New site design

[stefan]

I find it interesting that we have not heard from the CN team in quite some time. Guess they got tired of being told how bad the new site design is and could no longer bring themselves to drag out their tired, can and pointless arguments to defend it.

We're still here. We've had a large bike race to cover recently, so apologies if we haven't been visible in the forums for a while.

 

[agaler]

So the survey about the Flash box at the top of site indicated more than 80% want to get rid of it... do you have ANY intention of listening to the poll?
S

Apparently, you've confused this site with a democracy

Seriously though, I'm no fan of the flash carousel but 52 votes is not 80% of the people who visit the site I assure you. It isn't 1%, it isn't a 0.001%.

 

[pedrospeeps]

Still have a job!!!!?????

We're still here. We've had a large bike race to cover recently, so apologies if we haven't been visible in the forums for a while.

And what a mess of that you made. I see you still have a job (of sorts) you would have been on the carpet if you worked for me...but I guess standards have slipped since I left the UK!!!

Kr

Peeps

 

[stefan]

And what a mess of that you made. I see you still have a job (of sorts) you would have been on the carpet if you worked for me...but I guess standards have slipped since I left the UK!!!

Kr

Peeps

Lucky me I don't work for you then

 

[tretow95]

still dont like it after a few months now

the results are badly displayed and the news is boring layout on the side

i like the website just saying "full results, full report and photos"

now i just look at the title and picture and can tell whos won


go back to old site

 

[James Jordan]

We're still here. We've had a large bike race to cover recently, so apologies if we haven't been visible in the forums for a while.

Nice to know you are still around.

I would be interested to know if the traffic across the site has changed, if my pattern of visitation is anything to go by it will have taken a real hit every area except the forums.

I know you had to update the site, but I will voice the opinion that I think that most of us have stated you got it wrong. The site is now more bandwidth intensive and harder to navigate around. Drop the carousel at the top and I would again start using you as my primary information site, but till you do I will look elsewhere. There are a number of good sites out there with just as much coverage and have better layouts and navigation.

I am even finding myself going more and more to Road Bike Review as my main forum site.

I suspect that you will not be willing to divulge that type of info, or at least not in any form in which we could trust the accuracy of the data.

 

[stefan]

Nice to know you are still around.

We're always here.

I would be interested to know if the traffic across the site has changed, if my pattern of visitation is anything to go by it will have taken a real hit every area except the forums.

..snip..
I suspect that you will not be willing to divulge that type of info, or at least not in any form in which we could trust the accuracy of the data.

I'm not at liberty to discuss actual traffic data, unfortunately - and even if I was - as you say, who'd believe what I say?

The forum is a new feature, so we have no comparative figures for that anyway.

I know you had to update the site, but I will voice the opinion that I think that most of us have stated you got it wrong. The site is now more bandwidth intensive and harder to navigate around. Drop the carousel at the top and I would again start using you as my primary information site, but till you do I will look elsewhere. There are a number of good sites out there with just as much coverage and have better layouts and navigation.

We are aware that the carousel is an issue for many people here, as is in-race navigation for stage races and access to images. The vocal objections to the carousel have been noted.

 

[pedrospeeps]

Court Jester!

Dear Stehan

You would have been sacked, because your team of students that put this totally amateurish website together have got it so wrong. Now getting it wrong is not so bad, but being unable to put things right quickly is really bad.

You might be asking yourself, why the posts here are so vitriolic, it is because since the 15th of June something that we used every day, three times a day has been taken away. The site is completely unusable (to me). You might be able to navigate it, but then I already know you are an exceptional person. You are exceptional because after all these posts you are still willing to spar with the forum. You must know what you did was a complete disaster, but because you want your job you are willing to play the court jester.

Quote “We are aware that the carousel is an issue for many people here, as is in-race navigation for stage races and access to images. The vocal objections to the carousel have been noted.”

I am sure all the posts on this thread have been “noted” but until the website is redesigned AGAIN by someone (a professional) the problems will not go away. If you have an ounce of ethics, step aside, tell the CEO at Future you F’up and ask for a ‘professional super team website construction company’ there might be one in that small town up the road (London) and get it sorted.

Kr

Pedros

 

[titan_90]

This is over on The Podium Cafe.

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/8/5/978083/is-cyclingnews-dead

 

[manolo]

This is over on The Podium Cafe.
http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/8/5/978083/is-cyclingnews-dead

There are some really interesting posts there. Thanks! Nice looking format, too! Easy to follow. Friendly. Appreciate it!

 

[LugHugger]

This is over on The Podium Cafe.

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/8/5/978083/is-cyclingnews-dead

Wow, that is an interesting article. And right from the horses mouth (Competitive Cyclist). I know that I intentionally have not clicked through any of the ad content since the redesign in the hope that somebody at CN.com gets the message.

