Queerty was totally just hopping on the Facebook bandwagon when we launched our redesign yesterday. Like Mark Zuckerberg’s programmers, our intent wasn’t to improve, but to piss everyone off! And like Fred Phelps, Bill O’Reilly, and Ann Coulter, you hate it! (Well, a vocal bunch of you do. Some of you love it.) But like the scallywags joining “Bring Back Old Facebook” groups, there’s a reason all these complaints come pouring in: Everyone hates change. Especially change in the form of a redesign.
“Though Facebook will probably tweak its new layout over the next few weeks—sites always tweak new designs—the giant social network is unlikely to revert to its former self,” opines Slate‘s excellent tech columnst Farhad Manjoo. “That’s because it’s banking on a tried-and-true axiom of the Web: People always hate when their favorite site is suddenly completely different. A lot of them threaten to quit. They’re bluffing.”
Indeed, Queerty‘s readers are bluffing too. Your comments and emails say you’re leaving the site forever! Which would be a shame, if it were true.
But it’s not.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Yesterday — the day of our redesign — we recorded an increase in regular visitors (and an increase in new visitors). Today, we’re on track for the same. So either your brother is logging on to Queerty from your computer pretending to be you, or we’ve found a whole new crop of readers already replacing the ones who “quit” us. The trend was true the last time we unveiled a an upgrade to the homepage: More people started coming to Queerty, which is, ya know, sort of our goal in life.
“In a poll on the site,” reports Manjoo, “more than 1 million members—94 percent of respondents—say they can’t stand the design.” And if we polled our readers, I imagine we’d have similar results. But here’s an important distinguishing factor: “Still, I’m not very confident that my feelings are genuine. When a site as popular as Facebook makes a change as big as this, it’s hard to know whether your immediate negative response really does reflect substantive concerns. As we flit about the Web every day, we get used to our favorite sites being laid out in a certain way. We develop habits for interacting with them, ways of moving the mouse or the keyboard that become so familiar they’re etched in our muscle memory. Redesigns discombobulate us. But eventually we adjust. Over the next few weeks, you’ll probably grow increasingly comfortable with the new Facebook.”
And we imagine the same will be true of Queerty‘s affable readership. If not, there’s still Classic Queerty. Not even Facebook seems to be offering that anymore.
Austin
Yes, redesigns are discombobulating, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it, as will a lot of people, but one of the main reasons I don’t like it is because it no longer has a natural chronology to it. Before, I knew that the stories at the top of the list were new (meaning unread by me), and I just had to scroll down until I hit a familiar article to know that I saw all the new content since I last logged in. Now, there is no innate direction for the reader to follow. Left to right? Top to bottom? Row by row? Couple this aimlessness with the lack of a date stamp on any of the entries, and the layout just becomes too busy without purpose.
Also, like many comments have already stated, it would be nice to get a sort of digest summary of the story on the dashboard page because Queerty is not a newspaper (and that’s not a criticism), and the “headlines” are not always a good indicator of the story itself.
RichardR
Yesterday’s difficulty, aside from the change of the redisign itself, was that Queerty’s page downloads were slow — navigating the site was frustrating. Seems better today. Plus, I had to figure out the chronology of new stories, that is, newest ones appear top row left.
Change is the constant.
Michael
I logged on repeatedly yesterday hoping the new (now more confusing) format would go away! I hate how you assume that all of your readers are just fickle and incapable of understanding what they really like. I am all for change, when it increases readibility and allows for better navigation. The changes made yesterday do not achieve any of these goals. I have been using the classic version since I discovered it still existed. I can no longer log onto the site once a day and scroll down to make sure I have at least read the headlines of all the new stuff because you “brilliant” new design has divded everything up amongst the page. Now divisions might be all right if they were visually clear – unfortunately this is not the case at all.
Also, the comment “it’s hard to know whether your immediate negative response really does reflect substantive concerns” is insulting more than enlightening. I sort of view you guys as a-holes after reading your latest post. Does that mean I will stop coming, no. I am not a drama queen. Does it mean I wish some of your writers would go away. Yes. Especially those so full of themselves as to think they know better than the overwhelming majority of their readers.
Jason
So I looked at the new version again to try and be ok with it. I just can’t. It is also significantly clunkier/uglier. With poorly centered fonts galore and an overwhelming amount of oddly colored words that attempt to create organization but really just confuse.
uwyoalum
I will not leave the site, but I will continue reverting to the old view. I like having a short synopsis or lede to let me know if I want to read a post or not.
Also, with the new layout I have trouble figuring out what is new and whether I have already read something.
Mr. Enemabag Jones
“Indeed, Queerty’s readers are bluffing too. Your comments and emails say you’re leaving the site forever! Which would be a shame, if it were true. But it’s not. Yesterday — the day of our redesign — we recorded an increase in regular visitors (and an increase in new visitors). Today, we’re on track for the same.”
David, Winston Churchill said:
“In war, resolution; in defeat, defiance; in victory, magnanimity”.
