BETA Testing New Feature - Site Toolbar

[Stephan Whelan]

Hi,

We're testing a new application on the site - a sitewide toolbar which you'll find at the bottom of the screen.

Let me know of any comments, issues or praise around the feature.

Thanks!

 

[Jorg]

Hi Stephan,

I personally like the wibiya toolbar a lot! After some testing last month on another community website I manage, it gave some excellent results! So it will probably be a matter of time before I integrate it in the Shark Sports | Home website as well.

Cheers!

 

[BennyB]

That's some funky shiznit!

 

[kelp princess]

in theory a good idea -but coupled with those VERY distracting-expanding and content-covering ads! Oy!

not really bitchin' 'bout the bar - mostly bitchin about the ads rofl

toodles!

kp

 

[trux]

Personally I find it rather redundand - it only includes functions already present in the menu, or such that I will never use. However, it can be minimized into a small button rather easily, so it does not disturb too much. The question is whether it does not unnecessarily slow down the page loading, and whether it does not add unnecessary load on both the server, and the client.

 

[Jon]

I find it annoying as hell. Then again, others have accused me of being a Luddite in the past so take my opinion for what its worth.

Jon

 

[Stephan Whelan]

It's a limited trial folks - so far it's proving positive to the majority and seeing interactions on the site go up but that doesn't mean it'll stay.

It'll be on the site till the end of July and i'll then do a final analysis on whether it'll stay...

FK - send me a screenshot of content covering ads. I can take up with the advertising agency (if they are generate by the site).

Cheers!

 

[Mr. X]

I have it blocked by default in FireFox, so no impact positive or negative here. Found it a little distracting when it popped up the other day (when I disabled default blocking) but it looks slick, couldn't see much use for it myself. Maybe I need to take a closer look.

 

[Broseidon]

Really, really don't like the bottom bar - I find it MASSIVELY increases the time it takes a page to load, basically freezing my browser for a good 15-20 seconds each time.

Please can it go away soon!

 

[Old Man Dave]

Ditto. Mine is a relatively new and powerful computer and this new feature has slowed it down hugely. Each page takes a noticable time to load and if I hassle it it freezes usually resulting in a close down and reboot. Hate it.

Dave.

 

[Stephan Whelan]

OK folks - i'll be getting wider feedback from the community in a poll and it will be around till the end of July before making a decision which will be based on feedback and usage stats.

Cheers!

 

[Stephan Whelan]

So folks - after 6 weeks of trials i'm de-activating the toolbar. Whilst we saw some minor improvements in interactions on the site the speed reduction and overall impact on the site outweighed the benefits.

 

[kelp princess]

hooray! 3 cheers for papa-smurf!

now what to do about those pesky video ads under the newsy bits!? hmmmmmmmmm:head

kp

 

[Stephan Whelan]

Fk,

I need screenshots and when they appear as i'be never seen them and am not aware of how they appear.

Cheers!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[kelp princess]

hey stephan they look like this:

 

[Stephan Whelan]

FK - that is a paid advertising slot. At present we choose to have our remnant inventory managed by Google Adsense so they are choosing to display video ads where appropriate.

Those aren't going to go away i'm afraid as they help contribute to running of the site.