 

[biker77]

The site has actually gotten worse since the change. I no longer bother to read any news, as the stories don`t add anything more to the headlines. I still read road tech stories, but only have limited interest in reading about $4000 framesets.

The forum is holding for now, but it is only a matter of time until people drift away to better sites.

 

[auscyclefan94]

the forum page could do with an uplift. it's very old looking and could look more modern with a better design.

 

[pedrospeeps]

It hurts me

The site has actually gotten worse since the change. I no longer bother to read any news, as the stories don`t add anything more to the headlines. I still read road tech stories, but only have limited interest in reading about $4000 framesets.

The forum is holding for now, but it is only a matter of time until people drift away to better sites.

It really hurts me to think every time I log onto the forum I am helping with their site traffic. I will drift way because the is nothing on the new site that is worth a dam. I have made friends here on the CN forum and hope to see them at podiumcafe or other forum, but for now I log on, support this forum but it hurts me, more than the marmalada!

 

[James Jordan]

I'm not at liberty to discuss actual traffic data, unfortunately - and even if I was - as you say, who'd believe what I say?

I have no reason not to believe you. I suspect that its quite down based on the comments made here, my changes to visatation and within the group that I ride with.

I wish you well but I will be getting my cycling news elsewhere.

 

[lucybears]

the forum page could do with an uplift. it's very old looking and could look more modern with a better design.

cue another disaster

 

[manolo]

Cue another disaster

I'm not at liberty to discuss actual traffic data...

I suspect... its... down... I will be getting my cycling news elsewhere.

I wish there was some transparency. Maybe I'm naive to expect it, but I wish you would post your own poll, preferably on the home page, and invite all your readers to rate the new site. Ask them how long they've been coming to the site and how old they are. Then publish it all! If the poll shows your readership among the new users and the younger users is growing, then great! You've got a core audience satisfied and I've got a bitter pill to swallow!

I wish you would publish your traffic data, whether it was a positive trend or not. Maybe I'm wrong and your site is more popular now than it ever was. But it would make it easier to accept I'm an old dog who doesn't belong here.

I wish you would publish your traffic data, too, so maybe I could have some leverage to say, "Look, your own numbers show it. It's a failed experiment! Go back to the old format! You're losing readership! It's not just me and three crazy old farts in the forum!" And then applaud like crazy as you announce "Back, by popular demand, we give you, the old website!"

I wish you would publish your traffic data, to see if you're being bull-headed or if I am. (I know, I am!). I... I don't wish you well. Like some crazy abandoned lover who feels rejected by his ex, and wishes her a failed marriage, I, would hope that this would not work out so I could have the old website back. I'm delusional, I know. I'm bitter, I know. Maybe it's the economy. Maybe it's too much stress. But, yeah, I wish this "purple" madness, all the Flash ads, all the small photos, all the crazy navigation, all the crammed pages with all the "crunched-up-to-one-side" text, the carrousel and the pages with "News Headlines" next to "News Editions" would stop. Maybe it's just me, though. There, it's off my chest! Only to build up again, slowly : (

 

[DL9999]

Maybe I'm wrong and your site is more popular now than it ever was.

I really, really think you should trust your own judgment on this one.

Incidentally, I have just found something else that doesn't work: you can't quote from other posts once you have logged in. And once you have logged in and discovered that the "Quote" button has disappeared, you can't go back to the previous page, where there is a "Quote" button. Even clicking on "Log Out" won't get you there. The only way out is to click on "Forums" and then work your way through the forums agains, which is slow, slow, slow.

 

[pedrospeeps]

I am a really old fart

I wish there was some transparency. Maybe I'm naive to expect it, but I wish you would post your own poll, preferably on the home page, and invite all your readers to rate the new site. Ask them how long they've been coming to the site and how old they are. Then publish it all! If the poll shows your readership among the new users and the younger users is growing, then great! You've got a core audience satisfied and I've got a bitter pill to swallow!

I wish you would publish your traffic data, whether it was a positive trend or not. Maybe I'm wrong and your site is more popular now than it ever was. But it would make it easier to accept I'm an old dog who doesn't belong here.

I wish you would publish your traffic data, too, so maybe I could have some leverage to say, "Look, your own numbers show it. It's a failed experiment! Go back to the old format! You're losing readership! It's not just me and three crazy old farts in the forum!" And then applaud like crazy as you announce "Back, by popular demand, we give you, the old website!"