In other words, David, you won; don’t be a dick about it. I personally prefer Queerty Classic.
Ted
If you’re just looking at the numbers, compare your hits on the old site URL and the main page. I but today the old site is getting a whole lot more hits!
Erick
Wait so this is the Deal With It! article? Nice.
Change is fine, when it works. This one doesnt, not yet anyway, it needs tweaking. But how nice to be told to quit the bitching because we will all be back anyway.
David Hauslaib
@Ted: We checked. You’re wrong. Thanks for reading!
asabranca.net
I DO agree that people hate change online, but if that’s your answer to our complaints, then it doesn’t matter WHAT you design, you’ll be able to just say “people hate change” and end it at that. I think you’re ignoring the detailed responses people gave as to why this new site design isn’t any good. The people who took time to give detailed comments on the new site layout are your regular readers— the ones who bring in the ad dollars that keep this site running–and this response is an insult to the people who really care about this site.
Personally, I thought the original Queerty design could have used a facelift, but more along the lines of graphics. The typical blog organization that was used before worked well, as it works well for the thousands of other sites that use that same format. The new format is a visual mess. It might be fine for new readers who just stop by and click on whatever grabs their interest first, but for those of us who read Queerty daily, it makes the reading much more difficult.
Basically, just because you did something new doesn’t mean that it’s good, and just because people don’t like it doesn’t mean that they hate change. And insulting your readers is going to lose the readers who ARE willing to remain through this serious bout of ugly.
Bob
Sorry, don’t believe the claims that your readership is up due to this new design. It’s a mess.
dfrw
Regardless of the reason, I like the old layout better and so I have adjusted my shortkey to point to the first page of the old style! 😉 The new style is tabloid-esque and while I realize that all the papers and web sites are going this way, I still don’t like it and often, I end up forgoing reading the site. 365gay.com did the same thing and I don’t read it very often anymore. pinknews.co.uk is still linear! 😉 Good luck.
Ed
My complaint is like Austin’s – I can’t tell what’s new since I last looked. I actually like to make sure I catch it all, and now I have to dig for the new stuff. There’s no nav bar that lets you see chronology. So that’s why I’m now using a reader to pull the content, and in the process, I’m skipping all your advertisers. And I’m sure I’m not alone in that.
Jason
You are a prick. Account for the fact that many may go to the old site and then the new one. Also account for the fact that the new site has the simpler/original address – so many may hope to get the old site and in fact get this new crap. Consequentially the fact that people are “going to the new site” (maybe on accident) does not mean they like it. I don’t agree with Ted’s assumption, but the fact that you so blatantly take sheer numbers as a measure of satisfaction is ignorant. The fact that you also feel the need to rub your poorly measured “facts” in people’s faces is shameful. I never realized the founder of this site was suck a douche. Sad.
David Hauslaib
@uwyoalum: New posts are added to the rows on the homepage in chronological order — now they go sideways instead of up and down. You can tell when something is new because it’s added to the top left slot, and scrolls further down the list as new content is added.
Scudder
Classic version works better on iphone…for me.
I love GOOD design, but just changing something doesn’t make it better.
Jeff
Just do us all a favor and keep the OLD DESIGN Option up.
I find the new page confusing as hell myself. one of the reasons I likes the old page was because I could follow the stories posted in chronological order which is almost impossible now on the new busy page.
Just keep the old page option and everyone will be fine.
But I do have to say one other thing though. Just do “blow off” peoples complaints that they don;t like the new page because of “change” to justify it. Thats pretty rude and obnoxious. That attitude MIGHT be warranted if you had at least 25 – 40 percent of the people who have chimed in that LIKE the new setup. But you don’t. At least 90+ percent of the posts have been negative and all with the same complaints. So please don;t insult us or our intellegence by trying to cover up the redesign flaws as a “change” issue.
Just keep the “Classic” Queerty option and we’ll all be fine.
Jeff
@David Hauslaib:
Yes we see that for recent posts but thats lost after 25 Posts.
Just keep the classic for us. Thats all we ask
TikiHead
I like the new format, because I can see more subjects at a glance — it like a big box of candy! I still think the type under each subject is a bit ‘horsey’ (big) and too tightly squeezed against the picture.
My biggest beef with the Facebook redesign was technical — it was not publishing things I wrote… They seem to have that fixed.
Norman
There are two primary functions for design: usability and aesthetics. The redesign here just doesn’t seem too concerned with either, and that’s a problem for me. The type is clunky (especially on the headings above the pics) and the sheer amount of content that is compressed into the primary page is visually overwhelming — and not particularly intuitive on an organizational level.
It seems to me that a content-driven website like Queerty would logistically thrive with either a blog format (like the old design) or a magazine format (like, say, http://www.theatlantic.com). But the new design seems to be an attempt at a combination of sorts that holds the strengths of neither. At best, it certainly does not give me any indication that content-is-king at Queerty, and that is the real shame.
I’ll continue to read via RSS.
Andy P.
