BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade - Page 2

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

Well said!

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

My whole issue with the new 'theme' or skin was the way my eyes react to it as well. It is really hard to focus on and hurts my head so I appreciate the fact that we can change our own skins-that will be helpful. But can I ask without sounding rude? Why Easter? lol Yes, most of us have children but we are adults and like adult colors/themes-we are reading the threads not babies. It just looks cheap IMO. So not trying to be rude-just honest.

As one of the very first members on this board, I think that for a lot of us that have been around a long time we just don't want to lose what we have here. Our site is so much better then most because we are all so tight knit and don't generally judge others. We want to help one another. I dunno-I understand both sides. I think that some of the new features will be nice but a lot will go unused imo.

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

Um.. *looks around the current page.. and points...* Bunnies pushing easter eggs and chicks. Easter. LOL sorry.. had to point that out.
It seems that you might be taking some offense to what we are saying, and yes you said you were listening to us, but.. honestly if you were, that whole comment about the theme not changing (though allowing us to use a skin that will not be kept up) is in fact, not listening to us. MANY of us not only dislike it, but are having a great deal of difficulty even so much as reading it. If you create a site for people to read.. shouldn't they be able to at least.. read?
I have no problems seeing the things, yes the colors make me want to puke, but I am not a pastel person is all. And like someone else said, we arein fact adults reading these boards not the babies themselves. I have no problem with women without children heading up much of the boards, but and I didn't check, so.. I don't know, there shouldn't be only women without children heading them up. I have been on BBU for a very long time, and the reasons I have stayed.. are because I have grown to love many of the women on here. I understand there are changes you wanted/want to make. I would have made some changes myself. However.. and yes, you said this is totally up to us, it will become cliquish. There will be more members joining ( which is great) and more than likely much younger ones, that will infact see the groups and turn it into another Cafe Mom. If we wanted Cafe Mom with its millions of members and a group about this and a group about that.. that's where we would go. Baby U.. is a family. And we treat new members the same way. If the admin doesn't listen to the members.. what good is asking our opinions?

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

"opinions are like *ssholes, everyone has one"

Sorry...that really cracked me up!!!

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

Well said Liz. This is about change and she's right, it's hard after so many years...

And to those that I offended about it going from a parenting site to a women's site, that is what it has been called since the take over. And last time I checked this was "babyuniversity.com". (see giant baby in the top left corner)When I found the site, I was looking for a place when I was pregnant and had little ones running around and needed kindred spirits. So yes, I was looking for and have stayed for women with families or working on families because that's what my life was. If I had been looking for something else, I would have googled something else.

If I am in the minority (and it appears so), I apologize for offending.

....but there are so many tomatoes.....

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

I did not mean to offend you, but with the "it's not changing" comment you made, to be honest, it did come across kinda .. well.. witchy. If I took that wrong, I appologize, it is hard to tell the tone someone meant here on the boards. I do understand that the older version will not work with the new software. What I meant was, that if people cannot read it, why keep what you have?
Ya know what? Never mind. I have already stated my opinion in this thread more than I have in the last three or four years on here. I think I will back away now before I either say something stupid that I will later regret, or really hurt someone's feelings. This is YOUR site now. You have to do what you think is best, though I will through out one more thing... You said, you wanted to do what was in the best interest of the site. My suggestion on that is to take a poll and REALLY see who does and does not like the design. But again.. this is not a democracy, YOU own BBU now so it is understandable if that is not something you want to do.
However, this isn't about design totally. I too will not be using the new features, for several reasons, one of which is nthe fact that I am the mother of five boys and I just don't have time to sit around exploring. Another is, as I stated before, I disagree with some of them. And as someone else stated, no one mentioned leaving. Well.. I will mention it. If it does get cliquish again, I will be gone. Not that.. ya know.. I will be all that missed but still. A lot of people got hurt during that, several of my friends and myself included.
Janice, this is your baby, you do what you think is best. But .. just try to keep in mind.. that the opinions of those who make this place great, the members, who only want what is best for BBU as well, really do mean alot and should be taken into account and considered. Like I said.. perhaps a poll now and then.

