I began this as a comment on the above diary and realized as I was writing it it needed to be its own diary. My second and possibly my last. I figure even odds of being banned or given a timeout. In my defense I will point out that it is remarkably, almost profanity free.
Thesis
The proposed redesign needs to be delayed and openly discussed with the users. Establish a set of clearly defined parameters, with goalposts at both ends. Each side must put forward the objectives needed for their goals to be met.
For example:
Users want an easy to use and navigate, visually appealing site they can quickly learn and use for its intended purpose.
Designers/Coders need to build layouts that have an inherent logic, room for required elements (sadly, in this writers opinion), like ads, and all manner of tools, switches, data entry fields, and bunches of other heavy lifting stuff that nobody but nerds understands. Not that I would dare imply that the nice gentlemen with the banhammers are nerds.
These two viewpoints can surprisingly live happily ever after! But like a marriage it takes cooperation.
Simple huh?
Background
I admit I haven’t been here that long (somewhere near an infinity in tRump years) but I can’t figure out if only a small group of users, perhaps of a certain mojo level, have the ability to flag a diary. If I have that ability I can’t find it. I searched what passes for “help” pages, which is being extremely generous to the word and was presented with a page that explained "Teachings of MetaJesus” which in no way addresses the question I was trying to get an answer to, which frankly pisses me off*.
If this was meant as humor it escaped me, apparently I don’t know from funny. I typed in the feedback form for this page seven days ago and have yet to receive any reply.
Would someone be so kind as to explain the flagging question please. At this point, sadly, I have little to no faith in whatever passes itself off as support for the site.
The inability to find an answer to a question when a page with the keywords in it’s title is presented to the user is inexcusable. Which brings us to:
The Diary
I’m sad to say I really dislike condescension. “Change can be challenging”? The comments I saw a few days ago said things very similar to what I said, which was
”If it’s forced on me, I’ll leave. We’re all here voluntarily. The poll results speak volumes. I don’t think I’d be the only one either.”
Sixty-seven percent of the respondents to the poll selected “I don’t like it.” Sixty. Seven. Percent. Last time I did math that heavy that was considered a plurality. If Biden were polling that well, we’d all be planning the inaugural.
So, it sounds to me like the team needs to think seriously about their decisions. Unfortunately, the horrendously bad design is the tip of the iceberg;
The modular design of the new front page is simple and flexible to better facilitate a broad range of potential future customizations.
*I’ve worked in IT and related specialties for thirty five years. Having a “Help” link on a website should reward the user with actual, well um, help. Sorry, it’s a pet peeve thing. Turning to the quote above. This kind of syllabic gymnastics comes right out of the corporate IT doublespeak generator. Jargon for the sake of jargon is misleading and just intentional obfuscation. Speak the language your users speak. Politely, that wasn't it.
Maybe listening sympathetically to your users, like change, is too challenging.
From Mr. Libsch, in a reply to MargaretPOA:
Aww. I’m sorry you feel that way.
Condescend much? Perhaps the teachings of MetaJesus are in order, the lesson on How Not To Be A Dick seems oddly appropriate. So does an apology.
There are a plethora, yes, a plethora, of valuable nuggets of wise counsel in the comments to the headlined diary. Take a look, you might find some insight that your powerful desire to force eyeballs where they do not wish to go might turn on the 40 watt light bulb. You know, the one that played baby MetaJesus? I am forced to ask, how many of you get that joke?
I guess that’s all I have to say. I hope this makes sense. It’s late, I’m tired, and running on too little sleep, and at this point I’m pretty much beyond caring. I’m damned fed up with someones or somethings running roughshod over others that can’t do much to stop it from happening to them (or others) and this seems to be an example of exactly that. I’ll find out tomorrow if being honest and telling truth to power (which is rumored to be a real thing we should do) actually works. If not, I’ve enjoyed my time here with you nice people, well, most of you anyway, and I hope you’ve enjoyed my attempts at humor.
Porgy
-30-