@Austin: Yes, thank you! I couldn’t put my finger on what was making me go buggy. It’s the chronology issue.
I, too, appreciate the Classic Queerty being made available.
jake
I stated yesterday that the change was disorienting at first, but it was much much easier to absorb a broad range of information quickly and make a decision in which direction I want to go. And I really love the little bit of new data – page views. Good work – you’re headed in the right direction for the way people use the internet to get news and information through blogs.
Dawster
i agree with jeff – there is no reason why the classic design and the new design can’t be options for your readers – especially if your readers want two very different things.
i don’t like the new design because i like to read. i want headlines and synopsis, and i will decide if i want to continue or not.
what i get now is a page full of pretty pictures. and i have to decide which pretty picture i want to READ. i don’t want pretty pictures, i want INFORMATION. and i want it fast because i’m a fast-paced homosexual male on-the-go (or something) and occasionally i like to read headlines from my phone.
plus, you’ve not proved that you can keep up the format. earlier today the first two rows were duplicated. next the first row was repeated half-way down the page. and you can’t have a Will and Grace WHERE ARE THEY NOW and place it RIGHT NEXT to “Megan Mullally Explains That ‘Bisexual’ Thing”. All we have to do is look at two pretty pictures, two contradictory headlines… and BAM, that’s two posts taken care of! no reading required.
at this point you surpassed insulting our intelligence and moved to placing it in a blender with carrots and pureed it to the point of baby food. there is nothing wrong with getting reader’s feedback BEFORE you make such an awkward change.
how many readers does Joe.My.God and Toweload have… and how many times have they changed their format?
thisismikesother
Yes, change sucks. No, we’re not going to go running away in droves. But correlation does not imply causation, and I highly doubt the uptick in traffic is due to the redesign (or at least due to any positive buzz–methinks it’s more likely the publicity of everyone freaking out.)
I get that you want to differentiate yourself from other sites and previous editors, as you should. This is your gig now, so live it up.
That being said, the redesign truly in clunky, and I’m not listing these to complain, I’m listing them ebcause they really need to be taken care of. There’s random whitespace (if you’re going to use an image with a white background, but a border to separate it form the background of the site itself), random images have a black and gray headline thing (consistence is your friend) while some don’t, and in the end of everything, the content of the site is driven around the writing (not the pictures that go with the articles) and there’s not a smidge of that on the homepage (brief synopses or tagline or even the first sentence–something to judge the content).
I just wish there was some sort of dialogue, and you guys tried to take in some of our suggestions, and we could tell. Editorially, I really do love Queerty–you’re the first blog I read in the morning. But design-wise, the site is a disaster. After all, if we care enough to comment, we care enough to read. Until then, I’m still going to use Google Reader to navigate the site’s content which means I’m not viewing your ads and I’m not clicking on them, and you’re pulling in less money.
Buddy
@David Hauslaib: Wow. Way to be a dick about it all. I’m not an immediate fan of the change, but I appreciate how it gets more stories out there on the first load considering how long it can take for the old Queerty to move from page one to page two.
But, you know, whipping it out and pissing in everyone’s face because they don’t like the design? Not cool. Seriously not cool.
victor
and to compare this site to facebook? as if.
Jamie
Wow. Way to foster the stereotype of the bitchy queen with this post.
jim
Who designed the site? I am looking for a developer but they all seem to be flaky. I need a developer soon!
swine
Change is usually a good thing. But this makes it harder & more incovenient to read. In this case change was not good. Bad choice here!
Michael vdB
I don’t have a problem with Facebook to tell you the truth. Other then the annoyance of having to figure out where the hell everything moved to, I have put up with it…for now. Much like Myspace, ICQ, and others before it, there will always be some new fad to gain from the current ones. Internet users are fickle and always will be.I have only been with Queerty for about half a year and think this is the 2nd change I have experienced. Whether people like it or dislike it is all a matter of opinion…and obviously Queerty chooses to mock the people with an opinion.
That being said, although it is not perfect, I prefer the old format at this point. The new format does need some tweeks…and oddly enough, unlike Queerty, Facebook has a forum to take its customers ideas and comments seriously.
Another thing David, please don’t piss on your readers. Take the criticism like a responsible blog.
BRK
This post was tactless. Thanks for not listening to or addressing our concerns.
Tim
Fuck you, Queerty. Just fuck you.
andy
This Sucks. You really screwed up a good thing. I had to rebook mark the Classic Version, but when I want to go back to the home page and I push the QUEERTY link up top, I end up at that mess of a site you created. I stopped reading 365gay too after that sight became to much to bother with and that what you are doing here. I don’t have all day to navigate your puzzle of a site. I’m in and I’m out all day so this new set up is driving me crazy. Can we find a new editor?
Mattbydesign
I enjoy the new design a very much, it allows me to browse stories without the constant scrolling and waiting for page 2 to load of the old design. But as a graphic and (somewhat of a) web designer I see some design missteps that should be addressed for a more complete experience. For example, The mixing of headlines both with and without pictures can be confusing. I have more than once today sat wondering if the picture hasn’t loaded yet or there just isn’t one. Perhaps a side bar for stories sans images?
