# Why isn't this free board exactly the way I want it? Wahhh! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 16, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843 "2004-01-16T21:51:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/1 "2004-01-16T21:51:18Z")
> [@](#): > > This is the ugliest layout I’ve seen anywhere. > Don’t think for a minute they will change it just to please us! > It sucks. I’ve seen a hundred quotes like this one, bitching about every god damned minute detail of this board upgrade. “I don’t like the colors, I don’t like the font size, I don’t like the menu, I don’t like the sigs, I don’t like the smilies…” This has been going on all week. Jesus fucking Christ, people! As I said in another thread, _chill the fuck out!_ They’re _still working on it! Get off their asses!_ Folks, if you’ll remember, _we get this shit **free** _. Not one of us has paid a goddamn dime for this place (except, you’ll remember, **TUBADIVA** , who paid out of her own pocket to house us during our Winter of Missed Content). We bitch and bitch about how slow it is, and when they upgrade to a faster version of the software, we bitch about it being down when they install it and how it’s not as purty and all this other shit. Y’all act like it’s the end of the goddamned world that you _don’t like the margins_, when, as the staff has mentioned so often they’re just cut-and-pastinng, that _they’re still working on it._ Repeat after me: This is not permanent. This will change. This will end up better than before. What a bunch of goddamn crybabies. It’s one thing to offer suggestions for the future, but some of y’all are standing over Jerry’s shoulder going, “I don’t like this. It looks ugly. You’re stupid. I hate it,” over and fuckin’ over. Adn if a slight change in color gets you this upset, perhaps this isn’t the fuckin’ board for you. It’s a wonder the staff hasn’t just said “fuck it” and went home. There’s four million posts here by 43,000 people, and already the board running a faster average than it has in years. Cut them some goddamned slack. Y’know, if they didn’t have to spend all day posting the same shit over and over to placate the masses, maybe they’d be able to spend more time _ **tweaking the fucking board** _! ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/2 "2004-01-16T21:55:10Z")
But I want it to be able to transpose my posts directly from my brain so that I don’t have to be bothered with such mundane tasks like “clicking” and “typing”. And honestly, would an occassional backrub be too much to ask? ---
**Author:** ![5que](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/5/3bc359/32.png) [@5que](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/5que)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/3 "2004-01-16T22:03:41Z")
I’m fat and the Board is ugly, but I can lose weight. Na na na na na! ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/4 "2004-01-16T22:12:01Z")
I’d just like to add a hearty “hear! hear!” for the OP. The way some people bitch and moan about this Message Board, you’d think it was being run with their tax dollars. Lose the overblown sense of entitlement, people! ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/5 "2004-01-16T22:44:29Z")
I agree it’s dumb to bitch about a format that is clearly going to change, but this “you can’t criticize it because it’s free” idea is stupid and wrong. Even with free things, it’s useful to suggest improvements. Because we aren’t being charged we cannot describe how it could be made better? That’s fucking brainless. ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/6 "2004-01-16T22:52:47Z")
> [@Revtim](#): > > I agree it’s dumb to bitch about a format that is clearly going to change, but this “you can’t criticize it because it’s free” idea is stupid and wrong. > > Even with free things, it’s useful to suggest improvements. Because we aren’t being charged we cannot describe how it could be made better? That’s fucking brainless. I don’t think the OP was suggesting that comments and suggestions should not be allowed. And that certainly wasn’t the point i was trying to make. But go and read some of the threads about the software upgrade. There are some perfectly reasonable suggestions, and many people are calmly and rationally pointing out what they do and don’t like about the new layout. But others are acting as if they’ve just been betrayed by their best friend, and as if the people who run the SDMB have changed the layout for the simple purpose of annoying the members. The whole “How dare you…” attitude is pretty unbecoming, especially when so many people put in so much time to provide us with this great forum FREE of charge. Just MHO. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/7 "2004-01-16T23:01:38Z")
> [@mhendo](#): > > But others are acting as if they’ve just been betrayed by their best friend, and as if the people who run the SDMB have changed the layout for the simple purpose of annoying the members. > > The whole “How dare you…” attitude is pretty unbecoming, especially when so many people put in so much time to provide us with this great forum FREE of charge. > > Just MHO. OK, I agree with you there. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/8 "2004-01-16T23:18:40Z")
Troy, are you going to the upcoming Evanescence concert? (or however they spell their name) ---
**Author:** ![herman\_and\_bill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f1d935/32.png) [@herman\_and\_bill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/herman_and_bill)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/9 "2004-01-16T23:19:29Z")
I can get along with the colors but, why must I wait for half an hour for the site to down-load? ---
**Author:** ![county](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce7236/32.png) [@county](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/county)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/10 "2004-01-16T23:23:15Z")
They oughta open a new section. BBQ Pit - Regular BBQ Pit - for whining bastards with format issues. ---
