, wabene said:

Haha!  Thank you.  Apparently I needed that! 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, wabene said:

What sort of phone? I use an android and don't have much trouble with it, maybe 10-15% of the time I'll get an ad I have to scroll past once or twice. It's similar on my android tablet. I don't use any anti virus or ad blocker software. Just an FYI.

iPhone using Safari. The ads load as I scroll down and every time a new one pops in it starts me over at the top of the article.

On my work computer the virus scanner checks everything as it loads individually for adware and load times are glacial. For example, I click on the notifications and it can take 5-10 minutes to load that pop-up window.

[wabene]

Just now, DJL44 said:

iPhone using Safari. The ads load as I scroll down and every time a new one pops in it starts me over at the top of the article.

Bummer, you could always give Google Chrome a try. That is what my devices run.

[mrtwinsfan]

All paid subscriptions should be AD-FREE,  For alot of we folks just like the in game Yakking, Ten bucks is way to much for just a ad-free game experience,  

• Free publications (Season Preview & Offseason Handbook)
• Exclusive Twins analysis from Matt Trueblood & others
• Free Winter Meltdown ticket
• Recognition of group status next to name on Twins Daily,    i would rather have ad-free for less and you  can have the above 4 perks  ,  , need a better deal !!

[Rosterman]

Still a mess (because I'm a freebie) reading on my phone. Too many popups on the iPhone. Disconnects. Ads are the name of the business.

[knothole61]

As an elderly posting neophyte who has shared your chicken dinners and been comforted by your communal suffering for years in silence, allow me to say that I believe "the state of the forums" is good. Twins Daily is a very groovy place, offering a little something for everyone and free, for the most part, of the deep rancor I have witnessed on other less moderated sites. Frankly, the prospect of finding one of Chief's "dad jokes" is reason enough to keep me scrolling through the game threads with a religious fervor. Keep up the good work and win Twins!

[mnfireman]

10 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

who gets to choose what is constructive or not?

 

Anybody, just have to report it to the owners/moderators. Certain members are more petty about it than others, they will even report your reaction to their comment to get it removed if they don't like it.

[Monkeypaws]

I stopped posting here, and I'll tell ya why.

Casual fan, don't live and die by the Twins. Like the prospect talk. There are some people here who are fun and are fun to discuss baseball with, especially those appreciative of musically historical neighborhoods.

OTOH, there is way to much rank and rating going on here. If I post an opinion and get shredded with downvotes by caretakers, community leaders, and old-times members, well, it doesn't make ya feel welcome does it?

It has the stale stench of a good old boys network.

[dxpavelka]

11 hours ago, ashbury said:

There's a lot of leeway given in answering thiat question, but ultimately the moderators offer to help anyone who is having difficulty finding the right balance, sometimes unilaterally. 😀

one man's help is another man's hindrance

[dxpavelka]

10 hours ago, wabene said:

Certainly not me, lol. There are times when it's obvious, but you are correct, it is a subjective distinction.

I agree with @Craig Arko, this should be fun. Is repeatedly calling for an individual's head fun? Of course there may be times when it is germane to a discussion. How's that for a wishy washy answer? 😀

truth be told, I seldom call for a head.  I'm far more likely to fall on the side of calling folks out for moving on from certain players.  I'm famously not a fan of having moved on from Rosario or trading the current American League Earned Average leader.  I also usually fall on the side of firing management being a mistake.  My takes often don't sit well with some of those who get to make calls on what is acceptable or not.  Want proof?  Wait for it.............................................................................................................................

 

[dxpavelka]

1 hour ago, mnfireman said:

Anybody, just have to report it to the owners/moderators. Certain members are more petty about it than others, they will even report your reaction to their comment to get it removed if they don't like it.

actually the question was mostly rhetorical..

 

[Rigby]

On 5/2/2024 at 12:38 PM, Riverbrian said:

 

Sadly, those glory days were probably not sustainable because here's the deal. When a town grows... it isn't just Andy and Opie moving into town. Otis is coming to. By about 2015 I started to notice the pendulum swinging the other way. The negative posters started to arrive which is going to happen with growth and as time went by those numbers grew and the people who made me laugh started waning and it just kept getting worse every year. 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I understand the reaction. I had to draw the line when Thelma Lou arrived....

[Dave Borton]

1. I am a Caretaker. Why? To support an excellent site.
1a. Ads are excessively encountered for my Silver Caretaker $
2. I am a happy camper. I skim through posts by trolls and overly negative ones. I do not find the site contains too many negative posts. Many posters are fans first and analyzers second. That is to be expected on a Twins site, no?
3. Rich content. I have writers I mentally follow and those I don't. 
4. Click bait? There is some but I can discern in title and first paragraph. Your call on eliminating such articles.
5. I would have a forum dedicated to analytics. So much ball is governed by it.. I moved from 'old school' ball to understanding more analysis once I read Keith Law's "Smart Baseball." I would appreciate and learn from others in such a forum.
6. "Thumbs down" emoji. Let it go. Too confusing. Is it being used to disagree, used as a "gotcha?" or what is being disagreed with?'
 

Keep up your good work and thanks for asking, DB
 

[wabene]

9 hours ago, Monkeypaws said:

especially those appreciative of musically historical neighborhoods

Hey MP what do you mean by this? 

I've always enjoyed your posting.