I know the site is reliant on advertising for it’s revenue, but the top banner ad is distracting simply because of it’s relation to the logo and the log in form. everything in the header is squished together. A little top and bottom padding to give some space between the ad and the logo will not only highlight the ad but also give the logo its due as the blog’s symbol of identity. Possibly moving the log in form to the right will help even more.
A more coherent style sheet would also do wonders. There is a mishmash of styles and design choices going on that don’t match. Random instances of serif and san-serif fonts. Color choices that do not service the tried and true orange/burnt siena motif. Multiple, but unconnected, navigation methods.
As I said. I enjoy the new layout because it allows for easy viewing of the new stories, but at the same times there are some flaws. If they are fixed I am sure that the new design would win over even the most hardened Luddite.
petted
Oh lordy lou as some probably dead and puritanical segment of the population said – I get there are people who feel passionate about this but really your going to spend your time making complaints? Given that Queerty is set on set on a layout redesign why don’t those of you who dislike this one send up mock ups of ones you think are better which are not screen shots of the old site that way you could be doing something constructive.
Jason
@petted: How were your comments constructive? Your complaining about those that are complaining…
Austin
I’m sticking to my original mindset of accepting that change happens, sometimes for the better, sometimes not. I’m sure that this whole issue will blow over in a week (if even that long), and we will all come to accept it, or at least accept that there is this new design floating out there that we despise. While it is certainly the prerogative of Queerty’s editors to do as they see fit, I must agree with a lot of comments above that David’s portrayed attitude about this whole thing is less than friendly, and certainly not reader-centric, as a blog of this nature should be.
While a collegial relationship between writer and reader might be taking it too far, I would expect that an audience-foused writer would take criticisms (as well as compliments) to heart. David’s comments seem to treat all readers who disagree with the new layout (and tangentially, him) as competitors whom he sees the need to beat. David, that is not the case (at least not in mine). I like this blog. I’ve always liked reading it in the morning (and throughout the day), and selfishly, I just want to make it easier for me to do so. That’s all.
Avenn
I’m a professional graphic designer. The new design sucks really really bad for a multitude of reasons. People always resist changes, but this case has nothing to do with that phenomenom. It’s just that the new design actually is unbearable. I’m continuing to use the old layout. Thanks for that.
But how tactless is it for Queerty to take this bad reception as a personal insult and start blaming the readers? Very.
Kieren
Please. People don’t hate your redesign because they hate change … it’s because they hate the design. The fact that you had to create a blog post to justify your own actions doesn’t mean any of the changes make sense.
And for the record, how does a redesign suddenly increase viewers? For that to happen people need to be notified of the change, which would mean PR has more to do with the numbers than a redesign.
Mattbydesign
@Avenn:
I would think being a professional designer, like me, you would see the value of constructive criticism. flaming someone who may not be as skilled as you or I for a poor design choice is stupid. How about putting your experience to use and offer actual suggestions or fixes so that they can make the changes necessary to a more pleasant experience.
red phone
What a douche. I’m glad I don’t know this guy in real life.
Brianna
@Mattbydesign:
“How about putting your experience to use and offer actual suggestions or fixes so that they can make the changes necessary to a more pleasant experience.”
Um, this post shows that they’re not interested in anyone’s constructive criticism. There was plenty of that in the other thread, and instead of getting their suggestions acknowledged, they got mocked.
bb
i fully recognize that i mostly just fear change. my problem with the new queerty is that it’s harder to use, and it’s only blog i read that updates as often i check, so i want to make sure i’m not missing anything. that’s why i don’t like it: out of love not hate.
myrios123
Okay okay, you got me. I will keep reading, but it’s not because I like the new layout… and the tone of this article was kind of harsh, what’s up with that? If I wanted ‘tude, I would have stayed with my last boyfriend.
Pragmatist
Ugh. I have no problem with site redesigns. There’s a long list of sites I’d love to see redesigned, including this one.
My complaint with Queerty’s redesigns has never been, “Oh! I just don’t know where the knife drawer is in this new house!” Rather, my complaint is that the redesigns are (a) ugly, (b) tacky, (c) jarring, and (d) internally inconsistent in their UI.
I actually stared at the screen with my mouth agape when I saw the most recent redesign. It took Queerty from an already difficult-to-look-at format and transformed it into something akin to a tweenager’s MySpace page. Just clutter and garbage everywhere (and don’t get me started on how slowly it loads on a mobile device — I can guarantee you’ve lost mobile readers, because the experience is just too painful, even with wifi. The mobile browsers just can’t render the pages fast enough.)
It’s not just Queerty, though. A lot of web sites are becoming more gimmicky and more complex in their design, and less usable as a result. I, for one, can’t wait until we return to an aesthetic of minimalism. Perhaps as mobile computing really takes off, that will happen?
