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What I learned from MAD magazine on Active Rain Changes

By Gary Woltal

Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Realty 0575737

February 21, 2009 01:05 AM

Back in the 1970's and probably 1980's I was a big MAD magazine reader. I evolved from reading comic books to loving the satire of life and TV shows and politicians that was portrayed in this publication.

The main character, this 12 year oldish boy named Alfred E. Neuman had this toothless grin and a famous line

What, Me Worry?

I have not been prone to write rants here on real estate, life or even Active Rain.

But the rapidity of changes lately at Active Rain changing bells and whistles on nearly a daily basis, I have to say has really started to bother me.

Add photos to the comments. Add badges. We don't need no stinkin' badges! Give the comment photos to some, and not others. Take the photos away. Outside blogs that are not Active Rain. Outside blogs that are Active Rain.

Coming from an Engineering and software design perspective methinks too many cooks are in the kitchen and we have hit feature creep. Too many useless features and total disagreement of what stays and what goes.

Obama Neumann OK, if I didn't know any better I would think the Active Rain gods have turned into a woman. No offense to women, but the fairer sex does tend to be more the fickle one.

All right, there you have it, your occasional rant from yours truly, but it does allow me to practice Alfred E. Obama's favorite line about coping with things out of your control to have a better day today...

What, Me Worry?

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Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker

Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA

Put 40 years of experience to work for you

The only other thing that is inevitable, apart from death and taxes, is change. Active Rain tweaks and improves the site constantly. I don't mind it. At least it's not the same-o-same-o day-in and day-out. The nice thing about AR is if you voice your opinion and give rational reasons why something isn't working, AR will consider your input and change it. Change isn't so bad, Gary. Consider the alternative.

Feb 21, 2009 07:07 AM

Gary Woltal

Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX

Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Mark: I like the pictures on the commenters too. Puts a face with the name. Kind of like branding.

Sandy: Over design is a good term you described it as.

Dorie: Less can be more. That is actually a very principled design goal in interface design. Why is Apple computer so loved? They make it simple.

Elizabeth: Very true that change is inevitable. I think looking back on what I am saying is the implementation of change and how well thought out the selected change is. Add a feature, pull a feature seems like kneejerk planning to me. Also, communication. For a newbie, or even a veteran a central repository for FAQ on how something works would be helpful. I should be on a board or panel to give feedback on changes and future direction. I think I naturally have a gut feel for this stuff for what is helpful and what is clutter. Like what happened to the blue background around the blogger's comments? I thought that was a GOOD change, and now it disappeared.

Feb 21, 2009 07:19 AM

Carol Lee

Dilbeck Real Estate - Oak Park, CA

Realtor - Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake CA Homes

I used to LOVE Mad magazine when I was a kid!! I am kind of with you- overkill for me with all the blog stuff. Too hard for me to figure it out at the moment, so I guess I will stick with the old for now.

Feb 21, 2009 11:38 AM

Don Sabinske

Don Sabinske, Sabinske & Associates Inc. - Zimmerman, MN

Sabinske & Associates Inc.

Well, I'm with you. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. But, everyone has a right to make a buck. It's just too much overload. I, for one, am not on the side of the changes. But, we all have to move on, I'm sure there will be little to nothing we can do as usual in politics and here. I'm just a little wheel in the cog of Active Rain, but I keep pluggling away.

Feb 21, 2009 12:02 PM

Peggy Wester

Realty Executives Integrity - Grafton, WI

Real Estate Agent Ozaukee & Washington County

I have to agree. It's a little overwhelming to me -- all these graphics and badges and photos. I want to read about and learn what it all means but yikes! Too much in too short a time.

Feb 21, 2009 12:03 PM

Richard Weisser

Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA

Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Gary...

I loved Mad Magazine, and it twisted my mind forever. I like some of the changes, especially the comment counter, but it has been a lot pf tweaking!

Featured in the Group "Square Pegs!"

Feb 21, 2009 12:21 PM

Heather Chavez

Second Self Virtual Assistance - Caldwell, ID

Real Estate Virtual, Assistant (928) 692-3235

I absolutely love your blogs, Gary. Thanks for the smiles.

Feb 21, 2009 12:23 PM

Richard Weisser

Richard Weisser Realty - Newnan, GA

Richard Weisser Retired Real Estate Professional

Gary...

It looks like the final tweaks are done ... everyone gets a photo PLUS badges! YAY!

Feb 21, 2009 12:41 PM

Myrl Jeffcoat

Sacramento, CA

Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Gary - I'm a little concerned here, because I can't see the box I usually type my comments in. I see a very big blank space, and am assuming a box is here, so will try it to see if it is another bell and whistle:-) You are entitled to go on a rant once in awhile, after all, It will help with the illusion that you are blissed out much of the time - which may have some folks wondering what happy juice you are consuming:-)

I was beginning to feel leftout because I didn't have one of those badge thingies. And they also took away the little box at the end of the comment where you could check, "Send me responses." I also don't have he "spell check" option. So I apologize for any errors to this response. I thought all these changes were because I hadn't subscribed and sent them money - but maybel we're all just beta testers:-)

Feb 21, 2009 01:34 PM

Marilyn Katz

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England Properties - Westport, CT

ABR, e-PRO - WestportCTProperties.com

Gary- I really liked the blue highlight for the post writer and the pictures of the commenters. I think they were the two best innovations and, for now, they're gone. Hopefully, they will return.

