Resistance to change?

[fabpack]

Hi

We run a community type website with quite passionate users.

This week we launched a new version of it - new look, layout, GUI, functionality etc etc.

Admittedly, we've been a bit buggy and have had deal with issues on the fly - but those that have actually used the new site like it a lot. The changes benefit the community immensely.

However, we have a hard core who are just loathing it, asking for the "old one back", being abusive etc.

Is it just us or do all sites with an engaged user base suffer this way?

 

[DaveP]

It's human nature. When we've become use to something it's hard for us to adapt and see the positives when said something completely changes. Give them time and they'll grow use to it again I am sure.

 

[Blossom]

Had a similar thing happen with a forum a few years back. Once you have enough new members that don't remember the old version is will be a bit more balanced.

They'll get used to it - look what happens with every Facebook redesign.

 

[Systreg]

I hate changes of any type, even small changes wind me up, but when whole sites change I get really pissed off. I'm very set in my ways and know where everything is, when I click something on a page, I already have my cursor in position to click something on the next page before it loads as I know where it is, if it's now not there or in a different place :evil:

 

[Admin]

I've had the same feedback here. I purchased a license ages ago to upgrade the site to the latest and greatest but when I started showing it to people they prefer what I have.

Admin

 

[Aaron Clifford]

I've had the same feedback here. I purchased a license ages ago to upgrade the site to the latest and greatest but when I started showing it to people they prefer what I have.

Admin

I for one would like to see Acorn upgraded and at least a slight change of theme. I've ran forums before, and even the people that moan get used to it.

Also an upgrade would cover any future exploit patches as won't be long before a version this old stops getting supported.

 

[AssetDomains]

Is it an option on your software for them to be able to chose there own theme/style

 

[bulkcorn]

Happens with most websites but people get used to it in the end or leave.

 

[fabpack]

Is it an option on your software for them to be able to chose there own theme/style

No, it's quite a complex site and is as is.

The issue really is this was not a small change - you can get away with a series of incremental changes over a period without too much issue.

this was a full on rip it apart from the ground up starting with the way it was coded all the way through to the look, colour scheme, functionality and GUI.

 

[Murray]

Is it just us or do all sites with an engaged user base suffer this way?

How important to the forum are the senior members?

One of my ex favourite SEO forums has been much been killed by a redesign because the old members have stopped posting; on that type of forum you need the old guard experts otherwise It's just novices getting replied to by spammers.

I personally don't like change, I'm annoyed at hotmail turning into outlook and I will transition to not using it anymore.

I like acorn how it is, simple and classic.

This is how much I like simple and classic.. http://i49.tinypic.com/35311fr.png lol.

 

[MikeJDS]

Why did you change it?
Did you ask your members for any input before thinking of what changes to make. - They probably would have had some great ideas to improve their experience.

You will always get some oddballs that think they have earned certain rights (or own the place) just because they have been around for a while.
If what they say isn't constructive just ignore it.
If they are being abusive then ban them!

Communities in general don't like change (apart from individuals themselves being fickle) As DaveP said that's just human nature. - But don't worry over time they will get used to it! (assuming its still usable)

 

[doodlebug]

I don't mind a bit of change but I remember when Acorn added a like feature on. here and no one liked it.

 

[WealdDomains]

Put yourself in the shoes of a participant in your forum who may be new or maybe has their own set way of doing things. Regardless of the good new stuff you are doubtless doing, have you done anything that breaks or confuses the pattern they have created that satisfies their current usage ?

Have you increased functionality or have you actually changed functionality, perhaps removing some existing features in the process ? Some of them will merely be mouthy stroppy so-and-sos resistant to change, but maybe your well-intentioned changes really have had annoying unintended consequences because your own set of testing personas, use cases, tooling scenarios, etc do not provide full coverage of how your current user base really operates.

Also, maybe have a read through http://www.acorndomains.co.uk/forum...ly-question-how-best-read-forum-messages.html to see how an innocent request from a newish forum member with significant experience elsewhere was responded to here : with hindsight I am amused (and I don't carry forward any emotional baggage - honest !), but at the time I really was seriously offended (although hopefully I managed to just about mask it).

Do please step back and consider the user perspective whatever the undoubted merits of your latest updates.

David

 

[tifosi]

Had the same when I migrated a postnuke site to wordpress. Not much choice it was obsolete and getting buggy with the latest php versions. No direct migration path so it was a LOT of effort.

The theme was a bit different, more social media & user friendly, still there were whiners. In the end the luddites just got told to suck it and see. They're used to it now.

 

[WealdDomains]

Re-reading the thread, and with no knowledge of your forum, I think that deep down in your heart of hearts you have already recognised the real issue and I suggest that you try to regain credibility with your audience by facing up to this rather than positioning them as the scapegoat : no one realistically expects perfection, but it feels like you are giving us a hint of the reality with your phrase "Admittedly, we've been a bit buggy and have had deal with issues on the fly".

So, take a deep breath, step back, and recognise that maybe you steamrollered through something that you thought was a sexy enhancement package but in practice wasn't really ready (this is my assumption, reading between the lines).

Also, is there a positive message ? Does the new version bring improved security ? Does the new version give improved personalisation options ? What were the factors that persuaded YOU to carry out the upgrade and are any of those relevant to your members ? Why have you "imposed" this on them ?

David

 

[julian]

what makes this forum work is simplicity, + clear, logical layout for the sub forums and posts - I would not change it, unless for a very good reason.

I've had the same feedback here. I purchased a license ages ago to upgrade the site to the latest and greatest but when I started showing it to people they prefer what I have.

Admin

 

[Aegean]

If you believe these were positive changes you have made to your forum, why not write a post explaining each of the changes and how they will benefit your users. They may be a bit more willing to tolerate change.

 

[fabpack]

Amazingly the tolerance of bugs has been great - all issues relate to change.

We changed the look because the old site was dated - we changed the functionality because the old site was clunky and slow because of its architecture and growth beyond its tolerances. All of the changes, bar the omission of a couple of marginal features (which have now been added back) benefit the users in every way - security, safety, ease and more.

The new site is laden with new features and a majority of the original kept too. Where we have omitted features that are valid we are adding them back very quickly.

Re-reading the thread, and with no knowledge of your forum, I think that deep down in your heart of hearts you have already recognised the real issue and I suggest that you try to regain credibility with your audience by facing up to this rather than positioning them as the scapegoat : no one realistically expects perfection, but it feels like you are giving us a hint of the reality with your phrase "Admittedly, we've been a bit buggy and have had deal with issues on the fly".

So, take a deep breath, step back, and recognise that maybe you steamrollered through something that you thought was a sexy enhancement package but in practice wasn't really ready (this is my assumption, reading between the lines).

Also, is there a positive message ? Does the new version bring improved security ? Does the new version give improved personalisation options ? What were the factors that persuaded YOU to carry out the upgrade and are any of those relevant to your members ? Why have you "imposed" this on them ?

David

 

[philipp]

I for one would like to see Acorn upgraded and at least a slight change of theme.

Yuck, no thanks. Who cares about intrusive 'themes', Acorn Domains is solely about content.

P.