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

Shona, I would miss you if you left. I have missed you while you were on hiatus. Never doubt that you are loved and valued here! Lots of us adore you!

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

I hope I can speak freely here, and I hope I have the time to speak freely--it's Saturday and we are trying to get out the door. This change has been a big adjustment for all of us. I won't try to speak for everyone here when I say this, but I am sure it is true for other women on these boards--as sad or pathetic as t his sounds, BU has many times, more than I can count, been my only outlet. At one time or another, pretty much every regular member on these boards has offered me advice, enouragement, a reality check, support, or whatever I needed at that moment. And believe me, there have been MANY moments where I needed something. I feel a kinship with every woman on these boards, and I feel like I know them IRL even though I have only met a couple of them. Because of this kinship, because we share this site, this community, we feel like sisters, and it was hard on all of us to see Dawn leave. She was the one who started it all, and she was like our big sister, often setting us straight and always supporting us. Having Dawn leave BU was like having her leave US, and that was a big deal for many (I would say most) of us. It's not that you have not been nice, open, hardworking, friendly, and all of the other things that Abby (teacherinct) said so well, because you have been, and I, too, appreciate all of that. It's just that you came into a very tight knit community and stepped into some huge shoes. I don't believe you are trying to replace Dawn in any other sense than you are now the owner, but because so many of us (most of us) are emotionally connected to this sight, it's hard not to feel like you are replacing Dawn in every sense of the word. It's hard trying to get used to the change in ownership and the new administrators, but now the look and features of the site are changing, and it's all a lot to take in and get used to. It's hard to deal with so much change when we are so used to the way it has been and have been happy with the way it was. I agree that no one comes here because of the way the site looks (the skin or colors or whatever it's called), but it's hard to feel like this is the same site when there have been these big changes. That's the best way I can put it right now given that I have two kids running around and a husband who is ready to go NOW!
Also, I have to agree, the skin is an Easter theme. I do like the colors, but I can see why people say it's babyish. I can see all sides here.

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

I typed out a whole big thing and then my computer pooped out on me. The jist of it is redesigning an existing structure and getting it to work smoothly on all the possible computers out there is an awful lot of work.

Our site was dying folks. I know no one wants to hear this, but it's true. When old members left, new members were not taking their place. We are a tight knit community of women who have known each other for a long time and that can be intimidating to anyone new who might join.

Let me put a more personal spin on this. The community I live in is very old and very tight knit. These people have known each others' families for generations. I am relatively new in town. Every week I go to this practice and that and almost no one talks to me. When I do try to start conversations with people, they go on politely for a little bit, then someone will turn to their friend and say "well, anyway, as I was saying..." I understand and I don't let it hurt my feelings, but in a way it does. Do we want to become like that? Not exactly stuck up, but closed?

Janice has done her market research. She knows what she is doing. She is doing what needs to be done to get new members and keep this site we all love alive for us. To do that, things must be updated including the appearance and special features. These special features are what younger women want. Maybe it is more like MySpace, but MySpace is very successful...

If we want to keep our site alive, we have to evolve. Janice is the instrument of evolution here. Evolution is not always easy, but it is necessary to keep our site profitable for the corporation and therefore, so to speak, alive.

I think the redesign is more friendly and less intimidating to newcomers and yet still functional for long time members. The important thing is to continue having each other and welcome new friends so our site can be there for us as long as possible. No matter what the site looks like or what the new features are.

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

oka since i have been a member here for about 6 years.. and ive come and gooo but can i ask everyone a question... Where is Dawn?? what happened??

as for the new site. i think its cute. But thats just me im a girly girl and love this kind of kiddie stuff. it will take some time to get use too and explore. if it does bother sum ppl with their eyes or personal reasons i think that theyre should be an option about changing the themes. I love BabyU because after being here for 6 yrs or soooo i always felt like you guys were a Second Family. Like Krista said.. There is myspace.. but BabYU u can talk to your girlfriends about anything without feeling embrassed.

I was just curious on what happened to Dawn?? But Janice i think youve done a good job on this site. im sure ill grow on it.

