You might have noticed some changes at Queerty, some big and some small.
As announced, we’ve moved to a registered commenter system this week: It’s a way to foster a positive sense of community, while allowing Queerty readers to engage more directly in the site. You’ll be able to enter contests, create profiles and see your opinions shared with more than a million Queerty readers.
We’ve also tweaked the site’s look, as part of an ongoing design change. Nothing drastic: you might notice the fonts are easier to read, and the home page looks a little less “orange.” We’ll be making more changes in the months to come, adding new features and design elements.
What do you think of the Queerty evolution? Let us know in the comments or drop us a line at [email protected].
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Bill
The changes are looking great. I’ve been following the blog for a number of years now, and it’s better than ever.
Jabaroo
Agreed. The site looks a lot better, very slick. I’m also happy about only allowing registered users to comment, I think that’s a good idea.
QJ201
Does this include requiring that posts be proofread by a second person, like an editor, before publishing?
I won’t push fact checking, I know there are limits.
Neo
@QJ201: I would imagine reserves are in place for accounts to be placed into moderation. It is the same system employed all over tech sites and such.
Requiring joining the site puts up a barrier to trolling, however not much of one, might want to look at reactive member vetting and a grace period for all posts to go into moderation before allowing unmoderated posting.
the other Greg
No need for moderation. I bet this simple step will get rid of 95% of the gay Republican wackos and/or hysterical Church Lady prudes, who will now be too scared even to register.
“and the home page looks a little less ‘orange.’”
Yeah, did Home Depot threaten to sue or something?
schlukitz
@Neo:
Yes. Because censorship worked so well in Hitler’s Germany.
Aquarellle
I’d like to think that as far as adopting a new comments system is concerned, I played a small but significant role :-p
hyhybt
The site looks fine. I’m just glad the RSS is still working.
(Though I do wish someone, *anyone* at any site, would answer this question: why do “remember me” checkboxes expire? I’ve been to sites where, despite checking such a box, I’ve had to log in more than once a day; Queerty, unless something has changed, lasts about two weeks… and yet there are a couple I haven’t signed into for years that still recognize me.)
hyhybt
There still, though, ought to be a way to subscribe to a page without commenting. Surely it’s reasonable not to have anything to say right at the moment, but to want to be in on any conversation that develops…
Lefty
I really like the new look and feel.
Not so sure about the members only comment thing – it’ll probably result in far less visitors to the site and the
all out bitch/troll festsdebates will probably become slightly tedious and repetitive (between the same few people).I liked the openness of old Queerty, even if it did give space for some real weirdos/trolls – and think it was probably a strength.
It looks wonderful today, though; I like every design update…
EdWoody
@QJ201: @Neo:
Neo, I believe QJ201 is referring to copy-editing the actual posts, not the comments. Considering I recognize a couple of the post-writers’ names from here from long before they joined Queerty, they really should be professional and experienced enough to know they need to copy-edit and not let three spelling/punctuation/grammar errors get through in a single paragraph. If I made the kind of constant, basic and obvious mistakes Queerty makes in my own writing job, I’d be fired on the spot, and rightly so.
Please, Queerty writers, if you have any self-respect at all, at least read through your own articles once before hitting “post.” I know it can be difficult to spot the mistakes you’ve made yourself, and assuming most of you are tele-commuting it would be difficult to get a colleague to read them for you. But for God’s sake, at least try.
EdWoody
Anyway, I agree that the new look is smooth and sleek, and I like it.
However, I’m not so confident that the registering system will keep away trolls and haters. Aside from the fact that it sometimes seemed like there was no-one else but trolls and haters on this site, if there’s one thing they will figure out how to do, no matter the obstacles, it’s bitch on the internet.
Aquarellle
@EdWoody: Oh Ed, I don’t see this as an obstacle, I see this as a challenge.
hyhybt
@Lefty: Registration is easy enough; it shouldn’t block anyone who wants to comment from doing so, even if they only ever visit one article.
It just means that people who want to argue with themselves have to go to the extra trouble of creating multiple email accounts and either log out and in between posts or use two computers, and makes banning people possible. (Not totally effective, but at least possible.)
It also stops people from posting as another user. Before, there was nothing stopping anyone from calling themselves “Lefty,” or “hyhybt” for that matter, and the fairly recent “different person” notice only cared who used the name first *in that thread.*
RomanHans
Great news! Thanks guys. I look forward to seeing discussions instead of arguments.
Dumdum
I am an older Gay man in my day a Troll was a creepy repulsive person. Does it mean something else now?
Aquarellle
@Dumdum: Yes, Dumdum, it’s what people on Queerty call those with unpopular opinions.
Larkin
Way to look generic and forgettable!
hyhybt
@Dumdum: People online who say what they do just to stir up trouble. Yes, they’re repulsive.
Jason Sweeten
This isn’t fueling any discussion, but I just wanted to say this: <3
Neo
@Dumdum: No, it means exactly the same thing it always has. Literally, merely people out to garner a reaction with purposely inflammatory statements.
Freddie27
It’s looking much better. But we ain’t gonna be satisfied until you begin proof-reading your articles and stop making us click through all the photos.
dvlaries
I’m not sure I understand why there’s a useless white area on bottom now while scrolling. No doubt that’s in reserve for more ad clutter….?
Fitz
I don’t know if it’s possible, but I would love to be able to edit my own comments, as I am really an AWFUL typist and even worse speller.
Rockery
if using desktop what is with the white band at the bottom or is that just me, I don’t like that
hassia
I suggested this a while ago. Great now the nut jobs will find it more difficult.
mudgeboy711
I’ve enjoyed reading Queerty for a long time. The improvements will be great. It’s tiresome to have to skip over the lady prudes and the wacko, self-hating gay republican types. So maybe some moderation will help.
mudgeboy711
but isn’t it unnecessary, with the new changes, to put “member” next to the name? Since now we will all be members.
pierre
I am having the same trouble with the bottom third of my screen being whited-out. It seems to only happen on the desktop, not on a laptop. They do not seem to know what it is we are experiencing……
hyhybt
Doesn’t happen to me (Safari 6.0, OS X 10.8)
The bottom of the screen shows whatever ought to be there, including, if I scroll down further than there’s ever any reason to do, that big gray block of links.
Raziel Kainne
@QJ201: not to be nitpicky but i’m with @qj201 on the concern over misspelling. i’ve even written a message to the writing staff which garnered me a friendly, polite reply siting the shortage of staff members and time. still, it is a glaring problem and hopefully with the proposed hiring of more staff, this particular problem will be addressed. still- go, queerty..!
Billysees
So far, so good.
Lefty
@hyhybt: “It also stops people from posting as another user. Before, there was nothing stopping anyone from calling themselves “Lefty,” or “hyhybt” for that matter, and the fairly recent “different person” notice only cared who used the name first *in that thread.”
Good point. That hadn’t occurred to me – I saw that happen so many times in the long debates on here too.
That’s definitely going to be an improvement.
Lefty
@Freddie27: “…and stop making us click through all the photos.”
I really hope that’s going to be addressed – I saw so many complaints about that and it is incredibly annoying.
hyhybt
@schlukitz: Yes, because censorship by the government to suppress views it disapproves of is totally the same thing as censorship by a private business to keep conversations civil.
KARUADAM
Ho yes!! now we will have a censorship here. Good bye to you guys and shove it up your ass AdamHomo.