Geoff
I’m like everyone else…I hate change…but the layout is confusing to the eye….okay MY eye! However I love this site so I try to navigate through your ‘improvement’….and I’m not ann coulter.
Thor
hope you are also enjoying the increased amount of page impressions. Money in the bank… or in the bar.
ChicagoJimmy
Oh, I see, it can’t possibly be a bad design, we just like to complain. There can’t be any other explanation for a brief uptick in hits. People like to slow down to watch car wrecks too.
Geoff
Could the uptick in hits be because people keep trying to figure it out and it’s simply the navigation?
Mattbydesign
@Brianna:
I’d like to think that if people would have been nice about it in the first place instead of saying “fuck you, this sucks, change it back” then perhaps the owners would be more open to suggestions. even the “helpful suggestions” were laden with recriminations.
Are there some design missteps? Yes. Can they be fixed? Yes.
Overall, the new layout is more conducive to checking for new content at a glance since more can be fit on the screen without scrolling. It needs some tweaks, but it is a step in the right direction.
ChicagoJimmy
Also, you need to fix the Classic version. I can’t seem to get to page 2. If you can’t figure this out or get over the group think that this new design is better I’ll have to spend my time elsewhere. I know, you believe this to be an empty threat and I know if I stop coming here the page will certainly not close, but there you go.
Jeff
The uptick in hits is because everyone is going to the NEW Page and then clicking on the LINK for the CLASSIC page.
Viola! Double hit!
Sampson
It’s seems a shame that the author of the post prefers to snark at his own readers. Change can be difficult but it can also be fantastic when done well.
My impression of the redesign is that it is cluttered and difficult to follow. I am not trying to denigrate or belittle either the designer or Queerty; it is a sincere opinion and it doesn’t require sarcasm from Mr Hauslaib.
You will probably find that you do have an increased in readers in the short term. I will certainly continue to read this blog. I don’t like the redesign and preferred the old format, but I will perservere with the new one.
Mr Hauslaib, I’m sure you are a delightful, witty man in real life. Please don’t let yourself down while online.
Buddy
I imagine there’s a fair uptick in overall traffic because with only the barest of headlines highlighting each story on the main page, you have to click through to discover its something in which you have no interest whatsoever.
Seth Partner
The snarky post and snide replies above were the last straw for me. I have been coming to queerty daily, sometimes several times a day, for years but have to say that this is it. I just removed the bookmark and doubt I’ll be coming back. Do be sure to send out an E-mail when and if the decision is made to make this site readable and somewhat friendly again, I’ll consider it.
Stuartsez
You also got multiple page hits because people were clicking from the new front page to the classic. Whatever. I don’t care – it’s obvious you don’t listen to us, and are going to do whatever you want.
TBSJR
HATE IT THIS SUCKS
Eric
Redesigns ARE NOT BAD….IT’S BAD REDESIGNS PEOPLE HATE…Queerty is 0 for 2 in BAD redesigns….when there is actially a good one, people will like it
mmmexperimental
Hate the new design. Hard to navigate and see what’s new. Have to scroll all over to see everything that’s on the page. Its too busy. I go with the old version. You know when abcnews.com changed I really did leave and I only go there maybe once a month if that now and I used to visit that site several times a day. Hated it, never stopped hating it. Ended up going to cnn instead.
I don’t think your design is any good. Its impossible to read properly. I would hate to think I’d leave, but if the old view goes, I don’t think I will be able to continue visiting the site.
You know, sometimes its not about change, its about the fact that a new design just sucks and your new design sucks.
PS. I hate facebook and I left it too!
boricuachick
The increase in traffic is probably due to people logging in a few times to see if the page was a mistake, LOL. I normally like redesigns but this one irritates me. I like to see more text and less pictures, that’s just me. THANK YOU for offering the CLASSIC Queerty to those of us that can’t stomach the redesign. I will be bookmarking it.
Todd
I agree that the uproar of the Facebook redesign is a bit ridiculous, however the new Queerty is a different matter. If ‘classic Queerty’ weren’t available, then I would stop visiting. I don’t like the new design because there’s no story text on the main page. This having to click on the headlines in order to read the story stinks. I like being able to read the first part in order to decide if I want to click through.
Please change it back. The new design is just too clunky.
Dawster
@Kieren: i agree. but i have to add again – i don’t like it because it’s not FUNCTIONAL – not for a person who likes to read, not for being reading over the phone…
and the repetitiveness is confusing.
now there is ONE thing i like. the bottom of the page where everything is in it’s own little group – that’s not bad. then we would know “scroll to the bottom of the page and get the latest _____.” so…… there’s that……
damien
The re-design is OK. It’s certainly faster than the old design, so that’s good.
However, I can’t seem to find the search box. Any help?
Charles J. Mueller
Always with the “New and improved” shit. People never stop. Change, just for the sake of change.
How about “Tried, True and Tested”?
Or, as Rosie the Plumber used to say on TV, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
Brianna
@damien:
It’s on the left as you scroll down to the middle of the page where no one will see it.