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

Dawn sold the site to Escal--something media and Janice is now the head honcho....

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

I had no clue this big discussion was going on ... I for one, am glad that everyone is getting a chance to say what they need to. A lot of people took it very personally when Dawn sold the boards ... I was one of them ... her side kick and friend for 7 years. I don't blame her at all, I know she needed the change but it was a hard blow.
Now watching the site take on this drastic change so soon is hard as well. I'll get used to it though. 8 years ago when I popped on here for the first time, I had to learn the site and I'll do it again.
I want to comment on so many things that have been said in this thread but it would take me all day. Liz was right on when she said that what made us special was how tight knit we are here ... we truly are family on these boards but Lenora was also right when she said our site was dying. Things are getting better. I KNOW you all can see the difference over these past 2 months. Things have picked up ... the coffe clique (love ya guys!) is bickering again, Lenora is back keeping us up to date on her crazy neighbors, and Tara is here sharing yet ANOTHER pregnancy with us. WE, the members of BabyU haven't changed and a different color on our site isn't going to make us different people.

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

And WHO would THAT be referring to? LOL

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

is Dawn still posting around here?? i have her on myspace friend list.. i guess i should just ask her, lol. eileen i agree wtih everything youve said. we will all grow and adapt to it. Changes are good and its the ppl that are here that makes BU what it is. I left MIA for awhile came back and im happy to hear from everyone/ now i cant leave anymore before something happens again and im out of the loop

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

I updated on my crazy neighbors just for you, Elaine.

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

OK, another question - is there any way to tell the software that I do NOT want to see ads that cause my computer to make noise, i.e. a female voice telling me I've won an Apple iPhone, etc? I don't care about ads, per se - I view them as a necessary evil - but going to a page and having my computer randomly make noise is not something I'm willing to cope with.

Edit: Oh, and how do those pop-ups work? I'm getting ads for "Sexy Webcam Girls" now...

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

I mis-spoke - they are not truly pop-up ads - it's the embedded ads I'm getting that talk (which is not cool in the middle of the night).

I haven't gotten the "Sexy Webcam Girls" ad today, but if I get it (or something like it) again, I'll be sure and record all the info for you, and post it as requested.

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

Well! Seems like there are some definite opinions about the changes. Personally, I have been keeping my opinions to myself trying to see how I like things before making any blanket statements.

The only thing I really dislike so far is the skin. It literally hurts my eyes and pink is my least favorite color. It looks more like a children's site than a parenting site. Or maybe I should say it looks it was designed for children instead of adults. Not all women are girly girls and like pastels. I hate pastels. But that's just my opinion. As far as the Easter thing..... hate to say it, but that was my first thought, as well.

I am willing to give the changes a try before I make a judgement about them.

I did want to ask where the "New Thread" button went. When I am in a forum and want to make more than one post to that forum, I have to go all the way out to make additional posts. Is there another way to do that? All I see is a "New Reply" button.

Re: BabyU Site Redesign and Software Upgrade

First things fist, Janice, thank you for all your hard work in revamping the "school', without you BBU would have died when Dawn had to leave.

I'm afraid I am yet another 'old timer' who doesn't like the new skin and for most of the same reasons others have given, too 'cutesy', too pastel, too 'pink' (pink is my mothers favourite colour and she always tried to make me wear it, I have hated pink since I was a little girl and to this day I do not own anything pink) but mostly because it simply hurts my eyes. I have read two pages of this thread and I now have the headache from hades.

I have turned into a 'ghost' around here, you may not see me but I do stop in and read most of the posts, but as I am back at work, by the time I get home, have dinner, talk to the other people who live here (altho they are a little crazy, they seem to think I'm either their mother or their wife depending on which one you talk to ) there is never anyone on line and it is much more fun to post when there is a chance of getting a reply sooner than 24 hours.

Did you know I can type a post without actually looking at the screen, (yes folks I am "that damn good" )

I will just have to learn to read posts in very small doses that is all, because with the new colours I'm starting to feel like I'm married to you all, and yes that does mean "not tonight love, I have a headache"