New Website Feature Preview

by David Hooper on Apr 30, 2008 10:52 AM EDT

As Joel mentioned previously, Rocky Top Talk will be getting a major overhaul into the new SBNation format. I don't know exactly when it's coming, but I've played with it on a few NFL sites (where they made the transition already) and it's going to be really cool. Having scouted the new system, allow me to share a few thoughts and observations. This will be just a very small sample of the changes, but if I tried to list everything I noted, your eyes would glaze over.

I'll use the new site of Mile High Report, the blog related to the Denver Broncos, to illustrate a few points (click in the orange texts below for links):

Welcome Post SBNation will automatically post a welcome with instructions when the site transitions. Take a peek now or wait until it happens here. This will tell you almost everything you'll ever need.
Avatars Take a look at the "FanPosts" on the right side of the page. You'll notice the picture next to each FanPost - that's the Avatar of the person who wrote the FanPost. Upload your own if you want, or let the SBNation default picture stay. Your choice. (Here's mine.)
Widescreen Format On the left of the page, a little below the bucking bronco picture, you'll see two options for "narrow" and "wide". Click them and the site will re-display in either conventional or widescreen format.
Improved Comments Just to name a few: improved comment editor (no need to know html to pretty up comments); easy picture import (scroll down and you'll see); inappropriate comment flags (not that we should need them here ;) ).
LIVE COMMENT UPDATING Yes, this deserves special mention. If you're in a comment thread and somebody posts a new comment, it will automatically show the comment. But it doesn't automatically scroll down to the comment. Instead, you get a discrete little box in the bottom right corner that lists who made comment(s) with the option of clicking straight to them. So if a comment comes up while you're reading, you can continue reading happily and catch up on the comments at your leisure. No need to reload the page to read new comments. The link goes to the NY Yankees SBNation blog. Go to it during the Yankees game Wednesday and watch for a while. It's magic. (Side note: I chose the Yankees one because I know there'll be a lot of comments. I am neither for nor against the Yankees, so don't read anything into that link. kthx)

That's enough for now. There's a lot more; some will have to wait until you have your own account and the rest are too numerous to reasonably list.

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IF IT AINT BROKE WHY FIX IT ?

Why is Rocky Top going to a new format? I don't see any thing wrong with the one we got. It's hard to teach an Old Dawg new tricks, but I'll try to learn.

OLD SMOKEY

by old smokey on Apr 30, 2008 1:03 PM EDT reply actions

A couple of reasons (at least, my best guess)

Primarily, the update is designed to streamline usage, increase the interconnectivity of the different sites, and to strengthen the cross-linking of articles for reading and reference. Most people will use it much like we use the current system, but you can really do a lot in terms of research and cross-referencing that can't be done on the current site.

Secondarily, it updates the look. With so many sports blogs out there, new readers will tend to focus on shiny blogs and blogs with high readership. This helps improve the shiny angle. It seems to really be working well, too; most of the blogs appear to get a significant increase in traffic after the switch.

However, the "feel" will be the same. Diaries (now called FanPosts) will still be on the right. Stories in the front page will still have the same comment link in the same place. Everything that you do currently will still work on the new look, so there's really no transition to worry about once you go through the initial login process.

But that's why I posted this. It's supposed to be a bite-sized peek into a few features. I'm hoping to post one or two more like this so the new look is a little more comfortable when it gets here.

I (and Joel, I assume) will try to be around as much as possible when the switch occurs to help out. You'll probably be set and running like normal within the first day, even as an Old Dawg. ;)

by David Hooper on Apr 30, 2008 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Checked it out

I looked at the Broncos site and it looks really good. Sometimes change isn't so bad. It does appear to be more user-friendly and that's always good. I'm sure Smokey will find himself enjoying it quickly (it's really not all that different Smoke, just some added goodies). I have a feeling I will. Can't wait. Bring it!

GO VOLS!!!

I've got something for you young man. Oh! It's Thaa Claawww!! Oh, you're afraid of The Claw...

by XRayVol on Apr 30, 2008 6:35 PM EDT reply actions