New Netscape opens up - existing users not impressed
The new digg-like Netscape has gone out of beta and is now on the main netscape.com domain.
I'm currently seeing some great comments coming through on my initial post about the new Netscape. Seems like the existing Netscape user base is not overly impressed - and remember there were some 811 million page views per month on the old netscape.com. This comment on my blog by Susan Kramss is indicative:
"I've been a loyal Netscape member for years. Lately my patience has been seriously tried. First I went three weeks without access to my mail because the "servers were down" and no one could say if or when they would be up and running or if my mail would still be on file.
Now this change to Digg! It's absolute garbage. Even if I wanted to give it a try, I've gone in on three occasions now, changing my password using their update password link and each time it comes back saying the system does not recognize my password. I couldn't use this new format if I tried due to the poor technical management behind the scenes. It's time for a change. And I strongly reccomend it to the many of you out there who are unhappy with this change because you know damn well this kids running the show don't give a crap about what the public wants."
I wonder if this is just the initial shock, or will Jason Calacanis and his team have a big challenge on their hands to convert the old netscape users across to the new community news "2.0" model. Thoughts?
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Richard,
Thats an interesting piece of feedback from Susan. One noteable part of it is that Susan already knew about Digg which tells me she may not be the target demographic for the new netscape. All technical issues aside, I still think this could still go well with the masses.
True. This change could go well with the masses.
I too think it is garbage. It takes much longer to find anything, at least anything I am looking for. Back to the old display!
Regarding technical issues, we're finding many users cannot login to their accounts -- because they are not creating new ones. ;)
We'll be working SNS integration soon enough, which should hopefully ease the pain. We'll still be requiring users to create new aliases to use the system to avoid creating a spammers paradise though ;)
I DO NOT! like this new version! Back with the old!
pend not like new format...too cumbersome....
not as easy to read...do not want to spend all that time reading the index. Old format
quick and easy to read
The new netscape is a disaster - when I look for news (1) I look for validated sources (not some "anchor's recommendation); (2) I don't care how many votes a "hot story" gets; (3) my opinion of a hot story is DEFINITELY different from these "anchors" - who are these people?
It takes too long to find anything. NETSCAPE is an absolute waste of my time. I won't say "Back to the Old" - because I won't be back. In addition to this ridiculously over-hyped "new" netscape, there have been over the course of the past year, many instances of failure to respond; failure to correct; and apparent inability to "keep things up to date". Adios .
Hey, Netscape! I don't like your new website. I want the old weather insted of me looking at maps showing how to get where I already am!!!
So I want you to change the weather back 'cause I am a girl who hates bad weather and always freaks out whenever I hear the tornado siren, so I want the old weather back so I can always check the weather to see whats going on.
So, CHANGE IT BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :(
Hate your new website!!! I've finally gave up!!! What were you thinking???????????
I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE THE NEW NETSCAPE. IM SWITCHING
I am simply going to move to another site...netscape don't want "old schoolers" as we have been called...convert me? not a chance. Too many other sites out there...I commented three times on three different articles...never found my comment listed...I waited to see if the powers that be at netscape would reverse course but looks like not...so I am gone...
I hate this new format. I've already changed my preferences so that I use the Netscape browser, but get redirected to another homepage so that I don't have to deal with it.
My bookmarks no longer work where I had Netscape pages saved.
I have been loyal to netscape for yearsdue to all of the good things, now I have been fucked. i cant even fine the old netscape home page to substitute for this unnaviagable piece of shit.