We wanted to give our users a heads-up about some changes scheduled to take place with WildcatReport today -- and we're not talking about Jovan Swann's announcement.
When the change kicks in at some point today, the front page of WildcatReport and all content pages (stories and features) will be completely different. We've been using some of the new content pages already and you can see an example here: What's wrong with NU's offense?
Here are some FAQs about the changes:
Why are the changes being made?
- The Rivals network has essentially been unchanged for 15 years. Because the coding is so antiquated it's coming apart at the seams and was in desperate need of an update. As many probably remember, national signing day two years ago was an absolute disaster when the network crashed for several hours. That was a result of underlying problems with the network and having few people that could maintain antiquated code and software. The network has been held together by tape and string since then and it's a daily challenge to keep it up and running.
- Mobile! When Rivals was launched around 15 years ago there was no such thing as reading online content on a smart phone or tablet. Now, over 50 percent of people that are online are doing so from a mobile device! The old configuration (content and front page) was never designed for mobile and doesn't play nicely with it. We tried a workaround by developing an app, which was OK for a while but essentially hasn't worked since last summer. The new network is 100% mobile responsive and optimized for all devices.
What will the changes mean for WildcatReport users?
- For content pages, there will be a slightly different look, but more importantly they will be optimized for mobile. Everything should be much easier to read on smart phones and tablets, and they should load faster. There will be no need to scroll from side to side or to increase the size of the page in order to read it. And because it's compatible with all devices and operating systems, every page should look fine whether you are using an iDevice, Android or Windows.
- With the network now stabilized and with everything compatible with mobile, it means we are one step closer to getting a working app that should be dramatically more functional than the old one (even when it was working). Please be patient but I plan to make getting a new app out a priority going forward.
- The front page of WildcatReport will look very different. Here's an example: Auburn's front page. Because there was a priority to make everything mobile friendly, we had to sacrifice some features that have been mainstays on the front page. The look will be more streamlined (you will need to scroll down more to find recent features and stories).
What does this mean going forward?
- When we finally got approval for funding to design and launch a new network, one of the best things that happened was getting Rivals away from the constraints of being on Yahoo's servers. For all intents and purposes, Rivals is now independent (from a technical standpoint) from Yahoo and will no longer be constrained by having to go through 20 layers of bureaucracy to get an upgrade or something needed done. As a result, a lot of cool features and needed changes will come quickly over the coming months.
- The new leadership at Rivals is putting more of an emphasis on listening to the publishers, which means we have more of say in the direction of the network. It also means we have a lot of input on needed changes. With a streamlined network away from Yahoo these changes can happen much faster.
- Yes, there will be some bugs. The new network been essentially running in the background for over a month to weed out as many bugs as possible. But with any major technological change/upgrade bugs, glitches and unforeseen setbacks are inevitable. We will work as quickly as possible to get through these problems so please be patient.
What if I have questions, comments, suggestions or criticisms?
- This thread will be left open for a while to get feedback on the changes. We'll do what we can to answer any questions you might have and to consider any suggestions. However, if your goal is to troll, stir the pot or just or just complain without offering anything constructive your post will be removed. You are always welcomed to email us.
I can't thank all of our loyal subscribers and members enough. We realize the technological side of Rivals has been substandard the past few years and realize it's been frustrating for many of you. It's also been frustrating on our end, too. We look forward to providing the technology and experience that all of you deserve.
Go Cats!
Thanks,
Louie Vaccher
Publisher
When the change kicks in at some point today, the front page of WildcatReport and all content pages (stories and features) will be completely different. We've been using some of the new content pages already and you can see an example here: What's wrong with NU's offense?
Here are some FAQs about the changes:
Why are the changes being made?
- The Rivals network has essentially been unchanged for 15 years. Because the coding is so antiquated it's coming apart at the seams and was in desperate need of an update. As many probably remember, national signing day two years ago was an absolute disaster when the network crashed for several hours. That was a result of underlying problems with the network and having few people that could maintain antiquated code and software. The network has been held together by tape and string since then and it's a daily challenge to keep it up and running.
- Mobile! When Rivals was launched around 15 years ago there was no such thing as reading online content on a smart phone or tablet. Now, over 50 percent of people that are online are doing so from a mobile device! The old configuration (content and front page) was never designed for mobile and doesn't play nicely with it. We tried a workaround by developing an app, which was OK for a while but essentially hasn't worked since last summer. The new network is 100% mobile responsive and optimized for all devices.
What will the changes mean for WildcatReport users?
- For content pages, there will be a slightly different look, but more importantly they will be optimized for mobile. Everything should be much easier to read on smart phones and tablets, and they should load faster. There will be no need to scroll from side to side or to increase the size of the page in order to read it. And because it's compatible with all devices and operating systems, every page should look fine whether you are using an iDevice, Android or Windows.
- With the network now stabilized and with everything compatible with mobile, it means we are one step closer to getting a working app that should be dramatically more functional than the old one (even when it was working). Please be patient but I plan to make getting a new app out a priority going forward.
- The front page of WildcatReport will look very different. Here's an example: Auburn's front page. Because there was a priority to make everything mobile friendly, we had to sacrifice some features that have been mainstays on the front page. The look will be more streamlined (you will need to scroll down more to find recent features and stories).
What does this mean going forward?
- When we finally got approval for funding to design and launch a new network, one of the best things that happened was getting Rivals away from the constraints of being on Yahoo's servers. For all intents and purposes, Rivals is now independent (from a technical standpoint) from Yahoo and will no longer be constrained by having to go through 20 layers of bureaucracy to get an upgrade or something needed done. As a result, a lot of cool features and needed changes will come quickly over the coming months.
- The new leadership at Rivals is putting more of an emphasis on listening to the publishers, which means we have more of say in the direction of the network. It also means we have a lot of input on needed changes. With a streamlined network away from Yahoo these changes can happen much faster.
- Yes, there will be some bugs. The new network been essentially running in the background for over a month to weed out as many bugs as possible. But with any major technological change/upgrade bugs, glitches and unforeseen setbacks are inevitable. We will work as quickly as possible to get through these problems so please be patient.
What if I have questions, comments, suggestions or criticisms?
- This thread will be left open for a while to get feedback on the changes. We'll do what we can to answer any questions you might have and to consider any suggestions. However, if your goal is to troll, stir the pot or just or just complain without offering anything constructive your post will be removed. You are always welcomed to email us.
I can't thank all of our loyal subscribers and members enough. We realize the technological side of Rivals has been substandard the past few years and realize it's been frustrating for many of you. It's also been frustrating on our end, too. We look forward to providing the technology and experience that all of you deserve.
Go Cats!
Thanks,
Louie Vaccher
Publisher
