(no subject)

[denise]

I am stunned, pleased, and incredibly thankful for the response everyone's given to the update page redesign post. Seriously, guys. I mean, seriously.

When I worked on LJ, we used to have the rule that the designer and programmer responsible for any major changes weren't allowed to read the comments of the news post announcing the change, because the comments would be so vicious that it would destroy all motivation; someone else would have to read and collate the feedback. I told fu that she wasn't allowed to read the news post comments at first, because I was still in that mindset, and by the time we'd hit something like 50 comments -- all of which were excited, energetic, and full of thoughtful, positive, and useful suggestions for improvement -- I lifted that restriction, because the response was just that good.

I'm not talking about the fact that nearly everyone so far likes the design (although -- as the person who sketched the first draft of it, the one that fu improved so much -- that certainly helps!); I'm talking about the fact that every single comment has been helpful and productive. I swear, people could've been telling us that they wanted to change everything about it as long as it was phrased the way things have been getting phrased!

I should've known better, because over and over again, you guys have proven that you are just that awesome. I've seen it time and again in dw_news, dw_biz, and dw_suggestions: I don't think there's a single site out there with users this thoughtful, articulate, careful, and dedicated to the improvement of the site for everybody, not just for themselves. And I can't tell you how much of a relief it is, as a site owner, to know that our users are so dedicated to the good of the community and of the site.

In short, I adore you guys. All of you. (Yes, even you, there in the back.) Thank you for being absolutely awesome. Every time I start getting frustrated or fed up about the sheer amount of stuff involved in running this site, something like this happens, and I am flush with love about the fact we have such damn awesome users.

Comments

[tea]

When I worked on LJ, we used to have the rule that the designer and programmer responsible for any major changes weren't allowed to read the comments of the news post announcing the change, because the comments would be so vicious that it would destroy all motivation; someone else would have to read and collate the feedback.

Is it sad that I'm SO happy to hear this? I only read a few of those posts - such as the profile page update, which seemed pretty innocuous to me - and it hurt my soul thinking some poor person had to put up with such venom. Whatever people think of the organization, it shocks me that people can have so little consideration for the individuals who put their time and energy into something.

Which means I am so, so pleased to be here and see that these attitudes haven't been ported over to DW. As happy as I am reading the comments, I can only imagine you and fu must be so much more!

[yvi]

I only read a few of those posts - such as the profile page update, which seemed pretty innocuous to me - and it hurt my soul thinking some poor person had to put up with such venom.

I just googled and found the announcement in lj_design. :/

[tea]

Horrific, isn't it? I mean, there are some sincere and helpful, or even positive comments, but what inspires someone to give a subject line to a comment of "You are a disappointment"? It's as if the internet lets people forget that there are other people on the other end of the line.

I can understand being repeatedly disappointed and upset with a service, but I'm pretty much of the opinion that if you get to the point of spitting hatred and telling people they suck, you probably should find another service. *coughDWcough* And like Denise says, criticism can be awesome if it's said with some kindness!

[fu]

Extremely happy! Everyone has been so fantastic; it's a pleasure combing through the news comments to find out what needs to be changed.