Kit
There is nothing wrong with change, as long as it is constructive and–where websites are concerned–actually benefits the user. Nothing in the “new” Queerty, or the immediately preceding interface really benefits the user, because we actually have to spend more time finding the information that, pre-Japhy, we had absolutely no trouble finding. Hey, there’s an idea . . . instead of changing the web interface, how about changing the editorial direction?
scott
Why Everybody Hates HORRIBLE, UGLY, NON-USER FRIENDLY, Redesigns.
That’s what you should have said. It’s truly, really, bad design.
People like great Redesigns.
Charles J. Mueller
The proud Captain stood at the helm waggling his finger in the air and proclaiming that “I was certainly in the right”… as his ship slipped under the waves.
Justin
David,
First off, you should not insult your readers as you just did. Not only are we tweaked about the site redesign, but then you tell us to stop being little bitches. Quit being a douche.
Second,Queerty was great because it gave you a rolling list you clicked to once and could read all of the stories. With the new site, you have to open each story individually – major buzz kill.
Check your hits for Queerty Classic over the next few weeks, I know that I will always be going to Queerty Classic, and only go to the main page by mistake. It’s not because I don’t like change, I really liked the last redesign, but because I find the old site design much easier to interact with.
PS – David, you should take some hints from your co-worker Japhy. He writes nice insightful and balanced articles. He has a good grasp of gay life, pop culture, politics, and queer theory. Your articles, on the other hand always look like they were written by a douchebag fraternity-type. Fewer insensitive comments and a greater appreciation for diversity in the queer community would be great to see in your posts (which I mostly skip these days because they are so offensive).
BrianZ
viva la douche!
alex
@Mattbydesign:
1. It’s obvious the editors don’t want suggestions because we only complain because “everyone hates change”.
2. I’m a web designer. I could offer many suggestions on how to mold the old Queerty with the new. But, guess what? I don’t work for free…especially for someone as nasty as David Hauslaib seems to be.
Erick
@Kit:
Not fair.
Japhy Grant is about the one good thing this site has going for it, since he came the editorial content has had a massive improvement. As one would expect.
Apples and oranges dear. This is about a sloppy redesign, that can be improved, and the fact that one of its editors decided to trow a hissy fit and insult his readers. Apples and oranges.
I know there have been idiotic and nonconstructive comments and that is always bad and uncalled for; but there have been very valid opinions and recommendations, that the editors asked for BTW, that has now all been reduced to bitching about change.
burton21
I think it’s really fucking convenient (and wrong) to just brand all dissenters as “EVERYONE HATES CHANGE sadface.” I’d like to think you, Queerty, has more respect for its readers than that. Maybe I’m wrong.
HYHYBT
OK, I’m trying to get used to the new version so I can fairly form an opinion about it… it helps knowing that they go left-to-right, newest to oldest, though that’s the sort of thing that ought to be made obvious rather than having to be explained in a comment. I do like the idea of categories, especially for posts more than a couple of days old, and so long as there’s still a chronological arrangement too. And it helps that *some* items have dates on them now; I’m pretty sure none did yesterday.
Really, there are only four specific points I still don’t like, and some of them may just be stuff I haven’t found yet.
First is the width. Since the rows continue from the end of one to the beginning of the next, why force the page to be so wide? There aren’t even any ads in the extra space, just article pictures that could just as well go on the next line. Yes, I know I could set my browser window bigger, but it shouldn’t be necessary and I use that screen space for other things.
Second, there doesn’t seem to be any way to see chronologically past the first what was it, 25? So if there’s a particularly busy day here, or there’s a day or two where I’m busy or away from my computer or whatever, I have to go through the categories and figure out what I haven’t yet seen? Come to think of it, that was my main complaint about the *last* redesign, and I do appreciate your returning the “next page” button a couple of days later, but the new version needs something like that too (and if it’s there and I haven’t found it, thanks.)
Third is the lack of samples. They’re helpful even if you start using titles and images that tell exactly what the item’s about, for browsing purposes. Sometimes articles on a topic I’m generally interested in just aren’t, well, interesting, but often you’ll have something about something (or more often, someONE) that I wouldn’t care anything about but seeing the first few lines gets me interested enough to click through and read the rest. With the new format, I’d just skip those entirely most days, and the rest of the time open *everything* just in case.
The fourth is that (and I’m putting this as politely as I can) it still looks horrible. Part of that is the color scheme, though six months ago you were using the same colors and it didn’t look too bad. The pictures are too big and the rows too monotonous, the site logo and category titles too small, etc., and I still can’t see why you’d take what turns out to be (after two days’ looking) a fairly well-thought-out design *functionally* and make it *look* like it has no rhyme or reason at all. It’s entirely possible that I’ll use the new version, but it certainly won’t be for it’s looks: it’s the ugliest non-amateur homepage I’ve seen since about 1996. It still looks more like a loading error than anything else, and though I think I understand it now, it took more effort, and especially more explaining things in the comments(!) than should have been necessary, and if it hadn’t been for the “classic view” link yesterday, I wouldn’t have stuck around to bother.