Seeing all these additions, one thought comes to mind: Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

It's like the flyers you see, designed by overzealous amateurs who have discovered a half dozen fonts they really like, and decide to use them all in one piece. Result: too busy and distracting from the message.

Feb 21, 2009 01:57 PM

Bo Hussung

Bell Title /Triserv LLC - Nashvle, TN

Gary, I am not sure I buy the whole badge thing because of the inequity of it. This is a social network not a fraternity or club of priviledged members. I am tacitly opposed to the badges. I have chosen not to pay for mine and as much as I understand that internet business models need to be monetized, but giving awards to people that pay for them is completely against my religion....just sayin

Thanks for the forum for discussion.

Feb 21, 2009 03:08 PM

Randy Hooker

Dreamcatcher Realty / Greater Phoenix Area - Gilbert, AZ

Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, Queen Creek

Nice rant, Gary! (Except you're gonna be in big trouble for the sexist female stereotype remark.:) I typically enjoy change - ONCE IN A WHILE - but the changes around here are coming in rapid-fire succession, and before the dust settles, they're changing the changes. And you're right about the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. I agree with Elizabeth that no change is worse than some change, but methinks there's a happy medium that needs to be struck. Thanks for giving yourself permission to "rant."

Feb 21, 2009 03:36 PM

Laura Cerrano

Feng Shui Manhattan Long Island - Locust Valley, NY

Certified Feng Shui Expert, Speaker & Researcher

Gary, I have to laugh at all the changes! Sometimes I just hit "refresh" and something else is new! All in the name of progress :) Some of the changes I like, some I can't keep up with....some I think I miss completely.

Feb 21, 2009 03:48 PM

Russell Lewis

Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

As a kid growing up I was a huge fan of Mad Magazine and your metaphorical use of it for all the changes here. I will never get over all of the weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth when something changes around here, it's funny in a way. After all, we get all this stuff free (mostly)! I am sure we all work with these types and I have a friend who just says, take your "change pill" and get back to work. Thanks for putting a funny spin on this!

Feb 21, 2009 11:45 PM

Russell Lewis

Realty Austin, Austin Texas Real Estate - Austin, TX

Broker,CLHMS,GRI

BTW, I also evolved (or deteriorated) into reading Mad Magazine by way of comic books. The barber wher I used to get my hair cut always had a nice supply of all types of comics and many of the often read and well worn issues of Mad. And I did not know Al was 12?!?!

Feb 21, 2009 11:48 PM

Judy Jennings

Top Agent Plus - Middleboro, MA

Tap into Judy's real estate expertise & resources.

Gary,

I have to say that it was a bit discouraging for me as a fairly new member. I agree that people should be recognized for their contribution, dedication and involvement, and believe me I HAVE benefited from this community in learning from the members. I am trying very hard to participate and be a contributor to making rain for myself and the community. I try to give back to people that have recently joined as this can be a very intimidating place with so many excellent writers.

I was even intimidated about putting my feelings into words. If I feel this way, I am sure there must be others that are equally intimidated.

Thank you Gary, for all your great posts. Didn't mean to vent all over this one. I better find some chocolate. ;-)

Judy

Feb 22, 2009 02:07 AM

Mara Hawks

First Realty Auburn - Auburn, AL

Inactive-2012 REALTOR - Homes for Sale Auburn Real Estate, AL

You're cute when your angry? LOL! Seriously, this was an insightful post and there is much to discuss, for sure. I'm not sure about the badges and all, but I do wonder how innovation meets negotiation, evolution and management along its way...all of this is so new, and I'm sure the ARgods gain much from the feedback and will keep working with it. In one way, I've been watching someone in my area that I believe adds so much pollution to localism here...and folks like that aren't as willing to pay for that privilege...so adding some VALUE to the privilege might be a way of better management of content that's more aligned with the integrity of the original intent...

As for points and recognition (badges), there seems to be split camps: those who don't like them; those that do; those that don't but secretly do; those that couldn't care less and hardly blog; those that never have anything nice to say anyway; as I say, it's interesting discussion and there truly are so many ways to view it---and REview it. When I saw those "badges" appear the other morning, I liked it because I like kaleidescopes and visual changes and aids, but I did wonder how many of those RAINgods were eagle scouts :-)

Feb 22, 2009 02:17 AM

Ginger Foust

Certified Staging Professional - Oakhurst, CA

Home Stager Oakhurst CA, Dream Interior Redesign & Staging

Gary...my head's still spinning...more changes everyday. The gods MUST be reading your blog!

Feb 22, 2009 02:32 AM

Carol Culkin

Diamond Partners Inc - Overland Park, KS

Overland Park Residential Real Estate

Gary - Yes we can! Only in America can we post comical pictures of our president and get away with it.

Feb 24, 2009 07:22 AM

Carol Lynne Bull