Last Updated on July 27, 2022 by Brad
This post has been carried forward from an older site (see Content Note below). Any modifications to the original content are indicated by a change of text color.
One of my favorite discussion sites of the last 7-8 years that I would participate in multiple times each day recently went through a redesign and move to a new platform. So far, there are some really cool new features, but many of us “regulars” are disappointed in some of the things we’ve lost. One person said all the content appeared to be there as it was before but a Category 5 hurricane had visited. That’s been our chief complaint, I think – we’ve lost the nice, neat, logical lists in favor of the modern chaotic trend of pages that never stop scrolling and algorithms that determine what we need to see when. You know, just like every update Facebook makes that causes people like me to swear I’m going to stop using it (yesterday), but the usefulness of it is hard to replicate elsewhere (today).
Having been the perpetrator of many such redesigns and migrations of websites, I have a new appreciation for what I’ve done to people in the name of progress – and yet I understand why it had to be done. Old technology poses a ton of problems, especially for nonprofits. However, thinking over my complaints about this discussion forum move and Facebook deciding it knows what I like better than I do, I’m finally taking the leap I’ve toyed with for years, and (re)starting my blog.
There’s plenty for me to say about this conglomeration of topics I’ve hinted at, and factor in my own personal/professional interests in education, faith, etc., each post could be painstakingly long, and my desire for perfection has been my biggest obstacle. Perhaps, though, it’s time to move along with the trend and get a little chaotic. Maybe I should go where the wind blows with this (or where the Spirit leads, if you prefer), and maybe I can use this opportunity to build another bridge.
Update from November 2020: Since this was originally posted, the website I initially referred to has been disbanded. Disappointing as it may have been, it was a blessing in disguise, and it may have spurred an interest in really trying to get this (my) site going again.