Actually, the site’s look reminds me of something that will sound totally unrelated. For the beginning of this season, whoever is in charge of such things at “The Price Is Right” decided that, since it hadn’t been updated in about 20 years, they should paint the big wheel purple and lime green. It was painful to look at, but it was the sort of bad that’s all the worse for being *almost* good. You could at once see why they’d thought it would look good, but also why they updated it *again* at the first opportunity and hid those episodes in December. And that second redo looks pretty good. The point is, after having time to think about it, I see this new site as being along the same lines: not really a bad idea, but ugly in practice… and maybe it wouldn’t take changing that much to make it great.
[img]http://homepage.mac.com/feudfan/90326.jpg[/img]
Ben
Change is fine. You’ve gotta keep it fresh and exciting. That’s smart internet business.
However, like others have said, just changing something doesn’t make it automatically better. I think the format switch is just fine, but the execution is poor. You could go a long way by just making some minor changes…Whether you will or not is a different story…
Furthermore, this post, like many others lately, is pretty rude and sensationalistic. Seems like you actually enjoy the reaction it gets; very confusing. Facebook is bigger than Queerty, and of course they’re going to have little groups of opposition that will fade away. But they are respectful about it. Not rude. Again, you could go a long way with some minor changes. Minor, but fundamental….
DEEPTHROAT
I’m an anal retentive Virgo and I like it. I can easily find the two stories that are interesting, get into them, and be gone. (not including all the pretty pictures. I do those first)
Andrew Triska
When I first saw the new layout, I thought my browser was malfunctioning. Queerty’s a blog; it should be laid out like a blog: in chronological order, with the newest stuff at the top. Now it’s just a mess. It’s arranged completely at random.
Jeff
Everyone also please notice that once David Hauslaib got called out for being bitchy and rude after Post 17 he hasn’t commented since.
Paul
You can treat your customers like children scold us for not liking your hard work. But when the clicks stop don’t cry,,,,it’s your fault.
Reading this blog is now just a drag.
Bye
Dan
one of the things i liked about queerty was that it wasn’t so focused on flash and pictures.
I use a 7″ eeepc at uni for most of my internet browsing, the netbook market (with its smaller screens) is only becomign more popular so why are people spamming up nice webpages with clutter of pictures.
i can’t be bothered boycotting the site completly (its still alot easier to use than other websites) but i’m certainly not going to be checkign it asmuch anymore whic to my mind is a shame
ben
I had already noticed this site go way, way down hill slowly since I started reading 2-3 years ago. Up until today I didn’t exactly mind because what I could take from it was still somewhat valuable even if it was only Gay news related to Gay things that affect (white, middle class) Gay men.
Long gone were cultured articles, infectious musical links and engaging joie de vivre of a Queerty featuring Bradford Shellhammer.. But there’s no point in bemoaning that, clearly talented and unique individuals are rare and I imagine monsieur moved on to greater things. I digress, This website remained acceptable until I read these comments today and the petty demeanor of DAVID HAUSLAUB provoked genuine shame in me about this publication I patronize. I have indeed removed Queerty from its longstanding spot in my bookmarks bar.
If you were aiming to cool the heat on your ghastly redesign, Mr. Hauslaub, you have succeeded. It is rapidly becoming the least of your problems.
fatty cupcake
HATE IT…go back, go back to blog design. If you keep this up, I will drop you as a friend.
mpm-n-sfo
Hi, Queerty – I don’t want to be a rude flamer – just want to let you know that I don’t like the redesign.
It seems like you’ve modeled it after Huffington Post – not a bad thing, but what you’ve given us it too sparse to make heads or tales of (i.e. you need a quick read or at least a little more to know what the story is about).
The hierarchy of stories, tags, etc. is negligible, so it’s hard to where to start when you just want a quick gay news hit.
Will there be regular “sections” (photos, news ,business, gay marriage)? i.e. “Strike!” on the gay bowling article – is that a regular feature? If that’s a “brand” for a column, I don’t find it informative. Morning Goods – that makes sense.
I personally would like to see stories grouped by the sections or headings I noted above. With chronological only-postings, especially if I only visit the site every few days, I’ll miss most content
All that said, the bottom of the home page works where there are headings, but there is no “more” button – what if I just want all the news stories?
Thanks for listening – hope this is more constructive than profanity ridden posts.
Turyn
The reason we keep coming back is to see if you guys have kicked that horrible “redesign” out yet. But alas, I come back to find a post intended to invalidate my argument against the redesign by me just not liking “change” and calling me a liar.
Well, Queerty, fuck you. I’ve been members of a multitude of sites over my life and many have gone through redesigns that I love and am grateful for. I loved the new Facebook (not the most recent one, but the second most recent) because it presented everything in an orderly and logical manner. However, your site design isn’t liked simply because it is shit. It would help if it were designed by someone who had more experience in web design than a high school web development class.