**Author:** ![Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troy_mcclure_sf/32/4150_2.png) [@Troy\_McClure\_SF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troy_McClure_SF)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/11 "2004-01-16T23:39:24Z")
> [@herman\_and\_bill](#): > > I can get along with the colors but, why must I wait for half an hour for the site to down-load? While it’s not as lightning-fast as, well, every other site on the WWW, as a whole, it’s been much faster than it used to be. Obviously, it’s also been down while being tweaked, but aside from that, it’s been great. (And for the helpful people who will inevitably point out the fallacy of a great-except-for-when-it-doesn’t-work argument, do keep in mind that it’s down to implement long-term fixes.) **Revtim:** **mhendo** is right. Helpful suggestions are great, but the level of vitriol people had over a different skin is astonishing and disappointing. **Tars** : I found out about it last night, and I do plan to go. Just in time, too, I think I’m starting to get over them. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Matchka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/77aa72/32.png) [@Matchka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Matchka)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/12 "2004-01-16T23:39:43Z")
But I fear change… All these pretty colors and different fonts are so Intimidating! And what’s with my signature being on by default? Now I have to click something to keep the witticism of which I am so proud _off_ my posting. I may just be force to boycott the SDMB! they could at least have installed a spell checker. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/13 "2004-01-16T23:46:46Z")
I’d pay for use of this board. I’d also pay for the right to bitch to someone who cares. But what are the odds? ---
**Author:** ![ParentalAdvisory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/53a042/32.png) [@ParentalAdvisory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParentalAdvisory)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2004, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/14 "2004-01-16T23:55:49Z")
I can understand that change is still underway, but certainly this site has a development server that they could’ve made they changes to and copied over the configuration files (whatever they may be). I mean they still have the VBulletin Logo in the header! Unless there was a licensing issue, it should’ve been delayed until the final layout was final (except for very minor tweaks). This site, now, feels like a Britney Spears site, without Britney. I feel like a cackling school girl reading this site. Carry on. ---
**Author:** ![lezlers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/258eb7/32.png) [@lezlers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lezlers)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2004, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/15 "2004-01-17T00:07:29Z")
A-fuckin’ MEN. Yeah, I’m going through a little adjustment phase with the new format, but you get used to it pretty quick. Hell, I made it out of the fetal position in a matter of minutes and out of the corner after a few days. For as much time and effort the administraters and mods put into this board, and how much enjoyment it’s tens of thousands of users get from it, it takes some pretty big balls to pitch a hissy over some formatting changes. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2004, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/16 "2004-01-17T00:13:10Z")
> [@](#): > > _formatting deleted_ > All these pretty colors and different fonts are so Intimidating! Never, ever do that again, or I shall choke you to death with your own severed ass cheeks. Re the OP: Hear hear. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2004, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/17 "2004-01-17T00:14:01Z")
> [@ParentalAdvisory](#): > > I can understand that change is still underway, but certainly this site has a development server that they could’ve made they changes to and copied over the configuration files (whatever they may be). I mean they still have the VBulletin Logo in the header! Unless there was a licensing issue, it should’ve been delayed until the final layout was final (except for very minor tweaks). But those plans would have diverted resources away from the task of getting the board running; I may be wrong, but It seems to me that this upgrade is happening for the same reason that the last one did; the board started to fall apart and the effort of installing a new version, although probably greater, was considered preferrable to the effort of patching up the old one. I strongly suspect that if we didn’t have this version here, we’d be looking at a week or three of complete downtime. The cosmetic stuff may be trivial to set up, but when you’re rebuilding databases, it isn’t a priority. ---
**Author:** ![Tars\_Tarkas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tars\_Tarkas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tars_Tarkas)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2004, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/18 "2004-01-17T00:14:24Z")
> [@Troy McClure SF](#): > > **Tars** : I found out about it last night, and I do plan to go. Just in time, too, I think I’m starting to get over them. 😃 i haven’t decided if i will go yet, i’ll let you know if i do. ---
**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2004, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/19 "2004-01-17T00:16:39Z")
I started an ATMB thead asking people to wait it out and give them a chance before commenting. And people are basically taking the piss by using that thread to bitch and moan. Moderators, Administrators, Everyone involved in the maintenance of the boards - We appreciate your work. We sometimes forget that the board is free, not only that, but it is without doubt the best damn board on the internet. And that is due to the hard work of the Mods/Admins, keeping trolls out and keeping the members in line. ---
**Author:** ![detop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@detop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/detop)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2004, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843/20 "2004-01-17T00:21:17Z")
Another “hear, hear” to the OP. And I would like to add, thank you **TubaDiva** , **jdavis** and everybody else involved in the operations of this board, we don’t deserve you all. (wow just in writing this, three new posts were added !) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-isnt-this-free-board-exactly-the-way-i-want-it-wahhh/224843.md?page=2)