So, uh, we did it?
No. Just no. Not in the slightest.
Satisfying as it was to launch the new Apple and Android apps, as well as the new website, and gratifying as it was to get platitudes from readers -- and the reaction was overwhelmingly positive -- this soft launch was only the beginning. We've got a long way to go to get everywhere the way we want it, meaning both the product you see and the one we're using behind the scenes.
I can't stress this enough: The thing is entirely new. Built from scratch. Unlike all our previous platforms, it's not a hybrid or patchwork of various systems melded into some singular Frankenstein model. This one's organic from the roots up.
As such, however, this is a maiden voyage in every way. No amount of closed-door testing was going to catch everything. So we're flying without a parachute right now and pleading, yet again, for both your patience and persistence. Patience for the time this will take. Persistence in trying things more than once until they do what you expect.
Borrowing from Dale Lolley's 10 Thoughts format, here are 10 additional things I'd like to share on this subject:
• We've heard from a few Apple users who have iPhone 6 and even earlier models. This app won't be compatible. We had to set a cutoff somewhere, and that was it. In challenging the developers to go with the latest tech -- for speed, efficiency, maximizing ad revenue, etc. -- we couldn't simultaneously handcuff them to tech dating back half a decade.
We're hoping a solution for those users can be found via mobile browsers, and we're looking into it. (Safari isn't it, but other browsers might be.)
• That said, the new tech shows. This thing is lightning-fast. It even feels too fast at times, if that makes sense. Like, I'll tap something, wait for the reaction ... only to see it's already happened. Our developers emphasized this aspect above all others from the very start, and it's paid off.
• Yes, we'll have ads. Not like the old site. Nowhere near that overbearing -- that omnipresent video box on desktop, for example, is gone for good -- and nowhere near that much of a drag on the speed. Hopefully none, in fact.
But make no mistake: We need those ads to operate. The past four days alone, we've lost in four figures in revenue while awaiting implementation. It hurts.
• Use the whole app. Move around. Don't get stuck on the home page.
I schemed this thing in a way that encourages lateral movement rather than simply scrolling way, way, way down a single page to find what you want. It's all there at your thumb, and it's actually super-easy once you become acclimated. But you've got to do it. Don't be shy. Poke around. See what's where.
• Our statistical packages are our least complete aspect. We knew that. We wanted to launch, anyway. But they'll keep progressing behind the scenes.
And yes, the boxscores will be live. As will a couple other cool things accompanying that.
• So many of your suggestions have already been heeded: Readers wanted clearer article type on desktop and got it. Right-clicking to open new tabs. Lots of other stuff already on the list. We won't meet every demand, obviously, but we're listening.
• If your existing password doesn't work, for whatever reason -- and most have -- just select 'Forgot Password?' and set a new one. That'll solve 99.9999999% of these. We've had almost no issues in this area, and we're happy about that.
• It's really surprised me how many people were disappointed that we didn't include tablet orientation -- flipping your iPad to its side -- into this edition. Never saw that coming. But believe me, it's been heard. It won't be soon, but we'll get that, too.
• Older material for right now can be found at this link. We'd love someday to integrate that with this one, but it's not practical right now and not a priority. (Except for Taylor Haase, who's defiantly importing a lot of her own stuff over here by hand. She's like that.)
• Get an avatar, dammit! ;)
No, really, the Asylum -- as our late friend Jason Rollison recommended we name it once this launched -- isn't the same with a slew of gray circles doing the commenting. Go to your profile, grab a pic (make sure it's not some large file) and attach. That's never been easier. And it'll never be more appreciated. We want this place to feel like home as soon as possible.
I also want to resume writing as soon as possible. I'll be at PNC Park tomorrow to write ball, which will be nice. This thing's been all-consuming for a lot of us, notably Dali and Taylor, and the ridiculous hours they both invested, and we'd all love nothing more than a return to some normalcy.
Thank you, yet again, for making it worthwhile.
NEW MEDIA KIT!
We've got partnership opportunities all over the place and, to that end, we've updated our Media Kit to reflect all our latest information related to how we can help boost your business. You can download it by tapping/clicking the link in the previous sentence and, please, when you do that, bear in mind that we aren't one-size-fits-all in any way. We've forged equally great relationships with huge corporations and ... well, my dude Erich Cushey down at Curtis Pharmacy, sponsor of this very feature!
Reach out to She Who Is Boss directly: Dali@DKPittsburghSports.com
BACK TO BUSINESS
• Our daily page views, averaged out over the past week, were ... we have no idea. We still haven't reconnected to Google Analytics. Been that kind of week.
• Our podcast downloads, which are housed and tracked on an outside entity, were 48,619, down 7% from the previous week. For the full month of August, downloads were 184,169, a 32% increase from the previous month.
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