I wish you would publish your traffic data, to see if you're being bull-headed or if I am. (I know, I am!). I... I don't wish you well. Like some crazy abandoned lover who feels rejected by his ex, and wishes her a failed marriage, I, would hope that this would not work out so I could have the old website back. I'm delusional, I know. I'm bitter, I know. Maybe it's the economy. Maybe it's too much stress. But, yeah, I wish this "purple" madness, all the Flash ads, all the small photos, all the crazy navigation, all the crammed pages with all the "crunched-up-to-one-side" text, the carrousel and the pages with "News Headlines" next to "News Editions" would stop. Maybe it's just me, though. There, it's off my chest! Only to build up again, slowly : (

Not only am I an old fart, but I am a really old fart, but what you said here is all true, I only log on here to see what you have to say and think about the old days before purple and flash. I get my news from other sites, but I would like the old CN back where I could get everything from one place. I just hope they sell it soon, then we might have a chance. I wonder how much they paid for it. Does anyone know?

Pedros...in California

 

[antonia]

titanic biz

http://www.podiumcafe.com/2009/8/5/978083/is-cyclingnews-dead

Many thanks to Titan for posting the Podiumcafe article a couple of days ago. Very informative indeed. So CN was loosing readers to Velonews and they decided to bring design and content down to the level of Velonews? Sounds like good thinking to me. Might be time for another redesign pretty soon. - Podiumcafe is a really great site. Thanks again.

 

[allezallez]

Manolo, I totally agree with you, couldnt have said it better myself. Im considering leaving CN for good have religiously visited up to 10 times per day for the last 6 years. Its been great up until now, but alas, I cant handle the endless time spent nagivating the site, trying the decifer what I have and have not read.

Im tired of the tedious race reports, lack of tech reviews, 'News', 'Latest News Editions' and 'Today on CN' - (WTF is the difference, why not have ONE section like the old site?), poor links between the race report/news item and FULL photo gallery, the 'Features' section at the bottom of the site- why have this when for the most part, each 'feature' is found either in the 'Today on CN' section, or the ''Latest News Editions'???

I could go on, but its been said before by thousands of other frustrated readers.


BRING BACK THE OLD SITE!!!!

 

[burritogirl]

It's probably too late in this post for anyone to see, but I would like to add my two cents.
I miss so much news because it is to convoluted at the top and it is no linger just given in the updates. I don't want to click on each individual story to read it. Even when I do go to read the "news editions", you still can't scroll to the next with out going back to the top. PAIN IN THE ***. I am a fan and I miss too much on your site. Figure it the **** out.
Thanks

 

[burritogirl]

sorry, no longer given in the updates

 

[Sheepchild]

Manolo's so right!

Maybe I'm naive to expect it, but I wish you would post your own poll, preferably on the home page, and invite all your readers to rate the new site. Ask them how long they've been coming to the site and how old they are. Then publish it all! If the poll shows your readership among the new users and the younger users is growing, then great! You've got a core audience satisfied and I've got a bitter pill to swallow!

I wish you would publish your traffic data, whether it was a positive trend or not. ...

I wish you would publish your traffic data, too, so maybe I could have some leverage to say, "Look, your own numbers show it. ...

I wish you would publish your traffic data, to see if you're being bull-headed or if I am. (I know, I am!). I... I don't wish you well. Like some crazy abandoned lover who feels rejected by his ex, and wishes her a failed marriage, I, would hope that this would not work out so I could have the old website back. I'm delusional, I know. I'm bitter, I know. Maybe it's the economy. Maybe it's too much stress. But, yeah, I wish this "purple" madness, all the Flash ads, all the small photos, all the crazy navigation, all the crammed pages with all the "crunched-up-to-one-side" text, the carrousel and the pages with "News Headlines" next to "News Editions" would stop. Maybe it's just me, though. There, it's off my chest! Only to build up again, slowly : (

Manolo, if you're delusional, bitter, stressed, over-purpled - a whole, WHOLE lot of the rest of us are also.

I think the poll idea is super. Don't wait for it but it would go a long way in helping either us understand and cope - or "them" understand and change.

Meanwhile, phooey!

ML

 

[manpossessed]

Au Revoir

I've hated the changes from Day 1 but thought I would give you time to get it sorted. At least there is a mountain of user feedback so you're not working in a vacuum....

But it all seems to fall on deaf ears - you need to understand that it's not the detail you should fix; it's the basics. Layout, layout, layout. There are so many things about it that are just SO fundamentally wrong and reek of design by techies. Actually, a committee of techies.

And despite that, the site is so impossibly slow that it is unusable on a wireless connection, and not even worth thinking about on a mobile device, where users increasingly look for their content.

While I can assume that your newsgathering has not changed, the layout has unfortunately had a negative impact on the news getting through to me. As a result, and independent of the layout, I have the impression that the quality of the news is weaker.

I understand the commercial imperatives around the redesign, but if I was one of your advertisers, I would be reading the forums to see what other sites your once-faithful readers are recommending and I'd be giving them a call. To deliver to advertisers you need eyeballs and sadly CN is poking their readers IN the eyeballs!

In fact, I'm off to one of your competitors now. Can you believe that after 6 years you are losing your place as my homepage and it's nothing to do with your competition.

Au Revoir.