I highly encourage you to look into actually hiring someone competent to do the designing. Maybe actually look at their resumes this time. But because of your pompous, ignorant attitude, I won’t be checking Queerty anymore in hopes of a better redesign. Towleroad, Pam’s, and JoeMyGod offer enough gay content for me not to have to put up with Queerty’s bitchiness and horrible treatment of readers.
Bye! [for good this time]
QueerKY
Long-time reader, first-time to comment, last time visiting the site…
Too many gay blogs and websites out there to patronize one that is edited by a douche.
Charles J. Mueller
What a mucking fess!
alex
Since you were quick to invoke the Facebook redesign battle, I thought it would be appropriate to note this:
“Facebook Caves to User Gripes Over Redesign”
By Daniel Ionescu, PC World
URL: http://tech.msn.com/news/articlepcw.aspx?cp-documentid=18795775>1=40000
Facebook is listening to their users. Will you Queerty editors?
(Incidently, the only way I could find this Queerty post was to go to the old version. I searched for about 90 seconds on the new version but I never found a way to get to the older stories.)
Charles J. Mueller
@gator:
So, what is a “decent” person like you doing in a fag site like this?
gator
@Charles J. Mueller: this so called news is on an Ann Coulter daily alert. Otherwise i wouldnt caught dead on your disgusting faggot site. It shouldnt even be allowed on the internet or anywhere else you jerk.
Charles J. Mueller
@gator:
YOur bigoted and hateful comments have been flagged.
econoline
I’ve never posted a comment on any website before but I’ll have to weigh in here and agree with most of the other posters that there’s still some work to be done on your re-design. I know a lot of us like to think that we’re know-it-alls, but – from the bottom of my 17 years as an art director’s heart – from a design and functionality standpoint, the new site’s a bit of a dog’s breakfast at the moment.
For example, I know you’re trying to create a visual hierarchy to help the reader, but there’s such a mix of big fonts, small fonts, colored fonts, fonts reversed out of black, white on orange, gray on black, red on black, serif, san-serif, and Comic Sans (!) going on that it ends up looking confusing more than anything else.
I love you guys, and I’ve been coming to your blog every day. Obviously because of the news, but also because it was unpretentious and simple to navigate. It was one of the the charms about you. Now, honestly, it’s rather off-putting. And that’s not good if you’re a first-time visitor.
Consider what you’ve done here as a first step, simplify it, and I think you’ll get the love back to Queerty.
gator
@Charles J. Mueller: oh gee sissyboy is that like getting slapped from a fag. oooooooooooh you are so tough.but you are still a fag
strumpetwindsock
@gator:
Look, gator (or perhaps that should be gayter baiter)… you’re not really hurting anyone with this kind of talk, and you’re just making yourself look childish and stupid.
you might get a few nibbles like this one, but you will find very quickly you just get ignored like any little kid who does not know how to behave.
However, as with many “decent people” who show up with an axe to grind, we have to wonder if you protest so much because you are secretly interested in joining the team.
gator
@strumpetwindsock: The team, I dont think so butt sniffer. Do all the good people a favor and go back to your closets and backrooms where you are supposed to keep your depravity. Give our kids a chance to grow up knowing that having two daddies or mommies is not ok.
strumpetwindsock
@gator:
Ah…. no thanks.
And as a matter of fact I’ve told that I am very good, too
And you have a good time being so secure in your own sexuality. Most of my straight friends don’t really take such a great interest in how we live our lives.
One last thing…. the “Gay” in “Gator. Is that some sort of joke you made on purpose, or were you not aware you did that? People do all sorts of things subconsciously, after all.
gator
@strumpetwindsock: your lives only interest me when they affect mine. like all your bullshit about fag marriages, and fag rights you have no special rights. gator was taken from a movie you moron, it has nothing to do with your sick lifestyle. enjoty the rest of your life hopefully its short.
strumpetwindsock
@gator
You shold probably run back to the Ann Coulter site (speaking of gay icons you could say she’s one of sorts – at least for self-hating, masochistic guys who are in complete denial).
And sorry about the link you mistakenly followed, then mistakenly registered for a handle that sounds a lot like the word “gay”, then retrieved a password from your mailbox, mistakenly signed on, and then mistakenly found yourself not just on a horrible queer site (how were you to know from the title?)…. but on a page devoted to REDECORATING and making the site look pretty.
You should probably write Anne a letter and tell her to flag it a bit better.
And thanks for the good wishes, but it’s a bit late for my life to be short. From the sounds of it I’m probably old enough to be your grandfather.
pickles
I don’t waste ‘hate’ for a website re-design. Hate is for Nazis, gay bashers, litterers…
However, this indulgent, unattractive update serves Queerty poorly. It alienates. Good design reaps compliments ( iPods, Conran’s, Muji, the Underground map for The Tube, etc, etc. ). Your largely panned website design is the opposite.. Added attitude and better-than-thou bitchiness makes lame design doubly unattractive. Cop to the movement. Un-change and feel the love.